As Ian's recent post highlights we can't rely on the generosity of others to keep us birding whether it be forums or Reserves. The amount of good work that the WWT do is, in my opinion, worth the joining fee alone and the fact you can then get free access to any of the reserves is a substantial bonus. I appreciate that cost is relative but without the work of the WWT and many other organisations coupled with the birder's who give back through sending in their sightings the world and birding in general would be a much poorer place.

Its £38 a year to be a member of the wildfowl trust and visit martin mere as many times as you want in a year and entrance is free,which is pretty good as getting into 1 football match would cost more than that,so if your going a few times its worth signing up as a member,and if you do it on the day they knock the entrance fee off if you decide to join later that day :)

Yeah, when I said 'tad expensive' I was trying to not be to harsh as I do really like MM and it's probably one of my favourite reserves but I totally agree. Even discounted for travelling on the train it's £9.50 to get in which for me and I imagine many others is simply to much to justify.

Not bad as a rare treat or, like you said, if you're going to see something rare but other than that I'll just go to penny!

Don't forget you can get the entry fee returned if you buy something from in focus - think they give you a voucher or something?

(Always assuming you would want it back of course!)

Thanks very much for all your helpful and informative replies - Burscough Bridge it is...

To be honest, Sean, since we're talking about it, the price of the entrance however discounted it may be + train fare has always made me baulk at visiting and why I prefer Marshside - obviously I'd dig my wallet out if there was a Baikal Teal or something similarly mega on site

-- Edited by John Doherty on Tuesday 12th of February 2013 05:59:47 PM

If you show them your tickets to prove you got there by public transport you get a discounted entrance fee which is a good thing at Martin mere as it's a tad pricey!

-- Edited by Sean Molloy on Tuesday 12th of February 2013 01:37:58 PM

hi chris,i do all my birding by public transport and I get the Manchester Piccadilly to southport train getting off at burscough bridge. the trail from burscough to martin mere is well sign posted like Gordon says,but at this time off year is not good underfoot,on the last 2 occasions I have had to walk along red cat lane,which surprisingly enough can be more interesting than you think a nice steady stroll will take you about 35 mins.
also the chaps at in-focus are very helpful and will get you set with a good pair off binoculars. hope you get there and do make the most off the day

Hi Chris, in addition to posts below, the bus service was discontinued several years ago so the only way now is to walk from either station. The walk across the farmland is well sign posted from Burscough Bridge station although I'm not sure what the conditions will be like underfoot at this time of year. The path is linked to the Reedbed Walk and also across the farmland to Meresands Wood at Rufford. The station at Rufford is not on the same line as the Wigan/Southport line which stops at Burscough Bridge.

2 stations to pick from Burscough bridge get off the train walk over the railway on bridge,first left red cat lane which after about one and half mile passes martin mere entrance-a bus used to run to the mere from the station also,or the next station new lane and then again head over the ralway and down marsh moss lane which leads onto the same lane as from burscough bridge ,turn left and about 400 mts is the entrance.Both are much of the same in distance new lane may be slightly nearer.

Hi Chris, not been for a few years but Burscough Bridge is the station you need. I presume there is still a bus service to Martin Mere from the station.

I always walked it from the station, preferring the canal walk to to New Lane, and then up New Lane across the mosses, taking in the wildlife on the way. Not many trains stop at New Lane.

The main road from Burscough Bridge to Martin Mere is shorter, but not as interesting. The signs at the station show a footpath that used to be toatally overgrown, maybe that has changed.

If you are having a full day it is not far to walk to Mere Sands Wood also.

To be honest, having never actually visited Martin Mere by train or otherwise, I can still say Burscough Bridge is the station you need since when you go through Burscough (as I do to Southport) there is a Martin Mere Wetlands sign attached to the station name, it may even say 'for Martin Mere Wetlands' or something like that

Hi, just wondered if anyone had taken this journey from Manchester? There seems to be three stations to choose from close to the site, so I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for a nice walk between any of the stations and MM? Main reason for visit is to check out the binoculars in the InFocus shop as I need a good pair, but will make a day of it. Thanks, chris.