Martin Mere, Mere Sands and around the area

[sleipnerofasgard]

Managed to get out and about sunday, The Spoonbill at Martin Mere had already flown the coop by sunday, but still three Green Sandpipers knocking around Raines and Hale hides, not going to dwell to long with reports as they have their own sightings on the website, but Andy at the Infocus shop tipped me of about the Yellow Wagtail on Curlew lane, so i spent a happy couple of hours there watching flocks of Corn Buntings, Linnets, Goldfinch and Skylarks aplenty.
The Yellow Wag turned up almost immediateley and showed well, even having a bath in a puddle and feeding along the edge of the path, Grey and Pied knocking about too, even spotted my first ever Emperor around the muddy edges before heading off to Mere Sands, alas the Hobbies have been flushed by a persistent Sprawk and not been seen for three days, got my first grainy pic of a female Blackcap hidden by undergrowth:-C but after a couple of hours the Kingfisher duly arrived after a couple of nearly but not quites it performed well although the light was bad it was flying off the perch and hovering just in front of me but couldn't quite get the manual focus onto it ,oh well, next time

Frank

[sleipnerofasgard]

Didn't get to Martin Mere yesterday, but had another look for the Yellow Wagtail, which was still around the same spot, along with all the previous birds from last week, Mere Sands was quiet early on, though i did improve my female Blackcap pics, and after a trip to the visitors centre, was told that a couple of Common Terns had been milling around the float for several days, but they had vanished by the time i arrived, typically.
Went back down to Rufford hide and after about three hours and a fly bye here and there, the resident Kingfisher deined to join us on a more permanent visit, time to get some hovering practise and manual focus efforts in

[kwyll]

Hi whereabouts on curlew lane is the yellow wagtail showing?seen them twice this year on the ribble ,but would love a pic.....!:t:

[steve.hinchliffe]

hi
could you possibly tell me what are the access times to the hides
at mere sands is it just when the visitor centre is open or anytime.
would love to get some kf shots what would b a suitable size lens
to get a reasonable close up
cheers steve

[The Actor]

hi
could you possibly tell me what are the access times to the hides
at mere sands is it just when the visitor centre is open or anytime.
would love to get some kf shots what would b a suitable size lens
to get a reasonable close up
cheers steve

http://www.lancswt.org.uk/Our%20Reserves/mere_sands_wood.htm

As for the lens, the longer the better. I have a Sigma 150-500 and still wanted more reach.

[sleipnerofasgard]

The hides are open anytime, so you could get there for eight am and stay as late as you like, the only exception is the one behind the visitors centre which is of course dependant on the centre being open

Frank

[sleipnerofasgard]

Hi whereabouts on curlew lane is the yellow wagtail showing?seen them twice this year on the ribble ,but would love a pic.....!:t:

There is a large pile of manure near where the road splits to mere lane on the public footpath

Frank

[Jaff]

The hides are open anytime, so you could get there for eight am and stay as late as you like, the only exception is the one behind the visitors centre which is of course dependant on the centre being open

Frank

Not strictly true. The hides do remain open but the carpark is not accessible until sort 0f 9:00am ish and is locked at 8:00pm. But you can indeed walk on to the reserve anytime though.

[sleipnerofasgard]

Not strictly true. The hides do remain open but the carpark is not accessible until sort 0f 9:00am ish and is locked at 8:00pm. But you can indeed walk on to the reserve anytime though.

Sorry about that Jaff, you are right about the car park, that is me being a non driver and forgetting about cars:brains:

[Jaff]

Well maybe early one morning we'll bump into each other then. :t:

[WyreWader]

the resident Kingfisher deined to join us on a more permanent visit, time to get some hovering practise and manual focus efforts in

Some cracking shots there Frank, the Kingfisher perched on the branch is a beauty!

Cliff

[kwyll]

There is a large pile of manure near where the road splits to mere lane on the public footpath

Frank Shit hot directions..........hehe ,hope i see it.Thanx!

[bartolli]

Some really nice pics there!

Based on yr post I popped in to Mere Sands Wood yesterday evening on my way to Fleetwood on business. What a lovely reserve! Thanks for the info. I thought it a much nicer place to visit than Martin Mere, which at £8.75 was a bit extortionate! Although it was nice to see quite a few avocets & ringed plovers there.

