Hello there, I have quite a lot for the blog today so off I go.
Here's the OM map with the sightings from the book today. If you click on the picture itself, it will give you a larger and sharper read.
Paul Gould took this photo of the black tailed godwits this morning. Thank you Paul.
Then we have sightings from Adwick via the book at OM - redstart, kingfisher, bullfinch, avocet, snipe, green woodpecker, dunlin (with a ?) and little egret.
I have an update that's just in from the Barnsley Birders on Twitter - Black Tailed Godwit 17 just flown down valley towards Adwick, Marsh Harrier 1 and Treecreeper 1 calling from River Dearne bushes.
So onto butterflies. I spent a while looking at the oaks on Green Lane today but didn't manage to spot a purple hairstreak. Paul Gould had more luck than me and saw one this morning. He kindly tweeted his photo of it. Thanks again Paul.
Other butterfly sightings today were of common blues (lots all over the reserve), large and small whites, holly blue, speckled wood and a beautifully pristine painted lady was feeding on the buddleia near the VC.
Here's a couple of photos of that lovely painted lady butterfly.
If you have a close look at this little garden, in particular on the wild marjoram, there are currently lots of ting mint moths fluttering around.
Here's what to look for.
Dragonflies today that I saw were brown hawker, migrant hawker, common and ruddy darters.
Finally for today comes good but sad news (for us at OM at least)... I'm sure that all of you who are reading this blog, will at sometime been given a very friendly, cheery greeting and a chat from Lauren in the VC. You might also have been given lots of good info about the reserve and also anything else that you might have wanted to know! I know that if I'm feeling a bit sleepy or not very cheerful, her greeting has always meant that I leave the VC feeling better. Lauren is currently our assistant retail manager. The good news is that she has a new job and a promotion to retail manager! The sad news for us is that she is leaving Old Moor to take up her new position. She's off to the RSPB in Sherwood Forest - it's a brand new building that will be open very soon (good reason there to visit somewhere new...). She will be leaving in a week or so which means you have plenty of time to wish her well if you see her in the VC. Lauren has been my 'line manager' for a while and on a personal note, I'd like to say a big thank you for everything and good luck!
That's it, have a lovely evening :)