Editing WWT Martin Mere

{{short description|Nature reserve in the United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox park
| name = WWT Martin Mere
| alt_name =
| photo = Flamingoes at Martin Mere.JPG
| photo_width =
| photo_caption =  <small>Flamingoes at Martin Mere</small>
| photo_alt =
| map = United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire
| map_width =
| map_caption = <small> WWT Martin Mere shown within West Lancashire</small>
| map_alt =
| label = WWT Martin Mere
| label_position = left
| relief =
| mark =
| grid_ref_UK = SD425145
| coords = {{coord|53.623|N|2.869|W|format=dec|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| type =
| location =
| nearest_city =
| area = {{convert|600|acre}} <ref>{{cite web |title=WWT Martin Mere |url=https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/wildlife/}}</ref>
| elevation =
| created =
| designer =
| etymology =
| operator =
| visitation_num = 192,443
| visitation_year = 2019
| visitation_ref = <ref name="ALVA 2019 visitor numbers">{{cite web |title=ALVA - Association of Leading Visitor Attractions |url=https://www.alva.org.uk/details.cfm?p=423 |website=www.alva.org.uk |access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref>
| status =
| awards =
| open =
| camp_sites =
| hiking_trails =
| other_info =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| child =
| embedded = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Martin Mere
| designation1_date = 28 November 1985
| designation1_number = 324<ref>{{Cite web|title=Martin Mere|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/324|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
}}

'''WWT Martin Mere''' is a [[wetland]] [[nature reserve]] and wildfowl collection managed by the [[Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust]] at [[Tarlscough]], [[Burscough]], [[Lancashire]], England, on the [[West Lancashire Coastal Plain]], {{convert|6|mi|0}} from [[Ormskirk]] and {{convert|10|mi|0}} from [[Southport]] ([[Merseyside]]).<ref name = Directions>{{cite web | url = https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/plan-your-visit/directions/ | title = Plan your visit | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust}}</ref> It is one of ten reserves managed by the [[Charitable organization|charity]], and it is designated an [[SSSI]] (Site of Special Scientific Interest),<ref name = SSSI>{{cite web | url = https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1001769&SiteName=Martin%20Mere&countyCode=25&responsiblePerson=HANNAH%20BIRTLES&unitId=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= | title = Designated Sites View Martin Mere, Burscough SSSI | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = Natural England}}</ref> an [[Special Protection Area|SPA]] (Special Protection Area)<ref name = SPA>{{cite web |url = http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/4833056372293632 | title = European Site Conservation Objectives for Martin Mere SPA (UK9005111) | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = Natural England}}</ref> and a [[Ramsar Site]].<ref name = Ramsar>{{cite web | url = https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/324 | title = Martin Mere | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = Ramsar Sites Information Service}}</ref>

The name of the centre comes from [[Martin Mere|the mere]]<ref name = UoM>{{cite web | url = https://uomhistory.com/2018/02/02/remembering-lancashires-lost-lake-on-world-wetlands-day/ | author = John Morgan | title = Remembering Lancashire's 'lost lake' on world wetlands day | access-date = 11 March 2020 | date = 2 February 2018 | publisher = University of Manchester}}</ref>  on the west side of the reserve which is ringed by more than ten observation hides. On the east side of the reserve there are a number of pens providing [[habitat (ecology)|habitats]] for birds from [[Africa]], [[Australasia]], [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Siberia]], and [[Asia]].<ref name = Experience>{{cite web | url = https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/experience/ | title = Experience | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust}}</ref>

Martin Mere has its own "[[Domesday Book]]", listing (for 2002)<ref name = Domesday>{{cite web | url = http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/lancashire2.html | title = The Domesday Book Online | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = omesdaybook.co.uk}}</ref> nationally important species of wildlife found at the reserve, other than birds include the whorled caraway (''[[Carum verticillatum ]]''), at its only site in England away from the southwest, and the regionally scarce water dropwort (''[[Oenanthe fistulosa]]'').<ref name = NE>{{cite web | url = https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1001769.pdf | title =  File ref: SD 41/2 | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = natural England}}</ref> Another sign of the sites importance for biodiversity is the recording of the first records of the [[micromoth]], the marsh dowd (''[[Blastobasis rebeli]]''), for northern England.<ref name = Echo>{{cite web | url = https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/rare-moth-flies-martin-mere-6966014 | title = Rare moth flies into Martin Mere Wetland Centre | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = Liverpool Echo| date = 22 July 2010}}</ref>

This reserve is at its best in winter, attracting huge flocks of [[pink-footed goose|pink-footed geese]] and [[Eurasian wigeon]], many [[whooper swan]]s and occasional rarer [[bird]]s such as the [[snow goose]]. It is also excellent for wintering [[bird of prey|birds of prey]] such as [[hen harrier]], [[peregrine falcon|peregrine]] and [[merlin (bird)|merlin]].<ref name = RSPB>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VOFtFglUYX8C&dq=raptors+Martin+Mere&pg=PA257 | title = RSPB Where To Go Wild in Britain | page = 257 | author = Mike Dilger | publisher = Dorling Kindersley | isbn = 978-1405342827 | year = 2009}}</ref>

The BBC television programme [[Autumnwatch with Bill Oddie|Autumnwatch]] was broadcast live from Martin Mere in 2006 and 2007.<ref name = BBC>{{cite web |url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2006/10/03/bus_video_bill_oddie_autumnwatch_feature.shtml | title = Bill Oddie on the Bus for Autumnwatch | author = Sue Hendey | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = BBC}}</ref><ref name = BBC2>{{cite web | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2007/11/02/autumnwatch_2007_feature.shtml | title = Behind the scenes at Autumnwatch 2007! | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = BBC}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|Martin Mere}}
Martin Mere was initially opened to members of the Wildfowl Trust in late 1974 and then in March 1975 it was opened to the general public. The reserve and centre were the concept of haulage contractor, Ronnie Barker, who was a friend of Sir [[Peter Scott]]. Barker was aware that both pink footed geese and Bewick's swans roosted at Martin Mere and was able to arrange a meeting between Sir Peter and the then landowner, this resulted in Sir Peter buying {{convert|363|acres|ha}} for £52,000.<ref name = LL>{{cite web | url = https://www.lancashirelife.co.uk/out-about/wildlife/martin-mere-wetland-centre-celebrates-40-year-anniversary-1-3873989 | title = Martin Mere Wetland Centre celebrates 40 year anniversary | date = 5 December 2014 | access-date = 11 March 2020 | publisher = Lancashire Life}}</ref> The first warden of the reserve was Peter Gladstone (1928–2000).<ref name = Guardian>{{cite web| url = https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/sep/02/guardianobituaries.martinwainwright | title = Peter Gladstone Wildfowl expert who created a magical oasis among Lancashire's cabbage fields | author = Martin Wainwright | date = 2 September 2000 | access-date = 11 March 2020 | work =The Guardian}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Wetlands}}
* [[Burscough]]
* [[Martin Mere]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite journal | last=Martell | first=Charles | title=Obituary:Peter Gladstone | journal=The Independent |date=August 2000}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre}}
* [http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/martin-mere Official site]

{{Wetlands}}
{{Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust}}
[[Category:Birdwatching sites in England]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in England|Martin Mere]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Lancashire|Martin Mere]]
[[Category:Special Protection Areas in England|Martin Mere]]
[[Category:Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust centres|Martin Mere]]
[[Category:Geography of the Borough of West Lancashire|Martin Mere]]
[[Category:Nature reserves in Lancashire|Martin Mere]]
[[Category:Nature centres in England]]
[[Category:Burscough]]