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Leighton Moss |
Recent sightingsThursday, 1 January 2009Weekly Highlights: Firstly I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year! What a wonderful start to the year with the frost sparkling on the reeds and the sun shining. The reserve is open all day until dusk and the visitor centre is open 10 am - 5 pm today (including the tearoom). This week we have had a couple of sightings of the egyptian goose (on 27 and 29 Dec). Bitterns have been seen all over the reserve this week, with the cold icy weather probably pushing them out more into view as they try and find fish to eat in melted patches. Our visitors on the Wednesday Walkabout even saw one from public hide which was a nice treat. There has been a lot of greylag geese around (320 counted on 27 Dec) and in amongst them there was a pink footed goose seen at Lilian's hide on 27 Dec. 2 male goosanders and a kingfisher were seen at Lilian's hide on 27 Dec. Water rails have been venturing out of the reeds a bit more during this cold spell with this normally elusive bird spotted at Lilian's hide on 27 Dec, lower hide on 28 Dec and a couple of sightings near the Causeway and lower hide today (1 Jan). A hen harrier was reported from Tim Jackson hide on 27 Dec. 2 little egrets seen were flying on 28 Dec. 2 goldcrests were spotted flitting around the woodland on 30 Dec. 2 peregrine flacons (one male and one female) were seen from lower hide on 30 Dec and a bearded tit was seen at the grit tray on 30 Dec. Starlings are continuing to roost in the reedbed in large numbers (around 50,000 were estimated this week). We are never quite sure of the exact location that they will use each night but you should manage to see them flying over and if you choose you're in luck with the hide you choose then you can be treated to a wonderful sight as they filter in at high speed into the reedbed at dusk.
Friday, 26 December 2008Weekly Highlights: 2 kingfishers were seen at the public hide and the Eric Morecambe hide on 20 December. Fieldfares were seen flying over the Causeway on 20 Dec and 5 red deer were at Griesdale hide. A bittern was also seen from there on 20 Dec and again at the public hide on 27 Dec. 2 snipe were spotted at Griesdale hide on 20 Dec. A spotted redshank was in with the other wading birds at the Eric Morecambe hide on 23 Dec. 315 coots were counted at Lilian's hide this week too.
Friday, 19 December 2008Weekly Highlights: The egyptian goose was seen on 14 Dec. 2 bearded tits have been seen coming to the grit trays at times. A kingfisher was seen at Lilian's hide on 15 Dec. At the saltmarsh pools there were good numbers of black-tailed godwits, knot, dunlins, 1 greenshank on 15 Dec, 6 pink-footed geese on 15 Dec, 3 pintails and a peregrine falcon. 4 waxwings were a wonderful treat, seen flying over the visitor centre in a southern direction on 17 Dec.
Friday, 12 December 2008Weekly Highlights: Bitterns have been seen fairly often from public hide-as many as 5 at once on 9 Dec! A rough-legged buzzard was seen again on 7 Dec. An egyptian goose was spotted on 7 Dec. Bearded tits have been visiting the grit tray occasionally. A kingfisher appeared on 10 Dec at Lilian's hide. A female blackcap has been visiting the feeders since 10 Dec.
Thursday, 18 December 2008Share your Christmas cheer with wildlife No need to go cold turkey to be green this festive season Being green need not mean abstinence this Christmas, with a wealth of gifts and treats available from the RSPB that really help wildlife! Solve all your gift problems with a ‘Good Natured Gift’ that really means something. It will help vulnerable wildlife, as the money you pay goes directly towards the RSPB's work to protect the environment. For each ‘Good Natured Gift’ you buy, you will be given a gift card that explains your chosen project plus a greeting card for you to use to write your own message before you send it. You can give a unique bearded tit nestbox, which is lovingly made from bundles of reeds to provide a cosy and safe place for these rare and delightful birds to nest in reedbeds like Leighton Moss - for as little as £10. Or how about helping to fund an RSPB field teacher to provide a stimulating learning experience and help a school group to discover and enjoy the wonders of the natural world first hand– for £25. A hedgerow is like a mini nature reserve, home to an amazing variety of birds and other wildlife like hedgehogs. This gift could help to replace some of the thousands of miles of hedgerows that have been lost from our countryside over the past 100 years, so wildlife can thrive - for £28. ‘My Dad loves to hill walk, so I bought him a good natured gift that helps fund the restoration of heathland – providing a paradise for birds and insects. He’ll love it!’ exclaimed Cat Owen-Pam, a volunteer at the reserve. For a present that lasts all year round, RSPB Gift Membership supports the charities important conservation work as well as providing your friends and family with free days out over 200 wonderful RSPB nature reserves throughout the country. The ‘Wildlife Explorers’ membership is great fun for the kids too! After Christmas, you can continue to help by sending old unwanted mobile phones and used stamps to the RSPB’s fundraising recycling schemes. For more information about any of these green Christmas ideas and to find out more about all the different types of ‘Good natured Gifts’ available please pop into RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale or phone the visitor centre on 01524 701601. The award-winning tearoom, shop and nature reserve are open throughout the festive season: Christmas Eve 9.30 am to 3.00 pm, closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day 10 am to 4 pm, New Year’s Eve 9.30 am to 3 pm and on New Year’s Day 10 am to 5 pm.
