Sightings - Martin Mere
Last few days.
A few internet / phone problems over the past few days are now (hopefully) sorted. A fine selection of migrants, winter visitors and the odd long stayer. Pink-footed Geese numbers have shot up with at least 2500 around the reserve today. More Teal, 1000+
13 September 2012
Pink-feet
More Pink-footed Geese arriving with a count of 713 birds. Other water bird counts included 553 Greylag, 200 Canada Geese, 1150 Teal, 1130 Mallard, 12 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 34 Shoveler, 39 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 29 Moorhen, 60 Coot, 12 Cormorant and 15 Grey
10 September 2012
Waders and Wagtails
More signs of autumn passage and the outlook looks good for the next few days. Reports from late afternoon included Spotted Redshank which would be new in and Curlew Sandpiper from the Ron Barker. Four Hundred Lapwing, 25 Ruff, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+
9 September 2012
Too Sunny...
I know what your thinking, it's not that this last blast of summer isn't without it's benefits but a few showers moving through would be bound to bring some new birds onto the reserve. Best report of the day goes to Curlew Sandpiper which was seen from th
8 September 2012
More Pinkfeet arriving
An autumnal feel to the day with grey sky, a bit of a westerly wind and drizzle complete with flocks of newly arriving Pink footed Geese during the morning, hard to know how many were involved, but at least 250 birds in several flocks with the possibility
7 September 2012
Autumn action
The most exciting bird of the last 2 days would have to be the probable Black necked Grebe that was seen briefly yesterday in flight, with another report today of a Grebe that wasn't a Little or Great crested and from the description yesterday everything
6 September 2012
Some Disturbance
Some disturbance today and probably tomorrow as the early autumn vegetation and grass cutting occurs around the reserve. The amount of rain received over summer is making hay cutting out on the marshy reserve fields very difficult. These cuts provide new
4 September 2012
Jay, new for the year.
Autumn wanderers come in all shapes and sizes. Today's Jay seen by the Ron Barker Hide will be a local bird, although Jay do arrive from the continent later in the autumn. Although the reserve has some well developed trees, Jay is an unusual bird on the r
3 September 2012
Garganey (about time..)
Garganey in eclipsed plumage showing well on the Mere 15:30 at least. It, or perhaps another, was seen earlier on from the Ron Barker Hide. The Teal numbers have risen considerably in the past week to over 1000 so this sighting was not unexpected. Twelve
2 September 2012
Northern Wheatear
More signs of autumn passage with a male Northern Wheatear from the Ron Barker Hide this morning. Common Swift moving south. Raptors providing most of the entertainment with 2+ Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Wader
1 September 2012
Arriving Pinkfeet
The first returning Pink footed Geese arrived this morning with a group of 11 just before midday, and a further flock of 6 by 12.45, so the count by the end of the day could well be higher with a good northerly wind aiding the birds arrival. Other sightin
30 August 2012
Bird News
An early heavy rain front moved through to produce some excellent viewing condition. A squally rain front with thunder and lighting came through early afternoon followed by sunshine. Highest count of Common Snipe of the autumn with 140+, Ruff are up to 29
29 August 2012
Good Weather for Ducks...
Pretty much solid rain for the first half of the day, certainly the massed ranks of eclipsed plumaged Mallard and Teal seemed happy enough. A small flock of Shoveler dropped in and a single Tufted Duck appeared out of the gloom. Female Red-crested Pochard
27 August 2012
Raptor Day
First Merlin of the autumn, a juvenile, showed well perched on a five bar gate. Four Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzard, adult and juvenile Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Lots of Common Snipe activity in the rain this morning with at least 60 birds
26 August 2012
Raptors hunting and Waders
Plenty of activity today with waders to the fore. Previous days numbers in brackets(). At least 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper(2), Greenshank(4), 20+ Common Snipe, 300+ Lapwing. Wood Sandpiper (1). Raptors have incl
25 August 2012