Green Sandpipers
Traditional birding wisdom suggest autumn arrives with the returning waders so it's great to see a couple of Green Sandpiper on the reserve! The birds were originally found below the Kingfisher Hide yesterday and were seen today in flight only over Doehyles Marsh. They could turn up anywhere although the area in front of the Hayle Hide is usually a hot spot.
Other waders include 46 Avocet including 21 fledged young, a record here, 100+ Lapwing, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Redshank, 8 Ringed Plover inc 3 young, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Oystercatcher and 2 Ruff. A Common Sandpiper on Woodend Marsh was new in and 2 Curlew dropped in before heading west.
The Great-crested Grebe chicks are still doing well, 3 present late afternoon. The three Common Tern chicks are getting close to fledging out on Woodend Marsh.
Some wildfowl counts included 90 Teal, 21 Gadwall and 8 Shoveler.
Relatively quiet on the raptor front with 3 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Barn Owl out hunting at 11am on the Reed Bed Walk.
Other reports were of Yellow Wagtail over the Waterfowl Gardens and a female Bullfinch by the Tun Village.
If you are visiting Martin Mere and would like any further information as to the best spots around the reserve or if you have seen something interesting while you are here, please call in at the in focus shop next to the new Discovery Hide.
