The temperature has been dropping but the weather has remained nice and sunny over the weekend, and there's plenty to enjoy across the reserve as our winter visitors continue to arrive. Numbers of Whooper Swans are building nicely, with up to 300 now recorded on site, while around 8,000 Pink-footed Geese are also continuing to make Martin Mere their home for the winter. The evenings have been particularly spectacular too, with enormous Starling murmurations gathering overhead, with numbers estimating ~10,000! To give visitors more opportunity to enjoy this incredible natural spectacle, we've extended our closing times until 5pm for the foreseeable future, with Harrier Hide and United Utilities Hide remaining open until then!
The evening spectacles haven't been limited to the Starlings either! On one evening, an impressive seven Marsh Harriers were seen gathering over the reserve, while a Sparrowhawk was spotted making an attempt to hunt amongst the murmarations. A fantastic reminder of the wildlife activity that continues right through until dusk.
There have been some exciting sightings across the hides, with the Mere producing three Ruff, two Snipe and two Black-tailed Godwits. Our seemingly wintering resident Ring-necked Duck has continued to show well close to Discovery Hide, alongside nine Cormorants and a Grey Wagtail.
United Utilities Hide has been particularly productive, with 11 Cattle Egrets, a Great White Egret and a Little Egret spotted around the sluice. A Kingfisher, Cetti's Warbler and two Reed Buntings were also seen, while a Barnacle Goose was picked out amongst a flock of 162 Pink-footed Geese. Two Goldeneye were another highlight from Harrier Hide.
The reedbed has provided some particularly exciting sightings, with Bearded Reedlings spotted feeding on the grit tray just behind the reedbed yesterday, followed by five birds flying overhead nearby this morning. Two Water Rails were also heard calling yesterday evening. Elsewhere, large flocks of Redwings, numbering around 30–40 birds, have been passing overhead as autumn migration continues.
Over at Rees Hide, the Wood Sandpiper is still showing well with one sighting just a few metres in front of the hide! A Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, and Buzzard also recorded. Finally, Janet Kear Hide has been worth a visit, with two Jays, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, seven Blue Tits, three Great Tits and five Robins making use of the feeders.
Photo of a Starling murmuration!
