Sightings - Martin Mere
Murky
Pretty murky conditions all day but plenty of activity nonetheless. Raptors in action included 3 Marsh Harrier, one with an unidentified bird (hopefully not Marbled Duck..) as prey item, was 'robb [...]
8 November 2011
Marbled Duck late afternoon.
A Marbled Duck was found 4.15pm with Common Teal from the Ron Barker Hide. It appeared to be fully winged and the assumption is that it will be the same bird that turned up on the Ribble on the 4th of [...]
7 November 2011
Birdwatching at it's best.
No counts in particular today other than to say the reserve was packed with birds, similarly to the past few days reports. A fabulous day to be out birding too with dawn til dusk sunshine, light winds [...]
6 November 2011
Spotted Redshank
A cracking day started with a Spotted Redshank seen flying in high from the SW in the morning, the bird spent most of the time on the Mere and was still present at dusk roosting with Ruff back on the [...]
5 November 2011
Epic migration
Wild Svalbard Barnacle Geese migrate 3000km from Svalbard Island in the High Arctic to winter on Scotland's Solway Firth, with thousands feeding at WWT's Caerlaverock Wetland Centre. These magnificent animals may fly the entire distance in two days. At Ma
4 November 2011
More Birds
Some excellent birding again with some of the highest counts of the autumn so far including Common Teal at 2175, Whooper Swan 890 and 115 Tufted Duck. Other counts included 14,000 Pink-footed Geese, 2 [...]
4 November 2011
On The Reserve
With south-easterly winds blowing for the next day or two it's an excellent time to visit the reserve, not because something may be blown in (though don't rule that out), but because it makes [...]
2 November 2011
Med Gull
An adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull was present on the Mere this morning with Black-headed Gulls. A big count of Ruff with 73 birds, in fact its the highest for a couple of years. Green San [...]
1 November 2011
Take your pick from our autumn feast of bird watching
The mild conditions of the last week have certainly been very busy in terms of the bird groups arriving on site. Some brilliant autumn birds are passing through, with flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings a constant sight and sound around the reserve. Birds o
31 October 2011
Bird News
More raptor action with 4 Marsh Harrier again giving excellent views around the reserve. Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, at least 4 Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Plenty of wildfowl building in numbers tho [...]
31 October 2011
More Autumn Magic
Another very pleasant day on the reserve, mild with light winds. Ideal conditions for viewing raptors with sightings so far today including 4 Marsh Harrier, 5+ Common Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawk, Peregrine [...]
30 October 2011
Hen Harrier
A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen by a few observers this afternoon, also at least 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk and several Common Buzzard. A male Brambling and a Willow Tit were se [...]
29 October 2011
Bird News
A Willow Tit, presumably the bird which is normally seen in front of the Janet Kear hide was on the In Focus feeder this morning, but moved back to it's usual haunt later in the day. A Kingfisher [...]
28 October 2011
Bird News
Over 10,000 Pink-footed Geese on the reserve today, along with around 500 Whooper Swans providing the big numbers, but a good selection of other birds was recorded. These included over 50 Ruff, a sing [...]
27 October 2011
Surprise Surprise!
Much to my delight there were 500 Whooper Swans on site on Tuesday (18th) 350 more than the count of 150 the morning before. So I grab the bins and the scope and started counting not only the numbers of birds but also the number of cygnets and the brood
26 October 2011