Latest sightings

Counts

An early morning count produced 1000+ Whooper Swan, 5300 Pink-footed Geese, 470 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose, 290 Shelduck, 204 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 1230 Teal, 1490 Mallard, 100 Pintail, 21 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron and 141 Co

10 November 2013

Raptors

A showery day with sunny spells early on giving us some rainbows across the reserve, nice. A wildfowl packed reserve with more ducks arriving daily. Should have some figures from tomorrows count. As more birds arrive the hunting opportunities mean plenty

9 November 2013

Whooper influx

With condition over the past few days looking excellent for bring birds in from Iceland and Greenland this mornings count of 1186 Whooper Swan on the reserve was more than likely. In fact another 350 birds were just outside the reserve boundary making it

6 November 2013

First frost and new arrivals

First frost for the autumn yesterday making the reserve look fantastic. At least 400 Whooper Swan present at the moment and 6000+ Pink-footed Geese roosting. We will have a proper count tomorrow. A single Barnacle Goose came in with ~ 300 Pink-footed Gees

5 November 2013

A Winter Chill

Get your thermals out, there's a proper chill in the air. The Whooper Swans know it too with 600+ on the Mere late afternoon. Most of the wildfowl present are out of their eclipsed plumage and we have good numbers of Pintail, Teal, Wigeon and Pochard comi

2 November 2013

Thank You

A big thank you to all those who call in at the in focus shop to report your sighting. This 'blog' relies on the regulars and visitors who do this, so if you enjoy reading this do pop in and tell us what you've seen. Two adult White-fronted Geese were see

31 October 2013

Bird News

A slightly calmer day giving excellent viewing around the reserve. Around 200 Whooper Swan late afternoon most of the Pink-footed Geese are spending time off the reserve until near roosting time. At least 2 Peregrine, 2+ Marsh Harrier, 3+ Common Buzzard,

30 October 2013

Who'd be a Teal?

Full on raptor action today, with 5 Marsh Harrier 'teal flushing' birds from Vinson's and Sunley's Marsh over towards the Mere, only to be caught in a pincer movement of 3 hunting Peregrines. The juvenile Peregrine of the group managed to take down a fema

28 October 2013

Green-winged Teal again

Drake Green-winged Teal from the Ron Barker Hide today. It's been pretty hit and miss trying to catch up with this bird, however once on the reserve they tend to hang out through the winter. Late on, 5.30pm, an adult European White-fronted Goose dropped i

26 October 2013

Pinks and Peregrines

A dawn count produced just under 26,000 Pink-footed Geese this morning and 134 Whooper Swan. Over 60 Pintail now present mostly on the Mere. In total at least 14 species of wildfowl present on the reserve. Three Peregrine mostly seen on the fence line alo

23 October 2013

Raptors and Kingfishers

Good weather for ducks this morning with a couple of hours of misty rain reducing visibility across the reserve. Once the rain had passed the raptors were out in action. Three Peregrine throughout the day, having a go at assorted birds and also claiming t

21 October 2013

Green-Winged Teal

Drake Green-winged Teal on the Mere this morning and from the Ron Barker Hide in the afternoon. More wildfowl turning up with greater numbers of Pintail, Wigeon, Shelduck and Pochard. Passage migration was very much in evidence this morning with 250 Fiel

20 October 2013

More Autumn Goodness

Another day filled with Pink-footed Geese going and coming on the reserve. I say going and coming because ~ 20,000 Pink's are roosting on the reserve so most leave early on to feed locally before returning early afternoon onwards. Another very mild day wh

19 October 2013

Pink-feet

Another excellent early morning count of 27,000+ Pink-footed Geese and 140+ Whooper Swan. A single male Pochard was on the Mere as the water is now reaching it's winter levels. Sixty eight Coot and 16 Shelduck on the Mere. A single Barnacle Goose with 500

16 October 2013

Merlin

Another top autumn day here at Martin Mere, lovely in the sun as the wind dropped off. The Pink-footed Geese spectacle is still in full flow with big numbers on the reserve most of the day. No sign of yesterday's Gannet. Many pelagic species have been see

15 October 2013