In the vicinity so I decided to pop down for a few hours.  Firstly a trip to the Discovery Hide where your typical wetland summer species were present and a few Pink Footed Geese which were probably injured to fly back North.   At the Kingfisher Hide a juvenile Cetti's Warbler showed very well, for five seconds and then on to the Ron Barker Hide.  Marsh Harrier showed very well, Cattle Egrets and Great Egrets.  A volunteer pointed out a pair of Whooper Swans which had a couple of Cygnets.  A breeding first for the reserve apparently.  The middle of June and Warblers were not singing as much as they would have been doing 4 weeks ago.  Time for a lunch break and then cake and coffee.  The nearby Brandreth Barn was the target and a Lotus Biscoff Cake was selected for cake o clock.  Very nice it was indeed.

Back at Martin Mere and along the viewing screens I heard Mediterranean Gull and after five minutes picked out an adult with a young.  I watched it being fed, regurgitation in action!  Whatever it was, it did not look appealing.  In the melee of the Black headed Gulls a few Mediterranean Gulls had set up home.  Their beaks were much bigger and stronger.  The sole chick constantly begged for food, demanding little sod!  Herons, Marsh Harriers were all mobbed.  I had a walk around the reedbed hoping for the Bittern to show but it did not for me.  A walk around the Tomlinson Hide, Gordon Taylor hide and Rees hide revealed more Mediterranean Gulls and a pair of Redshank with at least 2 full grown young.  The sentinel of the marshes were on high alert as a Crow foraged nearby.  I wanted to see the Bittern but no luck sadly.  Apparently 4 young are in a nest and now ringed, hot off the press!  

Lots of young Mallard, Shelduck, Coot, Moorhen and Black Headed Gulls which with many flying around, showing off their new found skills!

I was one of the last to leave at the end along with a man with a massive camera and a big hat.  Which wouldn't be the last I would see of him.

A stop  at Curlew Lane nearby and the Yellow Wagtails zipped by like little yellow rockets.  Corn Bunting jangled and they were difficult to see.  A Mediterranean Gull flew over.  Hirundine panic in the air and a Hobby cut through from Martin Mere to Parbold Hill!  A beautiful male Marsh Harrier quartered and Hared fed.   On the way home I heard Yellowhammer near Bretherton and a Barn Owl at Farington.  All in all a good day!

Mute Swan

Whooper Swan

Greylag

Canada Geese

Shelduck

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Shoveler

Gadwall

Mallard

Teal

Pheasant

Little Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Collared Dove

Woodpigeon

Stock Dove

Feral Pigeon

Water Rail

Moorhen

Coot

Avocet

Oystercatcher

Little Ringed Plover

Lapwing

Redshank

Common Tern

Black Headed Gull

Mediterranean Gull

Lesser Black Backed Gul

Herring Gull

Great Black Backed Gull

Cormorant

Little Egret

Great Egret

Cattle Egret

Grey Heron

Barn Owl

Marsh Harrier

Buzzard

Kestrel

Hobby

Magpie

Jackdaw

Rook

Raven

Carrion Crow

Skylark

Sedge Warbler

Reed Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Blackcap

Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

Chiffchaff

House Martin

Sand Martin

Swallow

Wren

Starling

Song Thrush

Blackbird

Robin

Stonechat

Dunnock

House Sparrow

Yellow Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Linnet

Reed Bunting

Yellowhammer