1 x Male Bittern heard booming at 11:30 hrs near Skytower 9 x different sightings of Marsh Harrier (at least 4 different birds) 3 x Marsh Tit 10 x Pintail 1 Great White Egret 3 x Little Egret 1 x Redpoll 1 x Greenshank 5 x Black-Tailed Godwit 75 x Shelduck 60 x Wigeon 20 x Pochard 35 x Teal 8 x Gadwall 25 x Shoveler 15 x Curlew 1 x Snipe 1 x Goldeneye 1 x Grey Heron 3 x Dunnock 1 x Reed Bunting 1 x Nuthatch 10 x Robin 7 x Blue Tit 6 x Great Tit 3 x Chaffinch 4 x Blackbird 2 x Goldfinch 20 x Lapwing 50 x Greylag Geese 15 x Canada Geese 3 x Buzzard 1 x Kestrel 2 x Oystercatcher 20 x Tufted Duck 2 x Great Crested Grebe 30 x Coot 7 x Moorhen 4 x Magpie 3 x Woodpigeon 40 x Jackdaw 10 x Crow 30 x Mallard 5 x Cormorant 4 x Pheasant 8 x Mute Swan 2 x Great Black Backed Gull 1 x Black-Headed Gull (only one seen incredibly!)
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Monday 4th of March 2019 10:18:02 PM
Richard Thew said
Fri Feb 22 6:45 PM, 2019
8:30 - 5pm A great day With 62 species seen and 4 others heard. Highlights include:
Great white egret (from the train at the Saltmarsh) Little egret Bittern (i spotted this in flight and its been over 10 years since my last Bittern at Leighton moss!) Goldeneye Pintail Pochard Red breasted merganser Shelduck Pink footed geese Cettis warbler Goldcrest Song thrush Bearded tits (2 seen by chance) Little grebe close coots - 6 pairs of which were locked in battle (Two pictures now on flickr) Snipe Black tailed godwit Avocet Curlew Dunlin Oystercatcher Marsh harrier Great black backed gull Marsh tit (showed well) Great tit on the hand (honest!- wasnt a robin) Rook Fruitcake with custard Treecreeper Reed bunting
High tide was impressive to see all the marsh behind the banking flood and this has raised the water levels on the Saltmarsh itself.
(No sign of some regulars too such as bullfinch and grey heron).
Heard one were - water rail, skylark, green woodpecker and a raven.
Ta!!
Picture is cettis - record shot.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 22nd of February 2019 11:01:28 PM
Just back from a walking, bird watching weekend, with three visits to the reserve on Friday 15th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th February. Weather on all three days mild and dry. Friday there from 13.00 to dusk, Saturday there at dusk after a walk taking in the south shore of Wast water and Sunday there from 09.30 to dusk. Stunning murmurations on all three evenings, viewed from three separate locations. Birds seen as follows: blackbird, black headed gull, blue, great and marsh tit, black tailed godwit, buzzard, canada geese, chiffchaff, chaffinch, comorant, coot, crow, dunnock, little egret, great crested grebe, grey heron, lapwing, magpie, mallard, marsh harriers, robin, moorhen, mute and whooper swan, nuthatch, pheasant, pintail, pochard, shelduck, snipe, teal, starling, tree creeper, water rail, widgeon.......plus otters....... the marsh harriers and the murmurations were incredible....
John Williams said
Thu Feb 7 9:14 PM, 2019
12.30-17.00
Eric Morecombe Complex
1 Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Greenshanks, 3f Goosanders, 1m Pintail, 6 Dunlin and 22 Curlew.
Lots of Redshanks and Black Tailed Godwits. A few Skylarks were chasing each other along the edge of the saltmarsh.
Main Reserve
1m+1f Marsh Harrier, 13 Snipe, 9 Pintails, 2 Marsh Tits, 12f+2m Goldeneye and 1 Water Rail.
Around 5pm a spectacular Starling murmuration took place above the level crossing.
Richard Thew said
Fri Jan 4 7:15 PM, 2019
On my last full free day, I decided to goto Leighton moss
8:30-3:30 with 62 species found. Overcast and dull but calm. Highlights include....
Curlew x2 - one of which showed well on the Saltmarsh Greenshank x3 possible 4 Knot x1 Dunlin x1 Oystercatcher x2 Snipe x12+ Great black backed gull x1 Peregrine 1st winter Goosander x2 male, 3x female Goldeneye x3 female Pintail x50+ Cettis warbler x1 seen breifly twice calling (not song burst) - one going to the hide and another when returning. Wren showed well close Treecreeper x2 Nuthatch close x1 Siskin about 20 Sparrowhawk x1 female Also a great white egret at a distance
Lemon cake this time with custard for my traditional desert.
Ta! !
Paul Beachcroft said
Tue Dec 25 2:41 PM, 2018
A couple more hours spent this morning in the causeway hide at Leighton Moss. Marsh Harrier and Kestrel both chilling in separate trees, a Cormorant unsuccessfully tackling a large fish for a good few minutes, Mute Swans, Grey Heron, Moor Hen, Coot, Teal, Lapwing, Robins, Chaffinch, Bullfinch..... oh and an Otter fishing......
Paul Beachcroft said
Mon Dec 24 3:01 PM, 2018
A four hour walk from Silverdale, Leighton Moss, Deepdale and Cringlebarrow woods, Yealand Storrs, Yealand Hall Allotments, Hawes Water, Gait Barrows Nature Reserve and Eaves Wod. Excellent views of my very first Bittern from the Causeway Hide, 2 x Snipe, Comorants, Blue and Great Tit, Robins (a plenty), Marsh Harriers, Grey Heron, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Chaffinch. Weather cold and frosty at first but dry and sunny.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Nov 18 10:05 PM, 2018
Having dipped the Dusky Warbler on both reserves at Ainsdale we headed up here for the rest of the day.
Some of the group managed to find the American Wigeon from the Warton Crags viewpoint but even on a second attempt just after sunset the light wasn't good.
The Great Grey Shrike gave good but usually brief views at various distances east from the path north past Lower Hide, and there were sightings of 4 Heron species from the hide itself (Bittern, Grey heron, Great and Little Egrets). A good selection of other waterfowl, Cetti's Warbler heard and Marsh tit seen, with a Lenticular (?) cloud providing some additional interest
Richard Thew said
Wed Oct 24 4:25 PM, 2018
Another trip with my family this time. That means I couldn't get to the Saltmarsh on this trip.
50 species seen, highlights include;
Sparrowhawk Pink footed geese over Bearded tits (reedlings) Pintail drake (from Grizedale hide) Also a suprise find, a garganey female Treecreeper Goldcrest Redwing Wigeon
Plus the usual nuthatch which put on a good show, Marsh tits, snipe, little grebe, shoveler, teal, redshank and little grebes (3)
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 09:56:44 PM
An interesting day with a few surprises, with 64 species seen and 2 extra ones heard and perhaps seen (but could be more circumstantial) which were cettis warbler and rooks.
I arrived at dawn about 8am, and I had planned to goto the bearded tit (or reedlings - my preferred name for them) I spent almost an hour and half waiting for them to show and nothing! However, during that time there was a water rail, several snipes, reed bunting, and a Jay.
I decided to walk to the causeway hide for a few minutes and I was totally surprised to bump into Steven from my local patch!, After spending a few minutes chatting in the hide, I wanted to give the bearded reedlings one last chance before departing for the salt marshes (so as not to have my lunch too late). So we went our separate ways and within 5 minutes of getting to the new reedling lookout point, the bearded reedlings showed- or be it for 5 minutes at least.
Other highlights included;
Skylark along the causeway Nuthatch very close (especially 2ft above my head at 8am) Fieldfare (also at 8am) Redpoll Siskins Marsh tits by the end of the causeway 2-3pm Great tit 1ft from my shoulder for 2 mins Treecreeper Redwings (whilst waiting for the return train) Also great spotted woodpecker (seen as above) Goldcrest Little grebe close-ish Great crested grebe Marsh harrier
Saltmarsh produced:
Curlew Kingfisher (twice briefly) 7 goosanders 2 Spotted redshanks 2 greenshanks Great white egret Little egrets Wigeon
And to top it all of was a nice toffee pudding with custard with my lunch (yum!!!)
