RSPB Leighton Moss

 

The Lower Hide at RSPB Leighton Moss has been replaced with a new structure. RSPB York Local Group along with other local groups made a donation towards the cost. On Monday the 17th there was an official opening and I attended as a representative of the York group.

Before the event I had a walk around the reserve.

Lilian's Hide was my first stop.

Shovelers, snipe, teal, greylag and canada geese and a bittern booming from the reedbed.

The Skytower was next. These are the views from the top.

 

From the next two hides I was able to add pintail and grey heron to my day list. 

Still a few signs of winter with a single wigeon and pink footed goose.

At one point they have cut the reeds back and placed grit trays. These trays are popular with the bearded tits in autumn and winter and allow visitors a chance to see these elusive birds. I would like to see Blacktoft adopt the same system.

On my way to the causeway hide I stopped to look at the birds on the feeders.

Lots of activity and not a rat in sight!

On the way to the Causeway hide I noticed these Elf Cup

This is the new Lower Hide.

From the Causeway Hide I added more birds to my day list including Marsh Harrier and Goldeneye.

John Wilson who was warden at Leighton Moss for 35 years performed the opening ceremony, photos will appear on the reserve social media in the future.

From the hide we could see lots of mute swans, a little egret and a ring-necked duck.

A very pleasant event. On my way home i made a detour to Langdon Beck to see the black grouse.