Our super volunteers Sue and Ann are back with the recent sightings blog, with additional info from another of our great volunteers, Dave.
Wow, we have had an amazing two weeks leading up to the early Spring Bank Holiday here at RSPB Leighton Moss. Osprey sightings are being reported every day from Causeway, Lower and Lilian’s Hide’s. Pied Flycatchers have been seen on the woodland paths and the Hirundine (Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow and Swift) numbers continue to increase with the arrival of the Swifts and House Martin’s over the last two weeks. Swifts are amazing birds, they sleep, eat, bathe and even mate on the wing (while flying). Swifts rarely touch the ground. They are also the fastest birds in level flight with an impressive speed of 69mph. Swifts spend the winter in Africa migrating 3,400 miles twice a year stopping off to refuel in places like France and Portugal before spending the summer in the UK.
Swift: Jarrod Sneyd
Most of the migrating wildfowl have moved on now such as Teal, Goldeneye and Wigeon, there are a few Pochard still on the reserve that will stay and breed on site. We have a pair of Great Crested Grebes on the Causeway/Lower pools and a pair on Lilian’s that have built their nest just to left outside the hide. The WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) team have been busy collecting information on breeding wildfowl pairs. Our Bitterns are very active with lots of flights between nest sites across the reserve. The wardens are currently undertaking a Bittern Survey, the information gathered helps to establish how many breeding pairs we have on the reserve and also provides information for the UK, WeBS and BTO Statistics. This involves the wardens and volunteers sitting in various locations across the reserve for approximately six hours mapping flight paths and nest sites.
Great Crested Grebe: Jarrod Sneyd
We are often asked about the Bearded Tits, these lovely little birds are resident all year round and currently have enough food source of insects and invertebrates within the reed beds so they don’t need to come out to the grit trays. We do still have sightings reported, they are just not as active at this time of year outside of the reed beds. If you hear them as you are walking around the reserve keep an eye on the reed beds close to the path and you might be lucky to spot one.
If you are thinking of investing in some new Binoculars or s Spotting Scope why not come along to our Binocular and Telescopes Open Weekend Saturday 4 - Monday 6 May 11am - 4pm
You can try out a wide variety of the optics we offer and get hands-on advice from our friendly, impartial team.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/72040?
This is such a wonderful time of year here at Leighton Moss with lots of new life across the reserve, Mallard Ducklings, Greylag Goslings and Coot chicks. Our Nuthatches that are nesting in the nest box outside the Visitor Centre are now sitting on eggs. Don’t forget to check out the live camera feed in the shop as you pass through onto the reserve. There is so much to look out for as you walk around the reserve, we now have eight different Warblers on site, Cetti’s, Chiff Chaff, Willow, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper. keep a look out and listen on the woodland paths. Two Barn Owls were spotted together along the edge of the reed bed close to the Little Barn field. A Long Eared Owl was reported along the Causeway last Friday afternoon and a Tawny Owl was spotted in the woods just past the Rainbow Gate.
Woodcock have been heard roding several times along Lower path and over Causeway. Roding is the name given to the display and call of breeding Woodcock. These displays are given at dusk and involve the birds flying in straight lines above their territories while emitting a grunting call. The Green Woodpecker is also still showing daily in the field next to the Visitor Centre and a Hobby was seen from Lilian’s on Monday.
Our Marsh Harriers are very busy nest building and hunting across the reserve with good sightings every day. A female Marsh Harrier with an orange tag has been seen over the last week and was identified by a visitor from the tag. Interestingly KH was ringed and tagged near Thorpe Haddiscoe in Norfolk on 1 June 2023 and was one of three in the brood. She was sexed as a female, and her two siblings were a male and a female. It seems she is a well travelled bird, being seen at RSPB Blackcroft Sands on the 22 October 2023, Far Ings reserve on the 3 November 2023, Aldborough Flats on the 19 March 2024 and Cley NWT reserve on 5 April 2024. Her brother was seen around Wiltshire between October and December 2023. As of now no sign of her sister.
The Spring flowers are showing well on the woodland paths and in the garden areas such as Marsh Marigold, Early Purple Orchid, Wild Garlic and Blackthorn. Butterflies emerging in the warmer weather are Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Orange Tip. A few Large Red Damselfly’s have also been seen in the last week.
Early purple orchid: Jarrod Sneyd
Otter sightings are reported most days, usually from Causeway or Lower Hides. The Red Deer are showing well from Tim Jackson hide.
