Marsh Tits at Leighton Moss

Last week my friend Jane and I visited Sizergh Castle in Cumbria in the hope of seeing Hawfinches. We pulled into the car park in bright sunshine but it soon started to snow. A thorough search of the area failed to produce our quarry so we went for a short walk in the surrounding countryside; the coldness of the weather did not diminish our appreciation of this beautiful part of the country. After photographing common birds such as Robin, Wren and Blackbird, we returned to the car park but there was still no sign of the target birds. We decided to head south so we could lunch a Leighton Moss RSPB.
Passing through Milnthorpe the clouds unleashed a veritable snow blizzard of Dickensian proportions. It was almost a total whiteout! We drove on to Leighton Moss where we enjoyed a picnic in Lilian's Hide. I prefer to eat outside to maximise the wildlife viewing opportunities.
But to say the weather was changeable was grossly understating the situation. In the film version of H.G. Wells' classic novel The Time Machine, the time traveller views the passing days as a strobe of night and day; similarly the weather that day fluctuated rapidly between bouts of sunshine and mini snowstorms driven in by a bitter Easterly wind.
Undeterred by the elements we enjoyed a great day's birdwatching. One of the highlights for me was the newly built shelter by the bird feeders where we enjoyed great views of common woodland birds and scarcer birds including one of my favourites the subtly beautiful Marsh Tit. We rounded the day off with a very welcome curry in nearby Carnforth.

 

Robins and Wren photographed at Sizergh Castle.

Marsh Tits.

Common Snipe.

Immature Mute Swan in snowstorm.

Male Wigeon.

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker.

You might also like:


Stoatally Amazing



Leighton Moss

Leighton Moss

My friend Jane and I visited this fabulous RSPB reserve towards the end of October in the hope of photographing Kingfishers on the Eric Morecombe pools. Unfortunately the Kingfisher did not show but there is always plenty to see at this amazing site.
One of the highlights was undoubtedly the Bearded Tits visiting the grit trays on the public causeway. We nearly missed them as they tend to show well first thing in the morning and we didn't arrive until 10. But we did see at least three birds including a stunning male.
Other highlights included Marsh Tit, Mediterranean Gull, two Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawk and a mini starling roost - I'm sure the numbers will pick up as winter approaches. The Red Deer were bellowing loudly from the reedbed but were very difficult to see, but a stag did splash across  the pool in front of the Tim Jackson hide. Mostly we could just see antlers moving above the reeds! The day finished with a beautiful sunset followed by a delicious curry in Carnforth.

Female Bearded Tit, near the grit trays on
the public causeway.

Adult winter-plumaged Mediterranean Gull.

Male Chaffinch - I have photographed a lot of Chaffinches recently,
but despite being extremely common they are quite attractive birds.

Marsh Tit - Leighton Moss is an excellent place to see this species.

Coots are one of the quintessential birds of the reserve and are
full of character.

Sunset from Tim Jackson hide - there were at least three Red Deer
Stags hidden in the reedbed.

You might also like:

Friday 13th

Insects and Birds