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.