Friday 31 January 2014

Wombwell Ings

A cold wind making it very uncomfortable on the ings this morning. These are the result of a short visit at about 10:30.

Kingfisher flushed from one of its usual fishing spots near the kissing gate
Canada Geese c150 
Wigeon 78
Teal 35
Goosander 2 m & 1 fm 
Shelduck 2
Pied Wagtail 1
Grey Partridge 5 flushed from Broomhill side of the dike as I left the Ings 

Steve

Worsbro' Res

John Clarkson was fishing (n birding) here this morning and reported the following;- no fish caught.
Great Crested grebe 14, Little Grebe 2, Wigeon 1, Goosander 2, Buzzard 5 together, Ringed Plover 1, Magpie 42 left roost at first light, Carrion Crow 34 together on mud at top end. Sounds like a decent morning here.

We've been De-Seeved again!

Mr. Seeviour couldn't make it onto Bolton Ings today with his chocolate lab being i'll yesterday so another trip to the vets for him and his dog, which left it up to myself and Alan "The Edge" Whitehead to do Bolton Ings. No change on Bolton Ings really apart from Little Grebe which is a year tick. Anyway here are today's sightings for Broomhill Flash and Bolton Ings.

Broomhill Flash.

Grey Heron 1,
Dunlin 1,
Golden Plover c15.

Mute Swan 4,
Gadwall 51,
Tufted Duck 12,
Teal 4,
Wigeon 3,
Pochard 2,
Goldeneye 2♀,
Cormorant 1,
Mallard 3,
Common Gull 2.

Brown Hare 1.

Kestrel 2.


Bolton Ings.

Grey Heron 1,
Lapwing 81.

Goldeneye 3♂ & 2♀,
Shoveler 5,
Tufted Duck 21,
Pochard 10,
Great crested Grebe 1.
Common Gull 12,
Wigeon 3,
Gadwall 7,
Teal 6,
Little Grebe 1,
Mute Swan 4 (3 adult & 1 Juvenile),
Greylag Goose 1.

Common Buzzard 1.

TPT

Green Woodpecker 1.

'tails' from Friday morning

Pintail's on the move this morning with two pair at Edderthorpe (Steve Abbot) and another at Elsecar Res where the species almost warrants a mega alert! Buzzard still on Bolton Ings and a Bittern was 'virtually booming' at the Old Moor Reedbeds at dusk yesterday. Four Goosander and a Grey Wag at Netherwood CP this morning.

Thursday 30 January 2014

Rabbit Ings

Record shots of Stonechats at Ings today. ( Ray Dye)




Broomhill Flash

Not as cold as I expected it to be today and sign at Broomhill planted for now! Todays sightings consisted of:-

Gadwall 64,
Shoveler 3 (2♂ & 1♀),
Wigeon c20,
Teal 9,
Tufted Duck 9,
Pochard 2,
Goldeneye 2♀,
Mute Swan 8 ( 4 adult & 4 juvenile),
Mallard 6,
Common Gull 2,
Black-headed Gull c50.

Red-legged Partridge 3.

Kestrel 2.

Wintersett 30.01.14 Part 2

Only the adult Yellow-legged gull was notable in Top Res Roost.  Who got the Med Gull then?

Nun left

No sign of the drake Smew at Old Moor today.

Wintersett 30.01.14

1°C, cool,  damp with cold north easterly.
Anglers CP:  Golden Plover 1 E,  Cormorant 30,  Little Grebe 4,  Pochard 98 + 6 WRes. + 2 CHRes.  A male Siskin visted the feeding station in the car park.
Wintersett Res: An adult Mediterranean Gull, moulting into breeding plumage, was present from 11.30 hrs until it flew south at 12.00hrs.    The Cetti's Warbler called in the west bank marsh.  Shoveler 11.  Yellow Bunting 10.

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 1 Canada Goose, 94 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Moorhens, 14 Coots and 150+ Black-headed Gulls.
Stairfoot Retail Park, Barnsley - 30+ Redwings.

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Gold.............................. :-)



My pic of the Snipe at Wintersett yesterday and c40 Goldfinch in my garden this morning......... :-)

Roost boost

The Smew remained on the Willow Pool until dusk. Also roosting were 55 Goosanders and five Goldeneye. Additionally, 140 Pink-feet flew west at 09.35.

Interesting counts from Adwick today: Grey Partridge 28, Yellohammer 35, Reed Bunting 25.

A couple of great shots of the Smew below from Keith Pickering. 

Although the species is now occurring almost annually in the Old Moor area it still causes excitement, particularly a stonking drake like this. Wintersett birders (where Smews are frequent) may wonder what all the fuss is about - try to think of it as like seeing five waders (there) on one island!



The Edge 29th Jan

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Present were 2 Cormorant, 3a+4j Mute Swan, 14 Canada Geese, 80 Gadwall, 9 Teal,  7 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 2f Goldeneye, 145 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull.

Bolton Ings late AM/ early PM- Present were 5 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4a+4j Mute Swan, 36 Canada Geese(escorted by a Muscovy Duck), 13 Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 6m+3f Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 8 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 38 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull and 36 Lapwing.

Along the TPT were  50-60 Redpoll, 1 Siskin and 1 Gt Spotted Woodpecker.

The lure of a Smew matinee performance on Wath Ings proved stronger than a trip to Wombwell Ings. A swooping Peregrine in front of the hide provided a marvelous curtain-raiser to the main attraction.

Nun News

I was going to headline it 'Smews News' to rhyme with yesterdays but there's only one! Drake Smew at Old Moor this morning on Wath Ings/Willow Pool and still present 13.25 loafing under trees.

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Wintersett 28.01.14

4°C,  Rain until 09.45hrs.  Dry but cold easterly until 12.30, then more rain.
The adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only notable again at Anglers Gull Roost.
Thanks to Gerry McShane for this great picture of 5 Snipe in front of the hide at midday.


chews news

At least three Two-barred Crossbills showing at Broomhead today. Below are a couple of recent photos taken by Rich Willison.



Had no news from Old Moor today and the only additional to The Edge I can offer is a 'charm' of about 30 Goldfinches at Bolton (Lacewood) as well as a couple of Redwing.

The Edge 28th Jan

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Present were 3 Cormorant, 6a+5j Mute Swan, c150 Canada Geese, 73 Gadwall, 13 Tufted Duck, 10+ Mallard, 6 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 1m Pochard, 1f Goldeneye, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 142 BH Gull, 6 Lapwing and 2 Hare.


Bolton Ings lateAM/early PM- Present were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Cormorant, 2a+1j Mute Swan, 34 Canada Geese, 97 Greylag, 21 Pochard, 20+ Mallard, 9 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 3m+2f  Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2f+1m Goldeneye, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 114 BH Gull, 7 Common Gull, c100 Lapwing and 1 Green Woodpecker.


  Along the TPT were c20 Redpoll, 4 Bullfinch, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Jay.

Monday 27 January 2014

Sundays Kumliens Gull at Wintersett.


The Kumliens Gull on Anglers CP Sunday evening. 

Scam?

Just found a email from Pete Middleton suggesting he is in some difficulty abroad. Has anyone else had this message and if so he is alright?

Carlton Marsh

A Peregrine flew low over the scrape before heading north this morning. (Rod Heeley)

I called in for the last hour of daylight just as most of the wildfowl were returning from flood flashes lower down the valley. Water Rail and Tawny Owl were calling and at least 12 Snipe left at dusk.

Wintersett Gulls 27.01,14

Just 2 adult Yellow- legged Gulls in Anglers roost tonight.

OMB

A few bits from Old Moor: Bittern, Pintail female, Peregrine.

