Return to leighton moss after 10 year absence !!

Hello everyone I'm a new member to the forum and I'm planning to return to Leighton moss after an absence of 10 years, although I've been a keen bird and wildlife watcher all my life it's been a while since I visited. I'm looking forward to it very much and would appreciate any hints or tips as to where I can observe and maybe photograph bird life within the reserve. Thanks to all.
Paul
  • Hi, Paul, and welcome to the forums.

    Click on the link for a pdf map below of Leighton Moss

    I think any hide will be showing something at this time of the year, I myself like Public hide, and don’t forget the Allen hide and the Eric Morecambe hide on the salt marsh for the waders and anything else that shows up.

     Jim

    Jim

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  • Hi Paul, Hope you enjoy your visit to Leighton Moss. Otters can show up pretty much anywhere and its a bit pot luck however Lower Hide and Public hide are favourites to try. Grizedale and Tim Jackson Hides best for red deer which are showing well at the moment. Egrets roost in a dead tree opposite Lower Hide but tend to feed during the day around Tim Jackson and Grizedale Hides. Marsh Harriers can be anywhere seen quartering the reed beds all over. I think there are about 4 stayed over-the rest headed south to warmer climates. You may be lucky for kingfishers around the small bridge just beyond the Public Hide on the causeway or down at the Eric Morecambe and Allen hides on the salt marshes (off the main reserve site) Plenty of waders down there- redshanks, greenshanks, egrets etc. Cormorants often perch on posts opposite the Lower Hide but roost in a tree over night opposite the Grizedale Hide. They are seen leaving early morning and arriving at dusk. The murmeration of starlings best from Grizedale, Lilians and Tim Jackson or better still simply outside. Up until recetly they have been going down off main reserve towards the Eric Morecambe but last few days have been opposite the Lilians and Gizedale. There's loads more and from people far more knowledgeable than me but hope this helps. Have a great visit. Paul

    Paul Liley

  • I can't really add to that last wonderfully comprehensive response but all I can say is that we take our campervan all around the country, visiting RSPB reserves as we go, and you will rarely find a reserve with such an amazing diversity of wildlife.  They all have their specialities but, in our humble opinion, there is nowhere to match Leighton Moss!  ENJOY!

  • Just like to thank you all for your responses, very much appreciated and I have took everything on board, roll on the weekend!!!

    I will post a report on my day on Monday. Once again thanks to all.

    Paul
  • Thanks for the info Jim

    Paul
  • No problem, Paul, there might be a little sun Saturday and Sunday, might call up myself, the bridge leading to the salt marsh might be open with it being the weekend, I think it might be rail network or something like that working on the bridge and I don’t think it will be finished till the end of the month so the track can be closed sometimes, I never bothered going down but in summer its very nice and good for taking pictures of the wee birds nesting in the reads, have a look at some pictures I took this year you will have to go to the bottom of the page to see them :(
    Jim

    Jim

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