Trip reports

Field Trip To Leighton Moss

Wednesday, 27 February 2008

The Group held its first mid-week meeting of the year and a record number of members turned out.
A visit to the feeding station gave us Bullfinch, Siskin, Blue, Great and Willow Tit.
It was then onto the hides where there was a good mixture of wildfowl to be seen. Along with these Little Egret and Grey Heron were seen feeding. In amongst a patch of reeds several Red Deer were observed.
Some members were fortunate to see Bearded Tits flying through the reeds whilst others had to be content with just hearing them.
After lunch we visited Woodwell Wood to try and find Hawfinches but they managed to elude us. From here we moved onto the Morecambe and Ron Allen hides and it was here that we were to see nature in the raw. From nowhere a female Peregrine gliding in at great speed low over the water struck a Wigeon duck. It then began to devour it right in front of us with feathers flying everywhere. Gruesome but awesome!
Goosander and a single returning Avocet were also added to our tally.
The decision was then made to visit Warton Grag to look for a Chough that had been seen dropping in to roost there the last two evenings. Again we were disappointed as the bird failed to show. As compensation we were entertained by a pair of Little Owls, a Kestrel and three Ravens amongst many roosting Jackdaws.
A total of sixty four species were seen and a good day's birding was had by all.