Latest Sightings
There has been a new arrival to the reserve here at Martin Mere this week. 3 Curlew Sandpipers were seen - the first of the year - from the Discovery hide. Other birds seen on the main mere this week include 3 Common Terns, 2 Ruff, 1 Cormorant, 6 Swallows, 5 Oystercatchers and 4 Sand Martins.
Birds of prey seen on site recently include 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Hobby and 2 Marsh Harriers. All of these predatory bird species can be observed from any of our hides, and some of them can often be seen high in the sky riding thermals to gain altitude.
On Tuesday, 5 Ringed Plovers and 6 Little Ringed Plovers were seen on Woodend Marsh. Nearby, 1 Bittern was spotted flying up out of the reedbed in search of a new haunt, and behind Woodend Marsh, 2 Spoonbill were observed. This area can be viewed with a scope from the United Utilities hide, where 1 Stonechat was observed today hunting dragonflies.
1 Cuckoo was spotted in the reedbed area on Wednesday.
From the Harrier hide on Monday, there were 40 Black-Tailed Godwits gathered together. 1 Herring Gull, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Shovelers, 4 Gadwall, 6 Pochard and 10 Tufted Ducks have been seen today. Two of the Great Crested Grebes are currently taking turns sitting on their nest and incubating their eggs.
Birds seen from Gordon Taylor hide today include 1 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Redshank and 16 Avocets. The Avocets were seen with their chicks, protecting them from potential threats.
Photograph of a Snipe.
