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members and friends set off from Stockport for a full day at the Leighton Moss
RSPB reserve.
After
a comfort and provisions stop at the Lancaster M6 services the coach made its
way straight to the outer hides. Passing displaying Curlew in roadside fields
our first star bird of the day was a Great White Egret at the Barrow Scout
fields, just short of the drop off point.
As
the group wandered down to the hides we discovered one of the adjacent fields
held a flock of circa 200 Black-tailed Godwit, most in glorious summer plumage.
Around the small car park to the outer hides warblers were in full song with
Chiffchaff, Willow, Reed and Sedge Warbler all quickly found. The highlight was
a singing Grasshopper Warbler with fine views had of this usually skulking
species. Not to be outdone a Cetti’s Warbler put in an appearance and gave its
gunfire song.
On
the pools in front of Allen and Eric Morecambe’s hides the group watched noisy
Avocets bickering with the Black-headed Gulls. A few Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal
were also in attendance. A couple of Little Egret patrolled the margins and
another flock of circa 275 Black-tailed Godwit were resting on one of the
islands. A single Bar-tailed Godwit was
picked out amongst the flock. Redshanks were present and a distant Ringed
Plover was also identified.
As
the group watched from the Allen Hide two Cattle Egrets flew in and gave
excellent views, a new species for the society.
View from Lower Hide (Holly Page)
The
writer and seven others took the walk out to Jenny Browns Point and were
rewarded with half a dozen Wheatear, Linnet and two Whimbrels. From up on the
headland, with Blackcap singing nearby, we watched Eider, Shelduck and more
Black-tailed Godwit out in the bay. A Green Woodpecker gave its signature
yaffle and then flew overhead.
On
the walk down to Silverdale Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper were all seen.
Buzzard and Sparrowhawk circled overhead.
Arriving
at the RSPB’s visitor centre we quickly picked up more Marsh Tits around the
feeders along with the commoner tit species as well as Chaffinch, Bullfinch and
Greenfinch.
From
Lilian’s Hide a splendid male Garganey gave excellent views, with quartering
Marsh Harrier as a backdrop. Walking on to Tim Jackson’s Hide we found a
further Great White Egret posing with Little Egret which highlighted the size
difference between these two species.
Garganey (Holly Page)
A
walk down the public causeway gave excellent views of Cetti’s Warbler and for
those with patience, good, if brief, views of Bearded Tit. A handful of Swallow
and Sand Martin were seen over the reed beds and a number of Reed Warbler were
heard calling. From the Causeway Hide two huge Greater Black-backed Gulls were
seen loafing on an adjacent island.
From
the Lower Hide many members were entertained by a male Marsh Harrier which
seemed to be following a circuit that included dive-bombing Mallard and Greylag
Geese young to try and separate one from its parents. Out on the water Pochard
and Tufted Duck were present.
View from Sky Tower (Holly Page)
It
had been an excellent day, glorious weather, temperatures reaching into the
20’s and, for those that went out to Jenny Browns Point, a good walk of just
short of 12.5km.
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