Latest sightings
Green-winged Teal and other birds.
Green-winged Teal on Vinson's Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide late afternoon. Woodcock showing well early on from the Janet Kear Hide. Other waders so far included 600+ Lapwing, 50+ Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher. Yesterday's merganser was r
6 January 2013
Red-breasted Merganser
A female Red-breasted Merganser was reported late morning along Boat House Sluice. If you have a photograph of this bird we would love to see it. If confirmed it would be only the third record for the reserve. The more common and very similar (female) Goo
5 January 2013
Bewick's Swans
3 Bewick's Swans were seen just off site today, they flew over Curlew Lane heading towards Martin Mere, also nearby 3 Waxwings were in Burscough Bridge in bushes by Firwoods Timber yard. On site 2 Barn Owls were seen hunting over the reserve in the mornin
31 December 2012
Barn Owls
Two Barn Owls were out hunting during the early afternoon seen from Ron Barker Hide, other sightings include upto 20,000 Woodpigeon, there are upto 50,000 in the area!! The usual family group of 3 Peregrine were present this morning, also 2 Common Buzzard
29 December 2012
European White-fronted Goose
The European White-fronted Goose was peforming well on and around the Mere today, mainly on it's own but occasionally with Greylags or Pink-feet. Upto 3000 Pink-footed Geese were using the reserve with many flocks coming and going throughout the day. The
27 December 2012
Recent Bird News
Merry Xmas to all our readers!! On the 23rd a Merlin was seen from Ron barker hide, always one of the harder raptors to catch up with, keep scanning the fenceposts! Also the Woodcock despite not being seen all day and despite many observers looking, was e
26 December 2012
Bewick's Swan again
A brief update for another pleasant winters day. A single Bewick's Swan was present early afternoon on the Mere. Woodcock showed well this morning from the Janet Kear Hide, with at least 2 Brambling present there. Few reports otherwise which included Pere
18 December 2012
Bird News
A good selection of birds in less than ideal weather. Woodcock still 'performing' from the Janet Kear Hide. Plenty of finches and Reed Buntings around there too. Adult European White-fronted Goose out on Woodend Marsh viewed from the United Utilities Hide
17 December 2012
Top Day
Lovely day for those out birding. Great visibility and calm condition mean all the open areas of water are packed with birds. Male Hen Harrier out and about, 3 Peregrine (two adult and the pale young male), 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Woo
16 December 2012
Woodcock still
Woodcock showing again towards the back of the pond in front of the Janet Kear Hide. The feeders are lively there with Reed Bunting, Brambling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. Assorted Tits are present as well as Great-spotted Woodpecker. An adult Eu
12 December 2012
Wrap up warm
Classic winter weather which makes visiting Martin Mere a visual treat. Pretty much dawn til dusk sunshine with a hard frost, concentrating big numbers of water fowl on the Mere. An adult European White-fronted Goose was with Greylag on the Mere this morn
11 December 2012
Woodcock again
Woodcock again throughout the day from the Janet Kear Hide. In the afternoon it spent sometime 'sun bathing' next to a tree stump, no photo I'm afraid. Just under 10,000 Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve. Marsh Harrier active today, one apparently
10 December 2012
A 'twitchable' Woodcock
Quite a few people coming in today to see the Woodcock which was showing again from the Janet Kear Hide. Not easy to see well under the normal circumstances of birds roding at dusk during the breeding season or being flushed on the (east) coast during mig
9 December 2012
Woodcock and a few new waders.
Woodcock again from the Janet Kear Hide. Some new waders in with 7 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, 12 Common Snipe, 1000+ Lapwing and 97 Ruff. The mega flock of 36,000 Wood Pigeon again around the edge of the reserve. Male Hen Harrier, Merli
8 December 2012
Woodcock
More signs of winter in this late autumn period with the arrival of a Woodcock, seen well from the Janet Kear Hide late afternoon. The Janet Kear Hide is historically the best spot to catch up with this well camouflaged woodland wader. Also Brambling from
5 December 2012