A few special moments from Leighton Moss 18 June 2022

I had a couple of days down in the southwest visiting some old friends and some old haunts. On the way home I decided to have a day at Leighton Moss and here are the highlights.

I started off at the Causeway hide, round to Lower Hide and then back to Causeway hide. Shortly afterr leaving Causeway hide and wandering up the track a large bird appeared from my left hand side and flew off to my right - a Bittern.

Second highlight was at the Grisedale hide when female Marsh Harrier came in from the coast carrying a food parcel - unfortunately because that was the busiest hide and the pictures were taken from a poor position they aren't the best but its the moment that counts. Prey looked like a juvenile wade or gull. Some people were suggesting an adult Avocet but really not large enough for that, especially in the wing area.

Third highlight of the day was at the Eric Morecambe hide. I had just been watching a male marsh Harrier way off in the distance towards the sea when all of the Black headed Gullets the right lifted off and I quickly turned to wards the commotion and realised that a female Marsh Harrier had just sailed in and was in the process of taking one of the juvenile gulls. It was difficult to get perfect focus but I was lucky enough to capture most of the snatch.