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Leighton Moss |
Recent sightingsFriday, 6 November 2009Highlights: Up to 3 great white egrets have been seen throughout the week (seen today as well). 49 little egrets were counted today too. Bearded tits can sometimes be seen from the Causeway- 6 were seen today on the grit trays. At least 2 (possibly 3) bitterns were seen today from Lower hide. The cettis warbler was heard calling today (and has been heard on a few other occasions this week). 4 snow geese were still around on the saltmarsh pools on 1 Nov (seen again on 3, 4 and 5 Nov) and a barnacle goose joined them that day too . 3 whooper swans were seen at public hide on 2 Nov and 7 were around on 3 Nov. 5 greenshanks were seen on the island at public hide on 2 Nov and 4 today. A kingfisher was seen on 3 and 4 Nov. 9 buzzards were seen from Griesdale hide on 3 Nov. 2 peregrines were seen on 4 Nov. A turnstone was reported amongst several dunlins on 4 Nov. 3 goosanders were around today too. 2 otters were seen from lower hide today. (1 was also seen at lower hide on 4 Nov) 7 bullfinches and a stoat were seen from the feeding station on 2 Nov! A flock of 200 fieldfares were seen at the Causeway today. About 250 redwings were seen to be roosting by lower hide on 3 Nov. Huge flocks of starlings have been coming in to roost in the reedbed this week. Some nights they have been coming in low and fast-still great to see and hear their loud chattering. This has been to the left of Lilian's hide for the past couple of nights. On Wednesday night it was an amazing sight with an estimated 80-100,000 starlings coming in from 4 - 4.30pm. A sparrowhawk made them all very edgy and produced a spectacular ariel display for at least 15 minutes with wonderful shapes being created in the sky. They finally settled in to the right of Lilian's hide (nearer to Griesdale hide). One visitor said 'that was better than fireworks!' and they did live up to the title of the walk 'spectacular starlings'. We are running a starlings themed walk every Wednesday in November from 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm (or dusk if earlier) if you fancy joining us.
Saturday, 31 October 2009Highlights: We have still got the great white egrets around all week-3 of them have been seen today (31 Oct) at Griesdale hide. A count of 59 little egrets is an impressive one on 26 Oct. Bitterns have been seen on most days, 2 were seen on 26 Oct and there was a sighting of one today as well. A bittern was heard 'gull calling' near the Causeway on 29 Oct at 17.30. There have been 2 cettis warblers heard along the Causeway during the week and one was heard today. Bearded tits are still coming out to the grit trays in the mornings. 8 water rails were spotted today. A kingfisher has been seen on 26, 28 and 30 Oct. The 4 snow geese have still been around today at the coastal pools. 3 greenshanks and 1 avocet (today) have been seen around the saltmarsh and the pools. 23 barnacle geese were here on 28 Oct. Up to 3 whooper swans have visited us (1 on 26, 2 on 27 and 3 on 28 Oct). A female little grebe was seen from Lilian's hide on 25 Oct. A goosander was noted on 26 Oct and 4 females were seen on 29 Oct. A female goldeneye was seen on 26 Oct and 2 pintail ducks were seen at public hide on 26 Oct. 1 raven was seen near the Causeway on 26 Oct and 3 were at Warton Crag on 28 Oct. A peregrine was seen on 28 Oct and 2 were seen together on 31 Oct. A red kite was seen flying over Yealand today. A stag and 6 hinds were seen today and an otter was seen from lower hide on 29 Oct. Earth star fungi has started to come out to the left of Lilian's hide (seen on 29 Oct). Finally, it's lovely to see the flocks of starlings gathering together already. Before coming in to the office to write this I saw a large flock 'whoosh' over the visitor centre and head towards the main reedbed-always a wonderful sight!
Friday, 30 October 20094 snow geese were seen last night in with our greylag geese from the Eric Morecambe hide and seen again this morning. Saturday, 24 October 2009Highlights: Redwings were seen at Lower hide on 16 Oct and over 40 fieldfares were counted flying past Lilian's hide that day as well. Wonderful news that 2 young otters were seen at Lower hide on 16 Oct and an otter was seen the next day too. A female marsh harrier has still been around-seen on 16 and 17 Oct. Bitterns have been making lots of appearances with sightings most days (sometimes even of 2 birds). The one with the red ring was seen on 16 Oct at Lower hide. 2 great white egrets have been around, with one or both of them being seen on most days (either at Griesdale hide or at the saltmarsh pools). 51 little egrets were counted on 23 Oct. 2 water rails were spotted on 17 Oct. There was a cettis warbler at the Causeway on 17 Oct and then heard singing again on 24 Oct to the right of public hide. A kingfisher has been seen on several occasions, mainly at Tim Jackson hide. There was a stoat near public hide on 20 Oct. A spotted redshank was seen on 18 and 19 Oct. 5 greenshanks were seen on 18 and 4 on 23 Oct. A curlew sandpiper has been seen on 19 and 23 Oct. A golden plover was seen on 21 Oct. 33 dunlins were seen on 21 Oct. A male merlin was seen on 19 and 23 Oct. A tawny owl was seen on 22 Oct near Griesdale hide. Stags were providing an amazing display when they were fighting on 19 Oct at Tim Jackson hide. Bearded tits have been coming out to the grit trays and starlings have been starting to gather in bigger flocks to roost in the reedbed. 10 species of ducks (including 3 goldeneyes and 3 goosanders) were recorded on 23 Oct. 2 great crested grebes were displaying on 23 Oct with one even diving for weed!
