In the days prior to our second field trip of the new season, the weather forecast on every app and news program was saying “Stay in bed!” Twelve hardy, some say fool hardy, souls decided a 6am rise was worth the risk of getting wet to enjoy a day’s birding. Off we set at 7am, north up the M61 to one of the RSPB’s premier reserves at Leighton Moss with the latest forecast stating we may stay dry until lunchtime.
The usual routine is to head to the main reserve then rush at the end of the day for 30 minutes to the sea watching hides with the sun in your face and silhouettes for birds. Today’s itinerary was reversed as we met on the sea watching hides car park with the hope of some raptor and wader action that we could actually see, given Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Hen Harrier had been recorded the day before.
On entering Allen hide many ducks could be seen in the few yards in front of the hide, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon and Gadwall, however these quickly moved away to a safer distance, in their eyes. A few waders were also dotted about; these included a pair of Greenshank that gave excellent views as they continued feeding though a little further away. Common Redshank, Common Snipe, a crowd of Black-tailed Godwit, a single Curlew and a deceit of Lapwing made up the wader congregation from our first home of the day. These were joined by a Little Egret fishing close to the bank down to our left and a marauding Marsh Harrier out on the marsh, an excellent start.
Walking the path to Morecambe hide produced vocal Cetti’s Warbler and Chaffinch, Magpie and a fly by Cormorant. On reaching the hide we were presented with a plethora of waders as far as the eyes could see. Most of which were Common Redshank, and probably our best chance of locating a Spotted Redshank even though the light was still gloomy with the dark clouds above and the birds were distant. Shoveler, Shelduck and three female Goosanders hunting in a line were added to the wildfowl list. At the quieter right-hand side of the hide a Common Snipe was located a few feet in front though getting an angle for a clear photograph was difficult as it was nestled in the short reeds. A second bird was soon located a little further along the hide, this one was mobile and made its way through the reeds giving clear views and an excellent opportunity to observe its behaviour. Attention drew back to the marsh as we were entertained by a male Peregrine as it was initially mobbed by a Carrion Crow before taking refuge by landing on the marsh, he didn’t stay down for long and was soon airborne again making a half-hearted attempt at catching breakfast. A local with a scope proclaimed he thought he had located a Spotted Redshank amongst a smaller flock of Common Redshank, a quick look through his scope and the telltale sign of a prominent supercilium confirmed his suspicions to be correct. Distant Whooper Swans and a Sparrowhawk were also added to the list that stood at 36 as we headed back to the car park, not bad for a quick hours look from the sea hides.
On entering the main reserve our rendezvous was to be the garden feeders as several of group made an early pitstop. This gave us the opportunity to add some garden birds to the list, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Nuthatch were among the birds added. Our next port of call was to be the Grizedale grit trays in search of Bearded Tits, a target for the day. A quick scan of the weather apps showed we were a couple of hours from heavy rain, better than we had expected. After several fruitless minutes at the grit trays a few of the group continued along the path into the Grizedale hide but not before a “gronking” Raven and Buzzard were added to the days tally.
From Grizedale hide, duck and drake Pintail, the most elegant of ducks, were present and giving great views, before eight Bearded Tits flew in from the right before landing in the reeds in front of the hide. A Marsh Harrier was constantly on the move hunting through the reed before landing in a far tree and giving great views. A Water Rail was seen by one of the group flying across the path in front of them, so this shy bird was not only heard but also seen. Next stop was Tim Jackson hide; this contained several Pintail along with a Little Grebe or Dabchick as it is also known. A Carrion Crow landed just to our right and startled a Common Snipe, this giving excellent views as it lowered its head and fanned its tail in a threat pose before the Crow took its chance and made a lunge, at which point the Snipe made a sharp exit to the side of a female Teal for safety. A Great White Egret gave a distant fly by whilst a Rook was located by scope in the distant sheep fields. As lunch was nearing and darker clouds were looming a hasty retreat was made to Lillians hide for lunch, whilst some of the group sampled delights the café had to offer. The few who remained in Lillians hide were treated to a fly by Bittern, much better than a slab of cake, and a lone Tufted Duck, the only one seen during the trip.
The rain started to fall as lunch was taken but lightened after an hour so the group reformed and headed to the Causeway hide, this would be our last stop for the day as the new Lower hide was closed due to the flooring being installed. This turned out to be a blessing as we dodged the worst of the showers sat in the hide. Another Common Snipe was the only bird of interest as it dodged the attentions of a Coot. As the rain petered out the group headed back to the garden feeding station were Marsh Tit and Bullfinch were added. The rain had stopped and the clouds lightened so the decision was made to try for the Bearded Tits at the grit trays once again, on leaving the garden area a Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Long-tailed Tits were observed. The grit trays didn’t produce and the sky was getting darker so it was time to call it a day, a hasty retreat was made to the car park and the journey home commenced as the rain started.
From what started out as a day were full wets were expected to be worn; a few light showers were all that materialised. A respectable 62 species was the day’s tally.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about our day out and if you fancy a walk with like-minded folk of differing birding experience, why not join us on our next outing to RSPB Fairburn Ings in November?
As for weather forecasters, a thankless job, I’m just glad we dodged the majority of rain today.
Keith Williams
leighos.trips@gmail.com
