North West Bird Watching Festival returns to WWT Martin Mere

A rare opportunity to see thousands of pink-footed geese leaving and returning to roost at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough, awaits visitors of its North West Bird Watching Festival on the 19 and 20 October 2024.

Boasting a wonderful wildlife-filled day out for nature lovers, the weekend is packed with everything from photography workshops and guided walks to bird ringing demonstrations and the must-see spectacle of thousands of pink-footed geese, which are staying at WWT Martin Mere this autumn.

Louise Greenwood, Reserve Manager at WWT Martin Mere, said: “The pink-foots join us during the cooler months to avoid the harsher winters in Iceland and the North West Bird Watching Festival is our celebration of their annual arrival. It’s a highlight in our autumn wildlife calendar not to be missed.

“The pink-foots in flight are an extraordinary sight to witness, whether you’re a bird enthusiast, expert, or complete beginner, and so we’ll be opening at 8am on the Saturday and Sunday and closing at 7pm on Saturday evening, for visitors to witness the amazing spectacle of tens of thousands of pink-footed geese leaving in the early morning and returning to roost on the mere in the evening.”

While the geese are enjoying their day in nearby farmers’ fields, visitors of the popular festival can enjoy listening to talks by well-known wildlife guest speakers including naturist, ecologist and TV presenter Nick Baker and natural history programme presenter, Gillian Burke.

Victoria Fellowes, Visitor Experience Manager at WWT Martin Mere, adds: “Although the geese are the stars of the show, you can also expect to see some much-loved waterfowl that have migrated here for the winter, such as the shelduck, wigeon, and pintail. You’ll learn all about these birds from our expert WWT team during the feeding sessions.”

The event will also showcase exhibitors such as Sony, Viking Optical, and Fujifilm, offering the latest in wildlife photography and quality birdwatching gear.  A range of other exhibitors, selling everything from books and artwork to wildlife holidays will be available to explore and the festival will be joined by the likes of Speyside Wildlife, Bird Watching & Wildlife Club, The Bee Centre, and more, sharing their expertise.

For a complete list of guest speakers, exhibitors, and activities, visit the WWT Martin Mere website.