Latest Sightings
It’s been another busy few days for wildlife here at Martin Mere.
First up, some exciting news... on Wednesday, one of our volunteers counted a whopping 74 Cattle Egret flying to roost in the Grounds - an enormous figure and a new site record!
Up at the Ron Barker hide, a Barn Owl has been showing well, along with a Kingfisher, three Great Egret and several Marsh Harriers. Out-of-hours surveys have also produced calling Tawny Owl – look for these birds roosting in the ivy-covered trees behind the Mere View hide.
On the Mere, 45 Black-tailed Godwit were counted on Saturday, along with a group of 7 Ruff. Wintering wildfowl including Pochard, Pintail and Whooper Swan continue to show in good numbers – our team will soon be carrying out another dawn survey of geese and swans, so watch this space!
The Harrier Hide has seen the return of the Glossy Ibis – potentially the same individual that has been sighted recently on the Ribble Estuary. The hedgerows at this hide are proving excellent for Redwing, and Fieldfare flocks regularly pass overhead.
Woodend Marsh has been producing Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler and Snipe, and a Barn Owl has been sighted on the surrounding fields. Additionally, on Plover Field, a Raven and six Grey Partridge were seen.
Photograph of a Whooper Swan.
