Latest sightings
Hen Harrier plus
Another good raptor day with the first Hen Harrier (a ringtail) of the autumn, 2+ Marsh Harrier, female Peregrine, 4 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Two Raven again. Another great goose spectacle too with 10,000+ Pink-footed Geese on the reserve
12 October 2013
Whoopers and Redwings
Redwings were evident this morning with small flocks flying north over the mere, at least 50 along with 15 Fieldfare and flocks of Goldfinch and Chaffinch, a watch from dawn would have revealed a much higher count, the last 24 hours has seen a large arriv
11 October 2013
Don't you just love autumn!
A fantastic day, with Pink-footed Geese in and out all day long, there must have been many newly arrived birds today as we had new Whooper Swans arrive on the northerly winds, a count this afternoon of 168 at least. There must be c20,000 Pink Feet in the
10 October 2013
Whoopers!
As predicted a tiny influx of Whooper Swan has occurred with 17 birds now on the reserve. It would be surprising if a few more didn't arrive in the couple of days too. The Pectoral Sandpiper is still present from the United Utilities Hide on Woodend Marsh
9 October 2013
Pectoral Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper from the United Utilities Hide this afternoon. It can be elusive in the longer vegetation. Little Stint again from the Ron Barker Hide. A single Barnacle Goose present on the Mere with 4000+ Pink-footed Geese, also present a pale (leuci
8 October 2013
Possible Pec.
A possible Pectoral Sandpiper seen distantly from the United Utilities Hide this afternoon. Drake Green-winged Teal again from the Ron Barker Hide, also there Little Stint with 40+ Ruff and 800+ Lapwing. Six species of raptor with Merlin, Peregrine (which
7 October 2013
Green-winged Teal
Drake Green-winged Teal from the Ron Barker Hide again. Little Stint also from the Ron Barker Hide. Similar numbers of Pink-footed Geese from yesterday, showing very well throughout the day. Raptors included 3+ Marsh Harrier, 5+ Common Buzzard. Along the
6 October 2013
Raptors and Geese
A good raptor day with 6 species recorded; Merlin, Peregrine, 3 Marsh Harrier, 8 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Plenty of Pink-footed Geese with over 10,000 roosting on the reserve and much coming and going throughout the day. Three Whooper Swan
5 October 2013
Yellow-browed Warbler?
Yellow-browed Warbler? No. However a more traditional Martin Mere rarity was found today in the shape of a drake Green-winged Teal on Vinson's Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide. Also from there Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin and 30+ Ruff. Don't rul
1 October 2013
22,000
An excellent 22,000 Pink-footed Geese roosted on the reserve last night. At least one bird didn't make it through the night as it's corpse, at the back of the Mere, provided a meal for Great Black-backed Gull, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard and assorted Ca
30 September 2013
More Geese
Another great viewing day for Pink-footed Geese on the reserve with 17,000+ birds. One Barnacle Goose also with the Pink's and an interesting partial leucistic bird with a large white blaze and white blotch on it's belly superficially resembling a White-f
29 September 2013
Close up views of Pink-footed Geese
An excellent day with a few thousand Pink-footed Geese showing very well on and around the Mere. Later on in the season the geese become more nervous and really show as well close to the Swan Link Hide. Probably (certainly) loads of other birds around but
28 September 2013
More Birds
Another marvelous day, feeling like the last blast of summer but with loads of autumn/winter birds around the reserve. At least 5000 Pink-footed Geese around the reserve. A few interesting geese among them including a single Barnacle Goose and a possible
22 September 2013
Autumn Spectacle
A lovely day on the reserve, a little low cloud early becoming calm sunny and warm from early afternoon onwards. The main action is Pink-footed Geese. Around 10,000 birds in the area, in fact, any where you might look you'll see or hear Pink-feet. A singl
21 September 2013
Pinks
A top day with skein after skein of Pink-footed Geese arriving throughout the day. Difficult to estimate numbers as birds were moving around the area, but a conservative estimate of 5000 is probably not far off the mark. A good selection of waders again w
18 September 2013