Sightings - Martin Mere
More Whoopers
Calm conditions and a shower free day and the sky was filled with geese and lapwings for most of the day. Small groups of Whooper Swan flying in bringing the total to 116 including this family of 2 adults and 4 juveniles. Impressive numbers of geese from
11 October 2014
Five Marsh Harrier
Some excellent viewing of up to 5 Marsh Harrier today particularly but not exclusively from the United Utilities Hide. At least 10 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Two Greenshank dropped in and flew out mid-morning viewed from the Ron Barker H
10 October 2014
New arrivals
The first small group of adult Shelduck arrived this morning with 6 birds joining the few juvenile birds still on the reserve. the numbers of Common Shelduck can exceed 1000 during the winter period. New in a dapper Common Shelduck At least 800 Lapwing,
9 October 2014
33,000 Pink-footed Geese
Pink-footed Geese have dropped back a little from last weeks record numbers, although at 33,000 it is still one of the largest counts recorded on the reserve. ~ 116 Pink-footed Geese... More Whooper Swans arriving with 45 seen today. Other wildfowl count
8 October 2014
The Whooper Swan influx starts here.
There is something quite special seeing the first groups of Whooper Swan arriving at Martin Mere. As the season progresses it becomes more difficult to point to a group of swans flying in and say these birds have just come in from Iceland (via Scotland).
7 October 2014
Barn Owl and other birds
A wet start to the day probably resulted in a Barn Owl being out later than usual viewed from the Harrier Hide. No shortage of birds of prey with 10+ Common Buzzard, 4+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. Two Raven present yesterday. Th
6 October 2014
Bird News
Still jam packed with Pink-footed Geese although no counts. No additional Whooper Swans currently just 4 on the reserve, two new arrivals from yesterday and the two that over summered. Raptor reports included 3 Marsh Harrier, 15 Common Buzzards (from yest
3 October 2014
First Whoopers
First frost and the first confirmed Whooper Swans (a pair) of the autumn join the tens of thousands of Pink-footed Geese currently on the reserve. Pretty sure new geese were arriving this afternoon although some geese will be moving on to North Norfolk.
2 October 2014
45800 Pink-footed Geese
Records being broken daily with last nights roost count coming in at just under 46000! Pretty much every inch of water on Woodend, The Mere and Vinson's and Sunley's had a covering of Pink-footed Geese. Yesterday's juv leucistic Pink's dropped in on the M
30 September 2014
Record Numbers
The record count for Pink-footed Geese at WWT Martin Mere was broken yesterday with 36600 birds on the reserve in the afternoon. It's quite possible that a greater number eventually came into roost. The previous record was 36000 from October 2010. Huge nu
29 September 2014
Pink-foot Spectacle
Great birding and a great spectacle at the moment as the Pink-footed Geese influx continues. No concerted counts but undoubtedly 20,000+ birds in the area. At least one Barnacle Goose again and a few partial leucistic birds present among the flock (see be
27 September 2014
Pink-footed Goose count hits 21,500
Biggest count of the year so far with 21,500 Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve last night. Impressive numbers from the off this morning with 10,000+ present with lots of birds coming and going throughout the day. Definitely new skeins coming in fr
25 September 2014
15,000 + Pinks
The dawn count this morning produced just over 15,000 Pink-footed Geese and a single Barnacle Goose. Yesterday's big counts of 10,000+ were also from a seasoned observer and correct! The birds are moving around so if you are lucky you'll catch some big
24 September 2014
Autumn fare.
The current activity is all Pink-footed Goose based with perhaps as many as 6000 birds on the reserve mid afternoon, although some estimate up to twice that number. There maybe more in the local area however it can be difficult to judge with birds coming
23 September 2014
Pink-foot Influx
A couple of days ago we pondered the possibility that the weather patterns over Iceland might encourage some Pink-footed Goose migration, well it did! An early morning count produced c700 birds but by midday over 5000 had arrived with the majority coming
21 September 2014