Ta!!
Carl Fletcher-Poole said
Tue Oct 2 3:15 PM, 2018
Went to see if I could see the Bearded reedlings but sadly no luck. Had five minutes in the Eric Morecombe Hide and the other (name escapes me) and the Great egret was fishing in a pool next to me. It was with a greenshank and showing really well. See picture. Didn't really have much time to look around as was working so a quick visit.
-- Edited by Carl Fletcher-Poole on Tuesday 2nd of October 2018 03:16:23 PM
Just a quick recommendation for anyone visiting Leighton Moss, and to echo John's comments, do take some mealworms with you if you visit as the Robins will take them from your open hand. We have fed them regularly this way and got some great pictures doing so.
John Williams said
Sat Sep 15 9:57 PM, 2018
10.30-16.00
Eric Morecombe Complex :
1 Spotted Redshank with 180+ Redshanks, 6 Greenshanks, 2m+1f Ruff, 1 Great White Egret, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel
and 1f Goosander.
Main reserve South of the causeway : 350+ Black Tailed Godwits, 2 LIttle Grebes, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff.
North of the causeway : 1 imm female Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzards, 1 Greenshank, 9 Little Grebes, 2 ad+1juv Great Crested Grebes,
and 1 Marsh Tit. Marsh Tits are attracted to seed put down along the path to the Lower Hide, and if you stand perfectly still they
come to within a few feet, numerous Coal Tits are also attracted by this feeding.
There was a trickle of Southbound Swallows throughout (Especially notable at the Eric Morecambe Hide), a few House Martins
were also amongst the exodus. A group of 10 House Martins though defied the rules, and were moving purposely Northwards.
The sheer number of Robins seen along the trails today was amazing, some of these are so tame that they almost land on your
upturned hand. However when they purposely land about a foot from you, at head level, and then burst in song it is breathtaking.
Families visiting with their children were in awe at this behaviour. Something youngsters will remember for the rest of their lives,
these Robins may do more for conservation than any Panda ever could.
Sarfraz Hayat said
Sat Sep 1 9:39 PM, 2018
Hi,
Does anyone know if Bittern bred successfully this year at Leighton Moss? I know back in May June the blog mentioned "feeding flights" but after that nothing. Hope they bred here especially after all the hard work that has been put into trying to improve the habitat.
S
Shannon Llewellyn said
Wed Aug 29 11:29 PM, 2018
Day spent around here today; hoping for an osprey primarily, and for about ten minutes, I was almost certainly watching one, but it was extremely distant from the salt marshes hides, so there's the element of doubt.
Chiffchaff, marsh tit (two, very confiding in the woodland between the causeway & lower hide), nuthatch, sand martin, house martin, swallow, pied wagtail 2 raven 1+ water rail heard 50+ teal 25+ shoveler c10 gadwall c30 mute swan 15+ little grebe 1 great crested grebe 17 lapwing 6 greenshank 250+ black-tailed godwit 2 curlew, flyover from Lilian's 2 little egret 3 great white egret 6+ grey heron 1 common tern (a reserve first for me) 1 great black-backed gull (causing panic at Lilian's) 2 or 3 buzzard
Garganey and hobby reported from Lilian's, but I didn't see those.
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Wednesday 29th of August 2018 11:30:19 PM
Steven Nelson said
Sat Jul 14 10:54 PM, 2018
Called in at Leighton Moss for a couple of hours this morning before spending the rest of the day looking for butterflies around the Silverdale and Arnside area. Fairly quiet but a few things of note:
Morecambe & Allen hides: A family of Cettis Warblers showed really well. 3 youngsters sat side by side on a low branch of a small bush as a parent made numerous visits with food. Numerous Reed Warblers The pools had very little- 14 Little Egrets the only things of note.
Causeway hide: 1 Greenshank 2 Great Black-backed Gull - 1 adult plus 1 chick on island 3 Little Egrets 1 Marsh Harrier 1 Buzzard 1 Little Grebe 1 Great crested Grebe 2 Cormorants- 1 caught an eel 2 Marsh Tit in nearby woods
Unfortunately I missed the Osprey by half an hour. Also Hobby around but didnt see it. However an Otter showed for a few minutes.
Sarfraz Hayat said
Tue May 22 8:47 PM, 2018
Hi Jeff,
I was along the causeway when the Osprey reappeared at about 7pm on that Tuesday and ran back into the hide where I videoed it, eventually catching a fish and flying off.
It was a nice end to the day. Sadly, we missed the Garden Warblers and Otters.
Jeff Gorse wrote:
Full day visit Monday 14th May in glorious conditions. Highlights -
Scaup present throughout from Causeway Hide. Also here two sets of great crested grebe, one with two young - good views of the adults attempting to feed them an eel.
Osprey over Causeway early evening.
2 x garden warbler showing well from the stretch between Causeway and Lower Hides. Bearded tit briefly along the Causeway early morning.
Evening concluded with two otters from Causeway
Jeff Gorse said
Tue May 15 6:44 PM, 2018
Full day visit Monday 14th May in glorious conditions. Highlights -
Scaup present throughout from Causeway Hide. Also here two sets of great crested grebe, one with two young - good views of the adults attempting to feed them an eel.
Osprey over Causeway early evening.
2 x garden warbler showing well from the stretch between Causeway and Lower Hides. Bearded tit briefly along the Causeway early morning.
Evening concluded with two otters from Causeway
Mark Jarrett said
Fri May 11 8:05 PM, 2018
Called in very briefly to Leighton Moss this afternoon after visiting a lovely reserve in the Rusland Valley.
Scaup still present and viewable from the Public Causeway Hide. Spoonbill also still present and viewable from the Eric Morecambe Hide, albeit very distant.
A Mediterranean gull on the Saltmarsh with another that hybridised with a black headed gull (i will try and get a record shot posted here later)!
Apparently, after examining my own pictures- I quickly realised that it was in fact a 2nd summer plumaged Mediterranean gull. I've never seen an immature at this stage before and with the heat and light direction, it's no wonder I assumed it was a hybrid (besides also the different behaviour shape compared to the adult).
Regarding the Hawfinches, I myself was aware that there are supposed to be a few "around the corner," but I've never actually seen any there myself dispite past efforts years ago to find them. So it certainly nice to see one here and this for me is a Leighton moss first! (Many thanks Rob for the extra input.)
Attached; Scaup, Mediterranean Gulls, knot and Osprey
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 7th of May 2018 09:18:49 PM
Hi Richard, Silverdale round the corner always used to be reported as being a good place for Hawfinches in years gone by.
Richard Thew said
Mon May 7 5:55 PM, 2018
Wow, what a trip!!!
I usually struggle in heat and humidity, so I was surprised I've managed to reach 61 species today- it could have been more if I had the energy to find a few others that I heard (about 6).
The highlights included;
A Mediterranean gull on the Saltmarsh with another that hybridised with a black headed gull (i will try and get a record shot posted here later) Also there was a knot, a wigeon, plenty of avocets too and two cettis warblers that were having a major argument with each other.
Main reserve highlights included;
marsh harrier, buzzard, sparrowhawk, Osprey (which showed very well from the causeway hide), the drake Scaup was perfectly timed to see it up close, a Jay, little grebes, pochard and a few swifts.
2 willow warblers were in a dispute, some nice views of sedge warblers and a glimpse of a reed warbler.
I've saved the best till last (litterally) as I was heading back to the centre, I heard a great spotted woodpecker. "Not seen that yet" I thought. Unfortunately I dipped on that whilst looking at some trees across a small field with sheep, instead I found a large finch with a very heavy beak. "No way!" I thought - a male Hawfinch!!! I could just hear him calling and i even caught brief full views of him!!
