Dowitcher Still
Long-billed Dowitcher still present after the overnight strong winds that brought a few branches down around the reserve. It spent most of it's time out on Woodend Marsh with Ruff but can go missing in the vegetation but was still present at 5pm at the back of the Mere.
Other waders reported included 2 Dunlin, 700+ Lapwing, 90+ Ruff, 20+ Snipe.
Another good raptor day with 6 species recorded. A Red Kite, presumably the same bird that has been in the area for a while, was seen over the Reed Bed Walk. At least 4 Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 5+ Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, the later seen mobbing the Peregrine. Barn Owl out and about by 4.30pm.
Again excellent numbers of Pink-footed Geese with at least 8,000 around during the day. Fourty seven Whooper Swan were roosting on the reserve, 84 Gadwall were in front of the Harrier Hide, big numbers of Teal but no recent counts, 200+ Wigeon, 70+ Shoveler, 30+ Shelduck, 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard and yesterday a 1cy male Scaup.
The Starling flock is building nicely with an estimated 20,000 birds roosting in the Reed Bed viewed from the Harrier Hide on late opening days.
Speaking of the Reed Bed (Walk) we had a report of possible Bearded Tit. It is the time of year when these bird can erupt so it's not impossible that birds may have made it to Martin Mere. Over the years there have only been a few reports and none were seen the next day, here's hoping!
On the rarities stakes a Rock Pipit which dropped onto one of the islands on the Mere before heading off South is up there. As far as we know there have been no reports of this species for the last 18 years.
Other species seen included Goldcrests around the Kingfisher Hide, Kingfisher from the UU Hide, 6 Redwing near the Janet Kear Hide.
If you want to know what is about and were to see it, or to report any sightings, please call in at the in focus shop next to the Discovery Hide.
