Latest sightings
The beast of Martin Mere!
Well maybe not, maybe they are Carp after all, recently reported on a couple of occasions as Otters and in the past as 'the beast of martin mere' on hot summer days especially, the resident Carp are quite obvious as they patrol around near the surface wit
17 July 2014
Blast from the past...
Not the best of shots but just enough to show what a female 'Grey' Phalarope looked like in it's rare (in the UK) breeding plumage on the 17th July 2012. Of course in modern field guides these birds are now called Red Phalarope. Nothing that rar
16 July 2014
Pink-footed Geese..
We always like to talk up the onset of autumn in the world of birding, dreaming of all that migration to come. It's probably far too early to claim that the 5 Pink-footed Geese that dropped in on the Mere this morning are genuinely wild birds, even if the
14 July 2014
Greenshank
Only the second Greenshank of the year, this time a bird on return migration. As the month progresses we should see more evidence of passage birds moving through the reserve. Other waders included 3 Common Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 10+ Avocet, 100+ Lapwing, 6 Oy
13 July 2014
Little Egrets
Wader numbers continue to increase with at least 11 Ruff now from Ron Barker Hide, with 4 Little ringed Plover and 3 Common Sandpiper. Up to 30 Black tailed Godwit were seen from United Utilities Hide and another Common Sandpiper was on the Mere. The Barn
12 July 2014
Common Sandpipers
A few more waders coming through, with at least 4 Common Sandpiper on the reserve and 1 Green Sandpiper. There are still a few Black tailed Godwits with 6 being seen today, up to 200+ Lapwing and still several Avocet. One Little Egret is still on show fro
11 July 2014
Common Sandpipers
Another pleasant day, if slightly hazy in the distance. Three Common Sandpiper showing well in front of the Swan Link Hide. Other waders included 100+ Lapwing, ~ 12 Avocet including 6 fledged/near fledged birds, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Oystercatcher, 8
10 July 2014
Little Egrets
Two Little Egrets have been present again from Harrier hide along with the usual Grey Herons, also on show from here are a family of Little Grebes. Common Terns are still being seen mainly from United Utilities along with Ruff and Black tailed Godwits. Li
8 July 2014
Cuckoo still
The Cuckoo is still being seen from Ron Barker hide, on Saturday it was on view on and off most of the day but a bit distant at the back of Vinson's Pool in a large willow bush feeding on Caterpillars, it was also seen today Sunday. other sightings includ
6 July 2014
Recent sightings
Thursday 3rd July: July is traditionally a good time for waders on the move, and today we saw a few new birds. The Green Sandpiper was joined by a 2nd bird today and at least 1 Common Sandpiper is still present, no more news on the Wood Sandpiper but it c
4 July 2014
Wood Sandpiper
A Wood Sandpiper is present today but on land without access, hopefully it will be refound from one of the hides. Both Kingfisher and Barn Owl were seen today, the Kingfisher is best looked for from Ron barker and Kingfisher hides.
2 July 2014
Common Terns and Little Egret
A pair of adult Common Tern with 5 juveniles appeared on the Mere late afternoon which gave the young Black headed Gulls something to chase and bully! A Green Sandpiper was around the Mere again with a Common Sandpiper and at least 2 male Ruff are still p
1 July 2014
Recent sightings
Lapwing numbers are starting to build up with up to 200 around the mere at the moment, other waders have included 3 male Ruff in breeding plumage along with Green and Common Sandpiper. A single Dunlin and 2 Little ringed Plover were seen yesterday and a f
1 July 2014
Hummingbird Hawk-moth
Back to the sunshine and the first Hummingbird Hawk-moth of the year was seen near the recently planted wildflower bed on the Nature Trail opposite the play area. Bird reports included 3 Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Raven, Common Tern, Little Gull, Green Sandpipe
29 June 2014
Common Sandpiper
A murky start to the day with the odd light shower offering hope that some new birds could drop it. Common Sandpiper was certainly one of those. We will see more waders as post breeding birds begin to move around. Other waders present include 25+ Black-ta
28 June 2014