Hello! Last weekend our WEX group had their monthly meeting and had a great session as per usual. Freddie was there and he has written another of his excellent, and very informative, blogs reporting what they did.

Over to Freddie and enjoy. :) 

This month at WEX we were planting wildflower seeds for birds and other wildlife. Insects are on the decline so its really important to help them on their way by planting wildflower…

Early birder, Russ Haywood started the day off well by spotting a red kite (accompanied by a buzzard) sailing over Old Moor’s Visitor Centre at 09.30. Sure enough, it was another busy day in the Dearne Valley.

Here’s what was seen…

That black-tailed godwit in full summer garb on the Field Pool was another new addition as was the arctic tern over the Mere picked up by Chris Harris later in the day.

The morning murk might have lingered for a bit, but when it lifted – what a day! Not only was it sunny and warm but three new bird species returned to Old Moor from their winter travels.

Here’s the summary of sightings …

Today the first swift began hawking above the Mere; a sedge warbler announced his presence at Wath Ings with a tune from scratch; and the first hobby sailed across the reserve around…

Seeing one bittern is unusual enough, but suppose you saw two, flying together over the reedbeds of Old Moor! Would that be twice as rare? If so, that is exactly what some lucky visitors saw this afternoon in an incredible glimpse into the world of this secretive bird.

More on that in a minute, but first the summary of sightings from Old Moor today…

The news from Adwick Washland today was provided courtesy of…

Ah, those April showers! Still, as ever, there was much to be enjoyed - not least the fact that there were two Mediterranean gulls on the Wader Scrape today. The birds indulged in various displays of courtship this afternoon before mating on an island towards the back of the Scrape.

Looks like the stage is set for a repeat of last year's successful breeding! Here's what else was seen today...

Not exactly homesickness, more like ‘songsickness’! - Birdsong that is. Ay, my holiday was very nice and everything, but just much, much quieter than I’m used to.

Today I’m very glad to say, Old Moor’s lanes were anything but quiet. Here’s what was heard – and seen.

We are very lucky here in the Dearne Valley. With upwards of fifty species of bird currently residing at Old Moor…

Hello there! I'm 'filling in' on the sightings blog this week as Andrew isn't blogging this week. It's been a lovely warm day at Old Moor with lots to report. Apologies in that I don't seem to have the blog template any more so I'll be typing a few lists...

I'll start with sightings from the Barnsley Birders via Twitter.

Early this morning they reported 2 drake garganey on the Mere. This…

It was as if somebody out there fired a starting pistol today – and everything happened all at once! You’ll see what I mean when you scan today’s summary of sightings…

Bolton Ings news is provided by non-other than John Seeviour and includes a lesser whitethroat, three goldeneye, six chiffchaff and four blackcap. A full listing can be found here. Thanks John.

Adwick Washland’s sightings from…

What do a marsh harrier, an Egyptian goose and a brambling have in common? …Give up? – They were all seen today at Old Moor of course!

Here’s the list…

At Bolton Ings, the news of the day included: six blackcap, one green woodpecker, a little egret and seven pochard. Full sightings from John Seeviour can be found here. Thanks John.

From Adwick Washland, Vin Browne reported both peregrine and…

If I was to ask you, ‘what colour is spring?’ what would you say? Despite overcast skies in the Dearne Valley today, there was plenty of colour about - and some of it had wings.

Here is today’s summary of sightings…

The amazing Karen Williams was Houghton way this morning and recorded fifty-four snipe, eighteen lapwing, eighteen pairs of reed bunting and three yellowhammer at Little Houghton

Evening folks! On a day that felt more like winter than spring, here is the summary of sightings from Old Moor…

At the remarkable Adwick Washland today, Gary Stones reported: two wheatear (one female), one yellow wagtail, five grey partridge, eleven avocet and three swallow among a full list that can be found here. Thanks Gary.

The news from Bolton Ings was provided by John Seeviour. His sightings included: two…

As the winter ducks slowly depart, today Old Moor welcomed back another spring migrant, the blackcap.

Here is today’s summary of sightings…

At Adwick Washland, Gary Stones provided sightings that included: seven avocet, twenty or more redshank, four ringed plover, one little ringed plover and a black-tailed godwit. The Egyptian and the pink-footed goose were still present and a blackcap could be found here…

Finally the lanes of Old Moor resound with the cheery songs of chiffchaff, robin, dunnock, tree sparrow, chaffinch, great and blue tit. Full on spring at last!

