A Bright Idea.

When KT came up with the suggestion we paid Leighton Moss a visit on Sunday, it sounded a bright idea. Well....Leighton Moss means birds and that's good enough for me, and much better than no birding at all.

Marsh Harrier. Brian Rafferty.

Everything we saw was predictable, but it was good to see 3 Marsh Harrier during the visit, and BR's images are excellent, giving typical views of the birds hunting over the reeds at Leighton Moss, also a couple of Buzzard sightings. Records are more often ones of the male Blackcap in song and up to eight were heard during the visit, but we had good views of two males and more unusual a female on one occasion. There was a 'few' Chiffchaff mainly heard, but much fewer Willow Warbler I noted.

On the way to the Lower Hide a Great-spotted Woodpecker and a brief male Bullfinch seen, also 9 Red Deer were resting quietly in the corner of a field. Of note at the hide, 11 Pochard, a 'few' Gadwall, and a Great-crested Grebe. Large numbers of Sand Martin with a few House Martin seen, all feeding high up.

In the Lillian Hide, large numbers of 'chattering' RSPB members taking a look at....'not much about'....following a few quid spent in the shop, and bowl of soup with a roll in the kaf. At the Grisedale Hide excellent views of a Garganey pair with a Raven doing a little loitering overhead.

Like I said....better than no birding at all!

Whimbrel. Brian Rafferty.

Calling in at Teal Bay in Morecambe yesterday I found 4 Whimbrel on the groyne at high tide just as I had thought I might.

Thanks to Brian Rafferty for the excellent trio of Marsh Harrier and Whimbrel.