Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve - 13th November 2021

 

J. Wharton - Bearded Reedlings

Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve

 13^th November 2021

 

Weather:  Warm, sunny

Members and friends:      28                  

Driver: Glenn

After an unplanned stop at Bullocks coach-yard (where 20 Ring-necked Parakeet flew over), a provision stop at Forton services on the M6 and a slight detour in Carnforth twenty-eight members and friends eventually arrived at Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve (to be told the coach wasn’t allowed to park in the car park!). Those that didn’t want to visit the outer hides dis-embarked the coach at the visitor centre and the rest of the group drove on to find a suitable drop off point.

Arriving at the outer hides we were greeted with the distinctive call of the Cetti’s Warbler. Whilst this species is easily heard, getting good views is always harder. Throughout the day many members played hide and seek with this species. From the Allen and Eric Morecambe hides we recorded a number of duck species and had good views of a Great White Egret. Distant Curlew and Lapwing were noted. The RSPB had been doing work on the scrapes in the preceding week, so bird numbers seemed to be low. There was also a lack of small birds on the path to the hides with only a fly-over Bullfinch of note.

J. Wharton - Cormorant

A couple of us walked out to Jenny Brown’s Point and recorded fly-over Goosander and Skylark, with a Little Egret feeding in the ditches of the sheep fields. As we approached the wooded slopes of Silverdale we were met with a distinct birdcall. Eventually after a bit of searching we located the caller and Marsh Tit was added to our day list. The commoner tit species plus Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Greenfinch were noted as we made our way around to Jenny Brown’s Point.

J. Wharton - Marsh Tit

The tide was a long way out with miles and miles of mud flat exposed. The birds were spread out and generally distant but in a close channel we could identify a pair of Red-breasted Merganser. Redshank, Shelduck, Little Egret, Grey Heron and another Great White Egret were also seen.  Walking on through Silverdale we added Redwing, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, and the commoner woodland species to our list. At a couple of locations we saw more Marsh Tits, hopefully the species is doing well in this area.

A. Barrett - Great Tit

As we returned to the reserve we had distant views of a couple of Marsh Harrier hunting over the reedbeds. Walking down the causeway path we again heard Cetti’s Warbler and the frequent call of Water Rail. The occasional Reed Bunting flitted across the path. The outstanding birds of the day, for many, were the Bearded Reedlings, with many of the society having excellent views of birds on the grit trays. Some of the society recorded twenty to thirty birds, an excellent count. 

A. Barrett - Bearded Reedling

From the Causeway hide we recorded Tufted Duck, Mute Swan and Cormorant to add to the list and had better views of Marsh Harrier, with both male and female birds present. A flock of circa thirty Black-tailed Godwit flew over and Buzzard could be seen over the adjacent hillside.

On the flooded path to the Lower Hide we had outstanding views of Marsh Tit, with one individual coming to the hand for seed. Pheasant were plentiful in the adjacent field and Stock Dove were seen further up the hillside. At Lower Hide we added Goldeneye to our list and found plenty of Snipe feeding in the muddy edges.  

J. Wharton - Robin

Making our way back to the visitor centre, where many of the party sampled the excellent selection of cake, we watched the feeders and again found Marsh Tit as well as the commoner woodland species. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the vicinity and another Cetti’s Warbler close by. Siskin were seen in the adjacent Alders.

Visiting the rather comfortable Lilian’s Hide we had good views of the commoner duck species, with smart male Pintail and Shoveler on show. Teal, Mallard and Gadwall were present and again we had good views of Marsh Harrier. Walking over to the Grisedale and Tim Jackson Hides produced nothing further of note, but we did add Greylag Geese to the days list. Again the Marsh Harriers were showing well. 

A. Barrett - Teal

A climb up the Skytower towards the end of the day gave fine panoramic views over the whole of the reserve. The weather had been fantastic with wall to wall blue sky for the whole of the day. The party returned to the coach and as we drove away we looked back and could see flocks of Starling flying towards the reedbeds. Numbers were large and a sizable murmuration was forming as we lost the reserve to view.

With 77 species recorded in the day and exceptionally fine weather for the time of year society members and friends all agreed it had been another successful visit to the Leighton Moss RSPB reserve. 

J.Wharton - Bearded Reedling

Birds seen;