RSPB Leighton Moss

Sarah and I often take the train to our local RSPB nature reserve to spend some time with nature. It’s just a fifteen minute train ride from Kents Bank to Silverdale and before we know it we’re in the company of Otters, Kingfishers, Avocets, Red Deer, Little Grebes, Marsh Harriers and many more creatures of all shapes and sizes!

One little bird that is resident at Leighton Moss is the Bearded Reedling. I’ve been wanting to see this elusive bird (and photograph them) for years and have always known October is a good month to see them.

As winter approaches and their diet of insects gradually decreases, they turn to eating seeds and in order to help with digestion, they eat grit! At Leighton Moss they put out grit on trays in the mornings and evenings and these wonderful little birds show up for a good feed.

I wasn’t the only photographer there, but it was good fun to hear and feel the excitement as all the camera shutters started clicking away! We spent all day there and will be going again very soon as we are about to enter into starling murmuration season!

Off to charge my camera batteries!
David.

Male Bearded Reedling

Female Bearded Reedling

Male on Grit Tray