Sightings - Martin Mere
Raptors
A good day for raptors probably resulting from the weekends wet and windy weather which would have made hunting difficult for these birds. Merlin seen on and off, 3 Peregrines early on, with one catching a Coot. At least 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier,
27 January 2014
Lapwings and other birds
A calm start before some wilder weather blew in. Biggest count of the winter with 3100 Lapwing, a fantastic sight as they take to the air to avoid raptors. More Oystercatcher arriving with 9 birds around the Mere. Also 80+ Ruff and a single Dunlin. At lea
25 January 2014
Bewick's Swan again
The Bewick's Swan was again on the Mere showing well from Swan Link Hide with 1000 Whooper Swan and a few Mute Swan. The 2 Marsh Harriers were again hunting over the reedbeds and fields along with 4 Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk was seen perched on fen
24 January 2014
Harriers
The male Hen Harrier was seen briefly in the afternoon battling into the wind before being lost to view, also at least 2 Marsh Harriers were on show most of the day. The usual 4+ Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk were seen. A few more waders turning up in th
23 January 2014
Bewick's & Little Egret
The single Bewick's Swan was again on the Mere most of the day with upto 1000 Whooper Swan. A Little Egret was seen in the morning and the pair of Raven were out on the fenceposts. No sightings of the Peregrines today but at least 1 Marsh Harrier and 4 Co
22 January 2014
Bird News
Bewick's swan again, reliable at the moment on the Mere from the Swan Link Hide particularly around the 3pm swan feed. Over 1000 Whooper Swan roosting on the reserve, also 4000+ Pink-footed Geese. A flock of over 300 Herring Gull which dropped onto Wooden
21 January 2014
Bird News
Another very pleasant day with light winds and mostly sunny. Two Peregrine active for most of the day scaring the 1500+ Lapwing and 80+ Ruff into chaotic swirling flocks. Marsh Harrier from the Ron Barker Hide eating a dead goose. At least 4 Common Buzzar
20 January 2014
Raptor Day
A great raptor day although some luck involved if you managed to see all of the birds available. Male Hen Harrier over the Reed Bed early on, Merlin from the Ron Barker Hide for most of the morning and late on on Plover Field. Peregrine and Marsh Harrier
19 January 2014
Bird News
Slightly chillier today, free from the forecasted showers too. The reserve is packed with birds at present. At least 1600 Lapwing regularly taking to the air as Peregrine, 3+ Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier roam around. As usual 80+ Ruff wit
18 January 2014
Bewick's Swan again
The single Bewick's Swan spent most of the day on the Mere with upto 1200 Whooper Swan, a nice challenge to pick out. No sign of any Peregrines today but upto 4 Common Buzzard. A Grey Wagtail was seen and off site a Little Egret was along Curlew Lane in t
17 January 2014
Bewick's Swan still
Another good birding day with excellent visibility and light winds. Bewick's Swan still present and showing very well right at the front of Swan Link hide during the 3pm feed. The bird is spending most of the time on the left hand side of the Mere. At lea
16 January 2014
Bittern Booming
Very mild and spring like today, so much so that a wintering Bittern was practicing it's territorial call, heard in the reed bed from the Harrier Hide. This bird is likely to return to mainland Europe to breed but if it's still calling in May/June it mayb
15 January 2014
Bewick's Swan again
Great light again this morning and with light winds excellent for viewing. The Peregrines were in action early on with 2 birds present, Merlin again, 3 Common Buzzard and Kestrel. A single Bewick's Swan seen from the Swan Link Hide early afternoon. Some w
14 January 2014
Bird News
A lovely clear morning with increasing cloud cover through the day and light winds. A build up of Pink-footed Geese is slowly occurring with 3000+ birds roosting. A good time to find something rarer among them. Also more Whooper Swan present although no c
13 January 2014
First Bewick's Swan of 2014
A single Bewick's Swan was present throughout the day on the Mere with 1000+ Whooper Swan. There have only been 6 Bewick's present in the area this winter. All the evidence suggest that climate change is responsible for the decline of this species winteri
12 January 2014