More From Moore - 12 February 2013

I walked the eastern side of Moore NR today and found 39 species, with the highlights being 2 sightings of the Bittern flying across the reedbed, a Smew (redhead) and flock of around 4000 Starlings.

The 39 species were: Collard Dove, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot, Canada Goose, Smew, Moorhen, Gadwall, Blackbird, Starling, Wren, Cormorant, Robin, Dunnock, Teal, Raven, Buzzard, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Pochard, Bittern, Jay, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Great Black-backed Gull.

Shoveler probing the margins

Tufted Duck drifting on Birchwood Pool

Leighton Moss - 1 September 2012

PK's back to work 'treat weekend' was a trip up to Silverdale for a visit to Leighton Moss RSPB reserve.

The Marsh Harriers had moved on by now, so rather than sitting too long in cold hides, we moved through the reserve taking in as much as we could.

We saw a number of species including (order as seen) Gadwall, Mallard, Coot (hundreds), Moorhen, Cormorant, Shoveler, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Pochard, Peregrine, Little Egret, Pied Wagtail, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Lapwing, and Grey Heron. And back at the car, I spotted a fantastic Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar.

We must return in October for the Bearded Tits!

 Female Shoveler at Leighton Moss

Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar at Silverdale