The Edge 22nd July

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egret, 8 Mute Swan, 15 Greylag, 6 Canada Geese, 35 Mallard, 18 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 1 Garganey, 75 Lapwing, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover, 61 BH Gull, 5 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, , 20+ House Martin and 30+ Goldfinch.
Broomhill Flash late AM-  Noted were 28 Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 4 Mute Swan + 2 cygnets, 23 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 36 Gadwall, 25 Tufted Duck, 15 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 6 Redshank,4 Snipe and 1 Green Sandpiper.
Bolton Ings early PM-On the open water were 7 Little Grebe, 3a+1y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 8a+3y Tufted Duck, 98+ Gadwall, 11 Pochard, 5 Mallard, 2 Wigeon and 51 Bh Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 49 Greylag, 13 Canada Geese, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Common Tern, 2 Kestrel. 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Partridge and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Golden Plover- Wombwell Ings

Wintersett 22.07.14

22°C, hot and sunny all day with a light north easterly.
Anglers CP:  Common Scoter 3 drakes still present.   Siskin 2 flew over west at 13.07hrs.  Common Tern 2 adults + 1 juv.,  Black-head Gull 2 young on raft,  Cormorant 4,  Oystercatcher 1 and Little Grebe 1.
Cold Hiendley Res:  Mallard 3 m young.
Wintersett Res: "Psycho", the adult Yellow-legged Gull  was in early doors, sitting on buoy in the fog.
A total of 75 birds were ringed this morning, including:  23 Swallow,  10 Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff and 7 Willow Warbler.
Odonata: Southern Hawker 1 ACP.  I can't resist another photo of the Red-eyed Damsel from yesterday, per PM, just because critters are where it's at this week!   

Silver-washed Fritillary at Hugset wood part 2

Silver-washed Fritillary at Hugset Wood

Here are the photos of the White-letter Hairstreak and the Silver-washed Fritillary

Silver-washed Fritillary at Hugset Wood

Two Silver-washed Fritillaries at Hugset Wood, yesterday, monday 21st July 2014.
Possible first record this century. Awaiting confirmation from Butterfly Conservation.

Also 12 White-letter Hairstreaks and many more common butterfles in glorious warm sunny conditions.

Record photos taken but can't find out how to add them. Help needed, guys, please!

Ewden Valley

More Hall Reservoir - 67 Mallards, 1 Grey Heron and 10 Moorhens + 4 small young.
Broomhead Reservoir - 52 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers + 3 young and 2 Spotted Flycatchers + 3+ young.

Adwick (am)

Little Egret 1, Heron 7, Ringed Plover 1, Snipe 3, Lapwing c60, Grey Partridge 5, Buzzard 2, Kestrel 5 (family), Little Owl 1, Common Tern 2, Redstart 1f, Green Woodpecker 2, Greater s Woodpecker 1.

Edderthorpe, Tuesday morning

Not much changing day to day at present. Highlights from this morning;- Wigeon 2, Shoveler 7, Gadwall 83, Little Egret 2, Oystercatcher 1, Ringed Plover 7, Common Sandpiper 5, Common Snipe 20.

Wintersett 21.07.14

24°C,  very hot and sunny this morning with a very light north westerly.
Anglers CP:  3 drake Common Scoter still present.  Dunlin 1 adult,  Common Tern 4 adults + 1 juv., Pochard 3, Greylag Goose 75, Oystercatcher 1 and Water Rail 1.
Wintersett Res: Common Sandpiper 4.
Moorhouse Lane Big Pond:  Little Grebe 2 young.  Snipe 2
Disposal Point Odonata:  Great excitement here this morning when Paul Meredith found a RED-EYED DAMSELFLY on the West Pond Nostell.   It's the first local record and is in  the Barnsley BSG recording area, but unfortunately is 570 linear metres outside the Wintersett area! Paul also saw
5+ male Emperors on the West Pond with at least 13 males at MHLBig Pond.  A male Emerald Damsel at the West Pond with 2+ at MHL Big Pond.  2 male Southern Hawkers were also just outside our recording area. Also Ruddy Darter 1 Big Pond.

