Latest sightings
Sedge Warbler new for the year.
With the winds swinging round to the South East/West, the coming week looks good for an influx of birds. The first Sedge Warbler of the year was singing at the far end of the Reed Bed close to the Sewage Works by the Public Footpath. A couple of Reed War
14 April 2018
House Martin new for the year
A damp cold easterly can't have been the greatest of welcomes for the years first House Martin (4) a reasonably early record for this species. Swallows and Sand Martin also again today. Some good wader counts with 129 Avocet, 310 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+
11 April 2018
Reed Warbler an early arrival
A fairly miserable start to the day with rain coming through from first light until near midday. A Reed Warbler was in song along the public footpath on the Outer Reed Bed Walk. This is possibly our earliest sighting of this species. Reed Warbler are one
10 April 2018
Bittern booming, spring arrivals.
Another good day with light winds and a little warmth into the afternoon. Bittern booming out from the Harrier Hide again. The wardens have placed a couple of camera traps out on the Reed Bed in the hope of catching one of the Bittern moving around, and i
8 April 2018
Great White Egret
A Great White Egret was a fine addition to the site year list, the bird was by the pool in Owl Marsh at the back of the Mere on and off during the morning and early afternoon. Little Egret was also on site and the Bittern was again booming in the reed be
7 April 2018
Ring Ouzel
Bird of the day Ring Ouzel, a male along the ditch edge over the metal gate into the reserve, near the gate entrance to the 'Wheatear Fields' at the end of the Long Hedge on the public footpath at 11.30am. This is only the 3rd reserve record. The first W
5 April 2018
Latest Sightings
After the weekends cold weather it was noticeably warm this morning and feeling almost hot in the sun early afternoon. The early showers produced a few Sand Martin feeding in sheltered spots around the reserve and at least one Swallow. Bittern still boomi
3 April 2018
Migrants
Despite the cool temperatures a few new birds for the spring were seen on Saturday in the form of Sand Martin, Swallow and Blackcap. As well the Bittern was still booming and one was seen in flight from Harrier Hide on Saturday morning, also a male
1 April 2018
Mediterranean influx
After a quiet few days, an influx of Mediterranean Gulls this afternoon has certainly brightened up the Mere. At least 7 birds arrived, all adults, with 3 pairs seeming settled and displaying. A pair seen on Vinson's Marsh could be different birds from
30 March 2018
Grey Partridge and other birds
A brief summary of the past couple of days. Plenty of sun which obviously is a good thing apart from the 'heat haze', you can't please everyone! No counts but an obvious and substantial drop off of wildfowl. A Bean Goose was reported (unusually) with Cana
26 March 2018
More Spring
The warmth of the sun is a giveaway, the hawthorn is breaking into leaf and it can't far off for the Blackthorn coming into flower. Spring sunshine on the Mere Another sign of spring at Martin Mere is the water level
24 March 2018
Bean Goose
The official first day of spring turned out well, and with light winds in the morning the sun felt warm. The birds however definitely had winter feel to them. A Bean Goose dropped in with ~ 1000 Pink-footed Geese late morning and promptly fell asleep. Th
20 March 2018
Bird News
An adult Mediterranean Gull (with a metal ring on it's right leg) was on the Mere this morning, along with the 105 Ruff, 40+ Avocets, and about 100 Black-tailed Godwits. A lot of Pink-footed Goose activity today with at least 1,500 birds moving around the
19 March 2018
Birds & Butterflies
2 Brimstones in the collection area today were the first butterflies reports of this year. Also in the collection area, a single Woodcock was flushed. Lots of bird raptor activity around the reserve, with Red Kite, at least 2 Marsh Harriers, several Comm
16 March 2018
Bearded Tit !
A female Bearded Tit from the Harrier hide was certainly today's "Star Bird", but, like the previous records of this species from Martin Mere, it failed to show itself after the initial sighting. Hopefully a few more pairs of eyes looking will change tha
15 March 2018