Latest Sightings
These past few days at Martin Mere have produced some excellent birds.
Up at the Ron Barker hide, 4 Spoonbill have been showing well on Vinson’s Marsh, along with up to 5 Great Egret and a whopping 11 Green Sandpiper. Up to three juvenile Cattle Egret have been seen – keep an eye out amongst our English Longhorn cattle. Four Black-tailed Godwit have been present here, as has a brood of six Shoveler ducklings. Young Marsh Harriers and a Bittern have also been recorded, as well as a Kingfisher – a busy wetland!
Woodend Marsh is quite dry at the moment, and when our cattle aren’t making a much-needed trip to their trough for water, they’re usually lounging around in the company of Lapwing and the Cattle Egrets. One of our wardens spotted a female Sparrowhawk on the fence here recently, and both Reed Buntings and Stonechats can often be seen nearby. On the Reedbed Lagoon from Harrier Hide, a family of Great Crested Grebe has been present, along with six Black-tailed Godwit.
Mediterranean Gulls continue to range across the site, and can sometimes be seen on the ploughed field opposite the car park. A Quail has been heard singing in the wheat field past this – one of our staff members also heard one of these on Lord’s Mere during an out-of-hours survey on the Reserve recently.
Photograph of a Kingfisher.
