Wear your wellies to RSPB Leighton Moss

The tragic effects of Storm Desmond are being seen across many parts of Lancashire and Cumbria and like many places, RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay nature reserve is feeling it too.

The popular Silverdale site has seen huge rises in its water levels, causing the paths across the nature reserve to become flooded – but visitors are encouraged to pull on their wellies and come and enjoy all the reserve has to offer.

Annabel Rushton, Visitor Experience Manager at RSPB Leighton Moss, said: “We’ve seen a huge dent in visitor numbers since Storm Desmond hit the North West. At this time of year, we would normally be busy with people Christmas shopping, enjoying lunch in our cafe and heading out onto the nature reserve for some relaxation time watching wildlife.

“However, we are very much still open and most of the nature reserve is still accessible in wellies. Our resident family of otters have been out and about fishing in the deeper pools and the marsh harriers, one of our iconic reedbed birds, can be spotted hunting low over the reeds.”

With the Christmas sale starting in the reserve’s shop on Wednesday 16 December, the staff and volunteers at Leighton Moss are hoping more people are encouraged to visit. The visitor centre is open everyday (except Christmas Day) from 9.30 am-4.30 pm.

For more information on Leighton Moss visit www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss