Leighton Moss RSPB
Leighton Moss news
Leighton Moss is the largest remaining reedbed in north-west England.
Highlights: The reserve is well-known for its special birds: breeding bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and avocets. Red deer live on th ereserve and are best seen at dusk.
Opening times
RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve is open daily from 9 am to dusk, visitor centre is open daily (except Christmas Day), 9 30 am-5 pm (4 30 pm in winter).
Entrance charges:
Free to the visitor centre and tearoom. Admission to hides and nature trails: £4.50 adults, £3 concessions, £1 children, £9 family. Free to RSPB members and those who come by public transport or on bike.
Location: Carnforth, Lancashire.
Tel: 01524 701601
Grid reference:SD478750
Click here for more details.
Otters breed at Leighton Moss for the first time in 10 years November 2007. After a gap of ten years, the sighting of two otter cubs confirms that one of Britain’s most endearing mammals is once again thriving at a Lancashire nature reserve, the RSPB have revealed
Until 1996, otters were regularly seen at the RSPB Leighton Moss reserve in Silverdale, but the animals then disappeared. In March 2006 however, visitor Elaine Prince spotted the first otter there in ten years. Since then, Elaine and husband Eddie have been monitoring the otters on an almost daily basis. After many hours of otter watching, their patience was rewarded recently when they confirmed the presence of two young otters on the reserve, proving that the animals are once again breeding in the area.
Otters were once widespread in Britain but by 1980, they were almost extinct following a devastating crash in the population that started in the 1960s, blamed largely on pollution from pesticides and the loss of traditional habitats.
The return of otters to Leighton Moss has been helped by recent habitat management work carried out by the RSPB. Digging out reedbed debris from the pools has helped enrich the water quality of the reserve’s wetlands and improve the wildlife habitats, which in turn provides more food for otters. Cubs sighted
Eddie & Elaine of Yealand Redmayne were thrilled to confirm the return of otter cubs to the nature reserve. Eddie said: ‘After many hours of watching at dawn and dusk for signs of otters, we were delighted to be rewarded with the first views of otter cubs at Leighton Moss for at least ten years. We were watching a female otter swimming in the gloom of twilight when we noticed that it kept pausing and looking over its shoulder, and scanning the water behind.
Then we spotted two smaller otters following her, which were struggling to keep up in the choppy water. We realised that they must be her cubs. It was thrilling to see the two young otters and a very special wildlife moment that neither of us will forget.’ RSPB Leighton Moss reserve manager, Robin Horner, added: ‘In the past, otters were part of our resident wildlife but, as in many other areas, they vanished from Leighton Moss in the 1990s. It is wonderful news that these delightful animals are back and breeding again at Leighton Moss. It just goes to show that the RSPB isn’t just about birds, and the work we carry out at Leighton Moss benefits a wide range of special wildlife. We are very grateful to Eddie and Elaine for the time that they spend otter spotting and hope that more of our visitors may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these fantastic animals.’
Leighton Moss is one of the RSPB’s most popular nature reserves and welcomes new visitors. With its variety of habitats, including the largest reedbed in North West England, there is always something to see. A visitor centre, award-winning tearoom, nature trails and all-weather hides make it the ideal place to watch a wide range of wildlife. The reserve is important for birds that depend on reedbeds, including bitterns (a rare type of heron), marsh harriers and bearded tits.
Bearded tits at leighton Moss
had a very successfull breeding season in 2006 thanks to some innovative conservation measures, click here to read the full story.These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.