Victoria over at Martin Mere just fired this release off to me - don't know about it being the best birding of the year, but 18,000 pinkies is certainly an impressive sight!
Thanks for the gen Victoria.
Best birdwatching of the year at WWT Martin Mere
WWT Martin Mere currently has 18,000 Pink-footed Geese on the Mere, almost 10 times as many as this time last year.
Cold weather coming down from the Arctic Circle may be driving the birds south early as this time last year there was only 1,900 birds on site. The birds are remaining on site most of the day creating a birdwatching spectacle at dawn and dusk (after 7pm) when the geese fly over the mere and create a mesmerising sound.
Pink-footed Geese migrate from Iceland to winter in the UK and they should soon be travelling further south; so the next couple of weeks may be the only time to see such a huge flock of geese at Martin Mere this winter.
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is reporting a massive increase in the number of migrating birds arriving at our centres. This weekend is looking to be one of the year’s best for birdwatching.
Baz Hughes, Head of Species Conservation at WWT, said, “WWT wetland centres provide winter refuge for 150,000 wildfowl. Thousands are here already and we expect many more to arrive over the weekend. Seeing the flocks come in over the water is one of nature’s amazing spectacles. Brave the cold and get out this weekend to catch it.
“We may also see the arrival of our Super Whoopers, the 7 Whooper swans which WWT is tracking by satellite. Everyone is keeping a close eye on our website, where a live map shows the location of the swans, which are currently in Iceland.�
At the time of going to press, one Super Whooper appeared to be preparing for flight. Fiachra has flown to the south coast of Iceland, possibly ready to make the flight to Loch Neagh in Northern Ireland where he regularly winters. You can see how Fiachra and the other Super Whoopers are getting on here
WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations. Visit the web site to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.
There goes the summer.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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sarah dempsey wrote...
Northerly and easterly airstreams clearly influencing birds on way home from work today.
Two peacocks showing very well at 6pm on Saturday on roundabout off M6, north of Preston.
Can I tick them?
Posted by: sarah dempsey | September 30, 2007 12:22 AM