Pink-footed geese return to WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
The first 22 Pink-footed geese have arrived at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre after a long flight from Iceland, heralding the start of Autumn.
Lancashire, Sefton and the North West can expect to hear the calls of over 100,000 Pink-footed geese over the next few weeks as the migration begins and the geese use the North West as a service station to re-fuel after their migration, before continuing south for the winter. Reserve Manager, Tom Clare, said: “the geese need perfect weather conditions to make the journey from Iceland and there is a change in the wind direction expected that may slow down the migration but we would expect up to 40,000 geese using the reserve by late September and throughout October.”
New in 2015: Martin Mere is offering our visitors the chance to see the spectacle of up to 40,000 pink-footed geese come onto the mere to roost by staying open until 7pm every Wednesday and Saturday from 23 September. Tom continues to say: “my most memorable moment here at Martin Mere was before dawn and I had come to work early to carry out a count of the Pink-footed geese. I wandered sleepily down to the Ron Barker hide and could immediately hear the “murmuring” of many “Pinkies”. As I looked out of the hide, the two marshes where completely covered with geese. I don’t actually think any more could fit in. I was stunned at the sight and it took me a while to start counting, but the count revealed 25,000 geese just from this hide. I then waited until they started to take off. Surely this has to be one of the greatest sights of nature and it is equally amazing seeing them fly in at night before they settle so I am delighted that we are offering late openings this year”.
But don’t just take our word for it, Martin Mere has been voted one of the top ten places to go and watch birds in Birdwatching magazine this month illustrating how fantastic the reserve is over the autumn and winter.
WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 6pm. 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.
