Geese events
Over the next couple of weeks there will soon be the familiar sound of geese passing overhead – yes Autumn has officially begun, and WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre will soon be expecting the arrival of up to 30,000 Pink-footed geese after their journey from Iceland.
Reserve Manager, Louise Clewley, said: ““the geese need perfect weather conditions to make the journey from Iceland but we would expect up to 30,000+ geese using the reserve by late September and throughout October.”
From Wednesday 3 October, Martin Mere will be open until 7pm every Wednesday and Saturday
to allow visitors to watch the full spectacle of seeing the geese come into roost. Visitors need to have entered the centre before it closes at 6pm but the nature trail and hides will be open until 7pm. Normal admission charges apply.
On Saturday 6, 13, 20 & 27 October, experience the haunting sound and the thrill of an early morning hide visit with a warden. In past years at this time, the whooper swans have started to arrive back from Iceland and there will be thousands of pink-footed geese on the reserve – you can watch them as they wake and leave the roost. The event starts at 7am and includes a full English breakfast. The cost is £16 and you must book in advance by clicking here
Seeing tens of thousands of geese “murmuring” and “honking” and ultimately taking off together is one of the greatest sights in nature and these events allow the community to take pride in the fact that the geese choose the North West to stop and rest.
WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 6pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. The Centre 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 centres.
