Otter notice
⚠️ Otter notice ⚠️
Please note that from Mon 2 Sept to Sun 8 Sept the otters will be off show whilst we complete works on their habitat. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Latest sightings
Hen Harrier
A brief update. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen mid morning on the reserve. It's worth noting that this bird was much paler than the recent possible Northern Harrier. Hopefully this bird will stick around with the other raptors present including 2+ Marsh
28 October 2014
Recent bird news
Recent days have seen plenty of sightings, the Water Rail is still showing at times along with up to 2 Kingfisher in front of Ron Barker Hide. Still 4-5 Marsh Harrier in the area, 3 Peregrine and lots of Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
27 October 2014
The Beast!
Another good day on site with lots of Pink-Footed Geese and c350 Whooper Swan in the area, lots of Wigeon, Teal and Pintail. The Water Rail has been showing on and off from Ron Barker again along with 2 Kingfishers. Still at least 4 Marsh Harriers seen to
25 October 2014
Latest Sightings
Been off the web for a few days but plenty of activity since the weekend although no major rarities on the reserve post ex Hurricane Gonzalo, or if there is they haven't been found yet... It still appears that big numbers of Pink-footed Geese are coming i
23 October 2014
Cormorants
Good numbers of Cormorants on the Mere this afternoon with at least 45 counted, still at least 3-4 Marsh Harrier inc the green wing tagged bird from Norfolk which has now lost one of it's tags and adult Peregrine seen again. The Kingfisher was again from
19 October 2014
Recent sightings
Still at least 4-5 Marsh Harriers hunting around the reserve, with the usual pair of Peregrine being seen, good numbers of Common Buzzard up to 10 birds, 2-3 Sparrowhawk and 2-3 Kestrel. No further sightings of the Hen Harrier sp.
18 October 2014
Harriers
Despite lots of scanning today no further sign on site of the interesting Hen Harrier from yesterday, it was probably seen this morning at Marshside, normally Harriers wander the extensive local areas, between Marshside, the Ribble and the Martin Mere are
16 October 2014
A first for Lancashire?
Another excellent day with attention being grabbed by a fem/imm Hen Harrier that was seen by a few people and was photographed, the photo's look very promising for the North American race often known as Northern Harrier which is sometimes regarded as a fu
15 October 2014
Latest Sightings
Another packed Pink-foot day with 15-20000 on the reserve early afternoon. Recent counts included 150 Whooper Swan, 1070 Teal, 880 Mallard, 350 Wigeon, 96 Pintail, 15 Gadwall, 10 Tufted and 10 Pochard. More raptors with 5 Marsh Harrier including two tagge
14 October 2014
Latest Sightings
Another fine day of swirling flocks and visitors buzzing with exciting as thousands of Pink-footed Geese descend onto the reserve. Similar wader counts as yesterday. Raptors included 14 Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Tawny O
12 October 2014
More Whoopers
Calm conditions and a shower free day and the sky was filled with geese and lapwings for most of the day. Small groups of Whooper Swan flying in bringing the total to 116 including this family of 2 adults and 4 juveniles. Impressive numbers of geese from
11 October 2014
Five Marsh Harrier
Some excellent viewing of up to 5 Marsh Harrier today particularly but not exclusively from the United Utilities Hide. At least 10 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Two Greenshank dropped in and flew out mid-morning viewed from the Ron Barker H
10 October 2014
New arrivals
The first small group of adult Shelduck arrived this morning with 6 birds joining the few juvenile birds still on the reserve. the numbers of Common Shelduck can exceed 1000 during the winter period. New in a dapper Common Shelduck At least 800 Lapwing,
9 October 2014
33,000 Pink-footed Geese
Pink-footed Geese have dropped back a little from last weeks record numbers, although at 33,000 it is still one of the largest counts recorded on the reserve. ~ 116 Pink-footed Geese... More Whooper Swans arriving with 45 seen today. Other wildfowl count
8 October 2014
The Whooper Swan influx starts here.
There is something quite special seeing the first groups of Whooper Swan arriving at Martin Mere. As the season progresses it becomes more difficult to point to a group of swans flying in and say these birds have just come in from Iceland (via Scotland).
7 October 2014