Our super volunteer Sue has been gathering all the recent sighting info from around the reserve and put together this blog for us
It’s been another fantastic fortnight here at RSPB Leighton Moss with daily reports of Bittern flights, Ospreys fishing and Marsh Harriers sky dancing. The warmer weather is bringing out the Dragonflies and Damselflies, Butterflies and other seasonal insects. With the increased number of these insects we have started to see the occasional Hobby passing through collecting lunch on the way. We are also starting to see Bird cherry flowering around the reserve along with Ribwort plantain, Sweet vernal-grass, Germander speedwell and Field wood-rush. Walking along the woodland paths and between the reed beds there is a symphony of bird song along with the fragrant aromas from the flowering plants and trees. The Sedge Warblers in particular have been singing very loudly down at the Lower Hide this week. Plenty of Orange Tips, Speckled Wood and Brimstones dancing in the hedgerows, a sure sign spring has finally arrived.
Field woodrush: Jarrod Sneyd
Why not come along and join us on one of our Guided Walks and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this amazing reed bed reserve.
Dusk Discoveries - wildlife walk Tuesday 28 May at 8:30-10:30pm
Experience the magic of Leighton Moss at dusk on this relaxing evening guided walk. Listen to the ‘dusk chorus’ and we will try and spot bats, deer and other special summer wildlife in the twilight! Suitable clothing should be worn.
Booking and payment in advance is essential.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/72508
Spring at Leighton Moss Guided Walk on Tuesday 4 June at 10am -12 noon. Let our expert guide take you on a gentle 2-hour walk on the reserve where you will find out all about the history and wildlife of Leighton Moss. These monthly walks will focus on the nature to be seen and heard in the current season and will give the participants a taste of the wonders of our wild wetlands.
Booking and payment in advance are essential.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/72506
Botany by the Bay on Friday 7 June 10am-12noon
Leighton Moss and the Silverdale area is a fantastic place to explore some of the UK’s most fascinating plants and flowers.
Join local expert botanist Richard Jefferson on this gentle walk and discover more about the wealth of plant life to be found on and around the nature reserve.
Botany on the Bay (rspb.org.uk)
We’ve had a number of Ospreys regularly dropping in for a feast and an after dinner siesta in the dead trees over on Island Mere (best viewed from Causeway and Lower hides), they have also been seen fishing in Lilian’s pool as well. As we are lucky enough to have been able to identify a number of these visitors by their Darvic (numbered and coloured) Rings we thought we would put in a little bit on the history of these visiting birds on their lives so far. Blue 416 is a male that hatched in the Lake District in 2020, he was one of three and returned to the area in 2022. Blue 416 was seen and photographed in July 2023 here at Leighton Moss. Blue 436 is a male that hatched in 2021 in Kielder and is named Embleton. Blue 478 is a male, hatched in 2021 in Cumbria, also previously photographed at Leighton Moss in 2023. Blue 9C is male and the eldest chick from the 2014 Glaslyn brood, he is also the father of female Blue 414 which hatched in the Lake District in 2020. There have been a few other unidentified birds on the reserve too. It’s exciting news that these birds are choosing to regularly return to the reserve each year and it’s a wonderful sight to see them fishing in the pool
Osprey: Jarrod Sneyd
The Wardens have been very busy out and about around the reserve and in the reed beds working on path and hide maintenance, strimming and tidying the path edges and undertaking various breeding surveys. The Wardens team also monitors the arrival of the Elvers (Juvenile Eels) into the Leighton Moss reed beds, Elvers are a fascinating fish and one that is critically endangered. These Eels are a vital part of the reserve ecosystem, they are the main food source for the Bitterns, Otters and Herons as well as other reed bed favourites. They are incredible, they begin life in the Sargasso Sea on the other side of the Atlantic and drift along on the Gulf Stream which brings them into Morecambe Bay and then onto the freshwater pools at RSPB Leighton Moss. They are microscopic when they embark on their journey and by the time they get to Leighton Moss they are around one to two inches long, they are known as Glass Eels at this point and are completely see-through. Some of them will make it through to adulthood and then migrate back across the Atlantic to spawn and start this incredible journey all over again.
Eels/Elvers: Laura Nunnerley
We are getting regular sightings of the ducklings and goslings out for new adventures, exploring their new world with their parents. Lapwings have been displaying at Grisedale and the Red Deer have been showing well at both Grisedale and Tim Jackson. Lesser Whitethroats have been reported on the path to the Eric Morecambe Hide and the path to Lower Hide.
