It's been a funny old couple of weeks weather-wise - we've had periods of dark days with lots of rain, and consequent path-flooding in parts, and we've seen glorious bright, calm days when the reedbeds glow an autumn gold. Thankfully the water levels have dropped a fair bit now and so the majority of the site is accessible without the need for wellies. At the time of writing, the path to Lower Hide is still submerged…

We’re delighted to be partnering with Netflix and Aardman on Robin Robin, a half-hour, stop-motion, festive story for the whole family, about a young robin trying to fit in. It’s debuting on Netflix on 24 November – get the date in your diary! To celebrate, we’re inviting you to join exclusive Robin Robin-themed adventure trails right here at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve this Christmas season…

As the clocks go back and we edge ever closer to winter, there is a tangible change on the nature reserve. The bearded tits are still visiting the grit trays, though less regularly (due in part to the rather wild, windy and wet conditions we've endured of late) and the red deer stags are still trying to impress the hinds, though the fervour is somewhat reduced. But there is a distinct late-autumn feel, as the leaves…

For many visitors October at Leighton Moss is synonymous with two key natural events; the first, the commencement of bearded tits using the grit trays and second, the red deer rut.

Both these spectacles are relatively easy to see and photograph, if one puts the time in and understands some of the behaviour of the two species. The 'beardies' will visit the trays most days, preferring calm, bright conditions - so, do not…

The prolonged dry spell finally came to an end last week and we've seen quite a lot of water in recent days. Of course, we'll need a great deal more for it to make much of an impression on the vast wetland landscape of Leighton Moss! That said, the once-totally dry Eric Morecambe Pool now looks much more enticing for mud-probing waders and dabbling ducks and I'm sure the coming weeks will see a welcome return of those…

The autumn wader fest continues here at Leighton Moss, despite (and indeed because of) the diminishing water levels! The Eric Morecambe Pool remains water-free while the Allen Pool has at least been topped up by last week's high tides. As a consequence these pools are a beacon for passing shorebirds and we have seen counts of up to six spotted redshank, 16+ greenshank (including a striking leucistic individual - pictured…

It's certainly been a period of change here in the last week or so; one minute it's cracking the proverbial flags, the next it's overcast and muggy. And there is now more than a hint of autumn across the landscape here in the Arnside and Silverdale AONB. Leaves are starting to fall, the reeds are changing colour, the evenings are a little cooler and every day, dusk approaches that wee bit sooner.

Of course…

While the dry spell continues and the water levels continue to drop, there's very much a hint of autumn in the air. It's getting a little chillier in the mornings and an increase in the number of wildfowl and waders across the reserve is noticeable. Lillian's hide continues to provide excellent views of hundreds of black-tailed godwits along with smaller numbers of redshanks, as well as both great white and

While it's not exactly been blistering summer weather of late, we still have pretty low water levels across the reserve due to a relative lack of rain. This has resulted in Lilian's Pool providing the perfect place for hundreds of black-tailed godwits which have been roosting and feeding here, providing visitors with fabulous views. These impressive waders can be heard chattering away as one approaches the hide…

As we head into autumn, the reserve landscape and its inhabitants are changing on an almost daily basis. Moulting wildfowl can be seen loafing on the water (providing some fun identification challenges!) while coot families actively gather in numbers to feed on floating weed. As water levels remain low across the site we are seeing (and hearing!) large flocks of black-tailed godwits in front of Lilian's Hide, often flanked…

Late summer is always a brilliant time for wader watching. Whether you're on the coast or an inland reservoir there's always something going on, as post-breeding birds funnel down through the UK in search of suitable feeding and roosting sites as they head southward. Of course as numbers of commoner species such as dunlin, curlew, black-tailed godwit and redshank build up there's always the chance that you'll come…

We are delighted to announce that after carrying out some essential work, we have re-opened Lower Hide! 

