With the falling golden leaves it really does feel autumnal and magical here at RSPB Leighton Moss. Our pools are full of a variety of beautiful colourful ducks such as Teal, Shoveler, Pintail, Wigeon and let's not forget the Mallards all in their lovely winter plumage. Keep a look out as you wander along the woodland paths for flashes of red, yellow and green as our winter visitors take cover in the trees, Redwing, Green Woodpecker, Siskin and Goldcrest have been seen and heard as well as the usual garden and woodland birds around at this time of the year.
Wigeon Photo Credit Jarrod Sneyd
Do you need to brush up on your Wildfowl identification? Why not book on our next Winter Walks at Leighton Moss - Guided Walk on Friday 13 December from 9.00am to 11.00am, our walk leader, John, will be focussing on the winter ducks and waders that call Leighton Moss home during the colder months. Booking details on the events page here Winter Walks at Leighton Moss
We had our fortnightly WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) on Monday morning and were so excited to see a very scarce visitor on Lilian’s pool, a female Garganey! Garganey are small, striking and very secretive ducks. They are generally a summer visitor (mainly April to September), spending the winter in Africa. Garganey are usually found on lakes, marshes and wet meadows. Assessing the size of the breeding population is difficult due to the bird's secretive nature. An estimate of around 100 breeding pairs makes this a rare duck. We really are lucky that these beautiful ducks have chosen to visit RSPB Leighton Moss for a second time this year as we had a pair here in March 2024! Why not head over and see if you can see this gorgeous girl before she departs for Africa, will she be travelling alone or is there a male hiding in the reeds that we haven’t seen yet?
Female Garganey Photo credit Sue Westwood
Another of our very secretive reed bed residents is the Water Rail. The Water Rails have been very vocal around the reserve recently but also very illusive! Let us know if you manage to spot one on your next visit. The Bearded Tits are still delighting visitors at both sets of grit trays. Although we haven’t seen much sunshine it's been very still, calm and dry, ideal weather for these wonderful little birds. Marsh Harrier sightings are reported daily and this week we have also had a report of a Merlin at Grisedale by one of our regular visitors.
Water Rail Photo Credit Jarrod Sneyd
Over at the Eric Morecambe and Allen complex we are delighted to see large numbers of waders on the pools including 135 Snipe, two Turnstone, Spotted Redshank and three Greenshank.
Turnstone Photo Credit Jarrod Sneyd
Don’t forget to wear or pack your waterproof boots or wellies for your visit as the weather and water levels are so changeable at this time of the year.
Dates for your diary -
Nature Tots at Leighton Moss – 20 November 10.30am to 11.30am - Booking Essential
Book Fair at Leighton Moss – 23 and 24 November 10.00am - 16.00pm
Binocular and Telescope Weekend – 7 and 8 December 9.30am to 16.30pm
Birdwatching for Beginners at Leighton Moss – 8 December 8.30am to 10.30am - Booking Essential
Don’t forget to visit our Shop on your way through to the reserve, have a peek at our Christmas Range of products or pick up your sacks of bird food.
When you arrive check in with our friendly Welcome Team for the latest wildlife updates on the reserve or check out the daily tide times for your visit to the Eric Morecambe complex. Get your monthly Quiz sheet for the family trail – Novembers Trail is ‘Dazzling Ducks’ or pick up a Nature Quest pack.
REMINDER – The Visitor Centre and Cafe will be closed on Thursday 14 November for an all staff meeting from 12.30 lunchtime. Access to the reserve after this time is through the side gate and there will be access to toilet facilities.
We look forward to seeing you soon.