Last October the Club
organised a coach trip to this site and we all thoroughly enjoyed our visit
there. The site is in the process of being taken over by the RSPB but to
date, there are no noticeable changes except that you can use your membership
card to get in!
It is a very compact site, with easy walking between the hides from where you
have excellent views of the birds.
We had already seen Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow in the hedgerow at the
entrance but at the feeding station just behind the entrance there was plenty
more activity. Blue Tit, Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Chaffinch,
Goldfinch, Goldcrest calling, Redwing, Fieldfare and Collared Dove all flitting
around in the trees or in the adjoining fields.
On the way to the first hide there was a Kestrel looking for its lunch, Coot,
Moorhen, Mute Swan and Mallard on the small ponds. From the hides, we had
views good enough to really study the Wigeon, Pochard, Goldeneye, Lapwing, Teal,
Goosander, Tufted, Gadwall, Shoveler, Golden Plover, Cormorant, Grey Heron,
Greylag and Long-eared Owls (overlooking Wath Ings and showing very well) - to
mention just some of the birds we saw. Those that we 'just missed'
included Bittern, Water Rail and Little Owl!
Again, a most enjoyable day but just to crown it, about a mile up the road
towards Rotherham we had excellent views of two Waxwings, obviously from the
current influx, that had been found there earlier in the day.
This is a really good site where it is worthwhile to spend just a couple of
hours or the whole day.
Dorothy Evans