It was suggested that we begin the year with a visit to Old moor, the December 2025 trip having been cancelled. The weather to the run up to the 12th was cold enough to freeze the lagoons. Shall we, shan’t we, will we, won’t we? Finally the forecast was dry and mild, at least until early afternoon. It was go, go, go.

9 eager enthusiasts gathered in the car park, anxious to get the year off to a good start, but not before carrot cake was consumed to celebrate a birthday.

The garden feeders held Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Long-Tailed Tits, Chaffinch and Blackbird, a good selection to get the 2026 list started. A ragged flock of Fieldfare circled overhead. They were to be around all day, later being joined by 2 Redwing whilst feeding on berries in the car park.

Careful scanning of the lagoons from the “lookout” hide was enabled by Tim, who found the kit to wipe clean the condensation on the outside of full length windows. With patience Goldeneye were recorded together with Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Wigeon, and Little Grebe.

Moving on to the wader scrape hide and arguably the bird of the day, a Peregrine bathing in the water and preening on a post. For Gull enthusiasts a Caspian Gull vied for attention along with a Marsh Harrier posing in the trees, but distant. Goosander, Pochard and Gadwall added to the duck list, and we finally caught up with Teal from the Wath Ings hide.

This was a bird day (43 species being recorded), but our intrepid insect enthusiast, not to be outdone, found just one example. Lurking in a hide a member of the cranefly family was potted, photographed, and later identified as a  female Long-tailed Winter Gnat (Trichocera major). 

A final walk towards the reed bed and a quick look in the bittern hide added Buzzard to the day list. It was now overcast, gloomy and a few spots of rain encouraged us to head for home. But just before departing, and not to do things by halves, lemon cake, to get the 2026 wildlife season well under way.

A good outing, in some new surroundings for some, recording 44 species, enjoyed by Tim & Sarah, David & Veronica, Glynne & Carol, Liz, Lesley and Tony.

 

 

Tony Wardell