After a late start Mrs. B. and I decided to pop down to the Mere for a bit of easy birding after the Chrismas festivities. The weather forecast was pretty bad, but it turned out OK after a dull start and there were plenty of birds about too.
Plenty of Whooper Swans as uua on the mere, with stacks of Wigeon, a small gathering of Pochard and a couple of Ruddy Ducks. Waders were pretty thin on the ground apart from hundreds of Lapwings, a few Ruff and 3 Redshanks.
Shelduck at Martin Mere 26 December 2007.
Mrs. B. tries picking out a "crippler" on the mere.
We made our way down to the Harrier Hide next but there was very little there and the United Utilities Hide was no better with just 3 Stonechats on offer. Soup was calling at the Pinkfoot Pantry before we headed down to the Ron Barker Hide where things started to pick-up. It was quiet at first with just a few Teal to sift through but a perched Kingisher was the start of good things to come. Suddenly a female Hen Harrier appeard in the distance and then gracefully made its way towards us, banking a couple of times before heading past us and over the footpath. Fantastic - any day with a Hen Harrier is a good one.
Mrs. B. and I met up at the centre before heading back to the mere where the swans were gathering. Loads of Whoopers scrapping right outside the hide and a few Pink-feet coming into roost on the reserve as well.
After a late start Mrs. B. and I decided to pop down to the Mere for a bit of easy birding after the Chrismas festivities. The weather forecast was pretty bad, but it turned out OK after a dull start and there were plenty of birds about too.
Plenty of Whooper Swans as uua on the mere, with stacks of Wigeon, a small gathering of Pochard and a couple of Ruddy Ducks. Waders were pretty thin on the ground apart from hundreds of Lapwings, a few Ruff and 3 Redshanks.
Shelduck at Martin Mere 26 December 2007.
Mrs. B. tries picking out a "crippler" on the mere.
We made our way down to the Harrier Hide next but there was very little there and the United Utilities Hide was no better with just 3 Stonechats on offer. Soup was calling at the Pinkfoot Pantry before we headed down to the Ron Barker Hide where things started to pick-up. It was quiet at first with just a few Teal to sift through but a perched Kingisher was the start of good things to come. Suddenly a female Hen Harrier appeard in the distance and then gracefully made its way towards us, banking a couple of times before heading past us and over the footpath. Fantastic - any day with a Hen Harrier is a good one.
Mrs. B. and I met up at the centre before heading back to the mere where the swans were gathering. Loads of Whoopers scrapping right outside the hide and a few Pink-feet coming into roost on the reserve as well.