Wombwell Ings

On the Ings 11am
Wigeon 200
Canada Geese circ 250
Mallard 8
Teal 26
Goosander 3m & 1 fm
Fieldfare 6
Grey Heron 2

Treecreeper on Bulling Dike alongside the football pitch
 
Steve


Broomhill Flash/TPT/Bolton Ings

A nice change to be out today with suffering a tore muscle in my left shoulder, with a few year ticks to boot!

Anyway here's todays sightings.

Broomhill Flash.

Snipe 2,
Grey Heron 1.

Gadwall 72,
Wigeon 2,
Mallard 2,
Teal 10,
Cormorant 2,
Tufted Duck 5,
Canada Goose c25,
Mute Swan 9 including 4 juvenile,
Common Gull 3,
Kingfisher 1.

Red-legged Partridge 6.

Kestrel 2,
Sparrowhawk 1.

Trans Pennine Trail.

Redpoll c20,
Redwing c20.

Bolton Ings.

Oystercatcher 1,
Grey Heron 1,
Lapwing 60+.
Mute Swan 4 (including 2 juvenile),
Pochard 4♂ & 2♀,
Goldeneye 2♂ & 2♀,
Mallard 11,
Teal 7,
Wigeon 2,
Tufted Duck 7,
Great-crested Grebe 2 (including 1 juvenile),
Common Gull 2,
Canada Goose 19,
Greylag Goose 2,
Cormorant 1.

Jay 2.

Peregrine Falcon 1♀,
Common Buzzard 1,
Kestrel 1.

Upland & Moorland Roundup

Winscar Reservoir - 4 Canada Geese, 80+ Mallards and 1 redhead Goldeneye.
Victoria - 200+ Black-headed Gulls, c60 Rooks and 1 Raven.
Broadstone Reservoir - 2 Mallards, c100 Black-headed Gulls, 20+ Common Gulls, 10 Herring Gulls and 1 Peregrine.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 60+ Canada Geese, 4 Wigeon, 34 Mallards, 16 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 5 Moorhens, 6 Coots, 250+ Black-headed Gulls and 11 Common Gulls.
Whitley Edge - 38 Golden Plover, c350 Lapwings, 50+ Carrion Crows, 3500+ Starlings and c350 Fieldfares.
Broomhead Reservoir - 22 Mallards, 11 Tufted Ducks, 16 Goosanders and 5+ (3+ males & 2 females) Two-barred Crossbills.
More Hall Reservoir - 1 female Teal, 103 Mallards, 2 Cormorants, 7 Moorhens, c40 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls.

Wintersett 27.01.14

2°C, dry with a cold southerly.  Very wet underfoot, west bank track flooded.
Anglers CP:  Pintail 6,  3 male and 3 female.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1.   Willow Tit 1 on clump.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Broomhead

Broomhead Reservoir - gull roost - c3000 Black-headed Gulls, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, c80 Common Gulls, 4 Lesser Black-backed gulls, 288 Herring Gulls, and 32 Great Black-backed Gulls.
per SBSG website.

Wintersett 26.01.14

Rain lashed by a strong, gusty south easterly from 09.00 - 13.00hrs.  Thereafter dry, still windy and felt very cold.
Wintersett Res:  A drake Smew was off  the west bank.  Shoveler 21
Anglers CP:  Cormorant 22,  Canada Goose 338,  Goosander 45 and Dunlin 2.
Anglers Gull Roost:  The gulls were slow coming in today.  An adult Kumlien's Gull was in from 16.40hrs.  The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was present.  Great Black-backed Gull  168  and Herring Gull 670.

Broomhill Flash

Nice weather for ducks !

Todays sightings included:-

Snipe 1.

Mute Swan 11,
Tufted Duck 9,
Goldeneye 1♀,
Teal 2,
Gadwall 68,
Mallard 3,
Canada Goose c260,
Pochard 1♂,
Wigeon 65.

Stock Dove 8.

Red-legged Partridge 15.

Kestrel 1.

Sunday morning best!

Lovely morning and great to be back! 

Grey Plover on the Mere at Old Moor this morning (Jeff Wragg).

Edderthorpe, Sunday morning

Managed a hour between dawn and the predicted rain starting. Nothing new still but the following counts;- Shelduck 8, Shoveler 15, Gadwall 96, Wigeon 98, Pochard 18, Coot 16 and Golden Plover 1.

Saturday 25 January 2014

Bolton Ings - Saturday 25th January

A Saturday visit this weekend due to cup action tomorrow, very mild at 8c with clear blue skies, left before the monsoon this afternoon thank goodness. Highlight today being the first Oystercatcher of the year, also the Buzzard still favouring the fence posts between the main pools and 5 Goldeneye including 2 fine drakes. Full list :- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 10, Canada Goose 22, Grey Lag Goose 54, Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 1, Mallard 14, Teal 22, Gadwall 32, Wigeon 13, Shoveler 3, Tufted Duck 26, Pochard 16, Goldeneye 5, Coot 224, Moorhen 8, Lapwing 71, Oystercatcher 1, Black Headed Gull 171, Common Gull 14, LBB Gull 1, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Green Woodpecker 1.

Report from Dave Waddington from Old Moor - Bittern, Marsh Harrier and Peregrine seen on the Reedbeds, also Goldeneye 4, Tree Sparrow 29 and Brambling.

Upland & Moorland Bits

Broadstone Reservoir - 1 Willow Tit
per Nick Mallinson.
Broomhead Reservoir - 7 (male & 2 female) Two-barred Crossbills. Gulls roosting tonight included 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and 1 adult Kumlein's Gull
Gull sightings per Andy Deighton.

Broomhill Flash

Hi,
On Friday night early Saturday morning Broomhill Flash had signs and posts as well as a bird box pulled out and thrown into the access to the car park.  If anyone see's any kind of vandalism can they contact me on 07814753013 (Mick Rushton) THANKYOU!

These are the sightings for the 24th & 25th January for Broomhill Flash.

24th January.

Grey Heron 1.

Mute Swan 7,
Mallard 2,
Gadwall 94,
Shoveler 2,
Tufted Duck 14,
Wigeon 54,
Cormorant 1,
Teal 22,
Pochard 2.

25th January.


Mute Swan 7,
Mallard 2,
Gadwall 94,
Shoveler 2,
Tufted Duck 14,
Wigeon 54,
Cormorant 1,
Teal 22,
Pochard 2.

Only change 1 Goldeneye for Saturday.

Wintersett 25.01.14

5°C, cool with sunny spells this morning.  Howling westerly wind and two heavy rain showers this afternoon.
Anglers CP:  A Dunlin flew east at 09.40hrs.  Grey Partridge 12,  Greylag Geese 109.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 1
Wintersett Res:  Gadwall 8.
Anglers Gull Roost: A 1st W Caspian Gull flew west over ACP at 15.15hrs and then was in roost from 16.00hrs.  The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was in fron 17.05hrs.  It, or another, was on WRes earlier.
Wintersett Res Roost: Great Black-backed Gull 40  + 130  ACP.   Herring Gull 150 + 950 ACP.  Lesser Black-backed Gull  5  + 2  ACP.   Common Gull  2120.  Black-headed Gull  8,000.           

Friday 24 January 2014

Old Moor - Friday 24th January

First sign of spring today, despite the weather. 2 Bitterns seen on the Reedbeds with the male grunting. First Oystercatcher of the year seen, also Peregrine 1, Buzzard 2, Goosander 38, Goldeneye 5, Brambling 1, Yellowhammer 6 & Tree Sparrow 20.

Wintersett 24.01.14

1°C,  damp and overcast start, brighter mid morning,  with a cold southerly breeze.
Haw Park Wood:  5 Crossbills flew over from plantation towards woodyard.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1.   A Barn Owl was seen at 17.03hrs.
Disposal Point: Little Owl 1,  Willow Tit 1 and  Siskin 2.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  2 Yellow-legged Gulls were the only notables - the usual adult and a 1st W. Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 + 3 WResRoost.

