waders for waders at Old Moor

A 4.30am start to try and assess the flood damage so far. The Field Pool and Wath Ings were pretty much linked together and after a look from the Mere (family) Hide I knew things were going to get tricky. Green Lane was well under water and as I made my way to Wader Scrape and Wath Ings it literally lapped the tops of my wellies. As the water is still coming in I am sure RSPB will have to close off this area and I suspect by this afternoon you would need waders to keep dry. A single Shelduck was sat on the Mere and contrary to first impressions there were quite a few waders but as they feeding in flooded grass and weeds they were mostly difficult to see. About 70 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatchers, Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and 3 Green Sandpipers. Sadly the Common Terns appear to be washed out. Next to sluice matters and after teaming up with the wardens we toured the reserve checking the various inlets and outlets. The water level in Knoll Beck is still higher than on the reserve so at the moment we are not able to get any water off. So its coming in but not going out - get me! On the drive round we put up a minimum of 10 Grey Herons (mostly juvs) and at the Reedbeds a single juvenile Bittern which had been feeding on the footpath flew into cover.  A drake Wigeon was asleep on the banking, whilst a pleasing site was a near full grown brood of six Shoveler. There was also a new brood of six here as well yesterday apparently. I have included a series of snaps I took below to hopefully put you in picture.

A view from the Field Pool looking east

They can swim cant they?

The River Dearne has calmed down a bit, for the time being anyway.

Looking back over Willow Pool to the Wath Ings Hide.

The hides on the Reedbeds are looking a bit damp!

Managed to grab a couple of Bittern shots through the pickup windscreen

Note the pristine plumage confirming this as one of the juveniles.