Red-eyed Damselfly                           PM

Red-eyed Damselfly                   PM

Southern Hawker  - near MHLPonds       PM

Wintersett 20.07.14

17°C and sunny until mid morning then 22°C, hot and humid with 8/8 cloud. A very light easterly turned to light north westerly by mid afternoon.
Haw Park Wood:  Nuthatch 1 and Siskin 1 over.
Cold Hiendley Res: Great Crested Grebe young  5 vs in one brood - per Steve Denny) + 3vs young.  Tufted Duck 7 vs young.
Anglers CP:  Common Scoter 3 drakes,  Common Tern 3 adults + 2 juvs., Greylag Goose 72,  Grey Wagtail 1, Oystercatcher 1 and  Mallard 3 vs young.
Butterflies were in abundance at ACP today with 15 species seen in the area, including a MARBLED WHITE on the east bank. The first for many years!  Paul Meredith had 5+ White-letter Hairstreaks at Botany Farm.
(Full species list:- Marbled White, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Small Tortoisheshell, Peacock, Comma, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and White-letter Hairstreak.)
Moths caught last night included: Gold Spangle,  Sycamore,  Oak Nycteoline, Silky Wainscott,  Southern Wainscott, Crescent and Buff Footman.

Winscar - Midhope

Windleden Edge - 1 Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.
Winscar Reservoir - 54 Canada Geese, c100 Mallards, 3 Oystercatchers, c30 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Hepshaw - 1 2nd c y Yellow-legged Gull.
Broadstone Reservoir - 16 Mallards, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Great Created Grebe.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 5 Canada Geese, 77 Mallards, 19 Tufted Ducks, 3 Little Grebes + 2 young, 5 Great Crested Grebes + 1 small young, 8 Moorhens - 1 small young, 22 Coots, 1 Oystercatcher, c10 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 juvenile Redstart.
Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 1 juvenile Curlew.
Midhope Reservoir - 26 Greylag Geese, 16 Mallards, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes + 2 young and 1 Moorhen + 1 small young.

The Edge 21st July

Wombwell Ings mid AM- A very quiet mid-morning with 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swan, 22 Greylag, 16 Canada Geese, 45 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 5a+6y Tufted Duck, 5 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 73 Lapwing, 41 BH Gull, 6+ Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 20+ Goldfinch and 3 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 26 Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Mute Swan + 2 cygnets, 31 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 22 Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, 10+ Mallard, 4 Teal, 1 Pochard, 5 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
Bolton Ings early PM-On the open water were 13 Little Grebe, 3a+1y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 94 Gadwall, 11 Pochard, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Wigeon and 41 BH Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 5 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 1 LBB Gull, 2 Kestrel and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Old Moor Nocturnal Report - Sunday 20th July

Mere - Dunlin 1 adult.

Wader Scrape - Little Ringed Plover 1 juv, Oystercatcher 3, Common Tern 1 adult + 1 juv.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 20, Wigeon 1, Tufted Duck 6 broods of 9, 1, 3, 4, 6, 13, Oystercatcher 8, Dunlin 2 juvs, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Barn Owl 1. A Carrion Crow took a napping Tufted Duck chick, then the female Tufted flew straight into the Crow causing it to fall and drop the chick, an Adult Coot then jumped on the Crow attacking it, the Crow was lucky to escape just as the chick did.

Roost in willows on Willow Pool - Grey Heron 10, Cormorant 4, Little Egret 21 came into roost between 20.19 and 21.49 as follows - 3 already in, 2 at 20.19, 1 at 20.27, 3 at 20.59, 1 at 21.03, 1 at 21.11, 2 at 21.26, 2 at 21.27, 1 at 21.38, 1 at 21.43 and finally 4 at 21.49. The last 4 Egrets were still on Wombwell Ings at 21.40 (DMW). Tonight 10 birds came in from up the valley and 8 birds from down the valley.

