Sightings - Martin Mere
Bird News
Slightly more sensible than the forecast suggested but still windy with the odd light shower. The Siberian Chiffchaff is still present seen low in the hedge row near the sewage works late afternoon but not vocal. Two Chiffchaff were also there plus a Gold
23 February 2014
Siberian Chiffchaff a first for the reserve.
A Siberian Chiffchaff (tristis) singing this morning by the sewage works from the Reedbed Walk. Greyer in colour than the usual Chiffchaff, the bird has a greenish wing panel. It's song is distinctively different too. Also at least 2 standard Chiffchaff p
22 February 2014
Med Gull and Ruff
The wader build up continues, this morning the Avocet count went upto 11 and there were at least 70 Oystercatcher, 3 Ringed Plover and a single Black tailed Godwit. The Ruff flock of 65 birds had a male with very advanced breeding plumage for the time of
20 February 2014
Chiffchaffs singing!
Best day of the year weather wise, sunshine early on and light winds. Three Chiffchaff singing along the hedgerow opposite the sewage works from the Reedbed Walk this morning. These birds are most likely wintering birds all sparked up by the warmer condit
19 February 2014
Hen Harrier again
The adult male Hen Harrier put in an appearance mid afternoon. More raptors today with 6 Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. At least 600 Pink-footed Geese present during the day. It's not too late to turn up a rarer goose or two among
18 February 2014
More Signs of Spring
Plenty of action and a few assorted counts from around the reserve today. A slight decrease in Whooper Swan with 880 roosting. A slight increase in Pink-footed Geese with 2600 resulting from birds coming north from Norfolk. Other wildfowl counts included,
17 February 2014
Hen Harrier in the sunshine!
That was more like it, with the wind dropping down, sun out and a hint of spring! The adult male Hen Harrier put in an appearance mid morning flying through the reserve. Other raptors included Merlin, 8+ Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. A single B
16 February 2014
Bewick's Swan
Bewick's Swan again this morning on the Mere with 600+ Whooper Swan. Ross's Goose still present mostly along the right side of the Mere from the Swan Link Hide. At least 15 species of duck, goose and swan present today. Waders included 2 Avocet, 92 Ruff,
14 February 2014
Bird News
As usual after hurricane force winds coming off the Irish Sea no coastal birds materialised. Actually a february storm isn't likely to produce many wind blown strays compared with an early autumn blow. Common Buzzards were in action with 8 different birds
13 February 2014
Spring, just around the corner....
Another wild one. In fact hopefully everything will still be standing when we get in tomorrow! A quiet day report wise. Just over 900 Whooper Swan and 1450 Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve this morning. The 1st winter Ross's Goose was still prese
12 February 2014
Ross's Goose of unknown origin.
Bird watching, like many pastimes, has it's own cultural language. A good example of this is 'unknown origin'. Today a 1st winter Ross's Goose was found along the edge of the Mere from the Gladstone Hide. This bird is undoubtedly the same individual that
11 February 2014
Bird News
A lovely day, spring like after an early frost. Plenty of people about enjoying the late winter spectacle. The Avocet is still present, mostly sleeping at the back of the Mere. Still 3000+ Lapwing mostly distributed on Plover Field. Other waders included
10 February 2014
Avocet Returns
A single Avocet on the back of the Mere marks the spring return of this breeding species at Martin Mere. It is the earliest record for this species in Lancashire. It joins an excellent selection of waders keeping there heads down on a windy Sunday. At lea
9 February 2014
Plovers
A very reasonable start to the day. Recently most of the poor weather seems to have occurred late in the day or overnight and today has been no exception. Waders to the fore with the first Ringed Plover, a pair mostly along the back of the Mere and in the
8 February 2014
Little Egret again
A Little Egret flew through the reserve today, there have been two in the wider area recently. The pair of Peregrine were using the reserve today and causing panic among the many Lapwing flocks. Also at least 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzard and a Sparro
6 February 2014