Carlton Marsh

Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, and a Pink Footed Goose were on the wader scrape. The latter associating with 2 Greylags ventured up to the main scrape before returning to the goose flock on the wader scrape.

Pink Footed Goose (Dave Smith)

10 Redwings first thing had probably roosted overnight. 2 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk were soaring overhead and Great Spot Woodpecker was displaying. A Goldcrest sang all day in the car park from Scots Pine and a Fox was on the prowl again.

(Dave Smith/Richard Laverack/me)

Wintersett + Roost 23.03.19

7 - 10 degrees with 5/8 cloud and a cool north westerly.
Anglers CP: A Wheatear flew low north west.  Goldeneye 51. Shoveler 1m + 1 f. 
Cold Hiendley SW: Meadow Pipit 1 + 10 north.
Cold Hiendley Res:  Sand Martin 7 + 2 NW over WRes..
Wintersett Res: Willow tit  2 -  west bank and south east corner +  1 Disp. Pt. + 2 north east corner ACP.  Black Cap 1 male singing west bank.  Cetti's Warbler 5 singing males - north bank,  south east corner, west bank, ruin, boathouse reeds  Common Redpoll 1 west bank.  Siskin 1 over.  Treecreeper 1 SE corner + 1 ruin.  Goldeneye 30 + 15 CHRes.   Great Crested Grebe 13 +  5 CHRes. 
Disposal Point: A  Raven flew west, calling at 17.53hrs,  then presumably same bird was calling over ACP fields heading towards Haw Park Wood at 18.10hrs.. 
Walton Hall: Pink-footed Goose 1.  
Chiffchaff:  20 singing males in the area today.  
Anglers CP Roost: 76 Goldeneye roosted tonight,  with 110 Great Black-backed-Gulls and100 Herring Gulls.  

Wilthorpe Marsh 23/3/19.

This morning. - Pair of calling Ravens with one briefly down on a pylon before both drifted off slowly south. Woodcock 1 flushed off old canal area, Oystercatcher 1 pair s.f., Green Sand 1, Jack Snipe 1, L Egret 1. Redpoll flock 20, Redwing 3, Chiffchaff 8.

Wintersett 22.03.19

9 - 14 degrees,  sunny with a light north westerly. 
Anglers CP:   10 Fieldfares were in Santingley area.  A male Cetti's Warbler was singing on the Pol this evening.
Golf Course Field: 2 Pink-footed Geese and a Barnacle Goose were with Greylag Geese.
Haw Park Wood: Common Redpoll 1.  Siskin 1. 
Wintersett Res: The first male Blackcap of Spring was singing on the west bank. A male Little Grebe was in the west bank marsh area.

Carlton Marsh

Yesterday a very trusting Tawny owl had perched up within 10 yards of the footpath allowing this close up to be taken at 10.20hrs. Several people walked by without it flinching, however, it did fly, in its own time, to some nearby Scots Pine a little later.

 Gary Exley

Today a Little Egret and 84 Herring Gulls were on the wader scrape. Also present Willow Tit, Goldcrest, singing and Buzzard. A Red Kite flew west over the main scrape at 14.45hrs (Rod Heeley) and to round off the day 5 Sand Martins flew north at 17.10hrs (Dave Standish). 

Wilthorpe Marsh 22/3/19.

Short late aft visit. Water Pipit 1, C Snipe 1.

Wintersett 21.03.19

7 - 12 degrees with sun,  7/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Curlew 1.  Pochard 15 + 1 WRes..
Wintersett Res: 3 singing male Cetti's Warblers - boathouse,  ruin and north bank.
Cold Hiendley Res:  2 Grey Wagtails were on the bottom spillway.
Ralph Hibbert and Les Corrall had the first flowering Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria holosteaon, on Haw Park Lane.

The Edge 21/03/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 44 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 84 Wigeon, 16 Mallard, 15 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 9 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 7 Pochard, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 3 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 5+ Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Linnet and 5 Reed Bunting. P. Kent also had 1 Shelduck, 1 Redshank and 3 Goosander.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 29 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 35 Gadwall, 29 Tufted Duck, 12 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 7 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Little Grebe, 2 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Cormorant, 31 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 7 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher and 150+ BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 8 Greylag, 3 Canada Geese, 16 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 7 Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 1m+2f Goldeneye, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 105 Coot, 1 Moorhen, c150 BH Gull, 1 Herring Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Buzzard, 1 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 7 singing Chiffchaff.

