Tuesday 30th August

Another warm late August day 15 - 20C Long sunny spells with a light westerly breeze

Solaris Centre Peregrine (S)

Starr Gate - 350 Sandwich terns (S), Arctic skua, 10 knot, whimbrel, 675 common scoters, 2 red breasted mergansers, guillemot, 10 gannets

Marton Mere LNR - Pintail, bittern, garganey, pochard, little grebe, 11 shovelers, 2 sparrowhawks, 2 kestrels, water rail

Sandwich tern by Barry Dean

EVENT - Moth and bat night at Kincraig Lake (FY2 0HN) Saturday 3rd September 8.30 - late. Discoover what's flying around at night, led by Dave McGrath. Wear warm clothes and bring your torch. Free but donation to the Friends of the North Blackpool Pond Trail would be appreciated

EVENT - Wildlife recording walk at Marton Mere LNR Tuesday 6th September 1 - 3pm Meet at the Lawson's Road gate opposite the end of Lancaster Rd. Come along and see what autumnal species we have from birds to dragonflies to late blooming wildflowers. Free but donation to the Friends of Marton Mere would be appreciated

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

Tuesday 5th April

A cooler day 7 - 10C mostly sunny with a strong, chilly westerly wind

Marton Mere LNR - Buzzards, Cetti's warblers, chiffchaffs, sparrowhawk, swallow, sand martin, small tortoiseshell butterfly, small white (1st record this year), peacock.

New South Promenade - Grey seal, hen harrier, peregrine, 54 red throated divers, 5 red breasted mergansers, Arctic skua, fulmar, Sandwich tern, 51 gannets, 78 kittiwakes, 9 eiders, great crested grebe

North Shore - Fulmar (Same as above)

Stanley Park - 4 treecreepers, coot with hatchlings

Sandwich tern, autumn 2015, by Barry Dean

FAMILY WILDLIFE EVENT - Monday 11th April 10am  -12.00 Animal Adaptations at Kincraig Lake viewing area FY2 0HN. How do animals survive? We'll find out in this amazing activity.
Dress for the weather and wear suitable footwear, bring your camera and binoculars if you have them. This event is free but a donation to the Friends of North Blackpool Pond Trail would be appreciated.

PRACTICAL CONSERVATION DAY - Saturday 16th April 10am - 3pm. Give volunteering at Marton Mere Nature Reserve a try and get involved with a practical conservation task. To book call 01253 478167. Please wear suitable clothing.

Local wildlife photographer Barry Dean is holding an exhibition of his wildlife photos at the Solaris Centre during February and March

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

Marton Mere LNR has a Flickr group - please join
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2903819@N24/pool/

Volunteer Days at Marton Mere LNR are now every Tuesday and Thursday 10am - 3pm - All welcome. Wear suitable footwear and bring your lunch.
There may also be some volunteering opportunities suitable for school/works/community groups etc. Contact Annie on 07469 038520 or annie.heslop @ blackpool.gov.uk (without the spaces) for full details of projects, dates and times.