Hello again, here's an update of sightings from yesterday so that if you are thinking of visiting today, you have some idea of where the various birds might be. (Click on the picture itself for a larger & sharper view).
You'll notice that we have sightings from the reedbed hide. Karen told that this is because the reedbed path re-opened yesterday. That's always a lovely walk and something to look forward to. As you walk up to the Bittern Bus Stop just turn around for a moment and look over towards the back of the meadow behind the VC. You should pick up a box on the right. Hopefully you might see one of the four juv kestrels sitting there waiting to be fed by their parents.
Adding to the above sightings from Old Moor are the following from the Barnsley Birders on Twitter - a Caspian Gull 1 2nd year, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Bittern, 3 Little Egret, 52 Teal 52, 270 Gadwall, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Tern, a Peregrine and a Hobby.
On July 12th, the Barnsley Birders tweeted fabulous news about the Little Egret roost in the willows to the left of the hide at Wath Ings. 45 of them roosted there on 11th July and that's a new roosting record!
So to celebrate our little egrets roosting record, here is a video from the archives of one of them in fishing mode. Very dynamic fishers!
And finally, a photo which shows their beautiful plumes.
These birds roost at Old Moor and then disperse for the day around the Dearne Valley. This means that you most likely won't seen all 45 of them but you will see the few which decide to spend the day at Old Moor.
Have a great day, the forecast looks good!