Paul, Mohammed and I decided to have a Spring trip to Leighton Moss.  Paul had never been in the Spring so I told him it would give him a new experience of the reserve.  21st of May was the only day he could do so we decided to pencil that in and it was not long before it was upon us.  I mentioned Foulshaw Moss, the reserve run by the Cumbria Wildlife Reserve in the South of the district, as a place to visit and they both agreed.  

A 6am start and Foulshaw Moss was the first place we visited in the hope of seeing basking reptiles on the boardwalk.  We arrived in just under an hour and realised we could be the first ones here today.  The feeders attracted quite a few species including 3 which you ddi not get in many places together at a feeder - Siskin, Redpoll and Tree Sparrow.  How many feeders nationally attracted those 3 together?  Other Bird species we saw included Lesser Black Backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pheasant, Greylag, Shelduck, Mallard, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Grasshopper Warbler, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit and Goldfinch.  Onto the board walk and the extravagant song of the Tree Pipit caught my ear.  We located it and it parachuted onto a tree in front of us, excited.  This was a lifer for Paul and Mohammed.  For Mohammed there were many lifers already.   We hoped to see Osprey but could only see the nest.  It was too early so the reptiles we hoped to see ie Lizard, Adder and Sloworm were not out yet.  I really hoped to see at least one species but in reality we should have been here a bit later.  The Tree Pipit stole the show and quite rightly deserved to be the highlight here.  

Of to Leighton Moss which was only about 20 minutes away our first stop was the Causeway Hide formerly known as the Public Hide.  We managed to see  and hear Starling, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Crow, Magpie, Bullfinch, Nuthatch, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Moorhen, House Sparrow, Song Thrush, Blackbird as walked down to the hide.  An interesting song caught my ear as we had very good views of a Cetti's Warbler exploding with excitement.  The song seemed melodic, level in pitch and tone and on going.  I am guessing it could have been a Garden Warbler but we will never know for sure.  2 Marsh Tits were feeding in the grass and on the floor by the path - not seen this before! Lapwing, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Water Rail, Coot, Mallard were all at various points  in the reedbed.  Marsh Harriers could be seen hunting over the reserve often pursued my mobs of Black-headed Gulls.   Above the reedbeds hundreds of Swifts, House Martins, Sand Martins, Swallows fed over the water bodies - the first 2 species dominating numerically.  At the Causeway Hide an Otter showed very well for a few minutes.  Great Black Backed Gulls, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Shelduck, Greylag, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Buzzard were all seen from here.  A lady pointed out a showy Reed Warbler just outside the hide and it was another life for Mohammed.  I left him to photograph it and as I arrived at the hide I saw a Bittern flying over.  I ran into the hide and asked if Paul saw it.  Sadly not but someone walking up just mentioned they it had turned back!  The Marsh Harriers were putting on a good show indeed.   

Onto the Lower Hide where we saw a flock of Black Tailed Godwits probably at Grizedale or Jackson hides and a family of Treecreepers on the way.  At the Lower Hide a passing bird which I thought was a Gull at first caught my attention.  I realised it was an Osprey and probably shouted it out - always an exciting bird to see and a lifer for Mohammed!

The cafe called but on arrival I was disappointed.  The cake selection was poor - fairy cake, a very chocolate chocolate orange cake, spiced apple and avocado and courgette cake the 4 species on offer!!!  Paul opted for spiced apple and I for scone with cream and raspberry jam.  I can't remember what Mohammed had but it might have been Avocado and Courgette and the thought of someone eating that must have induced severe trauma causing me memory loss!  I am disappointed that they no longer serve the "historic orange drizzle" as Chris Packham labelled it or any of the pre-lockdown selections such as Coffee and Walnut, Carrot and Walnut, Marbled Cake, Victoria Sponge etc.  

The Sky Tower gave excellent views of the reserve - lots of Marsh Harrier activity, 3 Red Deer, Paul spotted 2 Pochard and another Bittern which all 3 of us saw this time.  At the Grizedale and Jackson Hide I just about glimpsed a Water Rail which some were watching before it disappeared.  A pair of Shovelers were the only ones we so so far.  The numbers of Gadwall seemed much higher than Mallard for some reason.  An Osprey platform had been erected with a pair claiming the nest site only to be usurped by Great Black Backed Gulls.

We decided next to try Gait Barrows to try and see the Duke of Burgundy.  We tried our very best but it was not meant to be.  We saw 1 butterfly and 5 Moths but nothing else.  We followed a couple around who were more familiar with the reserve but even they could not locate the right spot or maybe they did not want us to know.  They decided to move on as we were holding them back.  It was frustrating because Gait Barrows is like a maze.  It is a fascinating place - limestone pavements, birch scrub, yew wood - there were some birds around but difficult to see although we did add Coal Tit here.  Warton Crags to see butterflies such as Pearl bordered Fritillary and Pearl Bordered Fritillary was also cancelled.

Last stop was the Morecambe and Allen Hides -  Raven, Avocet, Grey heron, Mediterranean Gull, Linnet, Magpie, Oystercatcher, Skylark,  added themselves to the day tally.  The Mediterranean Gull was not a full adult as it had black markings on its wing tips and another immature was also located.  It would pick up twigs and call.

6pm and it was time to head home.  We did not see Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Redshank, Jay and both Whitethroat species.  Garganey were present but eluded us that day.  In fact there were 12 at Leighton Moss in late March after the unprecedented influx.  That was a site record and it still is.  It was a nice day overall but it wasn't Leighton Moss at is best and to be honest that has been my experience over the last 5-6 years generally.  I was hoping more than anything to see the rare butterflies and reptiles but that was not meant to be.  The timing of our visit and the weather which was mostly white cloud with sunshine and a bit of a strong breeze at times wasn't the best for the butterflies.