Latest sightings
Bird News
As usual after hurricane force winds coming off the Irish Sea no coastal birds materialised. Actually a february storm isn't likely to produce many wind blown strays compared with an early autumn blow. Common Buzzards were in action with 8 different birds
13 February 2014
Spring, just around the corner....
Another wild one. In fact hopefully everything will still be standing when we get in tomorrow! A quiet day report wise. Just over 900 Whooper Swan and 1450 Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve this morning. The 1st winter Ross's Goose was still prese
12 February 2014
Ross's Goose of unknown origin.
Bird watching, like many pastimes, has it's own cultural language. A good example of this is 'unknown origin'. Today a 1st winter Ross's Goose was found along the edge of the Mere from the Gladstone Hide. This bird is undoubtedly the same individual that
11 February 2014
Bird News
A lovely day, spring like after an early frost. Plenty of people about enjoying the late winter spectacle. The Avocet is still present, mostly sleeping at the back of the Mere. Still 3000+ Lapwing mostly distributed on Plover Field. Other waders included
10 February 2014
Avocet Returns
A single Avocet on the back of the Mere marks the spring return of this breeding species at Martin Mere. It is the earliest record for this species in Lancashire. It joins an excellent selection of waders keeping there heads down on a windy Sunday. At lea
9 February 2014
Plovers
A very reasonable start to the day. Recently most of the poor weather seems to have occurred late in the day or overnight and today has been no exception. Waders to the fore with the first Ringed Plover, a pair mostly along the back of the Mere and in the
8 February 2014
Little Egret again
A Little Egret flew through the reserve today, there have been two in the wider area recently. The pair of Peregrine were using the reserve today and causing panic among the many Lapwing flocks. Also at least 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzard and a Sparro
6 February 2014
Festival of Lapwings
If you've not been recently then you have been missing out on seeing huge numbers of Lapwing feeding around the reserve. At least 3000 birds are present making it particularly spectacular when they take to the air. Most of these birds will be moving on as
5 February 2014
Bird News
A few internet hiccups over the weekend, however we are back for now! No major rarities to report. A Eurasian Wigeon showing characteristics of American Wigeon was seen over the weekend and is probably the same bird that has been seen a few times in the l
3 February 2014
Bird News
Another calm day with a few new birds turning up. At least 60 Black-tailed Godwit were new in from the coast. Always a pleasure to see this species flying around in a tight knit flock. Again 2000+ Lapwing, also 10 Oystercatcher, 60+ Ruff, 3 Dunlin, 4 Comm
30 January 2014
Some Counts
Another good day with sensible weather. Some counts produced 960 Whooper Swan, 835 Pink-footed Geese, 12 Mute Swan, 1185 Wigeon, 1855 Teal, 47 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 300+ Pintail, 25 Cormorant. Raptors included Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 4+ Common Buzzard, Marsh
29 January 2014
Waders
A far more sensible day with the winds dropping back, making the sun seem warm. Impressive numbers of Lapwing present with over 3000 birds. A Woodcock was reported flying over the car park. A few Common Snipe showed well from the Gladstone Hide. At least
28 January 2014
Raptors
A good day for raptors probably resulting from the weekends wet and windy weather which would have made hunting difficult for these birds. Merlin seen on and off, 3 Peregrines early on, with one catching a Coot. At least 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier,
27 January 2014
Lapwings and other birds
A calm start before some wilder weather blew in. Biggest count of the winter with 3100 Lapwing, a fantastic sight as they take to the air to avoid raptors. More Oystercatcher arriving with 9 birds around the Mere. Also 80+ Ruff and a single Dunlin. At lea
25 January 2014
Bewick's Swan again
The Bewick's Swan was again on the Mere showing well from Swan Link Hide with 1000 Whooper Swan and a few Mute Swan. The 2 Marsh Harriers were again hunting over the reedbeds and fields along with 4 Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk was seen perched on fen
24 January 2014