Sightings round-up
Large numbers of wildfowl, particularly Pink-footed Geese (20,000+) and Whooper Swans (c.1,000) on the reserve at the moment means this weekend's North West Birdwatching Festival should get off to a great start. The picture above was taken at around 4.30 pm as a single flock of around 10,000 birds arrived to roost on the Mere.
Other wildfowl include Teal, Shoveller, Wigeon, Pintail, Tufted Duck and Pochard, all of which can easily be seen from the Discovery hide.
Around the reserve, Kingfisher(s?) have been showing regularly, particularly from the Ron Barker hide, and at least 4 Little Egrets, Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, and Common Snipe can be found without difficulty.
Raptors include Peregrine, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Also both Barn and Tawny Owls are present on site.
The feeders at the Janet Kear Hide have also been very productive with Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Willow Tit amongst the commoner finches regularly visiting. Treecreeper and Woodcock have also been seen in this area.
Good numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks as well as the occasional Stonechat are being seen over the fields at the back of the reserve (the United Utilities hide has been particularly good for these).
Those with patience have a chance of seeing both Cetti's Warbler and Bearded Tit, both of which are present in the Pat Wisnievski Reedbed, though they are elusive, and a degree of luck is required !
Don't forget the North West Birdwatching Festival takes place this weekend https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere... for full details.
