Leighton Moss

Decided to head down to Leighton Moss today with Ciara and Rachael, its only about an hour from Penrith, so not too far. Although it was dull, with a few rainy spells we still had a great day. There were good numbers of Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Coot, Wigeon and Mallard, with a few Pochard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Cormorant and 2 Great Black Backed Gulls. 


Heading to the cafe at lunch we bumped into this confiding Robin.

Even bold enough to feed from Rachael's hand. Please double click image.

The feeding station by was busy with Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Blackbird, Pheasant, Moorhen, and Mallard. A skein of Greylag landed on the main pool, a quick scan produced the 3 Snow Geese that have been hanging around. After lunch we added a Red Deer stag and multiple Little Egrets to our list. The Morcambe Hides provide more wildfowl, and a large number of Lapwing on the salt marsh.


We ended our day in the Public Hide, viewing 5 Otters, with a couple of the well grown cubs play fighting, and porpoising, catching an Eel now and again. Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, and Teal came in close to the hide as the light was fading, Little Egrets headed to roost over head, and the Starlings began their murmurations. 

The sun shared its rays for a few seconds before we left.

What I've been up to the last few weeks...

Well not technically, here's some links. UOC Wildlife Photographer Society trips out.

Paul Mitchell, Debbie Whitfield, Steven Williams, Patrick Davis

I'll get round to posting a proper update soon, hopefully with some film attached ;)