Saturday 31 January 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 31.01.15

4°C,  dry but mostly cloudy with a very cold north westerly. 
9 Whooper Swans did a tour of the district today.  First seen at Anglers CP. They left north at 10.03,  were seen at Pugneys shortly afterwards before being picked up again on Wintersett Res at 10.50.  They left west at 12.35hrs and were seen mid afternoon on Wath Ings, RSPB Old Moor.
Wintersett Res: Pochard 26 + 1 ACP and  Willow Tit 1.  A Weasel was seen in the SE corner.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: 4 notables tonight with a 2nd W Mediterranean Gull at 15.00hrs,  A juvenile Iceland Gull at 16.08hrs, a 3rd W Caspian Gull at 16.45hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull at 17.03hrs.  Great Black-backed Gull 200,  Lesser Black-backed Gull 5 and Herring Gull 1050.
NB: Pugneys had a 2ndW Yellow-legged Gull - per @MickgCunningham
Bar Lane, Knaresborough had a 1st W Yellow-legged Gull per @andyjowett
Poolsbrook CP, Derbyshire had a juvenile Glaucous Gull per @Linacreblogger

A61 Woolley Dyke/ Mill Lane/ Seckar Dyke. 31/1/15.

A short circular just over half a mile. Stunning habitat here with old deciduous in the dykes, looks text book ls woodpecker. Highlights- 1 fem. Goosander, 12 Teal, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Kestrel.

INGBIRCHWORTH SATURDAY 31ST Jan


Kestrel 1, Coot 7, Mallard 53, Moorhen 5, Little Grebe 1, Tufted Duck 11, Black Headed Gul 30, Pied Wagtail 2, and what looked like a Sandpiper flushed from near the wooden bridge? Anyone with any thoughts what it could be? It looked like a Common in Flight?

Friday 30 January 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 30.01.15

This afternoon: 4°C with sunshine but very cold in the westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res Roost: A 1st W Mediterranean Gull was in at 16.20hrs.
There was a large number of big gulls in the Anglers CP Roost tonight until dusk, when they were disturbed by shotgun blasts in nearby fields.  Notables tonight were: the juvenile Iceland Gull in at 16.50hrs,  the adult Iceland Gull  in at 17.05hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull  in at 17.07hrs.
NB: 3rdW Glaucous Gull at Fairburn Ings Main Bay - per Darren Starkey
Juvenile Glaucous Gull Poolsbrook, Derbyshire per @MSh2209 
Yellow-legged Gull adult at Bar Lane Knaresborough roost - per  @andyjowett 
Lynz Harston took these great photos in Haw Park Wood today.


Common  Buzzard     HPWood                          LH
Wren      HPWood                            LH

Bretton 30/1/15.

Usual fare. Decent variety but no big numbers.- Goosander 14, Teal 48, Tufted Duck 23, Coot 20, Gadwall 8, Little Grebe 5, Great Crested Grebe 3, Shoveler 3, Wigeon 2, Pochard 1, GS Woodpecker 2, Redwing 21, Fieldfare 10, Kingfisher 1, Mute Swan 7. At nearby Pugneys the drake Smew was on the river opposite the fishing pond at 1-30 pm + 6 Goldeneye.

The Edge 30th Jan

Wombwell Ings mid/late AM-Present were 2 Mute Swan, 115 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 174 Wigeon, 22 Mallard, 20 Teal, 12 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 1m+1f Goosander, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron, 116 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 24 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 26 Meadow Pipit and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash mid AM- Noted by J. Seeviour were 2 Mute Swan, 44 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 12 Mallard, 9 Pochard, 9 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Gull , 1 Sparrowhawk and 4 Red Legged Partridge. A Little Owl was at the entrance to the western owl box( B.Emson).
Bolton Ings mid AM- The most noteworthy birds seen by J.Law and K.Foundation were 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret and 5 Goldeneye.

Thursday 29 January 2015

Carlton Marsh

Little Owl 2, Tawny Owl male calling and Kingfisher.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 29.01.15

1°C, very cold with a light westerly and a thin layer of snow put down in a very short time mid afternoon. 
Anglers CP: 6 Whooper Swans left south at 14.00hrs and Pink-footed Goose 1.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Much the same as yesterday - even same 2 notables.  The juvenile Iceland Gull was in at 16.52hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was in at 16.55hrs. 

Wilthorpe Marsh 29/1/15.

Strange. The expected increase in Snipe numbers in the usual places resulted in just 5 Commons. Of note,- 300 Starlings, 300 Woodpigeons, 1 Goldcrest.

Wednesday 28 January 2015

Wintersett Gull Roost 28.01.15

3°C,  with 8/8 cloud. sleet showers and a changeable, strong, gusty wind,  north westerly, westerly, south westerly, westerly.    All this and a jogger in front of the hide all the way through the reserve! 
Anglers CP Gull Roost was slow going again tonight.  Sometimes the viewing was good, then when the wind changed the birds were head on.  Just two notables were spotted.  The juvenile Iceland Gull came in at 16.50hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull came in at 17.00hrs. There were loads of big gulls flying over from Wintersett Res at dark.

strange bird sighting

Hi guys has anyone any ideas on what this bird is .
It was seen last week in my friends garden in Rose Grove Wombwell .
The picture isn't very good

The Edge 28th Jan

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Just over half way onto the ings when a torrential squall struck. My walking stick enabled me to make a passable imitation of a tripod as I braced myself against the strongest winds I've encountered on the ings. Wet and bedraggled I reached the comfort and safety of the hide(never thought I'd be positive about the metallic structure). Eventually, the rain and wind eased and 1 was able to see 2 Mute Swan, 300+ Canada Geese, 64 Greylag, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 2 Shelduck, 101+ Wigeon, 15+ Teal, 10 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 1f Goosander, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 32 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 4 Lapwing and 2 Meadow Pipit.
Broomhill Flash late AM- The Little Owl in the eastern box was viewable from Wombwell Ings. Also noted were 2 Mute Swan, 16 Canada Geese, 32 Wigeon, 8+ Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 1 Cormorant, 23 Coot, 59 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 50+ Lapwing.

Due to the predicted stormy weather, I decided not to risk Bolton Ings with my dodgy knee.

Tuesday 27 January 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roost 27.01.15

6°C with 8/8 cloud and a light westerly this morning.
Wintersett Res: Willow Tit 1,  Yellowhammer 1,  Water Rail 1 and Shoveler 2.
Cold Hiendley: Grey Partridge 10 and  Golden Plover 33 over.
Anglers CP: Lapwing 195.
There was an impressive number of birds in Anglers CP Gull Roost this afternoon. Most came in from the direction of Hampole Tip.  The notables were difficult to pick out because they were facing head on to the hide. The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull flew in at 15.40hrs.  The adult Iceland Gull was in at 16.05hrs and the juvenile Iceland Gull was in at 16.25hrs.
NB: Pugneys roost had 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

The Edge 27th Jan

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 208 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 145+ Wigeon, 21 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant (over), 1 Grey Heron, 81 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 4 Coot, 2 Moorhen and 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker. A Kingfisher was seen along the Bulling Dyke. 14 Redwing, 1 singing Mistle Thrush and 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker were in Broomhill Park.
Broomhill Flash late AM-Noted were 32 Wigeon, 10 Pochard, 10 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 1m Shoveler, 3 Red Legged Partridge, 108 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 16 Coot, 7 Lapwing and 1 Hare. The Little Owl, in the box on the eastern side, was only viewable from the Broomhill Park entrance to Wombwell Ings.
Bolton Ings late AM/ early PM-On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 32 Shoveler, 15 Pochard, 13 Tufted Duck, 2m+6f Goldeneye, 5 Mallard, 2m+1f Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 32 BH Gull, 12 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 42 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Bullfinch.

