Shoveler

My Saturday outing took me to Wombwell where I spent half the day at RSPB Old Moor, and then caught the NCEL Division One play-off final in the afternoon.

At Old Moor I spent an hour or so in the Bittern hide, and did hear some faint booming but the bird was being typically reclusive. The resident Marsh Harrier was in flight a few times though, and it was a pleasure to watch. There was plenty that I don’t normally come across in my own patch, including Gadwall, Pochard, Shelduck and Shoveler (main image). The Greylag geese had goslings (extra). I heard my first Cuckoo of the year which was something for the wardens to add to the chalk board. Other birds seen included: Kestrel, Buzzard, Great-crested Grebe, Little Egret, Sand Martins, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing and Cormorant. Were I a more expert birder I might have determined some interesting warblers, but I was content to walk around to the various hides and enjoy what was on the water. 

It was a little dull for butterflies, but was brightening up as I left and I saw Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White in the garden area,

The reserve seems well set up for family visits and there were plenty of vegan options in the café which is always a bonus. A special issue Bittern pin badge was suitably acquired. I could easily have spent the whole day there. It was about a three mile (45 minute) walk from Wombwell station, although there are apparently hourly buses from Barnsley that stop closer by. 

Back in Wombwell the crowds were gathering for the play-off final between Wombwell Town and neighbours from a few miles away, Dearne & District. Wombwell always looked fairly comfortable, and led 2-0 and 3-1, but Dearne kept them honest and brought it back to 3-2 with ten minutes to go which gave the end of the game some tension. There were more than 1500 in attendance, roughly ten times a typical crowd at this level, and every inch of pitchside was filled (extra). Wombwell’s promotion will seeing them making plenty of visits to my patch next season, with games against Bradford teams  Thackley, Eccleshill, Campion and Albion Sports in wait for them. 

A full day in a part of Yorkshire that I don’t visit that often. It’s always good to get to know different places a bit more.