Old Moor Sofa

Again apologies for late blog, still haven't sorted internet/laptop problems and too lazy to buy a new one.

An update on the number of species recorded in the Old Moor Area this year, at the end of March the total was 112.

A further 26 species were added in April as follows - Swallow on 1st (113), Marsh Harrier on 4th (114), Osprey on 5th (115), Ruff on 6th (116), Whimbrel on 8th (117), Little Gull on 10th (118), Willow Warbler on 10th (119), Common Sandpiper on 11th (120), House Martin on 14th (121), Black Tailed Godwit on 14th (122), Reed Warbler on 15th (123), Yellow Wagtail on 15th (124), Sedge Warbler on 16th (125), Whitethroat on 16th (126), Grasshopper Warbler on 17th (127), Swift on 18th (128), Cuckoo on 20th (129), Tree Pipit on 22nd (130), Lesser Whitethroat on 24th (131), Gareden Warbler on 24th (132), Black Tern on 24th (133), Grey Plover on 24th (134), Common Tern on 25th (135), Hobby on 25th (136), Whinchat on 28th (137), and finally Yellow Legged Gull on 29th (138).

A further 5 species have been added in May as follows - Garganey on 2nd (139), Bar Tailed Godwit on 11th (140), Arctic Tern on 12th (141), Turnstone on 12th (142) and Sanderling on 12th (143).

Personally I think it has been one of the worst Springs on record if not the worst. Maybe because of the weather, seems to have been windy and cold nearly all the time and still is today. Wader passage has been very poor with no Greenshank and only 2 Black Tailed Godwits, 1 record of Little Gull, hardly any Arctic Terns and whats happened to the Mediterranean Gulls. Of couse it could all change tomorrow (probably won't) but we live in hope and it's always good to be out enjoying the birds that are with us.

For comparison some other inland sites totals are as follows - Lound, Nottinghamshire 153, Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire 159 (Wow), Upton Warren, Worcestershire 123, Hatfield Moors, South Yorkshire 157 and Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire 146.