With definitely an autumnal feeling about the Dearne Valley today, here is the summary of the day’s sightings…
The change in the weather was echoed in the mix of birds at Old Moor this morning. Perhaps the first thing that caught many visitors’ attention (beside the novelty of rain) was the sight of so many sand martin and swift feeding over the Mere and the Scrape.
These tiny birds worked hard against the blustery winds, often flying directly into the face of them in order to gather insects.
A swift undaunted by the squalls
Anyone visiting the Wader Scrape today couldn’t fail to notice the numbers of sandpiper about the place. Every now and again, both common and green could be found feeding alongside each other. This gave watchers a chance to appreciate just how much the two vary in size. If you’re wondering, it’s the common sandpiper that’s the smaller.
The diminutive common sandpiper from Ian Morris. Thanks Ian
Grebe were also out there in numbers today. With eight great crested grebe and a similar number of little grebe on the Mere, they also seemed to revel in the rainy weather and to take the opportunity for a good feed.
A little grebe resting on the Mere this morning
But it really was those incredible aeronauts, the swifts, that stole the show today. So, I’ll finish up this evening with a closer view of one of them.
Until next time.