Potteric Carr

 Monday 15 November

Potteric Carr from the Roger Mitchell hide

Arriving Worksop to collect my birding pal Chris Bell just after 9 o'clock we were welcomed to the day by the local Collared Dove, Great Tit and Greenfinch and then off north for a day's birding at Potteric Carr bird reserve near Doncaster, recording a small flock of Rook on the way.  Here it was a welcome from (I think a juvenile male) Pheasant who approached within a metre and seemed to want petting and/or feeding.  Good job we weren't hungry or he could have been the food for us!  Time to enter the reserve proper, noticing the trio of Goldfinch on the path in front of us.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Having noted the Coot, Gadwall, Mute Swan and Little Grebe on the entrance pool we set off from the Visitors Centre taking an ant-clockwise figure of eight round this large site.  Most disconcerting to hear the very loud bird song in front of us and not see a single bird until the brain caught up with our ears and we realised the local ringer was in action and playing a taped lure.  I wouldn't mind but this is the second time we been caught in the same predicament!  (At tis time, about 9.45 he had already processed 7 Redwing and 3 Goldfinch, neither of which bird were we to see in our five-hour stay!)

Cock Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

The initial walk towards Willow marsh produced good numbers of Greenfinch, Blackbird and Siskin along with a party of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits.  Once at the hide we quickly added numerous Chaffinch and more Pheasants along with Mallard and Moorhen on the water. A lone Heron further out on the water and then our first first Robin of the morning.

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Making our way round to the West Scrape via the East Scrape we found more birds in number, especially many Lapwing.  Along with the Lapwing a pair of Dunlin and off to the side a Little Egret and a number of Teal. The relatively large flock of Black-headed along with a single Common Gull made their departure, albeit after the departing Redshank, as did we.

Lapwings Vanellus vanellus with two Dunlin Calidris alpina (extreme left)

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

The three hides along Hawthorn Bank produced a good supply of duck along with a handful of Cormorant and another Little Grebe.  Mainly Teal but also many Wigeon and Gadwall as well as Tufted Duck, Mallard and Wigeon.  Even another Little Egret feeding on its own plus a few more Lapwing. Continuing to search the edges we also found Pochard and a couple of Herring Gull.  Below is both Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail were calling and to the back the wonderful display from a quartering Marsh Harrier, often called upon to take evasive action from the mobbing Carrion Crow.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Continuing ion our way back towards the Visitors Centre taking the most northern route we duly added Wren and Jackdaw plus another couple of Robin when almost back. Leaving the site for the return journey to Worksop we then added a Kestrel resting on one of the first half-dozen lamp-posts.  All in all a most enjoyable day which finally produced 44 species albeit Chris was convinced that he had heard both Dunnock and Redpoll.

Robin Eithacus rubecular

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank,  Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Starling, Chaffinch, Siskin, Goldfinch.

More photos:

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Mute Swans Cygnus olor and a mix of duck

Mainly Teal Anas crecca but with Gadwall Anas strepera

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Wigeon Anas penelope and Coot Fulica atra

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