It’s been a week of glorious sunshine here in sunny Silverdale, and the wildlife has performing! Visitors have been leaving the reserve with a full complement of sightings – Bitterns, Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers, Otters, Avocets and Ospreys are just some of the species on their Leighton list. As Bitterns are becoming more territorial and are in the throes of courtship, they’re being sighted in flight more regularly by our visitors. The action has been particularly visible from the Lilian's Hide and Grisedale Hide over recent days, with two birds being seen cruising over the reeds at once on some days.
Our site team are busy surveying at the moment, and along with the excitement of a confirmed six booming male Bitterns on site, it’s thought that four nests have been built by Marsh Harriers. Last week, we mentioned that Bearded Tits have been seen frequently over the past few weeks, as they’re back and forth to their nest sites – and this continues to be the case. The Warden Team have been out surveying them over the past few days, and Laura, our Assistant Warden managed to get a fantastic view of a Water Shrew while she was in position!
Excitingly, we have had the arrival of the first Swifts back from Africa on Friday 21 April, scything over the Skytower (Photo by Chris Gomersall). Over the next few weeks, we will see numbers building as they refuel after their mammoth migration. They’ll feast on invertebrates over the pools on the reserve before they head on to their breeding sites for their fleeting, three-month stay in the UK. Also visible from the Skytower was a fleeting glimpse of a Green Sandpiper on Saturday 22 April, passing through on migration - these waders breed in tundra further North.
Down on the saltmarsh, numbers of Black-tailed Godwit are at c2600, with the occasional Bar-tailed Godwit scattered in on passage. Two pairs of Mediterranean Gulls have regularly been seen down in front of the Allen Hide, with the occasional sightings of them on Lilian’s Hide with the Black-headed Gulls. From the Allen Hide, 35 Avocets have been visible intermittently, along with small numbers of Knot. Along the path to the hides, Grasshopper Warblers have been heard singing, and the first Sedge Warbler was reported on Monday 17 April. Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler can be heard singing in the wooded areas of the reserve. If you’re looking to improve your knowledge on birdsong, then why not join us on our International Dawn Chorus Day guided walk? Set your alarm early and come and listen to the Spring symphony at Leighton Moss with our expert guides.
We hope to see you soon!
Beth