Sightings - Martin Mere
Yellow Wagtail
A glorious day with light winds and pleasant sunshine for most of the day. Yellow Wagtail again flying from the back of the Mere towards Woodend Marsh. Fourteen Whimbrel from the Ron Barker Hide and over 800 counted in Lancashire yesterday evening. Two Li
29 April 2014
More Whimbrel
A brief update. Four Whimbrel from the Ron Barker Hide, also Curlew. Little Ringed Plover and 2 Ringed Plover on the Mere. White Wagtail back of the Mere briefly mid morning. Adult Med Gull with Black-headed Gull late afternoon.
28 April 2014
Steady as she goes.
Plenty of promise today with a combination of an early rain front, south-easterlies and of course just being the end of April. As usual it hasn't, so far, materialised anything that rare or unusual. One theory at least says winds with a westerly element a
26 April 2014
Whimbrel
Classic time for Whimbrel moving through the North West, with two birds new in today from the Ron Barker Hide. Other waders present include 100+ Lapwing a few with newly hatched chicks. At least 30 Avocet, 8 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 6 Ruff, Ringed Plover, Oyst
24 April 2014
More migrants
A few new migrants around today, the best of which was a male Redstart by the feeding station at Janet Kear Hide. A Common Tern was around the Mere most of the morning and at least 1 Grasshopper Warbler is still singing along the Reedbed walk along with R
23 April 2014
Migrants
Plenty of summer migrants to be seen on site at the moment, 2 Grasshopper Warbler can be seen and heard along the reedbed walk along with Reed and Sedge Warbler. Other warblers include Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. A slow trickle o
22 April 2014
French Gull
The Little Gull is still present along with 2 Mediterranean Gull (2nd sum bird bearing a French darvic ring and a 1st sum bird briefly). Waders present today were Dunlin, c20 Ruff, 16 Curlew, Little ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Lapwing, Oysterc
21 April 2014
Little Gull
A good day for Gulls on the Mere with 7 species being present, the best of which were an Adult or 3rd Summer Little Gull and upto 3 Mediterranean Gulls (pair of adults & 1st summer). The Little Gull has been displaying to Black headed Gulls and pickin
20 April 2014
Little Gull again
The Little Gull is still present and at times calling vociferously and displaying around the Mere. Two Common Sandpiper around the Mere all day and at least 1 Little ringed Plover. Lots of Avocets, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Redshank around the reserve al
19 April 2014
More Birds
Another good wader day with 115 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 110+ Lapwing, 28 Avocet, 21 Ruff inc breeding plumage male, 23 Oystercatcher, 13 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover and yesterday a report of Common Sandpiper which was new for t
16 April 2014
Whimbrel new for the year.
Top spring day weather wise loads of butterflies on the wing, plenty of breeding birds in song around the reserve too. First Whimbrel of the year with c.70 Curlew from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. Other waders included Little Ringed Plover, 22 Ruff i
15 April 2014
Grasshopper Warbler
More arrivals with Grasshopper Warbler reeling along the Reedbed Walk, Sedge and Reed Warbler also singing there. Waders have included 75 Curlew, 4 Dunlin, 20 Black-tailed Godwit and 40 Avocet. Breeding plumage Ruff on Woodend Marsh. Seven Whooper Swan fl
14 April 2014
Reed Warbler
A Reed Warbler reported from the Reed Bed Walk is the first of the year. At least 60 Curlew dropped in on Vinson's viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. Also present 10+ Ruff inc breeding plumage male, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, a few Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, C.4
13 April 2014
White Wags
A few White Wagtails dropped in this morning on the Mere. Willow Warbler singing near the Kingfisher Hide, still plenty of Blackcap and Chiffchaff around. Sand Martin and Swallow moving through and just down the road, returning House Martin. Nice to see s
12 April 2014
Adult Male Marsh Harrier
More obvious movement today with the arrival of a cracking adult male Marsh Harrier. Will it hang around? Will the Lapwing drive it away? Watch this space. Not report packed today however at least 2 Swallow and 10+ Sand Martin passing through. Waders incl
6 April 2014