Awesome!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 8th of May 2018 03:10:25 PM
Carl Fletcher-Poole said
Thu May 3 7:37 PM, 2018
Had heard that the Marsh Harriers were showing well and they did not let me down. Counted at least 5 males and a few sights of Females and one Male doing a fabulous sky dance it was breath taking. Recommend a visit (see pictures) as they are really close to the hide.
-- Edited by Carl Fletcher-Poole on Thursday 3rd of May 2018 07:38:50 PM
Saturday morning visit in glorious weather. Highlights :-
Osprey over Lilians early(ish) morning
4 x marsh harrier including some skydancing
Bittern booming from Lilians reedbeds
Large numbers of blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff, reed warbler - Cetti's warbler also heard from skytower and Griesdale area
sid ashton said
Wed Apr 18 4:55 PM, 2018
Had a longish session at the Eric Morecombe complex this morning (07.30 - 12.30) in the hope of catching up with the Black-headed Wagtail. The big group of Meadow Pipits with which the bird has been seen was present but unfortunately the target bird did not show up Still there were plenty of folk present making for good company and a good number of regular species were seen on and around the the big field to the west of the railway line. These included a Whimbrel, a pair of Stonechat, several White and Pied Wagtails, 4 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, a Grey Heron and Willow Warbler and Green Woodpecker heard singing/calling. Rob's Greylag with neck collar was present and a female Kestrel put in an appearance.
On the way back dropped in at Warton Crag and had great views of the resident Peregrines and the Ravens and chicks.
So despite missing out on the Wagtail a very enjoyable visit was had.
Rob Creek said
Mon Apr 16 12:12 PM, 2018
Sunday morning 15th April.
- Black-headed Wagtail (Lifer when its split)
A very smart male in brilliant plumage. It was reported as distant on the services but when I arrived it came fairly close to the farm track at the side of the road, everybody present commented on how pristine it looked. It was flushed a couple of times along with a whole shed load of Meadow Pipits.
Other birds of note... - 2 Pied Wagtail - 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker - Greylag Goose with red neck brace "DVD" - few Curlew over - Chiffchaff singing seemingly everywhere - Cetti's Warbler and Green Woodpecker heard too
Nice to meet Paul Baker here who incidentally took me up on the offer of going to Warrington.
Late news from Saturday and having a free day today made my mind up for a morning at Leighton Moss.
First port of call was the Eric Morecambe complex where in a field next to the entrance track a Black-headed Wagtail had been found yesterday. Having chatted to a couple of folk on the aforementioned Stockport RSPB trip I know that Simon and his coach left just as news was breaking of this rarity. Black-headed Wagtail is a race of Yellow Wagtail, namely Motacilla flava feldegg, but in many birders opinions it is the most likely split in that complex, to become a full species. Whatever the status it is a mega smart bird and worth a look at any time, hence my trip, even though it was my 4th in the UK. On arrival the bird was on show, scope views of the adult male Black-headed Wagtail were diatant but still welcome. Moving round to the railway level crossing closer views were achieved and record shots were even taken through the scope as the bird fed with a large group of Meadow Pipits.
After a while I bobbed over onto the reserve proper and had a mooch, picking up Marsh Tit for my yearlist, but having to get back I couldn't do this reserve justice. maybe next time
Yesterday April 14th was the annual Stockport Birdwatching Society trip to Leighton Moss. Arrival was around 9.30 and we left at 16.30.
Overall the trip daylist was 87; I managed 61. The previous couple of trips were around St. Georges Day and it was interesting to see the difference a week can make in terms of migrants, as no Reed or Grasshopper Warblers or Sylvias other than Blackcap were seen, and only a few saw a Sedge Warbler where these had all been showing well to everyone the year before.
The usual specialities of the site were seen, such as Bearded Tit, Marsh Tit and Cetti's Warbler. Great White Egret proved a bit elusive for most but was recorded. Marsh Harriers were constantly visible, with 2 very well-marked adult males constantly on patrol and some nice displaying and pair bonding going on. I was lucky enough to see some swooping sky-dancing and calling by one of the males, wow. There were also good numbers of waders on the saltmarsh pools and a few members who walked to Jenny Brown's Point picked up Red-throated Diver. Also significant for the reserve was a booming male Bittern; this is the first booming on site for a while and all parties would dearly like to see Bitterns breeding at Leighton Moss again
But the clear highlight for most members was the presence of an Osprey which hunted over the large mere overlooked by Causeway and Lower Hides. This was certainly really exciting for me as I'd never seen an Osprey this well before. I was so giddy I didn't really get notes on gender or age but there was a view that it was the male bird from the pair at Foulshaw Moss. It hovered and glided over the water at least twice and was seen to catch a fish. This time last year there had been no Ospreys about at all so it was a real pleasure.
With the sun out on top of all this birdlife it was a very successful trip.
Jeff Gorse said
Sun Apr 8 5:13 AM, 2018
Saturday visit in wet but mild conditions. Highlight a spoonbill seen twice at Griesdale firstly to 9.30am then relocated at saltmarsh before a second spell at Griesdale up to lunchtime when it flew off inland.
Jeff Gorse said
Sun Jan 14 3:33 PM, 2018
Morning visit Saturday 13th in cold but occasionally bright conditions, taking in the reserve and the saltmarsh. Highlights :-
Leighton Moss RSPB - little egret giving very good views immediately in front of Lilian's Hide - great white egret seen at Griesdale and later flying over the reedbeds towards the saltmarsh area.
Large numbers of pintail, teal, shoveler and gadwall.
Flock of approx. 40 fieldfare and redwing in the surrounding trees.
4 x oystercatcher in the fields along Slackwood Lane.
Allen & Eric Morecambe hides
Large flock of greenfinch, chaffinch and reed buntings foraging in the cleared area along the footpath.
Lots of redshank and lapwing with 2x dunlin and 1 x greenshank from the Allen Hide.
Also on Allen Hide a kingfisher showing from one of the fenceposts and a merlin on the tree stumps at the back of the pond.
Jeff Gorse said
Sun Nov 26 3:07 PM, 2017
Morning visit Saturday 25th - little to report sightings-wise but just to flag up that at present the majority of the footpaths are not surprisingly heavily flooded and impassable without wellingtons - including the causeway to the public hides and the main reserve itself beyond the Skytower
Richard Thew said
Wed Oct 25 8:59 PM, 2017
Managed my 2nd trip with the soul intention of getting decent pictures of the bearded tits and with excellent success in the nice sun!
I though didn't visit the lower hide or the Saltmarsh this time as I had company and the water levels have creeped up by 4 inch. Dispite this, I clocked up 50 species with this time greylag goose, water rail, and song thrush.
Highlights included, (besides the bearded tits), 7 little grebes, 4 treecreepers close, goldcrest, a Jay, nuthatch and Marsh tits close, goosander, purple heron (which wandered behind some reeds on the right of the Grizedale hide and whilst waiting for it to come out again one flew in from the reeds on the left and landed right. Either it somehow managed to sneak past without being seen by 16 people or there are 2 of them), Marsh harrier, buzzard, redwings, and over a dozen snipes.
Oh, yes!!!!!! They still have apple pie left over from Monday, perfect with custard!!!!!!!!
An exciting day today, but, the forecast said after a damp start, the sun would be out! Sun, what sun?? I didn't see any sun's? ???? Still, can't complain as it stayed practically dry!!
Dispite the water levels are a wee bit high and most birds absent, I still rounded up an impressive 63 species with a further 3 heard only!
Highlights included a fieldfare, redwings, stock dove, kingfisher, bearded tits close, plenty of snipes with several seen in flight, a cettis warbler showed in full view as soon as I entered the lower hide with zero effort to see it (just couldn't believe my eyes), green woodpecker, little egret, great white egret, goosander (1st winter male still in juvenile plumage), Jay close, purple heron (which was mostly in hiding), curlew, 3 marsh harrier, and treecreepers.
