North West Bird Fair

This weekend has seen a mass migration of bird enthusiasts to WWT Martin Mere here in SW Lancs for the 2012 NW Bird Fair. An excellent programme of activities was laid on, including a range of talks from groups such as the Swift Conservation Trust, Brown Hare Survey and local birders Graham Clarkson and Alan Bedford. There was also a wide range of stalls, including the BTO, Wirral Ranger Service, Dee Estuary Study Group and the Bat Conservation Trust.

As part of the South-west Lancs Ringing Group contribution, Brian Hopkins, myself and Andy Dixon held a ringing demonstration at the Kingfisher Hide. The demonstration was very well attended and we were pleasantly suprised with the number of birds we were able to capture, with about seventy birds ringed. Visitors got the opportunity to see Tree Sparrow, Brambling and Goldcrest as well as some larger birds such as Magpie, Great-spotted Woodpecker and Woodpigeon.

 Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) - a local success story