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Leighton Moss |
Recent sightingsSaturday, 4 July 2009Weekly Highlights: At the coastal/saltmarsh pools there have been up to 4 greenshanks, up to 7 little gulls, up to 4 spotted redshanks, 2 avocets on 30 June, 7 dunlins on 1 July, a common sandpiper on 4 July and a count of about 450 black-tailed godwits on 4 July. 2 otters were seen at lower hide. A pintail was at public hide on 2 July. A bittern was seen near lower hide on 28 June and seen flying near public hide on 1 July. An osprey was here on 28 June and seen this afternoon at Greisdale hide and at Warton Crag. 11 little egrets were seen on 4 July. 2 hobbys were see today flying (one spent a while perched in dead trees seen from public hide).`4 young marsh harriers have now been seen.
Saturday, 27 June 2009Marsh harrier updates: We should be seeing our young marsh harriers any day now. Last year the first one was seen on 30 June. We think the first female started sitting on the nest on 16 April this year and it usually takes 31-38 days for the eggs to hatch then 35-40 days until the first flight. So any day now :-) Why not join us for a guided walk around the reserve to look out for our young marsh harriers learning to use the air beneath their wings-which should be an impressive sight. We are running 'Wednesday Walkabouts-mischievous harriers' every Wednesday in July from 11 am - 1 pm. This walk is recommended for adults and children over 10 years old. Cost: RSPB members: adults £2, children £1, family £4, non-members: adults £4.50, children £2, family £9.
Saturday, 27 June 2009Highlights: There have been up to 7 little gulls, 2 spotted redshanks (in black summer plumage) and up to 4 greenshanks around at the coastal/saltmarsh pools. 6 little egrets were counted on 16 June as well as 160 black-tailed godwits (and a black-tailed skimmer and broad-bodied chaser dragonflies). A lesser whitethroat is still being recorded on the path to the saltmarsh hides. 2 bearded tits were seen briefly at the end of the Causeway on 17 June and at public hide on 21 June. An osprey was seen at Lilian's pool on 16 June as well as a Great White egret at the main channel that day too. The osprey was seen again on 18 June at lower hide, over Island Mere on 20 June and flying over in a NE direction on 24 June. A spoonbill was seen at the saltmarsh hides on 19 June and at the Griesdale hide on 22 June. A bittern was seen flying out of the main dyke by public hide on 19 June and again on 22 June and at Griedale hide on 23 June. A wood sandpiper was reported at the Allen hide on 22 June. A hobby was seen near Lower hide catching insects over the water on 25 June and seen again there on 26 June. A ruff was seen on 26 June as well.
Saturday, 13 June 2009Highlights: An osprey was seen on 1, 6, 9 June and 2 were seen together on 12 June. A pair of red breasted mergansers were noted on 2 June. On 7 June someone had a sighting of an otter at lower hide and the on the same day there were 6 stoats at public hide (with one being seen at Griesdale as well). On 3 June a hawfinch was reported at the woodland feeding station but wasn't confirmed. 5 red deer were counted on 3 June at Greisdale hide. A pectoral sandpiper was around on 1 and 8 June and 4 little gulls were seen on 7 June at the coastal/saltmarsh pools along. A temmincks stint was also reported. A great white egret joined our little egrets on 10 and 11 June. A lesser whitethroat has been singing down by the path to the Allen hide. 2 great crested grebes have been at public hide, a juvenile cormorant was seen at lilian's hide. Our 5 female marsh harriers continue to nest (with 3 males looking after them)-won't be long now until we see this year's young birds!