Monday 26 January 2015

Wintersett Gull Roost 26.01.15

7°C with a little weak sunshine early morning, but felt cold in the north westerly,  then clouded over late morning.
 Anglers CP Gull Roost turned into the late, late show today, with only 3 notables.  The usual adult Yellow-legged  was in at 16.40hrs.  The juvenile and the adult Iceland Gulls flew in at 17.05 and 17.07hrs respectively, from the Wintersett Res. direction.  
NB Pugneys Roost  had 3 Yellow-legged Gulls +  drake Smew.

Ingbirchworth area

Whitley Edge - c40 Jackdaws, c20 Rooks, 20+ Carrion Crows and c1200 Starlings.
Whitley Common - 700+ Starlings.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 4 Pink-footed Geese, 18 Greylag Geese, 72 Canada Geese, 45 Mallards, 7 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Moorhens, 6 Coots, 50+ Black-headed Gulls, 5+ Common Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls and 2 Willow Tits.

The Edge 26th Jan

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 204 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 173 Wigeon, 14 Mallard,  9 Teal, 7 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 6 Grey Heron, 4 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 145 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, and 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 29 Greylag, 16 Canada Geese, 34 Wigeon, 10 Mallard, 9 Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 112 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 4 Grey Partridge, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel and 1 Little Owl.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open Water were 6 Mute Swan, 6 Greylag, 38+ Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 9 Pochard, 2m+4f Goldeneye, 4 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 1 Cormorant, 19 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 27 Common Gull and 27 BH Gull. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel and 3 Bullfinch(TPT).

Sunday 25 January 2015

Bolton Ings et al - Sunday 25th January

Weather springlike this morning when I set out, 5c with a few clouds and little wind, however the paths still had ice and snow in sheltered places. Generally quiet today, highlights being the pair of Stonechats surviving, 10 Goldeneye and Shoveler a healthy 78. Full list :- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 9, Canada Goose 20, Great Crested Grebe 2, Little Grebe 1, Mallard 16, Teal 16, Gadwall 35, Shoveler 78, Pochard 13, Tufted Duck 57, Goldeneye 10 (4 drakes), Coot 39, Moorhen 4, Black Headed Gull 28, Common Gull 10, LBB Gull 1, Stonechat pair, Goldcrest 1.

Comparing todays numbers with this date last year showed 2 big differences, Coot 224 last year down to 39 today and Shoveler 3 last year up to 78 today. Has the food in the Ings changed for these 2 species?

Visited Old Moor for the roost this evening, Goosander 48 on the Wader Scrape and Little Egret 2 and Cormorant 3 in the willows. 

Prediction, first Oystercatcher of the year tomorrow.

Broomhead Gull Roost

Just to complete the picture for the Barnsley area the following counts were made by Roy Twigg via Twitter at
Broomhead Reservoir - c1000 Black-headed Gulls, 46 Common Gulls, 87 Herring Gulls, 2 (1 first-winter & 1 third-winter) Caspian Gulls and 19 Great Black-backed Gulls.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 25.01.15

A much milder 5°C, with scattered cloud and a light south westerly this morning.
Wintersett Res: Cettii's Warbler 1 and  Water Rail 1.
Moorhouse Lane Ponds: Wood Pigeon 2000
Golf Course Field: Fieldfare 40. 
Anglers CP: The juvenile Glaucous Gull dropped in for a short time at 11.30hrs.  Goosander 28,  Cormorant 21,  Goldeneye 42,  Pochard 44, Shoveler 1 and Pink-footed Goose 1.  
Anglers CP Gull Roost was more than well attended today.  Up to 30 observers crammed  in the hide at one point.  However, it was slow going, with birds facing  head on to the hide in bright sunshine.  The adult Iceland Gull flew in at 14.45hrs and then it was a long wait until a 1st W Yellow-legged Gull was seen at 16.00hrs.  A juvenile Iceland Gull was in at 16.10hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull came in aggressively at 16.45hrs. Unfortunately, the Glaucous Gull didn't show this afternoon.

Langsett Gull Roost

Watching from the N bank from 14:45 to 16:40. A blustery SW wind with low cloud and light rain.
c.1550 BHGs, 30+ Common gulls, 6 Lesser Black-backs and 5 Herrings. Also 7 Great-Black-backs briefly. Single Common Buzzard over. Small gulls were still arriving at 16:45. A remaining Sheff birder claimed the Broomhead roost wasn't great but mentioned a 'probable Caspian' there earlier.
Struggling with my small 12 year old Swaro now, and need something bigger!

Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/ Updated!

Midhope Shrike.

Showed well late morning coming back to feed in its hawthorn bush larder.

Carlton Marsh

The water areas are only just beginning to thaw so still not much duck. A Peregrine flew SE at 12.13hrs, 80 Fieldfare flew in and Buzzard circled overhead. (G. Miller J Plant)
 
A Peacock butterfly and a Queen Wasp were tempted out by the warm sunshine (10c) and a Fox was out hunting this morning.






Edderthorpe, Sunday morning

Very little change, it's been fairly static all winter;- the drake Pintail remains, Wigeon 145, Tuted 24, Pochard 14, Coot up to 35 (only 1 last weekend with the freeze-up), Common Buzzard 2.

Saturday 24 January 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 24.01.15

3°C with some thin cloud and a cold south westerly.
Wintersett Res:  Pink-footed Goose 1,  Greylag Goose 114, Buzzard 1 and Green Woodpecker 1.
Anglers CP: Wigeon 251 + 6 WRes.
Both Gull Roosts were watched today.  At Anglers CP the juvenile Glaucous Gull flew in at 15.05hrs,  a 1st W Yellow-legged Gull was in at 15.40hrs.  The 2nd W Caspian was in at 16.00hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was in too.  On Wintersett Res.  a juvenile Iceland Gull was in at 15.37hrs closely followed by the adult Iceland Gull at 15.40hrs.  Unfortunately, 2 Grey Herons were chasing each other over the roost so most of the gulls were flying around. The adult Iceland went to and fro between the two roosts.  Both Iceland Gulls ended up on Anglers CP at dusk.
Totals for Herring Gull  2820 -  1020 on Wres + 1800 ACP.  Most of the Great Black-backed Gulls have moved on with only 149 present , 57 WRes + 92 ACP.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 6, 4 WRes + 2 ACP.
NB Pugneys Roost had no white-wingers but had a 3rd W Caspian Gull,  (+ a probable  adult Caspian Gull)  and  2 Yellow-legged Gulls - per @jonnybirder

Wilthorpe Marsh, 24/1/15.

Jack Snipe 7, Common Snipe 20, Water Rail 1, Starling 250, Lapwing 100, Teal 40, Moorhen 42, Little Owl 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Long Tailed Tit 13.

Shrike & a few bits.

Upper Midhope - 1 Great Grey Shrike and 2+ Jays.
Broomhead Reservoir - 4 Mallards and 12 Tufted Ducks.
Ewden Village - 3 Grey Partridges (can't remember seeing them here before!).
More Hall Reservoir - 4 Canada Geese, 100+ Mallards and 3 Moorhens.

Friday 23 January 2015

Broomhill Flash

Broomhill Flash was 99% frozen this morning with a small patch clear on the west side which did hold bigger numbers than the last couple of days.

Broomhill Flash 23rd January.

Teal 39,
Shoveler 2,
Pochard 12,
Mallard 33,
Tufted Duck 3,
Wigeon 60,
Gadwall 7,
Common Gull 1,
Black-headed Gull c240,
Fieldfare 1,
Red-legged Partridge 1,
Snipe 1.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts

3°C and sunny first thing but by late morning 8/8 cloud and a very cold south westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res: Willow Tit 1,  Fieldfare 14 west and Grey Partridge 4.
Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose 1,  Great Crested Grebe 10 and Mute Swan 7.
Both roosts were watched tonight.  Wintersett Res had 2 Iceland Gulls,  an adult at 15.15hrs and a juvenile at 16.05hrs.  A 1st W Yellow- legged Gull was in at 15.15hrs.  Anglers CP had the juvenile Glaucous Gull fly in at 15.39hrs.
per Paul Meredith:  Three interesting first winter Herring Gulls were variously on the rock wall at Anglers CP tonight, each being quite big and rather pale, especially on primaries. Bird 3 in particular invoked thoughts of a hybrid for a while, but more likely all three just part of variation within Herring Gull. Also the Glaucous Gull joined the rock wall gathering last thing.
Bird 1   1st W Herring Gull     ACP                  PM
Bird 2   1st W Herring Gull     ACP                  PM
Bird 3   1st W Herring Gull     ACP                  PM
Juvenile Glaucous Gull      ACP                  PM
NBPugneys Roost had  3 Yellow-legged Gulls,  2 x 3rd W  and 1 2nd W.

