WWT Martin Mere explained

WWT Martin Mere
Map:United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire
Label:WWT Martin Mere
Label Position:left
Grid Ref Uk:SD425145
Coords:53.623°N -2.869°W
Area: [1]
Visitation Num:192,443
Visitation Year:2019
Visitation Ref:[2]

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, 6miles from Ormskirk and 10miles 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]

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

See 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 363acres for £52,000.[15] The first warden of the reserve was Peter Gladstone (1928–2000).[16]

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

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