Unsurprisingly the number one question from visitors to Old Moor at the moment is, “Is the spotted crake still about?”
The answer is a definite ‘Yes’. More on that one in a moment, but first the summary of today’s sightings…
Yes. Despite today’s blustery and wet weather, the crake was seen at least twice. The first sighting was at 10:05 and the last - that I know of - was at 16:35. So, if you have yet to see this remarkable bird, you haven’t missed it!
Even better, the weather forecast in the Dearne Valley for the next few days is improving after admittedly a very wet afternoon today. In fact when I asked one birder about the spotted crake he said cryptically, “MacArthur Park!”
Yep - “Someone left the crake out in the rain!”
Er-hum. Today’s sightings placed the bird towards the left of the view from the Reedbed Hide, visible in front of the thin clumps of reeds there.
So, to finish up this evening, here’s a reminder of what many have been hoping to see.
Until next time
Fewer than fifty reported nationally per year, Old Moor's spotted crake