News
Stunning limestone pavements, ancient woodlands, intimate orchards and meadows and an impressive coastline make Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty one of England's finest landscapes. The work of the AONB Partnership aims to conserve and enhance this extraordinary place now and for the future.
Reaching new heights
July 21st, 2015
A brand new elevated viewing platform known as the ‘Skytower’ has been installed at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve and visitors are being invited to come and experience this bird’s-eye view of the site.
The 9 metre high tower is a first for the RSPB and offers visitors the opportunity to see right across the reedbed to the surrounding Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and out over picturesque Morecambe Bay.
Robin Horner, Site Manager at RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay nature reserve, said:
“As the largest reedbed in North West England, Leighton Moss is home to a fantastic variety of wildlife, including rare reedbed birds and playful otters.
“Throughout the year, visitors enjoy wandering through tall reeds and witnessing wildlife spectacles from the many hides, but thanks to the Skytower, they can now also experience the reserve from a completely different angle – 9 metres up in the air – and hopefully spot some of the reedbed residents much more easily.
“It has been a dream of ours for a while to be able to offer an elevated lookout point for our visitors and, thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Lancashire Environmental Fund, this has become reality.”
The Skytower will not only provide a heightened spectacle for visitors, but it will also be easier for RSPB staff and volunteers to monitor the nests of some of the reserve’s most iconic birds.
Robin added:
“From the top of the tower, rare reedbed birds, such as bitterns and marsh harriers, will be easier to spot going into and out of their nest sites, making it more straightforward to find out if breeding has taken place and how many nests we have. This is vital when it comes to making the reedbed the best possible home for them.
“We are all very excited about the opening of the Skytower as the views really are incredible and we hope visitors enjoy using it.”
Andy Rowett, Lancashire Environmental Fund Manager, said:
“The Lancashire Environmental Fund has supported a range of projects at RSPB Leighton Moss and the Skytower is sure to be a popular addition to their many visitor attractions.”
To find out more about events and wildlife sightings at Leighton Moss, visit www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss for details.