Saturday, 30 May 2009Weekly Highlights: There have been up to 4 little gulls around this week ( x3 1st Summer and x1 2nd Summer) The sandwich tern was seen on 24 and 25 May. A bearded tit was seen in flight on 24 and there was sightings again on 25 and 29 May. 1 greenshanks was seen on 24 May. The egypitian goose was noted again on 25 May. An osprey was seen from Lower hide on 25 May. A water shrew appeared out near Griesdale hide on 29 May. There was 2 broad bodied chaser dragonflies mating on 29 May and a party of newly fledged wrens were spotted that day too. There have been reasonably regular bittern flights seen too. With the sunny weather butterflies have been seen more. Our wardens have been able to carry out their weekly butterfly transects to monitor them. Highlights being 3 dingy skippers and 9 pearly bordered frittilaries at Warton Crag on 24 May. There ave been lots of painted lady butterflies seen as is the case throughout the country. 16 were counted today. More information about painted lady butterflies can be seen in our A-Z of a Wildlife Garden page http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlifegarden/atoz/p/paintedladybutterfly.asp
Saturday, 23 May 2009Weekly Highlights: A spoonbill was seen at Griesdale hide on 17 May. A red kite was seen on 20 May. 2 bittern flights were recorded from the seat along the path from Lilian's hide to the Causway on 21 May. A bittern was also seen on the Island in front of Lilian's hide on 22 May. An osprey was seen from Lilian's hide on 21 May. Blue-tailed damselflies have been flying around near the Causeway and on the path to Griesdale hide. Also on the path to Griesdale hide there has been large red damselflies and a broad bodied chaser reported. A red deer stag and 4 hinds were seen at Tim Jackson hide. At the coastal/saltmarsh pools: There have been up to 3 little gulls around most of the week. A lesser whitethroat has been heard and occasionally seen along the path to the Eric Morecambe hide. A 1st year mediterranean gull was seen on 18 May. A pinkfooted goose was seen on 18 May. A sandwich tern was spotted resting on an island at the Allen pool on 22 May.
Saturday, 16 May 2009Weekly highlights: 4 black terns were seen from Lilian's hide on 13 May. A grasshopper warbler was reported on 15 May. 8 goosanders were at Island Mere 16 May. At the coastal/saltmarsh pools: a spotted redshank was seen on 9, 13 and 14 May. Black-tailed godwits and knot are turning to their red summer plumage now. A curlew sandpiper and a common sandpiper have been seen on 13 May. A greenshank was seen on 13 May. 2 little gulls were also seen on 13 and 14 May (and 1 on 15 May and 2 again on 16 May). A little stint was at the Eric Morecambe pool on 13 May. A pink-footed goose was seen on 13 May. A mediterranean gull was seen on 14 May and again on 16 May. Up to 2 lesser whitethroats have been reported singing on the path near Allen hide. A whimbrel was heard on 16 May. 20 knot were counted on 16 May.
Friday, 8 May 2009Weekly Highlights A cuckoo was heard calling over the reserve on 3 May. Bearded tits were seen from griesdale hide on 3 May. A garganey was seen at Griesdale hide on 3, 5 and 7 May (and at Eric Morecambe hide on 4 and 7 May). Bittern has been heard booming regularly from the Causeway. The bittern with the red ring (which was released in February) was seen flying to Griesdale hide on 5 May and a bittern was seen in front of public hide on 8 May. A male hen harrier was unusually seen over public hide on 7 May. An osprey was seen from lower hide on 7 May. At the coastal/saltmarsh pools there was a curlew sandpiper and a knot on 3 May. 2 ringed plvers were seen on 6 May. A yellow wagtail was seen on the Island at the Allen pool on 6 May. A common sandpiper and a spotted redshank were seen on 7 May. A little gull was seen at the Eric Morecambe pools on 7 May too. A stock dove was also seen at the Eric Morecambe pools on 7 May. 36 avocets were counted at the Eric Morecambe pools on 8 May.
Friday, 1 May 2009Weekly highlights The bittern is booming well, best heard from the Causeway. A peregrine falcon was seen from the Causeway on 26 April. An osprey was seen from Lilian's hide on 26 April as well. The egyptian goose was seen near the road overlooking Lower hide on 26 April. A green sandpiper was reported at public hide on 26 April. 6 swifts were seen over the Causeway on 26 April and 15 on 27 April and 38 on 28 April. At the saltmarsh/coastal pools: There has been 1 ruff, a greenshank, up to 2 spotted redshanks and a comon sandpiper there amongst other waders. A curlew sandpiper was seen on 28 April. A whitethroat has been recorded at the rear of the Eric Morecambe hide. A linnet was seen on the fence between the hides.
