Latest sightings
Bullfinch (mega)
A male Bullfinch was photographed along the path leading to the United Utilities hide this morning, and feeders in front of the Janet Kear hide hosted a range of species, including the long-staying (n [...]
13 January 2012
Year List
A new species for the year in the shape of two Oystercatcher. It was unlikely that we would miss this large (noisy) wader as a few pairs breed on site and spring passage numbers regularly top 100. The [...]
11 January 2012
Bewick's Swan and Green winged Teal
A single Bewick's swan spent the day mainly asleep on the far side of the Mere again as it did yesterday, this is only the 5th day of the winter Bewick's have been recorded, and the last 3 day [...]
10 January 2012
Short eared Owl
A Short eared Owl and a Bewick's Swan were the best birds of the day, the Owl was seen by several observers while they were watching a Barn Owl hunting during the day, while the Bewick's Swan, [...]
9 January 2012
Bewick's Swans
The 2 Bewick's Swans seen late afternoon were the birds of the day, the species is getting harder and harder to see on site as the years go by. In the early days of Martin Mere Bewick's often [...]
8 January 2012
White fronted Geese
A small group of several White fronted geese seen this morning, failed to reappear after being flushed, but, good numbers of pink footed geese. 1700 Whooper Swans continue to use the reserve everyday [...]
7 January 2012
White-fronts drop in
A calm day with the reserve jam packed with birds. Forty three European White-fronted Geese (31 adults & 12 first winter birds) dropped in on Plover field early afternoon viewed from UU hide, also [...]
6 January 2012
Geese
At least 40 European White-fronted Geese dropped in early afternoon, joining 300+ Greylag grazing around the Mere. Locally all the Greylag Geese are assumed to be feral birds, although historically &# [...]
5 January 2012
A Wild One
Another wild one weather wise today, thankfully the forecast for the next few days is looking much more sensible with dropping winds and no rain showers closer to the weekend. No seabirds reported tod [...]
4 January 2012
Hen Harrier
A very stormy day resulting in most birds trying to find shelter from the very strong winds, the sight of Raven, Marsh Harrier and Buzzard all sat on the ground next to Greylag Geese trying to get out [...]
3 January 2012
White-fronted Geese
A record count of 46 European White-fronted Goose was the highlight of the day, the birds spent most of the day around the Mere showing well alongside Pink footed and Greylag Geese. The ringtail Hen H [...]
2 January 2012
Marsh Harriers
The Marsh Harriers continue to show well at times with up to 5 birds still in the wider area, at least 4 were seen today along with a Hen harrier (prob imm male) which has been seen regularly now for [...]
31 December 2011
Bird News
A drake Green-winged Teal from the Harrier hide was a great find today, and is the first record of this American visitor for the year. (Just in time to bring this year's reserve list up to 156 spe [...]
29 December 2011
Signs of spring!
Plants which normally flower in March, Magpies building nests, Ringed Plovers returning inland all noted today and all much more familiar in Spring rather than Mid winter! Despite the unusually mild D [...]
27 December 2011
Bewick's Swans
The sighting of the day must go to the 6 adult Bewick's Swans that were seen mid afternoon, this is the lagest group seen on site this winter. Whooper Swan numbers are still around the 1400 mark w [...]
26 December 2011