At this time of year, we see an influx of visitors who are hoping to hear bittern’s boom. As the breeding season approaches, the males begin to boom: an act to stake out their territories. Each bird’s boom has its own idiosyncrasies - distinct enough that our warden team can distinguish individuals just by listening! This gives us a good indication of how many males we have on site. So far, the team believe they have heard seven individual birds across the areas that we manage within RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay. But the bitterns aren’t just booming! They’re being sighted from visitors across the reserve. Before Christmas, one bittern was regularly seen in a cut area to the right of Lillian’s hide – this was a real treat for photographers as the bird seemingly enjoyed posing for pictures. The bird hadn’t been sighted for a few weeks, but as the water levels across the reserve have lowered, it has returned to its apparent favourite spot. (Photo by Jarrod Sneyd)
The female ring-necked duck has still been visible across the reserve, often accompanying the tufted duck and pochard – check in with the Welcome Desk on your arrival for the latest updates on its whereabouts. Stonechats are an unusual visitor to the reserve, but during their migration season, they can be seen passing through. Typically, these birds perch on the top branches of scrub, so keep your eyes out in the willow.
Visitors and staff alike have been excited by regular sightings of barn owl in the meadow for the past few evenings. This bird has been gliding over the meadow at dusk on most evenings, coming close to onlookers. Visitor Rob Kay took this great photo on Thursday - please do tag us in any pictures you take!
Down on the saltmarsh it’s been a real raptor fest, with regular sightings of peregrines, merlins and marsh harriers. Pink-footed geese are present in their hundreds (c290 counted on 19 Feb),and the first winter Russian white-fronted goose has been visible in amongst the greylags.
You may have seen that the wardens are undertaking some reedbed management on the reserve. With the water levels having decreased over the past few weeks, the reedbed is now more accessible to the team. They have been excavating ditches and clearing reeds in the Tim Jackson area in hope to create a more open space. This should hopefully encourage wildfowl and waders to use the area; different depths of water should increase the variety in feeding opportunities and the open space should improve visibility for the birds so they feel less threatened by predation. Great work team!
We hope that you’re enjoying your half term! Don’t forget that we have our free family trail, Neat Nests, running throughout the month in celebration of #NationalNestboxWeek. The trail is available daily from the Welcome Desk (normal admission fees apply). We hope to see you soon!