The oldest hide at an RSPB nature reserve has been rebuilt thanks to donations from supporters.
The hide at RSPB Leighton Moss, on the edge of the reedbed on its northern edge of Leighton Moss, near Carnforth, was built in 1990 and it has been revamped.
A good spot for catching glimpses of otters and waterbirds including egrets and ducks, it now features larger windows and has been designed to be accessible, with a ramp and veranda.
It means visitors on mobility scooters and those with pushchairs will be able to easily access the hide for the first time.
All viewing spaces allow for wheelchairs to be positioned at them, for optimum scanning across the pool. The exposed timber structure and sliding windows also give the hide a fresher and more modern feel.
There are also two doors to the hide and both include viewing panels which allow for visibility into the hide from the outside.
Jarrod Sneyd, senior site manager at Leighton Moss, said: “This is my favourite hide. I was involved in building it in 1990 and I’ve spent many hours in it from being a young volunteer on the reserve and throughout my career with the RSPB.
“For me, experiencing nature is about immersion, absorbing sights, sounds, colours, smells and now with a more airy, light experience it is so nice to once again enjoy this special location.”
The new construction was made possible by a significant donation from two life members and regular visitors to Leighton Moss – Geoff and Christine.
A further £7,505 was donated by Leeds, Liverpool, Macclesfield and York local RSPB groups alongside gifts from two other donors.
Jarrod added: “It’s a fabulous example of where donations are used to make a real difference to visitor enjoyment of a nature reserve, and we’d like to wholeheartedly thank anyone who has contributed to the project.
“The new hide will stand for many years to come and provide enjoyment in nature for a whole host of visitors to Leighton Moss.”
