Sightings - Martin Mere
Black-tailed Godwits
Big influx of Black-tailed Godwit in the past couple of days, perhaps resulting from some of the coastal summering sites drying out? Around 500 birds present today. Black-tailed Godwits on the Mere Lapwing numbers are
10 June 2018
Bird News
No further sign of the Hen Harrier today, but lots of other birds around to keep interest levels high. On the raptor front both Hobby and Peregrine were seen today, along with the regular Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and Kestrel. Around 200 Black-tailed Go
8 June 2018
Hen Harrier
"Stop Press" news of a male Hen Harrier seen from the Ron Barker hide today, presumably the same bird which was seen yesterday further North at Leighton Moss. A fuller account of what's around at the moment will be published on this page tomorrow.
7 June 2018
Osprey
An excellent day on site yesterday with the appearance of an Osprey being the main highlight, the bird has apparently been in the local area for at least a week, this is the first sighting at the Mere this year of an Osprey.
6 June 2018
Otter and other sightings
Overcast today after some overnight rain. Good visibility early on. An Otter was seen in Langley's Brook from the Ron Barker Hide at 3pm. Again plenty of evidence of breeding activity. The pair of Great-crested Grebe have 3 young, currently hitching a rid
2 June 2018
Spoonbill new for the year
A Spoonbill dropped onto Vinson's Marsh early afternoon before flying South. Spoonbill are now pretty much annually occurring on the reserve. Our year list is now on 126 species. See previous days for a fuller picture of what can be seen on the reserve.
31 May 2018
Latest Sightings
A little more overcast today making viewing over the reserve easier. More signs of breeding activity with at least 17 Avocet chick out on Woodend Marsh with more birds sitting around the reserve. Other waders; c.100 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Little Ringed Pl
30 May 2018
Greenshank and Ruff
Highlight of the day so far is a breeding plumaged Greenshank that flew in early morning and spent the day feeding around the edge of the Mere, often alongside the breeding plumaged Male Ruff that is still present. Breed p
28 May 2018
Temminck's Stint and other birds
Temminck's Stint still present til 4.30pm at least. Temminck's Stint (Tony Disley) A Black Tern flew in 11.20am and was still present on Woodend Marsh 4.30pm at least. Great to see at least one male Ruff in full bre
26 May 2018
Temminck's Still
A good day on site with plenty of sightings of interest, the Temminck's Stint is still present and showing very well at times on the Mere, also still up to 4 Ruff including a full breeding male. Also on the Mere 2 Greenshank flew through just after 9am bu
25 May 2018
Honey Buzzard & Temminck's
News of a female Honey Buzzard with a satellite tracker recorded over the reed bed trail from 20.00-20.30 yesterday evening! No more information at the moment, and unfortunately no sightings today. A Temminck's Stint appeared on the Mere mid morning and
24 May 2018
Bird News
The warm and sunny weather has continued over the past couple of days, and although few new birds are arriving, there is a great variety to be seen on the reserve. The male Garganey has been present on Woodend Marsh again (viewed from the United Utilities
23 May 2018
LRP's
More great weather, if we aren't to careful we'll be complaining that it's 'too nice' to turn up any late migrants! It is however great for the breeding population with young. This Black-headed Gull pair are still thinking
21 May 2018
Cuckoos
A lovely day warm in the sun from early on and plenty of insect life for birds feeing young. Four Cuckoo seen on the Outer Reed Bed Walk the birds are calling inside the grounds too and can be seen from the Harrier Hide, Janet Kear Hide and United Utiliti
19 May 2018
Garganey
A male Garganey on Woodend Marsh yesterday before moving on to the Mere briefly was our first record for the year of this handsome duck. It was present again on Woodend Marsh today, where 40+ Avocets with at least 9 chicks as of this morning can also be
18 May 2018