Leighton Moss RSPB

steven burke · Status: Offline

RE: Leighton Moss RSPB

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Managed to see at least one of the Garganeys but not you Steve!

Other than that only interesting addition to your list is Common Whitethroat.

As you said, pleasant day, finished off with the show at Wharton Crags.

Other wildlife sightings inc:
Peacock Butterfly
Carder Bee
Scarlet Elfcup
Blushing Bracket
Jelly Ear
Turkeytail
Chicken of the Woods
Lords and Ladies
Lesser Celandine
Wood Aenemone
Storksbill
Cowslip
Common Violet

steven burke · Status: Offline

9.30-8pm, 66 species seen (should off been more) lovely weather today,the reason for staying so late.

no black- winged stilts,been and gone in less than a day

the reported 3 garganeys have eluded me all day

highlights...

2-4 marsh harriers
at least 6 buzzards
1 sparrowhawk
4 marsh tits
1 nuthatch
2 great spotted woodpeckers
2 g b b gulls
few sand martins & swallows
blackcaps, willow warblers & chiffchaffs singing all around.
small numbers off teals, tufted ducks, gadwalls, shovelers, pochards, shelducks & 1 wigeon.
cettis warbler (1) reed warbler (4) water rail (2) green woodpecker (1) all heard only

plus all usual birds around.

eric morcambe & allen hides...

28 avocets
2 spotted redshanks
2 little egrets
knots, redshanks, black tailed godwits, oystercatchers & shelducks.

100+ curlews over reserve heading inland around 7pm.

pleasant day out

-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 21st of April 2012 11:35:34 PM

Holly Page · Status: Offline

Pair of black-winged stilts showing reasonably well from Griesdale hide this evening

Frank Whitney · Status: Offline

Two Ospreys reported today five minutes before i arrived Garganey seen as well five min etc etc , birds i did see, male and female Marsh Harrier , Cettis Warbler , Willow Warbler , Chiffchaff and Bar Headed Goose , House and Sand Martins and Swallow plus plenty of the usual stuff

Frank

Kaz Horrocks · Status: Offline

Maybe 'old news' but just came through via LM's RSPB updates - previously ringed Penduline Tit re-spotted:

Penduline Tit @ Leighton Moss

Kaz

Ian Boote · Status: Offline

Yesterday
Nuthatch, teal, gadwall, shoveler, shelduck, lots of wigeon, greylag goose, female goosander, pintail, pochard, tufted duck, avocet. little egret, redshanks, spotted redshank, curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher pheasant and good views of the marsh harrier. Reports of booming bittern and greenshank

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 09:12:11 PM

Ollie Wright · Status: Offline

Feeders

Coal Tit
Bullfinch
Nuthatch
Greenfinch
Marsh Tit
Great Spotted Woodpecker

Lilian's Hide

Wigeon
Male Goldeneye
Little Egret

Tim Jackson Hide

2 Pintail (male)
Little Egret

Just after I left the hide, walking in direction of Griesdale Hide, a Snow Goose flew low straight over my head, landing in front of Jackson's. Popped back in, but it quickly flew off again.

Griesdale Hide

1 Pintail (m)

Public Hide

2 Great Black-Backed Gulls (adult)
1 Marsh Harrier, hunting low. Couldn't work out whether it was a juvenile or a female, unfortunately

Lower Hide

Snow Goose, came in with a large flock of Greylag Geese
1 Goosander (female)

-- Edited by Ollie Wright on Friday 9th of March 2012 09:09:18 PM

-- Edited by Ollie Wright on Saturday 10th of March 2012 07:52:29 AM

Danny Spencer · Status: Offline

Quality weekend at morecambe with family.
Had 3 visits and got all i went for,
3xsnow geese
Red headed smew
Glossy ibis (think it's taken up residense, saw it 3x)
Bittern (lower public hide) just missed otter's by 5mins.

Then bittern walked out of reeds just infront of hide.

stayed what seemed like seconds then took flight. AWESOME.
You can keep your otters, bittern anytime. AWESOME.
Cheers Danny

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Martyn Jones wrote:

Great day as I got almost everything I went for:

The only thing I didn't get were the Bearded Tits - are they still around now?