Those heard only were water rail, lesser redpoll and grey wagtail, and get this- not a single goose or tufted duck anywhere!
I took some mini mealworms with me and it was most amazing to see how much the great tits and Marsh tits etc absolutely loved them!!!! Hope to visit again before the weeks out if all goes well.
Ps. And finally they had apple pie in the cafe!!!! Perfect with custard!!!!!!!!
Ta!
--
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 23rd of October 2017 08:47:45 PM
Shannon Llewellyn said
Thu Oct 12 11:53 PM, 2017
Day off today so spent around here. Water levels very high, and numbers quite low; most water birds seen from Tim Jackson hide. Highlights:
Goldcrest, chiffchaff, marsh tit, treecreeper, nuthatch, bullfinch, reed bunting, redwing, mistle thrush, jay, rook. 3 bearded tit (two on the grit trays, one heard calling) 5 water rail heard 70+ teal 40+ gadwall 10+ shoveler 1 wigeon 1 tufted duck 10 mute swan 3 little grebe 12+ snipe 2 little egret 1 purple heron (still from Grisedale) 3 grey heron 1 marsh harrier
Also spent a little bit of time watching a very tame robin hunt worms from the leaf litter, which was all pretty normal, until the soil on which it was feeding started to pulsate. Could only have been a mole, which I'll bet was forcing worms to the surface. Quids in for the robin (and for me, watching).
Couple of meadow pipit, pied wagtail, and a single curlew in the fields between the main reserve and the marshes.
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Thursday 12th of October 2017 11:54:19 PM
Shannon Llewellyn said
Fri Sep 8 12:21 PM, 2017
Day spent here yesterday; abysmal weather, but some great species seen. Work at the salt marshes, so main reserve only; highlights:
Goldcrest, chiffchaff, marsh tit, treecreeper, nuthatch, bullfinch, sand martin, house martin, swallow, pied wagtail. 3 water rail heard 19 teal 9 wigeon c50 gadwall 19 shoveler 2 tufted duck 8 mute swan 15 little grebe (13 on Lilian's pool; most I've seen together, I think) c150 lapwing (seen in flight from Tim Jackson Hide) 13 snipe 3 redshank 3 greenshank 5 little egret 1 purple heron (showing intermittently but well from Grisedale Hide) 2 grey heron 1 marsh harrier 1 osprey
Otters showing well from Causeway hide all afternoon.
Keith Mills said
Sat Sep 2 3:12 PM, 2017
It's a small world Doc! I have never met you before. Thanks for the help with the Wood mice and the Dragonflies. At least my bins came from your place but possibly before your time. I shall tell David he missed his pictures by 15 minutes; it was his fault he wanted back for the football. On which matter I have no comment!
Doc Brewster said
Sat Sep 2 2:33 PM, 2017
keith mills wrote:
Hi Doc,
I would be interested to know the time the Purple Heron flew in as you describe? We were there from 9 to 3 , with a break around lunch when we visited the Public Hide. At no time did we see the Purple Heron in in the cut area by the hide or in the pool; although we did see it as in my post at 2.35. Glad you got better viewing.
It flew out onto the pool in front of the hide, Keith, at about 3.15-3.25pm. It had to be around then as I said I would give it until 3.15pm and then leave, but I could have delayed a little. Many folk had left, as you did, when it was in the far pool behind the reeds at the back of the pool in front of Grizedale Hide and the ambient noise levels had decreased massively. Perhaps a coincidence (or not!!) but it was then that the Purple Heron flew directly towards the hide & fished the nearest pools.
I remember you leaving as it was me that helped with all the mouse ID discussions, had the piccy of the baby Wood Mouse shown to me on your mates camera and was talking about Harvest Mice with you as you sat next to me I also offered to move to let you & David sit together, but you said it was OK Nice to meet you, maybe next time it will be in a quieter environment Glad you got the heron too.
Keith Mills said
Sat Sep 2 6:59 AM, 2017
Hi Doc, We were there yesterday as described in my post previous to yours. Totally agree about the noise levels in the hide. There was bound to be some chatter, with up to 40 people in the hide but that mobile phone had the loudest ring tone music ever, which was then compounded by it's owner bellowing down it. Quite shocking! Another irritation was photographers who left their large lens cameras permanently propped up on the hide windows, Where I was sat near a corner this seriously obstructed my field of view. I would be interested to know the time the Purple Heron flew in as you describe? We were there from 9 to 3 , with a break around lunch when we visited the Public Hide. At no time did we see the Purple Heron in in the cut area by the hide or in the pool; although we did see it as in my post at 2.35. Glad you got better viewing.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Sep 1 9:57 PM, 2017
A day off so a trip up to Leighton Moss to try to see the long-staying Purple Heron. Arriving at 10.15am at the hide I was a couple of hours too late for the first appearance at Grisedale Hide, the bird being chased off as it has been on many days by a Grey Heron. Later I heard that it had been seen at 7am at the far side of the reserve too. A very long wait then ensued before a flight view over the reeds and it dropping in to a 'hidden pool' straight out from the hide. Here it remained hidden for quite some time. Other interest whilst it was out of view were a Whinchat and a Sedge Warbler in the reedbeds whilst earlier a Marsh Harrier and three Buzzards were seen.
By this time I had 'teamed up' with Manchester birder and birding pal, Keith Williams. We both bemoaned the lack of fieldcraft amongst many present in Grisedale Hide. The noise in there had led to two birders, that had been sitting by me, leaving as they couldn't stand it any longer, both missed seeing the heron at all, such a shame It really was bad at times with loud phonecalls, conversations about anything from food to family matters and voices raised so loud that when I whispered at my usual 'hide' level to birders by me they couldn't hear me!
Many of the noisiest folk had left (many of them photographers with no other optics) when the Purple Heron took flight again and flew straight towards the hide and landed in the pool just outside the left hand end. Here it gave fabulous views to those of us left in there. Most folk got the pictures that they wanted and all got brilliant views as it fished the shallows amongst the reeds. Keith and I gave up our places to others whilst the bird was still there so that everyone could get the best views. We then headed home, battling Friday rush hour traffic but happy to have connected and seen it so well.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 1st of September 2017 10:08:43 PM
Apparently the Purple Heron was again showing well early morning, from Grizedale Hide, but was not seen after 8.20am. As we arrived just after 9, we had a fruitless morning. Returning to Grizdale Hide around 2pm we waited until 2.35 before it was seen flying in low over the reeds towards us; passing over a Red deer we had been watching. It went down close to the Red Deer but was lost to view. However after a short time, the Purple Heron was up again, as the Deer watched it, and again flew towards us , but landed in tall vegetation just the other side of the lagoon. Good views of it landing with ''flaps down'' And that was all we saw of it! Still a lifer for me and my driver; David Rogers. Photo to be added Later. Other than that we had a lazy day photographing 2 baby Wood Mice and Dragonflies. However Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Snipe, many Gadwall, Little Grebes. Nuthatch, Teal, Coal Tit, Juvenile Mute Swans, Reed Warblers and Black-Tailed Godwits showed well.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 1st of September 2017 06:41:49 PM
john tromans said
Thu Aug 31 9:27 PM, 2017
Arrived 9.10 yesterday into Grisedale hide and the Purple Heron had just gone out of sight. After an hour it reappeared and gave superb views for more than an hour and was constantly feeding.
A must bird to see...its a real cracker!
Nice to meet up with Tim Wilcox and pleased to hear that you saw it in the afternoon.
A Spotted Redshank was on the lsland from Causeway hide with Greenshank and there was the bonus of a close in swimming Otter.
I did not see the Great White Egret or a Marsh Harrier though.
A great place to visit at anytime.
