Here's the all the latest wildlife sightings info put together by super volunteer Sue!
Spring and the breeding season are well underway here at RSPB Leighton Moss, this is such an amazing time of year to visit our wonderful, wild wetlands. The beautiful Yellow Iris are flowering all over the reserve, these large sunshine yellow flowers brighten up the margins of our waterways, ponds, wet woods, fens and marshes. Also called the ‘flag iris’, its outer petals have a characteristic ‘droop’. Amongst these lovely bright flowers and reeds the Broad-bodied chasers (Dragonfly) are starting to appear. Over the last two weeks we have started to see a few different moths on the reserve too. The White Ermine and Cream Wave were found on the shop door this week when we arrived to open up. We have also seen Peach Blossom, Buff-tip and Poplar Hawk-moths.
White ermine moth - Chris Rodowicz
Are you interested to learn more about Moths, we have a Macro moth workshop on Sunday 9 June 9:30am-1pm
Whether you know your stuff or are just a beginner when it comes to moths, join our team of experts for a fascinating look at the world of these amazing nocturnal creatures! Learn how to identify a wide range of moths and learn about their often awe-inspiring life cycles. This workshop will feature a detailed presentation and you will get to examine moths close up with local experts. Booking and payment in advance is essential.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/71715
For those that follow the visiting Ospreys Blue 476 has been seen fishing at the Causeway pool this week, Blue 476 is a Cumbrian male Osprey who is now three years old and was one of the last visiting Osprey to leave Leighton Moss last year so we are very excited to see him return this year. We are still getting other daily Osprey sightings which we hope will continue throughout the summer. It really is fantastic to have so many of these amazing birds of prey returning to the reserve again this year. Bitterns are also being seen in flight most days from Lower, Causeway, Lillian’s and Grisedale hides and are still booming. As usual the Marsh Harriers are showing very well collecting nesting materials and passing food parcels in flight all around the reserve.
There are chicks, ducklings, cygnets and goslings all exploring their new world. At Tim Jackson there are Oyster Catcher chicks and Lapwing chicks. The Greater Black Backed Gull chicks have hatched on the ‘Osprey Platform’ and can be seen on the live feed screen in the Cafe as well as from Grisedale Hide. The Nuthatch chicks from the nest box outside the Visitor Centre have now successfully fledged.
Oystercatcher and chick - Jarrod Sneyd
Two Little Gull have been seen from both Causeway and Lower hides and a pair of Redstart have been seen in the Visitor Centre car park. A Barn Owl has been seen hunting over the reed bed from Grisedale Hide. The Green Woodpecker has been seen again this week in the field next to the Visitor Centre.
LIttle Gull - Jarrod Sneyd
Over at the Salt Marsh hides we have three Avocet Chicks reported and in other sightings two Little Ringed Plover and a pair of Garganey also dropped into the Eric Morecambe pool this week. 36 Little Egrets, one Drake Eider, one Spoonbill and two Common Sandpiper have also been seen.
Avocets and chicks - Jarrod Sneyd
Just a reminder that the track to the Salt Marsh pools and the car park will be closed to vehicles from the 4 - 7 June while the track is resurfaced. The hides will also be closed for the duration of this work. Please DO NOT park on the road near the track.
RSPB Leighton Moss is home to so many different species, why not come along and join us on one of the following guided walks, whether you are interested in the birds, insects, conservation, photography, flora and fauna or just enjoy being out in nature there is something for everyone here at RSPB Leighton Moss.
Check out our events link on our website to book onto the following guided walks or events. These events are extremely popular so booking and payment in advance is essential to secure your place. https://events.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
Spring at Leighton Moss Guided Walk Tuesday 4 June 10am-12 noon
Let our expert guide take you on a gentle 2-hour walk on the reserve where you will find out all about the history and wildlife of Leighton Moss! These monthly walks will focus on the nature to be seen and heard in the current season and will give participants a taste of the wonders of our wild wetlands. Booking and payment in advance is essential.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/72506
Botany by the Bay Guided Walk Friday 7 June 10am-12noon
Leighton Moss and the Silverdale area is a fantastic place to explore some of the UK’s most fascinating plants and flowers. Join local expert botanist Richard Jefferson on this gentle walk and discover more about the wealth of plant life to be found on and around the nature reserve.
Booking and payment in advance is essential.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/68177
Birdsong for Beginners walk Sunday 07 July 7:30-9:30am
Whether you are new to birdwatching or relatively experienced you can expand your knowledge on this entertaining guided walk aimed at helping improve your identification skills!
This event is aimed at those who enjoy getting out and enjoying nature and wish to build their confidence in identifying the wildlife they may see and hear.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/68131?showItems=1
Wildlife Explorers is an RSPB group for people aged 8-12 years, our next monthly Wildlife Explorers group is Saturday 8 June 10am-12 noon. Pond Dipping Session.
Are you thinking of buying some new binoculars or upgrading your current optics?
We have our Big Brand Binocular Event on 1 June 2024 - 2 June 2024 10am-4pm
This is an exciting opportunity to come and meet the brands behind our world class range of binoculars and telescopes, ask questions, get expert advice and try our range for yourself. No need to book, just pop along on the day!
Families, don’t forget to ask our Welcome Team for the new monthly family trail sheet on arrival. Have fun with the family finding out interesting facts together about some of the species we have here on the reserve. For the tiny tots we have our Tots Tiles Trail sheets to get them involved too.
Self Led Pond Dipping Kits are available from our Welcome Team on arrival for £3.50.
Our three Trampers are proving very popular for our visitors with mobility issues, make sure you give our Retail Team a call to check availability and book one in advance of your visit. There is no charge for the hire of these vehicles although any donations would be welcome.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.