Saturday, 25 April 2009Weekly Highlights: 2 bearded tits were seen at Griesdale hide on 21 April (3 of the pairs now have young). 3 reed warblers, 2 little grebes and a bar-headed goose were also seen on 21 April. 2 woodcocks were heard/seen roding on 22 April. 2 black-necked grebes were here at Lilian's hide on 23 April but haven't been seen since then. A pair of great crested grebes are nest building to the right of Lower hide. Up to 2 spotted redshanks have been seen at the coastal/saltmarsh pools (on 23 April). A common lizard was seen 24 April on the path to the Allen hide.
Saturday, 25 April 2009A black tern has just been seen at Lilian's hide-time now is 14.43 pm.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009Highlights at Leighton Moss since 4 April: It's such a busy time of year for wildlife so here are some of the highlights..... There have been up to 30 avocets reported and 10 nests so far (at the Eric Morecambe pool- 4 nests on one island and 4 on the other island and one on a bigger island at the back then on the Allan pool there's one nest on the island and a pair looking ready to nest as well) front of the coastal/saltmarsh hides so great views this year). Also at the coastal hides have been up to 2 spotted redshanks, approx 2000 black-tailed godwits, a ruff and 10 little egrets on 8 April, up to 2 curlew sandpipers (last reported on 19 April). A green sandpiper and 2 little ringed plovers were seen at Barrow Scout fields on 18 April and a yellow wagtail was seen there on 19 April. A great white egret was here on 5, 8 and 9 April. A male and female Garganey were seen on 9 April and the male on 11 and 13 April at Griesdale hide. A jack snipe was seen on 9 April, a first year mediterranean gull was seen at Lilian's hide on 10 April, an osprey was seen on 11 April at public hide and at Lilian's hide on 18 April. A spoonbill was seen on 13, 16 and 17 April, mainly at Griesdale hide. Reed and sedge warblers are here now and a grasshopper warbler was heard on 14 April and a whitethroat was heard singing on 18 April. 4 lesser redpolls were seen on 14 April. A family of mallards with 13 ducklings are charming our visitors in front of the visitor centre too!
Tuesday, 21 April 2009Bearded tits update: There have been 10 bearded tit nests located and the first young should be flying any day now.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009Marsh harrier update: The monitoring of the marsh harriers continues and the males are continuing to pass food to the females. A female marsh harrier with what looks like a feather missing on her right wing was seen on Mon 20 April. A male (probably the one that mostly spends his time around Island Mere) flew under her and then they both went in the direction of Warton Crag.
Thursday, 16 April 2009So here is the update from 16 April. Until they all settle down with active nests this is the current situation which may well change.
Saturday, 11 April 2009What the marsh harriers have been up to so far..... Recap: in 2008 there were 2 males, each having 2 females (so 4 females in total). The 2 females that were with the older male- a pale female nested left of public hide and had 4 young, a female with a transmitter attempted to nest but didn't rear any young. The 2 females that were with the younger male- one female had 3 young in a nest in front of Lilian's hide and another female with dark brown wings and body but has white in wings and head had 2 young at Island Mere. So now for 2009! Looks like it's going to be an exciting year for marsh harriers. 17 March - a young subadult male passed through 19 March - The dark female with yellow on her wings and head appeared 29 March - The older male returned (was here last year) 30 March - The pale female returned (was here last year) 2 April - The female with dark brown wings and body but has white in wings and head returned (was here last year) 4 April - The younger male returned (was here last year) 7 April - 2 more adult males appeared and had a dispute over the territory by Island Mere. 1 left and the new adult male stayed (wasn't here last year) 9 April - A female with a feather missing in her right wing showed up but hasn't been seen since 10 April - The female with the transmitter returned (was here last year) 11 April - A very young male marsh harrier was chased off today and another male has gone nearby but doesn't seem to be on the reserve. Pairings so far: 3 males and 4 females -The older adult male (looks light and is immaculately marked. He is a full adult). He has displayed and mated with the pale female and they are around the left of Lilian's hide. -The new adult male (is not as well marked and has more brown in the wing) has displayed and mated with the female (with dark brown wings and body but has white in wings and head). They are now near Island Mere. -The younger male has displayed and mated with the female that has the transmitter and they are near Griesdale hide. -The dark female with yellow on her wings and head has mated with the older male but it's unknown which male she will be with yet.
