Sightings - Martin Mere
Arrivals
The southerly component to the airflow paid dividends with the arrival of more Avocet, now 34 birds. Four pairs were seen mating, spring is definitely on it's way! Further mating activity today with our regular pair of Peregrines copulating on the fence p
4 March 2013
A late Bewick's Swan
Surprise bird of the day was a single Bewick's Swan mid afternoon on the Mere with ~ 500 Whooper Swan. It's been the quietest winter on record for this Siberian species with only two other sightings on the reserve in 2013. The adult breeding plumage Medit
3 March 2013
Med Gull and other birds
A frosty sunny start to the day, clouding over later making viewing in the afternoon ideal. An adult breeding plumage Med Gull came in with Black-headed Gull just before 4pm. Recently there has been over 3000 Black-headed Gulls coming into roost so there
2 March 2013
Bird News
Another calm day, cloudy but with great visibility. Still good numbers of Whooper Swan, 1000+ although you've only got a few more weeks before the majority will be on there way back to Iceland. Still 14 Avocet however the weather looks good for the start
1 March 2013
Bird News
Another lovely day to be birding with the only down side being a reduction in visibility resulting from the 'heat haze'. No reports of the Dark-bellied Brent today although the Pink-footed Geese flocks have been absent for most of the day so the bird may
28 February 2013
Dark-bellied Brent again.
Dark-bellied Brent flew in around 2.45pm with Pink-footed Geese viewable on Woodend Marsh from the United Utilities Hide. A glorious spring-like day. The first reported Curlew of the year came in today with 5 birds from the Ron Barker Hide. Still 20 Avoce
27 February 2013
Dark-bellied Brent
A Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew in around 12:10 and was still present at 3pm at least viewed from the Harrier Hide with Canada Geese. It has been at least 5 years since the last record of this coastal species on the reserve. Avocet numbers still at 20 and
25 February 2013
Siskins on the move
A good count of ~ 20 Siskin on Alder by the Janet Kear Hide. It's a good time of year to catch up with these smart small finches as they move from wintering to breeding grounds. Many of the birds we see will have come from continental europe. Brambling st
24 February 2013
Barn Owl
A Barn Owl was out hunting again late afternoon from Ron Barker Hide, the 3 Peregrines were on view most of the day but no sign of the Hen Harrier or Merlin, but the usual Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were all seen. 2 Raven were on view during
23 February 2013
Hen Harrier
A male Hen Harrier was again reported from Ron Barker Hide along with a Merlin. Good numbers of waders at the moment included a count of 103 Ruff, 4 Black tailed Godwit, 35 Oystercatcher and 22 Avocet. There are also several Ringed Plover around the site
22 February 2013
Pintail
The winter's highest count of Pintail this morning with just over 700 of this elegant duck around the reserve. Martin Mere is undoubtedly one of the best spots in the UK to see this species. Another fine, if cold day. No rise in Avocet numbers(!) with 28
21 February 2013
Med Gull
Adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull, moulting into breeding plumage with Black-headed Gulls on the Mere in the morning and later in the afternoon. The gull roost on the reserve is currently ~ 2300, mostly Black-heads. Other gulls recorded today includ
20 February 2013
Spring-like
Another lovely day starting with a hard frost but soon warming up in the strengthening sun. A Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly was seen flying today. Probably disturbed from hibination by the warmth of the sun. No surprises to say that the Avocet numbers hav
19 February 2013
More Avocets
Another cracking day weatherwise but just a brief update. Now 15 Avocet on the Mere for most of the day. A 1000+ Whooper Swan present looking great in the morning sun. Still big numbers of wildfowl present many now displaying including Goldeneye. A Gree
18 February 2013
More Waders
A glorious day with light SE winds and full sunshine, very spring like indeed. More signs of spring being just round the corner with the further arrivals of Avocet with 10 birds around the edge of the Mere. A few people have asked if these birds are early
17 February 2013