Thursday, 15 October 2009Highlights up to 15 Oct: It is the season for bearded tits-with 18 on the grit trays on 12 Oct. Bitterns have been seen on several occasions at public and lower hides (both unringed birds as well as the red ringed bittern). A female marsh harrier has still been around. 3 siskins were seen on 14 Oct. A young merlin was seen on 10 Oct. Whooper swans were seen on 13 Oct, 1 pink footed goose was spotted at public hide in amongst the numerous greylag geese that filled the pool. Goldeneye ducks are back with 3 at public hide on 14 Oct and 6 pintails were counted on 13 Oct. 3 ravens were seen on 8 Oct. A stonechat was in the tree by the railway bridge on 15 Oct. A water rails was seen at public hide on 8 Oct. The red deer stags have been very noisy roaring to each other, with the odd fierce battle causing some excitement. An otter was seen at 2.45 pm at the lower hide on 11 Oct. 58 little egrets were counted on 8 Oct and 2 great white egrets were recorded on 15 Oct. 800 black-tailed godwits were counted on 15 Oct as well as 100 redshanks. 2 spotted redshanks were there on 8 and 15 Oct. At least 8 greenshanks were around on 8 Oct. Some of our 'summer' birds have still been seen with 2 housemartins on 9 Oct and 1 swallow on 10 Oct. A sedge warbler was noted at Griesdale hide on 12 Oct. 10 skylarks were seen flying over on 15 Oct. A chiffchaff was at Lilian's hide on 8 Oct. A kingfisher has been a lovely sight as always.
Saturday, 24 October 2009Bearded tit update: 105 juveniles and 22 adult males and 16 adult females have been ringed so far this year. It looks as though the breeding population was about 28 pairs this year. If you are watching the bearded tits here at Leighton Moss and you're able to clearly see the colour rings on the legs of individual bearded tits can you please email John Wilson the information to help with his monitoring johnwilson711@btinternet.com Can you record the date, time, location and the colours on each legs (including which colour is above and which colour below on both the left and right legs) and if the bird is male or female. Thanks!
Saturday, 17 October 2009Parking plea.... If you're visiting the reserve to see the bearded tits along the Causeway-could you please park in our main car park across the road from the visitor centre. Parking at the top of the Causeway is causing a lot of congestion on the small country road. Thanks! Friday, 16 October 2009Just a reminder that we're holding our Binocular and Telescopes demonstration this weekend at Leighton Moss (10 am - 4 pm). It's a great opportunity to try our amazing range out and also to speak to a representative from Viking. All advice is impartial and the demo is free. Why not come along and perhaps be tempted? Everyone welcome! Tuesday, 13 October 2009Leighton's bearded tits are now on Youtube.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB2AHWVDIQ0 Thanks to Fraser Thompson for taking this footage.
