Sightings - Martin Mere
Pinks and Peregrines
A dawn count produced just under 26,000 Pink-footed Geese this morning and 134 Whooper Swan. Over 60 Pintail now present mostly on the Mere. In total at least 14 species of wildfowl present on the reserve. Three Peregrine mostly seen on the fence line alo
23 October 2013
Raptors and Kingfishers
Good weather for ducks this morning with a couple of hours of misty rain reducing visibility across the reserve. Once the rain had passed the raptors were out in action. Three Peregrine throughout the day, having a go at assorted birds and also claiming t
21 October 2013
Green-Winged Teal
Drake Green-winged Teal on the Mere this morning and from the Ron Barker Hide in the afternoon. More wildfowl turning up with greater numbers of Pintail, Wigeon, Shelduck and Pochard. Passage migration was very much in evidence this morning with 250 Fiel
20 October 2013
More Autumn Goodness
Another day filled with Pink-footed Geese going and coming on the reserve. I say going and coming because ~ 20,000 Pink's are roosting on the reserve so most leave early on to feed locally before returning early afternoon onwards. Another very mild day wh
19 October 2013
Pink-feet
Another excellent early morning count of 27,000+ Pink-footed Geese and 140+ Whooper Swan. A single male Pochard was on the Mere as the water is now reaching it's winter levels. Sixty eight Coot and 16 Shelduck on the Mere. A single Barnacle Goose with 500
16 October 2013
Merlin
Another top autumn day here at Martin Mere, lovely in the sun as the wind dropped off. The Pink-footed Geese spectacle is still in full flow with big numbers on the reserve most of the day. No sign of yesterday's Gannet. Many pelagic species have been see
15 October 2013
Gannet a third record for the reserve.
A juvenile Gannet which flew in 15:20 was certainly the star bird of the day and a reserve tick for many. It spent 30 minutes on the Mere being followed by curious Pink-footed Geese before it was flushed and appeared to land on Wood End Marsh. It's only t
14 October 2013
Highest count of the autumn.
Highest count of the autumn with 29,400 Pink-footed Geese on the reserve early morning, in fact one of the highest counts on record for the reserve. A co-ordinated count in Lancashire produced over 82,000 birds. The Whooper Swan count is up with 300 birds
13 October 2013
Hen Harrier plus
Another good raptor day with the first Hen Harrier (a ringtail) of the autumn, 2+ Marsh Harrier, female Peregrine, 4 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Two Raven again. Another great goose spectacle too with 10,000+ Pink-footed Geese on the reserve
12 October 2013
Whoopers and Redwings
Redwings were evident this morning with small flocks flying north over the mere, at least 50 along with 15 Fieldfare and flocks of Goldfinch and Chaffinch, a watch from dawn would have revealed a much higher count, the last 24 hours has seen a large arriv
11 October 2013
Don't you just love autumn!
A fantastic day, with Pink-footed Geese in and out all day long, there must have been many newly arrived birds today as we had new Whooper Swans arrive on the northerly winds, a count this afternoon of 168 at least. There must be c20,000 Pink Feet in the
10 October 2013
Whoopers!
As predicted a tiny influx of Whooper Swan has occurred with 17 birds now on the reserve. It would be surprising if a few more didn't arrive in the couple of days too. The Pectoral Sandpiper is still present from the United Utilities Hide on Woodend Marsh
9 October 2013
Pectoral Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper from the United Utilities Hide this afternoon. It can be elusive in the longer vegetation. Little Stint again from the Ron Barker Hide. A single Barnacle Goose present on the Mere with 4000+ Pink-footed Geese, also present a pale (leuci
8 October 2013
Possible Pec.
A possible Pectoral Sandpiper seen distantly from the United Utilities Hide this afternoon. Drake Green-winged Teal again from the Ron Barker Hide, also there Little Stint with 40+ Ruff and 800+ Lapwing. Six species of raptor with Merlin, Peregrine (which
7 October 2013
Green-winged Teal
Drake Green-winged Teal from the Ron Barker Hide again. Little Stint also from the Ron Barker Hide. Similar numbers of Pink-footed Geese from yesterday, showing very well throughout the day. Raptors included 3+ Marsh Harrier, 5+ Common Buzzard. Along the
6 October 2013