WWT Martin Mere

WWT Martin Mere
Flamingoes at Martin Mere
WWT Martin Mere WWT Martin Mere shown within West Lancashire
OS grid	SD425145
Coordinates

WWT Martin Mere is a wetland nature reserve managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Tarlscough, Burscough, Lancashire, England, on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain, 6 miles (10 km) from Ormskirk and 10 miles (16 km) from Southport (Merseyside). It is one of nine reserves managed by the charity, and it is designated an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), an SPA (Special Protection Area) and a Ramsar Site.

The name of the centre comes from the mere on the west side of the reserve which is ringed by 11 observation hides. On the east side of the reserve there are a number of pens providing habitats for birds from Africa, Australasia, North America, South America, Siberia, and Asia.

Martin Mere has its own "Domesday Book", listing (for 2002) 517 species of plant, 287 species of fungus and 1,368 species of invertebrate. 284 species of bird have passed through the reserve, as well as 28 species of mammal and 19 species of fish.

This reserve is at its best in winter, attracting huge flocks of pink-footed geese and wigeon, many whooper swans and occasional rarer birds such as the snow goose.

It is also excellent for wintering birds of prey such as hen harrier, peregrine and merlin.

The BBC television programme Autumnwatch was broadcast live from Martin Mere in 2006 and 2007.

History

Main article: Martin Mere

The first 363 acres (147 ha), known as Holcroft's Farm, were purchased in 1972 through local fundraising. The first curator of the site was Peter Gladstone, great grandson of William Ewart Gladstone. The site was opened to the public in 1975 by Sir Peter Scott.

See also

• Burscough
• Martin Mere

External links

• Official site