Latest Sightings
The reserve here at Martin Mere has been abundant with wildlife this week.
In the car park on Wednesday, 1 Redpoll, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, and 1 Raven were seen.
On the mere today, more than 40 Swallows were observed feeding on insects low above the water's surface. Other birds seen on the mere this week include 1 Great Crested Grebe (with another individual seen at Harrier hide today), 2 Stock Doves, 100 Black-Tailed Godwits, 13 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Pintail male, 2 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk female, 1 Grey Heron, and 8 Cattle Egret.
Along the nature trail towards Janet Kear hide, 1 Song Thrush was found foraging in the trees. Further along the path from Harrier hide, 2 Cormorants, 1 Snipe, 2 Pochard males, 4 Tufted Duck males, 1 Mute Swan, and 1 Great Black-Backed Gull were seen.
Around the Reedbed Walk, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Goldcrest, and 6 Reed Bunting were observed.
At Gordon Taylor hide today, approximately 50 Sand Martins were seen. Similarly to other swallows, these birds feed on small insects by rapidly manoeuvring through the air to catch them on the wing, and have recently returned from their migration to Africa. 2 Redshank, 4 Ruff, 5 Common Gulls, 350 Black-Headed Gulls, 1 Herring Gull, 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Linnet, 4 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 20 Shovelers, and around 16 Avocets were also spotted on Woodend Marsh today.
1 Glossy Ibis was seen again on Tuesday. This bird has been present since September 2025, and is commonly seen on fields, often with Cattle Egrets.
Photograph of a Sedge Warbler.
