Sightings - Martin Mere
Vis Mig
It's a great time of year to witness visible migration ('vis mig'). Hundreds of thousands of birds will be passing through the UK during autumn migration and many of these are apparent just by looking up into the sky. Generally people choose prominent g
1 October 2012
After the sun
After yesterdays far too bright and sunny day, it was good to see some rain (and wind) falling on the reserve again... It's very 'birdy' at the moment with Pink-footed Geese numbers building up again with excellent views around the edge of the Mere throug
30 September 2012
Flood feeding frenzy
The recent almost biblical deluge and flooding has been fantastic for the birds, with the area size of the mere having expanded noticeably it has provided a feeding frenzy for the wildfowl and large numbers of Gulls. The drake Scaup is still present alo
29 September 2012
Bring your wellies.
Amazing coming into work this morning to see just how much the water levels had risen over night. The two pictures below represent the difference in 24 hours. &nb
26 September 2012
Building an Ark
Definitely the most rainfall I've ever seen here. Hopefully post a few shots tomorrow. The Boat House Sluice which runs through the reserve (between the United Utilities and Ron Barker Hides) has over flown and is flooding the reserve fields, ideal for fe
25 September 2012
In the rain.
A wet day, so always good to see a few hardy souls having a look. There has been quite an influx of interesting birds in the UK in the past week with north american waders from the west to Yellow-browed Warbler et al from the east, so there is always the
24 September 2012
Bird News
The Little Stint remained from yesterday but was not seen after mid morning but a Greenshank dropped in for a while but also couldn't be located later in the day. Upto 20 Ruff are still on site along with 600 Lapwing and good numbers of Common Snipe. A li
23 September 2012
More Whooper Swans
At least 18 Whooper Swan were present today and large numbers of Pink-footed Geese c8000+ in and out of the reserve all day with 1000 around the Mere most of the day. The Little Stint is still present viewable from Ron Barker Hide, also Kingfisher continu
22 September 2012
Bird News
12 Whooper Swans on the Mere today after a further 6 birds flew in mid-morning. Pink-footed Geese were very active today, with groups ranging in size from 3 or 4 birds, up to over 2,000 coming and going (and therefore making it very difficult to guage jus
21 September 2012
Bird News
Star bird today was a Bittern which flew low over the Mere before landing in the reedbed near Wood End towards the edge of the reserve. 12,000 Pink-footed Geese were present on the reserve early this morning, and have been coming and going throughout the
20 September 2012
First Whooper Swans arrived today.
Six Whooper Swans on the Mere this morning signal the first returning birds from their breeding grounds in Iceland. Pretty sure this is the earliest we have had them arrive on the reserve. Generally we wouldn't expect larger numbers to arrive until mid Oc
19 September 2012
Spoonbill
An early update - Spoonbill flew over the Mere at 10:20 and carried on NW towards the Ribble. Virtually annual on the reserve in recent years, they are now established breeders on the North Norfolk coast. This bird brings our substantial year list onto
18 September 2012
Blue-winged Teal....
No sign of the Blue-winged Teal found at Marshside RSPB yesterday. Although perhaps that's not surprising in the windy condition which kept most of the wildfowl tucked away. Birds regularly move between sites in the area so we shall be keeping an eye or t
17 September 2012
Bar-tailed Godwit
A juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit was a good start to the day, it appeared over the mere before settling down in front of Ron Barker hide. Other waders included upto 20 Ruff, 60 Snipe and 700 Lapwing. The main feature of the day was the big increase in Pink-fo
15 September 2012
No Sea Birds
A windy start to the day making viewing difficult. As usual no pelagic species were blown in, always rare inland away from big bodies of deep water. Similar number of Pink-footed Geese to yesterday. Few reports received although the condition did concentr
14 September 2012