Latest sightings
Pintail
The winter's highest count of Pintail this morning with just over 700 of this elegant duck around the reserve. Martin Mere is undoubtedly one of the best spots in the UK to see this species. Another fine, if cold day. No rise in Avocet numbers(!) with 28
21 February 2013
Med Gull
Adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull, moulting into breeding plumage with Black-headed Gulls on the Mere in the morning and later in the afternoon. The gull roost on the reserve is currently ~ 2300, mostly Black-heads. Other gulls recorded today includ
20 February 2013
Spring-like
Another lovely day starting with a hard frost but soon warming up in the strengthening sun. A Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly was seen flying today. Probably disturbed from hibination by the warmth of the sun. No surprises to say that the Avocet numbers hav
19 February 2013
More Avocets
Another cracking day weatherwise but just a brief update. Now 15 Avocet on the Mere for most of the day. A 1000+ Whooper Swan present looking great in the morning sun. Still big numbers of wildfowl present many now displaying including Goldeneye. A Gree
18 February 2013
More Waders
A glorious day with light SE winds and full sunshine, very spring like indeed. More signs of spring being just round the corner with the further arrivals of Avocet with 10 birds around the edge of the Mere. A few people have asked if these birds are early
17 February 2013
Avocets return
A good selection of waders today included the first returning Avocets of the year, a flock of 5 birds spent the day on the Mere along with a Dunlin, a Curlew, 6 Ringed Plover and 54 Oystercatcher. There was also the usual 70 Ruff and at least 15 Black-tai
16 February 2013
More waders
At least 18 new Oystercatchers new in today bringing the total to 20 with at least 4 Ringed Plover back and a fly through Dunlin. Cormorant numbers are slowly building up with 17 birds around the Mere. A good day for raptors with a Merlin being reported a
14 February 2013
Woodcock
In the snowy conditions today our wintering Woodcock was again on view from the Janet Kear hide this afternoon, some satellite tracking of Woodcock have shown some birds travel upto 6100 kilometres from as far away as central Russia to winter at sites suc
13 February 2013
Sparrowhawk
A single Brambling was again by the Janet Kear feeding station along with Chaffinch and Greenfinch. A Sparrowhawk caused a bit of excitement when it alighted on one of the islands on the Mere, it stayed for over 20 mins and caused all the Mallard to get
12 February 2013
Barn Owls
Another good day for Barn Owl watchers with birds showing til 10:30 and from 2pm onwards. The Ron Barker Hide is probably the best spot but birds are also seen from the Harrier Hide, Reed Bed Walk and more distantly from the United Utilities Hide. A Merli
10 February 2013
Green-winged Teal
A calm if slightly murky day. The drake Green-winged Teal on show towards the back right hand side of Vinson's Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide. It occasional sits a on log near there out in the water. Peregrines showing well throughout the day with 3 birds
9 February 2013
Singing in spring
One of those days were Great Tit and Chaffinch, among other species, start warming up their vocal chords in sheltered spots warmed by the sun getting ready for the territorial combats of spring. Green-winged Teal on Vinson's this afternoon on the close ri
8 February 2013
Hunting Peregrines
Three Peregrines active this morning. The adult female caught a female Wigeon and proceeded to pluck it while still fully alive... not for the faint hearted. After she had finished her fill the adult male and young male came into eat. Waders included 800+
7 February 2013
60 species
Far more sensible weather wise today making for excellent visibility and general viewing. At any time it fairly easy to top 30 species in less than half a day on the reserve. Add a bit of knowledge and 40-50+ should be on the cards for a full day. Today 6
6 February 2013
Another Wild One
A viciously cold wind with hail showers made birding on the reserve a challenge today. A Little Egret, probably escaping from the coast, went South over the reserve early on. Two Barn Owl also early in the day. The shelter of the Janet Kear Hide provided
5 February 2013