Old Moor et al - Bank Holiday Weekend

First chance I have had to post this weekend, as posted by others wildfowl and waders have really increased in last few days in both quantity and quality. In addition the Night Heron has been seen frequently and the Spoonbill ever present. Little Egrets have increased further and a minimum of 20 were seen Saturday morning including 16 on Wombwell Ings.

Saturday - 24th August - Common Scoter 2 drakes on Mere and 3 drakes on Broomhill, Night Heron seen up untill 05.50 when it went to roost, Spoonbill 1, Little Egret minimum of 20, Wood Sandpiper 1, Black Tailed Godwit 15, Redshank 1, Green Sandpiper 14, LRP 2, Ringed Plover 4, Dunlin 2, Ruff 7, Common Sandpiper 2, Greenshank 3, Curlew 1, Whimbrel 2, Golden Plover 1, Lapwing 754, Snipe 45, Oystercatcher 2, (16 species of wader). Teal 417, Wigeon 26, Arctic Tern 1 juv, hirondines c2000. Wombwell Ings - Dunlin 5, Greenshank 3, Oystercatcher 1, Teal 58.

Sunday - 25th August - Paid a morning visit onto Bolton Ings, highlights being a flock of 17 Ruff through at 09.25 and a count of 59 Little Grebes. Full list :- Grey Heron 5, Little Egret 1, Mute Swan 2+2juvs, 2+4 juvs and 2+4 juvs on river, Canada Goose 114, Grey Lag Goose 1, Cormorant 7, Great Crested Grebe 2+2y, 2+3y, 2+2y, Little Grebe 59, Mallard 19, Gadwall 38, Teal 4, Shoveler 6, Tufted Duck 66, Pochard 8, Coot 275, Moorhen 21, Lapwing 240, Ruff 17, LBB Gull 2, Kestrel 1, Green Woodpecker 2, Jay 2, Kingfisher 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Reed Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 2, Sand Martin 10, House Martin 20.

Went down to Old Moor last night for the Little Egret roost, 16 birds were counted plus the Spoonbill and the Night Heron flew in at 20.40 right in front of the hide, fantastic views but light not good. In addition 23 Ruff were on the Main Marsh and Wood Sandpipers increased to 2.

The following counts are from an email from Dave Waddington for the Web counts for Sunday, highlight being a new area record count for Little Grebe.

Webs Old Moor area

Night Heron, Spoonbill, Little Egret 16, heron 21.

Lapwing 875, Golden Plover 8, Ringed Plover 4, LRP 1, Redshank 1, Greenshank 8, Ruff 32, Snipe 62, Black Tailed Godwit 15, Green Sand 14,  Wood Sand 2, Common Sand 6, Whimbrel 1, Curlew 2, Dunlin 5, Oystercatcher 2 (16 species of wader again).

Teal 555, Gadwall 407, Shoveler 53 , Wigeon 28,  Mallard 330.

Little Grebe 146, Moorhen 139,  Kingfisher 1.

Barn owl.

Adwick

Teal 31, Gadwall 47, Wigeon 4, Mallard 132, Little Egret 4 , Greenshank 3, Green Sand 3, Snipe 11, Ruff 1.

 

Monday - 26th August - Fairly quiet this morning compared to above, Spoonbill, Little Egret 5, Black Tailed Godwit 9, Wood Sandpiper 1, Common Sandpiper 7, Ruff 11, Dunlin 3, Herring Gull 1, Yellow Wagtail 3.