-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Wednesday 1st of February 2012 09:07:43 PM

They're always around martyn, but you'd be lucky to get them on the grit trays now, they'll still need grit but they already have it now I think.

Martyn Jones · Status: Offline

Great day as I got almost everything I went for:

Glossy Ibis in the field next to the one facing the chimney (not seen first thing in the morning but went back late afternoon and got it.)
A Bittern did quite a long flypast at Public Hide
Redhead Smew showing quite well at Lillian's Hide
Little Egret at Griesdale Hide
Marsh Tits, Nuthatch and Treecreeper in the woods to the right of Lillian's Hide (I've only seen them on the feeders previously).
Two very tame Robins posing for photos.
Several Fieldfare in woods on the way to the causeway.
Distant views of 2 Otters playing in the pool to the left of Lillian's Hide.
Lots of Greylag Geese about, especially in the field near the level crossing where there must have been 200 in the late afternoon.
3 Oystercatchers in another field.
Not so many of the usuals around except at the Public Hide - 2 Mute Swans, 1 Pintail, 1 Cormorant in the usual place, lots of Tufted Ducks and Coots, some Mallards and Moorhens - there's probably something I've missed.

The only thing I didn't get were the Bearded Tits - are they still around now?

-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Wednesday 1st of February 2012 09:07:43 PM

Pete Welch · Status: Offline

They looked very good when they flew with those black wing tips though - I know one can't "tick" feral birds but sometimes they're worth observing even if only to get your eye in for spotting a real one in a flock of Pinkies just in from the north

jason fisher · Status: Offline

those were the 4 birds that i had in mind particularly

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Cred? Nah, not even Cat C

, though the Scots amongst us would no argue the point

Pete Marsh · Status: Offline

Hello
The same snow geese as two years ago (originally four, then down to three during the course of that winter)

The only thing in their "favour" is that there is a possibility that they are indeed moving with the wild Greylags and were almost certainly with them when originally located in the Lune Valley last autumn

This means they might be feral Scottish rather than feral English, fractionally more cred?

Pete

jason fisher · Status: Offline

right o cheers ian

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

No Jason the weren't I'm afraid, they were considered feral birds.

The reason they disappear at 'migration times' is because they probably move back to the areas they hail from, which is nowhere near America, Canada or Alaska! A flock of 27 were seen during autum 2009 in Lancashire, moving there it seems from known large feral breeding populations elsewhere in the UK.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

jason fisher wrote:

are those snowgeese escapes? don't think they're ringed

I think these are destined for Category E Jason, unless they're there already

Category E- Species recorded as introductions, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Species in Category E that have bred in the wild in Britain are designated as E*. Category E species form no part of the British List (unless already included within Categories A, B or C).

jason fisher · Status: Offline

are those snowgeese escapes? don't think they're ringed

jason fisher · Status: Offline

were the last lot that turned up 2 years ago in november and stayed for the winter then disappeared at migration time accepted? as they like these birds were unringed.

i supposed the only other way of getting anyting sensible would be searching the field for a feather. though the fact that these are with greylags and an embden doesn't bode well for them being accepted

-- Edited by jason fisher on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 02:25:31 PM

Pete Welch · Status: Offline

An excellent if full day at Leighton Moss saw me in the Public hide for 7.45am in a bid to see the Ibis leave the island roost - which it duly did at around 8.10am. Then on to Lower Hide with Marsh Harriers and Marsh Tits before going to look for the Ibis in its favoured patch two fields down from the Snow Geese and three fields down from Sid and the Manx Birder - excellent to see you both Sid - and as the reserve was heaving by 10.30 or so there must have been other birders from on here there too?

Highlights were:

Four Water Rail plus lots more heard
Beardies - heard only early morning then not a single ping all day
Tawny Owl heard only on arrival
Fieldfare
Marsh Tits [at least six]
Marsh Harriers [juv plus female]
Glossy Ibis
Bull finch
Snow Geese - looked brilliant in the sun even if they are plastic...!

