It’s a week to go until Dawn Chorus Festival 2023 and our headlining acts are well underway with their sound checks! On Monday 24 April, a Lesser Whitethroat was another addition to Leighton Moss’s springtime Warbler ensemble. These birds are secretive, and this individual was heard singing on the path beyond Lower Hide deep in the woodland. Around the reserve, Grasshopper Warblers have been heard throughout the week, accompanied by the deep bassy booming of six Bitterns.
Birds breed throughout the Spring and Summer months, as this is the time when food is at its most abundant and therefore improves their chances at successfully rearing young. The breeding season is kicked off by the Dawn Chorus, a time when male birds sing to attract a partner and to stake out territory. As singing takes up lots of energy, loud song is attractive to potential partners as it proves his ability to find food. Once the male has partnered up, he will usually stop singing to conserve energy, meaning that the Dawn Chorus is at its loudest in May and June. Resident birds like the Robin, Wren and Blackbird will be joined by breeding birds like Chiffchaff, Blackcap, fresh back from their migration at that time. Here at Leighton Moss, the likes of Reed, Sedge, Grasshopper and Willow Warblers will add their voices to the chorus. Birds begin singing an hour before sunrise - this isn’t an effective time for hunting out insects, and the dim light means that they’re less likely to attract predators with their song. This does make for an early get up for anyone who would like to listen, with sunrise in May being around 5am!
On Sunday 7 May, the RSPB is celebrating the Dawn Chorus Festival 2023. Here at RSPB Leighton Moss, we have a few places left on our Dawn Chorus guided walk, so book now and join us at the Wetland stage to hear our headlining acts! Our expert guides will be able to help with some handy hints to identifying these reedbed songsters on a three and half hour walk around the reserve, all followed up with a hearty breakfast bun and hot drink to warm up.
But it’s not just about the birdsong at this time of year! Visitors have had some spectacular sightings this week, with Bitterns continuing to be seen across the reserve on a regular basis. On Saturday evening, our Dusk Discoveries attendees got glimpses of Otters from Causeway Hide. On the same pool, we have had regular reports of a Barnacle Goose throughout the week – not a particularly regular sighting here at Leighton Moss, but at this time of year, there are often unexpected visitors while birds are on the move. Down on the saltmarsh, Spotted Redshanks have been regularly reported and numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits reached highs of c50, in among c4000 Black-tailed. Avocet numbers are in their forties, with birds displaying nesting behaviour. On Tuesday 25 April, a male Whinchat was reported, and a Green Sandpiper was visible from Allen Hide on Friday 28. Over the weekend, a Common Tern was perched outside of Lilian's Hide in with the Black-headed Gulls, and throughout the week, a pair of Mediterannean Gulls have been seen in the colony.
(Photo by Richard Cousens)
We hope you enjoy your Bank Holiday
Beth