Visit to Leighton Moss

diggleken · #11 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011, 01:21 PM

All good advice - if you are able, maybe start off at Hest Bank for views over Morecambe bay if the tides pushing waders in, then the Eric Morecambe hide, then the others at Leighton - the main hide (lilians) has both opening and closed windows, and if its too far to walk, the public hide on the causeway can be made easier to get to by parking just a bit (third mile or so) further on the road from the visitor centre. The other hides from there are a bit of a way I suspect, but you will have covered the main areas anyway.
Let us know how you get on, good luck!
Cheers
Ken

Ladywell · #12 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011, 01:51 PM

It is quite a trek to the Eric Morecambe Hide - my husband has health problems and he found it too far. I think you can drive down the track, under the railway bridge, bear left and there is parking on the right. This cuts the walking down a bit.

Neil · #13 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011, 02:22 PM

Hi Jonathan and Ken.

Thank you both for the advice I have taken the liberty of copying your posts, I will print them and take them with me if you don’t object. This website never lets one down, always produces good advice whatever the subject. Cheers Neil.

Neil · #14 (**permalink**) 10-08-2011, 02:25 PM

Trip to Leighton Moss 09-08-2011.
I went to Leighton moss yesterday; the weather was fine all day. My friend and I left Stockport at seven am; my friend was driving so I was well rested when we arrived at eight ten. We went straight to the Allen hide and then to the Eric Morecambe hide. Redshanks, little Egret, Grey Heron and Lapwings were all on show. We then visited the visitor centre to check the recent sightings and have a look around. We checked out the Lilian’s hide before then moving onto the Tim Jackson and Griesdale hides. For photography the bright light tended to backlight the subjects the subjects were just a little too far away, I will not post any photos as they are not up to the normally high standard on this site. The next move was to drive a short distance to the start of the causeway and walk to the public hide; there we were lucky enough to see a Grey Heron catch a small pike and devour it, I caught the moment with my camera. We were told that a Bitten was at the lower hide. After loading all of my heavy equipment onto my friends back (thanks Ian) we set out to see the Bitten with plenty of rests along the way we arrived at the Lower hide to be told the Bitten had left. The compensation was to see two Cormorants sat on two posts one entered the water and surfaced with a fish, again caught on camera. On the way back from the Lower hide we heard a Bitten also saw a deer in the field on the left of the path. We stopped at the public hide for me to recover my breath; a man entered and told us that the Bitten had returned after we left. All in All a brilliant day thanks to the advice given on this site after my posts over the weekend. Finally the drive home Ian driving, four gigabytes of photos to browse over.
Thanks every one that gave me tips and advice. Neil.

The Woodman · #15 (**permalink**) 10-08-2011, 03:16 PM

Good to hear you had an enjoyable day, Neil. Shame about the Bittern, I find they just ghost into view from the reeds and disappear the same way.

You'll be heartened to know that it's been pouring down all day here and quite miserably cooler. You had the best day yesterday.

Ladywell · #16 (**permalink**) 10-08-2011, 04:14 PM

So pleased you enjoyed your visit. Did you see Marsh Harriers? They seemed to be everywhere - including over the caravan we stayed on just down the road? Just a note for the future - it is worth calling at Glasson Dock on your way back - the tidal river had loads of waders on the banks there.