Four otters fishing through the ice and catching eels from Lower Hide to finish the day at 3.45pm

The only strange thing were the number of "birders" making lots of noise and uninterested in some of the interesting birds e.g. Marsh Tits: "yeah they're like Coal Tits and I've seen loads of them, is there a Bittern or some otters around here - pointing into the wood..."

sid ashton · Status: Offline

After Sizergh the Manx birder and I headed for Leighton Moss and firstly to the Public hide where the water was completely frozen over giving no chance of seeing much in the way of birds or the otters. At the Lower hide there was some clear water with lots of Coots and little else although we did have a juvenile Marsh Harrier flying around for a time before landing in one of the trees. It seems that this is the first time they have had this species overwintering at the reserve.

Moving around to the area of the New Road/Crag Road, to the rear of the reserve we found one Glossy Ibis, three Snow Geese (including flight views) and one Pete Welch - nice to see you again Pete.

Back at the reserve we saw the usual Marsh Tits on the feeders as well as having excellent views of one of the Bitterns from Lillian's hide. Also in Lillian's we met Dyson the Duck, a Mallard raised by its owner from hatching. Dyson thinks she's human - she travels to the reserve in the back of the family car

.

Another good trip to Leighton.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 11:09:10 AM

steven burke · Status: Offline

jason fisher wrote:

if he was wearing all green and had a woman with him then yes

no this chap was on his own,we more than likely did see each other at some point in the day,but never mind.

jason fisher · Status: Offline

if he was wearing all green and had a woman with him then yes

steven burke · Status: Offline

jason fisher wrote:

we may well have met yesterday then steven,

we were the first in the public hide at 8.30 am, opened the windows to see 5 otters playng in the middle of the water, and things got progressively dafter from there on. first bittern turned up directly behind the otters and spent 90 minutes walking slowly around the edge of the reedbed, then it was joined by another which flew in from the right, and shortly after the snow geese flew in striaght over the top of the hide did a circuit of that end and left by flying straight over the top of the hide again, water rails remain heard only for us but we heard 4 squealing,

we had a dozen red breasted merganser from the sea hides
marsh tit on the feeders
the ibis putting on a good show
60 bird species total
plus 5 mammal species a water vole ran across the path on the way back from the allen hide.

it definitely was one of our best days ever

possibly,did have a chap pass me on my way to causeway saying he had been there since 8.30 was that you ?
certainly was my best day ever

a shame louise aspden did not see the otters today,hope she has better luck next time.

Louise Aspden · Status: Offline

I took a trip up this afternoon after persuading my non birding friend, "you will be able to see otters"
Sod's law we didnt see them, "they were out aboutr half a hour ago" typical.
Got some good view of bittern, including one in flight, nothing too special apart from that but we waiting until it started to go dark to watch the starlings coming in to roost, we rewarded with the ibis and some egrets flyng in, the starlings made a good show too.
I am going to have to go again during the week for a long stay.

jason fisher · Status: Offline

we may well have met yesterday then steven,

we were the first in the public hide at 8.30 am, opened the windows to see 5 otters playng in the middle of the water, and things got progressively dafter from there on. first bittern turned up directly behind the otters and spent 90 minutes walking slowly around the edge of the reedbed, then it was joined by another which flew in from the right, and shortly after the snow geese flew in striaght over the top of the hide did a circuit of that end and left by flying straight over the top of the hide again, water rails remain heard only for us but we heard 4 squealing,

we had a dozen red breasted merganser from the sea hides
marsh tit on the feeders
the ibis putting on a good show
60 bird species total
plus 5 mammal species a water vole ran across the path on the way back from the allen hide.

