Leighton Moss, Silverdale, 12th February 2011.

 

SILVERDALE SORTIES 

After an anxious ride through the fog wondering whether they would see anything at all, never mind a rare species or two, members of Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society were relieved to arrive to good visibility at Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve. 

Members had three possibilities for the day.  Some alighted from the coach near the sea hides, where they enjoyed views of many species of ducks and wading birds including several hundred Black-tailed Godwit before making their way to the main reserve on foot by a variety of routes. 

Those who stayed on the coach until it reached the visitor centre could either join a circular walk through the Silverdale area to Jack Scout and Jenny Brown’s point  or spend the day on the reserve making use of the hides and nature trails to observe the local flora and fauna.  Before separating to take up the different options, members had good views of many common garden birds and, surprisingly, a small toad at the rear of the visitor centre.

On the main reserve members saw a large number of different birds including Pochard, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Tufted duck, Little Egret and the elusive Bittern.

 The walk went through a variety of habitats and gave us excellent views across Morecambe Bay.  The woodlands were a rich source of mosses and ferns, including Hart’s Tongue, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Wall-rue and Common Polypody, and fungi, such as Hairy Curtain Crust, Oyster Mushroom and Beech Woodwart.  They also afforded views of many woodland birds, for example, Tree-creeper, Great spotted woodpecker, Jay, a variety of tits including Marsh tit, several Nuthatches and a Tawny Owl. 

On emerging onto the coast Oystercatchers and a large flock of Shelduck were seen and members were entertained by the aerobatic displays of large flocks of Lapwings and other waders. Those who made a detour to the sea hides from Jenny Brown’s point were rewarded with views of two Peregrine Falcons. 

Although very wet and muddy underfoot in places, it was a most enjoyable ramble through the local landscape, with the added bonus of the appearance of the sun at the lunch stop at Woodwell and the sight of the sun shining on Morecambe Bay.

 At the end of the day all parties met up at the main reserve with many enjoying the facilities of the visitor centre including the excellent café before boarding the coach for the return journey in glorious sunshine.

Sightings list.

Click on Thumbnail to see full size image

Burton Well Common Water-starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) in Burton Well Scarlet Elfcup (Sarcoscypha austriaca)
Scarlet Elfcup (Sarcoscypha austriaca) Jelly ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) Black-tailed Godwits

Photographs by Peter Stevens, Steve Pinnington and Sheila Carr