Latest sightings
Kittiwake drops in.
The day started off with some heavy hail showers and increasing wind which stayed with us all day before the showers started again late afternoon. An adult breeding plumage Kittiwake was found with Black-headed Gulls on the Mere early afternoon and was st
2 March 2016
More Avocet
A compilation of sightings from the past few days with Monday being the best weather wise. The inexorable rise of Avocet numbers continues with 41 birds today. They tend to spend time sleeping at the back of the Mere and feeding on Vinson's/Sunley's Marsh
1 March 2016
Latest Sightings
Another pleasant day with a good range of species recorded. It is normally possible to see over 60 species in a full day on the reserve. The ringtail Hen Harrier showed reasonably well as this shot from the United Utilities Hide below testifies.
28 February 2016
Bittern
A couple of great days birding on the reserve, helped by the current benign weather conditions. Star bird of the day was the first Bittern of the year which flew from a ditch at the back of Woodend Marsh and dropped into the Reed Bed in front of the Harri
27 February 2016
Swan catch . . .
Today's annual swan catch netted a total of 101 Whoopers - a good number, slightly bettering the 92 birds caught earlier in the week at WWT Cearlaverock. The birds are measured, weighed, and given a general health check before being fitted with a numbered
25 February 2016
Bullfinch and other birds
Another cracking day with great light after a sub zero start. Interesting to note that the Avocet moved to the coast briefly before 8 returned late morning probably as a result of the overnight freeze. The cold tends to knock back the wader numbers so onl
24 February 2016
Hen Harrier again.
A stunning day warm in the sun but chilly in the hides. Continuing to look good weather wise for the next few days. Early morning at the start of the Reed Bed Walk. An early morning recce along the Reed Bed Walk produ
23 February 2016
Hen Harrier and Bewick's Swan again
Chilly in the strong breeze but no rain, which we must be thankful for. As suspected a good raptor day with Hen Harrier (ringtail) being the pick of the bunch, flying through distantly around midday. Also 2 Marsh Harrier, a pair of adult Peregrine, 3+ Com
22 February 2016
Windy but no rain!
The cold/warm front divide pushed further north meaning we were spared more rain, instead we had a very mild but very windy Sunday. It's not always easy to pick up the birds in these conditions but some excellent sightings were had! A six species of rapto
21 February 2016
Scaup and Short-eared Owl
Apologies for the lack of updates caused by a computer problem on Wednesday. This is a bit of a compilation of sightings. Today's bird(s) of the day were two female Scaup which were picked up on the Mere early afternoon before flying towards the Ron Barke
20 February 2016
Waders
The spring build up of waders continues with the first Ringed Plover on Thursday in Plover field which is currently excellent for feeding waders. A spectacular flock of at least 827 Black-tailed Godwit were present also on Thursday, which didn't quite ecl
19 February 2016
500+ Black-tailed Godwit
A few of the 500+ Black-tailed Godwit There is always an 'icelandic theme' to winter sightings at Martin Mere with the presence of Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Geese both of which breed there during the summer. It is
16 February 2016
European White-fronted Geese again
Find the White-fronts... Two adult European White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese from 12:30 onward mostly asleep in Plover Field. Ring-tailed Hen Harrier seen over Woodend Marsh on a couple of occasions then app
14 February 2016
European White-fronted Goose
Star bird of the day was an adult European White-fronted Goose which dropped in briefly with ~ 1000 Pink-footed Geese on Plover Field. These birds are feeding close by on a recently harvested carrot field. Hopefully a few more sighting of this before the
13 February 2016
Avocet
The first returning Avocets, a group of 6 birds were on the Mere this morning, other waders included 400+ Black-tailed Godwit, 64+ Ruff, 13 Oystercatcher 2000+ Lapwing and several Common Snipe. Three of the six Avocet this
12 February 2016