A Day Out to Old Moor RSPB Reserve

We hadn't met up with Richard and Judy for some time so it was with pleasurable anticipation that we set out early for the Dearne Valley Old Moor RSPB reserve in Yorkshire.  The first port of call was the excellent cafe for tea all round and then Richard and I set out for some photography while Heather and Judy went for a walk round the reserve.  The prime place for the day was the tree sparrow hide as there were reported to be a couple of bramblings there as well as tree sparrows and siskins with the occasional redpoll.  We never did catch up with the redpoll, but the siskins and tree sparrows were cooperative and I did manage shots of the bramblings feeding on the ground; not ideal but better than nothing.  By 12.30 we were ready to return to the cafe for lunch and a warm up; the food here is excellent.  After lunch we returned to the tree sparrow hide and later went to attempt to connect with a small group of bearded tits.  In this we were unsuccessful, but we had an excellent day.

To view large, please click on an image.

Mixed flock feeding on the ground including two brambling

Brambling

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Long Tailed Tit

Magpie

Reed Bunting

Siskin

Siskin

Siskin

Siskin

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow

Wood Pigeon

An Abundance of Birds at Old Moor RSPB Reserve.

I hadn't met up with friend and fellow bird photographer for some time so decided to meet up at Old Moor RSP reserve in the Dearne Valley of Yorkshire, one of Richard's local patches and a reasonable drive for me.  While waiting for Richard I sat in the car park enjoying the large numbers of birds visiting the feeders including a siskin which was encouraging.  I should have had the camera out, because that was the only one I saw all day.  Ah well.....!!!!  We headed straight for the garden feeding station hoping for images of the local sparrowhawk.  Although it made a couple of passes, though, it didn't settle.... ah well again!  Not a problem though as there were plenty of other wonderful birds about including superb bullfinches and large numbers of my favourite duck, the wigeon.  I love to hear the whistle of these birds echo across the water.  Yet another excellent day.

All images taken with Canon 7D and 500mm lens, with occasional use of 1.4 converter.

To view large, click on an image. 

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Gadwall

Mahem at the feeders.

Squabling greenfinches

Greenfinch

Greylag

Greylag

Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

Greater Woodpecker

Long Tailed Tit

Reedbunting

Teal

Teal

Tree Sparrow.

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

Wigeon

Wren

Yellowhammer