Sightings - Martin Mere
Bird News
A brief report. A hail covered reserve early on before melting away. Don't be fooled by the warmth of the sun, it's chilly in the hides! Thousands of assorted wildfowl as in the recent reports. The usual raptors too with 3 Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, 2 Comm
19 November 2013
Woodcock
The arrival of a Woodcock, which showed well from the Janet Kear Hide has preempted the blast of cold air forecast to arrive over the next day or so. The JK Hide is one of the best spots in the North West to catch up with Woodcock during the winter, assum
18 November 2013
More Whoopers
Highest count of the autumn of Whooper Swan with 1500 birds, also 7500 Pink-footed Geese roosting. At least 1500 Teal and 500 Wigeon. Three Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, 2+ Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Merlin present in the area, seen on the 14th.
17 November 2013
Bird News
A calm day, mostly overcast. Good numbers of Teal and Wigeon around the reserve, small numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard and Tufted Duck. At least 600 Whooper Swan late afternoon as birds arrive from feeding in local fields. Raptors included 3 Peregri
15 November 2013
Latest Sightings
A great couple of days with some sensible weather. Yesterday's swan catch went well with 37 Whoopers caught, measured, weighted and ringed, as well as Shelduck and a load of Mallard. You'll be able to see what happens on the One Show on BBC 1 in the near
13 November 2013
In the murk.
Not ideal weather condition for birding today with 5 hours of misty rain making distance viewing difficult. The ducks seemed happy enough, probably due to the limited hunting opportunities for the 3 resident Peregrines. The Marsh Harriers were out and abo
11 November 2013
Counts
An early morning count produced 1000+ Whooper Swan, 5300 Pink-footed Geese, 470 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose, 290 Shelduck, 204 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 1230 Teal, 1490 Mallard, 100 Pintail, 21 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron and 141 Co
10 November 2013
Raptors
A showery day with sunny spells early on giving us some rainbows across the reserve, nice. A wildfowl packed reserve with more ducks arriving daily. Should have some figures from tomorrows count. As more birds arrive the hunting opportunities mean plenty
9 November 2013
Whooper influx
With condition over the past few days looking excellent for bring birds in from Iceland and Greenland this mornings count of 1186 Whooper Swan on the reserve was more than likely. In fact another 350 birds were just outside the reserve boundary making it
6 November 2013
First frost and new arrivals
First frost for the autumn yesterday making the reserve look fantastic. At least 400 Whooper Swan present at the moment and 6000+ Pink-footed Geese roosting. We will have a proper count tomorrow. A single Barnacle Goose came in with ~ 300 Pink-footed Gees
5 November 2013
A Winter Chill
Get your thermals out, there's a proper chill in the air. The Whooper Swans know it too with 600+ on the Mere late afternoon. Most of the wildfowl present are out of their eclipsed plumage and we have good numbers of Pintail, Teal, Wigeon and Pochard comi
2 November 2013
Thank You
A big thank you to all those who call in at the in focus shop to report your sighting. This 'blog' relies on the regulars and visitors who do this, so if you enjoy reading this do pop in and tell us what you've seen. Two adult White-fronted Geese were see
31 October 2013
Bird News
A slightly calmer day giving excellent viewing around the reserve. Around 200 Whooper Swan late afternoon most of the Pink-footed Geese are spending time off the reserve until near roosting time. At least 2 Peregrine, 2+ Marsh Harrier, 3+ Common Buzzard,
30 October 2013
Who'd be a Teal?
Full on raptor action today, with 5 Marsh Harrier 'teal flushing' birds from Vinson's and Sunley's Marsh over towards the Mere, only to be caught in a pincer movement of 3 hunting Peregrines. The juvenile Peregrine of the group managed to take down a fema
28 October 2013
Green-winged Teal again
Drake Green-winged Teal from the Ron Barker Hide today. It's been pretty hit and miss trying to catch up with this bird, however once on the reserve they tend to hang out through the winter. Late on, 5.30pm, an adult European White-fronted Goose dropped i
26 October 2013