Thursday 23 January 2014

Wintersett 23.01.14

Just a very brief report from Anglers CP Gull Roost which was interrupted by a  short, westerly, sleet shower.  The regular adult Yellow-legged was the only notable bird.
Also present 4 Little Grebe.   A Willow Tit was at the SE of WRes..

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Old Moor - 22nd January

The only news I have today is Marsh Harrier at Old Moor and a pair of Tawny Owls in Broomhill Park. (from Dave Waddington)

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were: Kingfisher, Little Owl, Water Rail, Jay, 19 Redwing, 2 Willow Tits and Dave Smith covered in mud after falling down.

Wintersett YL's 22.01.14

5°C,  mild but damp with low cloud all day.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  The notables tonight were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls - a 1st W,  a 2nd W and the usual adult.
Around the area were:  2  singing Willow Tits (Botany and WRes),  1 Teal (WRes),  1Nuthatch (Haw Park Wood),  13 Grey Partridge (north field of Walton path), 5 Meadow Pipit and 2 Skylark (ACP field).

The very smart looking, adult YL Gull                   ASmith

Two-bars

Arrived 5 minutes too late this morning and missed what had apparently been a good showing of about half a dozen 2 bars in the roadside larches at Broomhead.  It took 2 hours for them to reappear at about 1.15 when about half a dozen were milling around and the two I got to grips with in the scope were both splendid females. 

The Edge 22nd Jan

Broomhill Flash mid/late AM- Present were 1 Grey Heron, 4a+2j Mute Swan, 26 Canada Geese, 78 Gadwall, 14 Tufted, 11 Teal, 6 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 1f Goldeneye, 1 Pochard, 104 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 8 Red Legged Partridge, 2  Kestrel and 1 Kingfisher.

Bolton Ings  early PM- Felt more like March than January. On the open water were 1 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4a+5j Mute Swan, 72 Greylag, 17 Tufted Duck,15 Pochard, 10 Teal, 8 Mallard, 7 Shoveler, 2f+1m Goldeneye, 2 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 51 BH Gull, 10 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also noted were 2 Grey Heron, 35 Canada Geese, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 46 Lapwing, 1 Jay and 4 Bullfinch.

Wombwell Ings mid PM- A quiet and so a short visit. Noted were 3 Grey Heron, 4a Mute Swan, c250 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 1m Shelduck, c150 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 12 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 48 BH Gull and 13 Lapwing.

Castle Dam

Castle Dam - 17 Wigeon, 12 Mallards, 2 Moorhens, 12 Coots, 150+ Black-headed Gulls and 3 Yellowhammers.
Stocksbridge - 6 Siskins at garden feeders.

Tuesday 21 January 2014

Carlton Marsh

The scrape was mainly iced over today, but the usual ducks were all present. in addition were 4 Siskin, 6 Bullfinch. 20 Yellowhammer and 4 Skylark were in stubble. (Rod Heeley)

Old Moor - Tuesday 21st January

Todays news from Old Moor - the Marsh Harrier back on Wath Ings, also Buzzard, Barn Owl and Brambling. Both male and female Tawny Owls have been seen/heard over the last few nights in Broomhill Park/Village. Sightings from Dave Waddington.

Wintersett Iceland Runaround 21.01.14

Frosty and bright start,  clouded over by mid morning, light south easterly.
Highlight today was a 1st W Iceland Gull  in WRes roost at 15.10 - 15.20hrs (PS).  By the time I arrived it had left.   Jonathan picked it up at Pugneys around 15.40 (see picture on @jonnybirder on Twitter).  He phoned shortly after to say it was on it's way back towards Anglers but a quick dash round proved fruitless.  Then a quick return to check WRes again also drew a blank. 
Bamf them rang from Anglers to say an adult Iceland/Kumlien's had dropped in at 16.50 hrs.  Back again to Anglers, but by then was too dark to pick it up.     Ah well - always tomorrow.
Wintersett Res:  The 2nd W Caspian Gull was on buoy number 3 on WRes at 15.12hrs.  The Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail were heard on west bank marsh.
Anglers CP:  Teal 35.   The adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost.  

Redpoll...........................??

Is this a Redpoll....................... ? I know the red ones are but not sure about the plain coloured one in the bottom picture :-)


TPT Redpoll

Redpoll on the Trans Pennine Trail

The Edge 21st Jan

Broomhill Flash mid AM- 40% ice free. Present were 1 Grey Heron, 7a+4j Mute Swan, 150+ Canada Geese, 91 Gadwall, 66 Wigeon, 15 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 3m+2f Shoveler, 187 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kestrel and 2 Hare.


Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Ice free by early PM. Present were 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2a+1j Mute Swan, 72 Greylag, 23 Shoveler, 12 Mallard, 12 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 4 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 2m+1f Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 1f Goldeneye, 30 Common Gull, 42 BH Gull, 1 Kestrel and 1 Buzzard.


Along the Trans Pennine Trail were 6 Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Kingfisher.

Ingbirchworth reservoirs

Whitley Edge - 300+ Lapwings and 50+ Carrion Crows.
Broadstone Reservoir - 400+ Black-headed Gulls and 23 Common Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 112 Greylag Geese, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 106 Canada Geese, 53 Mallards, 10 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Moorhens, 4 Coots, c250 Black-headed Gulls and 28 Common Gulls.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 3 Teal, 6 Mallards, 1 drake Pintail, 2 Tufted Ducks, 4 Cormorants, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Gulls and 1 Willow Tit..
Scout Dike Reservoir - 11 Canada Geese, 16 Mallards, 1 Cormorant and 2 Coots.
Midhope Reservoir - 6 Mallards.
Stocksbridge - 100+ Starlings at Whitwell.

Monday 20 January 2014

Old Moor - Monday 20th January

Todays sightings - Goosander 27 @ 3 pm, Goldeneye 3, Snipe 23 (20 on Reedbeds), Brambling and Green Sandpiper - per Jeff Wragg.

Wintersett 20.01.14

Cold, frosty start but bright, sunny and calm.
Haw Park Wood: The Carlton Dream Team saw a pair of Crossbill,  3 Siskin and a Nuthatch.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1,  Willow Tit 1,  Nuthatch 1 (Pits Wood) and Kingfisher 1.
The 2nd W Caspian Gull was on number 3 buoy, (viewable from the spillway bridge) at 10.30hours and then turned up in Anglers Gull Roost from 15.40hrs,  along with 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, an adult and a 3rd W.

2nd W Caspian Gull                                    ASmith


Local Rarity

Midhope Reservoir - 1 Mute Swan today was only the second ever record for this water - the other was of 2 on 27th March 1984.
The Mute Swan is a very scarce bird on the moorland reservoirs and there have only been nine records since 1965 (the above being the tenth).

Sunday 19 January 2014

Bolton Ings et al - Sunday 19th January

A grey start this morning, 4c and no wind, sun came out at midday with temperature rising to 8c. WeBS count day today so as usual very quiet, highlights being a Buzzard present all morning on fence posts and telegraph poles and a covey of 13 Grey Partridge. The drake Goldeneye was displaying to the 2 females and Common Gulls a healthy 63. Full list :- Grey Heron 3, Mute Swan 10, Canada Goose 24, Grey Lag Goose 36, Cormorant 3, Great Crested Grebe 2, Mallard 31, Teal 17, Gadwall 43, Shoveler 7, Wigeon 8, Tufted Duck 27, Pochard 27, Goldeneye 3, Goosander 5, Coot 196, Moorhen 8, Lapwing c200, Golden Plover 1, Black Headed Gull 22, Common Gull 63, LBB Gull 1, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Grey Partridge 13, Green Woodpecker 1, Jay 2.

As mentioned above WeBS count day today and the following counts are from Dave Waddington and Jeff Wragg.

