Latest sightings

Wood Sandpiper

The Wood Sandpiper seems to have settled down in Langleys Brook viewable from Ron Barker Hide, also occasionally on Sunley's from the same hide. Also from Ron Barker Hide today 3 Dunlin, 5 Little ringed Plover, 45 Ruff (mainly males moulting out of the

21 July 2018

Waders

Plenty of waders on the move at the moment, a juvenile Wood Sandpiper has been on site for a few days now but is very mobile, best looked for from Ron Barker where it was in Langleys Brook this morning. Also up to 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 9

20 July 2018

Recent Sightings

The highlight, bird wise over the last few days has been the re-appearance of the Spoonbill, still present today from Ron Barker Hide. Also the return autumn wader passage is bringing in new birds almost every day now, lots of new Ruff have been appearing

4 July 2018

More Waders

The water levels on the Mere are dropping back slightly making for better wader habitat. Luckily the water levels around the site can be controlled so if this heat wave continues the reserve will be a haven for wetland birds as other sites dry up. Great t

30 June 2018

Sightings

The mere is awash with young Shelduck at the moment, with new broods appearing all the time, also the female Pochard is still on the mere with the single youngster. Shelduck chick on the Mere (Tony Disley) Yesterday a

26 June 2018

Breeding Birds

More calm weather and an increase in temperature ahead all looks good for the breeding birds at Martin Mere. A nice selection of waders present including 5 adult Little Ringed Plover with 4 chicks present. Other waders included Avocet with some fledged yo

23 June 2018

Green Sandpipers

A Green Sandpiper that was seen from UU Hide on Monday was joined by another bird on Tuesday and both were viewable from Harrier Hide, also from here the Great Crested Grebes still have 2 young. A female Pochard was on the Mere with one medium sized young

20 June 2018

Spotted Redshank

The highlight from the last couple of days was an almost full breeding plumage Spotted Redshank found Saturday on Woodend Marsh viewable from United Utilities Hide, it was always distant and disappeared from time to time, no sign of it today. Also on Sat

17 June 2018

Sightings

An adult and juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker were showing from the Janet Kear hide today also a Treecreeper nearby and good numbers of juvenile Tree Sparrows around the reserve. Both Little and Great Crested Grebe have young on view from the Harrier Hi

15 June 2018

Red Kite

Todays highlight was a Red Kite that flew past the In Focus shop late afternoon, it looked like an immature bird from the previous year so almost certainly the same individual that has been present in the wider area for a year or so. Other raptors today

13 June 2018

Black-tailed Godwits

Big influx of Black-tailed Godwit in the past couple of days, perhaps resulting from some of the coastal summering sites drying out? Around 500 birds present today. Black-tailed Godwits on the Mere Lapwing numbers are

10 June 2018

Bird News

No further sign of the Hen Harrier today, but lots of other birds around to keep interest levels high. On the raptor front both Hobby and Peregrine were seen today, along with the regular Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and Kestrel. Around 200 Black-tailed Go

8 June 2018

Hen Harrier

"Stop Press" news of a male Hen Harrier seen from the Ron Barker hide today, presumably the same bird which was seen yesterday further North at Leighton Moss. A fuller account of what's around at the moment will be published on this page tomorrow.

7 June 2018

Osprey

An excellent day on site yesterday with the appearance of an Osprey being the main highlight, the bird has apparently been in the local area for at least a week, this is the first sighting at the Mere this year of an Osprey.

6 June 2018

Otter and other sightings

Overcast today after some overnight rain. Good visibility early on. An Otter was seen in Langley's Brook from the Ron Barker Hide at 3pm. Again plenty of evidence of breeding activity. The pair of Great-crested Grebe have 3 young, currently hitching a rid

2 June 2018