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

Thursday 21st - Wednesday 27th July

About average temperatures daytime for late July, slightly warmer at night 13 - 21C some sunshine with moderate variable winds

Wednesday 27th July

Marton Mere LNR - Bittern, Cetti's warbler, 5 shovelers, 2 teal, 6 stock doves, sparrowhawk, kestrel, great spotted woodpecker (S), gatekeeper butterfly

Heron's Reach - Weasel, 2 Little grebes + 2 juvs,

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - 2 + 3 juv Great crested grebes

Tuesday 26th July

Starr Gate - 290 Common scoters, 3 Manx shearwaters, 2 whimbrel (S), curlew (S), 2 bar tailed godwits (S), 3 Arctic skuas (S)

Marton Mere LNR - 3 Wigeon, 3 great crested grebes + 1 juv

New South Promenade - Grey seal, 50 gannets, 3 kittiwakes

Monday 25th July

Starr Gate - 195 Common scoters, 115 Manx shearwaters, 46 gannets, 105 sanderlings, 25 black tailed godwits, 2 whimbrels, Arctic skua

Sunday 24th July

North Shore - 2 Arctic skuas

Starr Gate - 3 Arctic skuas, 2 great crested grebes, 20 gannets

Saturday 23rd July

Heron's Reach - Roe deer

Starr Gate - 2 Harbour porpoises + 1 juv, 4 grey seals, 9 eiders, 1550 common scoters, common sandpiper, 46 Sandwich terns, 210 dunlin, Arctic skua, 7 bar tailed godwits, kittiwake, 67 gannets, whimbrel

Marton Mere LNR - Bittern, 3 great crested grebes + 1 juv, 90 coot, 6 gadwall, snipe

Friday 22nd July

Town Centre - Peregrine

South Pier -Hybrid herring x lesser black back gull

Stanley Park - 2 Great crested grebes + 1 juv, 2 treecreepers, black headed gull (ringed in Germany), 2 red eared terrapins, brown hawker, common blue damselflies, green veined white butterfly

Marton Mere LNR - 4 Great crested grebes + 1 juv, 2 sparrowhawks, kestrel, 9 stock doves, great spotted woodpecker

Starr Gate - 1370 Common scoters, red throated diver, 23 Manx shearwaters, 7 shelducks, 6 eiders, 685 common scoters, whimbrel, 105 Sandwich terns

Blackpool Airport - 40 Swifts

Blackpool 6th Form College - 14 Swifts

North Blackpool Pond Trail Kincraig Lake - Mandarin duck, 2 great crested grebes + 2 juvs, goldcrest, chiffchaff

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Common terns, common gull, shelduck, sparrowhawk, 3 kestrels, 4 oystercatchers (over), 500 starlings, 2 commas, common blue, 8 gatekeeper butterflies

Thursday 21st July

Marton - Pipistrelle bat, goldcrest

Heron's Reach - 2 Little grebes + 3 juvs, buzzard

Green veined white

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

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

Wednesday 20th July

Another warmer than average July day 16 - 22C sporadic thunder and very heavy rain in the first half of the morning followed by warm sunshine

Marton -  4 Pipistrelle bats, Elephant hawkmoth

Heron's Reach - Fox, 2 little grebes, 2 tufted ducks + juv, large patch of agrimony

MacCauley Avenue - Hedgehog

Whitegate Drive - 14 Swifts

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Common Terns

New South Promenade - 3 Grey seals, 2 linnets

RESCHEDULED EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO BAD WEATHER - Marton Mere LNR Bird Ringing Demonstration NOW Wednesday 27th July 7am - 9am Marton Mere is part of a national breeding bird study. Join expert ringer Andy to find out more about the scheme and see some of our birds close up. Places are limited so booking is essential Tel 01253 478167 email martonmere@blackpool.gov.uk Free but donation to the Friends of Marton Mere appreciated

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

Saturday 23rd July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

10am - 2pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Sunday 24th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

12 - 4pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Monday 25th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

11.30am - 12.30pm

Stepped Promenade just north of North Pier

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

Tuesday 19th July

Very hot 16 - 31C sunny all day with a gentle but increasing south easterly breeze

Kincraig Lake - 2 Great crested grebes + juv, frog + many juvs, brown hawker, emperor dragonflies, holly blue, several meadow browns, many small whites, large white, several speckled wood butterflies

Solaris Centre - Linnet (1st here for a long time), 4 common darter nymphs, blue tailed damselfly + nymph, several small white, meadow brown butterflies

Beechfield Avenue - 18 Swifts

Marton Mere LNR - 14 Black tailed godwits (SW), common scoter, 4 common terns

Town Centre - 6 Swifts

Starr Gate - Grey seal, 150 Sandwich terns, 12 common tern

Sandwich terns on beach - phone picture

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

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

Saturday 23rd July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

10am - 2pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Sunday 24th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

12 - 4pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Monday 25th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

11.30am - 12.30pm

Stepped Promenade just north of North Pier

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

Monday 18th July

A warm day 15 - 24C sunny all day with a very light variable wind

Heron's Reach - 80 Swallows

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Kestrels, 2 common terns, 2 great crested grebes + juv, 11 tufted ducks, 6 stock doves

Starr Gate - 520 Common scoters, Manx shearwater, 8 gannets, great crested grebe (S), 20 sanderlings (S), 60 dunlins (S), whimbrel (S), 2 Arctic skuas, 31 Sandwich terns, 20 common terns, 10 razorbills.