Tim Wilcox said
Wed Aug 30 9:19 PM, 2017
The Purple Heron was very elusive this afternoon but I finally saw it in flight from Grisedale Hide a 6.30pm. It then went down out of sight again and I had to leave. The Great White Egret showed well all afternoon. Great to see John Tromans in the cafe. You can post your pics now John ;)
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 30th of August 2017 09:35:48 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Aug 29 4:03 PM, 2017
Juvenile Purple Heron showed well between 8-8:30 this morning from Grizedale hide, also a Great White Egret there.
Info thanks to Brian Fogg
Chris Chandler said
Tue Aug 29 2:24 PM, 2017
Wander round the main reserve 2-6pm
Purple heron still showing well from the Grizedale hide, though it did disappear for a couple of hours at 3 o'clock.
At one point, 2 little egrets started squabbling and put up a juvenile marsh harrier. The harrier in turn disturbed the heron meaning we got some good flight views before it disappeared.
Other highlights:
3 x marsh harrier
Marsh tit
Great white egret
Greenshank
Great views of an otter swimming close in front of the causeway hide!
-- Edited by Chris Chandler on Tuesday 29th of August 2017 11:28:56 PM
-- Edited by Chris Chandler on Tuesday 29th of August 2017 11:29:27 PM
Carl Fletcher-Poole said
Sun Aug 27 11:05 AM, 2017
Purple Heron showing really well in Grizedale Hide (see pictures). It looks at home here so cant see it leaving for a while as it has an abundant food supply. Well worth a visit.
Pretty much a full day on site culminating in the evening Going Batty event.
Highlights :-
Purple heron showing exceptionally well from Griesdale early morning, including it catching and eating some unfortunate rodent. Also snipe on here and three grey heron.
Treecreeper, willow tit, long-tailed tit, goldfinch, bullfinch on or around the feeding station along with the regulars.
Great views of an otter cruising around from Causeway at lunchtime.
Tawny owl calling near the visitor centre early evening.
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Aug 24 8:34 PM, 2017
Juvenile Purple Heron still present at Leighton Moss today, viewed from Grizedale Hide. Disappeared for a while but returned mid afternoon.
After learning about the purple heron at Leighton moss, I would have been a nut not to make an effort to visit it at my favourite reserve, so a trip was organised with my friend and my mother. We arrived and went to straight to the Grizedale hide and straight away the purple heron was showing exceptionally well and in full view, (although the light direction made my pictures tricky to take). He stayed out for a good hour till he vanished behind cover. (Apparently I heard this was the best views since his arrival according to an individual there.)
Other highlights on the reserve (excluding the saltmash) were an Osprey showed well but distantly from the causeway hide before vanishing, also a marsh harrier and bearded tits showed well too. A few other birds to note were Treecreeper, snipe, juvenile grey heron very close, little grebe and a chiffchaff. Species totalling at 39, as most of the reserve was fairly quiet and by 3pm, we took the train back as the humidity was a little too much to bear.
Pictures attached are just a few I've picked out and rushed jobbed so I can put them here, it will take me a day or two to sort properly depending on my spare time!
Overall a very successful and a very blessed trip...
Visit with my Dad, between 1200 & 1500 today; Walked into Grisedale's to be presented with the juv Purple Heron 80m in front of the hide. Excellent views for circa 20 mins, including in flight. Record shots below. Also Marsh Harrier and Marsh Tit. Out from Eric Morecambe's, highlights included Merlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Dunlin and Little Egret. Distant views of a perched up Osprey (courtesy of Mr Combes and Mr Wells).
1 x Male Bittern heard booming at 11:30 hrs near Skytower
9 x different sightings of Marsh Harrier (at least 4 different birds)
3 x Marsh Tit
10 x Pintail
1 Great White Egret
3 x Little Egret
1 x Redpoll
1 x Greenshank
5 x Black-Tailed Godwit
75 x Shelduck
60 x Wigeon
20 x Pochard
35 x Teal
8 x Gadwall
25 x Shoveler
15 x Curlew
1 x Snipe
1 x Goldeneye
1 x Grey Heron
3 x Dunnock
1 x Reed Bunting
1 x Nuthatch
10 x Robin
7 x Blue Tit
6 x Great Tit
3 x Chaffinch
4 x Blackbird
2 x Goldfinch
20 x Lapwing
50 x Greylag Geese
15 x Canada Geese
3 x Buzzard
1 x Kestrel
2 x Oystercatcher
20 x Tufted Duck
2 x Great Crested Grebe
30 x Coot
7 x Moorhen
4 x Magpie
3 x Woodpigeon
40 x Jackdaw
10 x Crow
30 x Mallard
5 x Cormorant
4 x Pheasant
8 x Mute Swan
2 x Great Black Backed Gull
1 x Black-Headed Gull (only one seen incredibly!)
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Monday 4th of March 2019 10:18:02 PM
Great white egret (from the train at the Saltmarsh)
Little egret
Bittern (i spotted this in flight and its been over 10 years since my last Bittern at Leighton moss!)
Goldeneye
Pintail
Pochard
Red breasted merganser
Shelduck
Pink footed geese
Cettis warbler
Goldcrest
Song thrush
Bearded tits (2 seen by chance)
Little grebe close
coots - 6 pairs of which were locked in battle (Two pictures now on flickr)
Snipe
Black tailed godwit
Avocet
Curlew
Dunlin
Oystercatcher
Marsh harrier
Great black backed gull
Marsh tit (showed well)
Great tit on the hand (honest!- wasnt a robin)
Rook
Fruitcake with custard
Treecreeper
Reed bunting
High tide was impressive to see all the marsh behind the banking flood and this has raised the water levels on the Saltmarsh itself.
(No sign of some regulars too such as bullfinch and grey heron).
Heard one were - water rail, skylark, green woodpecker and a raven.
Ta!!
Picture is cettis - record shot.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Friday 22nd of February 2019 11:01:28 PM
Just back from a walking, bird watching weekend, with three visits to the reserve on Friday 15th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th February. Weather on all three days mild and dry. Friday there from 13.00 to dusk, Saturday there at dusk after a walk taking in the south shore of Wast water and Sunday there from 09.30 to dusk. Stunning murmurations on all three evenings, viewed from three separate locations. Birds seen as follows: blackbird, black headed gull, blue, great and marsh tit, black tailed godwit, buzzard, canada geese, chiffchaff, chaffinch, comorant, coot, crow, dunnock, little egret, great crested grebe, grey heron, lapwing, magpie, mallard, marsh harriers, robin, moorhen, mute and whooper swan, nuthatch, pheasant, pintail, pochard, shelduck, snipe, teal, starling, tree creeper, water rail, widgeon.......plus otters....... the marsh harriers and the murmurations were incredible....
Eric Morecombe Complex
1 Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Greenshanks, 3f Goosanders, 1m Pintail, 6 Dunlin and 22 Curlew.
Lots of Redshanks and Black Tailed Godwits. A few Skylarks were chasing each other along the edge of the saltmarsh.
Main Reserve
1m+1f Marsh Harrier, 13 Snipe, 9 Pintails, 2 Marsh Tits, 12f+2m Goldeneye and 1 Water Rail.
Around 5pm a spectacular Starling murmuration took place above the level crossing.
8:30-3:30 with 62 species found. Overcast and dull but calm.
Highlights include....
Curlew x2 - one of which showed well on the Saltmarsh
Greenshank x3 possible 4
Knot x1
Dunlin x1
Oystercatcher x2
Snipe x12+
Great black backed gull x1
Peregrine 1st winter
Goosander x2 male, 3x female
Goldeneye x3 female
Pintail x50+
Cettis warbler x1 seen breifly twice calling (not song burst) - one going to the hide and another when returning.
Wren showed well close
Treecreeper x2
Nuthatch close x1
Siskin about 20
Sparrowhawk x1 female
Also a great white egret at a distance
Lemon cake this time with custard for my traditional desert.
Ta! !
A couple more hours spent this morning in the causeway hide at Leighton Moss. Marsh Harrier and Kestrel both chilling in separate trees, a Cormorant unsuccessfully tackling a large fish for a good few minutes, Mute Swans, Grey Heron, Moor Hen, Coot, Teal, Lapwing, Robins, Chaffinch, Bullfinch..... oh and an Otter fishing......
