As Im sure many of us have felt at times, life can become a little tedious and boring. Dont get me wrong, my life is far from dull and I have lots of things to be grateful for. I have a few very good long term friends, a good family (sort of), a full time (reasonably) well paid job, and an amazing bunch of children around to remind me of the innocence of life. But, I think we all like a get away from time to time. I was due a get away from things and so I booked a few days off work, and planned a trip to RSPB Old Moor.
Day 1 of my three day trip consisted of traveling from Stalybridge to Dearne Valley (Wombwell) on the train. I packed too much camera equipment, which meant my bags were heavy and quite a chore to drag around. The journey itself though was relatively simple, 2 trains, both on time and not overly busy. I arrived in Wombwell at 2.06pm. There was very little phone service and so it took me a good 10 minutes just to google some taxi numbers. I found a few, rang them and all of them said they had no taxis available (which I found really odd). So I started walking! I figured it was probably only a couple of miles to the Premier Inn I was wrong! It was a few miles! I finally arrived at the Premier Inn at 2.40pm ish. Ive never stayed at a Premier Inn and I was very surprised at how nice the rooms are. Very clean, nicely arranged, nicely decorated, and the bed was enormous and very comfortable!
I spent some time getting comfortable and figuring the place out and then decided to walk to the reserve. Luckily it is within 5 minutes walking distance, and the walk itself is rather pleasant. I have been once before, and remembered how to get to the visitors centre. To be honest, its relatively easy to find anyway. I was greeted by two very nice, smiley, friendly people in the visitors centre. They gave me a map of the reserve, explained the walks and informed me of what had been seen that day and where. As an RSPB member I had free access to the reserve. I spent a few minutes (30 or so) walking around and getting my bearings, in which time I viewed a Great Spotted Woodpecker. I then went back to the visitors centre and had a nice chat with Liz (volunteer) who told me about the history of the reserve and showed me some large photos that are on display in a then and now way. Liz also explained how the reserve is working very economical and how controlling the reservoir helps the surrounding areas. Liz is a local person who has seen the area change from being the place of a coal industry to becoming the reserve it is today. I found her personal experience and stories absolutely fascinating! I walked back to the Premier Inn, had the best meal Ive ever had and retired for the night.
The morning after I stuffed myself with a huge breakfast and walked to the reserve, camera at the ready! I was greeted by a different, yet just as welcoming, volunteer. I explained that I was going to be there for the whole of the day and that I was interested in buying some binoculars. I was introduced to Steve, who was very helpful when it came to choosing a pair. I was given 3 different kinds to try, and taken to the balcony. I was left for 10 minutes to try them and see which I liked. I really liked this as I didnt feel as though I was being pressured into buying any type or spending more than I wanted to. I chose an 8x Viking Pair that I am incredibly happy with, the optics are great and the detail it picks up is surprising for the price. I had a quick look around the visitors centre and picked up a few books. I explained to Steve that I really wanted to see a Kingfisher and he took me outside and showed me where I would be most likely to see a little female that has been fishing around the Reeds (apologies if I called the area by the wrong name!). I spent some time in the garden hide, photographing masses of different garden birds (full list of sightings below). I spent the morning pottering around, enjoying the area, the birdsong, the sightings etc. There is a lovely cafe above the visitors centre and I enjoyed having a sizable lunch at a very reasonable price. The rest of the day was spent walking, sighting, and chatting to the staff and volunteers. Steve suggested going to spot the Yellowhammers. These birds are immensely beautiful, canary like and definitely worth viewing. One thing I was surprised with is how friendly everyone was. Not just the staff and volunteers, but even the visitors. People were chatty and shared their experiences and knowledge and even showed me some photos they had taken that day.
