As you may have guessed, high tides and lots of rain have resulted in some flooding around the reserve in recent days.
By Tuesday the wet footpaths had become submerged and wellies were need to get to most of the hides. As of today (Wednesday), despite the glorious sunshine, it was still wellies-only-access to much of the site. With more rain forecast it looks likely that this situation will remain the same for several days... so, if you are planning a visit to Leighton Moss in the very near future please ensure that you are well-equipped - rubber boots are an absolute must!
On the plus side, the bearded tits have been showing well at the grit trays, as predicted. Check with staff and volunteers at the visitor centre for the latest information on where to go to be in with a chance of seeing these fabulous reedbed residents.
Other highlights include up to three marsh harriers, a whopping eight great white egrets and an increase in the number of ducks, particularly shoveler and teal. Meanwhile overhead, skeins of south-bound pink-footed geese can be seen and heard most days.
Another new arrival is our new residential volunteer Charlotte who has joined us as Visitor Experience intern. Here, she introduces herself:
Hey everyone! I’m the new visitor experience intern Charlotte, and I’ll be here for the next 6 months. I’ve arrived as part of a placement year at university studying Bsc Wildlife Conservation at Nottingham Trent, so you can probably guess what drew me to RSPB Leighton Moss. This reserve has so many wonderful and important species that need to be protected, but also supported by the public be that through memberships, donations or volunteering.
I myself have chosen to help wildlife through gaining public support here as it is you that will bring change overall. One thing I feel like I have learned so far throughout my degree is that people are what cause change, be that through legislation, or in recent years, a mass of public support through places like social media. I feel like this role which focuses on the public is so important. I hope to help everyone have the best visit possible, and in turn, you help the reserve through donations and support. Win win right? I will be around the visitor centre so feel free to say hi when I’m about, I’ll also be on here posting about events, recent sightings and any news that pops up.
I’ve arrived at a very wet period! Due to all the heavy rain wellies have been needed to walk around most of the reserve, though during the time I’ve walked around I’ve noticed there have been quite a few dragonflies still flying about. One exciting species I was lucky to see is the bearded tits, I hear about people visiting Leighton Moss for years and I’m lucky enough to see a group on my first day. Hopefully this is a good omen for my time here. Other than that, sightings have been quite light as the waders have more water to cover. Though as the excess water drains away, the waders will return to their regular scheduled programming, along with the weather hopefully.
Don’t let the weather put you off visiting the reserve though, as you might also catch the bearded tits on the gravel tray on the Grisedale trail or the Causeway, and you can also pop in and have a cuppa while you dry off.
That’s it for now. I hope to see you around during my 6 month stay here.
I hope that many of you will bump into Charlotte at some point and make her feel most welcome!