As many of you know, Lower Hide is the oldest standing viewing structure on the reserve and following some severe flooding incidents in recent years it had deteriorated somewhat. We were able, pre-pandemic, to keep the central section of the hide open but once social distancing became an essential consideration there…

The weather may been a little mixed in recent days but it hasn't stopped our visitors from enjoying some fabulous moments here at Leighton Moss!

The continued emergence of young marsh harriers has been a real treat and at the time of writing at least four young, three from one nest and one from another, are eagerly exploring their surroundings. With a minimum of three active nests we can certainly expect to see more…

The big news this week involves the appearance of our first fledging marsh harrier!

This is always a rather tense time for us here on the reserve; how many youngsters will have survived to leave the nests? Each year we watch with anticipation, knowing roughly when the first birds should emerge from the reedbed. Of course there are many factors that can influence the success, or otherwise, of any nesting bird; weather conditions…

As the breeding season continues apace, we are seeing ever-increasing numbers of youngsters around the reserve. The pools are now home to pochard ducklings, crimson-headed coot-lets, mute swan cygnets and greylag goslings and an array of other fluffy nippers guaranteed to solicit the occasional 'oooh' or 'aahhhh' from visitors. The marsh harriers and bitterns are busy feeding their hungry broods - it will…

After what can only be described as a rather grim spring, we are finally seeing some major improvements in the weather. And that has to be good news for nature! We all know that cold, wet spells during the breeding season can be catastrophic for many birds and animals so a warm and dry period should bring some much needed relief. Also, the change should benefit insects which will of course help those other creatures that…

We're all very excited here at Leighton Moss as the much anticipated 'H-Day' approaches.

Yes folks, May 17 is (hopefully) the day when we get to open our hides to visitors! If nothing changes drastically in the next few days, we can look forward to welcoming people back into our hides as of Monday next week. There will of course be some restrictions in place to ensure everyone's safety and comfort, such as…

Spring really is in full swing here at Leighton Moss. The whole place is absolutely alive with the melodious sound of birdsong; Cetti’s warblers, blackcaps, willow warblers, marsh tits, nuthatches and treecreepers can be heard belting it out from alongside the trailside vegetation while the reedbeds and scrub reverberate with the songs of reed buntings and newly arrived sedge  and reed warblers. Meanwhile, overhead…

Despite some rather chilly days, thanks to that northerly airflow, there have still been plenty of blue skies and sunshine here at Leighton Moss to remind us of the joys of spring!

Birdsong is in full flow as our resident species, along with recently arrived blackcaps and willow warblers, proclaim their hold on breeding territories. Marsh tits, treecreepers and nuthatches are busy nest building and can be seen and heard…

Spring has certainly been in the air here at Leighton Moss in recent days!

Along with an ever-increasing number of chiffchaffs and sand martins we have seen the arrival of singing blackcaps and willow warblers this week. The sheer beauty of the willow warbler's wonderfully cascading song is guaranteed to warm my soul on even the chilliest of spring days! Not long now before our first sedge and reed warblers return…

Late winter and early spring is the key time for us to start listening out for bitterns here at Leighton Moss. The males begin to boom in order to attract a mate and on calm days the sound of the first birds ‘tuning-up’ are a cause of celebration for staff, volunteers and visitors alike.

Bitterns have had something of a bumpy ride over the decades and at one point Leighton Moss held around a quarter of the…

With the new year fast approaching, many of us will be more than happy to wave goodbye to 2020; an often exhausting and deeply concerning year if ever there was.

As has been mentioned multiple times here and elsewhere, one of the few benefits of lockdowns and travel restrictions was the nationwide increase in nature awareness. Whether we were hearing more birdsong in our towns and gardens or discovering access to the…

As we hurtle toward the end of what has been an extraordinary year in so many ways I hope, like me, you have been able to take some comfort in nature. Just being outdoors does do wonders for the mind, soul and body.

In recent days, while going about my onsite business, I have been fortunate to see some wonderful wildlife - red deer in the reed beds, bittern at the water's edge, multiple marsh harriers hunting over…