Blogs

As we head deeper into autumn, the natural spectacle that is migration really gets going. We'll be visited by thousands of birds looking to take advantage of our winter weather. There will be fieldfares , redwings , knots , maybe also some waxwings , as well as plenty of geese . I love the...

This time of year sees lots of migrants both leaving and arriving at Leighton Moss so why not come and join us for a Wednesday walkabout and find out about the amazing travels of our birds at this time of year. On yesterday's walk we spotted a couple of common terns divebombing into the pool in...

Despite the feint hope of an Indian summer, the last few days of high winds, heavy rain and chilly temperatures have a much more autumnal feel. For those of you who like me are struggling to believe September is here already, there are a few stark reminders that are starting to ram this home with leaf...

This is a question we always get asked at this time of the year and its one with a few possible answers! Firstly, for many birds we are coming to the end of a hectic breeding season. After all of the battling for territory, courting mates, finding nesting material, gathering food for young and chasing...

We all know that birds and windows aren't a very good combination. Though here at The Lodge we've got stickers on our office windows to break up the reflections from outdoors, it's not uncommon for us to hear a thud as a bird - usually a chaffinch - crashes into a pane. Usually they...

Brent Geese (Branta bernicla) at Shipstal Point, Arne, UK. 07/11/10.

Vis-mig or vis-migging refers to visible migration so yes it is indeed the term for watching flocks of birds coming and going from our shores. The autumn migration period is a fantastic time for this and many people pay regular visits to prominent sites like hills to watch, count and record the movement...

Crunchy leaves. Weird toadstools. Wild geese in the skies... are you enjoying autumn? I am! And you won't miss out if you try some of my top 10 ideas for things to do this season... Acorn eaters For most of the year, jays are shy. You might hear a harsh squawk or see a pink bird flying away...

Hi There have been a number of discussions about the house martin, one of which is linked below, it's worth taking a look as there are some great pictures as well as some useful links. http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/p/15564/164782.aspx#164782 The late summer months and through autumn...

The first winter thrushes arrived back on the reserve at the weekend. Around a dozen redwings joined up with the mistle thrushes that were already on the new heath and could be seen from the path along the drive . Redwings leave their breeding grounds in Scandinavia and Russia to spend the winter here...

It was a pretty quiet weekend on the bird front, but we did have a reported sighting of that little gem of a bird, the firecrest, which was spotted near the hide. Much scarcer than it's little cousin the goldcrest, we do see them on the reserve occasionally, especially in the autumn /winter months...

This time of year is fantastic for watching wildlife, i think the unpredictability is the major attraction. With so many species on the move and changeable weather patterns it can turn up some unusual species or in some cases, exceptional gatherings of species like swallows and martins as they prepare...

Many finch species are gathering into large flocks at this time of year, its a season of change for them. They will be leaving breeding territories and heading for areas with plenty of food such as gardens with feeders or recently cut crop fields. They are highly mobile at this time of year and stick...

It felt, and smelt, like autumn as I walked to the bus stop this morning. The sky was a beautiful bright blue, but there was a chill in the wind that had swung overnight to the north-east. I’d been optimistic choosing a T-shirt, but I’m loathe to put on an extra layer until I really have...

Coming into work this morning, I noticed a lone swallow perched on a wire by the side of the road. Although fairly impossible to tell what mood a bird is in, he looked a little lost and forlorn, and I imagined him sitting on the wire, wondering where all his mates had gone. I didn't have time...

It was hard to believe that such a small, delicate bird would soon be flying out over Land's End and across the sea. No wonder it didn't seem in a hurry.