Saturday, 6 December 2008Weekly Highlights: A cattle egret was seen along with our little egrets on 1 Dec. A rough-legged buzzard was seen on 30 Nov at Tim Jackson at 15.30 and again today at midday. Bitterns have been seen a lot this week at all reedbed hides. A pair of stonechats were seen at the saltmarsh on 29 Nov. Bearded tits have occasionally been seen around the grit trays. Water rails have been squealing to each other and seen several times out in the open. A merlin was seen at Griesdale hide on 30 Nov. Lots of mallards in the car park!
Saturday, 6 December 2008Fancy a pair of binoculars for Christmas or know someone who does? There will be an ideal opportunity to try binoculars and telescopes tomorrow (Sunday 7 Dec) and to receive impartial advice at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale.
Free admission to the demonstration. Friday, 28 November 2008Christmas meal and discount shopping night at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale.
Friday, 28 November 2008Weekly Highlights: The otter has been seen well this week with a lovely view at lower hide from 8.50 - 9.05 on 22 Nov and for about 20 minutes at 9.40 from Tim Jackson hide on the birding for beginners walk. The egyptian goose was seen again on 22 Nov at lower hide and at public hide on 25 Nov. A green woodpecker was feeding on the rough grass on the golf course opposite the top of the causeway on 22 Nov and again behind the car park on 27 Nov. A peak count of 45 little egrets counted in the morning of 22 Nov. 9 siskins were seen from the path to lower on 24 Nov. A bittern was seen on 22 Nov at Lower hide and again at public hide on 25 Nov. Occasional sightings of bearded tits on the grit trays, with one seen on 22 Nov. A kingfisher was seen from the Allen hide and a male and female stonechat seen on the way there on 22 Nov. The rough legged buzzard was seen again from griesdale hide on 22 Nov and again on 23 Nov. A pair of red breasted merganser was seen at Eric Morecambe hide on 27 Nov.
Friday, 21 November 2008Weekly Highlights: A male stonechat was seen at the level crossing on 15 Nov and again on 18 Nov. Bitterns have been seen a lot this week from Griesdale hide. A cettis warbler was heard calling on the left-hand side of the causeway (opposite the grit trays) on 15 Nov. 1 raven was seen on 16 Nov. A rough legged buzzard was seen in tree from Griesdale hide and then hovering near Griesdale wood at 13.30-seen by several people. Up to 2 greenshanks and 1 spotted redshank are still around, 1 dunlin, 250 redshanks were also counted, a skein of 200 pink footed geese flew south from Jenny Browns Point and 3 great crested grebes, 4 goldeneyes and 4 red breasted mergansers on 15 Nov. 2 goosanders were at public hide on 19 Nov. 7 snipe were seen at Griesdale hide on 19 Nov. 43 little egrets were counted on 20 Nov.
