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