Broomhill Flash - Goldeneye 1, Gadwall 82, Shoveler 6, Teal 20.

Wombwell Ings - Grey Heron 6, Wigeon 255, Teal 125, Shelduck 1.

Old Moor - Grey Heron 5, Mute Swan 7, Cormorant 13, Great Crested Grebe 3, Little Grebe 5, Mallard 154, Teal 141, Gadwall 89, Shoveler 48, Wigeon 458, Shelduck 2, Tufted Duck 31, Pochard 9, Goldeneye 8, Goosander 49, Coot 320, Moorhen 42, Lapwing 384, Snipe 3, Black Headed Gull 54, Common Gull 19, Water Rail 2, Brambling 1.

I visited the Reedbeds at Old Moor late afternoon, 2 Barn Owls put on a fine display 1 of which tried coming in the hide. A Bittern dropped in at 5.10 and a Green Sandpiper was calling

Wintersett 2nd W Caspian Gull Wing shot 19.01.14



Kev Denny

Return of a Young Friend??

Heres a comparison between todays Wintersett Caspian Gull (bottom) and the Polish ringed bird from January 2013 Top). Be nice to prove it is the same bird. Partial ring code was DN28… last year


Wintersett, Sunday

Not the start promised by the weathermen, but the cloud had lifted by mid day and we finally got to see the sun for a few hours.
Waterfowl counts include;- Great Crested Grebe 61, Goosander 61, Goldeneye 60, Shoveler 19, Wigeon 198, Tufted 177, Pochard 104 and a couple of Water Rails on the Top Res.
The gull roost split between the two lakes again so we covered both to get a combined count;- the second-winter Caspian Gull was on the CP by 14.30 hours and eventually it came close to the hide where it could be seen to be ringed. Maybe it's last years ringed bird returning now a year older? Hopefully it will hang around long enough to read the ring number again. Two adult Yellow-legged Gulls were also on the CP and the combined counts for the commoner gulls are - GBBGull 403, LBBGull 6, Herring Gull 1650, Common Gull 1350, Black-headed Gull 8700. A pleasant surprise at dusk was a Bittern which was found in the Top Res reedbeds, the first record this winter.

Broomhill Flash

Todays count for 19th January Broomhill Flash included:-

Mallard 26,
Goldeneye 1♀,
Pochard 1,
Tufted Duck 12,
Gadwall 73,
Teal 6,
Cormorant 2,
Mute Swan 4.

Red-legged Partridge 2,
Grey Partridge 10.

Kestrel 1.

Carlton Marsh

Wildfowl counts
Mute Swan 2, Goosander 2, Mallard 22, Gadwall 4, Teal 4, Wigeon 1, Coot 2, Moorhen 2, Cormorant 2 south.
This afternoon Buzzard, Little Owl 2, Lesser Redpoll 2, Willow Tit 2, Reed Bunting 2.

Langsett & Ewden

Langsett Reservoir - 4 Shelducks, 58 Mallards, 6 Teal, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Mistle Thrushes
Ewden Height - c400 Fieldfare and c50 Redwings - per Dave Woodriff.

Edderthorpe WeBS counts, Sunday

National waterfowl counting day again and the highlights from Edderthorpe which is holding a lot of water at present are;-
Mute Swan 11, Greylag Goose 102, Shelduck 8, Gadwall 89, Wigeon 81, Teal 280+, Shoveler 26, Mallard 190, Goosander 9, Pochard 12, Lapwing 400, Golden Plover 17, Coot 14, Grey Heron 8, Kingfisher 1. A Barn Owl is roosting in a tree close by the Flash.
Ferrymoor;- Mallard 81, Teal 14, Greylag Goose 34,

Old Moor - Saturday 18th January

A Little Egret flew over Old Moor towards Bolton at 12 o'clock. Marsh Harrier seen today on Bolton, Goldeneye 7, Goosander 45 and Brambling on Old Moor. Willow Tit 2 and Treecreeper on Warbler Way. Sightings from Dave Waddington.

Saturday 18 January 2014

A couple of more bits

Broomhead Reservoir - 1 adult Kumlien's Gull in the roost again tonight (per SBSG website) and 7 (5 males & 2 females) Two-barred Crossbills.

Broomhill Flash Final Score

Todays sightings for Broomhill Flash included.

Snipe 2.

Whooper Swan 1,
Mute Swan 7,
Gadwall 82,
Goldeneye 3♀,
Cormorant 3,
Tufted Duck 15,
Teal 6.

Magpie 14.

Sparrowhawk 1,
Kestrel 1.

Wintersett - not just gulls but mostly

A Whooper Swan was on the CP in the afternoon before heading off north, Greylag 105 and Canada Goose 213, Shoveler 24, Goldeneye 68, Goosander 40 on CP in evening, Cormorant 20, Woodcock 2 at dusk, the Cettis Warbler is still on the Top Res and 2 Willow Tits in the clump.
The gull roost was again split between the lakes with the large gulls on the CP and the smaller gulls on the Top Res; we watched the CP which was slow to begin with but good numbers came in fairly late presumably as Pugneys had been flushed and contained all the best birds (tough luck Pugneys and the birders who left early). Caspian Gull 1 second-winter from 16.25 to dark, Yellow-legged Gull 1 usual adult and 1 first-winter bird, GBBGull 300, LBBGull 5, Herring Gull 1350.

Upland & Moorland Roundup

Cannon Hall CP - 34 Teal, 1 Willow Tit and 2 Lesser Redpolls.
Harden Reservoir - 1 immature male Goldeneye.
Langsett Reservoir - a very disappointing gull roost but a female type Pintail arrived from the NW, circled three times and left SE..
per Mick Cunningham and Nick Mallinson.

Broomhill Flash - Saturday 18th January

Received a text from Dave Waddington this morning informing me of a Whooper Swan on Broomhill. Called in for a very enjoyable hour, plenty of birds including the Whooper, counted 82 Gadwall and 3 female Goldeneye. Thanks for text Dave.

Friday 17 January 2014

Old Moor - Friday 17th January

A good day for raptors today with 2 Buzzards, Peregrine and Marsh Harrier all recorded. Also Water Rail seen on the Reedbeds, 4 Goldeneye and a Brambling. Sightings from Dave Waddington.

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon there was a notable southerly movement of large gulls that included 84 Herring Gulls, 3 GBB Gulls and 10 Common Gulls. Were they heading for Broomhead Res? In the adjacent fields were coveys of 9 and 4 Red legged Partridge. On the marsh were 2 Willow Tits a Water Rail and a Kingfisher. The Little Owls below were sat at opposite ends of the old lorry chassis in Lidster's stone reclamation site near Bleachcroft Farm. 



Bretton Lakes

1 ad Whooper Swan on the lower lake, 2 males and 1 female Mandarin Duck on upper lake, 32 Heron on the islands (thinking about it!), 10+ Little Grebe, 41 Tufted Duck, 19 Teal, 14 Gadwall, c30 Siskin and a Brambling as the Highlights. Only a couple of G.S. woodpecker.

Wintersett 17.01.13

Anglers CP: A Shelduck left south at 09.12 hrs.  Teal 22,  Shoveler 26,  Gadwall 10,  Pochard 107,  Little Grebe 3,  Lapwing 200.
Wintersett Res: The drake SMEW is still present.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 2,   Cormorants 7.  A Willow Tit was on the west bank clump.  A Nuthatch was in Pits Wood.
Haw Park Wood: Buzzard 2.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  The only notable was the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Broomhill Flash

Here are todays sighting for Broomhill Flash :-

Gadwall 78,
Wigeon 3,
Mute Swan 8 (inc 4 juvenile),
Tufted Duck 14,
Pochard 1♀,
Goldeneye 1♀,
Cormorant 1,
Common Gull 1,
Shoveler 2,
Shelduck 1,
Teal 12.

