Woodcock and other birds
Possibly the last blast of winter as the high pressure brings in the cold from the east. Here at Martin Mere this should mean excellent birding condition particularly as most of the hides face west, so wrap up warm and make the most of it.
Friday counts included 418 Whooper Swan, 1200+ Pink-footed Geese, 454 Greylag, 592 Shelduck, 400 Teal, 420 Wigeon, 240 Pintail, 7 Gadwall, 36 Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck.
Great raptor day on Wednesday with Red Kite over, Peregrine, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Today's sightings included 2 Peregrine, 7 Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Now 40 Avocet, 121 Ruff, 39 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 5+ Snipe and 2 Woodcock, the later viewed from the Nature Trail footpath, do not stand on the bank.
Barn Owl this morning early on. One or two Tawny Owl can also be seen roosting.
A 2nd calendar year Med Gull was with Black-headed Gulls (550) on the Mere, just a few Common, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Greater Black-backed Gull present.
Kingfisher and Water Rail occasionally from the Ron Barker Hide. The water levels are being dropped to the spring levels. Three Stonechat out on Plover Field. Three Little Egret.
A good selection of birds around the edge of the reserve and along the Outer Reed Bed Walk (the Inner Reed Bed Walk is currently closed). Corn Bunting singing opposite the reserve. Fieldfare and Redwing feeding in the rough field next to the path to the start of the Outer Reed Bed Walk, also Red-legged Partridge there. Bullfinch and Reed Bunting present and 2 Chiffchaff (singing) and a few Goldcrest near the Sewage Works. Cetti's Warbler (2+) and Water Rail can be heard from the platforms.
If you are visiting Martin Mere for the first time and would like to know what is around and the best areas to see specific species do call in at the in focus shop, next to the Discovery Hide which over looks the Mere. It should be possible to see over 60 species in a day without too much difficulty.
