Popular local nature reserve for locals. Council owned as attached to a caravan park, not to be mistaken with Martin Mere at Southport.Regular sightings include, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long Tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Water Rai, Snipe, Kingfisher, WhimbrelSpecial interests are Long Eared Owls, Bittern, Peregrine, Merlin, Marsh harrier and Osprey plus in the winter ALOT of different waterfowl including Garganey, Shoveler, Pochard, Teal and plenty more.
Marton Mere has a superb diversity of habitats, making it attractive to a number of flora and fauna. You will find a variety of wildflowers such as bee orchids, yellow rattle, marsh woundwort and birdsfoot trefoil. The site supports a number of invertebrates such as bees, dragonflies and moths. Butterflies such as the common blue, red admiral, meadow brown and gatekeeper are particularly numerous.4 hides including a feeding station, plus Ranger Station has camera on an island that can be viewed in the station on the Caravan Park.
Will try and add map of site asap.
http://www.nspiersphotography.com
Gosh it sounds wonderful! Will have to add it to my places to go to one day!
Thanks for letting us know about it!!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
I have been to the other one 'martin' but this sound great. Next time I'm passing I will try to call in. Thanks for the INFO maps will be very helpful!
John
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
I will try and keep this thread updated with the latest sightings. Lucky for me its just round the corner from my house so get to go quite often. Can be extremely frustrating at times as sometimes you do not seem to see alot but every now and then it suprises me, especially the Peregrine flying over.
One of the many habitats around the mere.
Plus the Long Eared Owl's that like to stay over in the winter, so hard to find, this pic was not by me.
I see what looks like the tower in the distance. What is exact location? Roads etc!
I like the challenge of spot the Owl!
Unknown said: I see what looks like the tower in the distance. What is exact location? Roads etc! I like the challenge of spot the Owl!
Hahaha indeed it is the tower my good man. It is off Mythop Road, Blackpool link google maps below. The Caravan park allow people to park on the reserve aslong as not on the grass or in the middle of holiday season. If not then best entrance is Lawson Road which takes you through alot of areas full of Whitethroats.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=marton+mere+blackpool&sll=53.806784,-2.996006&sspn=0.011176,0.031371&ie=UTF8&ll=53.8117,-2.998838&spn=0.022349,0.062742&t=h&z=14&iwloc=A
Thank you.
As promised a small map of the reserve. Beware the hides are not that amazing, the majority on the caravan park side are just corregated huts.
Hi
Just a quick reminder to say that any images you upload to the community forums or galleries must be your own - we could easily get in trouble for breach of copyright.
If you want to show someone else's photo, it's better to post a link to its address
Thanks
Katie