Latest sightings
Bittern
A Bittern was seen in flight from the Reed Bed Walk dropping in the pool towards the Sewage Works, an unusual summer record. Off hand we can't remember a July record for this species, although two years ago a bird arrived at the beginning of August.
3 July 2017
Greenshank and other birds.
A brisk wind but nice in the sun today. More wader passage with a Greenshank new in on the Mere early afternoon. Two Ruff on Vinsons Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide. Greenshank (left) with Black-tailed Godwit At least
2 July 2017
The map is back...
After a sizable absence we are re-introducing the sightings map. This may not be the final version and it does make more sense zoomed in but given those caveats we think it is a helpful, especially to those visiting for the first time. Cuckoo still prese
1 July 2017
Bird News
Great visibility on Friday in overcast condtions. Some light misty rain early on had the potential of bringing some birds in. A round up of news from the past few days. Two Spoonbill flew east on Wednesday. These birds seem to be hanging around in the 'gr
30 June 2017
Sandpiper Trio
Regular viewers on here will be aware that the best time to come birding at Martin Mere is when rain fronts are moving through because there is always a chance that something new will be forced to drop in in the inclement weather! Today a classic trio of
27 June 2017
Spoonbills drop in.
A breezy weekend with a little rain passing through. Highlights included 2 Spoonbill today which hung around for a short while late morning / early afternoon before disappearing. Possibly these were the same birds seen a few weeks ago. Wood Sandpiper agai
25 June 2017
New Species
A change in the weather welcomed if you aren't so keen on the heat with fresh south-westerlies set in for the next few days. New in today, or at least we assume so, a Wood Sandpiper present in the afternoon on Woodend Marsh from the United Utilities Hid
23 June 2017
Hobby & Dragonflies
A Hobby was seen yesterday along with 2 Peregrine, 4 Buzzard and 2 Kestrel. Another sighting of one of the Cuckoos again yesterday. For both the Hobby and Cuckoo the best chance of seeing them is to spend some time aroubnd the reedbed walk area. Good numb
21 June 2017
Weekend Bird News
Warm to hot over the weekend, the arrival of a Green Sandpiper on Saturday (still present Sunday) was the first of the year on the reserve. Birds like this form part of a post breeding / failed breeding dispersal which see a build up of waders over the ne
18 June 2017
Bird News
Overcast and cooler today before it warms up for the weekend. Packed full of breeding birds and over summering species, it's possible to see 60+ species in a days birding on the reserve. Cuckoos are still present with at least 2 birds being seen around th
16 June 2017
Cattle Egret
Warming up today feeling very summer like. A Cattle Egret flew onto the reserve around 1pm. Martin Mere had Lancashire's first record in 1999 but in the last two years they have been annual. Once mega rare Cattle Egrets ar
14 June 2017
Wood Sandpiper and Garganey
Wood Sandpiper and drake Garganey new in today. The Garganey is going into eclipse. The usual selection of raptors with 5+ Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. An adult female Peregrine was hunting over the Mere during the week and yesterday we received
11 June 2017
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
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...
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