If you weren’t yet feeling festive then we are sure the frosts of the past week will be getting you into the merry mood! As December arrived, the temperature plummeted – here in Silverdale we are reaching highs of one degree throughout the day. Consequently, the pools are frozen solid and the leaves underfoot are making a satisfying crunch. Despite being a little chilly, it’s a fantastic time to be out on the reserve. (Photo by Rosie Irwin Holbrey)
Otters are always a highlight for visitors here, but there have been some superb sightings this week. They have been seen out and about on the ice, running across the frozen pools – we are hearing regular reports of a mother and two cubs together, along with frequent sightings of a dog otter. Historically, icy weather has also been a great opportunity to see bitterns and water rails, as these otherwise elusive birds are forced to venture further out to feed.
The yellow-browed warbler, an exciting rarity that turned up last week, has been spotted since in the same place, along the path to Lower Hide. Sometimes seen in amongst a mixed tit flock, this bird can be identified by it distinct disyllabic call and its striking yellow supercilium. Yellow-browed warblers are usually seen on passage through the spring and autumn – it’s unusual to see a bird so late on. Could this be a result of an unseasonably mild October and November?
Wildfowl numbers were beginning to increase toward the beginning of the week, with as many as c55 pintails counted on Lilian’s pool on Monday. However, since the pools have frozen over, many of the ducks and geese have relocated. (Photo: Ben Hall, RSPB Images)
On Wednesday, there were a few brief sightings of a glossy ibis overhead. If any visitors have any more photos or reports of this bird, then do send them our way. As always, with anything you suspect may be an unusual sight at Leighton Moss, then please do report it to the Welcome Desk or report it in the sightings book on your departure.
Despite the chilly conditions, our hardy wardening team have been hard at work on site. In front of Lilian’s Hide, they have been performing some reedbed maintenance: cutting and excavating. Not only does this improve the visibility from the hides, its an important of reedbed management: the team create a variety of different stages of reed growth to accommodate the needs of all the different wildlife. (Photos by Will Walton)
If you are visiting us this weekend, then don’t forget to wrap up warm. And why not bring your little ones along for the Robin Robin trail?
See you soon
Beth