Latest sightings
Raptor-fest
Continuing this winters run of good raptor days with at least 4 Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 3+ Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and Merlin over the weekend. At least 3 Barn Owl (two showing well from the Ron Barker Hide) and 2 Tawny Owl today again. Fif
14 January 2019
1078 Whooper Swan
A lovely frosty start to the day and this winter's highest count of Whooper Swan with 1078 birds present on the reserve this morning. Fairly static counts of roosting Pink-footed Geese with 5439 also present. Locally 4 European White-fronted Geese have be
9 January 2019
Latest Sightings
Overcast but not particularly cold in the light winds today. Solid numbers of wildfowl using the reserve with fifteen species of swan, geese and duck present with upwards of 15,000 birds; Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Geese, Greylag, Canada, She
6 January 2019
Bewick's Swan
After no sightings on the reserve during the winter period 2017-18, 2 Bewick's Swan flew onto the reserve late afternoon. The decline of wintering Bewick's Swan has been dramatic given the record count at Martin Mere is 1046 during the winter of 1990-91.
5 January 2019
Great White Egret again
The Great White Egret was reported again distantly from Harrier Hide, also a Peregrine on view from here. A Water Rail has been showing from Ron Barker Hide in the ditch in front of the hide and a Chiffchaff was seen by Kingfisher hide yesterday. Up to 70
4 January 2019
Sightings
Happy New Year to all our readers! A summary of recent days sightings, a Great White Egret was seen again on New Years Day from Ron Barker Hide. Up to 3 Little Egrets can be seen around the reserve most days. Barn Owls have been showing well at times fr
2 January 2019
Raptors
Still excellent at the moment for birds of prey with a juvenile Peregrine showing very well on and off all day, still at least 1 female Merlin, 3+ Marsh Harrier also several Common Buzzard including a pale bird and the usual Kestrel and Sparrowhawk sigh
29 December 2018
Great White Egret
No reports so far today of the Great White Egret that was seen yesterday out in Plover Field and other areas on site, at one point alongside a Little Egret. Great White Egret with Little Egret (David Gibson) Si
27 December 2018
Happy Christmas!
Lapwing avoiding Peregrine over the Mere Happy Christmas to you all out there and a big thanks for all of your sightings that help us to compile these reports. Great to see a few more Pink-footed Geese on the reserve,
23 December 2018
Latest Sightings
A fine start to Wednesday morning. Sightings for the past couple of days. Not one but 2 Merlin seen on Monday in what has been an excellent early winter run of sightings of the uk's smallest falcon. At least 4 Mars
19 December 2018
Latest Sightings
After Saturday's brutal rain swept chill Sunday started in sunshine and light winds. A few small groups of Pink-footed Geese coming onto the reserve today. These are always worth looking through as locally a few European White-fronted Geese have recently
16 December 2018
Latest Sightings
Light winds, sunshine and a frosty start make for perfect winter birding conditions. 1000's of birds on the Mere this morning A few counts just on the Mere produced 580 Shelduck, 470 Wigeon, 490 Teal, 220 Pintail, 40
14 December 2018
Latest Sightings
After last weeks wind and rain the current weather is a dream and the mostly west-ish facing hides are comfortable when the wind is coming from the east. Continuing a good run for raptors in the past days we have had daily Merlin, 2 Peregrine (ad female a
12 December 2018
Tawny Owl
We have a couple of pairs of Tawny Owl on site, one pair at opposite ends of the reserve. The pair near the Kingfisher Hide have been elusive, but today one bird has returned to the regular roosting site allowing visitors to get a look (through ivy) at th
8 December 2018
Some counts and scarce birds
Mostly rain on Wednesday and light winds. A compilation of the last couple of days sightings. This mornings count produced just under 6000 Pink-footed Geese and 807 Whooper Swan. Some recent waste root crop deliveries on Top Mere have undoubtedly encourag
5 December 2018