Craggy and I managed to make a day trip to first Foulshaw Moss then Leighton. The challenge is trying to find the right track that leads into the reserve from the dual carriageway. Luckily, Osprey's nesting were worthy of a signpost so this time I got it first time. We had a look around the pond and quite a few damsel and dragonflies had emerged as well as pond skaters. Craggy caught sight of a large bird flying over..........Osprey....no..Gull, Buzzard, Gull, Buzzard...not it was an Osprey!! We headed to the board walk over the wet heath and on the wooden planks we saw 5 Common Lizards basking in total. We had a look across the raised bog and spotted an Osprey in a tree near the nest. Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Tree Pipit were singing. A Buzzard and Little Egret flew across. An 89 year old volunteer was at the viewpoint. He not only showed us the Raven nest but also made us laugh and told us about the area.
We had to move to Leighton Moss. There were Little Egrets, 6-7 Ruff some of the males coming into summer plumage, Marsh Harriers, plenty of Warblers singing, a pair of Garganey which were first at Jackson hide then Lillian's. We managed to see a family of Robin's with at least one fledged young and al the usual suspects. In some of the woodlands bluebells were out in full force as well as Ramsons. We visited Jenny Brown's Point and here we saw Whimbrel along with other waders but none rare.
Nice to see these new nature reserves with their different habitat for animals,plants and insects to live Foulshaw is one of them
As Sarfraz says the 89 years young,volunteer give us a lot of info about the reserve. All so he said hopefully in the next three weeks the Ospreys eggs should have hatched and the birds will be more active feeding the young
Foulshaw is home to the very rare white-faced darter dragonfly with this warmer weather should be out soon
Fantastic photos! That monochrome reed bed photo is very well done. The white carpet was fantastic..beats bluebells! The last one looks superb......it makes a great photo. Foulshaw Moss is exceptional as a place. Sad we do not have such a place much closer.
