Let's hope not, as there was another reported sighting of a bittern today flying from the Public hide! And at the Lower hide late this morning a visitor caught a sight of not one but two ospreys.
The marsh harriers were out enjoying the warm weather, with three juveniles seen at the Lilian's hide, and the deer were also sunning themselves - three were seen out at the Lower hide.
There were good numbers of waders at the Eric Morecambe and Allen pools, including four juvenile little ringed plovers, 21 little egrets and two spotted redshanks. A juvenile cuckoo was also seen and heard at the saltmarshes too.
If you or your family have ever considered joining the RSPB but have not yet got round to doing so, why not come to our Membership Taster tomorrow and find out more about the RSPB and how you can make a difference by supporting our work to help nature. This free event includes a short illustrated talk and a guided walk.
http://www.steamgathering.org.uk/
I'll start with the exciting news that a bittern was seen yesterday at 11.10 am feeding at the Lilian's hide before flying towards the Public and Lower hides where it was later glimpsed. This is fantastic news as it had all gone a bit quiet of late.
Today the harriers were displaying well and the deer were also out in good numbers, with nine red deer stags, four hinds and two calves seen at the Griesdale hide. If you'd like to see them for yourself come and join our Deer Watch walks every Monday in August, 7-9 pm.
Three little egrets were seen at the Griesdale hide this afternoon feeding in the pools.
At the saltmarsh pools 15 greenshanks were counted, along with one spotted redshank, 69 dunlins and three little ringed plovers.
On our walkabout on Wednesday morning we gloried in the the warm sunshine and so did the wildlife. We were lucky enough to see one male marsh harrier, two females, and we think four of the juveniles who were mostly perched round the Island Mere sunning themselves - it was a great sight! We were also surprised by two young stoats who emerged out of the undergrowth on the path to the Causeway after much squealing and rustling. A couple of us managed to get some really good pictures.
Elsewhere, 16 little egrets were seen heading east from the Griesdale hide at 6 am and five red deer calves were seen out at the same time. At the Lower hide five or six bearded tits were out in the afternoon and a water rail was heard making a characteristic pig-like squeal. A kingfisher flashed past our wardens who were working on the main dyke.
At the saltmarsh pools we had common sandpipers, two spotted redshanks, 15 greenshanks, a snipe and three little ringed plovers.
After a week away it's nice to be back at Leighton Moss - it has certainly changed a great deal in that week!
The marsh harriers were out and about quite a bit during the day on Monday but seemed to turn in for the evening fairly early - we only had one very brief sighting on our Deer Watch of a male perching on a tree near the silo tank on the farm at the back. A sparrowhawk and a tree creeper were spotted from the path down to the Lilian's hide.
The saltmarsh pools continue to be well used by the waders. Eighty dunlins, 12 greenshanks, 18 little egrets, two spotted redsanks and a little ringed plover were recorded.
On our Deer Watch we had some fantastic sightings at the Griesdale hide: 12 hinds, four stags with quite impressive antlers and four calves who were frisking around as if trying out their legs for the first time. It was a joy to see. Our walks continue through August so do come and join us.