Day three was spent with a morning in the garden hide, taking lots of photos. My camera battery died and I felt very sad, but to be honest it was nice to spend the afternoon viewing without being distracted by trying to capture photos. It was nice to watch the birds behavior (through my new binoculars). My wish to see a Kingfisher was granted in the afternoon when I spotted two flash past at Wath Ings. I spent about 10 minutes then searching the trees, and finally, I saw it! It was sitting very still and was very easy to miss despite its bright colours. It bobbed around for about 5 minutes and the flew off. The day was finished off by buying a selection of feed for the birds and a bird bath from the shop.
What follows is a complete list of my sightings from the 2.25 days, in no particular order. Species marked with an asterix are a first for me:
Wren*
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Greenfinch*
Robin
Bullfinch
Reed Bunting*
Pheasant
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Red Kite*
Tufted Duck
Moorhen
Flycatcher*
Lapwing
Cormorant*
Coot
Mallard
Starling
Blackbird
Teal*
Oyster Catcher*
Widgeon*
Little Grebe
Grey Heron
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Magpie
Yellow Hammer*
Rabit
Field Mouse*
To sum up my trip it was wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed visiting RSPB Old Moor. I really found it fascinating to talk to the staff, volunteers and visitors. I increased my birding knowledge as well as had some really in depth, interesting conversations about nature, conservation and wildlife in general. One thing I was chatting to Steve about was how Old Moor really is a great example of nature and man living together, side by side. This is not a reserve in the middle of nowhere, this is a reserve in the middle of an industrial area. It is surrounded by dual carriageways and corporate offices. But once you enter the reserve the hustle and bustle is dimmed and taken over by birdsong! Its easy to forget that you are in the middle of a busy area, sandwiched in between small towns.
There is a somewhat misconception by a high number of people that conservation and protection of nature and wildlife is based on a hippy, become one with nature, change nothing and leave no human impact mindset. But Old Moor is a fantastic example of how this need not be the way. I enjoy nature and I really do hope to preserve it for wildlife and for our future, but Im also a modern chap who enjoys modern comforts. Old Moor proves that we can have both! That humankind need not lose these comforts and that we can live side by side with nature. It just takes some thought and effort, but we owe it to nature. We owe it to our future generations and we owe it to ourselves. A visit to Old Moor will definitely become a regular experience in my therapeutic life.
Day 1 of my three day trip consisted of traveling from Stalybridge to Dearne Valley (Wombwell) on the train. I packed too much camera equipment, which meant my bags were heavy and quite a chore to drag around. The journey itself though was relatively simple, 2 trains, both on time and not overly busy. I arrived in Wombwell at 2.06pm. There was very little phone service and so it took me a good 10 minutes just to google some taxi numbers. I found a few, rang them and all of them said they had no taxis available (which I found really odd). So I started walking! I figured it was probably only a couple of miles to the Premier Inn I was wrong! It was a few miles! I finally arrived at the Premier Inn at 2.40pm ish. Ive never stayed at a Premier Inn and I was very surprised at how nice the rooms are. Very clean, nicely arranged, nicely decorated, and the bed was enormous and very comfortable!
I spent some time getting comfortable and figuring the place out and then decided to walk to the reserve. Luckily it is within 5 minutes walking distance, and the walk itself is rather pleasant. I have been once before, and remembered how to get to the visitors centre. To be honest, its relatively easy to find anyway. I was greeted by two very nice, smiley, friendly people in the visitors centre. They gave me a map of the reserve, explained the walks and informed me of what had been seen that day and where. As an RSPB member I had free access to the reserve. I spent a few minutes (30 or so) walking around and getting my bearings, in which time I viewed a Great Spotted Woodpecker. I then went back to the visitors centre and had a nice chat with Liz (volunteer) who told me about the history of the reserve and showed me some large photos that are on display in a then and now way. Liz also explained how the reserve is working very economical and how controlling the reservoir helps the surrounding areas. Liz is a local person who has seen the area change from being the place of a coal industry to becoming the reserve it is today. I found her personal experience and stories absolutely fascinating! I walked back to the Premier Inn, had the best meal Ive ever had and retired for the night.
