30th September - This week we have had 18,000+ Pinkfeet on the reserve and Whooper Swan numbers have peaked at 12. Five Marsh Harrier were showing well yesterday afternoon along with Merlin, Peregrine and Kingfisher. Other sightings this week include 50+ Ruff, 1,500 Lapwing, Barnacle Goose, 2 Pale-Bellied Brent Geese, Water Rail, Teal, Wigeon, Shovelor, Tree Sparrow, Jay, Chiff-chaff and Redwings. 9th September - They are back! On 1st September the first 10 Pink-footed Geese arrived back at the reserve, and numbers now exceed 100. Other sightings include Barn Owl, up to 4 Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine. Pintail, Wigeon and Teal are arriving daily. 31st August - Winds have meant that although still present, raptors were much less visible than usual, spending most of their time sheltering. However Marsh Harrier, Merlin and a fine adult Peregrine still showed occasionally. The most unusual sight was a flock of 32 Knot, an exceptionally large number for Martin Mere. Presumably, these were wind-blown birds from the Ribble estuary, as this species is not normally seen away from the coast. Sightings this week included 5 Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Kestrel, 33 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, several hundred Black-headed Gulls, 4 Sandwich Tern, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint present with 16 Dunlin. 25th August - Seven species of raptor were visible one day with 2 Hobby, 4 Marsh Harrier, 7 Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Migrants included 2 Whinchat, a Wheatear and a family party of Stonechat which included 3 recently fledged juveniles. Waders included 8 Dunlin, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Golden Plover, 1,500 Lapwing, 30+ Snipe, 3 Redshank, 28+ Ruff and Greenshank. Teal numbers increased to around 400. 30+ Tree Sparrows were showing well around the feeder next to the In Focus shop.