WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

10/02/2025

🔭 Latest Sightings 🔭

Over the weekend, numerous birds of prey have been sighted including 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 5 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard and 1 Barn Owl at Ron Barker hide. 1 Peregrine, 1 Great White Egret, 1 Lesser Black-Backed Gull were seen on the mere.

Today, 1 male and 1 female Marsh Harrier were seen from Harrier hide, where Pochard and Canada Geese are present, and you may also see Reed Bunting

Over 150 Teal and Shovelers can be seen on Vinsons and Sunleys Lakes at Ron Barker hide. A covey of 10 Grey Partridge were sighted in the hedgerows of the cattle field next to the hide, as well as 8 House Sparrows and 1 Fieldfare.

On the Nature Trail, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Wren, Robins, Blue T**s, Great T**s, Long-Tailed T**s and Song Thrush can be observed.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker is drumming on the trees at Janet Kear hide, where 2 Jay and 1 Little Egret were also spotted this morning.

Oystercatchers, Ruff, Lapwings and Black-Tailed Godwits can be seen on the Mere in good numbers. There are 2 Greater Black-Backed Gulls, the largest member of the gull family, and 3 Cormorants with one starting to show breeding plumage.

Snipe can often be sighted from the viewing platforms, or Rees and Gordon Taylor hide, hiding within the vegetation.

Around 1,000 Pink-Footed Geese have just landed on the fields at the back of the Mere. They typically move around the site all day, often seen on Ploverfield, visible from the bridge near Rees hide.

View all latest sightings: https://ow.ly/f2Kp50UWPhG

08/02/2025

Let's have some shelduck appreciation ✨

One of the larger duck species, this duck stands out with its vibrant colours and size. You can also see plenty of them up close during our Wild Bird Feeds at 3pm in the Discovery Hide!

Thanks to Lisa Wilkinson-Gamble for this photo.

06/02/2025

We can't help but feel like this Kestrel is showing off to the camera...

What a fantastic shot by visitor Sam Wade, taken last week from our Ron Barker hide.

05/02/2025

🛶 New Vacancies 🛶

Want to work with us? We've got a few vacancies available for our Canoe Safari and Living Collection team. Take a look:

Canoe Safari Operative 19.5 hours: https://vacancies.wwt.org.uk/vacancies/384/canoe-safari-operative-19-5-hours.html

Canoe Safari Operative 26 hours: https://vacancies.wwt.org.uk/vacancies/383/canoe-safari-operative-26-hours.html

Seasonal Living Collection Assistant: https://vacancies.wwt.org.uk/vacancies/372/seasonal-living-collection-assistant.html

Volunteering vacancy:

We are also on the lookout for an Education Volunteer, directly involved in shaping children’s unforgettable experiences. More info: https://vacancies.wwt.org.uk/vacancies/35/education-volunteer-formal-learning-session-assistant.html

04/02/2025

03/02/2025

🔭 Latest Sightings 🔭

As the weather becomes mild, Oystercatchers can be seen arriving from coastal estuaries and 22 individuals were counted on the back of the Mere today.

56 Black-Tailed Godwits were also observed. A few of them are beginning to change their winter plumage from grey-brown, to orange and white.

8 Ruff, 11 Snipe and 2 Great White Egret have been seen on the Mere this morning.

The Whooper Swans are still present in good numbers, and you can view them up close from the Discovery Hide, every day at 3pm, during the Wild Bird Feed. You will also see Mute Swans, Cormorants, and Lapwings and plenty of Pintail, Wigeon, Pochard, Mallard, Greylag Geese and Coot.

At Harrier Hide, and on the various waterways around the reserve, you may see Tufted Ducks, Gadwall, and Teal.

Today, there are around 600 Pink-Footed Geese sitting on Ploverfield (the back of the main Mere), and 1200 sitting on Lord's Mere (Ron Barker hide).

Over the weekend, 1 Merlin was seen flying over the Mere. There are usually quite a few Marsh Harrier to be seen, particularly at Ron Barker hide.

1 Barn Owl was spotted at Ron Barker hide on Saturday, and another was seen today near the Reedbed Walk.

You can observe a number of songbird species, such as Song Thrush and Long-Tailed T**s, along the nature trails and on the feeders at Janet Kear hide.

View all of our latest sightings: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/wildlife/latest-sightings

31/01/2025

Mudfest 2025 WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre 🌿 Taking place between 15 - 23 February!

Get stuck in with a mud obstacle course, mud show, wild crafts, and mud kitchen this February half-term

Relaxed sessions can be booked in advance on Mon 17th & Tue 18th Feb. These are designed for those with neuro-divergence or different needs. https://bit.ly/3PDi16s

30/01/2025

Did you catch us on BBC Newsround? 🦆

With the upcoming World Wetlands Day on 2 Feb, presenter De-Graft spoke with Reserve Manager Louise Greenwood on the importance of wetlands:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/videos/cn8yx8x3x08o

27/01/2025

🔭 Latest Sightings 🔭

A peregrine was spotted this afternoon over the reedbed near Harrier Hide.

