Martin Mere

On Sunday we headed up the M6 to Martin Mere the main reason being the Puddle Jumping for Gemma but reading the sightings board the night before I noted that Woodcock had been reported in with a note saying to ask in the In Focus Shop.
So upon arrival we did just that, not long after we were watching a at rest just the other side of the bank along the main path just before the Janet Kear hide.
Although we have seen Woodcock before we have never been so close to one so it was great watching the bird.

From the Janet Kear hide the usual "small" birds were visiting the feeders Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow and the usual Finches.

Popping in at the Discovery hide we saw the as expect wild fowl species with a few Ruff and Godwits passing through.

A Snipe was trying its best to stay hidden in a small patch of reeds although it did come out to briefly feed, popping down to one of the screens where the old Swan Link hide use to be allowed a quick shot to be grabbed.

Heading down to the Ron Barker hide it was time for one last camouflaged bird this time a Tawny Owl roosting in an Ivy covered tree by the Kingfisher hide, we couldn't spot it but a more Eagle eyed lady pointed the bird out to us.
From the Ron Barker hide we saw the first returning Avocets for the year at the reserve.

The afternoon was spent doing Gemma based activities before the pleasant drive down the M6.