Latest sightings

Sightings Highlights

Early rain showers promised much but no reports of any species not present in recent days. The Little Stint continues to hang out on Woodend Marsh, today with up to 10 Dunlin some of which were obviously new arrivals. Little Ringed Plovers can show well f

18 May 2016

Spoonbill

A Spoonbill was new for the year but only very briefly present on Woodend Marsh late morning. It was probably the same bird which was later seen at Marshside. Spoonbill in rather smart breeding attire (back of the camera s

17 May 2016

Little Stint again

Chilly today with more cloud cover than predicted. Yesterday's Little Stint is still present out on Woodend Marsh keeping company with some newly arrived tundra Ringed Plover (10+) and 7 Dunlin. Little Stint one of the wor

16 May 2016

Little Stint

Brief update. A fuller summary tomorrow. Carrying on a fine run of waders Little Stint is the 16th species this month. The bird spent the day out on Woodend Marsh. Greenshank again early on, 2 Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plover.

15 May 2016

Sightings Highlights

A bright day but a change in temperature as the Northerly airflow bring cool air over the UK. Interesting to note today good numbers of Swift feeding over the reserve in the afternoon. Still 2 Knot present now for their 6th day(!) moulting into breeding p

14 May 2016

Bird News

A fairly quiet day today, with few reports from around the reserve. At least 10 species of wader present with the 2 Knot on Woodend Marsh (from the United Utilities hide) for their fourth day - a remarkably long stay for this coastal species which, on the

13 May 2016

Still no Black Terns !!

Still no Black Terns (see yesterday's post), but they are getting closer, with one only a couple of miles away at Mere Sands today! On the reserve, still 2 Knot from the United Utilities hide along with a single Dunlin and at least 2 Common Terns. Also 2

12 May 2016

No Black Terns....

It's May and another day with easterly winds and rain showers and still no Black Terns! This isn't really a complaint as the reserve is packed full of breeding species as well as the current crop of migrating waders, the later making a count of 14 species

11 May 2016

All about waders

Thirteen species of wader seen today as a result of the rain produced by the predicted weather front. This front is looking like it will be stationary for a couple of days so more birds may drop in! Two new species for the year with two Knot on Woodend Ma

10 May 2016

Transit of Mercury

Transit of Mercury showed well at Martin Mere today. Mercury in front of the Sun (the 10 o'clockish dot) Hottest day of the year with pretty much non stop sunshine and easterly winds. Clear condition aren't usually th

9 May 2016

Whimbrel

A group of 4 Whimbrel appeared on the Mere mid afternoon for a drink and a bathe before heading off north. Other signs of wader passage were a group of 8 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin on Woodend Marsh this morning. Other waders included single Curlew, Ruff

7 May 2016

Bird News

A bright, warm day today, with a good variety of species again seen around the reserve - a 'day list' of 70+ species can be acheived without too much difficulty at the moment. Today's highlights included a Cuckoo and Barn Owl from the Janet Kear hide and

6 May 2016

Ibis and Warblers

A Glossy Ibis was reported by " a member of the public" flying away from the Harrier hide early this afternoon, but no further information available. A good variety of warblers around the reserve, with a probable Garden Warbler, as well as Chiffchaff, Wil

5 May 2016

Little Gulls again

A breezy chilly start to the day followed by blue skies and sunshine. Some Orange-tip butterfly took to the wing today, summer is round the corner! The Harrier Hide in the distance looking from one of the viewing platforms

3 May 2016

Whimbrel continue

A rain front passed through by 12am followed by breezy and mostly sunny conditions. Today's news is mostly about waders but as of late some excellent birding with the potential of seeing over 80 species on and around the reserve (see previous sightings re

2 May 2016