One of our volunteers, Sue, is back with the blog for this week.
March is an exciting month here at Leighton Moss as large numbers of migratory birds are returning to the UK for the spring and summer months. As the largest remaining reed-bed reserve in the North West of England Leighton Moss provides the perfect habitat for hundreds of these returning birds. Many are already busy nest building and using various tactics to attract new mates! There is so much to see and hear around the reserve at this wonderful time of year.
The reserve is alive with the sound of birdsong from dawn to dusk. Want to learn or brush up on your identifying birdsong skills, keep a look out for our next ‘Birdsong for Beginners’ guided walk or ‘Meander On The Moss’ guided walk. Book early to secure your place as these events fill up fast.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/68130. Birdsong for Beginners Link
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/68152 Meander on the Moss Link
The trees are starting to show new green leaf buds and the daffodils and crocus’s are bringing the colour back into the gardens. Keep a look out in the mossy woodland areas along the paths for the magical Scarlet Elf Cups, there is a lovely patch of these on the path to Lilian’s hide.
Sand Martins are one of the earliest birds to return to the UK during late February and early March, they can be seen flitting across the pools and reed-beds, three have already been sighted this week from Grisedale Hide.
With the return of the recent warmer weather the insects are awakening and the first Comma (Butterfly) has been sighted along the Boardwalk as well as a few bumble bees buzzing around the Visitor Centre and Welcome Hut. The beautiful Brimstone Butterfly has also been seen this week.
Comma butterfly - Jarrod Sneyd
The Avocet numbers are slowly beginning to build up over at the Eric Morecambe and Allen Hides although with the high water levels on the Salt Marsh Pools the Avocets are often over on the floods at the back of the pool or on the muddy banks at the side of the pool so a pair of binoculars or a scope are recommended. The Black Tailed Godwits are returning in large numbers and we are getting regular reports of Merlin. The last WeBS count on the 26th February recorded six Avocets, two Barnacle Geese, 198 Pink Footed Geese, 244 Teal, 197 Wigeon, 510 Redshank, 107 Black Tailed Godwits, a Merlin and Marsh Harrier over at the Salt Marsh Hides.
Avocet - Jarrod Sneyd
On the Main Reserve we have had a pair of Lesser Scaup drop in on the Lower and Causeway Pools and a Green Winged Teal has been reported from Grisedale Hide and from the Boardwalk. A Cattle Egret also dropped in to the treetops at Island Mere this week.
Great Crested Grebes are returning to the reserve showing their wonderful courtship dance, these have been seen from Lilian’s Hide, Causeway and Lower Hide. The Marsh Harriers continue to pass food parcels in flight and are often seen flying low above the reed-bed carrying nesting materials. The Bitterns can be heard booming all over the reserve and we have had six individual males confirmed. The Bitterns have also been regularly sighted flying between nest sites.
The Ring Neck Duck is still showing well at Lilian’s Pool and the Cinnamon Teal/Shoveler is a regular visitor to the Tim Jackson pool.
Male and female Lesser Scaup - Jarrod Sneyd
Included on the recent WeBS Count we have large numbers of Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks across the reserve. We have also had sightings of a Little Grebe at Tim Jackson, Goldeneye’s at Lilian’s and Pintails at Grisedale. We have had two Lapwing at Tim Jackson this week as well as Great White Egret and Little Egret. We have four Grey Herons over at Island Mere. At Tim Jackson and Grisedale Hides it is always worth keeping a look out for the Red Deer hiding in the reeds.
Red deer - Jarrod Sneyd
There are lots of Nuthatch, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Coal Tits and many other garden birds all showing well at the feeders and in the wooded areas. Goldcrests are also around as well as Marsh Tits, Tree Creepers and our lovely little Robins. Keep a listen out too for the Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The Bearded Reedlings are showing most days and the Cetti’s Warblers can be heard all around the reserve with the occasional sighting reported. March should see the return of Chiffchaff’s and Swallows at the end of the month.
You might see some of our Wardens out and about on the reserve, the Warden Team and their volunteers do an amazing job maintaining the habitats for the wildlife as well as path and hide maintenance. The team are currently working hard in all weathers clearing shrubs on land owned by the RSPB over at Warton Crag. Some members of the team are carrying out vital survey work around the main reserve site, the water levels and water quality are checked regularly. The Wardens also arrange co-ordinated bird counts for individual species and individual birds to help monitor how many nesting birds we have around the reserve.
For our younger visitors aged 8 - 12 years old we have our monthly meetings for the ‘Wildlife Explorers’, these are on the second Saturday of every month - usually 10am - 12noon. The next meeting is on Saturday 9th March 10am - 12noon. The theme is Marvellous Minibeasts - A closer look at bugs and their home and refreshing the orchard bug hotel.
Don’t forget to bring your lottery tickets with you for NATIONAL LOTTERY OPEN WEEK for Free Entry.
March 9th to the 17th is when you can bring along your National Lottery ticket to show at the Welcome Desk and you will be entitled to FREE ENTRY to the reserve The full details and conditions are on our website, scroll down to the link ‘Discover Events at Leighton Moss’ to find them.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/60506
All paths on the reserve are now passable with good walking boots.
We look forward to seeing you very soon!