Leighton Moss RSPB 16th November 2019




Leighton Moss RSPB (NH)


Weather:  Overcast, cold
Members and friends:      28                  Driver: Glenn

After a provision stop at Forton services on the M6 to admire the Pennine Tower, which incidentally used to house an up-market restaurant and sun deck! Was it ever used we asked ourselves on this cold November day as we continued our journey onwards to the Leighton Moss RSPB reserve. Buzzard, Pied Wagtail and Rook were noted in the vicinity of the services.

Arriving at the outer hides many of the party disembarked the coach to visit the Allen and Eric Morecambe hides. On the path down to the hides we quickly picked up on a group of small birds. Mainly the commoner finch species with a handful of Reed Bunting. The birds were feeding on the ground but were joined by Great and Blue Tit in the adjacent shrubs. Further back in some small tree’s we identified Fieldfare and Redwing as well as Song Thrush and Blackbird. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was found, and overhead Canada and Greylag Geese flew out to the estuary.

Further on the path we found Siskin feeding on the overhead Alder trees, with Dunnock and very obliging Robin’s, posing for photographs. From the Eric Morecambe hide we were entertained with good numbers of duck and other wetland species. Waders included Snipe, Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin, Knot and a large flock of Black-tailed Godwit, some just showing a rustiness from their past summer plumage. We picked out a couple of pristine Greenshank, their whiteness gleaming in the morning gloom.

All the commoner dabbling duck species were present including a couple of very smart male Pintail. A single redhead Goosander fished in front of the hide. In the distance we could identify Little Egret out on the marsh with Shelduck and a large flock of Lapwing. A distant Kingfisher was sat patiently on a wire fence and the long neck of a Great White Egret could be seen as it moved along the ditches. A couple of Marsh Harrier gave good views as they drifted over head.
Jenny Brown's Point (NH)

A handful of the party walked out to Jenny Brown’s Point where we were rewarded with a fine male Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser and a winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe. This bird was scrutinised carefully to discount the similar Slavonian Grebe. Oystercatcher, Great Crested Grebe and Great Black-backed Gull were added to the day’s list. In the adjacent woodland we found Nuthatch and Jay as well as Coal and Marsh Tit.

Walking through Silverdale we found Treecreeper and the commoner finch and tit species. As we returned to the RSPB reserve a flock of over fifty Pink-footed Geese called as they flew south.

Walking down the causeway path on the reserve we quickly picked up Kestrel and another Marsh Harrier. Seventeen Whooper Swans accompanied by a single Pink-footed Goose passed over our heads. Cetti’s Warbler called from the reeds and some of the group were lucky enough to connect with both Bittern and Water Rail.

The outstanding birds of the day were the Bearded Reedlings, with many of the society having excellent views in the reeds adjacent to the causeway path. Two superb males and a female gave the writer probably the best views he has ever had of this species. Just by standing very still in the vicinity of the pinging calls (the birds make) allowed the birds to come within yards of the viewer. A definite birding highlight of the year.

On the path to the Lower Hide we connected with Goldcrest, Marsh and Long-tailed Tit. Water Rail could be heard calling in the damp areas. A Green Woodpecker called from the adjacent hillside.
Marsh Tit (Alan & Glo)

From the Lower Hide we had good views of Marsh Harrier, with plenty of Gadwall and Shoveler in view. Tufted Duck and Mute Swan completed the picture. A Robin came and joined us inside the hide!

As we approached the end of the day and made our way to the visitor’s centre a large party of Jackdaw passed overhead going to roost. At the feeding station there were more Marsh Tit on view and, as well as the commoner species, we had nice views of bullfinch. Nearby Cetti’s Warbler and Water Rail gave their last calls of the day, before the light faded, and the society returned to the coach.
Shoveler (Alan & Glo)

The day ended with an impressive total of 85 species recorded (for comparison, our trip here in March 2019 produced 72 species).


Mute Swan Sparrowhawk Fieldfare
Whooper Swan Buzzard Blackbird
Pink-footed Goose Kestrel Cetti's Warbler
Greylag Goose Water Rail Goldcrest
Canada Goose Moorhen Wren
Shelduck Coot Great Tit
Mallard Oystercatcher Coal Tit
Gadwall Lapwing Blue Tit
Pintail Knot Marsh Tit
Shoveler Dunlin Long-tailed Tit
Wigeon Redshank Bearded Reedling
Teal Greenshank Nuthatch
Garganey Black-tailed Godwit Treecreeper
Pochard Curlew Magpie
Scaup Snipe Jay
Tufted Duck Black-headed Gull Jackdaw
Goldeneye Great Black-backed Gull Rook
Goosander Lesser Black-backed Gull Carrion Crow
Red-breasted Merganser Woodpigeon Starling
Pheasant Collared Dove House Sparrow
Little Grebe Kingfisher Tree Sparrow
Great-crested Grebe Green Woodpecker (H) Chaffinch
Black-necked Grebe Great Spotted Woodpecker Goldfinch
Cormorant Pied Wagtail Greenfinch
Bittern Dunnock Siskin
Little Egret Robin Bullfinch
Great White Egret Song Thrush Reed Bunting
Grey Heron Redwing  
Marsh Harrier Mistle Thrush  

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