Things are certainly getting exciting here at Leighton Moss with spring in full swing and hints of summer on the horizon. Our Visitor Operations Manager, birder and ringer Kevin Kelly sums up the past week or so:
"With migration in full swing last week, the inclement weather had put a temporary stop on northward bound migrants. But a recent shift in the systems were just enough to let some power through. Last weekend was fantastic on the reserve, with a mix of avian and non-avian stars to wow the adoring audience of visitors.
Some true signs of summer were heralded last week by the influx of swifts to the reserve, and the weekend saw their numbers grow even further, with over 100 present in the early evening high above the pools. They were joined in their fantastic aerial displays by masses of sand martins and accompanied by smaller numbers of both swallows and house martins.
Some more summer beacons were evident, with an arrival of our first wood sandpipers of the year (pic by Mike Malpass). These fantastic spangled waders breed in small numbers in Northern Scotland, but most will be bound for Norway. Sites such as Leighton Moss are important fuelling stations on their perilous northbound flight and are always a welcome visitor. Three birds were reported in total, with 2 together on the floating weed at Causeway hide (6 May), and a single bird happily foraging on the far bank from Lilian’s’ hide present since the evening of 4 May, and still there until Saturday (11) at least.
Whilst most of a duck species have headed north to breed, good numbers of pochard are settling down to breed, along with gadwall and shovelers too. They have been joined by garganeys from West Africa, and a drake has been present on Causeway Pool intermittently since their arrival.
Many of our breeding birds are well under way, with fantastic views of nesting avocets on the Allen and Eric Morecambe pools amongst the hundreds of black-headed gulls. Over on the main site, marsh harriers are busy with four nests, so lots of exciting activity is being witnessed with food passing between the adults providing visitors with stunning views of this amazing aerial acrobatics.
Our bittern nest continues to draw expected excitement, with regular feeding flights from our female, coming and going, collecting food to feed the young in the nest towards the right of Lower Hide. Visitors waiting patiently for these views have been treated to otters playing on the pool, often favouring both Lower and Causeway pool. It has normally consisted of the female and her three young, but the dog otter was also spotted, so five otters out and about in one view!
Lots of rather cute fluff balls have started to appear, with goslings, ducklings and lapwing chicks all parading around in front of Lower Hide too.
Finally, to round off the sightings, whilst out listening to the cacophony of bird song from reed and sedge warblers, blackcaps and our first garden warblers of the year, two hawfinches were spotted beyond Lower Hide in the tops of the trees. These fantastic brutes are quite an elusive species. They have an almost metallic bill, huge in size and well equipped to crush cherry stones and the like. (Pic by Andy Hay copyright rspb-images.com)
As the week came to a close a shift in the wind direction brought some expected black terns to the reserve with up to six present on Friday and one still on Causeway on Saturday (11). If we get more of this weather coming across from the continent we might get lucky with something a little scarcer... white-winged black tern, anyone?
If you fancy joining us for a wonderful evening walk here at Leighton Moss there are just a handful of places left on the second of our Dusk Discoveries walks - next Saturday, May 18. Advance booking is essential, for details click here