Sandwiched between Storms Dudley and Eunice, Thursday was a very pleasant sunny day with little wind at Leighton Moss for 9 members.
Very early treats were sightings of Bullfinch and Marsh Tit at the feeding station, along with several garden regulars. Coffee in the re-named Causeway Hide was accompanied by many ducks, good views of Pochard and Golden Eye, but to especially help comparison, a Common Gull and a Black Headed Gull sat on nearby posts, with a Greater Black Backed Gull in the background.
While walking between hides we found Tree Creeper and Nuthatch and the inevitable Robin following us at a very close distance. Only one Marsh Harrier graced the skies this time, the waders were fewer in number, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe. The ride down to park the car for Morecambe and Allen hide was as bumpy as ever, more watery with an uncomfortable looking puddle under the bridge whose height is a barrier to some. The water level was high, the reason for fewer Waders or are they moving off to their breeding grounds?
For me the bird of the day was the Snipe, much more visible than most times and in greater numbers too, but all the birds were developing their breeding plumage and looking at their best, not to mention easier to identify. In total we did see 50 species so no complaints.
Common Gull
Snipe
Josephine Drake
Photos Ann Shaw
