leighton moss

[rossy]

on sunday i went to morecambe and the rspb had a group there . i got chatting and they told me to pay a visit to leighton moss . has anybody on here ever been ? they told me it was a good place to see bitterns which are doing well up there. rossy.

[Morph]

I should think most birders living within easy reach and a lot more besides will have been to Leighton Moss at some time.
Bitterns can be very difficult to see, my tip would be to get there very early to catch them moving between roost site and feeding site flying over the reeds, otherwise you could be there for days waiting for them to show themselves in a clearing. Don't forget to go down to the hides on the marsh they can be more productive for waders than the scrapes.

[rossy]

thanks morph im well aware bitterns are a very elusive and the best times to go are early mornings . also the male call in spring can be heard at dawn or dusk a booming call as they say. i read that they had to be reintroduced in england which is something i didnt know. but not 1oo % sure on that. also bearded tits marsh harriers plus plenty of waders up there so will pay a visit at sometime. rossy.

[ChrisJB]

Leighton Moss is brill Rossy, especially in May time, when you will see marsh harriers and hear the boom of bitterns (they are difficult to see however). As for bearded tits, I've been umpteen times and heard them a-plenty, but never seen them there. Boo.

Regards, Chris

[Meta menardi]

I love Leighton Moss, don't miss the Morecombe hide. They have done some major dredging work, and I think the hope is that Otters may come back.

[rossy]

cheers for that chris i picked up a booklet and according to that october is the best time to see the bearded tits which only hang out in the reed beds. they put out grit trays and these sociable birds come to feed off them. and january when bitterns are most likely to come to the edge of the reedbed. april for the marsh harriers . regards rossy.

[captaincarot]

we were there twice this year. mid june and about a month ago.

first time there wre marsh harriers aplenty, second time we saw far more birds on the campsite up the road, haha.

though there were a few ravens about, that's the trouble with early august not much doing.

i've neither heard nor seen bearded tits there, though i'm sure they are out in the reed beds some where.

as for the bittern i'm sure this bird species is a figment of someones over active imagination along with the water rail.

but some one insisted they had seen one earlier that morning in june

[Goatboy]

I've certainly heard Bitterns there but only seen them at other sites. Never managed the Bearded Tits, though from what I've heard the public haven't got access to the best place to see them.

Very good place to see deer as well.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Goatboy

Very good place to see deer as well.

I would agree with that, we watched them having muddy wanderings through the Reed beds and it was the best view I have ever had.