Liverpool RSPB Field
trip report
RSPB Leighton Moss
Sunday
22/04/12 .
16 determined birders
ignored the weather forecast and headed out to RSPB Leighton moss. We were not
disappointed.
Our first highlight of
the day came with a chance sighting of 3 frolicking Otters, splashing about in
the sunshine, observed from the roadside on the way into the reserve the first
tick of the day and it wasn't a bird!
Once inside the
reserve we were only confined to quarters on 2 occasions - when it really was
raining stair-rods, but this proved to be no hardship tucked away in the reserves cosy hides observing - smart spring migrant Garganey. A pair of Great
Crested Grebes performing their ‘running on water’ courting ritual, pond weed
offerings clenched in beaks. The barbarism of 2 male Moorhens locked in a
fighting frenzy, furiously kicking out with their feet. And the ‘Ahh’ moment? Watching the wobbly
antics of 2 clutches of Greylag goslings finding their feet.
Without doubt one of
the major events of the trip was the Osprey that flew in from the estuary ahead
of a squally band of rain, you’ve never seen so many people move so fast,
jostling to get a better view as the bird flew over the Eric Morecambe hide on
the look out for its fish dinner. Other diners on the pools, alongside the many
Godwits and Redshank were impressive Spotted Redshank, Avocets and Egrets. After
lunch the group had a lucky break with a tip off of where to find the lonely,
lingering Glossy Ibis, another tick for the day.
A walk round to the
public hide rewarded us with some great views of a pair of Marsh Harriers flying
low along the tree line and woodland slopes. A comical moment was a peckish
Cormorant struggling to swallow a rather large eel, believe me that eel wasn’t
going out without a fight; you could see it wriggling all the way
down.
The day finished with
the group taking a diversion from the road home. Stopping off on the A6 to a
riverside spot, where we were told a kingfisher hung out; the bird was there but
sadly only a few of us got a fleeting turquoise glimpse of it as it swooped
along the riverbank. A dippy Grey Wagtail was a welcome bonus to our tick list.
The tickmasters list
recorded 70 species seen and a few that got away, being heard but not observed,
Reed warbler, and most frustratingly Cetti's warbler and Bearded
Tit...Ping .
Bar headed
goose-Greylag goose-Pheasant-Collared
dove-Robin-Woodpigeon-Jackdaw-Mallard-Great tit-Blue tit-Chaffinch-Buzzard-Black
headed gull-Coot-Great crested grebe-Pochard-Gadwall-Tufted duck-Garganey-Canada
goose-Greenfinch-Lapwing-Teal-Moorhen-Shoveler-Reed bunting-Great spotted
woodpecker-Wigeon-Lesser black backed gull-Wren-Blackcap-Bullfinch-Coal
tit-Magpie-Marsh tit-Dunnock-Grey heron-Chiff-chaff-Swallow-Spotted
redshank-Pied wagtail-Shelduck-Avocet-Redshank-Oystercatcher-Little egret-Black
tailed godwit-Carrion crow-Osprey-Meadow pipit-Long tailed tit-Goldfinch-House
sparrow-Glossy ibis-Mute swan-Feral pigeon-Kestrel-Sparrowhawk-Marsh
harrier-Cormorant-Great black backed gull-Little grebe-House martin-Sand
martin-Willow warbler-Grey wagtail-Kingfisher-Skylark -Song
Thrush.
A mix of heavy down
pours and sunshine, but we didn’t get wet, and a great day out was had by all
even if we did leave behind the sea odyssey spectacular.
Cheers
Stores &
Laura.
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