I’ve been away from the reserve for the last week, so sorry for the lack of blog. Here goes with a mammoth catch up of sightings at RSPB Leighton Moss in the last week.
The cold snap last week made it feel like it was actually winter at the reserve, most of the pools were frozen over not leaving much room for the water birds. But it did give some visitors an absolutely fantastic view of our otter family, seen walking across the ice last Sunday. This photo was taken by Ged Gill, click on the link to see the image; http://bit.ly/zbHLXl. The otters are still out and about most days, with the best views from Public and Lower hide.
The starling roost has been excellent for the past week, the clear and calm weather has meant the starlings have been gathering in large numbers at the reserve and putting on some amazing displays. They are still favouring the Public hide end of the reserve, but did roost down near Griesdale for a couple of nights earlier in the week. On a nice clear day they are going into roost at around 4.30pm at the moment.
We have had plenty of reports of several bitterns on the reserve, best seen from Public hide, although you still need a keen eye, and a telescope, to pick them out from the reeds. The marsh harriers have also been seen regularly, they are over-wintering at Leighton Moss for the first time.
The saltmarsh hides have proved popular over the last week, a merlin was seen there on Saturday, plus spotted redshanks, snipe and goosanders. There have also been pintails, greenshanks, dunlins and red breasted mergansers.
The glossy ibis has taken up residence down near the saltmarsh hides, in the flooded fields across the road; but it hasn’t been reported yet today (Sunday). There have also been 3 snow geese often seen in a similar area to the glossy ibis, but they have also been seen from Lillian’s hide, they are usually with a group of greylag geese.
There have been several sightings of stoats, down at Lower hide and on the causeway and the red deer, including the stag, have been seen near Tim Jackson hide.
The bearded tits have made another rare winter appearance (they are usually easier to see in October and November), on the path down to Lower hide. Other rarities include the snow bunting on the slag tips, a red headed smew, which returned to Lillian’s pool this weekend, and the green winged teal, which has been seen at Lillian’s and Tim Jackson hides today.
There are still plenty of goldeneyes and goosanders best seen from Public, Lower and Lillian’s hides as well as our regulars such as shovellers, tufted ducks, wigeon, teal, pochard, gadwall and little egrets.
We have also had plenty of sightings of woodland and garden birds such as redpoll and siskin on the path to Lower hide, redwing, goldcrest, tree creepers and marsh tits in the wooded path on the way to Tim Jackson and Griesdale hides, plus fieldfare on the golf course and lots of long tailed tits. Which reminds me, don’t forget to join in the Big Garden Birdwatch next weekend, you can pop down to Leighton Moss during the week to get your eye in if you want, and there are still a few spaces on the Garden Birds talk on Tuesday 24 January 7pm-9.30pm, the price (£14 RSPB members, £16 non-members) includes a 2 course meal. Please call us on 01524 701601 to book your place.