it definitely was one of our best days ever

steven burke · Status: Offline

9.20 til 5pm, 57 species seen.
awesome day,bittern & otter show today

had 2 bitterns from lillians hide showing reasonably well,also 1 water rail showing very well along with 1 kingfisher.
just getting onto causeway towards public hide 1 water rail running across the path in front off me..as soon as i got in the public hide 1 bittern straight in front showing very well,then just to the right off that 3 otters diving/feeding/playing fantastic

what more could you ask,only another 3 bitterns,1 flying in on the right hand side, then another 2 having a little go at each other to the left,all whilst the otters were still showing.
after eventually pulling myself away went to see if the glossy ibis was still around,and yes it was showing well in its usual spot. a quick visit to allen hide not a great deal there,little egrets, 1 snipe, oystercatchers, curlews, wigeons, shellducks, 7 redshank.
other birds...
1 marsh harrier
2 buzzards
2 sparrowhawks, having a go at the fairly large starling roost.
2-4 marsh tits
1 raven
1 treecreeper
1 g b b gull
2 goosanders
3 snow geese
71 pink footed geese (over)
no red head smew or green winged teal though.
plus all usual birds in and around the reserve.
oh and 1 weasel near main car park.
fantastic day

Holly Page · Status: Offline

I also visited Sunday, took my dad out for the day. Arrived a little before 9 and went down the causeway, saw two bearded tits briefly near the grit trays and heard the Cetti's Warbler & a woodpecker drumming, 2 Ravens also flew over. From

Public Hide - 3 otters playing over the far side, Marsh Harrier, Bittern flying over, paid of Buzzards, Goosanders, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler plus the usual Coots, Moorhens and pair of GBB Gulls on the island.

Next stop was the far hides, stopping off for the Glossy Ibis on the way. Spotted Redshank was feeding right in front of the Allen Hide, 2 Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing and Little Egret also seen from this hide. Eric Morecambe hide added a nice pair of Red Breasted Merganser.

Grisedale hide was next, looking for the Green Winged Teal - no luck from this hide but I did manage to locate it from the Tim Jackson Hide.

After a fantastic lunch in the cafe (you can't beat syrup sponge & custard!) final stop was Lilian's which was very quiet. Usually in January there isn't much water visible for all the ducks but there were very few. Only bird added to the day list was female Goldeneye (3) - didn't see any males.

Finished the day off at Heysham - sightings added to the relevant thread.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Had a short visit up here today; mainly to try and see the Glossy Ibis but also to take my mum out for a ride. Weather conditions were really gloomy with low cloud and lots of drizzle.

The Ibis wasn't in its favorite field when i arrived at 11.30 but it had appeared by the time we left at 1.30 and it showed really well in the short grass in the field near to Crag Lane.

On a brief wander around the nearer hides we were also treated to a fly past Bittern at Lilians hide and also a juvenile Marsh Harrier from Grisedale Hide.

Yesterdays Green Winged Teal was reported again from the Tim Jackson hide but unfortunatley it didn't show for me while I was in there. The same goes for the Otters which seem to be very active on the reserve at the moment with many sightings every day.

Mike Turton · Status: Offline

I also had good day to day at leighton moss my highlights glossy Ibis marsh tits green-winged teal spotted redshank and male marsh harrier
Was my 1st ever vist to this site and will be back very soon.
Glossy Ibis and green-winged teal both lifers more me

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Visit this a.m. best birds were Spotted Redshank, Marsh Harrier, brief view of Bittern in flight, Marsh Tits. Best moment was wonderful views of 4 Otters all together hunting and catching fish, including 1 huge Eel from Lillian's hide

.
Cheers Ian

stuart lewis-gough · Status: Offline

A great day at leighton moss today,49 species in total with Glossy Ibis,Great White Egret,Red-head Smew,and Bittern being the highlights. Others seen included Marsh Harrier,Sparrowhawk,Buzzard,Little Egret,Treecreeper,Nuthatch,Goldeneye,Pintail and Marsh Tit. 2 life 1sts = a very enjoyable day. To round it off, while waiting for the Starling show a couple of Red Deer showed well from Grisedale hide.

