Trip reports

Lancashire hotspot

Sunday, 14 December 2008

A cold and misty Sunday morning saw 40 members of the Wolverhampton Local Group gather for the last field trip of 2008. We set off hoping that the forecast for clearing skies would prove to be accurate. Our new coach made for a very relaxed journey and spirits rose as the mist cleared. By the time we arrived at Leighton Moss visibility was vastly improved.

The group divided up into smaller parties, each going their separate ways in search of their favoured species and habitats. The feeding stations around the visitor centre provided good views of busy House Sparrows and several members of the Tit family including Willow and Coal Tits. A walk along the surprisingly busy road down to the Eric Morecambe hide allowed superb views of Redwing, Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare in the woodland edges. The flooded fields offered Curlew,Oystercatcher and Redshank. Once at the hide we settled down to watch Greenshank and Spotted Redshank at close range while the usual assortment of ducks dabbled and splashed around. Peregrine and Buzzard perched within telescope range, Red Breasted Merganser and Little Egret appeared. There was no sign of a rumoured Short Eared Owl. The walk back to the visitor centre gave us an Egyptian Goose we had missed on the way down.

After refuelling with lunch of coffee and sandwiches we headed towards the Public Hide, from which there had been numerous reports of Bittern. On entering the hushed hide the information was that a bird was in a tiny reedbed off to the left about 30 yards away. Careful watching for about 10 minutes saw a small ripple of water, followed by a glimpse of a foot and then it appeared...a Bittern, on the edge of the reeds and giving a classic view, stock still and pointing its beak skywards. The crowd in the hide was murmuring excitedly and trying to get a look as the bird posed. After a couple of minutes it flew off across the reedbed but remained visible about 80 yards or so away. It was then that another bird flew across too, making us realise that reports of 4 Bittern on the reserve were entirely possible. On the slow and very satisfied walk back towards the visitor centre we sadly missed the Bearded Tits that others had seen but instead we made do with Kingfisher and Marsh Tit. By now the light was beginning to fade so we happily headed for the cafe and finished the day with steaming mugs of tea and some excellent apple & cinnamon cake.

The staff and volunteers at Leighton Moss were tremendously helpful and polite during our visit, adding to our enjoyment of the day. The group total of 86 species for the visit was one of our best in the year and everyone had a great time. We will definitely be going back.