Hello there, I'm actually away for the weekend but after a text from Karen, our assistant warden, I offered to blog. She'd tried to write them up, but the blog isn't ready as yet for her words and wouldn't let her post...So, I offered. Yes, really I did!

So via Karen, some sightings from Old Moor: flying bitterns (including a male) were seen flying from reedbed 1 to reedbed 3. Two med gulls were on island 1 on the Mere.

Then there were 4 avocet on the Wader Scrape along with 2 black tailed godwit, 2 redshank and 2 common tern.Linnets were seen along Green Lane and from the screen near the field pools and 2 oystercatchers were on Wath Ings.

On Warbler Way Karen had 4 singing Cetti's...most likely heard but not seen. At Bolton there were 2 grey wagtails, a song thrush and 3 buzzard.

Edderthorpe sightings were of 16 lapwing, 2 redshank, a little egret, 3 grey heron, a hobby and 2 buzzard.

Finally from Karen are the sightings from Wombwell today- 4 pink footed geese,2 avocet and a great crested grebe.

If you look at the Twitter feed of @BarnsleyBSG you will find more sightings from the Dearne Valley today.

I asked Karen about butterflies and she told me that the following flutterers were seen - peacock, large white, small white, small tortoiseshell, brimstone and orange tip. No dingy skippers as yet and they are well overdue as our first sighting last year was in April. Hopefully it won't be too long for that lovely butterfly to emerge.

That's it. Enjoy this lovely weekend.