Edderthorpe Sunday

Surprisingly yesterdays rain hasn't pushed up the water levels much which is good news. Highlights are few at present;- Little Egret 2, Greylag Goose 91, Redshank 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Sandpiper 4, Ringed Plover 4, Dunlin 2, LRP 1. Saturday 19th July;- Little Grebe 22, Ringed Plover 10, Black-tailed Godwit 5, Dunlin 4,

Bolton Ings - Sunday 20th July

18c this morning at 8 o'clock when I started out, humid and hot in the sun, breezy and temp up to 23c when I left. Very busy on the open water today with over 300 Coot and nearly 200 Gadwall, a group of 10 Shoveler flew West. 164 Lapwings also flew West as well as a Little Egret, 8 Oystercatchers flew in from the Golf Course. A Barn Owl was out hunting and the few Warblers that are still singing included 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Whitethroat. Full list - Grey Heron 3, Little Egret 1, Cormorant 2, Mute Swan 2+8y, 2+4y, Canada Goose 30, Grey Lag Goose 42, Great Crested Grebe 5 adults + 2 juvs, Little Grebe 23, Mallard 15, Teal 1, Wigeon 3, Gadwall 192, Shoveler 10, Tufted Duck 12, Pochard 20, Coot 310, Moorhen 8, Lapwing 181, Oystercatcher 8, Black Headed Gull 22 adults + 22 juvs, Common Gull 1, LBB Gull 3, Kestrel 2, Kingfisher 3, Green Woodpecker 1 adult + 1 juv, Grey Wagtail 1, Swift 2, Sand Martin 2, Chiffchaff 4, Whitethroat 9, Reed Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 1.

Old Moor Nocturnal Report - Saturday 19th July

Mere/Wader Scrape - Oystercatcher 5, Black Tailed Godwit 1, Green Sandpiper 3, Common Sandpiper 3, Turnstone 2, Redshank 2, Common Tern 4 adults + 1 juv, Kingfisher 1.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 23 , Tufted Duck 6 broods of 1, 2, 6, 6, 4, 11, Wigeon 1, Barn Owl 3, Sparrowhawk 1.

Roost in willows on Willow Pool - Grey Heron 3, Cormorant 6, Little Egret 21 came into roost between 20.39 and 21.45 as follows 2 already in, 1 at 20.39, 2 at 20.54, 1 at 20.57, 1 at 21.02, 1 at 21.11, 1 at 21.17, 2 at 21.19, 2 at 21.21, 1 at 21.23, 2 at 21.24, 2 at 21.29, 2 at 21.33 and finally 1 at 21.45. Following the huge storm at teatime 6 Egrets were already in early but 4 soon left to Wombwell Ings, thereafter a great total of birds came in rather late probably due to rain. As mentioned about a week ago last years record of 22 is looking very vulnerable. Tonight 12 birds came in from up the valley and 7 birds from down the valley. A great evening and long may it continue.

Wintersett update 19.07.14

Anglers CP:  A Whimbrel flew south at 13.20hrs.  2 Green Sandpipers went south at 14.00hrs. Kingfisher 1 .   3 Black-tailed Godwits were on the shallows early evening.

Adwick (Sat evening)

Black t Godwit 3, Redstart 3 (M. Thompson)

Wintersett 19.07.14

18°C,  8/8 cloud,  rain on and off  all morning.  Very warm and humid.
Anglers CP: Common Scoter 14 drakes. (11 left south in rain but only flew as far Wintersett Res.)
Oystercatcher 2,  Common Tern 4 adults + 2 juvs, Cormorant 5, Grey Wagtail 2.

Old Moor Nocturnal Report - Friday 18th July

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 25, Wigeon 1, Tufted Duck 5 broods of 9, 1, 10, 2 & 4, Oystercatcher 12, Greenshank 1, Green Sandpiper 3, Common Sandpiper 1, Snipe 4, Common Tern 6, Sparrowhawk 1, Barn Owl 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Kingfisher 1.

Roost in willows on Willow Pool - Grey Heron 2, Cormorant 4, Little Egret 15 came into roost between 20.22 and 21.45 as follows 2 already in, 1 at 20.22, 1 at 20.38, 2 at 21.08, 3 at 21.14, 2 at 21.15, 1 at 21.19, 1 at 21.33, 1 at 21.36 and finally 1 at 21.45. Tonight nearly all the Egrets dropped in from high and were a great sight as they fell out of the sky with legs dangling. 6 came in from up the valley and 7 from down the valley.

On the move

A juvenile Willow Warbler in my Stocksbridge garden this morning indicates that things are moving today.