Latest Sightings
The hot weather hasn’t been putting the birds (or the birders) off at Martin Mere these past few days.
A Green Sandpiper was seen at the back of the Mere on Saturday, and later at Woodend Marsh – along with a pair of Redshank. 68 Lapwing have also been seen on the Mere, and our Black-headed Gull colony is packed full of chicks – check the edges of the vegetation on the islands to see these.
A Hobby has been seen from the Ron Barker hide, where you might, if lucky, be treated to views of a Barn Owl. The resident Marsh Harriers also continue to show from here, often flying high above Vinson’s and Sunley’s Marshes.
Down in the Reedbed, Little and Great Egrets can be seen from the Harrier Hide, and a Bittern was seen flying over the reeds on Monday. Listen here for the songs of Reed and Sedge Warblers.
In the outer fields of the Reserve, Cattle Egret continue to associate with our English Longhorn cattle, and Buzzards, Sparrowhawks and Kestrels are a common sight – often sighted in pursuit of the building flocks of Linnet and Goldfinch. Skylark are still visible over our fields, and watch out for Stonechat perched up along ditch edges.
Photograph of a Bittern.
