Unable to do any birding this morning due to Beth not wanting to go out! Despite this she did agree to go out in the afternoon so we had a trip to Blacktoft. Passing the newly created lagoons of Potteric Carr alongside the M18 I couldn't help feel rather envious that the surrounding towns of Doncaster and Barnsley probably have two of the finest inland Nature Reserves in the country, whilst those of us in neighbouring Rotherham and Sheffield have to make the most of defunct reservoirs and reclaimed coal tips. Fortunately living alongside the motorway networks of the A1,M1,M18 these sites are only minutes away with Blacktoft being just a 45 minute drive away. So perhaps I shouldn't really moan, it could be worse I could live in Shropshire!
Blacktoft was as usual teeming with the affluent retired bird watching types that predominately inhabit RSPB reserves and stick their nose in the air at the site of children! Fortunately it must have been getting close to the old dears afternoon tea time as most seemed to be leaving. The pools were on the whole disappointing with high water levels at all bar Marshlands. Consequently waders were in short supply though a family party of Marsh Harriers kept us entertained. Marshlands was by far the best spot with the usual mix of returning waders including 7 variable plumaged Spotted Redshanks, Green Sand', Turnstone and c.100 Dunlin. Returning home I remembered someone telling me of a pie retailer on the way to Blacktoft but can't remember who or where it was - it was during last October's drunken Shetland ramblings!
Any info greatly received.
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Hi Mark the pie shop in question is in the Spar shop at a Shell Petrol Station/McDonalds complex just north of Junction 36 on the M62 at Grid ref SE717238. They have a good range of quality pies, the Steak or Syeak and Kidney being real favourites as well as heating facilities and helpful pie-friendly staff.
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