A four hour walk from Silverdale, Leighton Moss, Deepdale and Cringlebarrow woods, Yealand Storrs, Yealand Hall Allotments, Hawes Water, Gait Barrows Nature Reserve and Eaves Wod. Excellent views of my very first Bittern from the Causeway Hide, 2 x Snipe, Comorants, Blue and Great Tit, Robins (a plenty), Marsh Harriers, Grey Heron, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Chaffinch. Weather cold and frosty at first but dry and sunny.
Some of the group managed to find the American Wigeon from the Warton Crags viewpoint but even on a second attempt just after sunset the light wasn't good.
The Great Grey Shrike gave good but usually brief views at various distances east from the path north past Lower Hide, and there were sightings of 4 Heron species from the hide itself (Bittern, Grey heron, Great and Little Egrets). A good selection of other waterfowl, Cetti's Warbler heard and Marsh tit seen, with a Lenticular (?) cloud providing some additional interest
50 species seen, highlights include;
Sparrowhawk
Pink footed geese over
Bearded tits (reedlings)
Pintail drake (from Grizedale hide)
Also a suprise find, a garganey female
Treecreeper
Goldcrest
Redwing
Wigeon
Plus the usual nuthatch which put on a good show, Marsh tits, snipe, little grebe, shoveler, teal, redshank and little grebes (3)
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 09:56:44 PM
I arrived at dawn about 8am, and I had planned to goto the bearded tit (or reedlings - my preferred name for them) I spent almost an hour and half waiting for them to show and nothing! However, during that time there was a water rail, several snipes, reed bunting, and a Jay.
I decided to walk to the causeway hide for a few minutes and I was totally surprised to bump into Steven from my local patch!, After spending a few minutes chatting in the hide, I wanted to give the bearded reedlings one last chance before departing for the salt marshes (so as not to have my lunch too late). So we went our separate ways and within 5 minutes of getting to the new reedling lookout point, the bearded reedlings showed- or be it for 5 minutes at least.
Other highlights included;
Skylark along the causeway
Nuthatch very close (especially 2ft above my head at 8am)
Fieldfare (also at 8am)
Redpoll
Siskins
Marsh tits by the end of the causeway 2-3pm
Great tit 1ft from my shoulder for 2 mins
Treecreeper
Redwings (whilst waiting for the return train)
Also great spotted woodpecker (seen as above)
Goldcrest
Little grebe close-ish
Great crested grebe
Marsh harrier
Saltmarsh produced:
Curlew
Kingfisher (twice briefly)
7 goosanders
2 Spotted redshanks
2 greenshanks
Great white egret
Little egrets
Wigeon
And to top it all of was a nice toffee pudding with custard with my lunch (yum!!!)
Ta!!
-- Edited by Carl Fletcher-Poole on Tuesday 2nd of October 2018 03:16:23 PM
Eric Morecombe Complex :
1 Spotted Redshank with 180+ Redshanks, 6 Greenshanks, 2m+1f Ruff, 1 Great White Egret, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel
and 1f Goosander.
Main reserve South of the causeway : 350+ Black Tailed Godwits, 2 LIttle Grebes, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff.
North of the causeway : 1 imm female Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzards, 1 Greenshank, 9 Little Grebes, 2 ad+1juv Great Crested Grebes,
and 1 Marsh Tit. Marsh Tits are attracted to seed put down along the path to the Lower Hide, and if you stand perfectly still they
come to within a few feet, numerous Coal Tits are also attracted by this feeding.
There was a trickle of Southbound Swallows throughout (Especially notable at the Eric Morecambe Hide), a few House Martins
were also amongst the exodus. A group of 10 House Martins though defied the rules, and were moving purposely Northwards.
The sheer number of Robins seen along the trails today was amazing, some of these are so tame that they almost land on your
upturned hand. However when they purposely land about a foot from you, at head level, and then burst in song it is breathtaking.
Families visiting with their children were in awe at this behaviour. Something youngsters will remember for the rest of their lives,
these Robins may do more for conservation than any Panda ever could.
Hi,
Does anyone know if Bittern bred successfully this year at Leighton Moss? I know back in May June the blog mentioned "feeding flights" but after that nothing. Hope they bred here especially after all the hard work that has been put into trying to improve the habitat.
S
Salt marshes:
Chiffchaff, linnet, house martin, swallow, pied wagtail, skylark
5 teal
250+ lapwing
1 dunlin
1 snipe
c150 redshank
4 greenshank
36 black-tailed godwit
3 little egret
1 sparrowhawk
Main reserve:
Chiffchaff, marsh tit (two, very confiding in the woodland between the causeway & lower hide), nuthatch, sand martin, house martin, swallow, pied wagtail
2 raven
1+ water rail heard
50+ teal
25+ shoveler
c10 gadwall
c30 mute swan
15+ little grebe
1 great crested grebe
17 lapwing
6 greenshank
250+ black-tailed godwit
2 curlew, flyover from Lilian's
2 little egret
3 great white egret
6+ grey heron
1 common tern (a reserve first for me)
1 great black-backed gull (causing panic at Lilian's)
2 or 3 buzzard
Garganey and hobby reported from Lilian's, but I didn't see those.
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Wednesday 29th of August 2018 11:30:19 PM
Fairly quiet but a few things of note:
Morecambe & Allen hides:
A family of Cettis Warblers showed really well. 3 youngsters sat side by side on a low branch of a small bush as a parent made numerous visits with food.
Numerous Reed Warblers
The pools had very little- 14 Little Egrets the only things of note.
Causeway hide:
1 Greenshank
2 Great Black-backed Gull - 1 adult plus 1 chick on island
3 Little Egrets
1 Marsh Harrier
1 Buzzard
1 Little Grebe
1 Great crested Grebe
2 Cormorants- 1 caught an eel
2 Marsh Tit in nearby woods
Unfortunately I missed the Osprey by half an hour. Also Hobby around but didnt see it.
However an Otter showed for a few minutes.
Hi Jeff,
I was along the causeway when the Osprey reappeared at about 7pm on that Tuesday and ran back into the hide where I videoed it, eventually catching a fish and flying off.
It was a nice end to the day. Sadly, we missed the Garden Warblers and Otters.
Full day visit Monday 14th May in glorious conditions. Highlights -
Scaup present throughout from Causeway Hide. Also here two sets of great crested grebe, one with two young - good views of the adults attempting to feed them an eel.
Osprey over Causeway early evening.
2 x garden warbler showing well from the stretch between Causeway and Lower Hides. Bearded tit briefly along the Causeway early morning.
Evening concluded with two otters from Causeway
Scaup still present and viewable from the Public Causeway Hide. Spoonbill also still present and viewable from the Eric Morecambe Hide, albeit very distant.
Apparently, after examining my own pictures- I quickly realised that it was in fact a 2nd summer plumaged Mediterranean gull. I've never seen an immature at this stage before and with the heat and light direction, it's no wonder I assumed it was a hybrid (besides also the different behaviour shape compared to the adult).
Regarding the Hawfinches, I myself was aware that there are supposed to be a few "around the corner," but I've never actually seen any there myself dispite past efforts years ago to find them. So it certainly nice to see one here and this for me is a Leighton moss first! (Many thanks Rob for the extra input.)
Attached; Scaup, Mediterranean Gulls, knot and Osprey
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 7th of May 2018 09:18:49 PM
Silverdale round the corner always used to be reported as being a good place for Hawfinches in years gone by.
I usually struggle in heat and humidity, so I was surprised I've managed to reach 61 species today- it could have been more if I had the energy to find a few others that I heard (about 6).
The highlights included;
A Mediterranean gull on the Saltmarsh with another that hybridised with a black headed gull (i will try and get a record shot posted here later)
Also there was a knot, a wigeon, plenty of avocets too and two cettis warblers that were having a major argument with each other.
