I can't believe how fantastic the weather is at the moment - just in time for half-term. Why not bring your family along to have a go at our Giving Nature a Home self-led trail as well as lots of other exciting activities in The Holt. We've got plenty of wonderful wildlife for you to come and see too....
Up to two barn owls have been spotted from our new boardwalk. This fantastic new trail was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and allows visitors to explore the edge of the reedbed, listening and looking for the secretive wildlife that calls the reserve home.
Barn owl by Martin Kuchczynski
Visitors enjoying the new boardwalk by David Mower
The pools are packed full of ducks at the moment. They come here from their breeding grounds in Northern Europe to spend the colder winter months here. If you head down to Tim Jackson and Grisedale hides, you're bound to spot large numbers of teals, wigeons and shovelers, and over at Causeway hide, there are tufted ducks aplenty. When you're at Causeway and Lower hides, keep an eye out for some of our most popular residents - the otters, which have been popping up regularly there. As you stroll around the reedbed, look out for one of our most iconic birds - the marsh harrier too! There are three around at the moment and they never fail to impress as they glide low over the reeds looking for their next meal.
A handsome wigeon by David Mower
Why not head to the top of the Skytower, our phenomenal 9 metre, elevated viewing platform which gives you stunning views over Leighton Moss, the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and out over picturesque Morecambe Bay. From there you can get a bird's-eye view of the reserve - you may spot a red deer munching on an iris, or a Cetti's warbler flitting around in the reeds.
If you head down to the saltmarsh, be sure to keep your eyes peeled on the path down there. A hawfinch was seen on Friday, which we don't spot here often at all! Lots of siskins, linnets and reed buntings are also taking advantage of the seed we've been scattering there too. At the Allen and Eric Morecambe hides, our most colourful resident, the kingfisher has been delighting visitors over the past few days. There is often one perching on the posts outside the hides, before it dives into the water to catch a tasty treat. You'll also see pintails, redshanks, large flocks of lapwings and possibly a couple of red-breasted mergansers there too.
Kingfisher by Richard Cousens
After you have explored outside, pop back to our café for a warming bowl of soup and a choice of delicious cakes, washed down with our bird-friendly coffee or selection of fair trade teas. With more sunny weather forecast, we hope to see you soon!