Would have been nice to see the otters but you cant have everything.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Decent enough day today bird wise despite constant rain, 11.30 to 16.00 hrs. Amongst other stuff :-

Little Egret (c.10)
Glossy Ibis (1)
Red Breasted Merganser (1)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Snipe (c.6)
Black tailed Godwit (3)
Spotted Redshank (1)
Greenshank (1)
Raven (2)
Starling (5k+)

The Spotted Redshank and Greenshank were seen from the Eric Morecambe Hide. The Glossy Ibis was in field on left hand side of road across from turning to Allen Pools. Good views of the Harriers at times and also an Otter was seen from Lillian's Hide. Didn't have time to go to Public and Lower Public Hides but waited for the Starling show at dusk. Probably a good 5k birds which put on a fine spectacle.

Sean Sweeney · Status: Offline

Popped in the eric morcombe at high tide yesterday morning, very high so not many godwits, but plenty of lapwing up and down from peregrine flybys! Also lovely spotted redshank up close. The Glossy Ibis was feeding in flooded fields, showing well and managed to avoid becoming marsh harrier breakfast twice while watching it!

A red head smew was reported, but I couldn't find it, but had cracking views of bittern from lilians hide and 3 marsh tits on the feeders!

pete berry · Status: Offline

A couple of hours there today was productive:-
The Glossy Ibis was showing well in a ditch just off main road
A Bittern was giving great views as the water was frozen,and it was patrolling the edges,
Also a couple of Marsh Harriers hunting and a Water Rail also stood out on the edge of the ice,plus the usual Marsh Tits on the feeders.

steven burke · Status: Offline

10.30-4.30pm 47 species seen.

good day,but the best bird had to be the last bird(s) off the day.

2 marsh harriers

4 buzzards

2 sparrowhawks

12 snipe

11 redshanks

7 whooper swans (over)

70+ pink footed geese (over)

2 goosanders

8 goldeneyes

plenty off teals, wigeons, shovelers, gadwalls

not many pintails, no pochards confuse

also little egrets around, just the 1 great crested grebe.

1 marsh tit giving close views upto 3ft.

all usual birds around feeders and reserve.

not a great starling roost (still thousands) but came in small flocks and went straight into reedbeds.

and last off all i went onto causeway near grit trays at 4.10pm and finally got my bogey bird (for here) BITTERN biggrin in flight then another straight behind that one and another at 4.25pm fanastic.

water rails & tawny owls (heard only)

at least 6 red deer at griesdales hide. smile

Sarfraz Hayat · Status: Offline

went there on 20 november

list includes:-

Bearded Tit - 1
Blackbird -
Black-headed Gull -
Bittern - 1
Black-tailed Godwit
Blue Tit
Bullfinch
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch

Coal Tit
Common Gull
Coot
Cormorant
Curlew
Dunnock
Fueldfare
Gadwall
Goldeneye
Goldcrest

Goldfinch
Great Black-Backed Gull
Great Tit
Great White Egret - 2 present
Greenfinch
Greenshank
Grey Heron
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Jackdaw

Jay
Kingfisher
Lapwing
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Harrier 3 prsent
Marsh Tit

Moorhen
Mute Swan
Nuthatch
Oystercatcher
Peregrine
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Pintail
Red-breated mergansher
Redshank

Redwing
Robin
Shelduck#
Shoveler
Siskin
Snipe
Song Thrush
Sparrowhawk
Starling
Teal

Tufted Duck
Wigeon
Woodpigen
Wren
Feral Pigeon
Greylag Geese
collared dove

all the ducks except Pochard, other common regular species missing such as Reed Bunting, Mistle Thrush, Buzzard, Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker

was hoping to see a Spotted Redshank but no luck....would have been a first for me

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

I was there yesterday while you were Chris! 10.10 - c.3.30 but couldn't stay for the Starlings

No Beardies or Bitterns for me either - too windy

I had 4 Greenshank from the Public Hide

Chris Chandler · Status: Offline

Very enjoyable few hours 11am - 5pm.

