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Wednesday 27 October 2010

WWT Martin Mere

Another visit to one of my favourite sites, Martin Mere, especially at this time of the year as 30,000+ Pink Footed Geese have arrived to either stay here for the winter or to rest up before moving on further south. And also the arrival from Iceland of the Whooper Swans who over winter at Martin Mere. I just love watching these stunning birds flying in to the Mere, and then settling down to feed and roost.
Lots of photos, difficult to choose what to post!!

The fields are full of feeding Pink Footed Geese

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More and more coming in to land

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Lots of opportunities for flight shots

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Now to the Whooper Swans, there are to date about 700 arrived from Iceland, but more are arriving daily, amazing birds, graceful in the air as they come in to land

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Take off time, a long run up across the Mere

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Nearly there

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Take off!!

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On a busy Mere picking your landing spot is important

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Another 3 coming in

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Stunning birds in the late afternoon sun

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A series of close up shots

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A juvenile bird on his/her first of many visits to Martin Mere

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The serrated teeth along their bills visible in this shot

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Lots of Whoopers feeding on the grain thrown down for them around the Mere edge

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A juvenile bird

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Stunningly beautiful

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A noisy family reunion

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Feeding time in the late afternoon sunshine

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G3S feeding on the Mere edge

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Other birds on the Mere included Shelduck

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Pintail

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Lots of Graylag geese

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And the added bonus of a Kingfisher that landed on the fence across from the Ron Barker hide

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