North West Bird Watching Festival Takes Flight This Weekend
Thousands of Pink-footed Geese, expert talks and family-friendly events await as Martin Mere’s flagship autumn festival opens tomorrow
The wait is nearly over. Tomorrow morning, WWT Martin Mere throws open its gates for the North West Bird Watching Festival – a weekend devoted to migration, discovery and the sheer joy of autumn birding.
Autumn spectacle on the wetlands
Each October, thousands of Pink-footed Geese arrive from Iceland and Greenland to spend the winter in Lancashire, and their spectacular dawn and dusk flights form the backdrop to the festival. Visitors will have the chance to watch these wild flocks take to the skies in their thousands – one of Britain’s great seasonal wildlife displays.
Alongside the geese, Martin Mere’s wetlands will be alive with Teal, Pintail, Shoveler and Wigeon, while the reserve’s hides and walkways offer superb chances to see raptors, waders and wintering wildfowl up close. The festival is timed perfectly to showcase the variety and abundance of birds that make the site so special at this time of year.
Talks, workshops and guest experts
The festival’s programme features an impressive range of guest speakers, photographers and conservationists sharing their expertise across two packed days. Naturalist and broadcaster Lucy Lapwing will explore how social media and modern storytelling are inspiring new audiences to engage with nature. Renowned wildlife photographer Ben Hall will deliver a masterclass on photographing birds ethically and creatively, drawing on years of field experience capturing Britain’s most charismatic species.
Alasdair McKee from the RSPB will discuss coastal bird conservation and the challenges facing breeding waders, while rewilding advocate Matt Phelps from the Knepp Estate will present lessons learned from large-scale habitat restoration projects. Conor Jameson – author of Silent Spring Revisited and other acclaimed titles – will reflect on nature writing, advocacy and the changing role of conservationists in the modern world.
Visitors can also meet groups including Wader Quest, Lancashire Badger Group and The Bee Centre, each hosting displays and short talks on their work in species protection and public engagement. From fieldcraft to pollinators, migration to rewilding, the sessions promise something for everyone with an interest in the natural world.
Hands-on activities, photography workshops, guided walks and bird ringing demonstrations will run alongside the talks, ensuring there’s always something happening on site. Exhibition stands from optics companies, local artists and wildlife organisations will fill the visitor centre, creating a lively hub for birders, photographers and families alike.
Plan your visit
The festival runs across Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October, with early morning access to catch the Pink-footed Geese leaving the roost. WWT members have free admission, and non-members can pre-book tickets online for discounted entry. Talks and activities are mostly free, with some ticketed sessions available on the day.
Visitors are advised to dress for the weather, bring binoculars, and check the daily schedule on arrival. The Mere Side Café will be open for breakfasts, lunches and snacks, while the gift shop offers wildlife books, optics and gifts supporting conservation work.
A celebration of birds and community
The North West Bird Watching Festival has become a highlight of the birding calendar – a chance to meet experts, connect with fellow enthusiasts and experience the wonder of migration first-hand. Whether you’re a lifelong birder or simply curious about nature, Martin Mere this weekend promises a feast for the eyes and ears – and a powerful reminder of why wetlands matter.
The North West Bird Watching Festival takes place at WWT Martin Mere on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October. Gates open from 8am each day.
October 2025
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