So the advice to see Bearded Tits on the Leighton Moss reserve went something like: "Any day round the middle of October, between 9 -11am, on a sunny day with liittle wind" - so we went today!! Not a bad result though had a pair on the grit trays on the causeway at about 0930. Had seen them briefly in the summer-time when they were nesting but today's views were excellent - then the rain really started so off to the Morcambe Hide - the highlight there being 4 Red Breasted Mergansers. We then went off to Woodwell to look for the Hawfinch had the briefest glimpse on the large hornbeam at the end of the path from Silverdale were it opens onto the road down to the well, opposite a very large house. It wll be better when the leaves are completely off the trees as the birds are there all winter apparently. We then went off to Heyshan power station out flow but the rain and wind were now that bad that we set off home.
Given the conditions not a bad day.