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The site is well known for its breeding populations of bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit. In 2021, it was reported that six booming male bitterns were present on the site. In the spring, a distinctive sound can be heard at the reserve, with male bitterns emitting noises similar to “the sound you
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The reserve and visitor centre are open daily all year round (except
Christmas Day) from 9 am to dusk and the visitor centre from 9.30 am – 5 pm (4.30 pm November–January inclusive). Entrance is free for RSPB members, and half price for those who come by public transport, bicycle or on foot.
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The site is open to the public everyday except
Christmas Day, with car parks, a Visitor Centre, shop (selling bird food, binoculars and nature-themed gifts), a cafe and an education room. There are a number of nature trails, seven wildlife watching hides and a variety of events.
288:. Using steam technology, Gillow drained the moss for agriculture. Although the soil is of good quality, by 1918 the land was flooded again, as drainage appeared to have become uneconomic when the price of coal was high. The area was used for duck shooting.
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429:, the breeding bittern population (measured by "booming" males) suffered declines in the 1990s and 2000s. Following extensive dynamic habitat management in recent years the number of bitterns is steadily increasing.
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322:. A nine-metre high Skytower provides extensive views over the nature reserve. Plans were announced in 2024 to replace the Lower Hide on the site.
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Despite owning the land, the shooting rights were still owned by the
Leighton Hall estate until 1984, when they were sold to the RSPB.
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In 2015 there was controversy about a plan to cull small numbers of red deer, which create significant damage to the reedbeds.
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are managed to prevent them from drying out and also to prevent saline intrusion from the coast. Despite such control of
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in 1974. The site was first opened to visitors in 1965 on a permit-only basis, receiving 375 visitors in its first year.
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hear when you blow on the top of a glass milk bottle” to attract a mate. Other regularly seen bird species include
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Conlin, Alan; Cullen, Dr J P; Marsh, Pete; Reid, Tristan; Sharpe, Chris; Smith, Judith; Williams, Stephen (2008).
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In 1822 the moss came into the possession of
Richard Gillow, grandson of the Lancaster furniture manufacturer
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Due to its proximity to the coast, the reserve has attracted rarer species, with species such as
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is just a few minutes' walk away. The reserve is on a proposed cycle way around
Morecambe Bay.
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recorded at the site on a fairly regular basis. Rare birds present at the site have included
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717:"Plans revealed to build new bird hide at popular nature reserve near Carnforth"
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761:"Nature reserve where you can hear rare 'booming' sound across the shallows"
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675:"Eric Morecambe's daughter brings sunshine to new Leighton Moss bird hide"
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The RSPB initially leased the moss in 1964, before purchasing it from the
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885:. Westmorland Gazette (www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk). September 2014
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colony, with a record of 40 chicks having fledged at the site in 2012.
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Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds reserves in England
736:"Boom time for rare birds at Silverdale's RSPB Leighton Moss"
272:, where a saltmarsh provides a habitat for birds such as
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Arnside and
Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
351:. Red deer and otters are also present on the reserve.
775:"Avocets flourish at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve"
621:"Avocets flourish at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve"
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A wood carving by the visitor centre at
Leighton Moss
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1788:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Lancashire
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249:of international importance, it was designated a
572:"Important Bird Areas factsheet: Leighton Moss"
397:, whilst more recently, rarities have included
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186:, England, which has been in the care of the
46:The view from Causeway hide at Leighton Moss.
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446:programme. The programme returned in 2014.
314:were renewed in 2012 with funding from the
209:Leighton Moss contains the largest area of
1619:Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy
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1451:Municipal Borough of Morecambe and Heysham
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802:Where to watch birds in North West England
76:Show map of the City of Lancaster district
73:Location in the City of Lancaster district
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857:"Silverdale's "ancient aura of wildness""
213:in north-west England. The site provides
188:Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
169:Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
819:. Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Society.
703:"RSPB Leighton Moss reaches new heights"
354:The site is also known for its breeding
804:. London: Christopher Helm. p. 73.