My highlight though was a treecreeper outside the Rufford hide which put on a very nice display for me.

Anyway, I was stupid enough to leave the cap for my Leica eyepeice in one of the hides probably Rufford, but possibly Marshall or Redwing. If any one of you is going there in the next few days and finds it, could you kindly pm me? I have also emailed the reserve in case it turns up.

Many thanks & thanks again for the info on this lovely reserve! Might post a vid of the treecreeper later on.

[kwyll]

Shit hot directions..........hehe ,hope i see it.Thanx! Thanx mate got this shot of a yellow wagtail,know what you mean about spending time there......was going to go to mere sands but thought stuff it...i will stay here...!Birds everywhere.......!but it started to piss down ..so off i went...!Deffo going to be checking manure heaps out from now on....!:t:

[sleipnerofasgard]

Thanx mate got this shot of a yellow wagtail,know what you mean about spending time there......was going to go to mere sands but thought stuff it...i will stay here...!Birds everywhere.......!but it started to piss down ..so off i went...!Deffo going to be checking manure heaps out from now on....!:t:


My mate reported at least four yellow wags around there on sunday so the odds of seeing one are greatly increased, will have my last look this saturday before going to scotland on sunday, four nights on Mull and three at Loch Morlich, cannot wait:t:

Frank

[sleipnerofasgard]

Had a quick look round this afternoon, Yellow Wags still in same place, new developments at Mere Sands Wood where a fence has been erected to protect some planting on the island which has led to a frenzy of Kingfisher activity8-P:-O there are about twenty posts involved in the building of the fence with plenty being used by both birds for diving fishing and perching, but a long lens is required to get anything decent but i still triedo:D

Frank

[sleipnerofasgard]

Had a quick jaunt down to Mere Sands this afternoon, my first outing since my week in Scotland, and it's Kingfisher action all the way their, with a recent fledging, not sure what the first one is eating, looks kind of crayfishy:eat:
the rest is sibling rivalry

Frank

[sleipnerofasgard]

It's apparently a Dragonfly larvae

[WyreWader]

I've somehow previously managed to miss these photos - stunners one & all(Frank?), very well captured & keep them coming :t::clap:

[hampers]

Going to make my first trip to Mere Sands tomorrow, weather permitting. Can someone point me to the best hide for kingfishers please?

Cheers


Phil

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Rufford or Lancaster hide from memory, but I could be wrong! Very obvious twig set up when you get there with a gorse bush on the RHS

[hampers]

Marcus
Thanks.

Phil

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Marcus
Thanks.

Phil

From a photography point of view an overcast day may not be to bad as the lighting was a bit tricky when I was there.

[hampers]

and that looks like tomorrows forecast, will give it a try.

Thanks


Phil

[sleipnerofasgard]

Rufford Hide is the one you want, the Lancaster Hide is behind the newly laid out visitors centre and unless they have cut the vegetation, you will be hard pressed to spot anything:-O

Frank

[kirkby gannet]

hello there....out in the wagon on weds i went from poulton le fylde to lancaster and passed through a little place called CONDER GREEN although i didnt have time to stop and explore i noticed there were mudbanks with a smattering of birds about,just wondered if anyones had the oppurtunity to have a mooch about around there and thinks it would be worth a trip because i'm planning to go there saturday although after reading some of the posts on here MERE SANDS sounds like a good spot..any advice would be great because i'm only a beginner

[sleipnerofasgard]

hello there....out in the wagon on weds i went from poulton le fylde to lancaster and passed through a little place called CONDER GREEN although i didnt have time to stop and explore i noticed there were mudbanks with a smattering of birds about,just wondered if anyones had the oppurtunity to have a mooch about around there and thinks it would be worth a trip because i'm planning to go there saturday although after reading some of the posts on here MERE SANDS sounds like a good spot..any advice would be great because i'm only a beginner

http://www.fyldebirdclub.org/sightings.htm
This is a good sight for what's around that area and is usually kept up to date

Frank

[The Actor]

hello there....out in the wagon on weds i went from poulton le fylde to lancaster and passed through a little place called CONDER GREEN although i didnt have time to stop and explore i noticed there were mudbanks with a smattering of birds about,just wondered if anyones had the oppurtunity to have a mooch about around there and thinks it would be worth a trip because i'm planning to go there saturday although after reading some of the posts on here MERE SANDS sounds like a good spot..any advice would be great because i'm only a beginner

And it's not far from Glasson. It's a good trip and you'll see something.

