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, 5+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Barn Owl hunting early on.
Waders; 1400+ Lapwing, 100+ Ruff, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 10+ Snipe, 5 Oystercatcher and 2 Redshank.
No reports of the Green-winged Teal but with 3000+ Teal it is likely to be present. Also 3 Goldeneye.
Three Redpoll near the Hale Hide were the first of 2018. Brambling again from the Kingfisher Hide.
Other reports included Kingfisher from the Ron Barker Hide, 3+ Little Egret and 3+ Stonechat.
If you are visiting Martin Mere for the first time and would like to know what is around and the best areas to see specific species do call in at the in focus shop, next to the Discovery Hide which over looks the Mere. It should be possible to see over 60 species in a day without too much difficulty.
