Friday 22 July 2011

Martin Mere Dash

ad and juv Avocet, Martin Mere
I took a visit to Martin Mere with the family yesterday on a 'family day out'; mainly for Dylan to go on the new Canoe Safari (surprisingly enjoyable, seriously try it out!), and to see the Otter feeding time, and the play area..........need I go on. Yet I did manage to sneak off for a quick hour to the 'real' Martin Mere. There was quite a good deal of decent things knocking about including 14 Avocets and 5 chicks, Ringed Plover with 4 chicks, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, 30 Black-Tailed Godwits, 2 Dunlin, female Marsh Harrier, Tree Sparrows, Corn Bunting, Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff, Pink-Footed Geese, and 2 Whooper Swans. Not bad for an hours birding, but the surprise of the day and award for the strangest nest location goes to this Moorhen nesting in the middle of one of the pond dipping troughs! Other highlights included a Fox disturbed near the tower hide, where Wild Liquorice was in flower, also Greater Knapweed, Wild Marjoram, Devils-Bit Scabious, Greater Celandine. Southern Hawker and Peacock too.

Moorhen, Martin Mere

Moorhen, Martin Mere

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