Carlton Mash

Spring really did spring today with the warmest day of the day so far at 19.8c. (my garden). On the wader scrape today Little Grebe, 11 Herring gulls, 2 Common Gulls , 100 + BH Gulls and 2 Redshanks. Elsewhere Goldcrest was singing again from Scots Pine, Willow Tit, 2 Lesser Redpolls, and 10 singing Chiffchaffs. 3 kingfishers, 2 of which were chasing each other around the main scrape all afternoon, the male singing constantly. A Collared Dove flew towards the scrapyards (its quite scarce here)

Jim Plant/keith Bannister/Dave Smith.

Butterflies were loving the warm conditions a total of 17 Small Tortoiseshell, 17 Peacock, 8 Comma and 4 Brimstone males were seen. (Chris Parkin /Rod Heeley et al)

Wintersett + Roost + Pics 20.03.19

8 - 14 degrees,  sunny and hot with a very light south westerly.
Anglers CP : Curlew 1.  Herring Gull 152.
Wintersett Res:  Visitors Keith and Yvonne found a pristine male Stonechat on the dam wall this morning.3 male Cetti's Warblers were singing - west bank,  north bank and east bank.
Disposal Point: Woodcock 1.
Anglers CP Roost: Great Black-backed Gull 132.    Goldeneye 89.
Lepidoptera: Butterflies were evident around the area today.  Brimstone 3m + 1 f..  Red Admiral 1.  Comma 2.  Peacock 2.  Small Tortoiseshell 2.

 Male Stonehat        WRes  ASmith

Male Stonechat      WRes   SDenny

Male Stonechat   WRes    SDenny

The Edge 20/03/2019

Wombwell Ings -Present were 3 Mute Swan, 41 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, c150 Wigeon, 15 Mallard, 13 Shoveler, 13 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Buzzard, 3 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 248 BH Gull and 3+ Skylark. P. Kent also had 2 Ringed Plover, 1 calling Little Ringed Plover over, 1 Treecreeper and 1 Redwing. On Doveside, K. Fisher had 2 Kingfisher, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Chiffchaff. A. Hutt had a White Wagtail in the excavations in the back field.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 14 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 45 Gadwall, 23 Tufted Duck, 20+ Teal,16 Wigeon, 15 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 7+ Little Grebe, 35 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 8 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 150+ BH Gull and 6 Herring Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 6 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 18 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 3 Pochard, 2 Mallard, 2f Goldeneye, 1f Goosander, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 12 Cormorant, 104 Coot and c100 BH Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 singing Chiffchaff and 1 Bullfinch.

Wintersett + Pics 19.03.19

8 - 12 degrees with scattered cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP morning: Green Woodpecker 1. Pink-footed Goose 1.  Water Rail 1 under Pol feeders.  Herring Gull 125
Wintersett Res: Cormorant 4.  Cetti's Warbler 1 male west bank. 
9 Birds were ringed ACP: Common Redpoll 2    Lesser Redpoll  7
Anglers CP evening roost: Goldeneye 106 + 3 WRes.    Goosander 6.   Herring Gull 200.  Great Black-backed Gull 6.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 6.  Black-headed Gull 500.

                 Lesser Redpoll   adult male                 ACP   ASmith

                 Common Redpoll  1st year male       ACP     ASmith

Carlton Marsh

Another survey of Willow tits to the north of the reserve in the Royston area proved fruitless. Meanwhile back at the reserve one was heard calling not far from the hide (Rod Heeley).

On the way to Royston c100 Linnets were feeding on tilled land north of the reserve, I suspect that many of these wintered on the stubble here.

On the reserve the wader scrape attracted 30 Herring Gulls, c150 BH Gulls, 27 Canada Geese, 8 Greylags, Cormorant and a Fox. A male Peregrine flew NE over here at 14.42hrs (Dave Smith). Elsewhere 3 Siskin, Redpoll, 6 singing Chiffchaff, a 'drumming' Great Spot Woodpecker, 2 Water Rails called, our resident Buzzards were up in the air together, a Goldcrest sang from Scots Pine and two single Meadow Pipits flew north.

