Martin Mere news
Last chance to experience WWT Martin Mere's colourful Dragonfly Festival this summer
See our handy guide to the final weeks of summer
11 August 2026
August Bird of the Month: Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris)
This month we're shining a spotlight on one of the more subtle members of our collection, the marbled teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris). At first glance, the marbled teal may not have the bright colours of a mandarin duck or the striking patterns of a r
5 August 2026
North West Bird Watching Festival returns bigger than ever this October
Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and nature lovers are being invited to experience one of the UK's most spectacular wildlife events as the North West Bird Watching Festival returns to WWT Martin Mere on 17 and 18 October 2026 - bigger and better than e
14 July 2026
WWT Martin Mere Announces it’s first ever ‘Goosefest’, celebrating the arrival of thousands of pink-footed geese this autumn
This autumn, WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Lancashire, invites visitors to witness one of the UK’s most breathtaking spectacles as the brand-new ‘Goosefest’ runs from 5 September to 18 October 2026. Marking
9 July 2026
July Bird of the Month: American Wigeon (Mareca americana)
This July, we're shining a spotlight on the striking American Wigeon (Mareca americana), a medium-sized dabbling duck that is instantly recognisable. One of the noisiest dabbling ducks, you will often hear it before you see it. Where can you find Americ
5 July 2026
Europe’s Longest Stretch of Stepping Stones Now Open at WWT Martin Mere
Visitors to WWT Martin Mere are invited to take on Lancashire's newest outdoor adventure as spectacular 68-metre attraction opens in time for the summer holidays, from Monday 6 July 2026.
1 July 2026
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
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