Latest sightings
Short-eared Owl
A notable influx of 'Shorties' into the UK in the past week and another sighting out on Woodend Marsh late afternoon of Short-eared Owl. As the nights continue to draw in Barn Owl can be seen from the Harrier Hide and it's not impossible to find Tawny Owl
3 November 2015
Common Gulls and other birds
A full autumn spectacle continues at Martin Mere as big numbers of Pink-footed Geese (10,000+) and increasing numbers of Whooper Swan (300+) use the reserve. No recent counts but all the other wildfowl numbers are increasing with sixteen different species
1 November 2015
Latest Sightings
A lovely day again with calm condition and good visibility. The Whooper Swan numbers have increased with this mornings dawn count producing 361 birds. The Pink-footed Geese numbers are on the other hand drooping back slightly with only 16000(!) roosting.
30 October 2015
Green-winged Teal
A brief update. Green-winged Teal briefly early afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide when it was flushed by a Marsh Harrier. Currently over 1000 Teal on site. Similar counts as of previous days. Pink-footed Geese coming into
29 October 2015
Starling Murmuration
A glorious late autumn day with the reserve playing host to thousands of birds with 60-70 species of wild bird represented. The current 'don't miss' is the Starling 'murmuration' which can be viewed from the Harrier Hide or Reedbed Walk from ~ 4pm until
27 October 2015
Cetti's Warbler
Cetti's Warbler calling at the Sewage Works end of the Reedbed Walk this morning. It's only the third time this year we have recorded this species. The other two records were in January and February. Given that they tend to be noisy birds it's remarkable
25 October 2015
Merlin and other birds
A wet start to the day making observations difficult. Wildfowl numbers are building up with good numbers of Teal, Wigeon, Pintail and Mallard on the reserve. In among these birds smaller numbers of Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Shelduck are arriving.
24 October 2015
Bird News
A Merlin was reported from the Ron Barker hide, also at least 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, several Common Buzzard and Kestrel. Thousands of Pink-footed Geese using the reserve on and off throughout the day including a leucistic bird. No reports of any rarer
23 October 2015
Bird News
22 October 2015
Migration and Murmurations
A calm day with great visibility. Some big flocks of Pink-footed Geese coming onto the reserve from midday day onward. Three Barnacle Geese were in among the flocks. Yesterday's co-ordinated goose count in Lancashire produced 94000 Pink-footed Geese. The
19 October 2015
32,300 Pink-footed Geese
After a week of apparently declining Pink-footed Geese numbers today early morning count produced 32,300(!) the highest count so far this year. Most birds leave the reserve early on and then filter in from around midday onward. A flock of 40+ Golden Plove
18 October 2015
Birds in Lancashire
Out today the new Lancashire Bird Report in limited numbers. Ever wondered when the first Whoopers turn up? Where are the hot spot for Whimbrel roosting are? What the average date for the first Swallow, Osprey and Grasshopper Warbler in the county is? Al
17 October 2015
Bird News
2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Peregrines and a Merlin were the raptor highlights of the day, along with the usual Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, and Buzzards. Six Little Egrets were on the reserve yesterday, although only one was reported today. A single Bewick's Swan is st
16 October 2015
First Fieldfare of the Autumn
Cool and calm condition making for a lovely autumn day. The first Fieldfare of the autumn with 11 birds on the Reed Bed Walk. Bewick's Swan still present this morning on the Mere with c100 Whooper Swan and from Hale Hide late afternoon. Thousands of Pink-
14 October 2015
Unexpected arrival of Bewick's Swan....
Utterly unexpected arrival of a single Bewick's Swan today, hot on the heels of Slimbridge's earliest ever Bewick's Swan. The previous earliest record at Martin Mere was on the 19th October 1980. The current cold weather across eastern Europe has undoubte
13 October 2015