The images from our #Blackpool trip have hardly been processed, yet we couldn’t pass up on a opportunity to get see some very special late in the season wildlife.
It was rumoured that the #Bearded #Readings (formerly known as #Bearded #Tits) were still active at #RSPB #Leighton #Moss up in north #Lancashire and so it was that 4 of us (Dave, Rob Barry and Les), set of early on Wednesday morning in search of these beautiful and #elusive creatures.
Bearded Readings live their lives deep within the reed beds they call home and only briefly venture towards the fringes in Autumn, when a change in diet (from insects to seeds) requires they search out small amounts of #grit which the small to aid the digestion on the new, seasonal diet.
Despite setting off from #Wirral rather late – the Reedlings usually ‘show’ between 08:00 and 10:00 am – we were fortunate to arrive in time to see and photograph the last 5 minutes of activity around the reeds and gravel trays. The weather was not at its kindest as dull grey skies often return flat low contrast images, however there was just enough light to offer hope.
They gave us the pleasure of their company for only a few minutes before vanishing back into the depths of the reed beds. It was wonderful to see them and waited a little while longer, but knew they were done for the day, so moved around the Reserve to a distant hide encountering on the way some very busy #Tree #Creepers and #Marsh #Tits.
Video by Dave Newby
We also saw a #Great #White #Egret struggling to eat an #eel; and a few cows that Dave insisted were buffalos! We also drove to the #Morecombe hide, about a mile away, on the ‘wetlands coast’, but again with little to photograph other than a rather lovely Little White Egret. So, back to Leighton Moss for another coffee before joining the ‘herd’ on the M6 to head for home.
Homeward bound we reflected on a most enjoyable day out, knowing we had one of two good shots each and most importantly of all, we agreed that the Leighton Moss Cafe was into our Top Ten Bacon Butty chart.
Words provided by Les Picstock and Barry Quatermass.
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