We have also had a few reports of Tawny Owls on the woodland path to Lower Hide. On Thursday we were very excited to see a White Winged Black Tern on the Causeway pool, these birds are scarce visitors to Britain and Ireland, with only a handful of records every year between May and September. The Nuthatch eggs in our Visitor Centre nest box have hatched and we have three little chicks growing fast. Don’t forget to have a look on our live feed camera in the shop as you pass through onto the reserve.
White winged black tern: Jarrod Sneyd
Last weekend saw the return of a male Garganey, he seems to flit about from pool to pool so we are never quite sure where he is going to show up next. Keep a look out for him around the reserve and over on the Salt Marsh pools. At the Eric Morecambe and Allen Pools we’ve had a visit from a Curlew Sandpiper and a Spoonbill and there are large numbers of both Bar and Black Tailed Godwits all in breeding plumage. Recent counts have reported about 190 Common Gull, two male Ruff, two Little Ringed Plover, around 45 Avocets and at least 24 Avocet nests. Also over 100 Dunlin and Knot along with the usual large numbers of Black Headed Gulls.
Here is the latest report from our volunteer Dave from Teal Bay which is one of the areas we include in the fortnightly WeBS Count (Wetland Bird Survey).
At Teal Bay, an hour after high tide around 40 Carrion Crows pick food from beneath seaweeds or bathe in sea pools or the stream that drains the land. Dispersed between them are a dozen Lesser Black-backed Gulls which, along with Herring Gulls were seen picking loose vegetation from the salt marsh to carry off to nearby roof tops for nest building. About 200 Oystercatchers had been roosting on the seaward edge of the rocky breakwater. As the tide ebbs, half of them move onto the adjacent sand and mud to feed. 15 Eider swim in the sea in small groups close to shore. Another 3 are resting on the rocks. A Little Egret stands nearby preening itself.
On the landward side of Teal Bay, the small woodland is fully green as all trees are now in leaf. The wood breaks into an open, scrubby area where Hawthorns and Elder are displaying their creamy, white flowers. There is plenty of colour from Spring flowers on the ground. Although most of the previously abundant Dandelions are now in seed, there is plenty of yellow on show from Buttercups, Hawkweeds and Birdsfoot Trefoil. There are clusters of Daisies and Oxeye Daisies nearby. A small group of Bluebells add to the colour as do Dog Violets and Red Campion.
It appears that Elder are spreading along the coast as seen by the saplings (as well as Sycamore) becoming established between the rocks of the sea defences. On the verges of the rock defences and promenade thin soils form. Here Hedge Mustard grows quickly. Pink flowered Herb Robert, with its shallow roots can take hold. Closer inspection shows there to be two sizes of pink flower. The smaller ones belonging to the similar Shining Cranesbill. Both plants are members of the Geranium family. Their beak shaped seed pods reflect their family name which comes from the Greek word for Crane (as the bird with the long beak). Both plants are regarded as noxious, invasive weeds although Herb Robert in particular, has a history of culinary and medicinal uses. Why Robert? Nobody really knows. One theory is it that it is named after Saint Robert, an 11th century French monk who was said to have used the herb medicinally. Or maybe Robert is just a corruption of the Latin word for red (ruber).
Herb Robert - Dave Tregidgo
We have an family activity event coming up at RSPB Leighton Moss during half term later in May:
Nature Up Close Tuesday 28 May to Friday 31 May 10am-4pm Come and get a bigger eyeful of nature on this special event. Our microscopes will help you to discover some weird and wonderful sights up close, looking at bones, skin, feathers, mini-beasts and a host of other amazing things! No booking required, FREE to attend event (normal reserve admission costs apply)
We have our new monthly Family Trail out now ‘Chicks, Kits and Cubs’. Don’t forget to ask our Welcome Team for a sheet on arrival. Have fun with the family finding out interesting facts together about some of the species we have here on the reserve. For the tiny tots we have our Tots Tiles trail sheets to get them involved too. Self Led Pond Dipping Kits are also available from the Welcome Team for £3.50.
Our three Trampers are proving very popular for our visitors with mobility issues, make sure you give our Retail Team a call to check availability and book one in advance of your visit. There is no charge for the hire of these vehicles although any donations would be welcome.
We look forward to seeing you soon.