Some days at Old Moor are just exceptional and this must surely rank as one of them. The recent grey phalarope is still with us (fourth day), the spotted crake was also seen again today and not one, but two great white egret came in to roost tonight on the Willow Pool.
Here’s a summary of the main birds seen at Old Moor today…
Watching the phalarope this morning, the bird seemed completely at ease in the deeper water across the marsh to the right of Wath Ings hide. Also visible from Field Pool East, the phalarope busied itself spinning around catching insects from the surface of the water.
Occasionally flying short distances, the bird seemed unbothered by the attentions of passing ducks or of the young, grey herons fishing nearby. Is it too much to hope that it’s there tomorrow?
Grey phalarope on Wath Ings this morning
The spotted crake was also seen today though I have few details other than it was seen from the Reedbed Hide. With the recent rise in the water levels there, patience is required to see this particular bird.
As I finish tonight’s blog, I’ve just spotted a tweet from Chris Harris saying that the two great egrets came in to roost at 19:10 (fifty minutes before Old Moor closes at the moment). He also reported: two black-tailed godwit, two kingfisher, a marsh harrier and a golden plover total of 97. Thanks Chris.
Until next time.