Things are moving at a pace and down on the Reedbed Trail, one mother proudly paraded her brood – a coot with three young and (unless you know differently) the first hatch of 2019.

Here is today’s summary of sightings…

From Adwick Washland,…

Hello again. It's time once more for another of our WEX blogs. As per usual, it's written by the very knowledgeable Freddie and this time we have photos from WEX George. Thanks go to you both, great job!

This time at WEX we did all about why Swifts and other birds are in decline. Firstly, I did a word search on the theme of migration. Then, because there were a few new people, we played the name game. This is…

Before the all-important sightings from today, here’s a quick reminder of the events coming up throughout April at Old Moor. A complete list can be found here. In addition, there are a number of guided walks coming up, the next being April 2 or – if you are feeling even more adventurous – there’s a dawn chorus walk on April 28! Full details can be found on the events tab of our Facebook page.

Not one but two bitterns showed themselves at the same time this afternoon! Extremely lucky watchers in the Bittern Hide enjoyed brilliant views of these two enigmatic birds as they appeared together on the rear bank of the Mere.

Here is the summary of today’s sightings…

First thing this morning, keen-eyed observers saw a red kite sail over the Old Moor Visitor Centre heading south. And yes, those four…

Today Old Moor welcomed the Shropshire Ornithological Society – a group of canny birders who clearly know a good day when they see one!

Here’s the summary of sightings…

Not only were those four waxwings still around, near a certain supermarket, but today a black-necked grebe dropped into the main marsh at Wath Ings. Sadly, views of the grebe weren’t the best largely due to the sheer amount of sunlight…

I dunno, a couple of days of better weather and a spring equinox and everything changes!

Here is the summary of sightings from today…

From Bolton Ings, John Seeviour recorded eight chiffchaff, two green woodpecker and a jay among a full list that can be found here. Thanks John.

John Clarkson at Edderthorpe reported that the recent smew was still present along with a pintail, two oystercatcher, three redshank and…

Birds held back by those recent westerly winds are finally on the move and today once again it felt like spring at Old Moor.

Here’s the summary of sightings…

Since the end of last week, visitors to Old Moor have been doing a bit of a detour, via Aldi. And why not? After all, nature lovers have to shop. Ah, but it hasn’t been those low, low prices* that have drawn watchers to the nearby supermarket. No, the…

Finally, after months of waiting, there was one ‘sighting’ today that was especially welcome.

Regular readers will know that willow tit sightings at Old Moor have been in short supply of late. So, when I read that one had been heard singing just outside the entrance at 16:15, I was mightily relieved.

Not quite gone then?

It’s not just Old Moor of course, that’s why the willow tit is one of the subjects of…

UPDATED 15/03/19  - Sadly, the ‘Stars and Starlings’ event planned for this coming Saturday has been cancelled. If you have any questions regarding booking, please contact the Visitor Centre at Old Moor.

Here is the summary of sightings from today at Old Moor…

Sightings from Adwick Washland today included: four avocet, four ringed plover, twelve redshank and one oystercatcher and John Seeviour’s sightings…

Tuesday ‘hide guide’ and fellow volunteer Amanda Palethorpe found yet another gem at Old Moor today. And what a bird it was!

But first, here’s today’s summary of sightings…

On Wath Ings, around 09.30, Amanda spotted a northern fulmar towards the rear of the main marsh. Why was this unusual? Well, fulmar are almost exclusively sea birds and Old Moor is over fifty miles from the coast. There…

Old Moor welcomed Leigh Ornithological Society today. It was a real pleasure to spend time with this group as they explored the reserve in some of the most changeable weather we’ve had of late. Sorry about that folks, but you are welcome back anytime!

Here’s the summary of today’s sightings…

The bird news from just up the road at Adwick Washland came courtesy of Nigel Smith and included: eleven…

Always optimistic, if it was raining my grandad used to say, “Nice weather for ducks!” And today was definitely a ‘duck day’ at Old Moor!

Here’s the day’s summary of sightings…

One the most elegant ducks that visits the Dearne Valley must surely be the pintail. Long-necked and sporting a trademark tapering tail, these birds are mainly associated with the coast but, at this time…

Last week, BBC Radio Sheffield recorded a two-hour special at Old Moor for the Rob Rouse Sunday Show. As part of this, they interviewed Danielle Meyer, Gerald Lax, Paul Cowley and John Scatchard about the fantastic work that happens at your favourite reserve. Missed it? Fear not. Details in a moment but first today’s sightings…

Via the BBC’s podcast and catch up service, BBC Sounds, the Sunday show…