Layton - 6 Swifts

New South Promenade - Grey seal

Solaris Centre - 7 Common darter dragonfly nymphs, a large diving beetle sp,

Common darter nymph

EVENT - Marton Mere LNR Bird Ringing Demonstration Wednesday 20th July 7am - 9am Marton Mere is part of a national breeding bird study. Join expert ringer Andy to find out more about the scheme and see some of our birds close up. Places are limited so booking is essential Tel 01253 478167 email martonmere@blackpool.gov.uk Free but donation to the Friends of Marton Mere appreciated

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


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

Saturday 23rd July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

10am - 2pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Sunday 24th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

12 - 4pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Monday 25th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

11.30am - 12.30pm

Stepped Promenade just north of North Pier

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

Weekend 15th - 17th July

Average temperatures for mid July 14 - 19C much sunshine with a moderate southerly breeze turning westerly and decreasing

Sunday 17th July

Marton Mere LNR - 4 Common terns, grasshopper warbler, sparrowhawk, 3 kestrels, 145 coots

Heron's Reach - Shrew sp, great crested newt

Devonshire Road Rock Gardens - 6 White letter hairstreak butterflies

Starr Gate - Little tern, 200 common scoters, 16 Manx shearwaters, 32 gannets, Arctic tern

Saturday 16th July

Devonshire Road Rock Gardens - 2 White letter hairstreaks, 20 meadow browns, 2 commas, 3 gatekeepers, several small skippers, large skipper, small tortoiseshell, several small white butterflies, brown hawker dragonfly

Starr Gate - 340 Common scoters, 55 Manx shearwaters, 22 gannets, 5 great crested grebes (S), red breasted merganser (N)

Stanley Park - Nuthatch, 2 juv grey wagtails

Marton Mere LNR - 2 Common terns, little egret

Friday 15th July

New South Promenade - Grey seal

North Shore - dead Harbour porpoise

Starr Gate - 9 Shelducks (S), 410 common scoters, 15 gannets, 16 common terns (S), 15 Sandwich terns (S)

Common tern

EVENT - Marton Mere LNR Bird Ringing Demonstration Wednesday 20th July 7am - 9am Marton Mere is part of a national breeding bird study. Join expert ringer Andy to find out more about the scheme and see some of our birds close up. Places are limited so booking is essential Tel 01253 478167 email martonmere@blackpool.gov.uk Free but donation to the Friends of Marton Mere appreciated

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


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

Saturday 23rd July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

10am - 2pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Sunday 24th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

12 - 4pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Monday 25th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

11.30am - 12.30pm

Stepped Promenade just north of North Pier

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

Thursday 14th July

Still a little cool 13 - 17C some long sunny spells with a chilly moderate westerly breeze

Solaris Centre - Pied wagtail, 3 Small whites, 2 small tortoiseshell butterflies

New South Promenade - Grey seal

Marton Mere LNR - Grasshopper warbler, grey wagtail, shoveler, 7 lapwings, 7 stock doves, 3 kestrels, 2 comma butterflies

Starr Gate - 273 Common scoters, 139 Manx shearwaters, 16 gannets, 3 bar tailed godwits (S), 10 sanderlings

Small white butterfly on creeping thistle

EVENT - Marton Mere LNR Visitor Centre (FY4 4XN) Tots Go Wild (Beautiful butterflies) Friday 15th July 10.30am - 12.00 Parent and toddler session wildlife wander, natural arts & crafts, stories and bug hunts. Wear outdoor clothes. £3 per child

EVENT - Marton Mere LNR Visitor Centre (FY4 4XN) Kids Go Wild (Big Butterfly Count) Saturday 16th July 10.30am - 12.00. Discover the butterflies of Marton Mere and feed our results into the national survey, butterfly crafts at the visitor centre afterwards. Suitable 5-10 yrs £3 per child

EVENT - Marton Mere LNR Visitor Centre (FY4 4XN) Junior Rangers Go Wild (Big Butterfly Count) Saturday 16th July 1pm - 2.30pm. Suitable 11 - 16 yrs £3 per child

EVENT - Marton Mere LNR Bird Ringing Demonstration Wednesday 20th July 7am - 9am Marton Mere is part of a national breeding bird study. Join expert ringer Andy to find out more about the scheme and see some of our birds close up. Places are limited so booking is essential Tel 01253 478167 email martonmere@blackpool.gov.uk Free but donation to the Friends of Marton Mere appreciated

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


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

Saturday 23rd July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

10am - 2pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Sunday 24th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

12 - 4pm

Mirror Ball South Shore

Monday 25th July - Leader Stephen Dunstan

11.30am - 12.30pm

Stepped Promenade just north of North Pier

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