Latest Sightings
It’s been another wildlife-packed weekend at Martin Mere.
Following up from last week’s whopping count of 74 Cattle Egret, our team has been out at dusk in the Grounds to visit the roost site, which is near the Pond Zone – at least 60 of these birds were seen, along with a small number of Grey Herons. This was filmed with a thermal camera – a video of which can be found on our social media pages.
Back on the Reserve, the Ron Barker hide has been providing some good sightings – two Great Egrets were reported on Saturday, as well as a Tawny Owl and Barn Owl. Cetti’s Warbler and Water Rail can often be heard here, and Marsh Harriers are reliably seen hunting over the wetlands.
At the Janet Kear hide, about a dozen Redpoll were photographed on Saturday – a species which isn’t often seen on site. Some of these birds looked like the Greenland subspecies – Northern migrants brought to Britain by strong winds. This hide is also great for birds like Redwing and Fieldfare, and a Great-spotted Woodpecker is often seen on the feeders or heard calling in the nearby trees. Two Treecreeper were seen here lately – which, until lately, was a scarce bird on site.
A Kingfisher has been spotted near the Gordon Taylor hide over the sluice, and up to four Water Rail have been calling here. Stonechat are often perched up on the fence, and Woodend Marsh remains reliable for Teal, Kestrel and Buzzard.
Photograph of a Kingfisher.
