When it comes to birdwatching, mid-summer is often considered a rather quiet, if unpredictable, time. The breeding season has come to a close and our resident birds are taking something of a well-earned rest after the frantic and often fraught nesting period. Some of our migrants are already well on their way south - Cuckoos famously depart early leaving their offsprings' foster parents to raise the hungry chicks while Swifts will be Africa-bound imminently. As we say goodbye to these brief summer visitors, we also start to welcome the arrival of those birds that have bred further north and are also starting to head south. These will include waders, which will turn up in varying numbers through the next few weeks.
Among the first to appear are the failed breeders (their nests may have been predated or perhaps they didn't find a mate this spring) and in some species such as Green Sandpipers, adult females that have simply left the parenting duties to the males. These will in time be followed by successful breeders and juvenile birds. By August and September the numbers of birds and species arriving on our coasts and wetlands can change on a daily basis, as yet more birds stop off to feed up before continuing their often epic journeys or indeed settle to spend the winter months with us.
'Wader season' got off to a flying start here at Leighton Moss when a Long-billed Dowitcher dropped into the Eric Morecambe Pools for a three-day stay earlier in the week. Found on Sunday, this scarce vagrant put on a good show for many admiring visitors, often actively feeding right in front of the hide. Originating from North America and Eastern Siberia, these chunky waders turn up annually in the UK but this was the first to be seen on the reserve for 24 years! Remarkably, a bird that showed up in the autumn of 1998 was joined by a second dowitcher which then remained on the pools and surrounding area into spring 1999. Disappointed dowitcher twitchers on Wednesday had a minor consolation in the form of a dapper Wood Sandpiper among the godwits, Avocets, Greenshanks, Dunlins and Redshanks. Visitors to the Morecambe and Allen hides can hope for yet more surprises in the coming weeks - who knows what may yet turn up? Don't forget to let us know if you see something out of the ordinary, and please get pics if you can!
Elsewhere up to five Spoonbills remain on the site, though they have been spending most of their time out of view on Barrow Scout. Bitterns continue to be seen daily, as do Ospreys and Hobbies while Great Egrets are returning with at least three birds present. As we'd expect at this time, the numbers of Marsh Harriers are dwindling with just one pair of adults and a couple of young currently hanging on. This is typical in July, when the bulk of the adult harriers disperse, swiftly followed by the youngsters. Then, after a short period where we see very few or no harriers at all, they start to drift back in again as birds settle in for the winter ahead. This is a pretty recent phenomenon, as Marsh Harriers were formerly true summer migrants but now winter in the UK in considerable numbers.
On those (seemingly rare) days when the sun actually comes out, the sight of flitting butterflies and dashing dragonflies is a wonderful distraction as you meander along the reed-fringed pathways around the reserve. It's also a great time of year to see Red Deer with their calves - especially at Jackson and Grisedale hides, while Otters have been spotted at all times of day.
As ever, we will be hosting lots of events in the coming weeks, so do please check our events page if you fancy joining a guided walk or a family activity. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Jon