Construction work complete on new hide
Visitors to WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre will get even closer to its famous spectacle of thousands of geese and swans after the building work was completed this week on the brand new discovery hide. It has been made possible thanks to donations from WWT members, Lancashire Environmental Fund, Cargill and the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The new hide will open to the public in early November once internal fittings have been completed.
The 70 metre long hide has four distinct sections for visitors to choose from according to their level of bird watching experience. The ‘discovery’ section is furnished with sofas and has spotting scopes available for novices and those who simply enjoy comfort. Other sections are designed for photographers and birdwatchers to enjoy the experience open to the elements and the sounds of thousands of swans as they gather on the mere.
Manager of WWT Martin Mere, Nick Brooks, said: “WWT Martin Mere has opened up a new attraction every year for the last six years and we’re going to continue offering new and exciting experiences for our visitors.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s supported this new hide – WWT members who’ve donated, Lancashire Environment Fund, Cargill and support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. They have helped people of all ages and abilities to watch, learn and be inspired by the unique spectacle of thousands of pink-footed geese and whooper swans. It is going to be a great new attraction and we are looking forward to opening it to the public.”
The new hide has been built to replace the ‘Swan Link’ hide which was built in the 80s. At the time it was the longest bird hide in Europe, allowing more than 100 people to sit and view the thousands of whooper swans at one time, but it is now in need of updating. The ‘Swan Link’ hide will be kept open to the public for one last winter before being dismantled next spring.
With numbers of Whooper swans increasing at the centre, the annual swan feeds started on Saturday 24 October for visitors to get up close and see up to 1000 Whooper swans feed every day at 3pm from the swan link hide and 3.30pm from Raines Observatory.
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9.30am to 4.30pm during winter months (from 2 November) and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. Martin Mere is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations. Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight WWT Wetland Centres.
