WWT Martin Mere

WWT Martin Mere is a wetland nature reserve and wildfowl collection 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).[3] It is one of ten reserves managed by the charity, and it is designated an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest),[4] an SPA (Special Protection Area)[5] and a Ramsar Site.[6]

WWT Martin Mere
Flamingoes at Martin Mere
WWT Martin Mere is located in the Borough of West Lancashire
WWT Martin Mere
WWT Martin Mere
WWT Martin Mere shown within West Lancashire
OS gridSD425145
Coordinates53.623°N 2.869°W / 53.623; -2.869
Visitors192,443 (in 2019)[1]
Official nameMartin Mere
Designated28 November 1985
Reference no.324[2]

The name of the centre comes from the mere[7] on the west side of the reserve which is ringed by more than ten 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.[8]

Martin Mere has its own "Domesday Book", listing (for 2002)[9] nationally important species of wildlife found at the reserve, other than birds include the whorled caraway (Carum verticillatum ), at its only site in England away from the southwest, and the regionally scarce water dropwort (Oenanthe fistulosa).[10] Another sign of the sites importance for biodiversity is the recording of the first records of the micromoth, the marsh dowd (Blastobasis rebeli), for northern England.[11]

This reserve is at its best in winter, attracting huge flocks of pink-footed geese and Eurasian 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.[12]

The BBC television programme Autumnwatch was broadcast live from Martin Mere in 2006 and 2007.[13][14]

History
Main article: Martin Mere

Martin Mere was initially opened to members of the Wildfowl Trust in late 1974 and then in March 1975 it was opened to the general public. The reserve and centre were the concept of haulage contractor, Ronnie Barker, who was a friend of Sir Peter Scott. Barker was aware that both pink footed geese and Bewick's swans roosted at Martin Mere and was able to arrange a meeting between Sir Peter and the then landowner, this resulted in Sir Peter buying 363 acres (147 ha) for £52,000.[15] The first warden of the reserve was Peter Gladstone (1928–2000).[16]

See also

References
  1. "ALVA - Association of Leading Visitor Attractions". www.alva.org.uk. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  2. "Martin Mere". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. "Plan your visit". Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  4. "Designated Sites View Martin Mere, Burscough SSSI". Natural England. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  5. "European Site Conservation Objectives for Martin Mere SPA (UK9005111)". Natural England. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  6. "Martin Mere". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  7. John Morgan (2 February 2018). "Remembering Lancashire's 'lost lake' on world wetlands day". University of Manchester. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  8. "Experience". Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  9. "The Domesday Book Online". omesdaybook.co.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  10. "File ref: SD 41/2" (PDF). natural England. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  11. "Rare moth flies into Martin Mere Wetland Centre". Liverpool Echo. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  12. Mike Dilger (2009). RSPB Where To Go Wild in Britain. Dorling Kindersley. p. 257. ISBN 978-1405342827.
  13. Sue Hendey. "Bill Oddie on the Bus for Autumnwatch". BBC. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  14. "Behind the scenes at Autumnwatch 2007!". BBC. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  15. "Martin Mere Wetland Centre celebrates 40 year anniversary". Lancashire Life. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  16. Martin Wainwright (2 September 2000). "Peter Gladstone Wildfowl expert who created a magical oasis among Lancashire's cabbage fields". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  • Martell, Charles (August 2000). "Obituary:Peter Gladstone". The Independent.
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