Sightings - Martin Mere
Garganey new for the year
A drake Garganey present this afternoon from the Harrier Hide is new for the year. The bird was found this morning on the Canoe Safari before flying onto Pat's Reed Bed. It is actually the same date as the first one that turned up in 2012. A few Whimbrel
1 May 2013
Grasshopper Warbler
Plenty of action down the Reed Bed Walk this morning with Grasshopper Warbler (new for the year) reeling near the entrance gate to the walk. At least 3 Corn Bunting on the hedgerow next to the path near the viewing platforms. Further along, past the Sewag
30 April 2013
Curlew Sandpipers
Another windy day making viewing more difficult but much warmer in the sun. Tomorrow looks excellent with the wind dropping back. Two Curlew Sandpiper still present on Woodend Marsh from the United Utilities Hide. Also from there 4 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover
29 April 2013
Feeling like spring?
Feeling like spring? Not today with temperature barely reaching double figures and misty rain in a strong westerly making viewing difficult. Still 2 Curlew Sandpiper out on Woodend Marsh viewable from the United Utilities Hide. Other waders include 40+ Av
28 April 2013
New Curlew Sandpipers
Two new Curlew Sandpipers in today, moulting into summer plumage. Also 4 Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 54 Avocet, 2 Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, 10+ Redshank. Male Whinchat new in(?) out on Woodend Marsh, 7 (6 males, 1 female) Yellow Wagtail,
27 April 2013
More new species!
It's rocking at the moment with new birds continuing to turn up on a daily basis. Today 2 Curlew Sandpiper were present with Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit on Vinson's Marsh viewed from the Ron Barker Hide. One full breeding plumage, one moulting through.
26 April 2013
First Common Swift of the year
A rain front moving through always provides good conditions for dropping migrants in at this time of year. First Common Swift of the heading south over the reserve in front of the rain which arrived around midday. Highest count of the year for Dunlin with
25 April 2013
New for the Year
The year list is ticking (pun intended) along nicely at the moment with the addition of Jay, seen next to the in focus shop feeders. A very unusual sighting there, although birds are recorded annually in autumn flying over the reserve. Still a 'wagtail fe
24 April 2013
Arctic Tern and Green Sandpiper
Arctic Tern along Boat House Sluice and Green Sandpiper on Woodend Marsh late afternoon both new for the year. At least 4 male Yellow Wagtail, 15+ White Wagtail, a few Pied Wagtail and 2 Wheatear on the reserve today. Over 100 hirundine feeding over the
23 April 2013
Migration
Fairly chilly in a brisk South-Westerly plenty of evidence of migrants still present and new birds arriving. Little Ringed Plover on the Mere, also Common Sandpiper and 5 Curlew dropped in to join 6 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Oyst
22 April 2013
Whinchat and Whimbrel
A little bit of light rain from 12am onwards always perks up some interest with the possibility of something being dropped in. As it happens a male Whinchat appeared 1:20pm on the fence line at the back of the Mere. A cracking bird and barely annual on
21 April 2013
Spotted Flycatcher?
A report of a Spotted Flycatcher early morning sounded good though didn't stick around, this would be 8 days earlier than the first Spot Fly in Lancs in 2011. The first 2 House Martin and first Little ringed Plover of the year were recorded today, still l
20 April 2013
Big Fall
A top quality day with at least 73 species of bird recorded on the reserve. At least 20+ White Wagtail on the reserve an exceptional count. Also Yellow Wagtail with the flock, possibly more than one. The birds are moving around from the back of the Mere,
19 April 2013
More Movement
The continuing southerly airflow is helping migrant birds on their way and bringing more birds in which will summer and breed in the local vicinity. At least 4 White Wagtails today on Woodend Marsh. The immature Spoonbill and Little Egret are sill present
17 April 2013
Blue-headed (type) Wagtail
Bit of late news with a Blue-headed (type) Wagtail briefly at 6:40pm on the Reed Bed Walk with cattle opposite the sewage works before flying off NW. Also on the Reed Bed Walk Male Marsh Harrier and male Wheatear. Plenty of hirundines moving through early
16 April 2013