Latest sightings
Whooper influx
With condition over the past few days looking excellent for bring birds in from Iceland and Greenland this mornings count of 1186 Whooper Swan on the reserve was more than likely. In fact another 350 birds were just outside the reserve boundary making it
6 November 2013
First frost and new arrivals
First frost for the autumn yesterday making the reserve look fantastic. At least 400 Whooper Swan present at the moment and 6000+ Pink-footed Geese roosting. We will have a proper count tomorrow. A single Barnacle Goose came in with ~ 300 Pink-footed Gees
5 November 2013
A Winter Chill
Get your thermals out, there's a proper chill in the air. The Whooper Swans know it too with 600+ on the Mere late afternoon. Most of the wildfowl present are out of their eclipsed plumage and we have good numbers of Pintail, Teal, Wigeon and Pochard comi
2 November 2013
Thank You
A big thank you to all those who call in at the in focus shop to report your sighting. This 'blog' relies on the regulars and visitors who do this, so if you enjoy reading this do pop in and tell us what you've seen. Two adult White-fronted Geese were see
31 October 2013
Bird News
A slightly calmer day giving excellent viewing around the reserve. Around 200 Whooper Swan late afternoon most of the Pink-footed Geese are spending time off the reserve until near roosting time. At least 2 Peregrine, 2+ Marsh Harrier, 3+ Common Buzzard,
30 October 2013
Who'd be a Teal?
Full on raptor action today, with 5 Marsh Harrier 'teal flushing' birds from Vinson's and Sunley's Marsh over towards the Mere, only to be caught in a pincer movement of 3 hunting Peregrines. The juvenile Peregrine of the group managed to take down a fema
28 October 2013
Green-winged Teal again
Drake Green-winged Teal from the Ron Barker Hide today. It's been pretty hit and miss trying to catch up with this bird, however once on the reserve they tend to hang out through the winter. Late on, 5.30pm, an adult European White-fronted Goose dropped i
26 October 2013
Pinks and Peregrines
A dawn count produced just under 26,000 Pink-footed Geese this morning and 134 Whooper Swan. Over 60 Pintail now present mostly on the Mere. In total at least 14 species of wildfowl present on the reserve. Three Peregrine mostly seen on the fence line alo
23 October 2013
Raptors and Kingfishers
Good weather for ducks this morning with a couple of hours of misty rain reducing visibility across the reserve. Once the rain had passed the raptors were out in action. Three Peregrine throughout the day, having a go at assorted birds and also claiming t
21 October 2013
Green-Winged Teal
Drake Green-winged Teal on the Mere this morning and from the Ron Barker Hide in the afternoon. More wildfowl turning up with greater numbers of Pintail, Wigeon, Shelduck and Pochard. Passage migration was very much in evidence this morning with 250 Fiel
20 October 2013
More Autumn Goodness
Another day filled with Pink-footed Geese going and coming on the reserve. I say going and coming because ~ 20,000 Pink's are roosting on the reserve so most leave early on to feed locally before returning early afternoon onwards. Another very mild day wh
19 October 2013
Pink-feet
Another excellent early morning count of 27,000+ Pink-footed Geese and 140+ Whooper Swan. A single male Pochard was on the Mere as the water is now reaching it's winter levels. Sixty eight Coot and 16 Shelduck on the Mere. A single Barnacle Goose with 500
16 October 2013
Merlin
Another top autumn day here at Martin Mere, lovely in the sun as the wind dropped off. The Pink-footed Geese spectacle is still in full flow with big numbers on the reserve most of the day. No sign of yesterday's Gannet. Many pelagic species have been see
15 October 2013
Gannet a third record for the reserve.
A juvenile Gannet which flew in 15:20 was certainly the star bird of the day and a reserve tick for many. It spent 30 minutes on the Mere being followed by curious Pink-footed Geese before it was flushed and appeared to land on Wood End Marsh. It's only t
14 October 2013
Highest count of the autumn.
Highest count of the autumn with 29,400 Pink-footed Geese on the reserve early morning, in fact one of the highest counts on record for the reserve. A co-ordinated count in Lancashire produced over 82,000 birds. The Whooper Swan count is up with 300 birds
13 October 2013