The morning after I stuffed myself with a huge breakfast and walked to the reserve, camera at the ready! I was greeted by a different, yet just as welcoming, volunteer. I explained that I was going to be there for the whole of the day and that I was interested in buying some binoculars. I was introduced to Steve, who was very helpful when it came to choosing a pair. I was given 3 different kinds to try, and taken to the balcony. I was left for 10 minutes to try them and see which I liked. I really liked this as I didnt feel as though I was being pressured into buying any type or spending more than I wanted to. I chose an 8x Viking Pair that I am incredibly happy with, the optics are great and the detail it picks up is surprising for the price. I had a quick look around the visitors centre and picked up a few books. I explained to Steve that I really wanted to see a Kingfisher and he took me outside and showed me where I would be most likely to see a little female that has been fishing around the Reeds (apologies if I called the area by the wrong name!). I spent some time in the garden hide, photographing masses of different garden birds (full list of sightings below). I spent the morning pottering around, enjoying the area, the birdsong, the sightings etc. There is a lovely cafe above the visitors centre and I enjoyed having a sizable lunch at a very reasonable price. The rest of the day was spent walking, sighting, and chatting to the staff and volunteers. Steve suggested going to spot the Yellowhammers. These birds are immensely beautiful, canary like and definitely worth viewing. One thing I was surprised with is how friendly everyone was. Not just the staff and volunteers, but even the visitors. People were chatty and shared their experiences and knowledge and even showed me some photos they had taken that day.
Day three was spent with a morning in the garden hide, taking lots of photos. My camera battery died and I felt very sad, but to be honest it was nice to spend the afternoon viewing without being distracted by trying to capture photos. It was nice to watch the birds behavior (through my new binoculars). My wish to see a Kingfisher was granted in the afternoon when I spotted two flash past at Wath Ings. I spent about 10 minutes then searching the trees, and finally, I saw it! It was sitting very still and was very easy to miss despite its bright colours. It bobbed around for about 5 minutes and the flew off. The day was finished off by buying a selection of feed for the birds and a bird bath from the shop.
What follows is a complete list of my sightings from the 2.25 days, in no particular order. Species marked with an asterix are a first for me:
Wren*
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Greenfinch*
Robin
Bullfinch
Reed Bunting*
Pheasant
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Red Kite*
Tufted Duck
Moorhen
Flycatcher*
Lapwing
Cormorant*
Coot
Mallard
Starling
Blackbird
Teal*
Oyster Catcher*
Widgeon*
Little Grebe
Grey Heron
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Magpie
Yellow Hammer*
Rabit
Field Mouse*
To sum up my trip it was wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed visiting RSPB Old Moor. I really found it fascinating to talk to the staff, volunteers and visitors. I increased my birding knowledge as well as had some really in depth, interesting conversations about nature, conservation and wildlife in general. One thing I was chatting to Steve about was how Old Moor really is a great example of nature and man living together, side by side. This is not a reserve in the middle of nowhere, this is a reserve in the middle of an industrial area. It is surrounded by dual carriageways and corporate offices. But once you enter the reserve the hustle and bustle is dimmed and taken over by birdsong! Its easy to forget that you are in the middle of a busy area, sandwiched in between small towns.
There is a somewhat misconception by a high number of people that conservation and protection of nature and wildlife is based on a hippy, become one with nature, change nothing and leave no human impact mindset. But Old Moor is a fantastic example of how this need not be the way. I enjoy nature and I really do hope to preserve it for wildlife and for our future, but Im also a modern chap who enjoys modern comforts. Old Moor proves that we can have both! That humankind need not lose these comforts and that we can live side by side with nature. It just takes some thought and effort, but we owe it to nature. We owe it to our future generations and we owe it to ourselves. A visit to Old Moor will definitely become a regular experience in my therapeutic life.
victoria1236:
Nice blog. I found this comforting and interesting to read. Nice pictures too.