Old Moor News - 17th January

During the day at Old moor were 113 Waxwings around the visitor centre and 3 Shelduck on the Mere. On the feeders were 5 Brambling, 45 Tree Sparrows, 4 Yellowhammers and 80 Reed Buntings. Reported from the Golf Course were 40 Siskin, 5 Jays, Green Woodpecker and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. This evening a Bittern dropped into the reedbeds from height, possibly from the river, also seen was a Barn Owl. The ducks were tightly packed on the Mere and included 66 Goosanders, 85 Tufted Ducks, 25 Pochard, at least 285 Gadwall but this was a conservative count as they were mixed in with the many Teal, Wigeon and Mallard. At least 48 Shoveler were counted between Old Moor and Bolton Ings and finally 1 Little Grebe was on the Mere.