Main reserve highlights included;
marsh harrier, buzzard, sparrowhawk, Osprey (which showed very well from the causeway hide), the drake Scaup was perfectly timed to see it up close, a Jay, little grebes, pochard and a few swifts.
2 willow warblers were in a dispute, some nice views of sedge warblers and a glimpse of a reed warbler.
I've saved the best till last (litterally) as I was heading back to the centre, I heard a great spotted woodpecker. "Not seen that yet" I thought. Unfortunately I dipped on that whilst looking at some trees across a small field with sheep, instead I found a large finch with a very heavy beak. "No way!" I thought - a male Hawfinch!!! I could just hear him calling and i even caught brief full views of him!!
Awesome!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Tuesday 8th of May 2018 03:10:25 PM
-- Edited by Carl Fletcher-Poole on Thursday 3rd of May 2018 07:38:50 PM
Saturday morning visit in glorious weather. Highlights :-
Osprey over Lilians early(ish) morning
4 x marsh harrier including some skydancing
Bittern booming from Lilians reedbeds
Large numbers of blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff, reed warbler - Cetti's warbler also heard from skytower and Griesdale area
Had a longish session at the Eric Morecombe complex this morning (07.30 - 12.30) in the hope of catching up with the Black-headed Wagtail. The big group of Meadow Pipits with which the bird has been seen was present but unfortunately the target bird did not show up
Still there were plenty of folk present making for good company and a good number of regular species were seen on and around the the big field to the west of the railway line. These included a Whimbrel, a pair of Stonechat, several White and Pied Wagtails, 4 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, a Grey Heron and Willow Warbler and Green Woodpecker heard singing/calling. Rob's Greylag with neck collar was present and a female Kestrel put in an appearance.
On the way back dropped in at Warton Crag and had great views of the resident Peregrines and the Ravens and chicks.
So despite missing out on the Wagtail a very enjoyable visit was had.
- Black-headed Wagtail (Lifer when its split)
A very smart male in brilliant plumage. It was reported as distant on the services but when I arrived it came fairly close to the farm track at the side of the road, everybody present commented on how pristine it looked. It was flushed a couple of times along with a whole shed load of Meadow Pipits.
Other birds of note...
- 2 Pied Wagtail
- 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Greylag Goose with red neck brace "DVD"
- few Curlew over
- Chiffchaff singing seemingly everywhere
- Cetti's Warbler and Green Woodpecker heard too
Nice to meet Paul Baker here who incidentally took me up on the offer of going to Warrington.
Late news from Saturday and having a free day today made my mind up for a morning at Leighton Moss.
First port of call was the Eric Morecambe complex where in a field next to the entrance track a Black-headed Wagtail had been found yesterday. Having chatted to a couple of folk on the aforementioned Stockport RSPB trip I know that Simon and his coach left just as news was breaking of this rarity. Black-headed Wagtail is a race of Yellow Wagtail, namely Motacilla flava feldegg, but in many birders opinions it is the most likely split in that complex, to become a full species. Whatever the status it is a mega smart bird and worth a look at any time, hence my trip, even though it was my 4th in the UK. On arrival the bird was on show, scope views of the adult male Black-headed Wagtail were diatant but still welcome. Moving round to the railway level crossing closer views were achieved and record shots were even taken through the scope as the bird fed with a large group of Meadow Pipits.
After a while I bobbed over onto the reserve proper and had a mooch, picking up Marsh Tit for my yearlist, but having to get back I couldn't do this reserve justice. maybe next time
Overall the trip daylist was 87; I managed 61. The previous couple of trips were around St. Georges Day and it was interesting to see the difference a week can make in terms of migrants, as no Reed or Grasshopper Warblers or Sylvias other than Blackcap were seen, and only a few saw a Sedge Warbler where these had all been showing well to everyone the year before.
The usual specialities of the site were seen, such as Bearded Tit, Marsh Tit and Cetti's Warbler. Great White Egret proved a bit elusive for most but was recorded. Marsh Harriers were constantly visible, with 2 very well-marked adult males constantly on patrol and some nice displaying and pair bonding going on. I was lucky enough to see some swooping sky-dancing and calling by one of the males, wow. There were also good numbers of waders on the saltmarsh pools and a few members who walked to Jenny Brown's Point picked up Red-throated Diver. Also significant for the reserve was a booming male Bittern; this is the first booming on site for a while and all parties would dearly like to see Bitterns breeding at Leighton Moss again
But the clear highlight for most members was the presence of an Osprey which hunted over the large mere overlooked by Causeway and Lower Hides. This was certainly really exciting for me as I'd never seen an Osprey this well before. I was so giddy I didn't really get notes on gender or age but there was a view that it was the male bird from the pair at Foulshaw Moss. It hovered and glided over the water at least twice and was seen to catch a fish. This time last year there had been no Ospreys about at all so it was a real pleasure.
With the sun out on top of all this birdlife it was a very successful trip.
Morning visit Saturday 13th in cold but occasionally bright conditions, taking in the reserve and the saltmarsh. Highlights :-
Leighton Moss RSPB - little egret giving very good views immediately in front of Lilian's Hide - great white egret seen at Griesdale and later flying over the reedbeds towards the saltmarsh area.
Large numbers of pintail, teal, shoveler and gadwall.
Flock of approx. 40 fieldfare and redwing in the surrounding trees.
4 x oystercatcher in the fields along Slackwood Lane.
Allen & Eric Morecambe hides
Large flock of greenfinch, chaffinch and reed buntings foraging in the cleared area along the footpath.
Lots of redshank and lapwing with 2x dunlin and 1 x greenshank from the Allen Hide.
Also on Allen Hide a kingfisher showing from one of the fenceposts and a merlin on the tree stumps at the back of the pond.
Morning visit Saturday 25th - little to report sightings-wise but just to flag up that at present the majority of the footpaths are not surprisingly heavily flooded and impassable without wellingtons - including the causeway to the public hides and the main reserve itself beyond the Skytower
I though didn't visit the lower hide or the Saltmarsh this time as I had company and the water levels have creeped up by 4 inch. Dispite this, I clocked up 50 species with this time greylag goose, water rail, and song thrush.
Highlights included, (besides the bearded tits), 7 little grebes, 4 treecreepers close, goldcrest, a Jay, nuthatch and Marsh tits close, goosander, purple heron (which wandered behind some reeds on the right of the Grizedale hide and whilst waiting for it to come out again one flew in from the reeds on the left and landed right. Either it somehow managed to sneak past without being seen by 16 people or there are 2 of them), Marsh harrier, buzzard, redwings, and over a dozen snipes.
Oh, yes!!!!!! They still have apple pie left over from Monday, perfect with custard!!!!!!!!
Ta!
Dispite the water levels are a wee bit high and most birds absent, I still rounded up an impressive 63 species with a further 3 heard only!
Highlights included a fieldfare, redwings, stock dove, kingfisher, bearded tits close, plenty of snipes with several seen in flight, a cettis warbler showed in full view as soon as I entered the lower hide with zero effort to see it (just couldn't believe my eyes), green woodpecker, little egret, great white egret, goosander (1st winter male still in juvenile plumage), Jay close, purple heron (which was mostly in hiding), curlew, 3 marsh harrier, and treecreepers.
Those heard only were water rail, lesser redpoll and grey wagtail, and get this- not a single goose or tufted duck anywhere!
I took some mini mealworms with me and it was most amazing to see how much the great tits and Marsh tits etc absolutely loved them!!!!
Hope to visit again before the weeks out if all goes well.
Ps. And finally they had apple pie in the cafe!!!! Perfect with custard!!!!!!!!
Ta!
--
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 23rd of October 2017 08:47:45 PM
Goldcrest, chiffchaff, marsh tit, treecreeper, nuthatch, bullfinch, reed bunting, redwing, mistle thrush, jay, rook.