Thursday, 8 October 2009Bearded tit update: 93 young bearded tits have been recorded to date as well as 18 adult males and 14 adult females.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009Highlights 1-7 Oct 2 great white egrets have been seen throughout the week. They were last seen at Greisdale hide on 7 Oct. A female marsh harrier is still around (seen today as well). Kingfishers and water rails have been seen a few times as well as the odd snipe. 2 adult and 3 juvenile whooper swans were at the coastal hides on 1 Oct. The beaded tits have been showing well on the grit trays on the right hand side of the causeway (mainly in the morning) 12 were counted on 4 Oct. At least 50 little egrets have been about. Bitterns continue to be seen well as well. There has been brilliant red deer activity too with 5 different red deer stags roaring (including a 14 point red deer stag having a fight with another stag in the water and winning!). A chiffchaff was singing on 7 Oct. a female goldeneye was spotted at public hide on 7 Oct. Up to 2 spotted redshanks, 7 greenshanks, 600 redshanks, 100 black-tailed godwits have been seen at the coastal/saltmarsh pools. A barn owl was seen near the car park there at 10 - 11.45 am.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009Highlights: September: A hobby at Island Mere on 2 Sept. 3 wheatears on 3 Sept. A common tern at public hide on 3 Sept. Single marsh harriers have been seen throughout the month. Red deer have been seen regularly from Greisdale and Tim Jackson hides. Bitterns have been seen quite often (mainly from the public and lower hides) the bittern with the red ring is still around. 7 raven were counted on 7 Sept. 50-70 snipe were seen from Lilian's hide on 7 Sept. A merlin was reported from lower hide on 8 Sept. up to 10 buzzards on 9 Sept. An adult spotted flycatcher was seen on 9 and 11 Sept and 5 on 12 Sept. 5 water rails were fighting on 9 Sept. A willow warbler on 9 Sept. A kingfisher was seen on 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 26 and 28 Sept and 2 on 11 and 14 Sept. Bearded tits started coming out on to the grit trays by the middle of the month (2 seen on 10 Sept). Osprey was spotted from Storrs Lane on 11 Sept. Little egrets have been seen in good numbers (51 on 28 Sept). An otter was seen ar 7.30 am at lower hide. A whinchat on 13 and 14 Sept. Little grebe on 13 Sept. Over 500 pink-footed geese were seen flying south on 14 Sept and 30 on 18 Sept and one landed at Lilian's hide on 30 Sept. A tawny owl on 16, 22 and 27 Sept. A chiffchaff was singing on 18 and 22 Sept. A great white egret was seen on 19 Sept and was later joined by another one! A nightjar was on the bearded tit's grit trays on 19 Sept!! (very unusual). A peregrine was seen on 19 Sept. Several swallows and at least 1 housemartin were around on 22 Sept. Water rail have been seen a few times too. A barn owl was seen near the top of the path (past lower hide to road) on 26 Sept. An adult mediterranean gull was seen on 26 Sept. 3 siskins from the causeway on 28 Sept along with lots of long-tailed tits. 3 pintails on 29 Sept. Migrant and southern hawkers, common darter and brown hawker dragonflies have been about as well as speckled wood, small tortoiseshell, peacock, holly blue, red admiral and brimstone butterflies this month. Waders: 18 greenshanks on 9 Sept, 1 spotted redshank on 3, 13, 16, 17, 19 and 22 Sept (2 on 20, 26, 27 and 30 Sept and 3 on 21 and 25 Sept), 1 wood sandpiper on 3 Sept, a green sandpiper on 13 Sept, a juvenile ruff on 4 Sept, 1 curlew sandpiper on 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20 and 21 Sept (2 on 13 and 15 Sept), a little stint on 11, 13 and 15 Sept (2 on 25 Sept, 3 on 17,18, 19, 20 and 21 Sept), 4 golden plovers on 13 Sept, 2 grey plovers on 17 Sept (1 on 27 Sept), 30 dunlins on 17 Sept. Over 500 redshanks on 14 Sept, Over 500 black-tailed godwits on 14 Sept and 3 bar-tailed godwits on 19 Sept, 4 knot on 19 Sept. 157 lapwings on 27 Sept.
Saturday, 26 September 2009Highlights:
Friday, 11 September 2009If you're free tonight how about coming along to watch the Kendal Torchlight Carnival where the RSPB team at Leighton Moss will be having a float to celebrate Saving the Sumatran Rainforest. Why not also vote for us in the best float competition by texting 'Float 135' to 88010 this evening before 10 pm. Any support would be much appreciated :-) http://www.kendaltorchlightcarnival.co.uk/index.asp Sunday, 30 August 2009Highlights: Bitterns have been seen galore! Mainly from Lower hide but also from Public hide, Greisdale hide and Tim Jacksons. Both the bird with the red ring and unringed birds have been seen. An osprey has been seen on several occassions (17 Aug at Lower hide, 18 Aug at public hide where it was seen catching a fish, then on 24 Aug at Lilians hide). 4 juvenile black terns were reported at public and lower hides on 23 Aug. A kingfisher was seen on 16 and 30 Aug (at public hide). The odd marsh harrier has still been seen- 2 were seen on 17 Aug and one was seen today (30 Aug) at Griesdale hide. A woodcock was spotted by the side of a stream on the way to lower hide on 21 Aug and even posed for a picture! A barn owl was seen sitting on a post just before the bridge after the level crossing around midnight on 26 Aug-do let us know of any more sightings you may see. At the saltmarsh: There was a juvenille ruff seen on 15 Aug. 2 spoonbills were at the Eric Morecambe hide on 20 Aug (1 was a juvenille) then one was seen at the Allen hide on 25 and 28 Aug. A young little ringed plover was reported on 30 Aug. 8 snipe have been around. An osprey was sighted from Eric Morecambe hide on 29 Aug. 2 pintails were seen on 27 Aug. A whinchat was spotted on a fence nearby on 27 Aug. An arctic skua (dark) was reported to have passed through in front of the Eric Morecambe hide on 29 Aug. A yellow wagtail was reported on 20 Aug at Eric Morecambe hide. A juvenile peregrine falcon was seen on 16 Aug. A spotted redshank has been about and up to 18 greenshanks. A green sandpiper was been seen-last sighting was on 28 Aug at Allen pool. 120 black-tailed godwits were counted on 27 Aug. Up to 45 little egrets have been around the reserve and one young one was seen on 29 Aug.
