I have been away from 'base" this last few days, well almost a week and its been hard to concentrate on the blog and wildlife watching, as my grandchildren get older its harder to leave them and go out on my own.  I did manage a short outing out to Old Moor RSPB reserve which is situated in South Yorkshire near to Bansley and on the way to Doncaster.  This is a particularly good place to take small children as there is a good set of climbing equipment, a dipping pond and even a lady telling wildlife stories.  Its a large reserve but all a bit too busy for me and about as opposite to what I enjoy as is possible. There is a shop and a cafe as well, all very posh and it does make you wonder what the RSPB is all about really.  If it was just about birds then there would be a gate to get in and perhaps a few hides around the reclaimed lakes and no more. I was told that it hadnt been a good year for the Tree Sparrows and I would say that  this is because of disturbance from the children's play area just a few feet away!  Anyway the feeders were interesting and I photographed a nice Stock Dove.  I have seen them in Yorkshire before so I am presumin they are a common bird in that part of the world.