Latest Sightings
Another exciting week here at Martin mere, with yesterday in particular having a few visits from some great birds! The first was an adult Bewick's swan that roosted on the mere with the whoopers, seen on the morning of the 20th but left shortly after first light. The second was a Richard's pipit heard overhead whilst we were working in an area of the reserve that unfortunately has no public access, a brilliant record for the reserve and hopefully it reappears! Finally the third great bird from yesterday was a goshawk, which circled over Hale hide at around midday.
Our whooper swan numbers have risen to 426 and more and more are coming to our daily feeds. Pink-footed geese numbers are remaining steady, and many are still roosting on the reserve. 2 drake goosanders were on the pool in front of harrier hide on the 20th and the goldeneye was still present until the morning of the 19th. Pochard numbers are still low with the no more than five birds being seen at a time, usually on the mere but 2 drakes were seen from harrier yesterday.
Wader activity has really quietened down this week. 6 black-tailed godwits were on the mere on the 20th with up to four being present on most other days this week. Similar numbers of ruff are still hanging around the mere and a few of both black-tailed godwits and the ruff are coming to the swan feeds giving fantastic views! A green sandpiper was heard on Woodend marsh on the 18th and snipe can be seen on most of the reserve in small numbers, the most reliable place being from Gordon Taylor but 6 were also seen from United utilities this morning.
Winter thrushes are here in good numbers now. Fieldfares and redwings can be seen well over much of the reserve with a particularly good spot being the trees around Hale hide. A number of mistle thrushes can also be seen around the carpark.
Cetti's warblers can still be heard singing over much of the reserve and the numbers of wigeon are still building, goldfinches and greenfinches are still in good numbers at Janet Kear along with a few tree sparrows around Reins feeders.
