I have managed 2 trips to Martin Mere - one in August and the other in early October.  I would have liked to have visited in June when a juvenile Cuckoo was being fed by a Reed Warbler outside a hide.  On one date 2 Wood Sandpipers were also present from the same hide.  You have to book online to visit.  You enter one at a time and there is a one way system around.  The hides only allow a certain number of people inside and in busy times time inside the hide is limited.  I can imagine how busy it was with the Reed Warbler host parent feeding a baby Cuckoo outside the hide.   The toilets were open but and a kiosk was selling some snacks.  On the day I went in August I did not see much of interest other than the Long Billed Dowitcher which was present.  This bird arrived at  Martin Mere in August  2019 but then disappeared.  What was probably this bird reappeared at Marshside with Black Tailed Godwits in the winter and then Martin Mere again.  A Long Billed Dowitcher arrived at Burton Mere Wetlands in Cheshire straight after the Martin Mere bird disappeared.  It looked the same and arrived with Godwits.  It then returned to Martin Mere.  In late July 2020 one reappeared at Marshside showing very well which then moved to Martin Mere.  After close analysis it was concluded that this Dowitcher was actually one seen in Iceland in July with Black Tailed Godwits.  Where was it for most of Winter 2019-2020?  Did it winter unseen on the Ribble Marshes or even further south?   I think this is around the 16th record for Lancashire and the last 5/6 seem to be around the Marshside area but they have been seen on the Fylde at Marton Mere and Leighton Moss too.    Enough about the Dowitcher and I could be totally wrong!    I was hoping for some Waders and Dragonflies (and Cake).  I had a bit more success with the Dragonflies than the other 2 subjects.  There was no one to supply me with emergency cake too!    I was hoping for some of the scarcer species of dragonfly but sadly nothing of note.  Wader wise - lots of Green Sandpipers, 1-2 Ruff, Dunlin and not seen by me but 3 Wood Sandpiper were also on site!  A Peregrine was hunting Starlings - Buzzard, Kestrel and Marsh Harrier were present too.  Cetti's Warbler were everywhere whilst families of Sedge and Reed Warblers were preparing for summers end.  There was a Common Sandpiper there which was drawing some attention.  They are a passage migrant on the lowlands so a biggie for them.  Lots of Black Tailed Godwits too who commute to Marshside whenever they want.  

The second trip was on the 1st of October and one I was hoping to make for a while.  A Wilsons Phalarope had turned at the end of September.  I was going to be in Leyland on the 1st of October so I quickly booked but would it stay?  I had a 2 day wait.  I arrived nice and early to check for Yellow Wagtails on Curlew Lane which I did not see but managed to see Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer.  There are lots of Tree Sparrow on the reserve and nearby areas too.  The Phalarope showed after 15 minutes.  It was quite obviously larger than the other 2 species of Phalarope.  It was a nice bird to see - they might have had somewhere between 10-14 of these in Lancashire.  The last one was at Alston Wetlands in East Lancashire back in 2017.  This was the 4th at Martin Mere.  Wish they would send one or way next time!  They seem to be much rarer now with 2-3 records nationally per year so I am glad it showed.   Some Whooper Swans and thousands of Pink Footed Geese were around too.  The Warblers had gone barring the Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warbler.   I managed to hear a pinging Bearded Reedling.  In late 2018 an influx of Bearded Reedlings arrived at Marshside, Lunt Meadows and Martin Mere staying throughout the winter and then definitely breeding at Martin Mere.  This is the second place they have ever bred at in Lancashire.  Leighton Moss being the only place so far as nearly all of us must know.    In fact the influx of 2018 saw birds arrive at Burton Mere Wetlands in Cheshire where they also bred in 2019.  I think this is the first time they bred at this reserve too!  It was nice to see some Migrant Hawker dragonflies too - the 2nd time I have seen this species.  The first was at Spurn in October 2016.  

I had an hour spare and wanted to visit Mere Sands Wood - the Lancashire Wildlife Trust reserve nearby.  Sadly this lovely place is much overlooked because of it's proximity to Martin Mere and the extensive Ribble Marshes.  It is not the best place for rarities but a couple of county firsts have been recorded here and it was one of the last few places Turtle Dove and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker bred in Lancashire.  Willow Tit still survive here in small numbers as do Red Squirrels.  I had a quick walk around.  I wanted to see some early autumn colours.  The lakes here are brilliant for reflections!  Lots of common woodland birds here as well as waterfowl.  Also some nice fungi too.