Bolton Ings 23rd Jan

Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- 80% of eastern pool covered by thin ice. On the much-reduced open water were 2 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 18 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 13 Pochard, 3m+5f Goldeneye, 7 Mallard, 6 Teal, 1f Goosander, 57 Common Gull, 43 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 41 Coot. Also present were 18 Canada Geese, 4 Cormorant, 2 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Snipe and 1 Song Thrush.
TPT- Noted were c12 Redwing, 2 yaffling Green Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinch and a group of 10 Goldfinch + 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Cudworth

The male Blackcap was relocated on Prospect Street half a mile from where it was seen the other day.(Chris Parkin)

Storrs Mill Wood
2 Buzzards

Thursday 22 January 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roost 22.01.15

1°C with 8/8 cloud,  and a very light SW.  Snow melting quickly.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1,  Shoveler 2,  Pink-footed Goose 1 and Water Rail 3.
Cold Hiendley Res: 6 Whooper Swan left west at 10.08
Anglers CP: Golden Plover 60,  Grey Wagtail 1 + 1 WRes. and  Wigeon 370 + 6 WRes.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: An excellent roost tonight contained: a juvenile Iceland Gull thet flew in at 15.30hrs,  the juvenile Glaucous Gull in at 16.05hrs, the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull in at 16.35hrs and the regular 3rdW Caspian Gull in at 16.40hrs.
NB: Pugneys roost had 2 Yellow-legged Gulls per @jonnybirder
Southfield Res had and adult Iceland Gull  per @Donnybirding

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Cudworth update

120 Pink Feet Geese flew west over White Cross Road at 12.00hrs (Les Corrall)

As the cold begins to bite more birds are visiting suburban gardens. These are the highlights of what was seen in Geoff Miller's garden today
20 Blackbirds, 18 Chaffinch, 26 Goldfinch, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Stock Dove, 18 Greenfinch, 2 Reed Buntings, 25 Starlings and 10 House Sparrows. Needless to say he is running short of seed now.

Wintersett Gull Roost 21.01.15

0°C with  1cm lying snow this morning and then snow showers on off all day.  Heavy snow during most of Anglers CP Gull Roost made viewing very difficult.  Just two notables were seen today.  The juvenile Glaucous Gull was in at 15.48hrs and the regular 3rd W Caspian Gull was in at 16.20hrs.
They're out there somewhere       ACP   AS

Carlton Marsh 2014 Ringing Totals

Blackbird   3    Bullfinch 15   Blackcap  25  Chiffchaff  99   Sedge Warbler  3   Lesser
Whitethroat  1    Reed Warbler  57    Robin   15    Goldfinch  3  Great Tit 8     Song Thrush    2    Whitethroat     8    Willow Warbler     26  Long-tailed Tit   16     Wren   27    Willow Tit   6   Reed Bunting  22   Dunnock   6    Blue Tit   25  Garden Warbler  2    Chaffinch  1   Treecreeper  1   Kingfisher  1 Yellow Bunting   2   Goldcrest   2

Total                                 376
25 Species

99 Chiffchaff's was 59 more than the previous year with less visits and a new record. It was also a good year for Reed Warbler, but another bad year for Sedge Warbler.

Cudworth

A male Blackcap and male Reed Bunting in Chris Parkin's Barnsley Road back garden most of today.

Carlton Marsh Area

A male Stonechat was found on the footpath leading from the reserve to Sidcop, Cudworth on the section near the Cudworth Parkway underpass at 08.30hrs. (Keith Bannister)

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Castle Dam

Castle Dam, Penistone - 3 Greylag Geese, 218 Canada Geese,16 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 5 Moorhens, 22 Coots, 28 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Magpies, 1 Mistle Thrush, and c300 Fieldfares & Redwings.
per Brian Penistone.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 20.01.15

2°C, very cold with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly.
Wintersett Res: Goosander 16,  Water Rail 2 and Grey Wagtail 1.
Anglers CP:  82 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 10.13hrs. Wigeon 322 + 3 WRes,  Lapwing 150,  Meadow Pipit 1,  Cormorant 16 and a single Pink-foot was with the Greylag Geese.   8 Whooper Swans flew NW at 17.05hrs..
Anglers CP Gull Roost: 3 White wingers in tonight. The juvenile Glaucous Gull flew in at 15.20hrs., An adult Iceland Gull was in at 15.25hrs and a juvenile Iceland Gull flew in at 15.53hrs..
NB  "Interesting/ American?  Herring gull" - See  Steve Denny's post on Sunday 18th January
Here's the link to a video of the bird 

Broomhill Flash is OPEN

Reminder- The gates at the entrance cannot be opened at present due to a vandal supergluing the lock. Mick Rushton continues to open the hide daily for use by visitors.

The Edge 20th Jan

Wombwell Ings Mid AM-Present were 3 Mute Swan, 3 Shelduck, 68 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 1f Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Moorhen, 55 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull,  1 yaffling Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Goldcrest(hawththorns along Bulling Dyke).
TPT- Noted were 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2f Bullfinch and 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker. A Pink Footed Goose in the Triangle on Wath Ings was viewable from the Trans Pennine Trail.
Bolton Ings Late AM/early PM- On the River Dearne(viewable from the Five Arches Bridge) were 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Grey Wagtail. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 24 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 33 Tufted Duck, 32 Shoveler, 21 Pochard, 15 Teal, 12 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 1f Goldeneye, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 31 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 54 BH Gull and 14 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Sandpiper and 3 Green Woodpecker.
Broomhill Flash mid AM-(per J. Seeviour) Noted were 23 Wigeon, 23 Gadwall, 13 Pochard, 9 Mallard, 8 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Red Legged Partridge, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull.

Carlton Marsh

4 Large skeins of Pink Feet Geese heading NW over Cudworth and Carlton Marsh this morning were; 140 10.13hrs, 170 10.16hrs, c300 10.20hrs and c200 at 10.38hrs. (Rod Heeley Keith Bannister Dick Laverack)
Rod Heeley

Monday 19 January 2015

Carlton Marsh

Buzzard, 3 Water Rails, Goldcrest, Willow Tit, 33 Magpies, 20 Goldfinch and 2 Little owls in the usual place. A Fox was asleep on the scrape bank. (Dave Standish)

Low Cudworth
30 Redpolls near Rodbourne's Farm

Storrs Mill Wood
Buzzard, Nuthatch with tit flock, 2 Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Goosanders on the Dearne (1M 1F)

Dick Laverack

Wintersett Gull Roost 19.01.15

0°C,  very cold and sunny until mid morning, then 8/8 cloud with a light westerly.
Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose 1 in with Greylags,   Wigeon 299 + 10 WRes.. Pink-footed Goose 60 W in one skein at 16.35hrs.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  Only 2 notables tonight.   The juvenile Glaucous Gull was in early at 14.43hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull flew in calling at 16.35hrs.   At around 16.45hrs the roost was disturbed by a Heron?  and remained unsettled so the gulls didn't drift in towards the rocks as they usually do.
NB  Rufforth Tip  Adult  Glaucous Gull  per  
 Alne Tip south of Easingwold west of A19.  1st W Caspian  per 
Juvenile Glaucous Gull    ACP  PSmith
Juvenile Glaucous Gull  ACP  ASmith

Broomhill Flash

Lapwing 28,
Shoveler 1♂ & 1♀,
Shelduck 1♀,
Pochard 11,
Tufted Duck 11,
Mallard 18,
Teal 31,
Gadwall 15,
Wigeon c40,
Black-headed Gull c170,
Common Gull 3,
Grey Heron 3,
Kestrel 1,
Stock Dove 4,
Mute Swan 2.

