Latest sightings
Curlew Sands still
The two Curlew Sandpipers were still present on the Mere again today. Also a new Mediterranean Gull (3rd cal year/2nd summer) was on the briefly late afternoon, also the usual (4th cal yr/3rd sum) bird was still around on and off.
31 May 2016
Curlew Sandpipers
The highlight of the day were 2 Curlew Sandpiper which appeared on the Mere around 11am, and are still present at 16.45. One being in almost full breeding plumage, the white feather fringes on the underparts being nearly worn away to reveal the red of bre
30 May 2016
Bird News
In recent days there have been up to 2 Little Egrets on site, being mobile they can be seen from any hide at the moment. Also at least 5 Raven have been noticeable, also Rook over the reserve. Up to 2 pairs of Little Ringed Plover at least can be seen at
29 May 2016
Bird News
A beautiful sunny day and a wealth of birds showing well, particularly along the reedbed walk where Reed and Sedge Warblers were especially loud and easy to locate. Reed and Corn Buntings, along with Whitethroat and Blackcap were seen by many and towards
27 May 2016
Bird News
Similar variety of birds around today as yesterday (see map below). 2 Liitle Gulls on Woodend Marsh along with a good range of waders, with up to 6 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plovers joining the Avocets, Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwits and Little Ringed Plovers.
26 May 2016
Sightings Highlights
Loads of activity around the reserve at the moment mostly centered on breeding birds. A great count of 34 Avocet chick today out on Woodend Marsh. How many of these will get to fledge is another question? Last year barely a handful escaped predation from
25 May 2016
Great-crested Good News!
Amazed to come in this morning to see our pair of Great-crested Grebe which originally turned up on the 7th April have built a nest! This is the first time this has occurred at Martin Mere. Will they be successful? Watch this space or better still spe
23 May 2016
Cuckoo
A fresh breeze with a couple of showers around midday before sunshine set in. Highlights for today; 3 1st summer (2cy) Little Gull, perhaps the same birds seen earlier in the week. At least 2 adult Mediterranean Gull hanging around the Mere. A Cuckoo seen
22 May 2016
Bird News
The showery weather today didn't produce anything much but there's always tomorrow! Still plenty of species to see on site with Med Gulls regular on the Mere, Little ringed Plovers looking set to nest again around the Mere. At least 2 Raven over the reser
21 May 2016
Gulls
At least 3 Mediterranean Gull were showing well on the Mere including one near adult bird displaying to Black-headed Gulls. An adult Black-headed Gull nesting on the Mere at the moment sporting a yellow ring was ringed in Essex in January this year. At le
20 May 2016
Bird News
A quiet day, with few people birding and very few reports being received from around the reserve. Star of the day was Cuckoo was singing near the Ron Barker hide this morning - with each passing year this evocative sounds is heard less and less, and it's
19 May 2016
Sightings Highlights
Early rain showers promised much but no reports of any species not present in recent days. The Little Stint continues to hang out on Woodend Marsh, today with up to 10 Dunlin some of which were obviously new arrivals. Little Ringed Plovers can show well f
18 May 2016
Spoonbill
A Spoonbill was new for the year but only very briefly present on Woodend Marsh late morning. It was probably the same bird which was later seen at Marshside. Spoonbill in rather smart breeding attire (back of the camera s
17 May 2016
Little Stint again
Chilly today with more cloud cover than predicted. Yesterday's Little Stint is still present out on Woodend Marsh keeping company with some newly arrived tundra Ringed Plover (10+) and 7 Dunlin. Little Stint one of the wor
16 May 2016
Little Stint
Brief update. A fuller summary tomorrow. Carrying on a fine run of waders Little Stint is the 16th species this month. The bird spent the day out on Woodend Marsh. Greenshank again early on, 2 Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plover.
15 May 2016