Thursday 28th July

Almost average temperatures for late July 14 - 18C cloudy then heavy rain for much of the day with a moderate westerly wind

Heron's Reach - 2 Buzzards, 2 little grebes + 2 juvs, very large patch of fleabane

Lawson's Field - Sparrowhawk (over)

Central Beach - Dead juvenile harbour porpoise

Starr Gate - 800 Common scoters (S), 215 dunlins (S), 50 Manx shearwaters (S), 3 eiders, 60 Sandwich terns, 10 common terns, 3 redshank (S), whimbrel S), heron (S)

Marton Tesco - 25 Pied wagtails (pre-roost gathering)

Fleabane with wall brown butterfly - if you see this butterfly please let us know, we think they are now extinct in Blackpool

EVENT - North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake (FY2 0HN). Big Butterfly Count. Sunday 31st July 1pm - 2.30pm. Nets at the ready and we're off...Take part in this national survey to learn about and count our local butterflies. Free but a donation to the Friends of the North Blackpool Pond Trail would be welcome.

EVENT - Marton Mere LNR  Wildlife Recording Walk Tuesday 2nd August 1pm - 3pm Meet at Lawson's Road gate (opposite Lancaster Road) Come along to learn about what species are around in the summer and how to identify them, from birds to butterflies, wildflowers to dragonflies. FREE but a donation to the Friends of MArton Mere would be welcome.

The dates for this month's National Whale and Dolphin Watch events in Blackpool are listed below

Tuesday 26^th – Friday 29^th July - Leader Dave McGrath

12 – 1pm

Mirror Ball Blackpool South Shore

Saturday 30^th July - Leader Dave McGrath

9am – 1pm

Mirror Ball Blackpool South Shore

Sunday 31^st July - Leader Dave McGrath

10am – 2pm

Gynn Square Blackpool North Shore

Contact: David McGrath 01253 478023 (8am – 3.30pm) weekdays; mobile 07539779532; emaildavid.mcgrath@blackpool.gov.uk

Please bring binoculars if you have them, some may be available for use on the day, telescopes will also be available. Dress for the weather, sunscreen and hat or winter woollies.

There is ample on-street free parking close to both locations and a small free carpark at the Solaris Centre (FY4 1RW) opposite the Mirror Ball. Pay & Display parking is also available on the Promenade at the Mirror Ball and at Gynn Square (FY1 2JR)

Please email your sightings and wildlife photos to solaris.centre @ blackpool.gov.uk - without the spaces

The North Blackpool Pond Trail have a Facebook group page

There is a Facebook group for all things Marton Mere LNR including news of events and volunteer projects

https://www.facebook.com/martonmerereserve

There is also a page specifically for wildlife news at Marton Mere https://www.facebook.com/groups/343548299164728/ please Like, Share and post your sightings and wildlife photos from the nature reserve

Follow Marton Mere LNR on twitter @MartonMereLNR