The Edge 19th Jan

Wombwell Ings- Present were 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, 27 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 7 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Moorhen, 9 Grey Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 9 Lapwing, 33 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Song Thrush, 9 Meadow Pipit, and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings- On the open water were 7 Mute Swan, 63 Greylag, 41 Canada Geese, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 28 Shoveler, 16 Teal, 19 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 8 Mallard,  1m Pintail, 1f Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 26 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redshank, 39 BH Gull, 8 Common Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1f Stonechat and 1 Fox.

Moorlands

Stocksbridge - 12 Whooper Swans S and 1 male Siskin at garden feeders (the first of the winter).
Castle Dam, Penistone - 189 Canada geese, 16 Wigeon, 6 Mallards, 4 Moorhens, 20 Coots, c50 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 14 Canada Geese, 22 Mallards, 5 Tufted Ducks, 1 Coot, 10+ Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Gulls and 2 Pied Wagtails.
Low Moor, Upper Midhope, -1 Kestrel, 1 Red=legged Partridge, 1 Jay, 6+ Blackbirds, 5+ Redwings and 10+ Goldfinches.

Sunday 18 January 2015

Carlton Marsh

100% iced over today so poor duck counts. However, 2 Buzzards were displaying, locked in a downward tumbling flight. Also present Kingfisher, Redpoll, Willow Tit, Water Rail and Little Owl.

Adwick - Sunday January 18th 2015

Birds seen at Adwick today included the following:- Grey Heron 2, Pink Footed Goose 1, Grey Lag Goose 55, Mallard 17, Teal 55, Wigeon 62, Gadwall 15, Coot 25, Moorhen 45, Black Headed Gull 120, Common Gull 15, Kingfisher 2.

Old Moor WeBS totals - January 2015

WeBS count totals for the Old Moor Area (Old Moor, Bolton, Wombwell Ings and Broomhill) on January 18th 2015 were as follows :- Grey Heron 8, Little Egret 5, Mute Swan 18, Canada Goose 190, Grey Lag Goose 23, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 5, Mallard 152, Teal 227, Wigeon 767, Gadwall 170, Shoveler 133, Shelduck 3, Pochard 59, Tufted Duck 69, Goldeneye 4, Goosander 53, Coot 257, Moorhen 83, Water Rail 1, Lapwing 54, Snipe 26, Black Headed Gull 303, Common Gull 22, GBB Gull 2, Herring Gull 8, Kingfisher 2.

Bolton Ings et al - Sunday 18th January

An early and cold start this morning, decided to check the Little Egret roost first at Old Moor. Minus 3c when I arrived at the top gate at 07.20 but disaster the lock was frozen and I couldn't open the gate. I decided to view the willows from the Trans Pennine Trail and eventually 5 Egrets flew out at 08.05 and flew up the valley towards Edderthorpe. I progressed onto Bolton with both pools 95% frozen, highlight being 120 Shoveler. Full list :- Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 8, Grey Lag Goose 21, Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 2, Mallard 60, Teal 25, Gadwall 30, Shoveler 120, Pochard 19, Tufted Duck 19, Goldeneye 3, Coot 50, Moorhen 2,  Black Headed Gull 23, Common Gull 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Goldcrest 1.

After breakfast in the cafe at Old Moor I went onto the reserve, all waters were frozen apart from the Mere and a small open area on the Wader Scrape. There were 11 Snipe on the Main Marsh. Later on 53 Goosanders came into roost on the Wader Scrape and 3 Little Egrets and 2 Cormorants were roosting in the willows.

Castle Dam

Castle Dam, Penistone - 3 Greylag Geese, 56 Canada Geese, 15 Wigeon, 1 Common Buzzard, 20 Coors, 2 Lapwings, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Magpies, 6 Blackbirds, 16 Fieldfares, 32 Redwings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Chaffinches and 1 Brambling.
per Brian Penistone.

Wintersett Gull Roost - An interesting Gull

Attached is a couple of photos of the gull that caught our attention in the Country Park roost at Wintersett tonight. Its probably what you would expect as an initial view of a possible first winter American Herring Gull, black-tipped pink bill, white head on an otherwise dusky coloured body. Very large and bulky, with a long primary projection. Unfortunately, that was as much as we got as it remained almost motionless as it drifted around at the back of the roost for over an hour until it got too dark to see. Perhaps it will hang around and give us a bit more to go on. The pictures are zoomed to the max and phone scoped, so quality is not too good and a bit over exposed so it looks much paler than it actually was, but it gives a reasonable impression and the bird stood out quite clearly in the large roost, so shouldn't be too difficult to relocate should it hang around.


Wintersett 10 UP Gull Roost 18.01.15

0°C,  icy conditions underfoot,  sunshine until mid morning then clouded up. with a very light north westerly.
 Disposal Point:  Little Owl 2
Wintersett Res Roost:  A juvenile Iceland Gull was in at 16.15hrs
Anglers CP Roost was brilliant tonight with 10 species of gull observed.  An adult Iceland Gull was in at 14.30hrs. The juvenile Glaucous Gull was in at 15.03hrs.  The 3rd W Caspian Gull was in at 15.07hrs.  The red ringed adult Mediterranean Gull flew in at 16.50hrs - this bird hasn't been seen here since 26.12.14. .  3 Yellow-legged Gulls were seen - 2 x adults, 16.25 and 16.30hrs,  and a 1st W at 14.55hrs.
The DARVIC ringed 2nd W Herring Gull, J595A was in. This bird was last seen on 29.12.14.
An interesting 1st W gull was at ACP from 15.25hrs.  It had a white head and a Glaucous type bill, like an American Herring Gull.  Pics to follow.  Also see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6lHfQzX-G8&sns=tw
NB Pugneys Roost had a decent sized roost with a 3rd W Caspian and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls. Drake Smew still present  per @jonnybirder
Bar Lane Knaresborough Roost  1st W Iceland Gull and an ad YLG - per @andyjowett
Swiillington Ings has a drake American Wigeon on the main bay - see https://sibg1.wordpress.com/sightings/https://sibg1.wordpress.com/sightings/

Pugneys  3rd W Caspian Gull   JHolliday

Bretton +Wilthorpe Marsh 18/1/15.

Bretton - top lake totally frozen, lower lake half frozen. Goosander 15, Tufted Duck 22, Pochard 2 drakes, Great Crested Grebe 3, Coot 37, Shoveler 3, Teal 14, Mute Swan 7, Pinkfeet 76 north at 11-30am, Nuthatch 3, GS Woodpecker 2 with 1 drumming, Kingfisher 2, BH Gull 80. Wilthorpe Marsh - collybita Chiffchaff 1 on river with titmice, Lapwing 8, Goosander 2 over towards Bretton, Green Pecker 1 yaffling, GS Pecker 1, Willow Tit 1, Goldcrest 3.

Wintersett January WeBS Count 18.01.15

WeBS count totals for the Wintersett area January 2015 were: -
Little Grebe 4,   Great Crested Grebe 12,   Cormorant 9,   Coot 240,   Moorhen 19,   Teal 22,   Mallard 58,   Gadwall 27,   Wigeon 291,   Tufted Duck 105,   Pochard 44,   Goldeneye 39,   Goosander 14,   Pink-footed Goose 1,   Greylag Goose 142,   Canada Goose 242,   Grey Heron 6  and Mute Swan 8.

Newmillerdam 18 January

About 75% of the lake was frozen over this morning.

Black-headed gull 212, Canada goose 24, coot 28, goosander 3, kingfisher 1, mallard 226, moorhen 13, mute swan 9, tufted duck 30.

Jay 3, nuthatch 5, and a single redwing, song thrush, mistle thrush and treecreeper were seen in the woodland fringes

Low Moor

Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Grey Shrike, 1 Jay, 10+ Starlings 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1+ Redwing and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Midhope Reservoir - 45+ Greylag Geese and 2 Common Buzzards/
Broomhead Reservoir - 2+ Common Crossbills near the feeders at Rushy Lane.

