Ten members visited this RSPB reserve hoping that the weather would not be too unkind.

First of all, we went down to the Causeway hoping to see the Bearded Tits feeding on the grit trays. Unfortunately, we were unlucky, perhaps they didn’t like the rain. Then to the Public hide; on the water there were lots of ducks, the males in smart breeding plumage – Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall all in good numbers. The stars of the show however were the 2 otters which kept ducking and diving, a treat to see them. A Snipe was briefly spotted lurking in the reeds.

From there we went to the other hides but at Lillian’s maintenance work was being carried out and the birds were keeping their distance.

At Grisedale we had a good view of a Marsh Harrier which put up all the ducks. When they had settled, we spotted some Pintail, the drakes looking very smart.

Little Egret at Leighton Moss by Marg smith

Little Egret at Leighton Moss by Marg smith

After lunch we went to the Saltmarsh hides. Here were Little and Great White Egrets, Heron, and waders: Redshank, Greenshank, Black tailed Godwit, Lapwing and Curlew, and on an island, several Snipe, this time much easier to see than earlier. There was also a good collection of varied ducks.

A melange of Shoveller and Teal at the Saltmarsh by Marg Smith

A melange of Shoveller and Teal at the Saltmarsh by Marg Smith

We had a discussion about whether a certain bird was a Merganser or a Goosander. In the end it was decided, by closely studying its bill and neck plumage, that it was a drake Goosander moulting out of its eclipse plumage. The thrill of the afternoon was another Marsh Harrier closely accompanied by a Merlin which, after failing to predate a small bird in a thrilling chase, then posed on a wire immediately in front of the hide, though distant, but easy to see with the telescopes. Such a treat to see this smallest of our raptors in action.

In the morning it had been wet and rather dull, but by now the setting sun lit up Morecambe Bay, a lovely end to a most enjoyable visit.

Total number of species 39, plus Otter and a brown Rat beneath a feeding station.

Leader Win Clements

Featured Image: “Merlin Falcon” by Amaury Laporte is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.