Bearded Reedling at RSPB Leighton Moss, Lancashire. 7 October 2026.

A photograph I have been trying to get for several years now by making Autumn visits to Leighton Moss is the iconic “two reed straddle”. Conditions today were perfect , bright, no wind and freshly filled grit trays. I arrived at 7.15am to get a good vantage point by the Causeway grit trays. 2 1/2 hours later the first Reedlings appeared with great views ensuing for at least an hour. Not great numbers but several pairs at a time. The shot finally “nailed”

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