Leighton Moss

Went over to Leighton Moss on Friday. As we were driving below cliffs saw a Peregrine overhead with a bird. Driving alongside the Moss we saw a Marsh Harrier  and at the Moss itself there were a pair of Buzzards circling overhead calling. It was quite late when we arrived so we went to Lillians hide and watched the Starlings come in to roost. Small groups came in in waves heading towards the conifers then suddenly there was an enormous eruption of birds and we were treated to the spectacle of them ebbing and flowing in swooping circles above the reeds. Noticed how much they have flattend the reed beds. Here in Gisburn the Snowdrops have been out in force since early February and the hedge bottoms are dotted with the shiny green unfurling leaves of Arum and the new green flowering shoots of Dog's Mercury. Hazel catkins are all releasing pollen and the Alder catkins look set to do the same soon.