The Edge 19/03/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 5 Mute Swan, 53 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 127 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 9 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 12 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 3 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 234 BH Gull, 3+ Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail and 2 Reed Bunting. Also two Mistle Thrush and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker were seen in Broomhill Park.
Broomhill Flash -Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 32 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 47 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Duck, 12 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 182 BH Gull and 2 LBB Gull.
Trans Pennine Trail - Two singing Chiffchaff and 2 yaffling Green Woodpecker.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 7 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 21 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 6 Pochard, 3f Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 1 Teal, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 121 Coot, 1 Moorhen and 100+ BH Gull. Also present were 2 Shelduck over, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay and 2 Bullfinch.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were - 6 Herring Gulls, Redshank, 12 Greylags, 24 Canada Geese, (wader scrape) 10 Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 5 singing Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, c50 Jackdaws, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, Great Spot Woodpecker 'drumming',

Our first Orange Underwing Moth of the year was flying around the top of a Silver Birch and a Primrose was flowering 

(Dave Smith/Keith Bannister/Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 18.03.19

7 - 10 degrees with sun,  light scattered cloud and a  light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Linnet 1 over.  Shoveler 7.  Pochard 26 + 9 WRes.  Snipe 4.  Willow Tit 2 in north area.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 2 singing males - ruin area and west bank marsh. 

The Edge 18/03/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 3 Mute Swan, 52 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 83 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 8 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 4f Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Coot, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Moorhen, 10 Golden Plover over west, 3 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 172 BH Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2+ Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail and 3 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Park - Early morning P. Kent had 2 Chiffchaff (1 singing), 1 Green Woodpecker and 3 Siskin.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 63 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 1 Egyptian Goose, 46 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 21 Tufted Duck, 16 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 1 Cormorant, 7 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 33 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 1 Buzzard, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 8 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 146 BH Gull and 2 LBB Gull.
Bolton Ings - Highlight was the two extended flight views of a Bittern. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 7 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 15 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 1m+2f Goldeneye, 1f Goosander, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 135 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 100+ BH Gull, 3 Herring Gull and 2 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Green Woodpecker, 1f Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Redwing, 1 Bullfinch and 3 Reed Bunting.

Low Moor/Midhope. - Wilthorpe Marsh 17/3/19.

Low Moor this aft. Impressive with plenty going on in mostly very good light. Snipe c 10 chipping and displaying with some showing well. Curlew 10 + calling and displaying and good numbers of Lapwing and Oystercatcher 2 down. Crossbill 1 pair with the fem. showing well, Fieldfare total 20, Meadow Pipit 10, Raven 3 and 6+ C Buzzard. Wilthorpe this am very steady with no sign of any Water Pipits but still windy. Green Sand 2, Oystercatcher 1 pair, Chiffchaff 4, Meadow Pipit 10 and 6 Herring Gulls down. Good news on Grey Partridge with 2 separate pairs flushed. Looks to be holding on as a breeding bird.

Wintersett 17.03.19

5 - 10 degrees with 5/8 cloud and a cold north westerly. Suuny and warm this afternoon.
Anglers CP: The Water Rail and  7 Yellowhammers visited the Pol feeding station.   Mute Swan 6 + 2 WRes + 2 CHRes..  Little Grebe 1 + 1 Botany Bay.  Shoveler 1 drake.   Redshank 2 on the shallows.
Haw Park Wood:  1 male and 2 female Crossbills  this afternoon, having been elusive recently, during the high winds 
Wintersett Res: A Red Kite flew over low. going south at 10.55hrs.  3 singing male  Cetti's Warbler - north bank,  south east bank and west bank marsh.  Pochard 11.
Lepidoptera: An Orange Underwing moth was flying around in sunshine by the boathouse WRes..

                         2  Redshanks                      ACP     ASmith

Carlton Marsh

After topping up the wader scrape feeder I walked to Royston to where Marsh Tit and 2 Willow Tits were ringed in February. I didn't hear or see any of them, but when I got back to the reserve wader scrape feeder, Willow Tit, Red over metal ring (right leg) Black left leg was present. This was a juvenile when it was ringed in the middle of the marsh on 9/8/18, wing 58 weight 9.5. 

Today's best - Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff singing, 2 Redpoll, 1 Siskin, Buzzard. 10 Herring Gulls, Little Egret and 7 Greylags were on the wader scrape. 20 Linnets were feeding on tilled land north of Shaw Lane.