Leighton Moss (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR123

A day trip to Leighton Moss, RSPB’s flagship reserve in north-west England.

1 days from
£50
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

We will spend the day at the famous Leighton Moss RSPB reserve and hope to see species such as Marsh Harrier, Cetti’s Warbler, Marsh Tit and, if we are lucky, Great White Egret and Eurasian Bittern. Bearded Tits breed on the reserve but can be frustratingly elusive, however autumn is often the best time to see them. We will also be looking for any butterflies and dragonflies that are still around. Barrie developed some of the visitor infrastructure for the reserve and will provide an insight into the management and history of Leighton Moss. In addition to the main area of the reserve we will also visit the hides overlooking Morecambe Bay which is one of the most important intertidal wetlands in Europe with thousands of waders using it including Curlew, Oystercatcher, Common Redshank and Dunlin. Numbers will build during the autumn migration period with many birds on their way back from their Arctic breeding grounds. There’s a chance of seeing a Peregrine and a lingering Osprey.

We will meet at 8:30am and the walking will be on mostly level ground. A maximum of approximately 5 miles will be covered during the day.

Please note that the entrance fee into Leighton Moss for non-RSPB members is not included in the price (currently £9 for non-members).

  • Explore Leighton Moss RSPB nature reserve with Naturetrek leader and former RSPB officer Barrie Cooper
  • Birds including Marsh Harrier, Great and Little Egrets, possible Bittern and Osprey
  • Look for butterflies, dragonflies, Red and Roe Deer and possibly orchids (dependent on date)
  • Waders including Curlew, Common Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Lapwing
  • Enjoy the wonderful scenery of this part of Lancashire
Day Trip Location

Day Trip Location

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Mon 28th Apr – Mon 28th Apr 4 £50
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Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Barrie Cooper
Barrie-Cooper.jpg

Tour Leader: Barrie Cooper

Barrie has a lifelong interest in nature and remains grateful for having fond childhood memories of Skylarks, Yellow Wagtails, Lapwings, Great Crested Newts and Water Voles, species with significant declines during his lifetime.  His passion for nature inevitably led him into conservation and a successful career with the RSPB.  The latter half of his career was on the international stage where he developed conservation projects and advised and trained conservationists from five continents on how to develop education and communication programmes.  Several of his written outputs have been translated into various languages.  Some of his training workshops were in China as part of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper programme.  Barrie has studied wildlife in over sixty countries across the world and loves sharing his passion for nature with others.  Astronomy is another interest from his childhood and he occasionally provides informal stargazing sessions on his tours.  He’s now returned to his native Lancashire and lives next to the Lune Estuary on the edge of Morecambe Bay.  A little known fact is that he’s a qualified football coach! 

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

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  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
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