Trip reports
Leighton Moss October 2009
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Arrived at Leighton Moss we realised that the low cloud and rain looked set for the day, so waterproofs were needed. The main hide close to the visitor centre is however spacious and warm and there was plenty to see from there.
It was indeed lovely weather for ducks, with eight different species all well represented on the reedbed pools.....mallard, tufted duck, wigeon, gadwall, teal, shoveler, pochard, pintail. The poor light meant their colours could not be fully appreciated but we had an excellent opportunity for testing identification skills.
Greylags, little grebes, coot, moorhens and herons were also on show, with blackheaded gulls and a single common gull.
A water rail gave close views to one group after most of us moved on, but obligingly reappeared several times during the day, flying and feeding within a few yards of the hide.
The bearded tits stayed hidden from most of us, though they were tantalisingly vocal close by the path and a couple of folk managed a brief glimpse.
At the Tim Jackson hide a kingfisher perched in a tree gave good views to everyone, luckily staying faithful to one branch and fishing from there for some time.
From the Griesdale hide a splendid red stag with his small group of hinds was an entertaining sight as they splashed through the shallow pools, but a few snipe were surprisingly the only other waders.
At the Public hide there were again plenty of ducks and geese, with a single pinkfooted goose among the greylags observed by a few who undertook the longer walk to the Lower hide.
The even longer walk to the saltmarsh hides was ruled out by most of us but rewarded by a great white egret among the little egrets.
Peregrine, sparrowhawk and raven were on some lists but, alas, marsh harrier and bittern were absent. Next time maybe!
Lesley Curwen