Latest sightings
Bird News
The overcast condition and a little rain concentrated 30+ Swift and a few House Martin over the reserve. The Mere, more activity than this photograph can show... Not packed with news today, the wardens are busy elsewh
2 June 2017
Little Gull and other birds
Little Gull with two Black-headed Gulls on the Mere A pleasant day, 'goldilock' temperatures. Lots of evidence of breeding activity across the reserve with excellent views of Black-headed Gull and Avocet chicks. The s
1 June 2017
Cuckoo's
A few sightings of Cuckoo's today with 2 being seen from Ron Barker Hide and 2 seen along the Reedbed Walk. The immature Little Gull is still present, best looked for from Ron Barker Hide but can be hawking insects in flight anywhere on the reserve. The f
31 May 2017
Hobby
A Hobby was seen from the Ron Barker hide this afternoon, also the immature Little Gull is still present but no reports of the Little Stint today. A Kingfisher was again seen from the Ron Barker Hide. Just off site a 'Channel Wagtail' was seen along Curle
30 May 2017
Little Stint & Little Gull
A nice breeding plumage Little Stint was found from Ron Barker Hide this morning, the 2nd record of this tiny wader this spring. Other waders on site today included 17 Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatc
29 May 2017
Sightings
Few reports but the highlight again was a Red Kite which flew over the reserve around midday, presumably the bird from a couple of days ago. The 1st sum/2nd cal year Little Gull is still frequenting the pools viewed from Ron Barker Hide. A flock of 3 Tern
28 May 2017
Sightings
A new pair of Common Tern were busy trying to find a spot to nest, even checking out the new Tern raft in front of In Focus before before chased off by the nesting Black-headed Gull. At least 2-3 Little Egret continue to be seen most days, a Barn Owl was
27 May 2017
Sightings
Very few reports recieved today, but the highlight was a Red Kite which flew past the reserve mid afternoon heading towards Burscough Bridge. The 1st sum/2nd cal year Little Gull was still present from Ron Barker Hide, also an adult Mediterranean Gull was
26 May 2017
Bird News
Yesterday's Little Gull was still present today, but mobile, spending time in front of both the Ron Barker (afternoon) and United Utilities (morning) hides. A second summer Mediterranean Gull was on the Mere, as were a single female Ruff and 30 or more Bl
25 May 2017
Sightings
The first Little Gull of the year appeared on the Mere mid afternoon, a 1st summer bird. Also 2 different 1st summer/2nd cal year Mediterranean Gulls on the Mere in the morning and a breif visit by a pair of 2nd summer/3rd cal year Mediterranean Gulls in
24 May 2017
Sightings
At least 3 Ruff (1 male + 2 female) were on site today, females from Ron Barker and the male from UU Hide. A single Dunlin was on the Mere all day and plenty of Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover to be seen. An adult male Peregrine was seen to take a
21 May 2017
Bird News
Few reports over the last couple of days, but a pair of Garganey were seen from the new Reedbed Walk today (a male, possibly one of this pair was seen from the Ron Barker hide yesterday). 2 Mediterranean Gulls were on the Mere this morning, as was a singl
19 May 2017
Sightings
A good day with a few new birds, the best of which for rarity value was the diminutive Temminck's Stint that was refound on Woodend Marsh viewable from UU Hide. Martin Mere is probably the premier site in the Northwest for this species, with many records
17 May 2017
Sightings
A wet and windy day which didn't produce much, but a Yellow Wagtail over the Mere mid afternoon was a new bird for the year. A 2nd cal year Mediterranean Gull was around mid afternoon also Common Gull and Great black-backed Gull on the Mere. Lots of Avoce
15 May 2017
Recent sightings
A round up of the best recent sightings since the last update, a Little Stint on Woodend Marsh on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday was the first record of the year, a Spotted Flycatcher was present on Thursday from Janet Kear Hide. Plenty of Whimbrel passi
13 May 2017