Unfortunately no Bittern or Bearded Tits, but highlights included-

Fleeting views of a Cetti's Warbler flitting across the path by Lower Hide
3 Marsh Harrier - All female
Mixed tit flock including Blue, Great, Cole, Marsh & Long-Tailed
Large flock of Redwing with a few Fieldfare
2 flyover Redpoll
3 Greenshank
5 Goosander
Lots of Pintail, Goldeneye & Wigeon
Sparrowhawk hunting over the visitor centre

From Eric Morecambe Hide:
9 Snipe
Lots of Black-Tailed Godwit, Redshank & Lapwing
3 Little Egrets

To cap it all off, we got to see the thousands of starlings coming in to roost at dusk - a truly stunning thing to see ... and hear

John O'Neill · Status: Offline

Bearded Tits showing v well today 9.15AM, 2 pairs on grit trays.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Graham Beverley wrote:

Marsh and willow tits

Willow Tit's a fair bit of a rarity up there Graham

Graham Beverley · Status: Offline

Saturda 5th and Sunday 6th

Highlight of weekend was fantastic starling show on saturday seen from causeway best I've ever seen up there
Sunday morning starlings all taking off at same time followed by marsh harriers and sparrowhawks

Saturday
Kingfisher Eric hide
Bittern public
Otter
Little egrets 50 + in roost
Marsh and willow tits

Sunday
Good close views of bittern on main drain next to causeway
Hen harrier
Kingfisher

John Doherty · Status: Offline

Cheers Joe, great report and plenty saw, and makes me kind of want to jump on a train and go now even though that's not possible

Never been!

Joey Eccles · Status: Offline

Good day today in decent weather. Highlights included:

Lillian's hide:
A Bittern flew across over the reeds and landed, showing whilst preening with its back to us
Kingfisher
Male Pintail - flew in whilst we were there
Snipe
2 Marsh Harrier - on the far side of the reeds

Public and Lower Hide:

A Bittern flew straight across the hide about 30 yards out

A female sparrowhawk put everything up and dived straight passed the hide

4 goldeneye
Little Grebe
Marsh Harrier showed well flying straight towards us
A pair of pheasant flying over the lake between reed beds

4 Snipe
2 Otters

(Hen Harrier and up to 4 otters were reported)

Tim Jackson and Griesdale Hides:

7 deer (including a pristine stag)
3 Buzzards overhead

Eric Morecambe Hide:

Several Black Tailed Godwits
Plenty of showy snipe
Spotted Redshank

Peregrine over
At least 3 little egret

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Well, i'm not taking any chances with getting the beardies! I arrived on the early train at 0750. Problem was it was blowing a gale, despite it being clear and bright, still a few beardies about though. Got 1600 train back, a great day out. Highlights were:

At dawn:
c.200 Redwing/Fieldfare (overhead)
c.30 Crossbill (overhead)
4 Bearded tit
1 Marsh Harrier
2 Cetti's Warbler- As with nick dead skulky so no shots
and a stoat

at feeding station:
2 Marsh Tit
1 Nuthatch

Griesdale Hide:
c.40 Shoveler
c.100 Teal
1 Wigeon
2 Grey Heron
1 Stag looking odd with only antlers visible over the reeds

Eric Morecambe Hide:
1 Siskin (overhead)
5 Linnet
20 Black Tailed Godwit
c.10 Redshank
9 Greenshank
11 Snipe- right below hide- frame filling shots of them in the open

-- Edited by Joe Wynn on Saturday 22nd of October 2011 07:57:15 PM

jason fisher · Status: Offline

it's not that you won't see them joe, i know a lot of people do, but they're not a reliable sight, unlike early in the morning, when you can almost guarantee a view if you're there

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Well, just to be awkward, my best views were at 4:00 in the afternoon in august last year (on the grit trays!). Spent too long looking at them and missed the train!

Pete Welch · Status: Offline

jason fisher wrote:

from personal experience nick, if you're looking for beardies here on the grit trays, you're best off doing it for the first couple of hours after sunrise, once it's hit about 9am you're on a loser

Just to second that my best views last winter were in the first half hour of daylight!

jason fisher · Status: Offline

from personal experience nick, if you're looking for beardies here on the grit trays, you're best off doing it for the first couple of hours after sunrise, once it's hit about 9am you're on a loser