It was another busy Sunday at Old Moor with some intriguing sightings from both ‘on’ the reserve and ‘around’ it. But first the summary…
Gary Stones provide the sightings from Adwick Washland today. His report is here and includes some terrific photos of dunlin and buzzard. Thanks Gary.
At Old Moor, the day’s ‘headliners’ were sparrowhawk (Bird Garden and Wath Ings), peregrine (pylon and Mere) and a female goldeneye (Mere).
‘You ain’t seen me, right!’
Chat to folk on the reserves of the Dearne Valley for long enough and you’ll probably hear mention of ‘Warbler Way’. This is a rough path that runs from the Trans Pennine Trail at Bolton Ings’ Cormorant Hide towards Wombwell Ings.
To find it, first leave Old Moor’s car park, over the bridge and on to the TPT. Turn left and walk to Bolton Ings. At the hide there, take the path that runs along the river bank, around the back of Old Moor. This is ‘Warbler Way’.
Golden plover at Wath Ings
The reason I mention it? Well it was from here that there were sightings this morning of: a firecrest, four willow tit, two chiffchaff, two treecreeper, one brambling, twenty bullfinch, 450 redwing, forty-five blackbird, fifteen song thrush, two green woodpecker, a great spotted woodpecker and four siskin.
Yes, I appreciate that a trek to a grass path may not suit all visitors to Old Moor but, I mean, just look at that list!
A goldie and eight and a bit lapwings
Back ‘on’ Old Moor and to finish off tonight’s blog, here’s a last image from the day. This one shows a buzzard relaxing on the fence at the back of Wath Ings, idly taking a passing interest in any bird that happened by. Captions?
Until next time.