Latest sightings
Hen Harrier again
A new ringtail Hen Harrier has been seen over the last few days, this bird seems to be a juvenile bird while the late Feb bird appeared to be an adult/near adult female type, but no reports of either bird today so far but an immature Marsh Harrier has bee
5 March 2019
Raptor Fest!
A brief update. Check out a few previous days for a fuller picture. If you are visiting the reserve and would like to know what's around or have any sightings to report, pop in to the in focus shop next to the Discovery Hide.A great couple of days for rap
27 February 2019
Latest Sightings
Call in at the in focus shop next to the Discovery Hide to report any sightings or to get up to date info on what's around and the best spots to see things.Butterflies seen in the past couple of days; Brimestone, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.
26 February 2019
Bittern
Very brief update. Do check out recent days for a fuller picture. Bittern 'booming' or at least practicing early afternoon on the Reed Bed Walk.Six Curlew on the back of the Mere late morming and two Ringed Plover before the later flew towards Woodend Mar
24 February 2019
Latest Sightings
A brief report of today's sightings.A count of 110 Avocet is very close to a record high at Martin Mere. Still early days as more birds continue to arrive. Also today 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 40+ Ruff (including a male developing early breeding plumage), 6
23 February 2019
Bearded Reedlings
A group of 8 Bearded Tit have been seen once again on site, these are almost certainly the birds from October last year which have only been reported a few times since the original sightings last year. The birds were seen independently by two observers to
21 February 2019
Some Counts
Some recent counts. Whooper Swan 720 Pink-footed Geese 1200Wigeon 833 Gadwall 14 Teal 428 Mallard 524 Pintail 242 Shoveler 10 Pochard 60 Tufted Duck 40 Goldeneye 2 Shelduck 555 Greylag Goose 213 Canada Goose 88 Little Grebe 3 Cormorant 36 Gr
20 February 2019
60 Avocet
Colder than the weekend with a strong breezy and a brief shower early morning. Reports from today and the weekend.As expected a further increase of Avocet now 60 birds, mostly loafing around from the Ron Barker Hide. One colour ringed bird present was rin
18 February 2019
Avocet Influx continues
Another cracking day. Probably being spoilt with this weather but lets not complain! Out on the Reed Bed Walk and near the Janet Kear Hide the first Brimestone Butterflies of the year. Folklore has it that butterflies are named 'butter'-'flies' because of
15 February 2019
Hare Today
A chilly start off set by blue skies and sunshine throughtout the day. A dawn count of 894 Whooper Swan has been failry consistent this winter. We are approaching the stage were birds that have wintered at Welney (etc) will come back through as birds that
14 February 2019
Avocet Return
The first Avocet, a pair returned today. Not the earliest date (9th Feb 2014) but one day earlier than last year. Martin Mere is one of the best places in the North West to see breeding Avocet and the numbers will continue to increase over the coming wee
12 February 2019
More Spring
Glorious day with light winds and blue skies. No wildfowl counts. Still big numbers of ducks, in particular, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard and Shelduck. At least 100 Pintail on the Mere, 80 Pochard, 50 tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye and Scaup again on Saturday. Over 10
11 February 2019
Signs of Spring..
Only a brief update. No wildfowl counts although big numbers of ducks are still frequenting the reserve and will do to the end of the month.Signs of spring with this male Ruff developing into breeding plumage. A closer look at Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit
8 February 2019
Hybrid Duck?
A wild and windy start to Wednesday followed by blue skies and a stiff breeze.The milder conditions have brought back the big flocks of Lapwing with 1200+ birds present, sometimes in the air all at once when the Peregrine pays a visit. Also 60+ Ruff, 10 B
7 February 2019
Sunday Sighting's
Another frosty start to the day which ended in a on going thaw.The Mere was packed with 13 species of wildfowl with large flocks of Wigeon roosting on the ice. Nice views of Pintail in close and a few Gadwall present on the open water.Two new additions to
3 February 2019