3 bearded tit (two on the grit trays, one heard calling)
5 water rail heard
70+ teal
40+ gadwall
10+ shoveler
1 wigeon
1 tufted duck
10 mute swan
3 little grebe
12+ snipe
2 little egret
1 purple heron (still from Grisedale)
3 grey heron
1 marsh harrier
Also spent a little bit of time watching a very tame robin hunt worms from the leaf litter, which was all pretty normal, until the soil on which it was feeding started to pulsate. Could only have been a mole, which I'll bet was forcing worms to the surface. Quids in for the robin (and for me, watching).
Salt marshes, early afternoon;
2 skylark
400+ starling
12+ teal
5 wigeon
5 shelduck
80+ lapwing
c200 redshank
1 black-tailed godwit over
2 curlew
5+ little egret
1 sparrowhawk
1 kestrel
Couple of meadow pipit, pied wagtail, and a single curlew in the fields between the main reserve and the marshes.
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Thursday 12th of October 2017 11:54:19 PM
Goldcrest, chiffchaff, marsh tit, treecreeper, nuthatch, bullfinch, sand martin, house martin, swallow, pied wagtail.
3 water rail heard
19 teal
9 wigeon
c50 gadwall
19 shoveler
2 tufted duck
8 mute swan
15 little grebe (13 on Lilian's pool; most I've seen together, I think)
c150 lapwing (seen in flight from Tim Jackson Hide)
13 snipe
3 redshank
3 greenshank
5 little egret
1 purple heron (showing intermittently but well from Grisedale Hide)
2 grey heron
1 marsh harrier
1 osprey
Otters showing well from Causeway hide all afternoon.
I shall tell David he missed his pictures by 15 minutes; it was his fault he wanted back for the football. On which matter I have no comment!
It flew out onto the pool in front of the hide, Keith, at about 3.15-3.25pm. It had to be around then as I said I would give it until 3.15pm and then leave, but I could have delayed a little. Many folk had left, as you did, when it was in the far pool behind the reeds at the back of the pool in front of Grizedale Hide and the ambient noise levels had decreased massively. Perhaps a coincidence (or not!!) but it was then that the Purple Heron flew directly towards the hide & fished the nearest pools.
I remember you leaving as it was me that helped with all the mouse ID discussions, had the piccy of the baby Wood Mouse shown to me on your mates camera and was talking about Harvest Mice with you as you sat next to me
I also offered to move to let you & David sit together, but you said it was OK 
Nice to meet you, maybe next time it will be in a quieter environment 
Glad you got the heron too.
We were there yesterday as described in my post previous to yours. Totally agree about the noise levels in the hide. There was bound to be some chatter, with up to 40 people in the hide but that
mobile phone had the loudest ring tone music ever, which was then compounded by it's owner bellowing down it. Quite shocking!
Another irritation was photographers who left their large lens cameras permanently propped up on the hide windows, Where I was sat near a corner this seriously obstructed my field of view.
I would be interested to know the time the Purple Heron flew in as you describe? We were there from 9 to 3 , with a break around lunch when we visited the Public Hide. At no time did we see the Purple Heron in in the cut area by the hide or in the pool; although we did see it as in my post at 2.35.
Glad you got better viewing.
A day off so a trip up to Leighton Moss to try to see the long-staying Purple Heron. Arriving at 10.15am at the hide I was a couple of hours too late for the first appearance at Grisedale Hide, the bird being chased off as it has been on many days by a Grey Heron. Later I heard that it had been seen at 7am at the far side of the reserve too. A very long wait then ensued before a flight view over the reeds and it dropping in to a 'hidden pool' straight out from the hide. Here it remained hidden for quite some time. Other interest whilst it was out of view were a Whinchat and a Sedge Warbler in the reedbeds whilst earlier a Marsh Harrier and three Buzzards were seen.
By this time I had 'teamed up' with Manchester birder and birding pal, Keith Williams. We both bemoaned the lack of fieldcraft amongst many present in Grisedale Hide. The noise in there had led to two birders, that had been sitting by me, leaving as they couldn't stand it any longer, both missed seeing the heron at all, such a shame
It really was bad at times with loud phonecalls, conversations about anything from food to family matters and voices raised so loud that when I whispered at my usual 'hide' level to birders by me they couldn't hear me!
Many of the noisiest folk had left (many of them photographers with no other optics) when the Purple Heron took flight again and flew straight towards the hide and landed in the pool just outside the left hand end. Here it gave fabulous views to those of us left in there. Most folk got the pictures that they wanted and all got brilliant views as it fished the shallows amongst the reeds. Keith and I gave up our places to others whilst the bird was still there so that everyone could get the best views. We then headed home, battling Friday rush hour traffic but happy to have connected and seen it so well.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 1st of September 2017 10:08:43 PM
Returning to Grizdale Hide around 2pm we waited until 2.35 before it was seen flying in low over the reeds towards us; passing over a Red deer we had been watching. It went down close to the Red Deer but was lost to view.
However after a short time, the Purple Heron was up again, as the Deer watched it, and again flew towards us , but landed in tall vegetation just the other side of the lagoon. Good views of it landing with ''flaps down''
And that was all we saw of it! Still a lifer for me and my driver; David Rogers. Photo to be added Later.
Other than that we had a lazy day photographing 2 baby Wood Mice and Dragonflies. However Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Snipe, many Gadwall, Little Grebes. Nuthatch, Teal, Coal Tit, Juvenile Mute Swans,
Reed Warblers and Black-Tailed Godwits showed well.
-- Edited by keith mills on Friday 1st of September 2017 06:41:49 PM
Arrived 9.10 yesterday into Grisedale hide and the Purple Heron had just gone out of sight. After an hour it reappeared and gave superb views for more than an hour and was constantly feeding.
A must bird to see...its a real cracker!
Nice to meet up with Tim Wilcox and pleased to hear that you saw it in the afternoon.
A Spotted Redshank was on the lsland from Causeway hide with Greenshank and there was the bonus of a close in swimming Otter.
I did not see the Great White Egret or a Marsh Harrier though.
A great place to visit at anytime.
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 30th of August 2017 09:35:48 PM
Juvenile Purple Heron showed well between 8-8:30 this morning from Grizedale hide, also a Great White Egret there.
Info thanks to Brian Fogg
-- Edited by Chris Chandler on Tuesday 29th of August 2017 11:28:56 PM
-- Edited by Chris Chandler on Tuesday 29th of August 2017 11:29:27 PM
Pretty much a full day on site culminating in the evening Going Batty event.
Highlights :-
Purple heron showing exceptionally well from Griesdale early morning, including it catching and eating some unfortunate rodent. Also snipe on here and three grey heron.
Treecreeper, willow tit, long-tailed tit, goldfinch, bullfinch on or around the feeding station along with the regulars.
Great views of an otter cruising around from Causeway at lunchtime.
Tawny owl calling near the visitor centre early evening.
Other highlights on the reserve (excluding the saltmash) were an Osprey showed well but distantly from the causeway hide before vanishing, also a marsh harrier and bearded tits showed well too. A few other birds to note were Treecreeper, snipe, juvenile grey heron very close, little grebe and a chiffchaff. Species totalling at 39, as most of the reserve was fairly quiet and by 3pm, we took the train back as the humidity was a little too much to bear.
Pictures attached are just a few I've picked out and rushed jobbed so I can put them here, it will take me a day or two to sort properly depending on my spare time!
Overall a very successful and a very blessed trip...
Walked into Grisedale's to be presented with the juv Purple Heron 80m in front of the hide. Excellent views for circa 20 mins, including in flight. Record shots below.
Also Marsh Harrier and Marsh Tit.
Out from Eric Morecambe's, highlights included Merlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Dunlin and Little Egret.
Distant views of a perched up Osprey (courtesy of Mr Combes and Mr Wells).
Sunday 20th August.
With Ian Lyth and Paul Greenall.
Eric Morecambe hide. PM. Merlin. Greenshank.
Roger.