Sightings - Martin Mere
Hen Harrier again
Adult male Hen Harrier hunting over Ashtons/Plover Field Great to see the adult male Hen Harrier staying for a second day, special birds indeed. Seven species of raptor today with 4 Marsh Harrier, male Merlin, Pereg
4 March 2018
Hen Harrier
The stand out bird of today was a male Hen Harrier that flew through the site at about 1.20, seen from Ron Barker Hide as it headed towards Windmill Farm area, it reappeared later and was showing till at least 4.30pm. This is our first record this wint
3 March 2018
Snow Exciting!
Not much more than a few centimetres (a bit over an inch if you are wondering) of powdery snow on the reserve this morning. The roads in were fine and the path ways around the reserve are clear thanks to the sterling work of the wardens and volunteers.
27 February 2018
Latest Sightings
Glorious sunshine but wrap up warm! A good count of 5000+ Pink-footed Geese, well worth checking through as a Bean Goose (probable Taiga) was seen locally in the past couple of days. Wildfowl counts included 408 Whooper Swan (more roosting), 519 Greylag,
25 February 2018
Woodcock and other birds
Possibly the last blast of winter as the high pressure brings in the cold from the east. Here at Martin Mere this should mean excellent birding condition particularly as most of the hides face west, so wrap up warm and make the most of it. Friday counts i
23 February 2018
Latest Sightings
With the winds swinging round to the east we are in for a cold but bright week ahead, possibly longer if the forecasters super computers have got it right. A count of roosting Whooper Swan on Sunday reached 1100 suggesting some birds will already be headi
20 February 2018
Bittern Booming
A good start to the weekend with the sound of a Bittern booming out on the Reed Bed. Never an easy bird to see, Bittern have been heard regularly booming at the start of spring at Martin Mere but these birds have only ever been winter visitors. More A
17 February 2018
Latest Sightings
Good viewing conditions on Tuesday but a little on the wet and windy side on Wednesday. At least the forecast into the weekend looks much better. Still packed with wintering wildfowl. The numbers will tend to hold up into March but then quickly decline as
14 February 2018
Avocet return.
Can we say this is the first sign of spring? The first of the returning Avocet were on Vinson's Marsh this morning, just 3 birds. In the coming weeks this number will increases considerably, watch this space.. The traditio
13 February 2018
Latest Sightings
A chilly start to the week with a brisk wind that dropped during the day and plenty of sunshine. Sunset from the other day (Andy Bunting) An increase in Oystercatcher with 41 birds, 1000+ Lapwing, 10 Black-tailed Godw
12 February 2018
Waders
The early spring build up of waders has begun, with increasing numbers of Oystercatchers currently up to 20 birds, also a good count of 128 Ruff, 1-2 Redshank, 1 Curlew, a few groups of Golden Plover in recent days including 30 yesterday. Also still rea
8 February 2018
Let it Snow
Rare for snow to settle at Martin Mere A light dusting of snow is always a delight (if you like that sort of thing). Some brief reports. A mixed flock of 200+ Fieldfare and a few Redwing were seen just off the reserve
6 February 2018
Scaup new for the year
Lovely weather on Sunday, light winds and plenty of sunshine. Late winter birding at it's best Just a brief selection of sightings. Please run through the previous weeks reports for the full picture! A 1st winter drak
4 February 2018
Raptor Fest
A murky start on Saturday clearing later on. Another good raptor day with at least 7 Marsh Harrier on the reserve. A couple of sightings of Merlin in the morning at least, 5+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. Roosting Tawny Owl near the Kingf
3 February 2018
Bittern and other birds
Mild on Tuesday followed by some squally wintry showers on Wednesday. Starting off with a Bittern seen from the Outer Reedbed Walk on Tuesday afternoon. It is likely that it is the same bird that was seen earlier in the month. Never an easy bird to catch
31 January 2018