Hoping you all have a good weekend!

Langsett & Midhope

Langsett Banks - 1 Kestrel, 8 Mistle Thrushes and 20+ Common Crossbills.
Langsett Reservoir - 4 Teal, 62 Mallards and 1 Treecreeper.
Midhope Reservoir - 7 Mallards and 1 Kestrel.

Adwick/Adwick tip (am)

Little Egret 1, Mallard 120, Wigeon 24, Teal 36, Gadwall 10, Lapwing 75, Redwing c30, Fieldfare c60, Mistle  Thrush 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Yellowhammer 26, Bullfinch 10, Willow Tit 1.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Goodbye Katie.


I couldn’t leave without sending you all a goodbye message!

To be honest, I am not very good at goodbyes – here goes.....

As you may or may not know, I have decided to leave Old Moor to take up a new job, with the RSPB at Middleton Lakes (the old Drayton Bassett Pits for those who cling to the old names J). It was a difficult decision to make, as I love the Dearne Valley and the team I work with but this new job is a step up and it felt like the right move to the right place. I hope Middleton Lakes can become the Old Moor of the Midlands! Breeding bitterns are on my list of aspirations!

I want to say a thank you to all the birders who have been nothing but kind, helpful and accepting over the past 4 years and at times rather entertaining! It’s been a pleasure to work at a reserve with such a passionate, knowledgeable bunch of like-minded individuals. More nature reserves should have a birding network like the Barnsley area does.

No doubt our paths will cross again in the future. If you are ever at Middleton, you are more than welcome to pop in for a cuppa! And when more rarities turn up on Wath, I’ll be straight back J

All the best!


-Katie Thorpe 
Dearne Valley Assistant Warden 

Wintersett - Another Gull 16.01.14

Mostly sunny with a couple of showers.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: No sign of last nights 1st W Iceland Gull, but an even better bird in the form of a 1st W KUMLIEN'S GULL came in.   It was present from 15.25 - 16.35hrs when it it was too dark to  see.
Wintersett Res: The drake Smew is still present as is the Cetti's Warbler.
Haw Park Wood:  Crossbill  2 pairs!   A Tawny Owl was heard and 60 Pink-footed Geese flew over west at 11.10hrs.
Many thanks to Ron Marshall who took these great photos today.

Drake Smew

Goldeneye

Delmont Grange to Upper Hordron and back.

Spent about 80 minutes at upper hordron. Common Buzzard 2, 1 very pale, Kestrel 3, Raven 1, and a distant flock of Pink Footed Geese going w about 1-15pm. Thought to have been 200+.

Little Bits

Elsecar Reservoir - 83 Mallards, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Moorhen, 22 Coots and c150 Black-headed Gulls.
Broomhill Flash - 6 Mute Swans, 146 Canada Geese, 83 Gadwall, 10 Mallards, 1 female Shoveler, 13 Tufted Ducks, 1 female Goldeneye and 5 Red-legged Partridge.
Thurgoland Bank - c100 Rooks.
Castle Dam - 14 Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 2 Moorhens, 10 Coots and 600+ Black-headed Gulls.

Wintersett Wednesday 15th

First winter Iceland Gull in the roost on ACP from 4pm onwards.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Broomhead and Broomhill Flash

Today at Broomhead 7 2 barred were showing well this afternoon with a flock of around 20 Crossbills also in the area.

Broomhill Flash.

Gadwall 77,
Mute Swan 10,
Shoveler 4,
Teal 2,
Tufted Duck 13,
Mallard 5,
Goldeneye 3♀.

Wintersett + update 15.01.14

8°C,  mild and sunny with a light southerly.
Wintersett Res:  The drake SMEW was off the west bank.  Shoveler 25 + 6 CHRes.,  Goosander 17 + 5 CHRes..
Anglers CP:  Jack Snipe 1,  Common Snipe 1  and Water Rail 1. A 1st W ICELAND GULL was in the roost from 16.03hrs.

Tuesday 14 January 2014

Old Moor - Tuesday 14th January

Todays sightings from Dave Waddington - Marsh Harrier, Goldeneye 5, Goosander 37, Brambling, Yellowhammer 5, Reed Bunting 35, Tree Sparrow 20. Also 2 Willow Tits at Broomhill and a Treecreeper in Broomhill Park.

Wintersett 14.01.14

4°C  cool and bright with a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res: A drake SMEW was off the west bank early this morning.  By 10.15 it had relocated to the south west corner.  Jonathan at Pugneys confirmed their Smew was still present, so this is a new bird for the area.   A single Crossbill flew west at 09.12hrs.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls - and adult and a 2nd winter were the only notables this afternoon.
Phenology: A dandelion was flowering on the north bank WRes.


Upland & Moorland Round Up

Townhead - 1 Raven.
Winscar Reservoir - 2 Canada Geese and 90+ Mallards.
Victoria - c20 Common Gulls, 1 Little Owl and 200+ Fieldfares.
Broadstone Reservoir - c600 Starlings.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 112 Greylag Geese, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 105 Canada Geese, 2 Wigeon, 36 Mallards, 9 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Moorhens, 2 Coots, c50 Black-headed Gulls and 43 Common Gulls.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 6 Mallards and 2 Cormorants.
Scout Dike Reservoir - 23 Mallards and 1 Cormorant.
Midhope Reservoir- 4 Teal and 16 Mallards.
Wind Hill Wood - 1 Common Buzzard,
Stocksbridge - c200 Rooks at Whitwell.
Broomhead Reservoir - 7 (5 males & 2 females) Two-barred Crossbills.

Monday 13 January 2014

Request for info

Updating my records I came across a Bewick Swan with a purple neck collar that the late Rob Laverack saw flying north on 1/1/1997 over Carlton Marsh. 
In our 1997 Annual Report I wrote that it was seen previously at Lound in Derbyshire and at Broomhill Flash and later the same day at Fairburn Ings. However, it would appear that I have no information on where it was actually ringed. Can anybody help please?

Old Moor - Monday 13th January

New in today, a 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier seen on Reedbeds, Wath Ings and Bolton Ings. Thought to be the same bird that was seen in December and the first ever January record. A male Bittern was seen on the tops of the reeds on the reedbeds 'showing off', looks like it won't be long before he's getting vocal. The Goosander roost wasn't covered but at least 20 birds seen from the reedbeds. Also seen today - Goldeneye 4, Green Sandpiper, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl and Brambling.

Wintersett 13.01.14

4°C, cool but sunny with a light southerly.
Jaunted off  for Crossbills today -  Broomhead 6 Two-barred, 4 m + 2 f and 2 Commons (Budby 14 Parrots)
Anglers CP Gull Roost was poor this afternoon, with much lower numbers than yesterday.  The only notable was the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Worsbrough Mill 12th & 13th Jan

12th - Willow Tit, there are usually at least three or four singing males around the country park in summer so I would assume some breeding pairs here, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, flock of around 30 Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Pochard, Kingfisher, approx 200 Black Headed Gulls, 6 Common Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls.


13th - Treecreeper, G.S Woodpecker, Redwing, Kestrel, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Goosander, Kingfishers were showing really well all around the reservoir with one on the stream and two between the bird hide and the overspill, 1 Green Sandpiper and 56 Lapwings were on the exposed mud. By four p.m the reservoir was completely devoid of gulls, but Black Headed and Common were present before then.

