News
Latest Sightings
The young tawny owl is still showing very well on the path to Ron Barker. Have a good look around as it keeps moving from tree to tree and hiding well in the ivy so be patient. Our reserve team has put a sign out to indicate the rough area of where to loo
1 August 2024
Latest Sightings
A young tawny owl can be seen exploring in the trees along the trail to Ron Barker hide while it grows its adult feathers; there is a new sign up on the path so you can see where to look for it. A common sandpiper has been seen at Discovery hide, where 4
30 July 2024
Weapons training and more at our Viking Village this summer!
WWT Martin Mere is opening its Mere Tun for a host of engaging Viking activities over the summer. Visitors can join in on Mondays and Tuesdays from 22 July until 27 August 2024.Open from 12pm to 3pm, visitors can see the history of our ancestors by meetin
28 July 2024
Latest Sightings
After all the rain we have had it finally feels like summer at Martin Mere! The newly exposed mud at the back of the mere is still proving productive for waders with a large variety of species seen. The species list so far is lapwing, black-tailed godwit, avocet, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, redshank, dunlin, ruff, oystercatcher and ringed plover. The mud on Woodend Marsh and at Ron Barker hide is also proving good for waders as well. Elsewhere on site we now have 7 juvenile marsh harriers across the site. This includes the 4 juveniles that have fledged from the nests in Vinson's reedbed near Ron Barker and 3 that have fledged this week from a nest on the far side of the reserve at Doehyles. They are very active at the moment with the adults doing food passes on a regular basis. The reserves English longhorn cattle have been on the move again with the large herd now in the fields nearest to Ron Barker hide which is a good place to see cattle egret. Our other herd is now near to Woodend Marsh so there is a good chance to see cattle egret here too. A count earlier in the week saw 11 egrets with the large herd and 6 egrets on the mere so our numbers are hovering 16-20 individuals. Look out for the kestrel chicks near Long Meadow barn as well between Gordon Taylor and Tomlinson. A pair has nested behind the barn owl box in the barn and they are nearly ready to fledge so do look out for them in the coming days as well as the adult visiting regularly to bring in food.
26 July 2024
Greenland white-fronted goslings hatch at WWT Martin Mere
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough, is pleased to announce that the Greenland white-fronted geese that call Martin Mere home have successfully hatched two goslings.
25 July 2024
What’s On - Summer Holidays at WWT Martin Mere
Looking for fun activities for the summer holidays? WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough, West Lancashire, has an exciting lineup of events and activities for you and your family. Check out what’s on offer: Summer Code Breakers Join us fr
25 July 2024
Martin Mere announces £5 Universal Credit tickets
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough, Lancashire, has introduced a new low-cost entry, as part of its aim to make the centre more accessible and allow people of all ages and incomes to enjoy a great day out, connect with nature and discover the super
24 July 2024
Latest Sightings
It is a mixed bag at Martin Mere with birds coming and going. On the mere there are only 2 avocet left, one being a juvenile with the parent ferociously defending it still. It's almost ready to fledge so they won't be around much longer! The reserve team
22 July 2024
Latest Sightings
After a few days of dry warm weather the water levels at Gordon Taylor Hide and Woodend Marsh are reducing leaving some great muddy areas which is attracting more waders - Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Redshanks and Little Ringed Plovers. Ron B
18 July 2024
Latest Sightings
There has been lots of sightings at Ron Barker including a Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and a Greenshank. The Black Tailed Godwits are showing well at Ron Barker too, with 78 recorded there last week. A Kingfisher has been heard over the reedb
15 July 2024
Latest Sightings
It's been another soggy week out on the reserve, but this hasn't put the birds off! As the breeding season draws to a close, there have been a number of migrating birds passing through on their way to their wintering grounds. In terms of waders, there hav
12 July 2024
Latest Sightings
A barn owl has been seen hunting quite a lot this week, mainly over woodend marsh to bring back to its nest in Harrier Hide. 2 juvenile cuckoos were spotted recently; one at Ron Barker hide and the other on the outer reedbed walk, which is also where a gr
8 July 2024
Latest Sightings
Half of our herd of English Longhorn cattle have been moved onto the mere this week, and some cattle egrets have moved with them! The rest can still be seen at woodend marsh. A common tern was seen opposite Discovery hide, and plenty of swallows and swift
5 July 2024
WWT Martin Mere sees amazing productivity of lapwings
27 pairs and 47 chicks fledged, - the reserve at WWT Martin Mere has seen the best productivity of lapwings in the reserve history.The reserve is the perfect breeding ground for lapwings due to the amazing wetland habitat. The species prefer short grass t
4 July 2024
We've launched a new Inca Tern talk!
WWT Martin Mere has added to its daily talks and feeds schedule with a brand new Weird or Wonderful Aviary talk.The new talk covers fun and interesting facts about the Inca terns, spoon bill, comb ducks, and whistling ducks which all call the aviary home.
3 July 2024