Happy New Year from all of us at Leighton Moss; we hope you had a fabulous time celebrating over the festive season. Our Robin Robin trail is still running until the 10 January, so if you’re after elongating the holidays then why not head down with your little ones this weekend for the last of the Christmas cheer?
The New Year is the prime time to get excited about birding again. If, like us, you’re itching to get out and tick some birds off your 2022 list, then a visit to Leighton Moss is sure to get you off to a flying start!
Why not pick up your own Leighton Moss 2022 tick list? We have created a checklist leaflet of all bird species that have been recorded at the reserve and around our managed areas of Morecambe Bay. Perfect for keen birders and nature newbies alike, the leaflet contains a handy key, featuring information on their scarcity, and whether they’re resident or migrant visitors. Available from the welcome desk for a small donation (we suggest £1 but please feel free to give more!), keep hold of this 2022 list and use it throughout the year - there may even be a prize at the end for those with the largest list! Rarities must be verified by a member of staff, volunteer or through photographic evidence.
When scanning the meres and pools for wildfowl, keep an eagle eye out for snipe (pic by Jarrod Sneyd). We have a huge population probing the ground at the edges of the reeds and on the islands, but there’s a slightly more unusual spot to be had amongst these wonderful waders. We have had a recent sighting of a jack snipe this week: it’s smaller, stockier build and much shorter bill make it distinguishable from its common cousin, however it’s bobbing dance when feeding is probably the most obvious determining factor at a distance. Head down to Lower Hide for your best chance of getting this tick, but make sure to wear waterproof boots as this path is a little damp in areas.
With the recent unseasonable sunshine and mild weather, we are still hearing reports of bearded tits visiting the grit trays in the mornings. It’s unusual for them to be so visible so late on in the season, so do keep your ear out for their pinging call as you walk to the trays. Reed bunting and Cetti’s warbler are keeping the reedbed alive with song throughout the wintery months, often accompanied by the symphonic squeal of a water rail.
Wildfowl numbers are still high, with an abundance of sightings of shoveler, gadwall, teal, tufted duck (and the infamous shoveler x cinnamon teal hybrid.) Large gaggles of geese are gathering in surrounding fields so keep looking up for skeins of pink-footed geese when you hear honking overhead.
Marsh harriers can be seen most days, cruising above the reedbeds, but they’re not the only raptor you might be able to tick off your list whilst at Leighton Moss. Merlin, sparrowhawk and peregrine falcon have been reported since the beginning of the month. Barn owls are regularly being seen at dusk, swooping opportunely to catch smaller birds coming into roost.
Whilst bearded tits are often the draw for many of our visitors, don’t forget to look out for our resident marsh tits (pic by Mike Malpass). They’re often in the more wooded areas of the reserve but can regularly be seen visiting our feeders. Take some time in our hideout area to check off the variety of species that come to feast on sunflower seeds and peanuts that we provide! If you’d like to learn more about the variety of bird feed that we sell, and the species that like to snack on it, then why not book on to our Beginner’s Workshop ahead of Big Garden Birdwatch?
Finally, the Silverdale starling roost is still settling at a satellite reedbed, away from the main reserve. However, much like previous weeks, they are still passing by the Skytower in big numbers at dusk – a spectacle worth visiting for. Please do stay tuned on our social media for frequent updates on their whereabouts; if previous years are anything to go by then their return to the reserve should be imminent. Ask at the welcome desk on your arrival for updates on the night previous.
Otherwise, we hope your 2022 is a fantastic one – may it bring about a bounty of bird species to tick off your lists – and don’t forget to pick up your Leighton list from our welcome desk!
Beth