Latest sightings
Bean Goose
The official first day of spring turned out well, and with light winds in the morning the sun felt warm. The birds however definitely had winter feel to them. A Bean Goose dropped in with ~ 1000 Pink-footed Geese late morning and promptly fell asleep. Th
20 March 2018
Bird News
An adult Mediterranean Gull (with a metal ring on it's right leg) was on the Mere this morning, along with the 105 Ruff, 40+ Avocets, and about 100 Black-tailed Godwits. A lot of Pink-footed Goose activity today with at least 1,500 birds moving around the
19 March 2018
Birds & Butterflies
2 Brimstones in the collection area today were the first butterflies reports of this year. Also in the collection area, a single Woodcock was flushed. Lots of bird raptor activity around the reserve, with Red Kite, at least 2 Marsh Harriers, several Comm
16 March 2018
Bearded Tit !
A female Bearded Tit from the Harrier hide was certainly today's "Star Bird", but, like the previous records of this species from Martin Mere, it failed to show itself after the initial sighting. Hopefully a few more pairs of eyes looking will change tha
15 March 2018
Red Kite again
Another fresh day but at least the rain held off until late on. Great to see Red Kite back on the reserve for a few hours. It seems there are a couple of birds in the area at the moment. A good raptor day with Peregrine, 5 Marsh Harrier, 8 Buzzard, Kestr
14 March 2018
Latest Sightings
Damp all day! Plenty of birds around even if the birds of prey were slightly subdued. Wildfowl counts included 780 Whooper Swan roosting, 1200 Pink-footed Geese in the vicinity, 160+ Greylag, 18 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 517 Shelduck, 1500+ Teal, 880 Wi
12 March 2018
Ring-billed Gull!!!
A bit like busses you wait ages then two come along at once. Ok, this probably doesn't quite work for this scenario but last year on the 19th March an adult Ring-billed Gull was found in front of the Harrier Hide and was present for less than an hour. T
10 March 2018
Bittern Booming
A good start to the morning with Bittern booming, heard from the public footpath on the outer reed bed walk. Also in song, Chiffchaff by the Sewage Works and Corn Bunting near the Railway Crossing. Looking back towards the
9 March 2018
Avocet Influx
Warm in the sun, cool in the hides, spring like. Great to see the Avocet coming back in after the cold snap. Four nine birds seen today is the highest count of the spring so far. Lapwing have returned too with 1100+ birds, also 43 Oystercatcher, 78 Black-
7 March 2018
Bird News
Raptors again the stand-out species today, with the male Hen Harrier still present and a female reported moving through mid-morning. An adult Red Kite was also present mid afternoon at least, along with at least 2 Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, 4+ Common Buzz
5 March 2018
Hen Harrier again
Adult male Hen Harrier hunting over Ashtons/Plover Field Great to see the adult male Hen Harrier staying for a second day, special birds indeed. Seven species of raptor today with 4 Marsh Harrier, male Merlin, Pereg
4 March 2018
Hen Harrier
The stand out bird of today was a male Hen Harrier that flew through the site at about 1.20, seen from Ron Barker Hide as it headed towards Windmill Farm area, it reappeared later and was showing till at least 4.30pm. This is our first record this wint
3 March 2018
Snow Exciting!
Not much more than a few centimetres (a bit over an inch if you are wondering) of powdery snow on the reserve this morning. The roads in were fine and the path ways around the reserve are clear thanks to the sterling work of the wardens and volunteers.
27 February 2018
Latest Sightings
Glorious sunshine but wrap up warm! A good count of 5000+ Pink-footed Geese, well worth checking through as a Bean Goose (probable Taiga) was seen locally in the past couple of days. Wildfowl counts included 408 Whooper Swan (more roosting), 519 Greylag,
25 February 2018
Woodcock and other birds
Possibly the last blast of winter as the high pressure brings in the cold from the east. Here at Martin Mere this should mean excellent birding condition particularly as most of the hides face west, so wrap up warm and make the most of it. Friday counts i
23 February 2018