Latest Sightings
The excitement has continued at Martin Mere over the weekend, with the current star birds being the male Ring-necked Duck from Discovery hide and a Short-eared Owl which continues to hunt over the outer fields from the United Utilities hide. Both of these birds have been present for about a week and seem quite settled on the Reserve.
Cattle Egret can currently be seen a little closer than usual, as we have recently moved a group of cows into Long Meadow – this is the field behind the open-fronted barn just beyond the Gordon Taylor hide. 26 of these birds were counted here on Sunday, and nearby on Woodend Marsh, Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler persist in good numbers. Up to five Roe Deer have also been seen in this area, as well as a Dunlin in with a flock of Lapwing.
Two Little Egret have been spotted in the sluice which runs through the middle of the Reserve (best viewed from the Ron Barker or United Utilities hides) and beyond this on the outer fields we have recorded a Great Egret, three Raven, two Buzzard and two Marsh Harrier. Kestrel and Grey Heron have also been seen here.
On the Reedbed, from the Harrier Hide, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Teal continue to be sighted. Cetti’s Warbler and Water Rail can often be heard, and Reed Bunting can often be seen perched on the tops of reeds. Nearby, a Tawny Owl was heard calling in the poplar trees behind the Janet Kear hide on Sunday.
Up at the Ron Barker hide, the Barn Owl continues to be sighted, along with a Marsh Harrier and the usual flock of Teal. This hide can often be reliable for other raptors, such as Buzzard.
Photograph of a Dunlin.