Saturday, 15 August 2009Bearded tit update: We have caught and ringed 70 young this year now so far.
Saturday, 15 August 2009Highlights There have been many bittern sighting over the past 2 weeks, which is excellent news. A bittern was seen on the 1 August from both Tim Jackson and Griesdale hides and again on the 2 August where it spent 30 minutes in front of the hide. The red ringed bittern that was released on to the reserve in February this year was seen at the lower hide on the 10, 11 and 12 August and there were further bittern sighting from Tim Jackson hide on the 5 and 6 August and from lower hide on the 9 August. A siskin was seen on the reserve on the 4 August along with 5 ruff and a merlin on the 5 August. 2 little ringed plovers have been reported at the Griesdale hide on the 6 August and a visitor also reported a hobby on the reserve. At the saltmarsh pools there have been sightings of a common sandpiper on the 2 and 11 August and up to 3 spotted redshanks and 11 little egrets on the 5 August. 20 dunlins and 18 greenshanks were seen at the saltmarsh pools on the 6 August. A ruddy shelduck has been seen regularly between the 2 August and the 8 August and up to 6 snipe were reported on the 13 August. On the 8 August an osprey was seen fishing at the saltmarsh pools and on the 11 August a peregrine was recorded at the Eric Morecambe hide. A kingfisher and a great crested grebe were seen at the saltmarsh pools on the 12 August. The red deer continue to show well around the edges of the pools at Tim Jackson and Griesdale hides with 40 showing on the reserve on 10 August, which included 10 mature stags. Other wildlife on the reserve includes peacock, comma and red admiral butterflies seen on the 5 August, along with brown hawker and emperor dragonflies. An otter was also seen at lower hide on the 12 August.
Saturday, 1 August 2009Bearded tit update We have now ringed 51 young bearded tits plus 10 adult females and 15 adult males so far this year.
Saturday, 1 August 2009A bittern was seen coming out of the reeds, then sitting then flying at lower hide on 20 July, the bittern with the red ring on it's left leg that was released in february was seen on 26 July at lower hide which is great news! 2 bittern flights were seen on 21 July at the public hide. A bittern was watched by a visitor for 1 hour and 15 minutes at public hide on 24 July 'a fine birthday present!' More wonderful views were on 26 July from the public hide 'right under our noses-amazing!' Another sight was on 29 July from Lilian's hide. Up to 10 little egrets have been seen and it's a lovely sight watching them gather together and fly in to the trees to roost at night. There have been families of gadwalls seen- one adult with 10 young, one adult with 5 young and another adult with another 5 young were seen at our Griesdale hide on 20 July. One little grebe was seen at public hide on 22 July. A female pintail was at public hide on 23 July and a male pintail was seen at the Eric Morecambe hide on 26 July. Red deer have frequently been coming out around the edges of the pools at Tim Jackson and Griesdale hides. On 19 July. Fallow and Roe deer were also seen on the reserve. 2 male broad bodied chaser dragonflies were seen on 20 July. 2 bullfinches have been seen at the feeders. There have been up to 17 greenshanks on 27 July. A spotted redshank, 500 black-tailed godwits and 60 redshanks were counted on 20 July. 2 little gulls (seen again on 26 and 27 July) and a ruddy shelduck were seen on 22 July (again on 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 30 July). A little ringed plover, a common sandpiper and 5 dunlins were seen on 23 July. A curlew sandpiper was reported at the Allen hide on 30 July. A visitor reported 'Fantastic views of young marsh harriers at public hide' on 22 July. A buzzard was 'mugged' for it's prey by a marsh harrier at public hide on 22 July. An otter was seen at lower hide on 23 July! Another elusive creature- the water rail was spotted on 27 July at Tim Jackson hide. A whitethroat was seen with young near the Eric Morecambe hide on 25 July. A female peregrine was seen with 2 young at the coast on 27 July. A kingfisher was seen at public hide on 27 July and at the dyke to the pools on 31 July.
Thursday, 23 July 2009Bearded tits update: We have now caught 45 young bearded tits, 14 adult males and 10 adult females - so things are going well.
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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)