Sue and Ann are back with the latest Leighton Moss sightings blog
We have had a fabulous fortnight here at RSPB Leighton Moss. We are delighted to have had sightings of Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and Chiffchafff and the reserve is filled with the sound of booming Bitterns and Cetti’s Warblers. Although not as regular now we have still had some great starling murmurations, a trip up the Skytower can never be a bad end to the day!
Image - Redpoll and Siskin by Jarrod Sneyd
Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler should be returning mid April along with Garganey Ducks. Although Garganey Ducks are scarce in the UK, we usually have a pair return each year in April.
The Sand Martin’s are arriving and can be seen flitting back and forth across the pools. Sand Martin's are amongst the earliest birds to return to the UK usually from the end of February, about 300 have been seen around Causeway since they first were sighted about a week ago and now numbers will build as the weather warms up.
Image Sandmartins by Jarrod Sneyd
The Marsh Harriers continue to show well all across the reserve and have been providing some spectacular sky-dancing performances where they pass food to each other in flight.
Great Crested Grebes are showing well at Lower, Causeway and Lilians Hides and Blackcap have been heard singing near the pond dipping area.
The Lesser Scaup are still showing well at both Lower Hide and Causeway along with the Ring Necked Duck. It's an exceptional time to visit the reserve, because while the signs of spring are enticing visitors, many of our wintering birds are still on the reserve – we’re seeing the best of both! Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Goldeneye and Gadwall are visible across the reserve. There have been consistent sightings of the Bitterns flying over from Grisedale towards Causeway sometimes in pairs!
Although early, there have been sightings of Ospreys in the Morecambe Bay area so we are hoping they will soon be returning to RSPB Leighton Moss for stopovers on their fishing trips, they were very regular visitors last year, (and if we are really lucky to use the Osprey Platform to breed this year), although the Black Backed Gulls have already started nest building on it. We have even had a Red Kite spotted on two occasions from causeway.
It’s not all about the birds here on the reserve, the first frogspawn of the season has been spotted on the path to Grisedale and Tim Jackson Hides and we have had sightings of Comma Butterfly and Brimstones. With the warmer weather the insects are starting to emerge along with the Bumble Bees and more spring flowers are beginning to appear. Keep a look out for Lesser Celandine’s and Primroses along the woodland paths. Otters continue to make appearances at Causeway and Lower Hides and the Red Deer have been spotted hiding in the reeds from Grisedale and Tim Jackson Hides.
Image - Lesser Celandine by Jarrod Sneyd
Over at the Eric Morecambe and Allen Hides the Avocet numbers are increasing with c.40 at the last count. Merlin continue to show at Eric Morecambe Hide as well as on the Main Reserve. Barn Owls have also been seen on the path from the car park to the Salt Marsh Hides.
Turnstone have been reported along with growing numbers of Black Tailed Godwits, Oyster Catchers, Curlew and Redshank. The water levels remain high with recent rainfall and the high spring tides! The car park is now accessible following flooding on the recent high spring tidal surge. The path between the Allen Hide and the Eric Morecambe Hide has remained flooded and wellington boots are currently recommended.
With the arrival of large numbers of Black Headed Gulls and Black Backed Gulls taking over any island spaces on the pools for nesting this will delay the Avocets nesting and hopefully by the time the water levels have dropped the Avocets will have more space between their nest sites and the Gulls nest sites. We are hoping that this will reduce the opportunistic predation of the Avocets nests by the Gulls.
Unfortunately with the continued wet weather keeping the water levels so high the Wardens Team have now missed the opportunity to get the early reed cutting done as a lot of the birds are already nesting! The team have however been busy with other vital jobs on the main reserve and other sites the RSPB own and manage in the wider Morecambe Bay Area. Work has just been completed at nearby Challan Hall Woodlands, coppicing and tree felling to diversify the age structure. This provides new growth and at the same time creates glades and new areas of diverse habitat to encourage other insects and butterflies to make this woodland their home. This in turn creates a new food source for other species. One example is the shrub clearance on Warton Crag which provides more space for Violets to grow which will hopefully encourage the Fritillary Butterflies to the area in the coming months. The team are currently undertaking various bird surveys across the reserve such as the Water Rail Survey, counting how many pairs we have around the reserve. The team use an approved Survey Technique to identify the individual birds calling to each other to announce their territory. The team are also continuing the Bittern Survey, we have six-seven booming bitterns on the Main Reserve and another two or three in the wider Morecambe Bay Area.
Early mornings the reserve is alive with the sound of the dawn chorus, why not join us and book on our Birdsong for Beginners Guided Walk on Sunday 7th April at 7:30am -9:30am. Pre-booking is essential. https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/68130?sid=eyJpdiI6IlhKRHdDL09vdCs5KzBmN21tTXNqZ3c9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiemJ1TGRHRGdLVkoyVWZmTVNYQlBJYnpubzVaU0FucHJOUnJhL29XWnVWUWdWNE82ZG8vK2pJRzlNWEJaM3AyU3BuR0tpN1pRWGpZRWxQWXdKK0VXZFE9PSIsIm1hYyI6IjQ3YWQ0ZTk2M2QxYjdjYmNhOTQ4NDdkMTcxZjdmZGI4ODc5YWQzZGYzYjNjOWE4YTY4NWYzZTllZDUxMmYzYTIiLCJ0YWciOiIifQ==
If you prefer a more leisurely start to the day there is our Meander on the Moss Guided Walk on Thursday 4th April 10am-12 noon where you can learn all about the history and wildlife of RSPB Leighton Moss. These walks are monthly and pre-booking is essential.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/68153?sid=eyJpdiI6InBuQmhZdTMwMWRjcUIwVk5zaFZoRWc9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiZHBobXMzR055UCsxLzZ3OUJCMlpHNktxUGNpcW1LVnZQOGlsWWxtKzdPNG5lUEpCWkgyRWtNaHFjVk9hTkl1SzJCQkFxVzZCYXRQUm4xdGRMYXNnRVE9PSIsIm1hYyI6ImM4N2RkYzYyODVmOTliZDU3YmFkZjY2MGFmMGNmN2VkNDQxZDdmMGZiNTBiMTc4MTZlNGE1OTcyMmQ2OGJlOTYiLCJ0YWciOiIifQ==
Each month there is a new Family Trail on the path to Grisedale Hide from the Visitor Centre,
For Easter we have the ‘Easter Eggstravaganza’ Family Trail from Friday 29th March - Tuesday 30th April Daily from 9:30am, collect your quiz sheets from the Welcome Team on arrival.
Thinking of buying some binoculars or a spotting scope? Why not try out the wide variety of optics we offer and get hands-on advice from our friendly, impartial team our popular Binoculars and Telescopes Open Weekend Saturday 6th April and Sunday 7th April (11am-4pm
Don’t forget we also provide a Binocular Hire service should you find you have left yours at home!
We look forward to welcoming you soon.