During a family trip to the Martin Mere "Bird Zoo" today I managed to sneak off for a quick look around the real reserve, the best sightings were 6 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint from Millers Bridge hide and a daytime calling Tawny Owl near to the observation tower: a round-up follows:-
Whooper Swan - 2
Pink-Footed Geese - 40+
Curlew Sandpiper - 6
Little Stint - 1
Tawny Owl - 1
Marsh Harrier (juv) - 1
Common Buzzard - 1
Chiff Chaff - 2
Tree Sparrow - 5
Ruff - 20+
I took my eldest son Dylan (6) canoeing in the reedbeds on the reserve and we were lucky enough to spot a Water Vole swimming alongside us under a bank before it clambered up into cover, Dylans first Water Vole...lets hope they recover from their long decline so it is not his last! Also in the reedbed area we had at at least 6 Migrant Hawkers and many Common Darter Dragonflies.
