Latest Sightings
The New Year has continued to provide an exciting range of wildlife across WWT Martin Mere.
The drake Ring-necked Duck is still present on the Mere and is usually feeding close-in amongst the Pochard and Tufted Duck. Black-tailed Godwit have been present here in good numbers, with up to 150 counted on Thursday – additionally, a Great Egret was seen at the back of the Mere, along with 2 Stonechat.
The Ron Barker hide has been productive in recent days with two Barn Owl seen, along with regular Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and, in the sluice, Teal and Little Grebe. A Stoat was photographed here on Thursday and Roe deer have been sighted in the mornings.
Down at the other end of the Reserve, a Merlin was spotted over Woodend Marsh, and three Raven have been on Langley’s Field, along with at least 4 Stonechat, a Barn Owl and the long-staying Short-eared Owl. An out-of-hours survey on Thursday night produced at least 7 Woodcock on this end of the reserve, as well as a Jack Snipe.
Fieldfare and Redwing have both been seen at the Janet Kear hide, along with the usual cast of ‘garden birds’ such as Blue Tit, Great Tit and Greenfinch – two Siskin were seen on the path to this hide. In the Reedbed, Cetti’s Warbler and Water Rail continue to be heard, and excitingly, a visitor reported seeing a Bittern on Wednesday morning.
Photograph of a Bittern.
