Martin Mere 10/01/2024

As the weather forecast was for a cold windy day with a possibility of showers, we decided that a destination with hides was appropriate. As it turned out the weather was kinder and although our extremities got very cold, frostbite was avoided. We started at the first hide encountered on entering the nature reserve, the Discovery Hide. This looks out on the main mere and as usual, there was an abundance of waterfowl. At this time of year, there are many geese. Thousands of Pink-footed Geese migrate from the north and winter in the British Isles. Some were visible but many leave the reserve during the day to feed in the surrounding fields. Canada Geese were also visible and the other goose in numbers was the Greylag Goose. These are residents in the UK though their numbers are swelled by migrants in the winter, and they are readily identified by their orange “carrot-like” beak. A much rarer goose had been reported to be associating with the Greylag Geese, so the hunt was on to find it. There were a lot of birds over a large area so it was not expected to be easy. However, fortune favoured us and the bird in question, a Red-Breasted Goose, conveniently stood on a low shingle island without standing behind any other birds. This goose normally winters in the Black Sea region hence its notability. In addition to the geese, there were Whooper Swans, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Ducks, Coot, Lapwings and one Black-Tailed Godwit.

Next, I decided to go to the Janet Keer hide, where there are bird feeders, in case the Bramblings reported were to be seen there. There were many Blue Tits, Great Tits and Rats to be seen when we got there but a fly past by a Sparrowhawk left us with only rats to watch so we moved on. We headed on to the Reedbed walk where there are three new hides. The recent very rainy December meant the water level was very high and only Teal and Lapwings were showing from the first two hides. We walked on towards the last hide and luckily one of our group managed to see a Kingfisher fly past before in with a herd of Longhorn cows a Cattle Egret was feeding. By this time the need to feed was intruding on our minds so we decided not to trek around to the third hide note expecting to see anything different. So, it was back to the café for lunch and a hot drink.

After lunch, we walked towards the Barker Hide at the other end of the reserve. The trees to the right were next to a grass field that serves as the overflow car park. There was some movement in the trees and then a Redwing flew down onto the grass. At a feeding station, there were Goldfinches and various Tits. At the end of the path to the Barker Hide, a path between the access and a hedge had been turned into another feeding location. There were two feeding poles and food scattered on the grass track. This proved to be irresistible to finches and there were several Chaffinches accompanied by at least two Bramblings. Bramblings are winter visitors to the UK and are the northern equivalent of the Chaffinch. Although they visit the UK every year the numbers can vary greatly so seeing one in the west cannot be guaranteed. Just before we entered the hide a kestrel landed in a tree and this must have been close to a Sparrowhawk as this took exception to its presence and chased it off. In the hide, the water levels were high so the bird life on the meres was limited. In an adjacent field, the Longhorn bull was feeding accompanied by another Cattle Egret. It was walking close to the animal searching for food disturbed by the beast, hence the name. The last notable sighting was of a couple of Marsh Harriers that flew low over the distant reeds at the far side of the water.

Thanks to those who joined me on the walk, we got a very respectable total of 45 species and saw all the target birds we had come for.

Duncan Turner