Carlton Marsh

Another lovely, mild, sunny day. This afternoon 2 Buzzards flew south and later 1 north. 2 Little Owls were showing well again and 2 Water Rails were calling to each other from the reedbeds. 5 Canada Geese came in to join our single Wigeon and 15 Teal. Also present Great Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit, and 40 Skylarks in the stubble field. (D.M. Smith & D. Standish)

Sunday 12 January 2014

Bolton Ings - Sunday 12th January

Another late start today with a heavy cold hampering me, very cold -2c at 10.00 am rising to +2c mid afternoon, clear blue skies early on but soon clouded over. The western pool had 50% ice but the eastern pool was ice free. Highlights today were c130 Pink Footed Geese West at 11.20, a Water Rail on the eastern pool and 9 Skylarks in a field near the river Dearne. On the down side no Little Grebes, Wigeon, Goldeneye or Canada Geese seen today. Full List:- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 10, Grey Lag Goose 8, Pink Footed Goose c130, Cormorant 3, Great Crested Grebe 1, Mallard 43, Teal 37, Gadwall 67, Shoveler 8, Tufted Duck 20, Pochard 48, Goosander 4, Coot 225, Moorhen 14, Water Rail 1, Lapwing 61, Black Headed Gull 86, Common Gull 13, LBB Gull 1, Herring Gull 1, Kestrel 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Jay 2, Skylark 9.

I have no news today from Old Moor but yesterday a Bittern roosted, also present Green Sandpiper, Peregrine and 5 Shelduck.

Carlton Marsh

Water areas mainly covered in ice. 2 Siskins & 168 Pink Feet N.West 09.30hrs. (Rod Heeley)


Kumlien's Gull Pics Anglers CP 12.01.14

Here are  couple of Kumlien's pics from the roost on Anglers CP this afternoon courtesy of Paul Meredith.


Broomhill Flash

Todays sightings for Broomhill Flash included:-

Grey Heron 4,
Snipe 2,
Mute Swan 7,
Tufted Duck 16,
Teal 24,
Gadwall 66,
Wigeon 68,
Shoveler 2,
Cormorant 1,
Black-headed Gull c150.

Wintersett update - gulls again!

The roost on the Country Park was excellent this evening;- highlight was this adult 'Kumliens Gull' (the lower bird in the photo with 2 Herring Gulls) which came in at 3.05pm and was present until dark. It's the same bird which was present a couple of days ago and looks very much like the Broomhead bird which was present to last Saturday. (hopefully better photos might appear soon). Also; Yellow-legged Gull 4 adults, GBBGull 577, LBBGull 1, Herring Gull 2214 (best count for many years), Goosander 52 and Teal 49.

Fieldfare at Hartcliff

Fairly good numbers of Fieldfare in fields near Cubley....... 250 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, 100 Starling.
Also 60 Fieldfare at Upper Midhope along with 10 Redwing

Wintersett Frost 12.01.14

The first below zero morning this winter.   -1°C,  cold and bright,  with a light south easterly. 6/8 wispy clouds.  Anglers lake and Wintersett Res were free of ice.
Wintersett Res: 80 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 09.50hrs.  The ususal adult Yellow-legged Gull was perched on a buoy.   Pochard 20,  Goosander 28 and Cormorant 4.  A Willow Tit was near the ruin.

Icey Sunday

Tha Flash at Edderthorpe was half frozen this morning with many wildfowl sitting out in the open and easier to count;- Shelduck 13, Gadwall 101, Teal 300, Goosander 3, Pink-footed Goose 170 flew north-west, Golden Plover 3, Dunlin 1. (counts- John Clarkson).
A walk up the Little Don Valley where it was minus 4C at dawn, threw up a Common Buzzard and a couple of very close Ravens, but no sign of any hoped for crossbills.

Saturday 11 January 2014

Shafton

c200 Pink Feet NW 11.05hrs (Tony Guest)

Edderthorpe morning

Shelduck 10, Shoveler 20, Gadwall 74, Teal 290, Coot -a bit of movement here with 9 now present! Lapwing 220, Dunlin 1.

Wintersett evening update

The gull roost this evening was split between the two lakes;- most of the large gulls were on the Country Park and all the small gulls were on the Top Res. Totals are;- GBBGull 375, LBBGull 3, Herring Gull 1450, Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult, Caspian Gull 1 adult - a sparkling grey-and-pure white bird. Goosanders totalled 82 and Goldeneye 44.

Carlton Marsh

This morning Dave Smith and I saw 3 female Crossbills alight in some nearby trees at 11.05hrs, but we couldn't relocate them. (A new species here for me!) Also of note were: Water Rail, Little Owl, Siskin 1 south, 40 Skylarks, and a Wigeon was new in today.

More Bits

Langsett Banks (Flouch end) - c20 Common Crossbills
per Nick Mallinson.

Broomhead Reservoir - c10 Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Goosander, 4 Cormorants and crossbills as yesterday - 6+ Two-batted Crossbills and c25 Common Crossbills
per SBSG website.

Wilthorpe Marsh 11-1-14,

No sign of any owls or snipe but 3 Chiffchaffs still on river showing well, one singing briefly, a band of 15 Long Tailed Tits, Goldcrest + Common Buzzard showing well over sewage farm.

Bits from Stox

Underbank Reservoir - 1 Cormorant
Green Lane, Stocksbridge - 1 Tree Sparrow - a potential new area for this species
per Steve Rutter.

Wintersett 11.01.14

4°C,  heavy shower just after 09.00, then clear and sunny, 1/8 cloud, light westerly.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler calling on west bank marsh.
Anglers CP:   Crossbill  1 W at 10.15hrs.    65 Pink-footed Goose W at 11.25 hrs.   Water Rail 1 and Siskin 1 W

Friday 10 January 2014

Carlton Marsh

Buzzard watched for 20 minutes, c50 Yellowhammers and 1 Willow Tit. (Rod Heeley )

Old Moor - Friday

Sightings today included the following :- Bittern, Barn Owl, Goosander 42, Goldeneye 5, Peregrine, Brambling, Tree Sparrow 18, Reed Bunting 35 plus a report of a Jack Snipe on the reedbeds. Per Dave Waddington.

Wintersett 10.01.14

8°C,  mild and bright with a light south westerly.
2 skeins of Pink-footed Geese flew west,  150 at 10.20 at Anglers CP  and  80 at 11.18 at WRes.
Wintersett Res: House Sparrow 25 SE  + 6 ACP feeders,   Tree Sparrow 6 SE + 30 ACP feeders, Pochard 16 + 81 ACP,   Goosander 24 + 2 CHRes.,  Kingfisher 1 and Water Rail 1.  A Nuthatch was in Pits Wood.
Anglers CP: Shoveler 27,  Cormorant 22,   Little Grebe 3 + 1 WRes.. Barn Owl 1.
ACP Gull Roost: The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was present. 

Willow Tits @ Scout Dyke

two willow tits @scout dyke res, up at the neck end this afternoon

A Hartley

East-West movement 10 Jan

A different skein Allan of 300+ Pink-footed Geese which flew north west over Hemingfield at 11.45am.

The Edge 10th Jan

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Present were 2 Cormorant, 1a+3j Mute Swan, 26 Canada Geese, 57 Gadwall, 13 Tufted Duck, 6 Teal, 4 Mallard, 61 BH Gull, 1 Snipe and 6 Red Legged Partridge. A distant skein of 250+ geese flew west beyond Catt Hill at 10.25am. The loose skein suggested Pink Feet to observers in the hide but it was also noted that the birds appeared to have longish necks. Anyone else pick them up? If so try to let me know what they were.


Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Present were 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 2a+1j Mute Swan, 11 Canada Geese, 15 Greylag, 15 Pochard, 15 Teal, 14 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 4m+3f Goosander, 3 Mallard, 2f+1m Goldeneye, 89 BH Gull, 9 Common Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 2 Jay.
A Brambling was next to the feeders in the Old Moor RSPB car park.


Wombwell Ings mid PM- Present were 4 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 2a+1j Mute Swan, 191 Canada Geese, 239 Wigeon, 49+ Teal, 10+ Mallard, 97 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull.