Otter: Jarrod Sneyd
Of course, though Leighton Moss has all our reedbed specialists, the reserve has a much wider influence – so don’t forget that we are called Leighton Moss AND Morecambe Bay. The RSPB landholding is quite extensive and includes intertidal areas. There are also areas that we don’t own but influence through having, for example, grazing rights. Of course, most of our visitors will recognise part of our Morecambe Bay holding which includes the Inner Marsh at Carnforth Marsh – commonly referred to by the names of the pools – the Allen and Eric Morecambe pools. So, a little bit about the Inner Marsh and the pools….
Skylarks and Meadow Pipit were seen on the salt marsh last week. We have had reports of a Spotted Redshank on the Eric Morecambe Pool, along with a Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and a Spoonbill. Two Mediterranean Gulls have also been reported. We have our first two Avocet nests of the year on the Eric Morecambe pool and the Black-tailed Godwits are looking lovely in breeding plumage.
Spotted Redshank: Ann Stupple
This week we would also like to take you on a wider journey – beyond Leighton Moss and even beyond our own holding at Morecambe Bay. Remember that wildlife doesn’t recognise boundaries and that the fauna of this amazing area moves around and while the plants are clearly far less mobile, their distribution will vary. Take Heysham area for example. The Lancashire Wildlife Trust manage and protect Heysham Nature Reserve for EDF and Heysham Moss, while National Trust has responsibility for other parts of the coast. We need to be working collaboratively and not only with the voluntary bodies but with the statutory conservation body, Natural England, and with private landowners. Also, in this mix that we recognise that the coastline brings benefits to wildlife and to people – and that people will have interests other than nature.
In the wider Morecambe Bay Area we have had reports of a Stork seen flying over Warton Mires and three Common Cranes passing through. Whimbrel , Ringed Plover, Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver and large flocks of Eider have been seen. Arctic and Great Skua , Kittiwake, Common, Sandwich, Arctic and Little Tern are all migrating through. Where the sandy beach is giving way to the salt marsh, the little white flowers scurvy-grass are easy to spot. Its common name is a reminder that its ascorbic acid (vitamin C) rich leaves were once used by sailors as a cure for scurvy. Other plants include Sea Beet, Groundsel, Herb Robert and stunted Bittercress, as well as stunted Cow Parsley. In the spaces between the large rock sea defences, two ferns, Common Polypody and Maidenhair spleenwort find a shady niche. Nearby a poisonous Hemlock Water Dropwort grows between the rocks. Larger woody species, Elder and Buddleia, have been able to get established nearby.
Over at Red Nab (Heysham) our volunteer Dave has reported back on the sea birds as well as the flora and fauna of the area. In addition to the usual suspects a single Sanderling on the sea wall, 12 Cormorants roosting and drying their wings on the old pier which has been taken over by c.100 Turnstones, as well as flocks of Dunlin, Knot and 200 Swallow. The hedgerows on approach to Red Nab are showing glorious colours that were not present just a few weeks ago. Dandelions mingle with Greater Stitchwort and Daisies. They are joined with regular patches of Bluebell, Lesser Celandine and Cow Parsley. Garlic Mustard (Jack-by-the-Hedge) is frequently seen. Both names refer to the garlic smell obtained by crushing its leaves. ‘Jack’ is an old English name for the devil whose breath was said to smell of garlic. The leaves are quite good to eat, however. Cuckooflower shows up in damper spots. Closely related (though not in appearance) is Bittercress. This little plant takes hold in small depressions and cracks everywhere including the promenade and sea wall above Red Nab. Here also are Sea Beet and Dandelions. The wrinkly leaves of Mayweed are showing here. In a few weeks it will produce daisy-like flowers that will be seen for most of the rest of the year. Mayweed is closely related to the chamomile that gives us the healthy drink. Woody hedge plants are flowering too. Gorse, Rowan and one or two early flowering individuals of wild rose and Hawthorn are in evidence.
Fancy a guided walk around the reserve, book onto our Spring Walk as follows: Spring at Leighton Moss Guided Walk Friday 17 May 10-am-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 participants a taste of the wonders of our wild wetlands. Booking is essential to ensure your place.
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/72505
Don’t forget our Wildlife Explorers Dawn Chorus walk on the reserve Saturday 11 May 6:30-8:30am. Wildlife Explorers is an RSPB Group for people aged 8 - 12 years.
Family Trails, Tots Tiles and Pond Dipping Kits can be collected from our friendly Welcome Team on arrival if required.
Binocular Hire also available from our Retail Team in the shop.
We now have three Trampers available for hire, please give the shop a call to book ahead of your visit to ensure availability. There is no charge for the hire of these vehicles although any donations would be welcome.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.