Latest sightings
Green
All the 'greens' today, one being a regular winter visitor from North America the other is possibly the first record for WWT Martin Mere! Starting with the potential first! There were two sightings of a male Green Woodpecker along the edge of the reserve
29 December 2015
Latest Sightings
The water levels are now dropping out on the reserve making access to all but the United Utilities Hide possible. The Waterfowl Gardens are still out of bounds which makes looking for the Firecrest difficult unless it spends time along the Nature Trail be
28 December 2015
Back again but this time with more water...
A lovely day with pretty much dawn til dusk sunshine. The last 36 hour previous was characterised by non-stop rain which has meant limited access to the Wildfowl Gardens and that the UU, Harrier, Janet Kear and Gladstone Hides have been closed until the w
27 December 2015
Merry Xmas !!
Few reports in recent days, a Barn Owl was out hunting near Ron Barker this morning, still 2-3 Marsh Harrier over the reserve, no reports in recent days of the Firecrest but no doubt it is still around, there are plenty of Tit flocks and small numbers of
24 December 2015
Green-winged Teal and Lapwing
The biggest haul of Lapwing on the reserve for some time with over 2500 birds. Spectacular to see in flight dodging the attention of Peregrine. Lapwing take flight. The Green-winged Teal is still present after no repo
22 December 2015
Winter birding
A lovely start to the day in sunshine and a single early shower. The wind picked up early afternoon making it feel cooler before some rain at dusk. Over 70 species can be seen on and around the reserve at present. The Firecrest was seen again twice near
20 December 2015
Firecrest still present
The Firecrest was seen again inside the collection area this afternoon, also 3-4 Goldcrest, Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit. A pair of Bullfinch were also seen here today. A pair of Goldeneye were on the Mere and a Barn Owl was out hunting in the windmill fa
19 December 2015
Bird News.
A good variety of small passerines seen today, with some of the less well birded areas of the reserve being put under greater scrutiny by people searching for the Firecrest which has been present on and off for several days. At least 4 Siskins and 5 Red
18 December 2015
Bird News
The Firecrest was seen again today in the same general area as for the last couple of days. Peregrine, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier all still present. 40+ Ruff around the Mere 50+ Fieldfare in the car park.
17 December 2015
Firecrest still present
A great days birding to be had on the reserve at the moment with spectacular numbers of wildfowl and Lapwing. It should be possible to see over 60 species in a full days birding around the reserve. That bright light to the
16 December 2015
Firecrest
Bird of the day and new for the year was a Firecrest with two Goldcrest between the Janet Kear and Gladstone Hides. Martin Mere has a good track record of Firecrest and usually once they arrive they do stick around. Listen out for the Goldcrest which are
15 December 2015
Over 13,000 birds!
Counts on the reserve over the weekend included 480 Greylag, 620 Shelduck, 1030 Wigeon, 19 Gadwall, 3030 Teal, 2150 Mallard, 430 Pintail, 33 Shoveler, 25 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 18 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 34 Moorhen, 290 Coot and 1000+
14 December 2015
Weekend Reports
Another wet and wild weekend with the best viewing occurring on the chiller Sunday. On both days the potentially elusive Green-winged Teal was found with Eurasian Teal from the Ron Barker Hide before being flushed by hunting Marsh Harrier(s). The return o
13 December 2015
Green-winged Teal
The Green-winged Teal was again on the far side of the Mere this afternoon, although the strong winds made it difficult to find at times, as it was facing head to the wind and therefore with it's back to observers fom the In Focus / Discovery hide side. T
11 December 2015
Bird News
Another raptor day today. similar to yesterday (see map with yesterday's post - it's still relevant), with 3 species of Owls ( Short-eard, Barn, and Tawny) as the stars of the show. A Swan carcass in a field at the back of the Mere provided food for at le
10 December 2015