WWT Martin Mere

WWT Martin Mere is a wetland nature reserve and wildfowl collection on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain. It stands six miles from Ormskirk and ten miles from Southport. The reserve is one of ten managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. It holds three national designations: SSSI, SPA and Ramsar Site. A large mere sits on the west side, surrounded by more than ten observation hides. On the east side, pens recreate habitats for birds from six continents. The site’s importance is shown by its own ‘Domesday Book’ of wildlife. This 2002 survey lists nationally important species beyond birds, including the whorled caraway and water dropwort. It also records the first northern England sightings of the marsh dowd micromoth. In winter the reserve hosts huge flocks of pink-footed geese and Eurasian wigeon, along with whooper swans and occasional rarities like snow geese. Birds of prey such as hen harrier, peregrine and merlin winter here too. The BBC broadcast Autumnwatch live from the reserve in 2006 and 2007. Visitors walk the paths around the mere and use the hides to watch waterfowl at close range. The east-side pens display species from Africa, Australasia, North America, South America, Siberia and Asia. The reserve’s flat landscape and open water stretch towards the Lancashire coast. Interpretive signs explain the habitats and the species they support. The reserve’s history is recalled through the vision of haulage contractor Ronnie Barker and the work of first warden Peter Gladstone.