Saturday, 4 April 2009Weekly highlights: There are now 3 female marsh harriers and 1 male here at Leighton Moss and it's wonderful to see them soaring over the reeds. A male bearded tit was seen at the path to Griesdale hide on 29 and 2 were seen near Lilian's hide on 2 April. Out of the 40 reed wigwams that have been put out in the dryer areas of the reedbed, 19 of them were checked today and there are 3 pairs nesting already. There have been lots of sightings bitterns this week, the released bird with a red ring was even seen at the new ponddipping area on 29 and 30 and he was out in front of Lilian's hide today for at least 2 hours! An osprey was seen from Lilian's hide on 29 March. A redwing was seen at the feeding station on 29 March and 2 April. A great white egret visited on 31 March and was seen again during the day on 1 April. 35 little egrets were counted from the roost on 31 March. A mediterranean gull was noted at Lilian's hide on 1 April. A brambling has been at the woodland feeding stationon a couple of occasions (seen today on 4 April). House martins have now joined the other summer migrants with the first sighting on 30 March and a willow warbler was recorded on 3 and 4 April. A noctule bat was seen from Lilian's hide on 31 March. At the saltmarsh/coastal pools there was a merlin on 1 April, 2 spotted redshanks and a greenshank were seen on 30 March, 25 avocets were counted on 4 April.
Saturday, 28 March 2009Fortnightly Highlights: The great news is there is an adult female marsh harrier back at Leighton Moss and she has been seen flying around the reedbed-mainly seen from Lilian's hide and Griesdale hide-a wonderful sight and makes it feel like summer is just around the corner. The egyptian goose was again seen in the fields by the level crossing. A greenwoodpecker was near Lower hide on 17 March. A bittern was seen swimming! at the water run before Griesdale hide on 17 March and again walking across the Causeway-what will they do next I wonder?!. 10 red deer showed themselves on 18 March. A whopping 16 buzzards were around Lilian's hide area this week. The sandmartins and swallows are being seen more often and chiffchaffs have been seen and heard on a few occasions. A water pipit was seen at Lilian's on 16 March. A peak of 50 avocets were counted at the saltmarsh/coastal pools on 22 March. Othe waders of note have been a spotted redshank and a greenshank seen on several occasions. 1,000 black-tailed godwits was an impressive number on 22 March.
Sunday, 15 March 2009Weekly Highlights: A second winter and an adult mediterranean gull were seen on 8 March, 3 (2 male and 1 female) stonechats were seen, 2 bearded tits were seen at Lower hide on 10 March, 4 little egrets were at Griesdale hide on 10 March, a bittern was seen at public hide on 11 March. The first 2 sandmartins were seen on 14 March and one again on 15 March. The first swallow was seen today heading north. At the saltmarsh/coastal pools-there have been up to 8 avocets seen this week (seen on 14 March), 1 male ruff was seen on 10 and 13 March, one spotted redshank was seen on 11 and 15 March, 4 pinkfooted geese were seen on 10 March and a male merlin was seen on 15 March.
Saturday, 7 March 2009Weekly highlights: 2 treecreepers were seen near Lilian's hide on 2 March, 2 bearded tits were seen near lower hide on 2 March. A mediterranean gull was seen at lower hide on 2 and 5 March. A kingfisher was seen at Griesdale hide and seen fishing at Lilian's hide on 4 March. The egyptian goose is still around, with sightings near lower hide on 4 and 5 March. 2 siskins were spotted near lower hide on 4 March. Little egrets are still around at various places on the reserve. A green woodpecker is in the area-often heard calling near the visitor centre and the road. 11 buzzards were counted over Warton Crag of 6 March. A bittern was seen at public hide on 2 and 5 March. At the coastal/saltmarsh pools there have been up to 5 avocets, 2 greenshanks, 1 spotted redshank and 8 dunlins seen this week.
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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)