Martin Mere news
Fill your summer with flying colours as Dragonfly Festival returns to Martin Mere
This summer, WWT – the wetland charity – celebrates the return of its Dragonfly Festival, back and more colourful than ever. Running throughout the summer holidays at WWT Martin Mere, the festival brings dazzling performances, vibrant outdoor ac
17 June 2026
Rare breeding bittern success at WWT Martin Mere
West Lancashire’s WWT Martin Mere wetland centre has seen the successful breeding of bittern chicks for a third time on their reserve, after intensive restoration works in partnership with global shipping and logistics company CMA CGM Group. The centre
16 June 2026
Penny & Kenai take their trip to the vet
Our Asian small-clawed otters make their annual trip to the vet.
15 June 2026
Europe’s Longest Stepping Stones to Open at WWT Martin Mere This Summer
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, home to fascinating wetland wildlife such as flamingos and otters, is delighted to unveil an exciting new attraction set to open this summer. The centre, based in West Lancashire, is opening what is bel
4 June 2026
June Bird of the Month: Inca Tern (Larosterna inca)
June’s bird of the month at WWT Martin Mere is the stylish Inca tern (Larosterna inca). What is the Inca tern? The Inca tern is a medium-sized seabird famous for its dark grey body, bright red beak, and stylish mustache. They are around 39-42 cm with
3 June 2026
Mediterranean gull chick makes history as first to hatch at Martin Mere
An adorable Mediterranean gull chick has made history as the first recording hatchling of its species at Lancashire’s wetland reserve, WWT Martin Mere. The Mediterranean gull, which was quite a rare bird into the 1950s, first started breeding in the UK
28 May 2026
Greater flamingo chicks hatch at Martin Mere!
West Lancashire’s WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is celebrating the arrival of several fluffy flamingo chicks within its Living Collection. The greater flamingo chicks hatched between late April and early May and are already exploring beyond their nest
20 May 2026
Stork chicks hatch at Martin Mere
Adorable white stork chicks have successfully hatched at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough. The new arrivals were hatched late April and mark some of the first chicks to hatch from the centre’s Living Collection, which features
20 May 2026
A Family Guide to May half term at WWT Martin Mere
Searching for that perfect day out for your family in Lancashire this May half term? Spring is an exciting time at WWT Martin Mere as we see the return of our family favourites such as pond dipping, canoe safari and boat tours, and our wet
5 May 2026
May Bird of the Month: Smew (mergellus albelius)
This month’s Bird of the Month is a small but mighty little diving duck. The smew! Where are smew found in the wild? You can find smew on lakes and coastal wetlands throughout Scandinavia, Russia, central Europe, the Middle East,
1 May 2026
Celebrating our flamingos this International Flamingo Day
It’s International Flamingo Day on Sunday 26 April 2026, so what better time to celebrate our two species of flamingos than now! WWT Martin Mere has two species of flamingos, Chilean flamingo and Greater Flamingo, which have been wowing v
22 April 2026
Beloved Duck Race Returns Bigger Than Ever to WWT Martin Mere This May Bank Holiday Weekend
West Lancashire, UK - Get ready for a quacking good time! One of the region’s most anticipated family events, the annual Duck Race at WWT Martin Mere, is making a spectacular return this early May Bank Holiday, and for the first time ever, it’s expand
14 April 2026
Inclusive SEND Family Day Announced at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
Families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are invited to enjoy a day of nature, exploration and inclusive activities at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre on 13 June 2026. The SEND Family Day, which is the f
13 April 2026
April bird of the month: Cape Barren Goose (cereopsis novaehollandiae)
Each month we shine a spotlight on a different bird from our Living Collection as part of our 'Bird of the Month'. For April, we’re introducing our Cape Barren Geese! The cape barren goose, also known as cereopsis goose, is one of our mor
30 March 2026
Gozzle hatches this spring at WWT Martin Mere
Families are invited to enjoy a season of firsts this spring as WWT Martin Mere is teaming up with Macmillan Children’s Books to explore the wonderful world of wetlands with Gozzle, a freshly hatched gosling discovering what it takes to grow up.
3 March 2026