Latest sightings
Sallow Button (picture)
As promised a picture of Acleris hastiana (B&F 1053) or to use the new(ish) proper name Sallow Button, which is rather pleasant. Caught on the 24th January, it was the first record of this spe [...]
1 February 2012
92 Species
What a brilliant start to 2012 it has been. The mild and relatively benign January has meant plenty of observers in the field and bird numbers high on the reserve. A count of 4350 Lapwing at the begin [...]
31 January 2012
Bird News
Another marvelous day, light winds, great light and excellent visibility throughout the day. At least four Marsh Harrier morning and afternoon, 2 Peregrine, 3 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. [...]
30 January 2012
Bean Goose and Yellow-legged Gull
A Bean Goose dropped in with Pinks-footed Geese around 12 am viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. Bean Geese can be difficult to assign to a race, although observers thought this bird showed characteristi [...]
29 January 2012
Top Winter Birding
A frosty start to the day, calm winds and great light made for ideal condition to experience some of the best winter birding anywhere in the UK. A Harrier fest with 5 Marsh Harrier seen throughout [...]
28 January 2012
Cetti's Warbler, a first for the reserve.
A brilliant day's birding at Martin Mere with no less than 4 new birds added to the year list; Kingfisher, Golden Plover, Corn Bunting and last but by no means least, Cetti's Warbler. The bird [...]
25 January 2012
Harriers
Not the best of days for viewing, very murky condition until mid afternoon. Apart from Pink-footed Geese which are dropping back in numbers the reserve was looking jam pack, particularly on the Mere w [...]
24 January 2012
Year of the (Water) Dragon
The Chinese new year starts today and auspiciously it the Year of the Dragon. Having just looked it up, 2012 is a 'water dragon' year so that's got to be good, if you believe in things uns [...]
23 January 2012
Short eared Owl
A Short eared Owl was seen again from Ron Barker Hide which along with 2 White fronted Geese (race unknown) were the highlights of the day. The single Bewick's Swan spent most of the day in Plover [...]
22 January 2012
Bewick's Swan
The single Bewick's Swan was present again today feeding most of the morning in a field with Shelduck viewable from the United Utilities hide. Upto 1700 Whooper Swan are still present along with u [...]
21 January 2012
Bird News
Despite awful weather, plenty of good birds to be seen including 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 2 Ravens and 2 Peregrines and a single Oystercatcher around the Mere. The feeders at the Ja [...]
20 January 2012
Little Egret new for the year
At least 120 Jackdaws were amongst Lapwings around the Mere this morning. From the Ron Barker hide, 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrines, a Bewick's Swan and a distant Little Egret which [...]
19 January 2012
Whooper Counts
Biggest count of the winter so far with 1800+ Whooper Swan. Some of this group were also aged and brood sizes recorded. There were 1094 adults with 168 juveniles. Forty one pairs had one juvenile, 31 [...]
18 January 2012
Some Counts
Assorted recent wildfowl counts included; 269 Pintail, 980 Wigeon, 96 Pochard, 16 Tufted Duck,10 Shoveler and 3 Goldeneye. A single Bewick's Swan again this morning on the back of the Mere and [...]
17 January 2012
Winter Sunshine
Another glorious day, dawn till dusk sunshine and windless too. A brilliant day for the photographers amongst you. At least 3 European White-fronted Geese this morning. Most of the geese were off [...]
16 January 2012