Photo Credit Jarrod Sneyd
The golden hours of sunrise and sunset are absolutely stunning on the reserve at this time of year with the beautiful vivid autumn colours and the falling leaves. At dawn and dusk the haunting sounds of the Red Deer stags ‘roaring’ can be heard around the reserve. Between September and November, its ‘Rutting Season’ when the stags and young bucks are protecting their females and warning off other competing males. Walking round to Grisedale hide last Friday morning just after sunrise I met with a lovely Hind (Female Deer) just past the Sky Tower, we both stood still for a few minutes and surprisingly she didn’t take flight as I wandered off. As I turned the corner at the junction for Grisedale and Tim Jackson I thought someone was behind me on the path until I heard splashing, I turned round to see a gorgeous Stag out in the fields adjacent to the paths keeping his eye on me whilst heading deeper into the reed bed and out of sight. As you wander around the reserve see if you can spot the deer grazing or resting in a nice sunny or sheltered spot?
Each season brings something different to RSPB Leighton Moss, why not book onto our next guided walk to learn more about the reserve and our winter wildlife - Winter Walks at Leighton Moss is on 8 November from 9.00am to 11.00am. Our local guide will give an introduction to the reserve and the focus will be on the identification of wildfowl. Pre-booking is essential. Find out more here Winter Walks at Leighton Moss
It was great to work in partnership last weekend with our neighbours at Leighton Hall, Lucy Arthurs and other colleagues from Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape for their annual Apple Day celebrations. Colin Barnes, our Membership Recruitment Officer, had a fantastic day chatting with the many visitors about our Saving Nature work at RSPB Leighton Moss and in the wider countryside. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves.
Photo Credits Jarrod Sneyd
The Bearded Tits continue to show well on the grit trays between the hours of 8.30am to 11am. It’s also worth keeping a look out on the paths near the grit trays where we have seen a mix of Bearded Tits and Reed Buntings gathered on the path. Water Rails have been very vocal around the Grisedale Grit tray area too although they don’t seem keen on showing themselves! Can you spot these illusive reed-bed residents? Flocks of Siskins and Long-tailed Tits have been reported in the wooded areas along the paths and Yellow-browed Warblers have been seen along the woodland path from Causeway to Lower and on the path to Grisedale just past the Sky Tower. This time of year, is also a reminder of the wider connections in nature with some of our passage visitors arriving from places from as far as Africa and Siberia.
Marsh Harriers are delighting visitors across the Main Reserve with their aerial antics. 60 Greylag Geese arrived at Lilian’s pool on Monday evening, which was quite a sight to see. Three wigeon have been regularly seen on the Causeway pool and our site Manager was very pleased to report approximately 350 Redwing on an evening stroll from the visitor centre garden to the bridge on the Causeway including good numbers roosting in the shrubs along the Causeway and along the Boardwalk.
We’ve noticed an increase in Starling numbers in the area recently. With the clocks changing this weekend numbers should start to build throughout November and December when we should start to see larger numbers and the murmuration's which usually peak in late December and January. Watch this space for updates!
The weather has been very mixed over the last two weeks! We've had some glorious sunny days and some very wet and windy days. Storm Ashley coincided with some very high tides, which resulted in the car park and the paths to the Eric Morecambe and Allen Hides being flooded. Due to some footpath damage and debris the path and hides have been closed this week, the wardens have been busy making the paths good and clearing the debris so that the Eric Morecambe car park and hides are now open again. Many thanks to our amazing Wardens Team and Volunteer Work Parties that keep our paths maintained and accessible. Wellies or waterproof boots are still required for access to the Eric Morecambe Hide. We are still seeing good numbers of Cattle Egret over at the Eric Morecambe complex. Lots of the usual wading birds, Redshank, Greenshank, Lapwing, Oystercatchers amongst other usual visitors at this time of year.
Photo Credit Nick Godden
Check out our Events link for ‘What’s On’ in November and start to plan your next visit.
29 October – Nature Up Close 10.00am to 16.00pm
06 November – Nature Tots 10.30am - 11.30am - Booking Essential
08 November – Winter Walks at Leighton Moss - 9.00am - 11.00am - Booking Essential
09 November – Wildlife Explorers - 10.00am - 12 noon – RSPB Youth Group 8–12-year-olds
Remember to pack your wellies and waterproof boots if you can as the weather is very changeable at this time of year and the water levels fluctuate not only with the wet weather but also the seasonal high tides and storm surges.
Don’t forget to check in with our Welcome Team on arrival for any Childrens/Family Activities and Quiz Sheets or for our Nature Quest Packs.
We look forward to seeing you soon.