We had a great Easter Bank Holiday weekend here at RSPB Leighton Moss with warmer temperatures and some lovely sunny days. It has however been a mixed fortnight weather-wise which of course impacts on the wildlife and how it behaves. Some of the wildlife will take cover and stay out of sight while others are totally unfazed by it. As the clouds descend so do many of the insects that the Sand Martin’s and Swallows feast upon as they fly low across the pools and reedbeds.
Sand martins - Jarrod Sneyd
Both the Male and Female Garganey are still showing currently at Grisedale Hide. The Bitterns are still booming well across the reserve and we have had daily reports of them flying between nest sights. Osprey flying over the main reserve have been reported over the last fortnight and will hopefully be regular visitors over the coming months. There are still good numbers of dabbling and diving ducks on the reserve and the Marsh Harriers continue to show well across the site.
Male garganey - Sue Westwood
We are so excited that Nuthatches have decided to nest in the nest box outside the Visitor Centre. The Welcome Team and Retail Staff are enjoying watching them coming and going, as are visitors arriving on site. There is a live webcam in the shop on the ground floor so they can be seen in the nest box, don’t forget to have a look on your next visit.
The first Willow Warblers have been seen and heard this week around the reserve. One heard singing near Lilian’s Hide on the main reserve and one seen on the 2nd April on the pathway to Eric Morecambe Hide.
With the new spring arrivals this would be a great time to brush up on your birdsong knowledge on our ‘Birdsong for Beginners Guided Walk’ on Sunday 7th April 7:30am - 9:30am
Whether you are new to birdwatching or relatively experienced you can expand your knowledge on this entertaining guided walk aimed at helping to improve your identification skills.
Pre Booking is essential.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/68130
Over on the Salt Marsh pools at the Eric Morecambe and Allen Hides there are over 3000 Black Tailed Godwits some already in breeding plumage. c.1000 Pink Footed Geese are over on the flood fields at the back of the Eric Morecambe Pool. Two Mediterranean Gulls and a Green Winged Teal have also been seen recently. The Green Winged Teal is an unusual American visitor and tends to move around frequently, check out the link for pictures and identification. 1 Ruff and 1 Whimbrel have also been seen in the last fortnight from the Eric Morecambe Hide. Avocet numbers continue to build and last count there were c.40. A Spoonbill dropped in this week on the Lower Hide pool and two were seen flying over in front of Lilian’s in the direction of the Salt Marsh pools where they were spotted over the Easter weekend from the Eric Morecambe hide.
Black tailed godwits - Jarrod Sneyd
The Wardens Team are currently busy with a co-ordinated Water Rail Survey to identify pairs and nests as well as other important habitat management work on RSPB land at Barrow Scout and the wider Morecambe Bay Area,
A reminder that the ‘Wildlife Explorers’ group for people aged 8 - 12 years are meeting on Saturday 13th April 10am - 12noon. These meetings are monthly on the second Saturday of every month. This month we’ll be looking at Amazing Eels! Learn all about these slippery fish and their amazing migrations, with a walk to see if we can spot some.
Pond Dipping for families is also back, ask at the Welcome Desk on arrival for your Pond Dipping Kit and Instructions.
Elsewhere on the reserve Eyelash fungus can be seen on the last tree on the left by Grisedale Hide and Beefsteak Bracket Fungus can be seen on the last tree on the left as the Boardwalk meets the Causeway path. We are now getting regular sightings of the Red Deer from Grisedale and as you pass through the garden at the back of the Visitor Centre the Cowslips are beginning to add some lovely colour to the gardens.
Beefsteak bracket fungus - Sue Westwood
We have another of our amazing ‘Binocular and Telescope Open Weekends’ Saturday 6th April and Sunday 7th April
If you are thinking of buying some new binoculars or a spotting scope come along and have a chat with our knowledgeable, friendly and impartial team. Why not try out the wide variety of optics we offer and get hands-on advice.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/72039
Keep up to date with events at the reserve and pick up one of our What’s On Leaflets from the Welcome Team on your next visit or take at look at our Events link on the Leighton Moss website so you don’t miss anything.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
We look forward to seeing you soon.