A change is as good as a rest they say, so if you arrived at this page from a link on Twitter, then you’ve already seen a summary of today’s sightings.
If however, you have this page stored as a bookmark (and why wouldn’t you?), then the summary of today’s sightings at Old Moor is shown below in a handy graphic. I’m just trying something out and wondered what you – loyal blog readers – thought. Any feedback can be left in the comments below or via a chat in the Visitor Centre.
The idea is that, if you just want a summary, then you’re done. However, if you want to know more detail or like the odd picture or two, then by all means read on.
My visit to Old Moor began with a visit to Tree Sparrow Farm. Here today were: bullfinch, greenfinch (including youngsters), chaffinch, tree sparrow, hedge sparrow and kestrel.
On the Mere, as viewed from the Family Hide, the sightings included: one Mediterranean gull and a single chick, one curlew (early in the day), one redshank, two shelduck, around twenty lesser black-backed gull and two herring gull along with an assortment of gadwall, coot, moorhen, black-headed gull and pochard.
A lone little egret out there today
On the Field Pool, as viewed from both Field Pool West and Field Pool East hides, there were: two teal, one little egret, one oystercatcher and a single snipe. The latter seemed to have a bit of a problem with its leg and, for one moment, appeared to be bobbing!
The Wader Scrape provided excellent views of: two redshank, one oystercatcher and two shelduck. There were also around thirty swift hawking high above the scrape.
Although they can’t always be seen easily from the scrape hide, there were also four common tern here today. In fact, for the best view of them, go to the far left of Wath Ings hide and look ‘back’ towards the Wader Scrape. You’ll find them on the reverse of one of the small islands there.
A snipe on the field pool this afternoon
From Wath Ings hide today visitors could see: eight cormorant, one common tern and a sedge warbler.
At 15:40, a bittern skimmed over the top of the hide almost close enough to touch. It was heading toward the back of the willows and a more usual route towards Reedbed One. Pursued by black-headed gulls it easily out flew them and glided safely into the reeds behind the Wader Scrape.
Speaking of bittern, I have no additional news on this year’s offspring but hungry, growing bitterns require more of their mothers so it usually doesn’t take long to spot a feeding flight around the reserve at the moment.
High above Wath Ings, those swift continued to feed whilst to the left around forty greylag geese drifted silently - and eerily - in formation. This was also the place to see today’s mass gathering of coot: about fifty I reckon.
A bittern glides towards the safety of the reedbeds
So there we have it, a blog in two bits: summary and ramble. Take your pick.
Until next time.