martin mere

[heskin]

Went to Martin Mere for the first time today and saw my first peregrine and marsh harrier:.

Peregrine was sitting on a fence post then chased after some starlings and lapwing and the harrier was being mobbed by seagulls and hovering over the marshes.

Also saw many species of duck and swans etc.- Definitley going again
-the red crested pochard was the cutest duck I saw

[heskin]

thanks to the elderly couple who pointed the peregrine out to me and let me use their telescope to view it

[GuyF]

Nice one, sounds like a great day out and some very nice birds seen
Guy

[rainmaker]

That's one of my next days out - huge range of birds, and now I've got a pair of bins, should prove even better!

[ChrisJB]

MM is a great wetland. The Whooper Swans and Pink Feet are an amazing spectacle.

Regards, Chris

[aeshna5]

Heskin- must have been an amazing day seeing your 1st Peregrine + Marsh Harrier. Both are special birds + even though I've seen many of both I particularly get excited everytime I see a Peregrine.

[GME]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

+ even though I've seen many of both I particularly get excited everytime I see a Peregrine.

Couldn't agree more! A real beauty.
I love Matin Mere too. Go as regularly as I can. If you're round that neck of the woods check out Mere Sands (Wood) too. You should find it on an internet search. It's only round the corner. You'll see Kingfishers, Tawny Owls, and many more if you're lucky. Combine the 2 and what a great day twitching!!

[heskin]

It was special to see both of them in one day.

We were having a debate as to what the peregrine actually was at first as it had its back towards us on the post -One woman thought it was a pigeon and me and 2 others thought it was a peregrine.Then it turned its head and the white near the neck became visible.No sooner had it done this it flew upwards,tucked in its wings and dove straight into a flock of starling, making them disperse- it was better watching it without binoculars

the hairs on the back of my neck stood up when it dove

[sheffielder]

Martin Mere is a great place for a great day out, and I'm happy for you to see a couple of great birds, it really makes the day worthwhile.

We have had a couple of really good days out there, a few times a year they put out moth traps overnight and open them up 1st thing in the morning, it's really interesting to see what they catch compared to our garden. Keep an eye on the website and in events they do let you know when they are doing the moth traps.

Andrew