Johnny1
Well-known member
Martin Mere is probably the best site in the North West for wintering wildfowl and is probably best known for its overwintering Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese, you can expect to see 1700 Whoopers and up to 20,000 Pinkfeet, add to this thousands of Teal, Wigeon, Mallards, Shovellers, Pintail, Coots and Moorhens and you have a wildfowl spectacle thats hard to beat. Martin Mere is also host to the North West Bird Fair which is held every November.
The reserve covers 360 acres, recently the purchase of adjoining farmland has doubled the size of the reserve. The newly purchased farmland is to be converted into a large reedbed with the intention of attracting breeding Bitterns and Marsh Harriers.
work is due to start this Spring and is should be completed in 2004.
Over the years Martin Mere has attracted many rarities which I won't attempt to list here but a few examples are Black Winged Pratincole, Lesser Yellowlegs, Cattle Egret and Pectoral Sandpipers.
Breeding birds include Redshank, Lapwing, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Skylark, Corn Bunting and grey Partridge.
This is probably the best site I know where you can be guaranteed to see wintering Peregrine on a daily basis. There is also a small overwintering flock of Ruff.
The reserve has a large visitor center complete with shop and cafeteria, several hides (one heated) some with access for the disabled including the provision of wheelchairs.
For those of you with families...bring them along! there's a large adventure play area for the kids where the little darlings can let off steam while you enjoy your birdwatching, later you can take them for a gentle stroll through the wildfowl of the world gardens.
Martin Mere is situated off the A59 about 8 miles inland from Southport, the reserve is well signposted from the M6, M61, M58 and all major roads.
Public Transport.
An hourly bus service runs from Ormskirk (7 miles)
Nearest train stations, Burscough Bridge (3 miles)
New Lane (1 mile)
Bescar Lane (2 miles)
The reserve covers 360 acres, recently the purchase of adjoining farmland has doubled the size of the reserve. The newly purchased farmland is to be converted into a large reedbed with the intention of attracting breeding Bitterns and Marsh Harriers.
work is due to start this Spring and is should be completed in 2004.
Over the years Martin Mere has attracted many rarities which I won't attempt to list here but a few examples are Black Winged Pratincole, Lesser Yellowlegs, Cattle Egret and Pectoral Sandpipers.
Breeding birds include Redshank, Lapwing, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Skylark, Corn Bunting and grey Partridge.
This is probably the best site I know where you can be guaranteed to see wintering Peregrine on a daily basis. There is also a small overwintering flock of Ruff.
The reserve has a large visitor center complete with shop and cafeteria, several hides (one heated) some with access for the disabled including the provision of wheelchairs.
For those of you with families...bring them along! there's a large adventure play area for the kids where the little darlings can let off steam while you enjoy your birdwatching, later you can take them for a gentle stroll through the wildfowl of the world gardens.
Martin Mere is situated off the A59 about 8 miles inland from Southport, the reserve is well signposted from the M6, M61, M58 and all major roads.
Public Transport.
An hourly bus service runs from Ormskirk (7 miles)
Nearest train stations, Burscough Bridge (3 miles)
New Lane (1 mile)
Bescar Lane (2 miles)