Latest sightings

Bird News

Bird News

The Little Gull is still lingering on the reserve, although it can be mobile with sightings at both ends of the reserve, although best views recently have been on the Mere itself. Also on the Mere today, up to 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Oystercathchers, a

9 June 2017

Wet

Wet

Virtually non-stop rain today dampening visitors but not bird activity. Great to see some larger broods of Shelduck emerging with one group of 8 just hatched from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. There will be plenty more to come in the next few weeks. Q

5 June 2017

Yellow Wag, Cuckoo and Spoonbills...

Yellow Wag, Cuckoo and Spoonbills...

Much fresher today with a brisk westerly making it chilly in the hides, assuming you were dressed for summer... A pair of Yellow Wagtail were seen briefly in the overflow car park this morning before flying over the road (east).

4 June 2017

Breeding Barn Owls and other birds

Breeding Barn Owls and other birds

Barn Owl nest (pic by Kane Brides WWT) Three pairs of Barn Owl nesting at Martin Mere this year. Two broods of 4 chicks currently and this nest with 6 eggs. Plenty of other birds to keep the WWT conservation team in d

3 June 2017

Bird News

Bird News

The overcast condition and a little rain concentrated 30+ Swift and a few House Martin over the reserve. The Mere, more activity than this photograph can show... Not packed with news today, the wardens are busy elsewh

2 June 2017

Little Gull and other birds

Little Gull and other birds

Little Gull with two Black-headed Gulls on the Mere A pleasant day, 'goldilock' temperatures. Lots of evidence of breeding activity across the reserve with excellent views of Black-headed Gull and Avocet chicks. The s

1 June 2017

Cuckoo's

Cuckoo's

A few sightings of Cuckoo's today with 2 being seen from Ron Barker Hide and 2 seen along the Reedbed Walk. The immature Little Gull is still present, best looked for from Ron Barker Hide but can be hawking insects in flight anywhere on the reserve. The f

31 May 2017

Hobby

Hobby

A Hobby was seen from the Ron Barker hide this afternoon, also the immature Little Gull is still present but no reports of the Little Stint today. A Kingfisher was again seen from the Ron Barker Hide. Just off site a 'Channel Wagtail' was seen along Curle

30 May 2017

Little Stint & Little Gull

Little Stint & Little Gull

A nice breeding plumage Little Stint was found from Ron Barker Hide this morning, the 2nd record of this tiny wader this spring. Other waders on site today included 17 Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatc

29 May 2017

Sightings

Sightings

Few reports but the highlight again was a Red Kite which flew over the reserve around midday, presumably the bird from a couple of days ago. The 1st sum/2nd cal year Little Gull is still frequenting the pools viewed from Ron Barker Hide. A flock of 3 Tern

28 May 2017

Sightings

Sightings

A new pair of Common Tern were busy trying to find a spot to nest, even checking out the new Tern raft in front of In Focus before before chased off by the nesting Black-headed Gull. At least 2-3 Little Egret continue to be seen most days, a Barn Owl was

27 May 2017

Sightings

Sightings

Very few reports recieved today, but the highlight was a Red Kite which flew past the reserve mid afternoon heading towards Burscough Bridge. The 1st sum/2nd cal year Little Gull was still present from Ron Barker Hide, also an adult Mediterranean Gull was

26 May 2017

Bird News

Bird News

Yesterday's Little Gull was still present today, but mobile, spending time in front of both the Ron Barker (afternoon) and United Utilities (morning) hides. A second summer Mediterranean Gull was on the Mere, as were a single female Ruff and 30 or more Bl

25 May 2017

Sightings

Sightings

The first Little Gull of the year appeared on the Mere mid afternoon, a 1st summer bird. Also 2 different 1st summer/2nd cal year Mediterranean Gulls on the Mere in the morning and a breif visit by a pair of 2nd summer/3rd cal year Mediterranean Gulls in

24 May 2017

Sightings

Sightings

At least 3 Ruff (1 male + 2 female) were on site today, females from Ron Barker and the male from UU Hide. A single Dunlin was on the Mere all day and plenty of Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover to be seen. An adult male Peregrine was seen to take a

21 May 2017