INGBIRCHWORTH SAT 17TH JAN


2 Willow Tits, 1 Cormorant, 35 Mallard, 2 Moorhens, 3 Coot, 12 Tufted Duck, c 100 Grey Lag Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail and 22 Black Headed Gulls..

Saturday 17 January 2015

A Couple of Norwegian Herring Gulls - Wintersett

I have just received back the details of the following colour ringed Herring Gulls seen at Wintersett.

A first winter Herring Gull seen on the Country Park on 2nd March 2014 had been rung as a chick 2465 kms away on 29th June 2013 at Vardo Island in the Arctic northeast of Norway. (JX347 - see picture below). It had also been reported from Wintersett by Brian Leeman who saw it on February 26th.


A Herring Gull that was rung 983 kms away as a first calendar year at Ostfold in southern Norway on December 7th 2013 (J595A) was seen on the rocks in front of the Country Park hide on December 29th 2014.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts Pics 17.01.15

1°C,   very cold but sunny, with sleet showers and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Greylag Goose 131and Teal 31, Wigeon 198 and Redwing 80.  Water Rail 1 and Golden Plover 4 over.  A Pink-footed Goose was in with the Greylags and then on the north bank Wintersett Res..
Wintersett Res: 2 skeins of Pink-footed Geese went west.  70 at 10.20hrs  and 80 at 11.50hrs.
Anglers Gull Roost: Another good show tonight with an adult Iceland Gull at 14.20hrs,  the juvenile Glaucous Gull  showing well at 15.50hrs,  the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull at 16.25hrs and a 2nd W Caspian Gull at 16.40hrs.
WRes + ACP Gull Totals:  3000 Herring Gull - 1900 ACP + 1100 WRes,  381 Greater Black-backed Gull - 281 ACP + 100 WRes.,  3 Lesser Black-backed ACP.
A Barn Owl was seen in the SE corner of WRes at dusk.
NB Pugneys had a sub-adult Caspian Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls.
p.m. Wombwell Ings had a adult Mediterranean gull with a metal ring right leg and missing secondary from left wing.  It is the regular male returning for the sixth year. He has never attracted a mate!! He left west.
Juvenile Glaucous Gull  ACP  SDenny
2ndW Caspian Gull  ACP   SDenny
Sub adult  Caspian Gull   Pugneys  MHemingway

Low Moor, Upper Midhope

Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Grey Shrike (per Mick Cunningham), 1 Raven and c50 Fieldfare.
...and plenty of snow.

Friday 16 January 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roost 16.01.15

4°C, cold with sunshine and showers, and a light to moderate westerly.
Anglers CP:  Goosander 19
Wintersett Res: Pink-footed Goose 70 W at 12.05hrs  and 120 W at 12.10hrs.. Water Rail 1.
Wintersett Res Roost:  The juvenile Glaucous Gull flew in at 15.37hrs. A juvenile Iceland Gull was in at 16.10hrs,  a 2nd W Caspian Gull at 16.20hrs and an adult Iceland Gull at 16.43hrs..
NB: Eccup Res had a Yellow-legged Gull per @andyjowett
Rufforth area had 1stW Caspian Gull at 11.00hrs  per @YorkBirding

In the blizzards

Winscar Reservoir - 4 Canada Geese and 95 Mallards.
Harden Reservoir - 1 male Stonechat.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 39 Mallards, 5 Tufted Ducks and 1 redhead Goldeneye.
Langsett FS - 1 Grey Wagtail.
Midhope Reservoir - 5 Mallards.

Return to the Edge

Wonderful to be back on Wombell Ings after 4 months of slow but still ongoing recuperation from a snapped quadruceps tendon. Present were 2 Mute Swan, 126 Canada Geese, c150 Pink Footed Geese (flying west at 10.57am), 1 Shelduck, 225 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 2m+2f Goosander, 4 Tufted Duck, 2m+1f Shoveler, 1female Goldeneye, 8 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 123 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kingfisher(on Bulling Dyke), 3 Pied Wagtail and 1 Sparrowhawk. Hopefully, normal service for the Full Edge will be resumed next week.

Thursday 15 January 2015

WIntersett Gull Roost 15.01.15

5°C with sunshine and a very cold, strengthening, south westerly.
Wintersett Res Roost had excellent numbers of birds tonight in the very strong and gusty wind.  First seen was the juvenile Glaucous Gull at 15.30hrs, then a juvenile Iceland Gull at 16.00hrs.  A 2nd W Caspian Gull was spotted at 16.07hrs and the leucistic Black-headed Gull at 16.25hrs.  An adult Iceland was in at 16.32hrs.
NB Pugneys roost was small tonight with 3 regular Yellow-legged Gulls the only notables per @jonybirder
Southfield Res had a 3rdW/adult Iceland Gull per @ YorkBirding
Thanks to Lynz Harston for the following shot - It's hard to look cool when you're having a bad hair day.

Tufted Duck   ACP                                LH

Brrrroomhill and Bolton Ings

A cold start to the day at Broomhill Flash and still no joy with the padlock on the gate but did get 2 year ticks!

Broomhill Flash.

Pochard 9, Shoveler 1♀, Wigeon 21, Mallard 2, Tufted Duck 2, Gadwall 5, Cormorant 2, Lesser black-backed Gull 1, Common Gull 1, Black-headed Gull c160, Lapwing 26, Red-legged Partridge 5, Teal 1, Snipe 2, Common Buzzard 1.

Bolton Ings.

Goldeneye 7, Pochard 16, Tufted Duck 10, Shoveler c30, Gadwall 2, Mallard 4, Little Grebe 1, Great-crested Grebe 1, Grey Heron 1, Black-headed Gull 147, Common Gull 7, Mute Swan 2, Greylag Geese 60+, Cormorant 1, Little Egret 1, Goosander 1♂, Kestrel 1.

Bullfinch c6 TPT

Wednesday 14 January 2015

Pink Footed Geese.

Flock of 140 ish n.w. over Walton village at 10-55am. Assumed to be same flock as ken f's.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 14.01.15

Frost overnight .  1°C,  cool with clear sky and a cool southerly.
Wintersett Res:  Water Rail 2.
Anglers CP: Redwing 20 and Green Woodpecker 1.
Anglers CP Roost:  It was a decent roost tonight but birds were still coming in after dark.  Fortunately the juvenile Glaucous Gull flew in early at 16.05hrs and J.Law got some great pics, See previous post. The 3rd W Caspian  flew in, from Pugneys,  at 16.37hrs
NB: Pugney Roost had the drake Smew, the 3rd W Caspian and 3 x Yellow-legged Gulls. The ringed adult Mediterranean Gull was looking very sorry for itself.  It hasn't been seen at Wintersett since 26.12.14 per @jonnybirder
Rufforth had an adult Caspian Gull.  A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Upper Poppleton per @YorkBirding

Mediterranean Gull ringed adult        Pugneys   JHolliday

WINTERSETT ROOST

Nice to see Glaucous Gull tonight...



kETTLE OF BIRDS. 14 January

Edderthorpe Flash. 2 Goosander, 130+ Wigeon, and many Shoveler, Teal, Tufted duck, and Gadwall. Looking towards Park Springs hill side, within one hour Raptors showing were 1 Peregrine falcon 3 Buzzard 3 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Tuesday 13 January 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 13.01.15

4°C, cool with some sunshine this afternoon and a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 2.

There was a packed hide for Anglers CP Roost tonight and patience was the watchword.  It wasn't until 16.25hrs that a notable was seen.  It was Psycho the adult Yellow-legged Gull.  He lived up to his name and put on a show by harrassing the juvenile Herring Gulls. At 16.35hrs the bird everyone was waiting for dropped on to the rocks in front of the hide. The juvenile Glaucous Gull showed well for a few minutes  before it flew out onto the lake.  It remained there for several minues before all the big gulls took off and headed for Wintersett Reservoir. 
NB Pugneys roost  had two Yellow-legged Gulls, an adult and a 2nd W  per @SecretTwitcher.  Drake Smew on main lake at 16.45hrs per @jonnybirder
Eccup Res Roost had a 1st W Mediterranean Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull per @andyjowett .

