Evening Folks! Despite grey autumnal skies, there was plenty to see at Old Moor today. Here’s a summary…

John Clarkson was at Edderthorpe today and his sightings can be found here. Thanks John.

Peregrine falcon at Old Moor today

There are lots of different ways to identify a bird and like most visitors to Old Moor, I’m always keen to learn more. So, when I spotted a bargain book in Old Moor’s café on ‘UK bird behaviours’ I was made up. Best of all (even though the original price was eight quid) it only cost me 50p!

The reason for the bargain price? – It’s part of a new scheme running in the Visitor Centre called ‘Bookcycle’. I don’t know who came up with the idea, but it’s a brilliant system.

And the artifical 'cliff' she was using as a lookout

Bookcycle starts with folks donating Nature books they no longer want. These are priced-up and displayed in the café, by the top of the stairs. Visitors browse, select any books they want and pay for them downstairs at the till.

Folk who donate get some space on their shelves and the rosy glow of knowing the books will have a second home and not go to landfill. Readers get great secondhand books at really good prices. And the profits go to our favourite RSPB reserve. Everybody wins.

And you, of course, can help. You could donate any books that you no longer need. You could have a browse and bag yourself a bargain. Or you could spread the word to people you know who might be interested in doing either of the above.

I’ve even heard of some visitors who have treated the Bookcycle a bit like a library. They’ve bought a book, read it and then donated it back for others to read!

So, next time you visit Old Moor there’s yet another reason to call in to the excellent café: to have a look at those Bookcycle shelves.

Right, off to get some reading done. Until next time.

Golden plover over Wath Ings this afternoon