Martin Mere in the snow 19/12/09

What a difference a week makes - last week the flamingos were walking down the path basking in the sunshine today they were enclosed in their house due to bad weather.

This was swan lake - partly covered with ice.

Then down came a bit more snow -

The mere was also partly frozen. A lot more swans had come in from the surrounding fields, they know where the food is! I couldn't stay out long taking photos, it was a case of 5mins outside then 30mins inside to thaw out. The light was also not good for photos.

The flamingo house in the distance, it seemed strangely quiet without them all on the path.

Visitors were in short supply too!

Another day another walk - 08/12/09

A rather dull and damp day for our walk from Burscough Bridge Station to Martin Mere but at least it didn't actually rain! By the end of the day I had at last managed over 10000 steps - hurray!!!!

Through the station, across the fields -

down the lane -

Past the carrot harvester -

and then the potato harvester -

Saturday 12th December - a lovely bright morning and the Greater Flamingos seemed to be enjoying the sun.

I sat on the fence just outside the visitor centre and they walked right up to me.

They were displaying to each other, totally confused, perhaps when the weather changes it will cool them down!

Martin Mere kits brave the weather.

At Martin Mere last w/e the sun appeared and so did the otter kits. On the way to their enclosure I found someone snoozing in the grotto so I called in and woke him up!

The Asian Short Clawed Otter enclosure. The parents are out near the splash pool whilst the kits are in the green box over on the far wall, you can hardly see it as it's hidden behind the waterfall.

One of the kits wants to see the sun but is hurriedly pushed back inside. (These 2 photos of the kits were taken through glass so apologies for the quality - or lack of!)

Yet another escape attempt is flawed!

Now what has Thai seen . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . mmmmmmm glad they are behind that glass screen.

Burscough Bridge Station to Martin Mere walk

There is now a recognised footpath from Burscough Bridge Station to Martin Mere and a few volunteers (me included) have completed this walk a few times. The aim is to do some bird watching whilst walking but unfortunately last Tuesday the weather was not very good, we did find all the pink-footed geese though and showed them the way back to Martin Mere!

Along the side of the railway line through the fields to Crabtree Lane by the level crossing gate.

Still a bit misty, no sun today!

That sign for the tea rooms is very inviting, do you think I'll be missed?

So this is where all the pink-footed geese hide out

Most of them were ready to fly away as soon as we rounded the corner but some were slower than others.

This is part of the new reed bed walk.

At last the path along the front of Martin Mere - almost there - coffee time. Along the road from the station to MM is about 2 miles, it certainly seems further this way but I suppose the rough terrain doesn't help.

Well at least it didn't rain!

Martin Mere Otter update

Thai and Ned the Asian Short Clawed otters at Martin Mere had 4 kits 5 weeks ago. We haven't seen them yet but they will hopefully be venturing out about mid November. Their eyes are usually closed until about 40 days and they take their first swim around 60 days. At the last weigh in their average weight was 402g.

Collecting up the scatter feed.

Anyone for a prawn cocktail?

The Pink Foots are here in significant numbers and the Whooper Swans are arriving back from Iceland every day, about 700 at the last count. So far we have 2 swans with radio transmitters still intact and many pairs with 5 cygnets this year. The feeds have started and as soon as the frost comes they will start to fly in from the surrounding fields ready for the grain.

This Tuesday we are again walking from Burscough Bridge Station across the fields to Martin Mere, anyone wishing to join us meet at the station at 10 am. Dogs welcome but I don't think I will take Sheeba this time as she found the return journey a bit difficult last time, (but then so did I and I have to do it again!). It's a lovely walk as long as it's not raining so please pray for fine weather.