Anglers Country Park and Old Moor RSPB Reserve

Mallard (D Axford)

Anglers Country Park and Old Moor RSPB Reserve

16th March 2024

Weather: Mild and sunny am, cool and cloudy later on.

Members and friends: 29 Driver: Glenn

Twenty-nine members and friends set off from Stockport for our March trip to Yorkshire. It has been some years since our last visit to today’s destinations of Angler’s Country Park and the RSPB reserve at Old Moor. The journey was uneventful and as we approached Anglers Country Park, we ticked off Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Pheasant and Greylag Geese in nearby fields. The entrance to the country park was a bit tight but Glenn managed to get the coach in, albeit after scratching one side of the vehicle against a prominent tree (like nails down a blackboard!)

Bullfinch (A Barrett)

Disembarking from the coach, we were greeted by singing Chiffchaff by the visitor centre, the first of the year for many off us. A Song Thrush was also in full song nearby. Taking the path around the lake by quickly added Jay, Magpie and Carrion Crow to our list. On the water there were many of the usual duck with Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Teal and Gadwall in attendance. Great-crested Grebe and Cormorant were also present. The usual Moorhen and Coot were on the fringes with a flock of Canada Geese loafing on some rocky islands.

Great Crested Grebe (M Walsh)

The highlight of the visit was a smart male Greater Scaup, distant at first but most of the group did eventually get closer views. Small groups of displaying Goldeneye were also entertaining, the males throwing back their heads in their distinctive display. Lovely birds to watch in bright sunlight. A couple of Mute Swan were also out on the water and four Oystercatcher performed a noisy fly over display.

Greenfinch (J Wharton)

In the reedy margins of the lake Reed Bunting could be found and in the adjacent scrub a Cetti’s Warbler gave its distinctive song. A few of us had relatively good views of this notoriously skulking species. A couple of Kestrel overhead were joined by Buzzard, which spooked the gulls on the water. Mainly Black-headed, there were a couple of Common Gull amongst the flock.

Mute Swan (A Kelso)

As we walked around the lake we added commoner birds to our list, with Chaffinch, Rook, Dunnock, Long-tailed Tit, Redpoll, Goldcrest and Bullfinch in attendance. On the arable field to the west of the lake we picked up the distinctive song of a Skylark and saw Yellowhammer in the hedges. Over the distant wood we identified soaring Sparrowhawk and Buzzard.

Tufted Duck (D Axford)

From the main hide overlooking the lake we found a small flock of Lapwing and a single Grey Wagtail. At the feeders in the carpark we found nothing new to out list (apparently Tree Sparrow and Willow Tit no longer are recorded in the area). A few of us had a look over the adjacent Wintersett Reservoir, where a Black-necked Grebe had been reported. We couldn’t find it but did not have the time to walk further around the reservoir. A Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed nearby. We returned to the coach and made the journey over to Dearne Valley Old Moor RSPB reserve. Two Little Egret were seen by a river enroute.

Lesser Redpoll (A Barrett)

After negotiating our way through the usual RSPB welcome at the reserve the group spread out and took the variety of routes around this wetland. The RSPB had added further paths since our last visit and the reserve was very popular. A wander around to the north of the reserve produced good views of up to four Marsh Harrier and some of our group did hear the distinctive calls of Bearded Reedling. Unfortunately, no sightings, the same situation happened with Water Rail.

Buzzard (M Walsh)

On the pools we added Shelduck, Pochard and Shovelor to our days list. Buzzard and Cetti’s Warbler were seen and we got both Little and Great-crested Grebe at this location. Also, on the reserve we added the larger gulls to our list, with Herring and both Lesser and Greater Black-backed. A single Redshank was seen and a low flying Peregrine was a highlight. A few of the group has a couple of early Sand Martin.

Wigeon (J Wharton)

The day ended well, with most of the group attending the feeding station set up by the RSPB. It was a hive of activity with a flock of Lesser Redpoll joined by Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch and a single Brambling. Pheasant and Reed Bunting were also present (as was a very well fed rat!).

Pochard (A Kelso)

On the return journey, over Woodhead Pass, we added Red Grouse and Curlew to our list. It had been a very enjoyable trip, good weather always makes a difference, with a total of 78 species recorded.