Day out at Marton Mere

KeenTeen17 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:28 PM

We started off the day meeting at the Cliftons arms pub and drove into Marton Mere.
There were 6 cars full and 15 people in total.

I waited for one man to go get his tripod so he wasn't walking on his own. We sort of lagged behind because we were talking too much. While the other raced ahead, I saw a big brown heronish bird fly from behind an island and to the other side of the lake BITTERN!!

John got his scope on it and we got a look but then it lurked into the reeds.

We walked on and met the others at the bush for the long eared owls. There were 7 in total even though I couldn't see all of them. One was posing a lot.

I love my new camera

We were at the owls for quite a while and the area was full of robins and blackbirds.
I noticed these frosty knapweeds and just liked the look of them.

Then this cormorant flew over and I got a few shots.

Everyone else hadn't seen our earlier bittern so we sat in a hide where another birdwatcher had seen it and got very cold. One sharp eyed person caught movement in the reeds opposite and it looked like the body of a bittern but it might just have been reeds.

I think today went very well as I have seen neither bird and the ability to photograph the owls was a bonus in itself

squishy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:33 PM

its a great place martin mere. sounds like a great day out!

barquar · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:41 PM

Went to martin mere last year my daughter treated us to a Valentines night at Martin Mere with an overnight stay just up the road. So we had all the next day to look around.
Barquar

Morph · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:43 PM

Think you both may be mistaking Martin Mere for Marton Mere

Pam_M · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:44 PM

What a great day you have had! Well done with the Bittern and the Long-eared Owls! Just one of them would have made my day!

Pics are great too..enjoy your new camera!

JeffH · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:45 PM

That sounds like a fine day out KT with some great sightings and nice pics

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers and Barn Owls)

KeenTeen17 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:45 PM

Marton Mere is a local nature reserve just outside Blackpool. whereas Martin Mere is an independant WWT run birdy amusement park just near Burscough, Southport

squishy · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 04:21 PM

oh yes! i thought you meant martin mere to

shei111 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 05:43 PM

Sounds like a good day out to me . sheila

sleipnerofasgard · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Marton Mere is a local nature reserve just outside Blackpool. whereas Martin Mere is an independant WWT run birdy amusement park just near Burscough, Southport

I resent that "birdy amusement park" slur

take that back

Frank