Mega-hide built at WWT Martin Mere
Visitors to WWT Martin Mere will get even closer to its famous spectacle of thousands of geese and swans after a brand new mega-hide was completed this week.
It has been made possible thanks to donations from WWT members, Lancashire Environmental Fund, Cargill and the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The 70 metre long hide has four distinct sections for visitors to choose from according to their level of bird watching experience.
The ‘discovery’ section is furnished with sofas and has spotting scopes available for novices and those who simply enjoy comfort. Other sections are designed for photographers and birdwatchers to enjoy the experience open to the elements and the sounds of thousands of swans as they gather on the mere.
The new hide will open to the public on 20 November.
Manager of WWT Martin Mere, Nick Brooks, said:
“WWT Martin Mere has opened up a new attraction every year for the last six years and we’re going to continue offering new and exciting experiences for our visitors.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s supported this new hide – WWT members who’ve donated, Lancashire Environment Fund, Cargill and support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. They have helped people of all ages and abilities to watch, learn and be inspired by the unique spectacle of thousands of pink-footed geese and whooper swans. It is going to be a great new attraction and we are looking forward to opening it to the public.”
The new hide has been built to replace the ‘Swan Link’ hide which was built in the 80s. At the time it was the longest bird hide in Europe, allowing more than 100 people to sit and view the thousands of whooper swans at one time, but it is now in need of updating. The ‘Swan Link’ hide will be kept open to the public for one last winter before being dismantled next spring.
Watch a time-lapse video of the construction of the hide below.
