Latest sightings
Whooper Return!
An unexpected arrival today in the shape of 4 Whooper Swan which circled low over the Mere before heading off the reserve. Although earlier than average this doesn't beat 2012 16th of Sept. We do have 8 over summering birds still present on the reserve al
22 September 2015
Pink-feet
Just a hint of what is to come today as small groups of Pink-footed Geese dropped in from high bringing the count to over 700 birds on the reserve. This time last year we had closer to 8,000! More gaps in the weather this week should provide opportunities
20 September 2015
Latest Sighting
A lovely day out on the reserve. The distant southport airshow didn't appear to flush anything new onto the reserve although about 230 Pink-footed Geese did drop in around midday. Waders included 600+ Lapwing, 50+ Ruff, 1+ Green Sandpiper and some Common
19 September 2015
Pink-foot influx starts ?
Over 600 Pink-footed Geese came in to roost near the United Utilities hide just before dusk, before being flushed by a helicopter. Still returning in smaller groups up until dark. Don't forget late opening nights every Wednesday and Saturday from next W
18 September 2015
Recent Sightings
31 Pink-footed Geese this morning, the largest count so far, but hopefully a number which will be increased daily over the next couple of weeks. 2 Green Sandpipers, at least 40 Ruff, and 2 Marsh Harriers were seen from the Ron Barker hide, where 2 Kingfis
17 September 2015
Latest Sightings
A lovely day on the reserve. Plenty of Meadow Pipit and Skylark moving today. If you find yourself somewhere relatively quiet at this time of year these and other species can be heard calling over head for the first few hours of the day as they make there
16 September 2015
Latest Sightings
Calm condition with a light North Easterlies and a little early rain. Still no influx of Pink-footed Geese just 11 birds recorded today. As the week progresses the current forecast suggest the chance of a sizable influx at the end of the week.
14 September 2015
Nuthatch
Bird of the day must go to the Nuthatch (a rare bird on site) which was on the bird table near the toilets past the Raines Hide this morning, hopefully it will stick around. A few new birds appeared today with the change in weather, at least 2 Greenshank
12 September 2015
Whinchat and Wheatear
As high pressure builds and calm and sunny weather settles in, some of us can be found complaining that this type of weather is unlikely to turn up many migrant birds! Things can be unpredictable certainly when it comes to individual rare birds although i
8 September 2015
Record Count
It is the time of year when wildfowl begin to flock. This is true whether they be wild or feral birds. At Martin Mere we always get a build up of feral Greylag and Canada Geese and today a count of the latter reached 570 beating the previous count of Cana
6 September 2015
First Returning Geese
Highlight of the day was the first arrival of Pink-footed Geese this autumn, a flock of 10 birds arrived at 10.30 this morning but later 18 were counted. Interestingly one of the juveniles among the flock still appears to have down on its head and neck! O
5 September 2015
Bird News
Some bird movements noted today, with numbers of Pied Wagtails passing through the reserve, along with a few Grey Wagtails. About 250 Cormorants were noted from the reserve, although very distantly - they would have been flying closer to the Ribble Estaua
4 September 2015
Sightings
At least 250 Greylag Geese and over 80 Canada Geese on the Mere this morning, as well as 300 + Lapwings and a dozen Ruff. At least 1 Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, and a few Common Buzzards were also seen from the Mere, but no reports received from people bi
3 September 2015
Latest Sightings
Plenty of activity around the reserve at the moment. This morning it appeared that we had received a small fall of warblers with 3 different Garden Warblers seen (two near the Kingfisher Hide and one opposite the Sewage Works on the Reed Bed Walk). The Re
2 September 2015
Spotted Redshank
An excellent day on site with over 70 species being seen, including a few new sightings, the highlight was a juvenile Spotted Redshank which spent all day on site and was still present this evening. Also a flock of 8 Ringed Plover with 2 Dunlin were brief
31 August 2015