Another beautiful summer’s day here in the Dearne Valley! Warm weather, cool hides and plenty to see. Who could want more?
Here’s the sightings summary from Old Moor today…
Since Tuesday, seventy-eight of those black-tailed godwits have moved on (though more will almost certainly be on their way). Today watchers counted four on the Wader Scrape, occasionally feeding alongside a lone avocet.
Great views of the black-tailed godwit today
On the Mere today two of the more unusual sightings were of common sandpiper and that ‘on-again-off-again’ yellow-legged gull.
A common sandpiper, picking around the edge of the Mere
Yellow-legged gull action from Ian Morris. Thanks Ian.
Bittern flights were almost on the hour today with birds seen flying both at the back of the Mere and around the edge of the Field Pool.
The unmistakable, stately flight of a bittern
On the Wader Scrape, there were excellent views of common tern as they fished and bathed very near to the hide.
After a bath, a tern levitates while spin-drying its wings!
But for some visitors it was thoughts of the next generations that grabbed their attention. Young birds have to grow up fast. Some, like the black-headed gull juveniles, are independent and exploring the reserve. But some have only just arrived and still need their parents’ protection and care.
So, here’s one last picture from the day of a bit of caring that caught my eye.
Until next time.
Perhaps that should have read “paths” !!! ..though maybe a few oaths too after barrowing all that gravel in hot weather!
Lots of hard work been done over the last few days re-surfacing and re-widening the oaths round the wildlife ponds. Hot work but worth it when it beds down.
That peregrine seems to like the arms of the monitoring hide pylon from which to survey the reserve and potential next meal!