[hampers]

Frank.

Thank you.

Phil

[Tao Wild]

Wilson's Phalarope reported by RBA at Martin Mere

[hampers]

Thanks for the Mere Sands Wood info folks. Went today, Rufford Hide. Had kingfisher(s) in view for the best part of 3 hours. No idea how many different individuals, would guess 3 or 4. Light variable and they avoided the nearest 'perch', nevertheless stunning. Now on the regular to visit sites. Decided not to go to Martin Mere and what turns up!

Phil

[Johnny1]

Wilsons Phalarope at Martin Mere today!

[derekg]

Wilsons Phalarope at Martin Mere today!

Showing well today between 15.30 - 16.30 fron the Ron Barker Hide

Derek

[Johnny1]

I went yesterday to see the Wilsons and it's still present today (Sunday), plenty of Buzzards showing (6) a few Black Tailed Godwits, 6 Ruff. It won't be long now till the Pinkies are back Just over a couple of weeks - Autumns upon us already.

[kirkby gannet]

fao sleipnerofasgard and the actor..just thought i'd let you know i made a trip to mere sands wood on saturday and stayed about 4 hours..its only an hour n half away from me and will definately be coming back at some point..spent almost an hour watching a tree creeper which was awesome and was totally unbothered by our quite close presence then my wife almost had an asthma attack at the sight and sound of a gsw which also gave us great views for 15-20 mins..then to top it off we walked in one of the hides to be greeted by 2 kingfishers at once,all in all a fantastic bit of watching at a beautiful location,thanks for the advice really enjoyed it

[hampers]

I went last week for the first time and was equally as impressed. It was amazing. Now on the lsit for a regular visit.

Phil

[Jonny721]

I went for my first time yesterday. A very nice site. Great views of Kingfishers as they flew over the lake and definately a site to visit more often.

[peter hill]

went on monday saw a tree creeper a nuthatch gs woodpecker kingfisher and im farliy sure a yellow leg gull although it only landed on the mere for a few seconds then flew off also nice to see the tree sparrows on the feeders and lots of various small birds B (:

[The Actor]

fao sleipnerofasgard and the actor..just thought i'd let you know i made a trip to mere sands wood on saturday and stayed about 4 hours..its only an hour n half away from me and will definately be coming back at some point..spent almost an hour watching a tree creeper which was awesome and was totally unbothered by our quite close presence then my wife almost had an asthma attack at the sight and sound of a gsw which also gave us great views for 15-20 mins..then to top it off we walked in one of the hides to be greeted by 2 kingfishers at once,all in all a fantastic bit of watching at a beautiful location,thanks for the advice really enjoyed it

Glad you enjoyed it. I'll have to go back there soon.

[hampers]

If the couple who helped the birder who was taken ill in the Rufford Hide at Mere Sands yesterday are BF members, many thanks. He is now recovering in hospital.

Phil

[sleipnerofasgard]

fao sleipnerofasgard and the actor..just thought i'd let you know i made a trip to mere sands wood on saturday and stayed about 4 hours..its only an hour n half away from me and will definately be coming back at some point..spent almost an hour watching a tree creeper which was awesome and was totally unbothered by our quite close presence then my wife almost had an asthma attack at the sight and sound of a gsw which also gave us great views for 15-20 mins..then to top it off we walked in one of the hides to be greeted by 2 kingfishers at once,all in all a fantastic bit of watching at a beautiful location,thanks for the advice really enjoyed it

I am glad to see that the word is spreading, although i quite like it there on a quiet winter afternoon when i am the only visitor:t: looks like i have put an end to that.
Ah well the more the merrier

Frank

[Jaff]

I have mixed feelings. I know more visitors is good for the site but my quiet little local patch isn't so quiet anymore. Even last year I could pop into the Rufford Hide and be the only one there for a good while but now you're lucky if you can sit down, even on a weekday!

