Martin Mere WWT, Brockholes Wetland & The Local Quarry - 14th March 2010

We arrived at Martin Mere at 9.30 on the dot and by the time we walked up to the steps of the Ron Barker hide the top section was full so down we went. When we usually look out of the Ron Barker Hide at this time of year we count 100+ Wigeon feeding on the grass embankments but today not a 1!! We did manage to see 4 Buzzard, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ringed Plover, Teal, Shellduck, Curlew, Greater Black-backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Whooper Swan and a Merlin which sat obligingly on the fence right in front of the hide for around five minutes.

MALE MERLIN ABOVE TAKEN BY REECE WITH THE LUMIX BELOW DEREK WITH THE PENTAX

The American Wigeon did finally show when a large flock of Wigeon flew in but not as near as the one I saw up at Caerlaverock the other week but at least Reece got his life tick.
We then moved on down to Brockholes Wetland with hope of seeing the Little Ringed Plover that was reported twice earlier in the week but no such luck on this occasion. On the main pit we were Shellduck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Redshank, Canada Geese, Buzzard, Kestrel, Carrion Crow as well as Chaffinch and Reed Bunting on the feeders. Over on what we could see of No.1 pit were Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher and a pair of Goldeneye. As we walked back from No. 1 pit we spotted a Green Woodpecker flying from the stream over the woods and towards the feeders.
Last stop was the quarry where we didn’t have time to stop and record our sightings as usual. We did see the male Peregrine sat on the cliff face in an area we have seen it before and the pair of Raven flew in briefly before we left.