There can be few sights more uplifting than the first glimpse of the year of that distinctive scythe-like master of the air, the swift. We all rejoice when the swallows return of course, but there’s something really powerful about those dark, dashing alien birds who are almost as detached from our world as it’s possible for a bird to be. During the last week ones and twos have appeared on the reserve, usually just ahead of a menacing grey cloud and an attendant downpour. But now multiple swifts can be seen daily, particularly in the late afternoon when they swoop over the reed beds and meres alongside sand martins, swallows and house martins. For me they are the true symbol of summer and hearing their screams as they pursue one another over our urban landscapes is a thrill I will never tire of.
Swift by Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
The slow spring has been the subject of many conversations in recent weeks and as the weather shows little sign of improvement who knows how nature will respond?
So far migratory birds, or more precisely the lack of them, seem to be the obvious indication that all is not as it might be. Numbers of many common summer visitors appear to be lower than we’d expect at the end of April. Perhaps many have headed straight to the breeding areas rather than make landfall en route, while others are still biding their time and will arrive as soon as conditions improve.
Despite these setbacks, the reed beds are still reverberating with the sound of reed and sedge warblers and those master-blaster Cetti’s warblers are doing a fine job of revealing their whereabouts with their explosive song. Although more often heard than seen, a little patience will often reward the watcher with great views of these skulking scarcities.
Cetti's warbler by Mike Malpass
While on the subject of noisy birds, it would be rude to move on without mention of our fine booming bittern. His voice has become otherworldly in the last week or two and his boom is now positively spectacular and can be heard across the entire reserve when he’s in full flow. We saw some great photos of a bittern in flight this week, taken from Grisedale Hide late one afternoon.
Rather unexpected was the arrival a drake scaup this week. Not a common sight at Leighton Moss, this handsome duck dropped in at Causeway Pool where it dived alongside tufted ducks giving visitors a great opportunity to compare the two monochromatic wildfowl side by side.
Ospreys can be expected daily at the moment with birds fishing primarily at Causeway and Lower, with occasional trips to Lillian’s Pool. Otters too have been seen regularly, again at the northern end of the reserve.
Out on the Eric Morecambe and Allen Pools several avocet pairs are now nesting while large numbers of black-tailed godwit can still be seen. They were joined by a flock of bar-tailed godwit in the week, quite unusual here. Many of the 500 or so knot there are now moulting into their smart breeding plumage too so a visit to these hides is well worthwhile at the moment.
Black-tailed godwits by Paul Brady
And we have some good news for those visitors with limited mobility. As you may know, we have a Tramper that is free to use (pre-booking advised) but we have always had to restrict the routes available for safety reasons.
One of the new passing places along the Causeway
Previously, Tramper users could not take the vehicle down the Causeway due to reserve wardens and farm traffic occasionally traveling along this public route. We have now added a number of passing places to the Causeway allowing access to the hide and along the length of the track. We hope that this will add to the experience for a greater number of people and we welcome feedback on this or any issue regarding access.
Jon Carter, Visitor Experience Manager