[oncebittern]

I have mixed feelings. I know more visitors is good for the site but my quiet little local patch isn't so quiet anymore. Even last year I could pop into the Rufford Hide and be the only one there for a good while but now you're lucky if you can sit down, even on a weekday!

Dropped in today on my way back from Martin Mere, and I had the Rufford hide all to myself for over 2 hours, and it was still empty when I left. In fact I visited all the hides on that particular route, and only met one other person, though I did see 2 others from across the lake.

I just wish I had somewhere as busy as this right on my doorstep, instead of having a minimum drive of around 15 miles to find an even vaguely decent site. I don't think you know just how lucky you are Adam :-O

[David Smith]

All this 'talk' encouraged us (wife & I) to visit-not having been for a while. We had forgotten just how good this place really is.

1. Reed Warbler(s) are nesting to the right of the bridge by the visitors centre
and are collecting food by the reeds to the right of the pond-just above the
semi-submerged rock.
2. Rufford hide is as good for Kingfisher as others state. The new fence/posts
are certainly encouraging them but that is too far away for decent shots.
We were there for 3 hours and one of them came to the near (right side)
branch just the once....allowed this shot.
3. We saw the Otter/Mink take a Mallard under the water......see my post
under "your birding day"
Cant wait for the next visit:t:

[J.S.G.]

Managed to get out and about sunday, The Spoonbill at Martin Mere had already flown the coop by sunday, but still three Green Sandpipers knocking around Raines and Hale hides, not going to dwell to long with reports as they have their own sightings on the website, but Andy at the Infocus shop tipped me of about the Yellow Wagtail on Curlew lane, so i spent a happy couple of hours there watching flocks of Corn Buntings, Linnets, Goldfinch and Skylarks aplenty.
The Yellow Wag turned up almost immediateley and showed well, even having a bath in a puddle and feeding along the edge of the path, Grey and Pied knocking about too, even spotted my first ever Emperor around the muddy edges before heading off to Mere Sands, alas the Hobbies have been flushed by a persistent Sprawk and not been seen for three days, got my first grainy pic of a female Blackcap hidden by undergrowth:-C but after a couple of hours the Kingfisher duly arrived after a couple of nearly but not quites it performed well although the light was bad it was flying off the perch and hovering just in front of me but couldn't quite get the manual focus onto it ,oh well, next time

Frank

Hi Frank
interested in the pics
Just starting in photography ?
What camera and lenses do you use
regards
Jim

[sleipnerofasgard]

Hi Frank
interested in the pics
Just starting in photography ?
What camera and lenses do you use
regards
Jim

Samsung GX10 with a Tamron 70-300 lens cheap lens but really good results:t:

Frank

[Jaff]

Went to the woods for a couple of hours yday afternoon. Place was emptied by staff who came out and started working on the spit.

And what were they doing? Well they've hacked down all of the bushes on the spit. Even watched one fella wade out into the water to snip an inoffensive little bush down to the base as well. I don't know who's calling the shots there at present or what the long term goal of all this 'management' is but I think they're making a monkey's breakfast of the place.

[sleipnerofasgard]

Had my first visit to the mere, or anywhere for that matter, in a month of sundays;), all seemed quiet for a couple of hours with one kingfisher fly by, cormorants aplenty with 56 roosting on site, i'm told, but managed to count 26. Green Sandpiper exited almost as soon as i sat down, couple of Little Grebes and a young GC Grebe, couple of Grey Herons and Jays and a small flock of LTTs, a single female Goosander and plenty of Teal, two Buzzards passing over menacingly, all the feeders were empty as they had some virus or something and they had been scrubbed and disinfected and left for a while. Some serious guerilla gardening has gone on outside Rufford hide and you can now see the infamous bridges used by said guerillas:-O and apparently the Kingfisher has been using the stumps of the hacked gorse as a perching post, but not yesterday, typical:-C maybe things will liven up next week

Frank

[sleipnerofasgard]

Another visit to Mere Sands last saturday produced a Little Owl in the tree in the field outside southern edge of reserve, the resident Sparrowhawk was spotted through the trees , a couple of Jays picking up nuts and burying them by the waters edge, a lone Buzzard loping through, a Grey Heron walking across the newly exposed steel bridge, Kingfisher (of course) and a very succesful, fishing Little Grebe and plenty of the usual suspects

Frank