8 Marsh Harriers and our usual array of wintering waterbirds were seen over the weekend. 3 Shoveler and 20 Tufted Duck were seen on the mere amongst hundreds of Shelduck, Pintail and Wigeon. Pochards can often be seen just off the stone bank outside Discovery Hide.

Many waders have also been seen outside Discovery with Black-tailed godwits and Ruff particularly visible just after the 3pm Wild Bird Feed as they hunt for seed missed by the larger birds. 2 Oystercatchers have also been seen on the Mere.

We are still graced by the presence of Whooper Swans with the high count for the winter sitting at ~800. Again our 3pm bird feed is a great time to see these beautiful creatures up close.

It is also still possible to spot the Snipe from the reedbed screens on the Nature Trail.

One Brambling was seen on the nature trail towards Ron Barker where it is also often possible to see birds like Fieldfare and Redwings.

Photo of a group of Wigeon

23/01/2025

CLOSURE - FRIDAY 24 JANUARY

With consistent strong winds forecast on Friday 24 January, we've made the decision to close our site to keep our visitors and team safe.

Thanks for your understanding, and we will be open as normal again from Saturday 25 January.

23/01/2025

Edit: Thank you, everyone, for your interest in visiting our centre! Due to popular demand, all days are now fully booked for our free entry offer.

To mark World Wetlands Day 2025 on Sunday 2 February, we’re opening the doors to WWT Martin Mere for free from 31 January to 7 February.

We champion wetlands 365 days of the year, but on World Wetlands Day, the whole world comes together to celebrate these mood-lifting and nature-boosting spaces. 🏞️

Explore the hidden worlds within wetlands and get lost in your own adventure.

Claim your free ticket today, simply by registering with a valid email address: https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/world-wetlands-day/get-lost

21/01/2025

Highest record of Marsh Harriers! 🦅

On Sunday 19th January as part of the national Harrier survey (monthly winter harrier roost survey) the reserve team counted a new site record for Marsh Harriers with 45 going into roost across the site!

The first individuals started arriving at 3:30pm and they came in groups across the reserve and could be seen from the Ron Barker hide and on the reedbed banking.

Read the full story:

On Sunday 19th January as part of the national Harrier survey (monthly winter harrier roost survey). The reserve team counted a new site record for Marsh Harriers with 45 going into roost across the site!! The first individuals started arriving at 3:30pm and they came in groups across the reserve an...

19/01/2025

Mudfest is BACK! 🤎

Make it, mix it, mould it, build with it, and jump in it. Mudfest returns 15-23 Feb.

See the full line-up: https://ow.ly/2L0Z50UF83m

18/01/2025

Save up to 80% on our online shop sale 🛍️

We've got puzzles, mugs, clothing, toys and more. Available while stocks lasts: https://shop.wwt.org.uk/collections/sale

16/01/2025

Valentine's Day is next month guys... 🤦

Our Greater Flamingo flock are already in the flirty mood, head flagging and wing saluting. They show these courtship behaviours to attract mates and show that the group is ready for the breeding season.

15/01/2025

We are offering 25% off our standard WWT life membership rates, our biggest discount in years!

From January 2 to February 14 2025, enjoy the discounted rates and receive benefits like:

🦢 Unlimited membership for life
🦢 Free admission for one family guest each visit
🦢 Free Waterlife magazine, twice a year
🦢 Annual Life Membership newsletter
🦢 A gold WWT pin

Prices here:

Protecting vanishing species and regenerating the fragile wetlands we all rely on often means changing hearts and minds but this doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a lifetime’s work.

14/01/2025

🔭 Latest Sightings 🔭

Yesterday, we carried out our monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS). Here are the results:

Black-Tailed Godwit 26
Pink-Footed Goose 511
Coot 356
Ruff 39
Goldeneye 1
Snipe 2
Greylag Goose 534
Whooper Swan 745
Mallard 1569
Cattle Egret 6
Oystercatcher 2
Gadwall 20
Pochard 14
Grey Heron 2
Shoveler 50
Little Grebe 2
Tufted Duck 14
Mute Swan 7
Canada Goose 2
Pintail 515
Cormorant 2
Shelduck 401
Great White Egret 1
Teal 20
Lapwing 165
Wigeon 203
Moorhen 133
Greater Black-Backed Gull 2
Black-Headed Gull 272

Additionally:

Over the weekend, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Long-Tailed T**s, 1 Redwing, 1 Treecreeper and 1 Brambling were observed at Janet Kear hide.

1 Barn Owl, 1 Buzzard, 1 Raven and 2 Marsh Harrier were spotted flying over the mere.
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Water Rail, 2 Bullfinch, Greenfinch and 1 Kingfisher were seen from Ron Barker hide.

There have been 2 Roe Deer bounding around in Woodend Marsh today.

All latest sightings: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/wildlife/latest-sightings