Sightings - Martin Mere
Bewick's Swan again
Two Bewick's Swan appeared again late afternoon on the mere among 270 Whooper Swan, for the second day running, late afternoon (4-5pm) tomorrow stands a good chance of seeing them. Still c300 Pink-footed Goose around today as well. Still a bit of a wader
21 March 2013
Spring Equinox
Spring starts here as the days become longer than the nights and although the temperatures are below average for this time of year there are plenty of signs of spring in progress. Bird of the day goes to an early Swallow (Barn Swallow if you like) perched
20 March 2013
More Waders
More Avocet today with a count 86 mostly from the Ron Barker Hide. A flock of 10 Golden Plover dropped in briefly. further wader counts included 88 Ruff, 80 Oystercatcher, 300+ Lapwing, 28 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Two
19 March 2013
Chiffchaff arrives
First Chiffchaff of the spring near the Janet Kear Hide. Seen but not heard, probably saving it's vocal chords for slightly warmer conditions, although as it happens it was quite pleasant in the sun today. In the same area a male Blackcap was present, Nut
18 March 2013
Avocets still rising
Sixty two Avocet on the reserve today. A couple of Dunlin dropped in early doors, 70+ Ruff mostly males, now engaging in a spot of jousting along the bank edges of the Mere. Other waders included 60+ Oystercatcher, 2+ Ringed Plover, 10+ Black-tailed Godwi
17 March 2013
Hen Harrier again
The cracking male Hen Harrier was again hunting over the fields in the afternoon, before being escorted off the reserve by irate Lapwings. Other raptors included juv Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, sev Common Buzzard and Kestrel. At least 2 Barn Owl were seen, on
16 March 2013
Bird News
A damp start to the day which ended in a spot of spring sunshine. No Sand Martin or Chiffchaff yet.. Lots of breeding activity with 52 Avocet mostly paired up. Mating Ringed Plover on the shingle islands from the Ron Barker Hide. At least 60 Ruff some col
15 March 2013
Warm in the sun..
Warm in the sun, cool in the hides. Plenty of spring-like action with Ringed Plover, Lapwing and Skylark all display flying this morning. Two Med Gull, a breeding plumage adult and a 2nd winter bird associating with Black-headed Gulls. Also present a few
13 March 2013
A Blast of Winter
Any hopes of the first Sand Martin were dashed by the strong ENE wind blowing squally snow showers straight off Siberia! A few Avocet must have changed their minds as the numbers reduced to 40 as the scrapes in front of the Ron Barker Hide froze over. Tod
11 March 2013
Marsh Harrier
The first Marsh Harrier sighting for a few weeks, a female type. Keeping our fingers crossed the last years pair will return again to breed. The WEBS count this morning produced; 995 Whooper Swan, 121 Greylag, 58 Canada, 530 Wigeon, 870 Teal, 285 Pintail,
10 March 2013
Waders dropping in.
A good start to the day with a cracking adult male Hen Harrier which flew onto the reserve at 9.30am and off again around 10am. Although the reserve opens at 9.30, the Reed Bed Walk can be accessed at anytime and the viewing platforms give excellent views
9 March 2013
Redshank arrives.
More signs of spring as a single Redshank turned up on the Mere this morning. Redshank breed on the reserve and as more birds come in it's a great chance to brush up on your wader id skills while good numbers of Ruff (c80 today) are still present. Other w
8 March 2013
Bewick's Swan again.
A Bewick's Swan was seen again on the Mere with Whooper Swans around midday. A breeding plumage Med Gull was again on the Mere with Black-headed Gulls. Now 51 Avocet mostly around the Mere but also from the Ron Barker Hide. Other waders included Dunlin, C
7 March 2013
Roosting Tawny Owl
It's that time of year, just before the trees start sprouting, that Tawny Owls can occasionally be found roosting around the reserve. Today two birds have been seen, one still viewable between the Gladstone and Janet Kear Hides inside the grounds viewable
6 March 2013
Bullfinch
First Bullfinch (male) of the year, a rarity here, seen midday near the Kingfisher Hide. A dawn count of Whooper Swan was down to 1090. Avocet numbers increased to 44. Also present 60 Oystercatcher, 70+ Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover and ~30
5 March 2013