What’s on and days out: Enjoy winter wildlife walks and events at this Lancashire nature reserve

The shortened days and lack of foliage bring a whole new perspective to life at RSPB Leighton Moss, renowned as one of the friendliest places to visit.

This award-winning Lancashire nature reserve is a wetland paradise, and is home to the largest reedbed in the north-west of England. With winter on the way migrating birds head here as the perfect stop-off point on their journeys, or choose it as the perfect location for a winter holiday!

Marvel at the aptly-named Pink-footed geese, and listen for the whistle of a Teal or the squeal of Water Rail.

You don’t have to be a birding expert to enjoy a winter walk around the wetlands and saltmarshes – you could just marvel at the murmurations of starlings, the large flocks of ducks or the unmistakable white plumage of a Little or Great White Egret.

And it’s not just the birds which delight visitors, this time of year, when the trees and shrubs are bare, makes it much easier to spot some of the many Red Deer which live in and around the reserve.

Guided wildlife walks

Leighton Moss nature reserve is open all year round – except Christmas Day. Birds, and other animals, are often their most active during dawn and dusk; especially flocks of roosting birds who will be waking up and leaving their roosts at daybreak to return in the evening.

So this time of year is the perfect time to make the most of shorter days and see as much as possible. And the RSPB experts here offer guided walks to help you identify the birds and know where to find them.

There are hides which anyone is welcome to use. These are ideal sheltered viewing points where you can warm up and wait for the wildlife to come – binoculars are highly advised to help you get up close to the wildlife.

Events

Winter Waders and Waterfowl Friday 6 November 9am-12.30pm

Wintering Wader ID Saturday 28 November 7.30-9.30am

What you might see

Egrets – which look a little like heron – are relatively new to this part of the country, with their populations growing over the past 20-30 years as they have moved further north. There are now flocks of 50-60 little egrets (with their black beaks) and great white egrets (with distinctive bright yellow beaks) roosting on the reserve and they are a treat to watch.

Winter migration brings high duck numbers – if you think a duck is a duck, thing again. There are so many different species and they all have their unique looks, behaviours and calls. How about the shoveler – with it’s distinctive shovel-like bill, the wigeon and goldeneye.

Geese come here from colder parts like Scandinavia or Greenland, including barnacle geese and pink-footed geese, to overwinter, and it’s ideal territory for wading birds such as black-tailed godwits and redshanks.

There’s plenty of smaller birds too. Starlings are at their most spectacular when they form flocks and move together in stunning dance routines – called murmurations. It’s impossible to predict when they might happen, but they’re mesmerising if you’re lucky enough to catch one.

Bearded Tits are a favourite with visitors. Their diet changes from summer insects to grains and seeds in winter. They need grit to help them breakdown and digest seeds so the birds can be more easily seen by visitors gathering along the reed bed edges and taking grit from the paths and grit trays.

The landscape changes as summer leaves give way to autumn colours, but here the reedbeds remain a rich golden colour which, in the glow of the winter sun, looks like it’s on fire.

Visitor facilities

The on-site café in the visitor centre offers hot drinks and snacks as well as meals. Why not warm up with a hot chocolate or a plate of sausage and mash or some Yorkshire puddings after an invigorating walk. The Visitor Centre closes for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing day. But the rest of the reserve is open (except Christmas Day) all year so you can shake off the cobwebs and get some fresh air at any time over the festive season – what better place for a Boxing Day family stroll?

Visitors can hire all-terrain mobility scooters (bookable in advance) and the centre has accessible toilets and baby-changing rooms. The pathways are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Although dogs are not allowed on the main reserve, to protect wildlife, there is a dog-friendly path to the causeway and they can visit the picnic area and shop.

Keep checking the website for post-Christmas and New Year events, planned to help encourage us all to get outdoors and enjoy nature.

RSPB Leighton Moss events

And with Christmas in mind, the RSPB shop has a host of gifts and cards which are perfect for finding stocking fillers for young nature-lovers or professional kit for serious birdwatchers.

The RSPB staff’s experience means their knowledge is second-to-none when it comes to choosing the right binoculars or telescopes. The no-pressure approach allows you to try them around the reserve or in the hides before you buy and they are always happy to advise.

Optics Demo Weekend Friday 27-Sunday 29 November 11am-4pm

Winter Local Makers Market 21 & 22 November 10am-4pm

And whether you are stocking up on Christmas cards and gifts or buying bird seed for your garden visitors, every purchase in the shop will directly help fund conservation projects here and abroad.

Visit England Gold Award

Leighton Moss has been awarded the prestigious Visit England Gold Accolade, meeting the highest standards for visitor experience, facilities, and service quality.

Essential information

RSPB Leighton Moss is open from dawn to dusk, as is the car park. The toilets, shop, cafe and visitor centre are open from 9.30am to 5pm (4.30pm December & January) every day. There is an admission fee for non-members, RSPB members get in for free.

For more information, visit their website and follow them on Facebook @RSPBLeightonMoss for details of the latest events.