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440:In 2013 Leighton Moss hosted the BBC's
268:The RSPB also protects a large area of
1031:Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
932:Leighton Moss: Ice Age to Present Day
651:Leighton Moss, Ice Age to Present Day
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27:Nature reserve in Lancashire, England
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830:Dickinson, Katie (29 January 2015).
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1783:Special Protection Areas in England
1763:Protected areas established in 1964
255:Site of Special Scientific Interest
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991:Culture and infrastructure of the
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1016:Furness and Midland Joint Railway
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190:since 1964. It is situated near
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1778:Important Bird Areas of England
1695:Greaves Secondary Modern School
1656:Lancaster Girls' Grammar School
1635:Lancaster and Morecambe College
546:UNITED KINGDOM Ramsar Site 323
1661:Lancaster Royal Grammar School
1061:"Little" North Western Railway
1051:Lancaster Corporation Tramways
318:. One is named after comedian
1:
1793:Nature reserves in Lancashire
1758:Birdwatching sites in England
1699:Skerton Community High School
1604:Central Lancaster High School
934:. Lancaster: Palatine Books.
905:"Test ride for new cycle way"
653:. Lancaster: Palatine Books.
527:The view from Grisedale hide
1614:Our Lady's Catholic College
817:Lancashire Bird Report 2019
310:Some of the seven wildlife
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1628:Further Education Colleges
1446:Morecambe Bay Independents
1291:Leighton Moss RSPB reserve
1222:Middleton Road Bridge Halt
956:RSPB Leighton Moss reserve
476:The view from the Skytower
457:Silverdale railway station
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600:Sites Information Service
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1735:Buildings and structures
1677:Lancaster Steiner School
832:"Plans to cull red deer"
1773:Ramsar sites in England
1493:Morecambe and Lunesdale
1483:Lancaster and Fleetwood
1026:Heysham to M6 Link Road
259:Special Protection Area
1594:Bay Leadership Academy
1352:Morecambe Cricket Club
1332:Lancaster Cricket Club
1279:Arnside and Silverdale
1242:Morecambe Poulton Lane
930:Denwood, Andy (2014).
649:Denwood, Andy (2014).
568:BirdLife International
411:European honey-buzzard
104:Show map of Lancashire
101:Location in Lancashire
1609:Morecambe Bay Academy
1599:Carnforth High School
1227:Morecambe Euston Road
1066:Morecambe branch line
1036:Lancaster bus station
815:White, Steve (2020).
427:ecological succession
316:Heritage Lottery Fund
1519:Lancaster University
1212:Lancaster Green Ayre
1056:Leeds–Morecambe line
293:Leighton Hall estate
1529:St Martin's College
1514:Cowan Bridge School
1327:Lancaster City F.C.
1247:Morecambe Promenade
1207:Lancaster (1840–49)
883:"BBC's Autumnwatch"
836:Westmorland Gazette
680:Westmorland Gazette
263:Important Bird Area
146: /
1488:Lancaster and Wyre
1071:Morecambe Tramways
861:Lancaster Guardian
740:Lancaster Guardian
721:Lancaster Guardian
391:great reed warbler
367:Eurasian spoonbill
176:RSPB Leighton Moss
18:RSPB Leighton Moss
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1578:City of Lancaster
1539:Wennington School
1419:Council elections
1367:Vale of Lune RUFC
1296:Trowbarrow Quarry
1285:Forest of Bowland
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1232:Morecambe Harbour
993:City of Lancaster
941:978-1-874181-98-9
660:978-1-874181-98-9
407:green-winged teal
403:great grey shrike
379:red-footed falcon
312:observation hides
253:in 1985. It is a
198:, on the edge of
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16:(Redirected from
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763:. 21 March 2023.
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150:54.163°N 2.801°W
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723:. 11 July 2024.
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395:Savi's warbler
345:common pochard
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180:nature reserve
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1723:Geography
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687:31 March
625:BBC News
549:Archived
341:wildfowl
243:red deer
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223:wildlife
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211:reed bed
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114:Location
1649:Grammar
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1177:Galgate
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1128:Disused
1080:Railway
631:8 April
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280:History
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