Old Moor Sofa

An update on the number of species recorded in the Old Moor area this year, at the end of February the total was 106.

A further 16 species were added in March as follows - Black Tailed Godwit on 1st (107), Kittiwake on 4th (108), Avocet on 7th (109), Red Kite on 7th (110), Stonechat on 11th (111), Common Scoter on 21st (112), Chiffchaff on 21st (113), Bar Tailed Godwit on 21st (114), Sand Martin on 23rd (115), Knot on 23rd (116), Little Ringed Plover on 27th (117), Swallow on 27th (118), Firecrest on 27th(119), Sandwich Tern on 28th (120), Marsh Harrier on 29th (121) and finally Black Necked Grebe on 29th (122).

Already in April a further 7 species have been added as follows - Alpine Swift on 1st (123), Wheatear on 2nd (124), Raven on 2nd (125), House Martin on 2nd (126), Willow Warbler on 3rd (127), Blackcap on 4th (128) and Common Sandpiper today (129).

At the end of March last year the total was 112 therefore a further 10 species have been recorded this year. However 4 species had been seen by this time last year but not this - Merlin, Mandarin, Bean Goose and Rock Pipit.

I wrote last year that 2015 was a very poor year and probably the worst ever. What a difference 12 months make with the first 3 months of this year probably the best ever. Not only in the quantity but also the quality with the Alpine Swift last Friday being the star bird and the first ever record for the area. Add to this the Bearded Tits, Red Necked Grebe and Firecrest plus a wide and varied supporting cast the year has started very, very well. Lets hope it continues and maybe 2016 could be a record breaking year.

For comparison some other inland sites totals are as follows:- Lound, Nottinghamshire (118), Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire (128), Upton Warren, Worcestershire (104), Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire (112), Hatfield Moors, South Yorkshire (124).