Birding in the Lancaster area

Reedbeds

The main Reedbed in the Lancaster area is at Leighton Moss RSPB. This reserve is famous for Bittern, Bearded Tit and Marsh Harriers.

During the 2003 season two pairs of Marsh Harriers fledged eight young. The Bearded Tit popuation crashed in the winter of 2001/2002 and is making a slow recovery. In the 2003 season two Bitterns were booming with one female nesting, no young were fledged. In the 2005 Season One Bittern was Booming and Two Females fledged Six Chicks.

There is excellent Red Deer watching at the Jackson and Grizedale hides in the summer months. Ospreys pass through regularly on their Spring and Autumn migrations to and from Bassenthwaite Lake, Scotland and Africa.

The Reserve is currently being extended at Barrow Scout Fields (Crag Foot) on OS Maps, and Silverdale Moss. Both sites have been extensively excavated to provide shallow water channels and Common Reed from Leighton Moss has been planted this Summer (2003) at Barrow Scout Fields. This new sites will take many years to mature but will then be a valuable addition to the Main Reserve. There are no plans to allow public access to Barrow Scout Fields or Silverdale Moss. If you object to this policy contact the RSPB! For a Guide and overview of the new sites use this >>Link.

The Sea Hides (Allen and Eric Morecambe) have a good selection of Waders in Spring and Autumn. During the Summer of 2001 a pair of Avocets raised One Chick on the Allen Pool. In the Spring of 2002, Seven Adult Birds arrived, two pairs raised Seven Chicks. In the 2003 Season Twenty Three Adults fledged Three Young. The poor result was due to appalling weather at the crucial time and Predation. In 2004 Twenty Four Adults hatched Eleven Chicks, none of which survived due to Predation! In The 2005 Season Twenty Three Adults fledged Fourteen Young! Avocets 2003 Avocets 2004 Avocets 2005

There are at least twelve Buzzards in the area and two breeding pairs of Peregrines.