YOC trip Hatfield Moor 15th September

Seven members met at 8am in the main Hatfield Moor car park. It was a first ever club trip to this site and a first visit for many of the members.

From the car park, 1-2 Green Woodpeckers were heard while around 40 Swallow passed south and a Grey Wagtail flew over. The first of several Chiffchaff was heard singing. From the car park the group made its way to the hide overlooking Boston Park Lake, where a Common Sandpiper was present along with 9 Pochard and at least 10 Little Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck & 13 Gadwall. Nearby a Little Egret was present with another 2 Little Grebe on the Dragon Pits.

Taking the path to the Badger Corner Lake, a large tit flock continued Coal Tit, several Chiffchaff, Treecreeper & Great Spotted Woodpecker. The Badger Corner Lake produced 3 Wigeon, a couple of Gadwall and 3 more Tufted Duck amongst the hundreds of Greylag and Canada Geese.

From here we made our way to the open area of Hatfield Moor, dominated by heather, colonising birch and the old peat workings, many of which were dry. There were numerous dragonflies, including Black Darter as well the occassional Painted Lady.

Birds encounted in this area were mainly Meadow Pipit & Pied Wagtail, feeding along the edge of the flooded peat workings. A single Stonechat and then another pair of Stonechat were found on the Packards south area of the Moor. Several Buzzard were seen gliding over this area. However the highlight of the day was a pair of Peregrines which gave a great display over the Packards north area.

After lunch the group headed to Blacktoft Sands, where the Spotted Crake was still present along with several Water Rail as well as Curlew Sandpiper & Spotted Redshank

An interesting day, and with such a large site, a return visit is needed, with a future spring visit being planned. 45 species were seen at Hatfield Moors