Broomhill Flash and Bolton Ings

Broomhill Flash.

Pink-Footed Goose 1 + c80 which dropped in around midday,
Canada Goose 103,
Greylag Goose 5,
Wigeon 21,
Pochard 6,
Mallard 2,
Tufted Duck 3,
Gadwall 2,
Common Gull 2,
Black-headed Gull c90,
Lapwing c20,
Peregrine Falcon 1♂.

Bolton Ings.

Teal 2,
Pochard 21,
Goldeneye 3♂ & 2♀,
Shoveler 42,
Gadwall 1,
Great-crested Grebe 1,
Mallard c12,
Wigeon 8,
Grey Heron 1,
Common Gull 9,
Kingfisher 1,
Mute Swan 3,
Cormorant 1,
Goosander 1♂,
Little Egret 1.

Monday 12 January 2015

Wintersett Gull Roost 12.01.15

7°C with 8/8 cloud and a light southwesterly this morning.  Showers around midday and much colder for gull roost with a very light westerly.
Haw Park Lane: A flock of around 60 Fieldfare were seen.
Anglers CP Roost was watched tonight.  The light westerly meant the gulls were head on to the hide which made identification difficult.  Notables were a 3rd W Caspian Gull  in at 16.10hrs,  an adult Caspian Gull at 16.20hrs and the juvenile Glaucous Gull at 16.25hrs.

Adult Caspian Gull  ACP                AS
Adult Caspian Gull    ACP       AS

CORTONWOOD

Mandarin still present this afternoon, plus 2 Goosander.

Sunday 11 January 2015

Royston

Chris Sayer (a Rabbit Ings man) had a Peacock butterfly in his garden today!

Seckar Wood 11 January

Seven grey partridge in the fields north of Seckar Wood this afternoon.

Gunthwaite and Whitley Common Area

At Gunthwaite Dam 51 Teal and 5 Moorhen.
Drove around the lanes west of Ingbirchworth checking for any possible reasonable goose species on the ground but nothing! However, at Maythorn a covey of 11 Grey Partridge and a Weasel, along the Whitley Common road 82 Lapwing and 1500+ Starling.

Bretton + Wilthorpe Marsh, 11/1/15.

Bretton - Goosander 34, Great Crested Grebe 5, Little Grebe 5, Teal 33, Pochard  2 drakes, Shoveler 2, Tufted Duck 22, Gadwall 13, Wigeon 2, Coot 19, Mute Swan 7.
Wilthorpe Marsh - Jack Snipe 4, Common Snipe surprisingly  only 1 , Magpie 50, Green Woodpecker 1. Jeff Lunn had a count of 33 Moorhens at the oxbow.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 11.01.15

4°C,  cold with 8/8 cloud and a strong south westerly.
Anglers CP: Cormorant 22,  Siskin 1 over,  Teal 13 and Golden Plover 8 over.
It was very windy at gull roost time and the birds were late arriving.
Anglers CP Roost had the juvenile Glaucous Gull at 15.20hrs.
Wintersett Roost had a 1st W Yellow-legged Gull at 15.35hrs,  an adult Mediterranean Gull at 15.55hrs,  a juvenile Iceland Gull at 16.05hrs and a/the albino Black-headed Gull at 16.15hrs.
Other counts:  Herring Gull 1420 - 720 WRes + 700 ACP.   Great black-backed Gull 715,   490 WRes + 225 ACP and Lesser Black-backed Gull 4,  2 WRes + 2 ACP.
NB Broomhead Roost had good numbers in the strong wind with 73 Great Black-backed, 4 Lesser Black-backed , 276 Herring, around 50 Common and around 2000 Black-headed Gulls in tonight. per @roytwigg/ @andydeigh
Orgreave roost didn't happen.   Later the birds roosted in small lake, but probably only 200 large gulls max.  per @birdpieman
Pugneys roost had 2 Caspian Gulls, a 3rd W that left at 16.00hrs and an adult. per @jonnybirder

Saturday 10 January 2015

Peregrine Scores at Oakwell

Main highlight of a dull game at Oakwell this afternoon was a male Peregrine swooping into the corner of the Upper East Stand carrying prey, just as Barnsley were awarded a second half penalty. As the ball hit the net and the crowd cheered, the Peregrine left over the Ponty End Stand at 16.37. The little lad has a keen eye, two good feet, took a strong grip on the game & his pace is unbelievable, although he's prone to the odd dive. Get him signed up Danny!

Wintersett Gull Roosts - A record 10 species 10.01.15

WILD  WESTERLY WIND.  Mild with a couple showers this morning, cold but drier this afternoon.
A day record of  10 species of gull were seen in the roosts this evening.  
Wintersett Res Roost: A juvenile Iceland Gull was in at 16.35hrs. A 1st W Kittiwake was in at 16.05hrs.  An adult Caspian Gull was in at 16.00hrs and a 2nd W Yellow-legged Gull at 15.55hrs.
Anglers CP Roost: A juvenile Glaucous Gull and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull were the notables tonight.
NB Pugneys roost was ridiculously disrupted with just 2 Yellow-legged Gulls being notable. per @jonnybirder
Broomhead Res:  Less than 1500 gulls tonight.  Tree blown down over the res. side road. per @roytwigg

Friday 9 January 2015

Wintersett Gull Roosts 09.01.15

7°C,  mild with 4/8 cloud,  a westerly breeze and a shower midday.  By mid afternoon the very strong south westerly wind and driving rain  meant that the bulk of the big gulls headed over to Wintersett Res, where there were no observers.   There was just one notable in Anglers CP roost,  a  juvenile Iceland Gull  in at 15.27hrs.
NB: Ingbirchworth roost:  Adult Caspian Gull,  Adult  Mediterranean Gull,  one pure white Black head Gull and  10+ argentatus Herring Gull  per @birdline
Pugneys Roost: A 3rd W Yellow-legged Gull was the only notable in atrocious conditions. per @jonnybirder

Houghton washlands

Not one single bird on this morning at about 09-15, what I did see was a very well built man in full camo gear with a shotgun and a black lab!

Newmillerdam 9 January

Gusty winds early this morning, but dry.

Surprisingly no Canada geese when I arrived, although a flock of 29 flew in whilst I was on site. Small numbers of black-headed gulls first thing (39), though there were 180 by the dam wall by the time I left.

Black-headed gulls 180, coot 31, great crested grebe 2, grey heron 1, kingfisher 1, mallard 239, mute swan 9, Canada goose 29, cormorant 3, goosander 2, moorhen 1, tufted duck 38.

Others of note: pied wagtail 2, treecreeper 1, nuthatch 2, coal tit 5.

Thursday 8 January 2015

Wintersett Gull Roosts 08.01.15

8°C  with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly with a shower mid morning.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  The juvenile Glaucous Gull was in at 15.30hrs but left at 15.45hrs  and went to Wintersett Res.  An adult Iceland Gull was in at 16.05hrs.  A 2nd W Yellow-legged Gull was in at 16.25hrs.
Wintersett Res Gull Roost: A juvenile Iceland Gull was in at 15.45hrs. 
NB: Pugneys roost had a 3rd W Caspian Gull, and 2 x Yellow-legged Gulls - a 2nd W and a  3rd W per @jonnybirder
Earlier today Rufforth had 6 x Caspian Gulls - an adult, 2 x 2ndW and 3 x 1st W.  Also a 1st W Yellow-legged Gull  per @YorkBirding.

Steady

Elsecar Reservoir - 50+ Mallards, 6 Tufted Ducks, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 21 Coots, 10 Moorhens and c50 Black-headed Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 31 Mallards and 1 Little Grebe.
Midhope Reservoir - 6 Teal, 24 Mallards and 1 Kestrel.
Barnside - 28 Pheasants.

