Sightings - Martin Mere
Yellow Wagtails
New for the year Yellow Wagtails (male and female) from the Ron Barker Hide, possibly another from the Harrier Hide. Quite an influx of wagtails with 10+ Pied, at least one White and a single Grey Wagtail. Wheatear from the Reed Bed Walk. Other movements
15 April 2013
Spoonbill, Crossbills and White Wagtails
Three Crossbill still this afternoon near the Raines Hide. Spoonbill and Little Egret from the UU Hide. Willow Warbler singing near the Janet Kear Hide. Swallows and Sand Martins also again today. Six White Wagtail on Woodend Marsh dropped in to feed then
14 April 2013
Crossbills showing well
A mega species day on the reserve as spring movement gets fully underway. Star birds in reserve rarity terms were the Crossbills with 2 males and 2 females still present this morning near the Raines Hide, showing well in the spring sunshine. These birds r
13 April 2013
Short-eared Owl & Spoonbill
A migrant Short-eared Owl flew high over the In Focus shop at 13.38 before settling in a distant field out on the reserve. Other raptors seen today were Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. The Spoonbill and Little Egret
10 April 2013
Spoonbill again.
Spoonbill showing well this morning, still present this afternoon, active and feeding from the United Utilities Hide. A few wader counts produced 36 Ruff, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ringed Plover, ~20 Oystercatcher, ~200 Lapwing, Curlew, 10+ Redshank and
9 April 2013
Spoonbill
Spoonbill flew in around 11am onto Woodend Marsh viewable from the United Utilities Hide and still on site 4pm at least. Probably the same bird which showed well in front of the Raines Hide around 6pm yesterday. [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
8 April 2013
Sand Martin
A single Sand Martin was seen to fly south accross the reserve in the morning, the Little Egret was still around from yesterday and a pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls put in an appearance. A male Hen Harrier flew through the reserve without stopping, als
7 April 2013
Wheatear and Little Egret
A male Wheatear was seen from the reedbed walk today, a Little Egret was reported and also a breeding plumage Mediterranean Gull was briefly on the Mere in the morning along with the usual pair of Great black backed and a pair of Lesser black backed Gull.
6 April 2013
Breeding plumage Ruff
Now is a very good time to come and look at Ruff coming into breeding plumage. There are at least 40 birds present with one or two males now approaching full breeding plumage and many following on. Likewise with the Black-tailed Godwit. The godwit are gen
3 April 2013
Bewick's again
Four Bewick's Swan (2 adult+2 juv) flew in with ~ 50 Whooper Swan early afternoon. Some small flocks of Wigeon were looking nervous as a pair of Greater Black-backed Gull roamed around looking for there next meal. Raptors included the ever present Common
2 April 2013
Marsh Harrier
First 'spring' Marsh Harrier, a female type early on. Common Buzzards are active and a scan of the surrounding area can produce 6+ birds. Other reported raptors were Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel. Around 120 Whooper Swan still in the surrounding
1 April 2013
Med Gull and other birds
Another pleasant day in the sun, if a little chilly out of it! As with most places in Lancashire we are leaving March without seeing a Sand Martin for the first time since the reserve opened over 30 years ago. A second summer Med Gull spent a few hours wi
31 March 2013
Bewick's Swans again.
Just as we'd expect to be posting about more spring arrivals it's the last of the wintering birds that are grabbing the headlines. Four Bewick's Swan (two adult and two juvenile) flew in onto the Mere with ~130 Whooper Swan early afternoon. Still plenty o
26 March 2013
Less Whoopers more species?
With the Mere now down at it's summer water levels the number of Whooper Swan spending time during the day on the reserve has dropped back considerably. As it happens a count in the local vicinity (Marsh Moss Lane) produced 440 Whoopers and 2 Bewick's Swa
25 March 2013
Brass Monkey looking for lost property...
Looking out on the Mere today watching a thousand or so assorted waders and wildfowl going about their business, and marveling how seemingly unaffected most were by the bitter easterlies strafing the reserve. Two Common Buzzard were coming in close by the
23 March 2013