One fellow volunteer at Old Moor, summed the day up well. She said, “A week ago it was t-shirts, today it’s nine layers!” But despite the nip in the air, there were some good sightings out there. Here’s a summary of what was seen…
The news from Edderthorpe came courtesy of Graham Speight whose sightings can be found here. Thanks Graham.
Colin and Linda Gaham shared news of a jack snipe at Broomhill Flash (details here). Thanks both.
And John Seeviour provided sightings from Bolton Ings here. Thanks John.
Peregrine at Old Moor this afternoon
For many visitors to Old Moor, it was ‘that’ peregrine that brought a dash of drama to the day. The bird alternated between pylon and Mere and at one point caught and ate a moorhen on the ‘cormorant island’.
Also on the Mere today were a pair of pintail. Best seen from the family hide, the pair dozed much day away on the banks of Island One.
A gadwall stretching in front of the Reedbed Hide today
But again it was Wath Ings that provided some of the day’s most unusual sightings. Here were four black-tailed godwit, six green sandpiper, a marsh harrier, water rail, ruff and a good collection of little egret and grey heron.
Little egret as seen from Field Pool East today
Also on Wath Ings two jack snipe were again spotted towards the rear of the ‘spit’ of land that divides willow pool from main marsh. To the back of the left-hand side side of the spit, there’s an area of lush, green reeds. They stand out as being a far brighter green than anything around them. It is here that the jack snipe are being seen at the moment.
Though visible with binoculars (just) these birds are much better seen with a scope. Luckily there were plenty of friendly folk about today who were only too happy to help others see these shy and incredibly well-camouflaged waders.
No scope was required for the herons. In fact, any closer and they’d be inside the hide! So, to sign-off tonight’s ramblings, here’s a close-up of a grey heron from this afternoon, showing off that impressive dagger-like beak. (Click the pic for a closer view).
Until next time.