Friday, 14 November 2008Weekly Highlights: 29 Little egrets were counted on 8 Nov. 1 male long tailed duck was reported at public hide on 9 Nov. An otter was seen from public hide at about 9 am and 3 were seen at lower hide at about 3 pm on 9 Nov and 2 were seen at lower hide on 10 Nov. A bittern was seen at lower hide on 9 Nov and 3 bearded tits were seen at the grit trays on 10 Nov then on 14 Nov one was seen on the tray and up to 5 in the reeds nearby. 23 pintail were flying over on 10 Nov. Amongst our resident waders were up to 4 greenshanks and 1 spotted redshank. 2 swallows flying south on 10 Nov. A green woodpecker was seen at the top of the causeway on 12 Nov. A kingfisher was seen at the causeway on 12 Nov. A mixed flock of 103 fieldfares and redwings were flying over on 14 Nov and 160 lapwings flew over on that day as well. An egyptian goose was seen on 10 Nov at Lilian's hide.
Friday, 7 November 2008Weekly Highlights: There have been several sightings of bitterns this week from the Griesdale and public hides. 2 water rails were seen at the pools along the path from Lilian's hide to the corner bench. A weasel was spotted at lower hide and 12 red deer (4 stags) provided a wonderful sight at Tim Jackson hide. Bearded tits have occasionally been seen on the grit trays in the morning. A brambling was seen at our feeding station on 5 Nov which is a lovely winter visitor.
Friday, 7 November 2008Starlings Delight: Starlings are well known for being gregarious and are sometimes seen as the locusts of the bird world as they appear in gardens and quickly scoff the food. However, on closer inspection they are incredible birds with feathers a wonderful sheen of glossy purples and greens and a cheeky character, mimicking many of the sounds that they hear. At this time of year, starlings can also provide us with one of nature’s best wildlife spectacles. During the Winter our UK breeding population is boosted by birds from the Continent. They live in small flocks during the day, traveling between feeding sites and gathering in daytime roosts, normally a place with good all-round visibility. Then in the late afternoon all these feeding flocks, roughly within a 20 mile radius, join up to form progressively larger flocks before becoming a ‘murmuration’ of tens of thousands of birds in a winter roost site. You might have seen the jaw-dropping, swirling cloud-like formations on the television in the ‘Carling’ advert or on Autumnwatch, before being brave enough to drop in waves into their roost site. The vast reedbeds at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale are an ideal spot to see this starling display and visitors can often experience this amazing sight before dusk throughout the winter. ‘It’s an amazing moment to see the sky full of starlings and to hear the loud ‘whoosh’ as they fly over above your head. I can become entranced by the different shapes of the birds wheeling around and I’m always astounded as to how they do it! It also makes me smile when they all loudly chatter to each other before all becoming quiet at once when they are settled for the night’ says Jen Walker, Visitor and Publicity Officer at the reserve. This year staff and volunteers at this popular local attraction are running a ‘Starling Watch’ from Monday 17 to Friday 21 November from 3 pm to dusk and are inviting people to come down and join them to look out for the starlings coming in to roost. They roost every night in the reedbed but to see the spectacle it is best to watch out on a fine afternoon. Just turn up at the visitor centre before 2.45 pm to be directed to the hide where the starling watch is taking place. It is a free event for all. Please Tel: 01524 701601 or see www.rspb.org.uk for more information.
Sunday, 2 November 2008Weekly Highlights: Bearded tits have still occassionally been coming out of the reeds to use the grit trays in the mornings. There have been a couple of rare glimpses of water rails at the causeway-this bird is more often heard sqealing like a pig from deep within the reeds. The best time to see this charming bird is when the winter gets colder and the water freezes. Bitterns have been making themselves visible this week as well. Today there was one seen at the public hide and lots of people returned to the visitor centre today to say they saw one sitting preening in front of the Griesdale hide-often very excitied people as many of them hadn't seen this rare bird before! A female hen harrier was reported at Griesdale hide on 30 Oct. At the saltmarsh pools the following have been seen this week amongst the water birds and waders: a kingfisher on 27 Oct, 6 red breasted mergansers on 30 Oct, 4 greenshanks on 30 Oct and a merlin on 3 Nov. Whooper swans were seen flying over on the 1 Nov in a south west to north east direction. A swallow was strangely seen flying north on 31 Oct. The starling flocks have been seen most evenings just before dusk- 10,000 were counted on 30 Oct. Hopefully more will be joining them in the next week or so to make a really spectacular display. Last year we had up to 100,000 doing their aerobatics before filtering in at high speed into the relative warmth of the reedbed-all loudly chattering to each other before quietening down for the evening. Quite an experience- a real RSPB moment for many onlookers!
