Page 4 - Out Birding Feb 2025

Event Reports
Please send reports as a Word a􏰀achment or in the body of an email to Pat: pat.cro􏰁on@b􏰂nternet.com
RSPB Leighton Moss 29/09/2024
Eight members met at the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, home to the largest reed bed in north-west England. Close to the shore at Morecambe Bay, this reserve has mudflats, coastal marsh, saltwater lagoons, woodland and limestone grassland.
The earliest of us were lucky to see one of the keynote species, the Bearded Tit (Bearded Reedling), down on the grit trays. Even if they were elusive, plenty of cha􏰀er going on. Also heard but not seen were Ce􏰃’s Warbler, Water Rail and Wren.
From the Causeway Hide and the (soon to be closed and replaced) Lower Hide, we saw a Great Black-backed Gull, lots of Coot, also Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Li􏰀le Grebe, Grey Heron. Across the mere, a Marsh Harrier was res􏰂ng at the top of a small tree, there when we arrived, s􏰂ll there when we le􏰁. A solitary Cormorant was perched with wings outstretched, hopeful for some sun, and looking like an ancient Aztec symbol. Plenty of Gadwall on this water, Teal too. The highlight from the Lower Hide was an O􏰀er swimming across the Mere, much to the annoyance of a pair of Mute Swan with six well-grown cygnets. The cob was arching his wings and hissing, the O􏰀er wisely kept going. A flock of Coot was wary of this carnivore – apparently an O􏰀er can make a meal out of a Coot.
The feeding sta􏰂ons at the Round Hide were well stocked and busy with Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Nuthatch. Other small birds seen were Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, also Mallard and Pheasant clearing up under the feeders.
Grisedale Hide was busy with Sand Mar􏰂n, House Mar􏰂n and the odd Swallow. Her- ring Gull on this bit of water, also a small flock of Pintail, and Shoveler. A Great White Egret was spo􏰀ed briefly in the tall reeds, and Buzzards were seen from here, also Crows and Rooks. From the Tim Jackson Hide, a Marsh Harrier was crossing the farm- land, plenty of Teal, Greylag Geese, a Jay in the vicinity and a Red Deer, standing in the shallows and browsing from a small island of young reeds. Lilian’s Hide showed us Li􏰀le Grebe, Shoveler, Gadwall and Black-headed Gull.
The Shore Hides here are a short distance to the south of the reserve and look out towards Morecambe Bay. Excellent views of Redshank, Li􏰀le Egret, a solitary Green- shank, one Lesser Black-backed Gull, a single Avocet, flocks of Snipe and Lapwing, Shelduck, several Red-breasted Merganser (possibly, though the light was beginning to make ident tricky.) A Curlew trying to break open a de-legged crab was being pes- tered by a couple of Crow. Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit, Starling... a highlight here was five Ca􏰀le Egret. Greylag Geese flying over, plenty of Teal – these hides overlook a rich area for birdlife.
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