important wintering sites

[gary jb]

I often go to Martin Mere in Lancashire to view wintering wild Swans and Geese.But what is the most important site or sites for these winter visitors.Is it South east England or is there a more populated site elsewhere in the uk.

Gary........

[david kelly]

There are a lot of sites around the country for Geese and Swans and Martin Mere is one of the best. Up here there are places such as Caerlaverock in Dumfries & Galloway, Islay, Loch Leven in Kinross-shire, Loch of Strathbeg and others.

Further south there are the Ouse Washes, the Wash, the North Norfolk coast and more. Here I saw a large skein of Pink-footed geese going south from the Firth of Forth yesterday afternoon over my house. Probably heading towards a roost such as Fala or Gladhouse or flighting between feeding sites. Most of the Pinkies which are here now will depart southwards in Nov-Dec to Norfolk.

If you like Martin Mere then Caerlaverock could be a place worth visiting, it's not that far from Liverpool and all of the birds are wild, there's no captive collection.

David

[gary jb]

Hi David,Thanks for that.Caerlaverock is about 3hrs drive from Liverpool,if i get a chance,i would like to take a visit.It is a wwt reserve and it would be great to see what they have to offer.

Thanks Gary.......