It was a beautiful summer's day in the Dearne Valley today: hot, cloudless and with only a slight breeze. Perfect for appreciating midsummer wildlife.
Here’s the summary of what was seen at Old Moor today…
One very helpful visitor did a survey of the butterflies and day-flying moths that can be found at nearby Gypsy Marsh – just a short walk from Old Moor along the Trans Pennine Trail.
They recorded: meadow brown, speckled wood, common blue, large skipper and ringlet butterflies as well as five-spot burnet and blackneck moths.
One unusual sighting today was of a Harris Hawk on the back of Old Moor’s reedbeds as seen from the Wader Scrape. Here, there is a dead tree known to regulars as ‘the cuckoo tree’. Around 14:00 today the hawk was seen being mobbed by gulls just behind this tree. One to look out for tomorrow perhaps.
Another unusual one today was that in the sightings book at Old Moor, one visitor had recorded ‘spotted redshank’ at Adwick Washland. I didn’t have the opportunity to investigate this one myself so, if you know more about this bird, I’d be really grateful for any additional information.
And the last piece of news I have for you this evening is that the four juvenile bitterns from the first of the three nests, have been exploring the reedbeds today. This ‘branching out’ is an important sign that they are almost ready for independence. - And yes, I know that reedbeds have no branches... you know what I mean.
Remember that there are two other nests this year so now is a great time to visit Old Moor to see both adult females feeding younger chicks and – if you are really lucky – the odd juvenile out exploring.
I shall leave you this evening with a snap of that little ringed plover on the Wader Scrape.
Until next time.