Bryony Manley: Wildlife firsts!

A few weeks ago I had need to drive up to Cumbria, and so decided to break the long journey with a walk around RSPB Leighton Moss Reserve. Though the weather was a little grey and damp, I enjoyed a quick wander to stretch my legs and managed a few wildlife firsts along the way! Stopping off in one of the hides I was quickly treated to lovely views of a male and female marsh harrier sweeping over the reed beds. Though I've previously had a very distant glimpse of a male, this was a much better encounter, and great to see the two close together. There were plenty of wading birds around, as well as a pair of great crested grebes just beginning their courtship display. One of them was apparently not quite in the mood for love yet, and scooted off before they got to the stage of presenting plants to each other!

Colourful pheasant

Spot the snipe

Continuing along the path towards another hide I came across a male pheasant. Nothing too exciting you might think, but often they are skittish and don't allow you to get to close. I slowed my walking and eventually stopped and this guy was happy to strut right up to my feet so I could appreciate what colourful birds the males really are. I reached the last hide and sat a while watching a few birds and waiting while some other visitors clattered off down the path. Once it was quieter again I turned back myself, and was enjoying the peace when a sound caught my ear and I froze... did I imagine that. I thought I must have done and took a few more steps before I heard it, and stopped, again. I definitely heard that, and once more to be sure. My first audio encounter with a bittern! I heard the soft booming of a male, four or five groups of four calls, before quiet descended again and left me standing stock still on my own in the middle of the path with a stupid grin on my face!

Starting to court

Not ready yet

I wandered off again and topped off that incredible moment with a beautiful view of a goldcrest flitting along in the hedge beside me. Then I headed down to the coastal hides to enjoy watching some elegant avocets feeding in the shallow pools, not expecting to improve the much beyond the bittern. But soon I spotted my first kingfisher, who obligingly perched and posed on a post right in front of the hide! All in all highly enjoyable day, and somewhere I would definitely return to for a longer visit.

Teal

Obliging kingfisher

Not long after this trip it was time to head off to another European Cetacean Society Conference, this year in Malta. Yet again a great conference allowing the chance for a snapshot of all the great marine mammal research going on at the moment, particularly in Europe but other places too. Alongside this is the fun of socialising with others working in the field and get a glimpse of a new country... and enjoy a little spring sunshine too.