Two-bars

Broomhead Reservoir - 6+ Two-barred Crossbills (4+ males & 2 females) and c25 Common Crossbills
per SBSG Website.

Thursday 9 January 2014

Carlton Marsh

2 Goosanders north


One of 2 Little Owls seen together this morning on lorry chassis in Lidster's yard

The Edge 9th January

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Present were 2 Cormorant, 1a+3j Mute Swan, 36 Gadwall, 15 Tufted Duck, 13 Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 26 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull and in the back field 9 Red Legged Partridge and 2 Skylark.


Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Present were 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 4a+1j Mute Swan,46 Greylag, 12 Canada Geese, 30+ Shoveler, 13 Pochard, 9 Teal, 6 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 2m+1f Goldeneye, 2m+1f Goosander, 22 BH Gull, 6 Common Gull, 54 Lapwing, 2 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Redpoll.


Wombwell Ings mid PM- Present were 11 Grey Heron( the most I've seen on the ings), 2a+1j Mute Swan, 199 Canada Geese, 284 Wigeon, 85+ Teal, 17 Mallard, 7m+3f Goosander, 2 Tufted Duck, 43 BH Gull,  11 Lapwing and 12 Grey Partridge.

Adwick Wash pm.

A drake Pintail was in amongst several Wigeon and Teal in  flooded grass to the left of the central stream. Also c50 lapwing 1 Snipe. On the tip 4 Grey Partridge, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel feeding on a Earthworm. Also in the flooded field between the Dearne and TPT 6 Little Grebe.

Wintersett + p.m. update 09.01.14

4°C rising to 8°C,  cool start, but mainly sunny, with a strengthening westerly.
Wintersett Res:  Cormorant 2.  Cetti's warbler.
Anglers CP:  Shelduck 1,  Linnet 1 S,  Water Rail 2 and Greylag Goose  81.  Shoveler 15 + 7 WRes. and Cormorants 16.   The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost tonight and 55 Goosanders were present at dusk. 

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Old Moor et al - today

Old Moor - Bittern, Green Sandpiper, Snipe 12, Brambling, Barn Owl.
Bolton Ings - Green Sandpiper, Goldeneye 3, Common Gull 91.
Adwick - Grey Partridge 38.
All sightings from Dave Waddington.

The Edge 8th Jan

Wombwell Ings mid am- Waterbirds skittish whenever they heard gunfire from Little Broomhill. Present were 3 Grey Heron, 86 Canada Geese, 150+ Wigeon, 76 Teal, 5 Mallard, 67 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 2 Mistle Thrush, c10 Redwing and 4 Skylark ( back field ).

Broomhill Flash late AM- Present were 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant,  3a+4j Mute Swan, 13 Canada Geese, 18 Tufted Duck, 13 Teal, 7 Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 48 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Bolton Ings early PM- Present were 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2a+ 1j Mute Swan, 4 Greylag, 54 Shoveler, 22 Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 4 Mallard, 3 Wigeon, 2f+1m Goldeneye, 182 BH Gull, 10 Common Gull, 68+ Lapwing, 1 Kestrel and 3 Jay.

Wintersett 08.01.14

8°C, mild,  2/8 cloud,  light south westerly.
a.m. Anglers CP:  Shoveler 23,  Water Rail 1 and Woodcock 1.  A Brambling visited the feeding station in the car park.
p.m. Wintersett Res: The Cetti's Warbler was calling from the west bank marsh. 
The Gull roost this afternoon was poor, with no sign of the Kumlien's.  ACP roost wasn't checked.

Here are more photos of yesterdays Kittiwake (deceased).
Kittiwakes are usually described as having 'dipped in ink' wingtips.  It was, therefore, surprising to see two primaries with white tips.



Elsecar & Broomhead

Bronley - 2+ Common Buzzards over Winterbottom Busks. .
Elsecar Reservoir - 1 adult Mute Swan, c60 Mallards, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Moorhens, 18 Coots, 150+ Black-headed Gulls and 8 Common Gulls.
Broomhead Reservoir - 3 Teal, 16 Tufted Ducks, 8 (6 drakes) Goosanders - per SBSG website, 7 (5 males & 2 females) Two-barred Crossbills and c25 Common Crossbills.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Carlton Marsh

A movement of large gulls moving south this afternoon included 24 Herring Gulls and 10 G.B.B.Gulls. Little Owl was showing well and 60 Skylarks and 80 Yellow Buntings were feeding in stubble. A Willow Tit and a luecistic Pheasant were the only other birds of note. 

Wintersett 07.01.14

6°C,  sunny but with a cool south westerly.
Wintersett Res:  An adult Kumlien's Gull was in the roost at 16.25 - 16.45 hours. when it became too dark to view.  
Cold Hiendley Reservoir:  A moribund, adult Kittiwake was near the eastern bank at 09.30 hrs.  It died at 10.15 hrs.
Adult  Kittiwake                             ASmith

Wilthorpe Marsh 7-1-14.

Chiffchaff 4, Green Sandpiper 1, Long Eared-Owl 3, caution needed as these owls are easily flushed. Definetly 3 Willow Tits recently possibly 4.

Bolton Ings et al - Sunday 5th January 2014

A late start yesterday following Saturdays celebrating, only 1c at 10 am when I started out, clear at first but soon clouded over but remained cold all day only reaching 4c mid afternoon. Very quiet bird wise, highlight being a fine display by 2 Buzzards over Bolton Tip. A Great Crested Grebe was a surprise for early January and Pochard were up to a healthy 42 although Coot were down by over 100 since my last visit. Full list :- Grey Heron 4, Mute Swan 10, Canada Goose 18, Grey Lag Goose 46, Cormorant 2, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 2, Mallard 12, Teal 19, Gadwall 61, Shoveler 10, Wigeon 12, Tufted Duck 20, Pochard 42, Goldeneye 1 drake + 3 ducks, Goosander 4, Coot 256, Moorhen 4, Lapwing 88, Black Headed Gull 97, Common Gull 10, Kestrel 2, Buzzard2, Green Woodpecker 1, Long Tailed Tit c30.

Late afternoon I had a walk onto the Reedbeds at Old Moor and was rewarded with good but brief views of a Bittern, over 20 Goosanders were seen flying to roost and a Green Sandpiper was heard calling.

Other bits of news from Old Moor include Peregrine killing a Common Gull, Pintail, 77 Shoveler and a female Brambling.


Monday 6 January 2014

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon in a nearby stubble field c60 Skylarks & 20 Yellow Buntings.
Reserve
Mute Swan 2, Teal 15, Gadwall 15, Buzzard, 2 Willow Tit, 16 Fieldfare &, 7 Common Gull south (Dean Smith)

Bleachcroft Farm
2 Little Owls 14.35hrs on old lorry chassis opposite farm in Lidster's yard (Keith Bannister)

                         2013 Ringing Totals
Whitethroat                6          Blackcap                 13
Chiffchaff                 40          Willow Warbler       17
Wren                       12           Longtailed Tit          16
Reed Bunting             6           Robin                        7
Blue Tit                    15           Reed Warbler         20
Great Tit                    9           Willow Tit                 2
Dunnock                    5           Bullfinch                    6
Yellow Bunting           2           Swallow                   3
Goldcrest                   2           Blackbird                  3

Total                      186
Note the rise in Chiffchaff as compared to the fall of Willow Warbler. This is the first time in the history of ringing at Carlton Marsh (1975- 2013) that no Sedge Warblers were ringed. They didn't even breed. Now that's a species that we need to monitor, I believe it is in trouble!

Newtown, Cudworth
Great Tit 1        Goldfinch 1    Dunnock 1

Total 3

Sunday 5 January 2014

Carlton Marsh

c60 Pink Feet Geese flew west at 13.43hrs (Dave Standish)

Broomhill Flash

here are todays sightings for Broomhill Flash Nature Reserve 5th January.


