Best Laid Plans

After an early start at Lower Hide, Leighton Moss followed by breakfast, I had every intention of visiting the Saltmarsh (Eric Morecambe) hides this morning. Unfortunately when I arrived, the path to the hides, in fact the entire road was closed and inaccessible due to work being undertaken on the rail tracks.

A recent incident which resulted in some carriages leaving the rails just outside Grange-over-sands had should the route. This provided an opportunity which the rail company clearly took advantage of.

Forgetting it was half term, I quickly rerouted to Sizergh Castle in the hope of getting a glimpse of and hopefully some photo opportunities of the Hawfinches there. I knew the weather window was closing in with rain due mid morning so I once again rerouted, this time to RSPB Foulshaw Moss.

Foulshaw Moss

My intention wasn’t to see the Ospreys. The nest is so distant that getting a good view is nigh on impossible without watching the live camera. I wanted to test out the new camera and the ideal place for that was the feeding station hide.

On arrival the car park was reasonably busy and the weather was definitely on the change. The broken clouds were now a solid tungsten grey which looked ready to release its payload at any moment.

I quickly made my way to the hide and had it to myself, for a little while at least. Immediately there were the usual suspects, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Tree Sparrows aplenty. A Redpoll provided a fleeting glimpse but the cameraman was too slow. A regular joined me on the cold benches (Roy was his name). He informed me that brambling and a water rail were at the feeders only two days prior. Whilst chatting (he was chatting, I listening) a male Greater Spotted Woodpecker arrived, fed for a short while and left. My new acquaintance told me that the male preferred these feeders and the female preferred the ones by the car park for some unknown reason.

Roy left only to be replaced by a small group of regulars. Presumably local retirees who again must have been regulars as they proceeded to list the birds on the feeders and the surrounding tree cover.

I generally prefer to spend my time alone in the hides or at least with a limited audience. I just prefer the experience to be intimate. However, had it not been for my new companions I probably wouldn’t have spotted the brambling in all it’s breeding finery.

This group soon left too and I was again alone. The Woodpecker never did return while I was there. The skies opened and the rain fell.

Sightings

Tree Sparrows
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Reed Bunting
Red Poll
Brambling
Siskin
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Pheasant