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| Tufted Duck (M Walsh) |
Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
13th April 2024
Weather: Mild, cloudy with a couple of showers
Members and friends: 38 Driver: Glenn
Thirty-eight members set off from Stockport for the society’s April trip to Potteric Carr in Yorkshire. This venue was a late choice as the pre-planned visit to RSPB Blacktoft Sands had to be cancelled due to flooding of the reserve. On the coach journey over the Woodhead road we picked up Red Grouse, Oystercatcher, Geylag Geese and Curlew around Gallows Moss.
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| Mute Swan & Greylag Goose (S Axford) |
As we approached the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust carpark, at Potteric Carr, we had a fly over Little Egret and Cormorant. At the reserve entrance the group was greeted by a singing Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Goldfinch and Wren. On the pool outside of the visitor centre we had Little Grebe and on the adjacent feeders we found Reed Bunting and Pheasant.
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| Black-headed Gull (S Fuentes) |
There are four or five trails around the site but the area is mainly split by a railway line through the centre of it. At the visitor centre end there are a number of small pools, some enclosed reedbeds with damp willow and birch woodland. There is also a mature birch plantation and a wet meadow area. In the larger area after the railway line there are larger more open bodies of water, with large reedbeds and scattered birch woodland. There are a good number of hides on the site strategically placed overlooking waterbodies.
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| Blue Tit (J Wharton) |
A wander around the trails that took us through Loversall Field we disturbed a male Roe Deer who bolted out of nearby vegetation and closely passed us. Mark W. now holds the SBS record for the highest vertical jump from a standing start! Singing Chiffchaff were plentiful, with Dunnock, Robin and Willow Warbler in this area. Cetti’s Warbler gave their distinctive calls from reedy areas.
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| Little Egret (M Walsh) |
In the wooded area’s we picked up Coal, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tit as well as the other common species such as Song Thrush and Blackbird. A pair of Buzzard were recorded overhead. A single female Brambling was a highlight, followed closely by a couple of pairs of Bullfinch. We added Treecreeper and a few of our party sighted Jay.
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| Greylag Goose (S Fuentes) |
From the Cottage Drain hide we saw Pochard, Gadwall, Canada Geese, Coot and Little Grebe. From the Old Eaa hide we added Tufted Duck and Reed Warbler to our list. A male Marsh Harrier flew through and two pairs of Shoveler alighted on the pool.
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| Grey Heron (J Wharton) |
Walking on to the far end of the reserve, over the railway line, the area opens up and larger bodies of water held different birds. Greylag and Canada Geese were scattered over this area. From the Piper Marsh hide we found Tufted Duck and Grey Heron, and heard a Bittern booming to the south east of the hide. Pochard and Reed Bunting were also present. The East Scrape held a couple of singing Reed Warbler. Dave R had singles of Garden and Sedge Warbler singing at this end of the reserve.
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| Pochard (S Fuentes) |
We heard the Bittern boom again, appearing to be emanating from the West Scrape reedbed area. Little Egret, Avocet, Shelduck and Teal were added at this location. Distant Marsh Harrier sightings were had from the hides overlooking the Huxter Well Marsh. From the Roger Mitchell hide Shirley watched a Marsh Harrier bringing in nest material to an area in the middle of the marsh.
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| Robin (M Walsh) |
A party of up to 40 Sand Martins fed over the marsh and a couple of the group picked out singles of Swallow and House Martin in this area. A few gulls bathed in the shallow pools, mainly Herring and Lesser Black-backed. A few pairs of Great-crested Grebe were found on the deeper pools. A single Snipe was seen flying by and a couple of Oystercatcher were noted. The last record of the day was a calling Water Rail in the reeds adjacent to the visitor centre pool, most of the group enjoying refreshments on the visitor centre veranda by this stage. We left the reserve and returned home via the Woodhead road over the Pennines, connecting with Red Grouse for the second time in the day.
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| Wren (J Wharton) |
Birds seen;
Total Species: 72
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