Latest sightings
Merlin
Sub zero over night so a marvelously frosty winter spectacle this morning and the forecast looks good for the next 7 days. The colder condition tend to bring a few more Whooper Swan onto the reserve with at least 1000 birds present thou no official counts
15 January 2013
First Snowdrop
I'm not going to tempt fate by saying spring is just round the corner as soon as the first Snowdrop is in flower (near the toilet block) along the Nature Trail... New for this year Nuthatch on feeders near the Beaver Enclosure. Also new, adult winter plum
14 January 2013
Spoonbill fly over
A Spoonbill flew over the reserve ~ 1pm. There has been a bird being regularly seen on the Ribble Estuary and we would assume that this was the same bird. Green-winged Teal is present with Eurasian Teal in Langley's Brook from the Ron Barker Hide. Immatur
13 January 2013
Green-winged Teal Again
Green-winged Teal again throughout the day on Vinson's Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide with 1000+ Teal in the surrounding area. Great to hear the males whistling in their displays to females. A few Tufted Duck and Gadwall present in the deeper water from t
11 January 2013
Greenland White-fronted Goose
A big influx of Pink-footed Geese on the reserve mid morning with around 6000 birds. In among them a single adult Greenland White-fronted Goose. Sometimes not easy to separate from European, which have also been present, but in general adult Greenlands ar
10 January 2013
European Whitefront.
European White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese late morning on Plover Field viewed from the United Utilities Hide. Green-winged Teal mid afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide. Raptors included the first Marsh Harrier of the year, an immature bird, 4 Com
9 January 2013
Record Year List Review of 2012
2012 turned out to be a record year at WWT Martin Mere with 170 species of wild bird recorded. It’s interesting to reflect why this was so. There are certainly a number of factors. The reserve management, for example Cetti’s Warbler which was the only
9 January 2013
Bird News
A murky rain filled day didn't help the birders who turned up today. No sign of yesterday's Common Crane although it's quite possible the bird is in the local vicinity. A few reports included 20 Common Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 50+ Ruff, Dunlin and 600+ Lap
8 January 2013
Common Crane
A Common Crane was found 1:40pm from the Harrier Hide out towards Woodend Marsh when it flew a short distance and dropped out of sight. Woodend Marsh can be viewed from the United Utilities Hide too. Green-winged Teal on Vinson's Marsh 2pm at least. Two G
7 January 2013
Green-winged Teal and other birds.
Green-winged Teal on Vinson's Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide late afternoon. Woodcock showing well early on from the Janet Kear Hide. Other waders so far included 600+ Lapwing, 50+ Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher. Yesterday's merganser was r
6 January 2013
Red-breasted Merganser
A female Red-breasted Merganser was reported late morning along Boat House Sluice. If you have a photograph of this bird we would love to see it. If confirmed it would be only the third record for the reserve. The more common and very similar (female) Goo
5 January 2013
Bewick's Swans
3 Bewick's Swans were seen just off site today, they flew over Curlew Lane heading towards Martin Mere, also nearby 3 Waxwings were in Burscough Bridge in bushes by Firwoods Timber yard. On site 2 Barn Owls were seen hunting over the reserve in the mornin
31 December 2012
Barn Owls
Two Barn Owls were out hunting during the early afternoon seen from Ron Barker Hide, other sightings include upto 20,000 Woodpigeon, there are upto 50,000 in the area!! The usual family group of 3 Peregrine were present this morning, also 2 Common Buzzard
29 December 2012
European White-fronted Goose
The European White-fronted Goose was peforming well on and around the Mere today, mainly on it's own but occasionally with Greylags or Pink-feet. Upto 3000 Pink-footed Geese were using the reserve with many flocks coming and going throughout the day. The
27 December 2012
Recent Bird News
Merry Xmas to all our readers!! On the 23rd a Merlin was seen from Ron barker hide, always one of the harder raptors to catch up with, keep scanning the fenceposts! Also the Woodcock despite not being seen all day and despite many observers looking, was e
26 December 2012