Wednesday 7 January 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 07.01.15

7°C,  mild and dry with 8/8 cloud and a strengthening south westerly.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1
Stubbs Wood:  Green Woodpecker 2
Cold Hiendley SF:  Grey Wagtail 2
Anglers CP:  Pink-footed Goose 55 west at 09.45hrs. 
Gull Roosts:  Viewing conditions weren't ideal at Anglers CP, with lots of birds flying around in the strong south westerly, and then relocating  to Wintersett Res, where the light was fading. 3 notables were seen tonight. The usual adult Iceland Gull flew over ACP, south at 15.15hrs and was then picked up at WRes at 15.40hrs.  A juvenile Iceland Gull was in ACP at 15.30hrs then left  for WRes where it was seen at 15.45hrs.  A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in at Anglers CP from 15.45  until dark.
NB: Pugneys Roost had a 1stW Caspian Gull from 2.40-2.50 and a 3rd W Caspian Gull until 16.10. There was also a possible adult Caspian Gull in late, but too many white headed argenteus now!!! C500 big gulls. There was also a 3rd W Yellow-legged Gull per @jonnybirder.
No sign of Blyth's Pipit at 15.00hrs per @birdline  Drake Smew on main lake this morning per @ceeste45

Carlton Marsh

c100 Pink Feet Geese flew NW over Low Cudworth at 10.35hrs and were seen over Carlton Marsh moments later. Another 70 flew the same way at 11.35hrs. (Richard Laverack & Russ Boland)

Wintersett Ringing Recoveries

A juvenile, female Cetti's Warbler
ringed at Wintersett Reservoir on 30th June 2014
was retrapped at Longham Lakes (Dorset)
on 4th November 2014
at a distance of 319 kms south.

A first year Sedge Warbler
ringed at Wintersett Reservoir  on 9th September 2014
was retrapped at Icklesham (East Sussex)
on 14th September 2014
at a distance of 334 kms south, south east.

Peter Smith

Tuesday 6 January 2015

Wintersett +Gull Roost 06.01.15

A very mild 8°C with 7/8 cloud and a westerly breeze.  Light showers mid morning to early afternoon.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 and Water Rail1.
ACP Gull Roost: It was a decent roost again this afternoon, with birds still arriving as it got dark.  An adult Iceland gull was in at 15.30hrs,  a juvenile Glaucous gull was in at 16.00hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged gull came in late at 16.40hrs.

Broomhill Flash 6th January

Little Owl 1,
Pochard 3,
Teal 6,
Tufted Duck 2,
Shoveler 4,
Gadwall 8,
Wigeon 53.

Monday 5 January 2015

Colour Ringed BHG at Worsborough update

Black-headed Gull recorded at Worsborough on the 2nd Jan - history shown below with approval for data sharing.






BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP........

THURSDAY 8th JANUARY 2015 at the OLD MOOR VISITOR CENTRE from 7pm. GLYN SELLORS giving an illustrated talk on CAPE MAY THROUGH THE SEASONS Glyn has visited this North American migration hotspot in each of the migration seasons, see how the birds change with the seasons with some top class photography. All welcome, £2.50 entrance fee includes interval drink.

Wintersett + Gulls 05.01.15

6°C mild and dry, mostly coudy with a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res: Willow Tit 1,  Cetti's Warbler 1,  Water Rail 1 + 1 ACP.
Haw Park Wood:  Siskin 1
Anglers CP: Pintail 1 male + 1 femaleMerlin 1 over a dusk. 
ACP Gull Roost: There was a decent number of gulls in tonight but only one notable - a juvenile Iceland at 15.47hrs.
NB:  Broomhill ice had an adult Mediterranean Gull at 15.45 that left NW with the Black-headed Gulls - per @chrisharrisbir1
Pugneys had 2 x adult Caspians and 2 x Yellow-legged Gulls.  per @jonnybirder
Blyths Pipit still present. Drake Smew on Cawoods Pool per @Phil_Lowe_. 
Orgreave Sat 4th Jan  - photos of subadult/4W  Caspian Gull with dark primary coverts and bill band per @andydeigh.
Sub adult Caspian    Orgreave        Andy Deighton
Sub adult Caspian    Orgreave        Andy Deighton
                                                                 

Carlton Marsh

The scrape was 100% iced over again today so not much in the way of wildfowl except for our resident Mute Swans and a few Teal. However, Kingfisher was happy enough on the dike with a few Mallard. Towards dusk Tawny Owl and Water Rail called and Little Owl was on his usual perch.
 
Yesterday Chris Parkin showed me some Herald moths he found hibernating under a bridge, there were 14 the day before.
 
Also of interest were 2 foxes in the Smithies area, one the normal colour and the other a dark morph almost melanic. Has anyone else ever come across one so dark?
 

Ray Dye


Sunday 4 January 2015

Bolton Ings et al - January 4th 2015

A cold start this morning, minus 4c with a heavy frost, clear blue skies and no wind. The western pond was 95% frozen and the Eastern pond 80% frozen. After a walk round and arriving at the hide the first bird I saw was a Bittern out in the open on the edge of the reeds. It was preening and appeared to be enjoying the sun, it stayed out in the open for nearly 2 hours and then walked into the reeds and out of sight. This was the first Bittern I had seen on the Bolton down and only the second ever after 1 in flight last year. Whilst watching the Bittern a Water Rail walked across the ice in front of it and later the pair of Stonechats appeared. On the open water were 4 Goldeneye (1 drake), 114 Shoveler and a good count of 30 Tufted Duck. Full list:- Grey Heron 4, Bittern 1, Cormorant 1, Mute Swan 10, Grey Lag Goose 6, Little Grebe 1, Mallard 54, Teal 16, Gadwall 22, Shoveler 114, Tufted Duck 30, Pochard 11, Goldeneye 4, Goosander 3, Coot 87, Moorhen 1, Water Rail 1, Snipe 3, Black Headed Gull 86, Common Gull 8, Sparrowhawk 1, Stonechat pair, Green Woodpecker 1, Fieldfare c20, Redwing c10.

Later went onto Old Moor for the roost, I went to the Wader Scrape while Jeff went onto the Reedbeds.  2 Little Egrets came in and roosted on the Willow Pool along with 2 Cormorants, Goosander total was 45 with 13 on the Mere and 32 on the Wader Scrape. Also on the Mere were 4 Goldeneye ( 3 drakes) and 21 Pochard. Round at the Reedbeds/Themed Area there were at least 5 Water Rails.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 04.01.15

Cold and frosty start,  -1°C calm with clear skies.
Frozen:  Cold Hiendley Res 40%,  other waters negligible.
Anglers CP: Little Grebe 4,  Great Crested Grebe 5,  Teal 26,  Woodcock 2,  Goosander 37, Grey Wagtail 1 and Tawny  Owl 1.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 4,  Willow Tit 1,  Cetti's Warbler 1 and Grey Partridge 4.   113 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 11.55hrs.
Anglers CP Roost:  A juvenile Iceland was in at 14.00hrs. An adult Caspian at 15.00hrs and a 3rd W Caspian at 16.30hrs.  A 1st W  Glaucous X Herring hybrid was in at 16.15hrs.
Wintersett Res Roost: An adult Caspian was in at 15.45hrs and a 1st W Yellow-legged was in at 16.05hrs.
NB:  Broomhead Roost had an adult Mediterranean Gull
Pugneys had an adult Caspian (the one from Orgreave yesterday)  and 3 Yellow-leggeds.
Fairburn Ings had a 1st W Iceland on the Main Bay at 15.58hrs.
Swillington Ings: An adult.Iceland Gull seen going into roost by Darren Ward about 1600hrs. Difficult to relocate for eight other gull watchers as there were c4000 large gulls tightly packed and after five minutes c2000 went off East, the Iceland Gull was not refound. per Pete Griffin http://sibg1.wordpress.com/sightings/
   



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                              Record shot -  Juv. Iceland     ACP           SDenny

Deepcar

Deepcar SF - 1 Cormorant on the River Don, 10 Redwings and 40+ Pied Wagtail.

Newmillerdam 4 January

An hour on site at first light before spending the day at Pugneys and Wintersett provided 119 black-headed gulls stood on the ice near the dam and the usual collection of ducks and 2 pied wagtails.

