Sightings - Martin Mere
Green Sandpiper and other birds
Early rain followed by blue skies and a chilly wind. No clouds! A brief update. See previous days for a fuller picture. Green Sandpiper from the Harrier Hide is the first for the year, an unusual winter visitor here.
29 January 2018
Weekend Sightings
A calm start to the weekend followed by very mild but windy conditions. Plenty of raptor action as usual with 6+ Buzzard, 4+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel. Tawny Owl roosting near the Kingfisher Hide. Minimum of 300 Whooper Swan
28 January 2018
Redpoll
Lovely day with a frosty start and sunshine until late on. The early morning count of roosting birds produced 5000 Pink-footed Geese and 1400 Whooper Swan. Merlin was the pick of the raptors, at least 5 Marsh Harrier including the green wing-tagged bird,
26 January 2018
Green-winged Teal is back
Early squally showers followed by a brisk South-westerly and sunshine. A few early signs that spring isn't too far around the corner, with a bit of a dawn chorus yesterday in mild conditions, Teal whistling out on the marsh and the arrival of a few more O
24 January 2018
Latest Sightings
After the sleet swept weekend Monday wasn't too bad and the lack of rain meant the raptors were performing. Two Peregrine were causing panic among the Lapwing and clashing themselves (imm + ad), at least 4 Marsh Harrier, 4+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparro
22 January 2018
Brambling 'flock'
More winter weather in the past two days with the occasional hail shower strafing the reserve. Saturday looks good weather wise, milder and wetter on Sunday. No real obvious change on the wildfowl front, see previous sightings for approximate counts. Per
19 January 2018
Quite Windy
The wind got up today making viewing more of a challenge and the Martin Mere weather station recorded a gust of over 80 miles per hour yesterday evening. Less wintry showers but still cold. Strong winds and high tides over night tonight may push more wild
17 January 2018
Latest Sightings
After a wet early start it was reasonably mild with good visibility, turning colder throughout the day. Plenty of raptor entertainment with at least 6 Marsh Harrier over wintering and probably roosting within the reserve boundary. Merlin and Peregrine see
15 January 2018
Latest Sightings
Over cast with South-easterlies which as mentioned before is a comfortable wind direction for a lot of the hides. It did feel chilly elsewhere. Similar numbers of wildfowl as of late, see previous sightings for a fuller picture of numbers and species pres
13 January 2018
Latest Sightings
A subtly misty start to the day followed by some spring like sunshine, with light winds, before the clouds took over in the afternoon. Moody skies in the afternoon on the Mere Over 1000 Whooper Swan and 3000 Pink
10 January 2018
Taiga Bean Goose
Brief update for Monday. Taiga Bean Goose with Pink-footed Geese on Plover Field late morning. Water Rail out on the ice along the Reed Bed Walk. Kingfisher in front of the Ron Barker Hide. Check out the previous days sightings for a fuller picture of wha
8 January 2018
Bittern
Stunning winters day with a very light North Easterly which is always ideal as the majority of the hide windows face west and south. Frosty start on the Mere Bird of the day was a Bittern that flew onto Vinson's Marsh
7 January 2018
Latest Sightings
Some great winter birding to be had on and just off the reserve at the moment added to the excellent weather forecast for the next week ahead. Winter birding at it's best. No counts as yet in 2018. Certainly over 1000
6 January 2018
WWT Martin Mere review of the year 2017
As promised a review of 2017! During the year 151 species of birds were recorded and this was one of the lowest counts in recent years. It did however included two first's for the reserve and a number of species unrecorded for over 20 years. January start
5 January 2018
Sightings
Happy New Year to all our readers!! A round up of sightings so far in the New Year include the first Woodcock of the year which was flushed along the reed bed walk area by one of the wardens. A Raven was seen on Woodend Marsh. We still have up to 5 Mars
3 January 2018