It’s been a scorching start to June, and there have been some sizzling sightings to match. Since our previous blog was posted, visitors in Grisedale Hide were treated to stellar views of a Squacco Heron (Wednesday 24 May)! Squacco Herons are a real rarity in these parts, with the last bird recorded in Lancashire 93 years ago, and only the second ever in the county. Visitor, Jeanie Lazenby, shared her photo and encounter on Facebook. “It was flying right to left across from Grisedale Hide, towards the big tree where the cormorants usually perch/roost. The crows saw it off when it tried to land, then it veered towards the hide and came right over us.” What an encounter – thanks for sharing, Jeanie! Unfortunately, this bird hasn’t been since in the area since. Squacco Herons usually breed in Southern Europe and the Greater Middle East and are a rare summer overshoot in the UK. Perhaps they will become a more regular summer sightings as we experience an increasingly warming climate?
Now, from one elusive heron to another – the adult Bitterns seem to have many young mouths to feed, as they are frequently being seen across the reserve on long feeding flights. The wardens are currently monitoring these birds with watchful eyes, in the process of establishing the breeding successes. Currently, Grisedale Hide is proving to be a popular spot for photographers aiming to get snaps of these otherwise elusive birds, as the hide looks out over a popular flight path as the Bitterns are on the look out for perch. However, at this time of year, juveniles can also be seen sunning themselves on the reeds on the pool edges, so make sure to spend plenty of time scanning when you settle in the hide.
Over the past week, we have had sightings of a firm visitor favourite down on the saltmarsh – the Spoonbill. While these birds should be easy to distinguish by their unusual bill, often their beak is submerged in water; their unique feeding habit sees them swinging their head side to side so do keep a look out. On May 29, two birds were seen feeding together on the Eric Morecambe pool and far flood.
Ospreys are also being seen regularly fishing on the reserve; sightings have increased as parents are beginning to provision for their newly hatched chicks. Across the reserve, we are seeing a variety of broods of youngsters – Pochard ducklings have been seen from Lilian’s and Causeway, Great Crested Grebe chicks are cruising around the pools on their parents backs, and Oystercatcher chicks have been seen on the Sand Martin box. The increase of Avocet chicks this year has been exciting for our team; retaining higher water levels early on in the Spring to reduced predation pressure may well be having a positive impact, as over forty Avocet chicks can be seen on the saltmarsh pools at the moment – many have reached later stages of development, making them less vulnerable. (Avocet Chick by Jarrod Sneyd)
This week, 1 – 7 June is Volunteers Week. This is the time to celebrate all of the hard work of our volunteers, without whom our work at RSPB Leighton Moss, and in the wider organisation would be impossible. The Leighton Moss volunteer team is made up of roughly 150 individuals, all in a variety of different roles, from Warden Work Parties, to Café and Retail Assistants, to welcoming you on to the reserve and pointing out wildlife. We hope you will join us in saying a big thank you to our hard-working team, who help to enhance your experience here at Leighton Moss. And if you’re interested in joining the team, then make sure to check out our website for more information on the wide array of roles available to apply for!
We hope to see you soon
Beth