A bit of sunshine certainly made for a busy one at Old Moor today with plenty of visitors enjoying a beautiful autumnal day. Here’s the summary of what was seen…
John Clarkson was at Edderthorpe Flash today and saw: one Egyptian goose, one black-tailed godwit, a common redshank, around 340 teal, more than a thousand lapwing and around 250 golden plover. Thanks John.
The only other news from a satellite reserve that I have, was from Nigel Smith at Adwick Washland where nine pink-footed geese dropped in around mid-morning. Thanks Nigel.
For a remarkable sixteenth day, the grey phalarope at Old Moor!
Back at Old Moor, birds on the Mere went about their business but kept one eye on the peregrine that spent most of the day perched around Island 5. As you can see below, this is a ringed bird and a large one, very likely a female.
A lapwing attempting to shift the Mere’s peregrine today
From Field Pool East, it was a very good day to watch the spotted redshank fishing in the shallows. An enthusiastic swimmer, the redshank upended regularly as it chased small fish around until, with that tweezer-like beak, it hooked them from the water. Then, taking its prize to the shore, it used the base of its beak to remove spines or fins before swallowing the meal.
A spotted redshank and its catch!
Of course, the bright autumnal sunshine was the perfect weather to enjoy another of Old Moor’s autumn spectacles – the golden plover. Mid-afternoon there were 217 birds out there, catching the low light beautifully. So, to finish tonight’s blog, here are a few of them.
Until next time.