For those who couldn't see the clip which I described in the previous 'Bittern Olympics!!' blog, let's try this link.... (RSPB Old Moor is now on Youtube!!).......
Hope that helps you enjoy it!
:)
Our Reedbed camera traps have been producing magic for us again - and via the wonders of technology, we can share it with you!!....
We have a few motion-activated cameras around the reed beds so that we can learn where about in the reeds the birds are feeding and catch them to see whether they are all ok. We have only had one sighting of three juveniles, by our wardens, but a few photos to supplement this have reassured us that they seem to be growing well.
But now we have this.... with the magic of the buttons switched to 'record' and not just 'photo'!.... (Fingers crossed this works!....)
Kate and Dave, our wardens, believe that this is footage of two of the juveniles. They have characteristic pale throats, which seem to stand out here. There was also something about a yellow iris, instead of brown?.... How can they tell?! :-D We also think that the birds running together shows that they are young (adults would be more unsure of each other if they met) and they are probably running over to mum for food. They seem to be up to Olympic standards when the offer of dinner is made!!
We have also got some footage of the juveniles making stabs in the water and catching prey sometimes, which seems to show that they are also learning to fend for themselves. This is no doubt contributing to them growing at a fair old speed.
So, with the marvels of technology, we are able to get views of the bittern family which are teaching us more about how and where they are living their lives at Old Moor. As a 'first' for us, this is really useful for our learning, but along the way it is showing us all inspiring footage that reminds us why the work we are doing to conserve of a species is so crucial. Who wouldn't want to be without these strange, brown, characterful herons in our country?!
Hello readers ;-)
Is the hosepipe ban still on does anyone know ??
Sparsity once more, in the Sacred A4 today friends ..
Today's sightings come from Titchers, our resident Geordieculturalist ;-)
Following a short translation I can now bring you the news in English ..
Why aye man !!
All from Old Moor today ...
Reported from the Wader Scrape were 3 black-tailed godwits, a green sandpiper, a ringed plover, 7 pochards (6m + 1f), 7 teals (6m + 1f), common terns, a garganey and a Mediterranean gull ..
The currently resident reed warbler is currently resident on Green Lane just after the Field Pool West Hide on the RHS of the path ...
A water vole was seen along with 'volelets' next to one of the Wildlife Ponds ... Nice !!
A final report was of a grey wagtail which was seen next to the Trans-Pennine Trail .. You can normally catch up with these if you walk upstream along the river starting from the Cormorant Hide on Bolton Ings and then heading towards the footbridge ..
So there you have it for today friends .. All done ..
Tonight I am off to seek nightjars with my mate Tree Sparrow !! Cool !!
Nightjarage eh ? .. Best remember a torch !!
Holiday for me tomorrow so it could well be that the sightings will be missing if I don't manage to return home in time to ring up for them ..
I guess you could always make something up though ...
Add them as comments on the end of this post if you like !! :-)
No swearing though because my Mum reads this !!!
Have a great evening everyone :-)
Bert xxx
Hi friends :-)
Today's sightings have retreated back to being sparse again !
So here you are ... Brace yourselves !
Old Moor to begin ..
On the Mere were 2 redshanks, 2 black-tailed godwits and a common sandpiper ..
Reported from the Wader Scrape were a 2nd year Mediterranean gull, a little-ringed plover, an oystercatcher and a nice surprise were 3 curlews !!!
Over by the Wildlife Ponds were 4 spotted chaser dragonflies ..
A reed warbler was seen on Green Lane in its' normal spot just after the Field Pool Hide as you head towards the Wader Scrape Hide ..
Wath Ings had an oystercatcher and pochards ..
The bittern was seen again as it flew around the reedbeds at 3:20 this afternoon ..
A final report was from Warbler Way where a green woodpecker was seen ..
So there you go ... Finished :-)
Enjoy the sun ... Thunderstorms are coming !!
Be good ..
Bert xx
Hello friends :-)
I hope that you are all fit and well today ?
The sacred A4 is looking quite fit too !!
Lots to tell today so I'll crack on ;-)
A few things near to the Trans-Pennine Trail gate at the rear of the Old Moor car park to begin .. Seen here were a song thrush, a blackcap and a chiffchaff ..
On the Wildlife ponds was a weasel with 4 youngsters .. Weaslets maybe ? Also seen here was a grass snake ... Eeek !!
Over on Green Lane were a willow warbler, a sedge warbler, a reed warbler, a reed bunting, linnets and bullfinches ..
A barn owl was seen over to the rear of Wath Ings along with a garganey and a sparrowhawk was reported from the Bittern watchpoint .. A kingfisher was also seen here .. The bittern was an obvious addition as it looked for food for its' new family, 2 sightings were at 10:00 and noon..
Reported from the Wader Scrape were 2 common terns, a mediterranean gull, a great-crested grebe, a mute swan with 4 cygnets, lapwings, a grey heron, a green sandpiper and lapwings with chicks ..
The Field Pool had redshanks, lapwings, a little-ringed plover, a grey heron and little grebes ..
Swifts, swallows and house martins were seen in most areas at some point during the day ..
Seen at Gypsy Marsh were long-tailed tits, reed buntings and yellowhammers ..
Plant stuff was Hungarian clover and smooth tare .. Apparently these are rather special too as the current location of these is the only place in South Yorkshire to be able to see them !!
The site isn't too far from Old Moor either !!
The kind chap, Mr law, who saw them has done a map for anyone who wishes to see these plants, so if you are interested you just need to call into the Visitor Centre and directions can be obtained by chatting to the guys in there ..
One consolation is that at least the plants don't fly off before you get to see them !!
So there you go ... All is complete for today ;-)
Have a great evening everyone ..