Grey Heron 2.


Mute Swan 13,
Gadwall 63,
Tufted 10,
Common Gull 1,
Wigeon 4,
Mallard 10,
Black-headed Gull 80,
Canada Goose 80.


Redwing c60.


Grey Partridge 17.

The Great Yorkshire Birdrace

This annual event is held every January to raise money for conservation projects around Yorkshire. There are usually a couple of teams who cover the Barnsley area as there were this year (well actually 3/4 and 1/2 teams due to illness). Here's a brief rundown of what was seen  today around Barnsley.
We started before light at Broomhead for Tawny Owl and Woodcock then looked through the gulls on the res. before they departed but no sign of yesterdays 'Kumliens Gull' or Kittiwake (neither were they on Langsett). The Two-barred Crossbills revealed themselves quickly at dawn but we mistakenly decided to hang around hoping for better views (usually a mistake on a birdrace) and gained nothing. Common Crossbill and Nuthatch was the only other notables in over a hour around here. Up on the moor tops for Red Grouse and a nice adult Peregrine before dropping lower for Dipper which showed instantly we got out of the car (this rarely happens on a birdrace). Next major site was Wilthorpe Marsh even though none of us knew the site well. This turned into our major good luck of the day when we bumped into 'Mr Wilthorpe Marsh' Stu Green who was only too happy to show us around the birds he's found recently. Long-eared Owl and a minimum of 5 Jack Snipe were seen, at least 3 Chiffchaffs on the river and to cap a excellent visit a skein of 110 Pink-footed Geese went west calling. But now it was early afternoon, time was running short and the predicted storm was quickly brewing. A quick revaluation - we dont have time to visit all the remaining sites so which do we miss out? A dash to Edderthorpe Flash and plenty of lowland water birds including Dunlin, Broomhill which added virtually nothing (all the stake-outs such as Little Owl, Red-legged Partridge and Green Sandpiper were AWOL), another Jack Snipe on Gypsy Marsh (unfortunatly can't count it twice), and finally down to Old Moor having decided to forsake a visit to Wintersett. The feeders gave up Brambling and a few other passerines, the Mere -two grebes and then the rain started. Sat it out until dusk hoping for Bittern or Barn Owl or anything new but we failed to add anything after 3pm.
And our total for the day - 81 species, quite a way off our record of 95 some years ago.
Now the bit to make us look fools - the missed species;- Bittern, Red-legged Partridge, Water Rail, Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker (seen by only one of team so not countable), Skylark, Willow Tit, Treecreeper, Rook, Raven and Lesser Redpoll, these are all species that we know were seen in Barnsley today (and there will be some I've not added). So a minimum of 98 species around the Area today. Still wouldn't have been enough to win the competition today as a team in Scarborough saw 101.
Always next year!


Wintersett Sunday 5th Jan 2014

Highlights today were a Brambling in the Car Park this morning, followed by an excellent count of 304 Wigeon on the Country Park.

The Cettis Warbler was still calling by the Top Res, whilst a flock of 8 Crossbills flew high to the east over the Top Res.

Gull roost numbers remain high with the following counts made:-

Herring Gull - 1200 on the Park Lake plus 500 on the Top Res
Great Black-backed Gull - 440 on the Park Lake plus 150 on the Top Res
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 5 on Top Res.

Gunthwaite & Ingbirchworth

Gunthwaite Dam - 6 Teal, 58 Mallards, 14 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 4 Moorhens, 5 Coot and 1 Kingfisher.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 36 Mallards, 9 Tufted Ducks, 1 Coot, c180 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Gulls and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls.
Fullshaw - c50 Jackdaws and 300+ Rooks.

Saturday 4 January 2014

Broomhill Flash & Wombwell Ings

BROOMHILL FLASH (am)
Mute Swan 9a & 4j, Gadwall 63, Tufted Duck 5m & 5 fm, Common Gull 1, BH Gull 80, Wigeon 4, Grey Heron 2, Canadas 80 on Cleggs Meadow and 10 on the water

WOMBWELL INGS (Late am)
Goosander 3 pair, Wigeon 160, Teal 20, Grey Partridge 12, Kestrel 1, Mallard 10,
BH Gull 25, Redwing 40, Fieldfare 10

Wintersett 04.01.14

4°C,  mild, grey and drizzly.    8/8 cloud  with a light south easterly.
Anglers CP: Water Rail 1,  Snipe 6,  Little Grebe 3,  Cormorant 19,  Pochard 113 + 11 CHRes  + 6 WRes.   67 Greylag Goose and 141 Canada Goose were in the CP fields.
Haw Park Wood: Redwing 40,  Buzzard 1 and Crossbill 22.
CHRes: Kingfisher 1.
 Anglers CP Gull Roost tonight held: 2 adult Yellow-legged,  2 Lesser Black-backed,  466 Great Black-backed and 1400 Herring Gulls.  Wintersett Roost wasn't checked.
Phenology: The first moth of the year,  aptly named Early Moth, was seen.  A Hazel tree on the golf course was full of catkins.


Hazel Catkins -  4th January 2014

Broomhead & Langsett

Broomhead;- Two-barred Crossbills were showing much of the day, as many as 12 were reported on the pager although no-one I spoke with had seen more than the usual 7 or 8.
The adult 'Kumliens Gull' was on the res at 14.45 along with a couple hundred other large gulls. Unfortunatly, some gunners nearby had a manic ten minutes, the constant blasts spooked all the gulls and they departed in the direction of Langsett Res. at 15.00. A first-winter Kittiwake joined the roost at 15.30.
Langsett;- The adult 'Kumliens Gull' relocated to the res here and showed reasonably well from the Langsett Barns side until dark. Also present;- GBBGull 84, Herring Gull 300.

Friday 3 January 2014

Wintersett p.m. update 03.01.14

Anglers CP: An adult Peregrine flew south at 14.00hrs.   Buzzard 2,  Lapwing 70,  Teal 26,  Gadwall 10,  Shoverler 10 + 8 WRes..

The Edge 3rd Jan

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Walked on about 9,00am and was dismayed to see gunners in the back field. All the waterfowl were on the northern edge of the flash and included 3 Mute Swan, 65 Canada Geese, 151 Teal, 137 Wigeon and 6 Mallard. Also present were 2 Kestrel, c20 Redwing and 1 Bullfinch.

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Present were 1 Grey Heron, 8a+4j Mute Swan, 51 Canada Geese, 44 Gadwall, 15 Teal, 14 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 2 Goosander over, 1 Common Gull, 2 Kestrel and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Hardly surprising that it was the most productive site visited today. Present were 2 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 3a+1j Mute Swan, 39 Greylag, 14 Canada Geese, 19 Pochard, 18 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 3m+3f Goosander, 5 Mallard, 4 Wigeon, 3m+1f Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 2f+1m Goldeneye, 215 BH Gull, 11 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Bye'day's bitz

Adult Kumlien's Gull again into roost at Broomhead Res, c15.40 (Dave Waddington). Several Two-barred Crossbills also there still. Peregrine at Old Moor but no sign of yesterdays Bewick's. I shall likely be 'off-air' for a while now so will take this opportunity to thank all those who supply me with various bits of information and/or photos to post along with my own bits. Look out for a hopefully improved service coming this spring!

Wintersett 03.01.14

5°C, cool, dry,  bright and sunny,  1/8cloud, with a light south westerly.
Wintesett Res:  A skein of 90 Pink-footed Geese flew NW at  09.58hrs.  2 Willow Tit on the west bank.

Thursday 2 January 2014

Wintersett 02.01.14

4°C,  dry and bright with a southerly breeze.
Wintersett Res:  The Cetti's Warbler was calling in the west bank marsh.  2 Williow Tit were in the clump.
Anglers CP:  23 Crossbill were in the car park area.