If you drew a graph of number of visitor bittern sightings at Old Moor against time, for most weeks of the year there’d be a handful. But, right now, at the start of the second week of May, the graph would change. There would be a sudden increase in sightings; the gradient of the plotted line would rise as things in the reedbeds heat up.
Whilst it’s not hard at the moment to hear a male bittern booming at Old Moor, seeing one is a different matter. We all know how famously elusive this species is. Yet, some lucky visitors enjoyed a bittern flight today that lasted thirty or forty seconds starting around 12:10.
The trick is to know where to look – and to watch the gulls. Watch the line of the reedbed at the very back of the Mere or Wader Scrape. This pretty much amounts to a bittern highway. You may see the gulls are airborne and agitated in this area. Then look for that large, lumbering flight as a bittern makes its way slowly towards Bolton (or back from there).
Easy. Well, er, no. It isn’t. Even with plenty of practice. But the guidance above gives you your best chance. Now all you need is a bit of luck.
See what I mean? - Courtesy of those fantastic folk at the BTO’s BirdTrack
Early this morning, at Edderthorpe, there were: three shelduck, two avocet, two redshank, a little egret and greylag with at least seven goslings. My thanks to Paul Dennis for those sightings.
At Bolton, John Seeviour reported: one mute swan, two plus great crested grebe, two little grebe, four mallard, eleven gadwall, eighteen tufted duck, four pochard, one heron, sixteen coot, a cream-crowned marsh harrier, seven chiffchaff, five willow warbler, seven blackcap, two whitethroat, three sedge warbler, one grey wagtail and a jay. Thanks John.
Meanwhile, at Adwick Washland, Gary Haywood recorded: thirty avocet, two male garganey, two common tern, two ringed plover, two oystercatcher, five grey partridge and a little egret. Thanks Gary.
A common tern having a breather today at Adwick
Old Moor today was fairly busy what with the Bank Holiday and all. It was great to see so many families enjoying the reserve and in record-breaking heat. Bet ice-cream sales – like the bittern graph – also took an upturn!
On the Reedbed Trail today were marsh harrier, sparrowhawk and four buzzard. A bittern was booming throughout the day and one was seen in flight around midday.
A determined starling parent
On the Mere there was a single Mediterranean gull, eight lesser black-backed gull, two oystercatcher and eight pochard along with Canada geese, greylag, tufted duck, coot, moorhen and back-headed gull.
Three common tern, four avocet, two great black-backed gull and two shelduck could be found on the Wader Scrape today. There were also a good many startling and lapwing scattered about the shores.
On Wath Ings there were four cormorant, one grey heron, two oystercatcher, two shelduck, a sedge warbler and eight mute swan. I also watched three swallow from here today.
Lapwing among the daisies of the Wader Scrape today
And that – with plenty of time still to go look – is the summary of today’s sightings in the Dearne Valley. Now, I had to mention ice-cream…
Until next time.