Leighton Moss RSPB reserve

About this reserve

Hear the reeds rustling in the breeze as you walk around the largest reedbed in north-west England. Will you spot an Otter, marvel at a Marsh Harrier or revel at a Red Deer? Recharge with coffee and cake in the cafe, and some retail therapy in the shop. ? ? Please check our Facebook page or check the details on our Google page for the latest info the reserve. Leighton Moss is home to the largest reed bed in north-west England. This sweeping expanse provides shelter to a spectacular range of wildlife including Otters, Bearded Tits, Bitterns, Marsh Harriers, egrets and Red Deer. Why not come and see for yourself? Set against the shores of the nearby Morecambe Bay, this Lancashire nature reserve is a wetland paradise where wild creatures roam reedbeds, mudflats, coastal marsh and saltwater lagoons. Explore a bit further and you will also find pockets of woodland and limestone grasslands. The team at Leighton Moss works to make sure the different habitats are places where nature can thrive. The reedbeds need to be extensively cut back in summer and winter to create ideal conditions for Bearded Tits, Otters, Bitterns and wintering wildfowl. We also monitor and manage the water levels all year round. We have increased the size of the reedbeds in recent years, adding a further 200 hectares. Our inner marshes are grazed by cattle to create suitable conditions for these birds throughout the year. The limestone grassland and woodland is managed by putting cattle out to graze and rotating when we cut back trees, to provide a mix of established trees and new growth. Please note, there…

From the RSPB, reproduced under fair-use summary for visitor information.