Leighton Moss

A morning visit to the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss.

Not too many people there today, and when we headed for the causeway we only saw one other person, at a distance, We would have walked further, but it looked as if the weather was going to turn. And indeed, when we turned, so did the weather. We got drenched.

Which meant that when we returned, there was no one on the Skytower, So we headed up that, and the sun came out.

Leighton Moss is just such a great place, with a fantastic range of habitats. We only visited briefly, hearing bitterns booming and warblers singing, Good views of a marsh harrier quartering over the reeds. And lots of swift’s hawking over the meres. We only saw our first this year yesterday, so they have well and truly arrived. They only stay in the UK for 3 months before heading south, and the only time they land is to lay eggs and feed young.

I just love the colours of Spring. Those fresh greens are something special, and extensive reed beds are such a special - and in the UK rare and exciting - habitat.