Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy

EVERYONE in Lancashire who is interested in the Living World knows of Martin Mere near Southport. This is run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and is famous throughout the World for its work on conservation.

Far too few people, however, know of Marton Mere near Blackpool which is situated near the windmill just off the motorway and overlooked by the Premium Bonds Office which are affectionately known as "Ernie' - Electronic Random Number Indicating Equipment!

Marton Mere is a local nature reserve sponsored by Blackpool Borough Council and British Aerospace. It is administered by the Friends of Marton Mere and is one of Lancashire's best birdwatching areas especially in the autumn.

Marton Mere was formed at the end of the last Ice Age around 10,000 years ago. It is one of the only two natural lakes in Lancashire. The other is Martin Mere which is why the two are often confused.

In early times it covered a much larger area than today and was surrounded by marsh and forest. Animals living around Marton Mere at that time would have included otter, beaver, deer, elk, wild boar, wolves and bears.

After centuries of drainage the mere was enlarged to 40 acres in 1974. In 1979 the Nature Conservancy Council declared the area a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The local nature reserve was established in 1991.

Marton Mere is used in winter by gulls, swans and large flocks of ducks. Mediterranean gulls are now regularly seen throughout the year and this is a rare bird indeed. During migration thousands of swallows and martins use the reed beds and their presence attracts predators such as sparrowhawk, peregrine and merlin.

Fascinating birds including bearded tit, bittern and water rail. There are regular records of great crested grebes and occasional views of short eared owls and marsh harriers.

At this time of the year you could do worse than travel to Blackpool in the morning to stroll around Marton Mere.

This could be followed by a trip around the illuminations in the evening.

This is ideal for those who enjoy the living world and the excitement of a seaside resort.

LETTER: Bird's eye for a bargain meal

MY husband and myself had a most wonderful experience with a heron on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

We both love fishing and enjoy all the nature happening around us.

Recently, we were fishing at Johnson Hillock Locks, near Chorley, when a heron (who comes quite regularly) came as usual and landed near the pond, that we were fishing.

My husband caught a small perch, the heron spotted it and flew across the pond and landed almost next to us.

My husband threw the fish to the heron and needless to say, he or she ate it. By this time the heron was within a few yards of us, waiting for his next titbit. The heron (christened Harry) stayed with us for about 45 minutes and ate five fish. "Harry" only flew away when a couple walked too close to him. Harry had been on the pond for approximately two hours. A most wonderful experience.

BARBARA PERKINS (Mrs), East Lancs Road, Blackburn.

RON REPLIES: I have never seen anything like this before. Perhaps we will think twice before using the term 'bird brain' as an insult. This heron has certainly learned the skills of easy angling!

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