Sightings - Martin Mere
Some sightings
A very murky start with misty rain limiting viewing for the first few hours. The Mere was quiet early on due to the annual swan catch, although everything looked back to normal by the afternoon feed. [...]
28 February 2012
18 Avocet
Spring just round the corner and an influx of Avocet just to prove it with 18 birds, mostly from the Ron Barker. Other waders included a newly arrived Redshank, 3 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 20+ Black-tailed Go [...]
27 February 2012
Raptors
A quality day out on the reserve, calm winds and good visibility. Raptors in action included 2 near adult male Marsh Harriers, Merlin, Peregrine , 4+ Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Barn [...]
26 February 2012
One-a-Day
Avocet appear to be increasing at a rate of one a day with 7 birds now present. Although unlikely, if this were to continue to occur it'll be the 5 June before we reach last years peak numbers. Oy [...]
25 February 2012
Bird News
Firstly, late news from yesterday, when a Brimstone butterfly was seen taking advantage of the unusually fine weather - probably a mistake, as the more typical wind and rain had returned by this [...]
24 February 2012
Bird News
A remarkably Spring-like feel about today, with lots of our resident species including Robins, Dunnocks, Blackbirds and Skylarks in full voice. A few partial counts from around the reserve included 1 [...]
23 February 2012
Tundra Beans and Whoopers
Slightly damp on and off but still a winter spectacle to behold. A count of Whooper Swan hit 1650, probably numbers swelled by birds moving north from WWT Welney. Six Tundra Bean Geese were with ~ 400 [...]
22 February 2012
Harriers and Waders
An excellent wader 'fest' on the mildest day we've had for some time, clear too for good distance scanning. Avocet have crept up to four, 15 Golden Plover was a very good count for here, 4 [...]
21 February 2012
Avocets Return
The first of the returning Avocet flew in today, three birds, still present late afternoon from the Ron Barker Hide. These birds are a little latter than the first birds of 2011, but this isn [...]
20 February 2012
Today's Sightings
Showery at the start, hail storm near the end, breezy but sunny in between. A good goose day with around 3,500 Pink-footed Geese coming into roost. Two European White-fronted Geese and a Tundra Bean G [...]
18 February 2012
Bird News
A great variety of birds on the reserve today, the undoubted highlight being a Bittern in flight over Top Mere. Wader numbers are starting to increase, with 87 Ruff, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 2 [...]
16 February 2012
Bird News
Great conditions for viewing today, if a tad cold at times in the wind. Waders still to the fore with over 2000 Lapwing, 100 Ruff, 14 Oystercatcher, 10 Common Snipe, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 2 [...]
15 February 2012
Kittiwake and Waders
As milder weather takes hold we see further changes of birds present around the reserve. Today an obvious influx of waders including, 10 Oystercatcher, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew a [...]
14 February 2012
Bird News
Plenty of activity around the reserve as milder condition take hold. The Mere was ice free by the afternoon so no amusing crash landing ducks as of recent days.. As usual lots of raptors hunting a [...]
13 February 2012
Bittern Again
A Bittern flew out of the reeds by the Janet Kear Hide and over the trees dropping in the reeds, along the cut to the right of the path, before the Harrier Hide. We would assume it was the same bird s [...]
12 February 2012