Latest sightings
New Record Count!
We keep smashing the record count of Black-tailed Godwit (featured image). This morning 2800 have flown onto the reserve. A truly spectacular sight, particularly in flight. More heavy rain overnight and high water levels across the site but they are drop
31 July 2019
After the rain
Nearly 24 hours of rain over the weekend has put the water levels up considerably round the reserve. Once the levels on Pump House Sluice start to drop we should have a bit more wader mud back. A good start to the morning with 620 Black-tailed Godwit roos
29 July 2019
Saturday Sightings
Great to see some of the record count of Black-tailed Godwit starting use the Mere to feed and roost as the water levels are lowered. A minimum of 450 on the Mere and ~ 1000 on Woodend Marsh currently. Four Wood Sandpiper ( three below) on the Mere. Also
27 July 2019
Wood Sandpipers
The two juvenile Wood Sandpipers are still present but moving around the reserve, in the morning they were on view from Ron Barker hide and then mid afternoon they were on the Mere with 2 Green Sandpipers.There are still large numbers of Black-tailed Godw
26 July 2019
Record Count of Godwits
A record count of 2400 Black-tailed Godwits out on Woodend Marsh was the highlight of the day, also on Woodend Marsh were 2 Wood Sandpipers and 4 Green Sandpiper, also 2 Ruff, Redshank, 15 Avocet and plenty of Lapwing.At Ron Barker hide were 1 Common Sand
25 July 2019
Mega Moth Night
The hot and humid night forecast meant that running a couple of moth traps was a must. At the time of typing we have identified 100 species from the overnight session. Beautiful Hook-tip (featured image) is a second record for the reserve and scarce in La
24 July 2019
Black-tailed Godwit
Warm but windy on Monday. Waders are very much the focus at this time of year, although it's not impossible to pick up migrating passerines too as a July juvenile Pied Flycatcher seen a few years ago only goes to prove. Counts of Black-tailed Godwit are l
22 July 2019
Latest Sightings
Spotted Redshank on Vinson's Marsh this morning. Fourteen Ruff, 350+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 3 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, a few Avocet and Oystercatcher, 150 Lapwing. Common Tern and the final fledged chick on
21 July 2019
Bearded Reedling
A female Bearded Reedling showing well from the Harrier Hide was undoubtedly "bird of the day", but as usual, a good variety of birds around the reserve.Over 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper and at least 1 Dunlin were seen from the Unit
19 July 2019
Spot Red
Two Barn Owl hunting early on. Good views from the Kingfisher Hide. Spotted Redshank, a moulted adult present on site. At least 250 Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 6 Oystercatcher, 50+ Lapwing, c10 Avocet.Gre
14 July 2019
Saturday Sightings
A good count of Black-tailed Godwit with 455 on the reserve this morning. Other waders around the reserve include: Green Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 3 Ruff, 4 Snipe, 5 Oystercatcher, 18 Avocet and 50 Lapwing. Two Kingfisher from the Ron Barker Hid
13 July 2019
Latest Sightings
"More of the same" sums up the last few days. Waders are still one of the main highlights at the moment, with Green Sandpipers, Ruff, Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, and Oystercatchers still on view, mostly from the United Utilities hide. On the Mere, both
12 July 2019
Wednesday Update
Two Barn Owl hunting until 10am at least. Three Green Sandpiper on Woodend Marsh, also there 8 Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover. An adult Raven with 2 flying young also Woodend.Raptors include Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and Kestrel.Grasshopper Warbler
10 July 2019
Tuesday Sightings
The featured image today is of Tubular Dropwort (Oenanthe fistulosa) a red data list species which grows at Martin Mere. Call in at the in focus shop next the the Discovery Hide for directions. Good start to Tuesday with a Spotted Redshank flying in on Wo
9 July 2019
Latest Sightings
Ron Barker – 36 Lapwing, 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Teal, Shelduck with 4 ducklings, Gadwall, Mallard, Greylag. 2 Kingfisher early afternoon.The Mere – Mallard with 3 ducklings, Mallard with 11 ducklings, 7 Tufted Duck with
7 July 2019