Sightings - Martin Mere
New for the year.
First Ringed Plover of the year, three birds roving between, Vinson's and the Mere. Three Oystercatcher, 30+ Ruff and 100+ Lapwing. Most birds were lying low in the windy and occasionally squally conditions. The drake Green-winged Teal again with Eurasian
30 January 2013
Hen Harrier
A male (2nd year) Hen Harrier in today, 3 Peregrine, 4+ Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Lapwing numbers have crept up to 130, 50+ Ruff, Oystercatcher and a single Black-tailed Godwit was new in. Over 3000 Pink-footed Geese, some close, early on w
29 January 2013
Green-winged Teal
Drake Green-winged Teal on Vinson Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide again today. Woodcock by the Janet Kear Hide. A few more Lapwing with around 50 birds this morning and a single Oystercatcher returning from the coast after the cold snap.
28 January 2013
Bittern new for 2013
Bittern seen this morning flying to the back of Vinson's from the Ron Barker Hide. The drake Green-winged Teal was also seen in the same area. The wind has broken up the majority of ice across the reserve already so birds like the Green-winged Teal should
27 January 2013
Brambling and a thaw.
Four Brambling from the Janet Kear Hide today. A Stoat was seen near by. As we approach spring, feeding opportunities for many birds becomes more difficult so the feeding station round the reserve become very important to the birds that have found them. T
26 January 2013
Winter Birding
Another chilly one. Nevertheless the local roads are fine and the Nature Trail paths free from ice. A good count of 1370 Whooper Swan on the reserve this morning. Other counts included 340 Pintail, 490 Wigeon, 700 Teal, 27 Gadwall, 55 Pochard, 12 Tufted a
23 January 2013
Common Crane again.
The 'elusive' Common Crane dropped onto the reserve late morning but no further sign by 4pm. It was initially viewable on the left hand side marsh from the path approaching the Harrier Hide. Given that Common Crane is nearly 4 feet tall, it's been doing a
22 January 2013
Woodcock again
Woodcock showed well from the Janet Kear Hide this morning until early afternoon when it was flushed into the undergrowth when the feeders were topped up. Grey Wagtail by the Beaver Enclosure. Always a bird that reacts to hard weather by leaving it's upla
20 January 2013
Snow covered but good birding.
A light snow covering but the roads to the reserve and paths along the Nature Trail are fine. A good selection of sightings today. The drake Green-winged Teal present in front of the Harrier Hide. At least 700 Whooper Swan throughout the day with more pre
19 January 2013
Common Crane apparently..
Although as far as I know nobody reported the sighting to anybody on the reserve, but via twitter and after that assorted rare bird news services, a Common Crane was reported on the reserve around 2pm. We did have a confirmed sighting on the 7th January s
16 January 2013
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