Latest sightings
Black-necked Grebe
A fabulous breeding plumage Black-necked Grebe was the highlight of the day, present all day on the Mere and showing very well. This is either the 4th or 5th record for the reserve.Other sightings included the usual Marsh Harrier that has been with us for
5 June 2019
Sightings
A quiet day for new sightings but plenty of new chicks hatching everyday as well as plenty more yet to hatch. Two pair of Common Tern are currently sitting on eggs on the Mere which is the first time they have bred on the Mere.Another 4 Avocet chicks hatc
4 June 2019
Spoonbill & Spotted Flycatcher
An excellent day on site with two new birds for the year, a Spotted Flycatcher that was seen and photographed near Kingfisher Hide but wasn't seen after initial sighting. Then a Spoonbill was seen flying towards Ron Barker area where it landed on Sunley's
3 June 2019
The day of the Knot
A fantastic large flock of 180 Knot appeared in flight mid afternoon over Ron Barker area before settling down on Woodend Marsh viewed from UU Hide. This count smashes the previous site record of 32 in August 2007, and could also be a contender for the la
1 June 2019
Sightings
A Sanderling was on Woodend Marsh this morning also a good count of 196 Black-tailed Godwit. Newly hatched broods of young chicks are appearing daily including two broods of 2 & 4 Pochard from Ron Barker Hide today.Two pairs of Great Crested Grebe with yo
30 May 2019
Tuesday's Sightings
Starting off with a rare sighting of the Bearded Reedling this morning when a female popped up in the Reed Bed briefly before moving off. Out on Woodend Marsh; 93 Black-tailed Godwit, two pair of Avocet now have chicks, 2 Little Ringed Plover. Three pa
28 May 2019
Sanderling
Sanderling moulting into breeding plumage on Woodend Marsh this morning, viewed from the banking. At least one tundra race Ringed Plover there too. Sixty eight Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 8+ Avocet, Oystercatcher and Lapwing
27 May 2019
Record Count!
Wind and rain to start the day followed by wind and sunshine! Classic condition to drop some waders in and low and behold in they came. A flock of 26 Ringed Plover were on Woodend Marsh with a record flock of 8 Sanderling breaking the previous record of 7
26 May 2019
First Avocet chicks
First Avocet chicks of the year are out and about. Two on Woodend Marsh this morning and 2 along the back of the Mere. Around 70 Black-tailed Godwit out on Woodend. Also there Dunlin, 10+ Avocet, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Lapwings, and Redshank. Common Sand
24 May 2019
Breeding Birds
We surveyed the Avocets yesterday and counted 20 nests across the site. The nest boxes are doing well, we have 6 Blue Tit broods (totalling 47 chicks),1 Great Tit brood (6 chicks) and the Tree Sparrows are doing well with 15 chicks already fledged,
22 May 2019
Tuesday Update
Two pair of Common Tern on the Mere. Small numbers of Gadwall there this morning, also a pair of Wigeon. At least 20 Avocet and 2 Little Ringed Plover also on the Mere. Good views of Pied Wagtail coming into feed in front of the Discovery Hide. Out on Wo
21 May 2019
Today's sightings and some from the weekend.
Drake Garganey on Woodend Marsh this morning. Also there Greenshank, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing with chicks, Shoveler and a couple of Teal. Two pair of Common Tern on the Mere. Also a pair of Little Ringed Plov
20 May 2019
Latest Sightings
A fairly quiet few days, but hopefully the somewhat less settled weather on it's way will drop in a few different birds over the next day or two. The first of the Black-headed Gull chicks have now started hatching on the Mere - the Discovery hide is ideal
17 May 2019
Temminck's Stint
Spot the Greenshank in the featured image.. Another lovely day with sunshine and light winds. Temminck's Stint on the Mere late morning. Pretty much annual here at Martin Mere, probably the most reliable site in the North West for this tiny wader. Still p
14 May 2019
Latest Sightings
Very pleasant again in light winds. Perfect conditions for breeding birds on the reserve. Four Greenshank on Woodend Marsh early afternoon. Around 30 Black-tailed Godwit also new in there. Dunlin numbers on Woodend Marsh have dropped back to 17 this mo
13 May 2019