Newsletter
Wath upon Dearne
On
11 November 22 members joined the Group's first visit to the Old Moor
Wetlands Centre at Wath upon Dearne, although some may remember part of
the site from a tour of the Barnsley area made in 1994. In those days a
small corner of the present site was a wetland nature reserve, the rest
was a bare coal slag heap. Progress in the last seven years has been
spectacular with the site now due to come under RSPB control in April
2002. Massive hides allow comfortable viewing over the whole site, which
is entirely wetland habitat. An impressive list of wildfowl and waders
were seen, if not all in massive numbers. Three striking male goosander
drew particular attention. Over 200 lapwing and 300 golden plover were a
small reflection of the four figure flocks which have been recorded. Other
waders were less common, with redshank, dunlin and green sandpiper seen,
along with some very good views of over a dozen snipe, which obliged by
bathing, preening and feeding.
Impressive
flocks of yellowhammer, corn bunting and tree sparrow were hiding in the
hedges beside the car park, drawn by grain scattered beside them.
Unfortunately the well stocked feeding station was deserted, although this
may have something to do with the peregrine falcon which put in an
appearance while we took lunch in the courtyard.
After
lunch we completed our tour of Old Moor then moved on to Broomhill Flash
less than a mile away. Again there was a decent selection of birds but
mainly in small numbers, apart from 120 lapwing.
Here we added redwing and mistle thrush to the list, but the main
species were again wildfowl and with a few each of mallard, pochard,
tufted duck, wigeon, teal and 130 Canada geese. At Old Moor, a number of
people had missed the peregrine falcon's brief appearance. It was to be
the same again as a lucky few saw
the falcon fly west across the Flash and keep going. Despite this,
however, a list approaching 60 species was recorded.
David
Woodmansey