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A party of 15 met in the foyer at the famous Martin Mere Nature Reserve of 363 acres that was purchased by Sir Peter Scott and Ronnie Barker, a local farmer, in 1968 and opened in 1975.
The party set off visiting first the Discovery hide to search for the not-so-common male Ring Necked Duck from North America. This was soon located having some pure white marking on its flank along with a band on the bill.
We then continued to the left, eventually ending up at The Ron Barker hide for lunch.
Just before leaving the hide, a Sparrowhawk was seen following it's characteristic low flight which blends in to pick off any unsuspecting victim.
The afternoon consisted of visiting all the reserve hides enroute, ending up at the Reed bed and the outlying hides. Several Marsh Harriers were observed and you never get tired of watching their graceful flight.
Other highlights on the second half of the reserve included three feeding Repolls but best of all was a Barn Owl which allowed us some fantastic views as it hunted over the fields. A great bird to end a brilliant outing at the reserve.
The party set off visiting first the Discovery hide to search for the not-so-common male Ring Necked Duck from North America. This was soon located having some pure white marking on its flank along with a band on the bill.
We then continued to the left, eventually ending up at The Ron Barker hide for lunch.
Just before leaving the hide, a Sparrowhawk was seen following it's characteristic low flight which blends in to pick off any unsuspecting victim.
The afternoon consisted of visiting all the reserve hides enroute, ending up at the Reed bed and the outlying hides. Several Marsh Harriers were observed and you never get tired of watching their graceful flight.
Other highlights on the second half of the reserve included three feeding Repolls but best of all was a Barn Owl which allowed us some fantastic views as it hunted over the fields. A great bird to end a brilliant outing at the reserve.