We enjoyed a few days at a Haven Park at Marton Mere Nr. Blackpool (Not to be confused with the more famous Martin Mere Nr. Southport).
The Nature Reserve looks somewhat down at heel now, although it looks as if quite a bit of money was invested in it originally.
The visitor's centre looked scruffy and was locked and unmanned during our stay.
The nearest hide to us was padlocked shut as well, although good views could be had by walking around the path surrounding it.
The weather was kind throughout with calm dry weather, starting off with quite cool mornings but on most afternoons the sun shone and reached the balmy height of 16c.
The mere perimeter footpath does not go near the water for the most part, and with the recent, prolonged dry spell, It's probably more distant than normal.
Still, I did get to see a few good birds hear plenty more.
I went around the mere probably 6 times in all over 3 days , some morning birding and some late evening birding.
There were plenty of Warblers singing from the reeds, notably Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler but I failed to capture one in a photo!
I did glimpse them occasionally but they were tremendously reluctant to fly up for a short moment, like they normally do?
Cettis Warbler were plentiful, but here again very difficult to photo, although with Sue's help I did manage a poor photo during one of our outings together.
Common Whitethroat were here in good numbers and 'probably' a Lesser Whitethroat.
Reed Buntings were calling and at least they had the good grace to perch higher in the reeds, just visible from the path.
Sue came up trumps one day spotting a pair of Common Snipe at the waters edge.
I thought I'd got 5 Whimbrel in flight but looking at the photo on the laptop I'll have to settle for Curlew instead.
Later on a drive about a large flock of Curlew were seen.
A couple of Grasshopper Warblers were very, very close by, reeling.
We had a day out at Lytham and Lytham St Annes, looking around the shops.
I did get half an hour looking across the estuary but, late afternoon, the 'tide' was way off and the sun in the west was a dog.
One day we had a bike ride along the busy roads to Blackpool North where we enjoyed coffee and cake in the Cliffs Hotel, as unassuming place where the grub is excellent and the price more to my taste.
On another occasion we walked to Stanley Park from the site and we enjoyed a bacon buttty and a big cake for lunch in the art deco café there.
Here again there were birds to see, the highlight being c10 Heron Nests.
A shopping experience at The Fleetwood Shopping Outlet was a disappointment (If you like spending money that is) where I could not find a single thing to buy - and amazingly Sue only managed to purchase ONE item.
Here I managed to see a Great Black Back Gull.
Back Home (Thursday Lunchtime) and it feels very cold here -
I'm talking as if I've just been to Torremolinos not Blackpool.
Birds:
Marton Mere:
Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Bunting.
Common Whitethroat, Lapwing, Curlew, Blackcap, Song Thrush.
Pr. Gadwall, Shelduck, Teal, Shoveler.
A Few Swallow, Sand Martin (but not many!).
Little Grebe Calling, Moorhen, Coot.
2 Common Snipe
Kestrel, Heron.
2 Red Legged Partridge.
(Very few Raptors?).
Stanley Park Blackpool:
1 Female Goosander.
Heron, Red Necked Parakeet.
Great Crested Grebe.
Coot with young.
Pr. Gadwall.
Tufted Duck.
Lytham St, Annes (some).
Birds were , distant, awkward to ID.
Oystercatcher, Eider Duck.
2 Plover Species - Ringed Plover I think
Shelduck.
Many distant birds here as usual.
Some photos and videos reflecting the birding bit of the holiday - none excessively brilliant I'm afraid.
They are not in any particular order!
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