Click Thumbnails to Enlarge
Ranked 1 of 1 facilties in ranked in Lancashire
Wow factor
Accessibility
Photo potential
Martin Mere Wetland Centre
| Directions: |
Martin Mere Wetland Centre is six miles from Ormskirk and 10 miles from Southport. Situated off the A59, the centre is signposted from junction 8 on the M61, junction 3 on the M58 and junction 27 on the M6. The number 302 bus leaves Ormskirk Bus Station for Martin Mere every two hours Monday to Saturday, from 9.38am until 3.38pm. The last bus leaves Martin Mere at 4.07pm. There are two rail stations nearby: New Lane (on the Southport to Manchester line) and Burscough Junction (on the Liverpool to Preston line via Ormskirk) – two miles away. |
| Accessibility: |
Open daily, except 25 December. Winter opening (Nov–Feb) is from 9.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm) with early closing on 24 December (last admission 2pm). Summer opening is from 9.30am-5.30pm (last admission 5pm). The centre has level access and hard-surfaced paths. All hides are accessible to wheelchairs, with low-level windows and level access to ground-floor. Free car parking. |
| Costs: |
£7.95 adults; concessions and family tickets available. Free to WWT members. Photography is permissible for amateur use only. |
| Best time to visit: |
September for pink-footed geese. |
Venue information
Martin Mere Wetland Centre is home to more than 100 species of rare and endangered ducks, geese, swans and flamingos. Inquisitive Hawaiian Geese will nibble grain from your hand. Tour the paths through the wetlands or watch from one of ten hides as ducks, geese and swans gather in winter to form spectacular feeding flocks on seasonally flooded wetlands. The site enjoys SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)/SPA (Special Protection Area) and Ramsar status. From the hides, telephoto lenses are recommended. Elsewhere, a range of focal lengths will deliver interesting natural studies of the wetlands.
Venue verdict: An excellent site for wading birds, although if using a tripod, long telephoto and/or DSLR, you may have to convince the authorities of your amateur status – or pay the commercial photography fee.
Ratings (out of five): 4
-
Martin Mere changes everytime i go - always a different set of birds using the Mere. Its not just bird - i saw wild hares for the first ever ever last time i went; and the colours of the foliage goes from one extreme to the other! I have always had a good days shooting. I've never had a problem using tripod / long cream lens; other than finding the space in a hide to set up!
Plus WWT run a yearly photo comp, where you can win loads of gear. I came second at Martin Mere last year, and got treated to a awards ceremony days visit, plus free tickets to one of their special events. Got to be worth entering!
(Written by: beckiscott)
14 May 2008 20:40
-
I have visited on a number of occassions and am a member of WWT. It is a wonderfull place to spend a day and never any problems.
Staff are always friendly and most helpfull
(Written by: davidaingham)
29 April 2008 18:31