Woodland fringe highlights - nuthatch 3, song thrush 1, treecreeper 1.

Blyths to Bretton 4/1/15.

Bretton - Most of it frozen so less birds. Goosander 15, GC Grebe 4, Tufted Duck 8, Gadwall 27, Pochard 1 drake, Shoveler 4, Teal 51, Canada Goose 92, Mute Swan 7 and sadly another one dead in the ice. GS Woodpecker 4. Top views of Blyths Pipit on ground just after midday at Calder Park.

Ederthorpe flash

95% frozen, Only birds of note were 1 pintail 3 snipe and 5 C buzzard

Saturday 3 January 2015

Wintersett Gull Roosts 03.01.15

5°C mild and cloudy with rain from 10.30hrs until early afternoon.
520 Pink-footed Geese flew west over a superb gull roost at 1540hrs 
Both gull roosts were watched tonight.  On Anglers CP  the number of birds was an amazing spectacle,  but held no goodies, whereas Wintersett Res had fewer birds but all the notables.  A juvenile Iceland came in at 15.50 and an adult Iceland at 16.40hrs.  An adult Caspian flew in at 15.40hrs.  There was a  new site record of  4200 Herring Gull - 2800 ACP + 1400 WRes..  Also 1064 Great Black-backeds  842 ACP  + 222 WRes.   2 x 1stW Glaucous X Herring Hybrids were on ACP.
NB: There was a decent roost at Pugneys but the only notable was a 3rd W Caspian - per @jonnybirder
At Sherburn-in-Elmet an adult Glaucous and a juvenile Iceland were loafing in field along St John's Lane this afternoon - per @RichardDrew7.   Orgreave had an adult Caspian per @BirdPieman.

Newmillerdam - 3 January

Overcast morning before turning to rain.

Black-headed gull 97, Canada goose 23, coot 20, grey heron 1, mallard 173, moorhen 5, mute swan 10, pochard 1, tufted duck 19.

In the woodland fringe, nuthatch 3, goldfinch 20 and song thrush 1.

Edderthope flash

Birds of note, Water rail, Peregrine which I managed to completely miss (Alan stonier) and a very sad looking Barn owl making an attempt at quartering the surrounding fields, Doubt it will last the day!

Newmillerdam & Bretton 2 January

Having been a daily reader of the blog for most of 2014, I thought I would try and contribute a bit this year. So here goes my first post from yesterday.

Newmillerdam
Usual small variety of ducks on the lake, most of which I didn't think to count. Of note were goosander 4, little grebe 1, nuthatch and coal tit.

Bretton
Lower lake - Goosander 28, mallard 52, great crested grebe 1, teal 31, grey heron 2, Canada goose 36.

Upper lake - mallard 115, gadwall 10, tufted duck 14, little grebe 3, mute swan 7, moorhen 5, coot 9.

Other notables were nuthatch 2, treecreeper and goldcrest.


Friday 2 January 2015

Green Moor

Tree Sparrow 8, Bullfinch 3, Bullfinch increasing in numbers to garden, max 7 this week

A few photos




Worsborough bits including BH Gull ringed in Norway?

A few photos today from Worsborough including BHGull dark green ring, white lettering "JE15" I think; also 12 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Redwing; 2 Mistle Thrush, not much else.

Bonus on way home was a Goosander at Wortley Top Forge.






Wintersett + Gull Roost 02.01.15

5°C with 6/8 cloud,  but felt cold in the strong westerly.
Wintersett Res: Willow Tit 1.  The Drake Smew flew from the north east corner to the west bank at 11.30hrs. Later this afternoon it was on Anglers CP and was still present at dark.
Anglers CP: Teal 31,  Canada Goose 203,  Cormorant 19 and Shoveler 2
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Viewing conditions were difficult tonight with all birds head on to the hide. Just 2 notables tonight.  A 1stW Glaucous X Herring hybrid flew over at 14.55hrs.  A 3rd W Caspian flew in at 16.25hrs.
Other Yorkshire notables: Pugneys had an adult Caspian and 4 Yellow-leggeds - per @jonnybirder
Wheldrake Ings had a Kumlien's , back as an adult for the 3rd consecutive winter - per @ YorkBirding
Hampole Tip had a juvenile Iceland - per @ DonnyBirding
Flamborough had a juvenile Glaucous - per @FlamboroughBird

Deepcar

Deepcar SF - 29 Magpies and 53 Pied Wagtails.

Broomhead Res 2/1/15

From the feeder site and near by: 2 Woodcock flushed from the woods, 12 Siskin, 1 Jay, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Redwing, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Nuthatch and the other usual suspects on the feeders.


Castle Dam & More Hall

Castle Dam - 62 Canada Geese, 3 Wigeon, 5 Mallards, 3 Tufted Ducks, 3 Moorhens, 20 Coots, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Gulls and 1 Great Black-backed Gull.
More Hall Reservoir - 3 Canada Geese, 104 Mallards, 3 Cormorants, 3 Moorhens, 20 Coots and c100 Black-headed Gulls.

Thursday 1 January 2015

Bolton Ings - New Years Day 2015

Although the temperature was 10c this morning the paths were still icy which made walking tricky, skies were cloudy but the weather was dry. The western pond was 90% frozen and the eastern pond 80% frozen at first but the wind increased and the ice retreated to 50% when I left. The new year got off to a good start with 14 Goldeneye (3 drakes, 2 imm drakes and 9 females) on the western pond along with a pair of Stonechats. A tight flock of Shoveler were feeding furiously and when I got the chance to count them there were 112, a great count. A Little Egret appeared and flew towards Old Moor. Full List :- Grey Heron 1, Little Egret 1, Cormorant 1, Mute Swan 15, Grey Lag Goose 3, Little Grebe 2, Mallard 40, Teal 7, Gadwall 5, Shoveler 112, Tufted Duck 9, Pochard 12, Goldeneye 14, Goosander 1, Coot 72, Moorhen 8, Lapwing 25, Black Headed Gull 158, Common Gull 34, LBB Gull 1, Herring Gull 5, Sparrowhawk 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Stonechat pair, Grey Wagtail 1, Fieldfare c100, Redwing c30.

Wintersett Gull Roosts 01.01. 2015

2°C and cool because of the strong south westerly.
Successful jaunt to Fraisthorpe for Little Bustard  prevented the usual New Year list of all birds seen in the Wintersett Area.
Both Gull Roosts were watched this afternoon with 6 notables reported.  On Wintersett Res there was an adult Mediterranean Gull at 14.25hrs.   2 adult Caspians, one at 15.20 and one at 15.30.  A juvenile Iceland was seen at 16.20hrs.  Anglers CP had a 3rd W Caspian at 15.08 and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull at 16.15hrs.   A total of 750 Great Black-backed, 600 WRes and 150 ACP.   Also  2420 Herrings 1860 WRes + 560 ACP.   Lesser Black-backed 4 WRes + 2 ACP.    2 x 1st W Herring x Glaucous Hybrids were present on ACP.
NB Broomhead Roost had a 1st W Yellow-legged Gull .
Pugneys roost had a lot of big gulls but the only notable tonight was a 3rd W Yellow-legged Gull.

The Windy West

Dunford Bridge - 20+ Herring Gulls W.
Whitley Common - c100 Lapwing.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 25 Mallards, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kestrel, 2 Coots and 200+ Black-headed Gulls.
Midhope Reservoir - 27 Mallards.

Carlton Marsh

Thanks for your good wishes Ange. The year certainly got off to a good start. Five minutes after entering the hide at 11.48hrs a Red Kite came in from the east flying over the marsh and the disused railway embankment and was lost to sight behind the trees. It was our 7th record and my first for here! A little while later just as I was about to leave I thought I had better check the Mink trap, as the trap door seemed to be closed. Sure enough trapped inside was a great big Mink. I contacted 'Big Steve', pest controller for Barnsley Council and he came within the hour to despatch it humanely. He confirmed it was a dog. This the second Mink to be trapped here, the previous one was a female caught on December 2012.