Sunday, 26 October 2008Weekly Highlights: Bearded tits have been coming out of the reeds quite regularly in the morning to pick up grit, up to 12 at a time. A nuthatch was seen enjoying the peanuts from the tearoom window on 21 Oct. A siskin, 3 redpolls and a goldcrest were spotted on 24 Oct at the path behind the feeding station. 40 snipe flew west on 23 Oct. A male marsh harrier was reported at the Causeway on 26 Oct and 5 buzzards were seen at Warton Crag as well. Someone was treated to a sighting of an otter from Lower hide on 25 Oct. 3-4,000 starlings came in to roost near Lilian's hide at around 5 pm on 23 Oct. At the saltmarsh pools there has been up to 4 spotted redshanks, up to 4 greenshanks, 4 knots and up to 2 curlew sandpipers as well as sightings of a kingfisher on 23 Oct and a peregrine and a merlin on 24 Oct. 15 little egrets are still around.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008Try out our extensive range of optics and check out the latest offers at the binocular and telescope demonstration this weekend (Sat 25 and Sun 26 Oct 10 am - 4 pm) at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale.
Sunday, 19 October 2008Weekly Highlights: There continues to be a lot of activity at the saltmarsh pools by the coast. More than 500 redshanks are enjoying the mud, as well as a little stint, up to 2 curlew sandpipers, up to 5 greenshanks and 2 spotted reshanks. A merlin was seen again on 18 and 19 Oct and up to 4 peregrines. 4 stonechats (1 male and 3 females) were seen on 19 Oct and flocks of redwings and fieldfares have begun to appear-they were seen near Tim Jackson hide on 19 Oct. Autumn is officially here!
Sunday, 12 October 2008Weekly Highlights: A bittern has been seen on several occasions and bearded tits having been showing well on the grit trays beside the Causeway in the mornings. The female marsh harrier was seen on 9, 10 and 12 Oct. Red deer have been very active during the rutting season and can sound quite eerie of an evening as the stags roar to each other. 2 red breasted mergansers were seen on 10 Oct. Up to 860 black tailed godwits were counted at the saltmarsh pools on 12 Oct. Up to 35 little egrets are still around. A little stint was noted on 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 Oct and a curlew sandpiper seen on 2 on 8 Oct, 1 on 9, 10 and 12 Oct. A ruff was there on 11 and 12 Oct. 11 snipe were seen on 7 Oct. Up to 6 spotted redshanks and up to 9 greenshanks have been around. A kingfisher has been putting in a lot of appearances throughout the reserve. A merlin is still about and seen on 6 Oct, 2 on 9 Oct, 1 on 12 Oct. 142 shovelers were counted on 12 Oct among all the other winter and resident ducks.
Wednesday, 8 October 2008Yellow-browed warbler: A yellow-browed warbler (a rare visitor from Siberia) was caught in the mist net (which is used to catch birds for ringing studies) this morning and released near the Causeway at approx 8.50 am. Please park in the main car park if you are coming to visit.
Sunday, 5 October 2008Bearded tit update: After last years poor productivity when only 13 young were ringed our population has bounced back and at least 50 young have been ringed this summer. At the end of August 13 adult males had been identified sugestion a breeding population of 18-20 pairs. Bearded tits are now starting to use the grit trays at the side of the Causeway as they change their diet from insects in the summer months to eating the seeds from the reeds in the winter (and therefore use the grit to grind the seed in their gizzards). They seem to visit the trays more in the morning roughly between 8 and 11 am, although they don't like coming out in windy or wet weather (can you blame them!?). We are holding bearded tit walks every Wednesday morning throughout October (see the events page for more details) and last week the group did manage to see 2 birds even though the weather was horrible. Please could you use the reserve's main car park if you are coming to see the bearded tits as parking on the side of the road causes congestion problems. Thanks and good luck-they are stunning little birds!
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People looking out of Lillian's hide, Leighton Moss - RSPB Images - Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
Looking out towards salt marsh and Morecombe Bay with black-headed gull, RSPB Leighton Moss reserve - RSPB Images - Ben Hall (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2006_20811_0031 )
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)