Sometimes, just sometimes, wildlife it seems can be predicted!
At the end of the last blog post I included some wildlife highlights to look out for in the coming week. And for once the wildlife obliged!
Firstly a stoat was spotted bounding down the path to lower hide, scurrying around with their slinky bodies in search of a meal. Slightly larger than their close relative the weasel they are best identified by the black tip to the tail of the stoat, which is lacking on the weasel. Other predictions mentioned came from our feathered friends, the arrival of two garganeys at Grisedale hide was a welcome sight. The drake is a stunning duck with beautiful colouration and a very prominent white stripe above the eye, (click on the name to find out more). They make a fantastic journey like a lot of our spring migrants, arriving from Africa to breed in the UK. Another returning migrant that was somewhat predictable for this time of year was garden warlebrs, a rather plain looking warbler with a beautiful flutey song. Their song is incredibly similar to their cousin blackcaps which we have also had around in increased numbers. One was seen down the path to lower but also outside Grisedale hide in the trees by the ditch.
Another predicted bird (admittedly I was about 3/4 months late with this one) was a green winged teal. This American vagrant has been spotted on and off mainly from the Tim Jackson and Grisedale hides, they can be incredibly elusive as they drift in and out of the channels of water. They are remarkably similar to our usual Eurasian teal, except that the standard horizontal white stripe on the side is actually vertical on the green winged teal at the breast side.
The sunshine brought a mini outburst of butterflies with brimstones, peacocks and small tortoiseshell all visible throughout the reserve. Bumble bees zip around the emerging flowers, and the foliage is staring to look a little greener and more like it should in spring.
The sights and sounds of spring at Leighton Moss are starting to get into full swing, the sound of reed warblers and sedge warblers seems to explode from every suitable spot. And along the trails of wooded areas the sound of chiffchaffs and willow warblers brightens any day! Other migrants reported have been wood warblers by the feeding station and one previously down the path to lower hide a few days ago.
Our marsh harriers have been very active, nest building and even the remarkable spectacle of a food pass witnessed on a few occasions. This is a real treat to witness, the male bird will call and fly above the nest site, the female responds by flying up from the nest and spinning upside down to catch the food the male drops down to her! Another superb bird of prey that frequently visits has been ospreys, they regularly use the pools at Public and Lilian's to catch fish before carrying it off high and dodging the attacking gulls on route.
Tim Jackson hide has been a very good location for red deer, if you scan the reed edges they are usually lazing around at the back, and often wander out into clear view.
Down on the salt-marsh a lot of sightings have replicated what was on the previous post, with avocets still doing well in fantastic numbers. Joining these iconic birds has been a curlew sandpiper, mainly viewed from Eric Morecambe hide consorting with redshanks. A couple of almost full summer plumaged spotted redshanks have been around too, check out their colour by clicking on their name.
So what are this weeks predictions to come and look out for?
Well depending on what the wind decides to do will determine how quickly or how many birds are able to migrate.
There should be an increase in swifts sightings with bigger numbers certainly due around now. A lot of the flowers along the trails should start to reveal their colours a lot more too.
And for some rather ambitious predictions not out of the realms of possibility and to look out for in your local area too, are migrants such as wrynecks and more into the next couple of weeks red backed shrikes.
The latter two predictions are less likely around the reserve but you never know!! But make sure you are outside in your local area at this fantastic time of year, and of course come and enjoy the wildlife here at Leighton Moss!