Summer at Leighton Moss sees the golden reedbed sea turn to green as the young reeds shoot up. Wetlands like Leighton Moss are some of our most precious environments and are home to many creatures that you won’t find in your back garden...
The marsh harriers really are the royalty of the reedbed, these regal residents have been putting on quite a show in the past few months. You might already know that there are three females nesting at Leighton Moss, each bringing up its own brood of chicks.
In the past weeks we have watched as young marsh harriers from the first nest began to fledge, venturing out from their home in the reeds, testing out their wings and receiving food from their parents in mid-flight food passes. The Causeway and Lower Hides have had wonderful views of the marsh harriers teaching their young how to fly and catch food.
A marsh harrier juvenile by Mike Malpass
Any day now we are expecting to see juveniles taking to the wing from nest two and beginning to explore their home at Leighton Moss.
You might have heard that last week our wardening team were successful in attaching a nest camera to our third nest. You can see the live stream on our website. The camera has given us a unique insight into the secret life of the marsh harriers. It has been fascinating to watch how the family interact and watch on as the female brings in food to feed her chicks. We’ve seen coot chicks, voles, unidentified ducklings and small mammals all fed with love and tenderness to the two chicks.
Marsh harrier chicks from a couple of years ago - Alisdair Grubb
As well as being vital sustenance for our fast growing harriers, the number of young chicks on the reserve has made it a magical place to come see wildlife. Earlier today there were ten tufted duck chicks seen from the Grizedale Hide, and water rail chicks have been spotted along the pathways.
The warm weather has bought with it an influx of dragonflies, as you’re walking through the reeds look out for the electric blue and green emperor, the sunset red common darter, 4 spotted chasers and the beautifully blue and amber broad bodied chasers.
A stunning broad bodied chaser by Dave Middleman
The afternoons at Leighton Moss have been a fantastic time to do a little bit of otter spotting. If you’re in the Causeway or the Lower Hide keep you eyes peeled for these charismatic creatures. There have also been daily sightings of ospreys, with lucky visitors even catching fabulous views of them fishing over the pools here. As you look across the water if you see the ducks scatter and take the sky then this a sign that an otter, osprey or maybe one of the marsh harriers is about.
The flock of black-tailed godwits is growing in numbers, now there are over 100 using the main reserve and the salt marsh. From the Allen and Eric Morecambe Hides you are likely to see flocks of redshanks and hear the enigmatic peeping of the oystercatchers. You might even see their ‘piping display’ where they bow, with their bills facing downwards and create a loud and unmistakable piping chatter.
Oodles of oystercatchers by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
The visitor centre is open from 9.30 am-5 pm, but we don’t shut the reserve, so make the most of these long summer sites and come see something a little bit wild at Leighton Moss.