WWT Martin Mere is hosting an exhibition from International award winning amateur wildlife photographer, Alan Saunders, throughout October.

The exhibition, beginning Saturday 1 October, will be located in the Lecture Theatre and Alan will be undertaking free presentations on Saturday 15 October, Saturday 22 October and Saturday 29 October at 2pm.

Alan Saunders is an inspirational wildlife photographer based in Stockport, Cheshire. Alan has a passion for the natural world and his immense dedication and talent are evident in his images he has displayed. His work can be viewed at www.alansaunders-wildlifephotography.co.uk.

Centre Manager, Andy Wooldridge, said: “This is the first time in quite a few years we have had an exhibition at Martin Mere and I am hoping that it is something we can have throughout the year at Martin Mere. I think it is really important that we can help local photographers and artists exhibit their work, especially at this time of year when we have so many adults visit us to watch the geese and swans.”

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre triumphed at the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards last night (22 September) winning three awards.

The centre won the Best Visitor Experience award for the new canoe safari development that opened in March this year.  Over 14,000 people have enjoyed the canoe safari experience since it opened giving families and adults the opportunity to get close to wildlife. The Centre will now go on to short-listing for the National Tourism Awards for this category.

The centre was highly commended in the Best Large Attraction award, narrowly missing out on the award to Sandcastle Water Park in Blackpool.

Marketing Manager, Victoria Fellowes, from Formby, was awarded the Making a Difference award for her contribution to tourism in the region including her work on the Ribble Coast and Wetlands initiative, Heart of Lancashire Tourism Association and the improvements of public transport options in the local area to link together local tourism businesses.

Centre Manager, Andy Wooldridge, said: “I am absolutely delighted at our success at this year’s awards. It is fantastic that we are recognised as a leading tourist attraction in the county and it a credit to all the staff and volunteers at the Centre who work so hard to make Martin Mere a fantastic day out.  I am very proud that Victoria’s commitment to the industry has been recognised and I am confident that Martin Mere will continue to be successful in the future.”

The awards were presented by Jodie Prenger, who won the BBC One programme I’d Do Anything, at the Paradise Room in Pleasure Beach Blackpool on Thursday 22 September.

The autumn sound of geese calling whilst flying overhead will soon be a regular occurrence as the first 500 Pink-footed geese have made the 500 mile journey from Iceland to spend the next month at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre.

Last year Martin Mere had a record number of geese arrive with 40,000 of them roosting on site. Over the next couple of weeks numbers will steadily increase with an estimated 100,000 geese being in the local area. The geese spend the summer in Iceland and will ultimately spend the winter in the south after using the North West as a refueling point.

This time of year raises plenty of questions about how birds know where to migrate. Geese travel in large family flocks and that is how they learn flight paths, with the most experienced birds flying at the front of the V formation. 

Centre Manager, Andy Wooldridge, said: “I have seen many changes in the last 30 years but none as prominent as the massive increase in the number of geese travelling through Lancashire, which will often get 25% of the Icelandic population of Pink-feet (approximately 100,000). Late September and October is one of the best times of the year to visit Martin Mere as it is amazing to see the geese fly in during the afternoon to roost on the mere.”

Visitors also have the opportunity to watch the geese leave the roost in our special Dawn Flight events happening on Saturday 22 and 29 October. The events, starting at 7am, are £15 per person and include an English breakfast. To book onto the event, call Lucy on 01704 895181. 

 WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6.  The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations.  Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.