Latest Sightings
Nearly a 15 degree drop in temperature compared to this time last week as the winds swing round to a North Westerly direction. A good selection of species to be seen around the reserve with 60+ easily doable in a full day.
Our current star birds are the fledged/near fledged Common Tern chicks. These birds are the first to be successfully bred at WWT Martin Mere. One bird is fully flying the other maybe a few days off. Given the full range of potential predators the adult Common Tern have been very tenacious indeed. It's also been useful that Avocet have bred close by and have a smallish chick to look after.
Waders are well worth scanning through with Common Sandpiper present today, 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 150+ Lapwing, 8+ Avocet, 6+ Ruff, 6+ Redshank including 3 full fledged young, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2+ Ringed Plover and yesterday 2 Curlew.
Cuckoo was seen twice yesterday from the Janet Kear Hide. Plenty of activity there with Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting, as well as assorted tits.
Raptors included Marsh Harrier, 6+ Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk.
At least 8 Grey Heron on the reserve. Over due a visit from a Great White Egret or Spoonbill!
The current weather / airflow is very similar to condition with brought 2012's Red (grey) Phalarope briefly onto the reserve in mid July....
