Twenty-one members of the birdwatching group shared cars to travel to Martin Mere Wetland and Wildlife Trust at Burscough, Nr. Southport for a full days birdwatching.  The weather was a little disappointing as we had more rain showers than forecast and the long range visibility was poor.

 

We split into two groups so that we didn’t over- crowd the hides and between the two fifty-one species were recorded.  Only two raptors were seen – peregrine and buzzard.

 

It was a spectacular sight to see the hundreds of whooper swans being fed and cameras were at the ready to record this event.

 

We managed to visit all eight hides spending a little more time in the United Utilities and Ron Barker hides as they both give a wide view over the reserve.  There are bird feeders in the Janet Kear hide and we enjoyed watching goldfinches, tree sparrows, and reed buntings feeding.

 

A welcome hot drink was enjoyed by most of the group and a visit to the shop before returning home.

 

Species seen: Cormorant, heron, mute swan, whooper swan, pink-footed goose, greylag goose, Canada goose, shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, pintail, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, little grebe, peregrine, buzzard, pheasant, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, ringed plover, lapwing, ruff, black-tailed godwit, curlew, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, woodpigeon, dunnock, robin, blackbird, song thrush, redwing, great spotted woodpecker, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, crow, starling, house sparrow, tree sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, bullfinch, reed bunting.

 

Ruth Wright