Wednesday 31 October 2018

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape - 11 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 335 BH Gulls and 3 Cormorants. Elsewhere on the reserve Little Egret north, Grey Wagtail, Siskin, Redpoll, Water Rail (seen) 17 Redwings came in to roost and 10 Pied Wagtails headed for Ardagh Glassworks to roost.

Wintersett 31.10.18

6 - 9 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light, cool south easterly.
Cold Hiendley Res: The redhead Smew and the drake Scaup are still present.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler west bank.  A Water Rail north bank.
Smew redhead        CHRes.     SDenny
Smew redhead        CHRes.     SDenny

The Edge 31/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 4 Mute Swan, 3 Greylag, 73 Wigeon, 57 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 1 Kestrel, 1 Moorhen, 134 Golden Plover, 41 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin, 93 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 17 Skylark, 1 Grey Wagtail and 9 Linnet.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3+2 juvenile Mute Swan, 3 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 292 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 5 Common Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 3 BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Tuesday 30 October 2018

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape this morning 4 Cormorants, 7 Herring Gulls , 4 Common Gulls and 1 LBB Gull. Also noted 7 Shoveler, 1 Meadow Pipit over, 2 Goldcrests, 20 Starlings north followed by 40 Fieldfares north, 2 Siskin, Grey Partridge and Buzzard.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 30.10.18

2 - 6 degrees with  a light westerly.
Sightings per SDenny @StevieD131
Anglers CP: A Redhead Smew was at the south end of the lake first thing,  but was not seen later.  Perhaps it was Bretton bird that came in to roost with Goosanders?  2 Common Scoters still present.
Cold Hiendley Res: The 1stW drake Scaup is still here.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  Gull numbers ramped up tonight.   Herring Gull 826,  Great Black Backed Gull 166,  Lesser Black Backed Gull 10.   Also 39 Goosander came in to roost at dusk.

The Edge 30/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 25 Greylag, 16 Canada Geese, 61 Wigeon, 47 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 31 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 1 Golden Plover, 82 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 2 Skylark, 2 Stonechat, 50+ Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting. K. Fisher also had a Willow Tit and Coal Tit on Doveside, a Nuthatch on Spring Bank and 3 Grey Wagtail on the R.Dearne.
Broomhill Flash - Highlight was a cc Marsh Harrier that flew in at 10.39am and was still hunting over the flash  when we left 25 minutes later. Also noted were 3 Mute Swan, 350+ Canada Geese, 63 Greylag, 20 Pink Footed Geese over west (P. Kent), 50 Shoveler, 44 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 3 female Goldeneye, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 19 Lapwing, 7+ Snipe, 25 BH Gull, 30+ Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail and 30+ Linnet.
TPT - 10+ Fieldfare over and a Jay.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2y Mute Swan, 9 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 1 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 321 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 6 Common Gull, 3 Herring Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 19 Lapwing and 4 Black Tailed Godwit,

Monday 29 October 2018

Wintersett + Vis Mig. 29.10.18

2 - 7 degrees with frosty start, 1/8 cloud and a light northerly.
Anglers CP:  Common Scoter  2 female typeMeadow Pipit 4 in field by Willow Wood.
Cold Hiendley Res:  Scaup  1  1CY drakeA male Cetti's Warbler was singing quietly on the north bank.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: 06.30 - 10.00hrs
Going west: Pink-footed Goose 28.  Starling  2310.  Blackbird 1.  Mistle Thrush 2.  Chaffinch 3. Lesser Redpoll 1.
Going south: Rock Pipit 1.  Reed Bunting 1.
Going south west: Snipe 1.  Wood Pigeon 600.    
Going north west: Starling 2310.  Fieldfare 220.  Redwing 244.
Going east: Dunlin 1.

 
          1CY Drake Scaup       Cold Hiendley Res.    SDenny
1CY Drake Scaup       Cold Hiendley Res.    SDenny

The Edge 29/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1 Mute Swan, 69 Wigeon, 51 Teal, 24 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 119 Golden Plover, 81 Lapwing, 6 Dunlin, 106 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 5 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 10+ Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 30+ Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3 juv Mute Swan, 350+ Canada Geese, 44 Greylag, 43 Teal, 41 Shoveler, 21 Wigeon, 16 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 3 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier (left north at 8.40am ), 2 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 19 Lapwing, 5+ Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 73 BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Early morning, K. Fisher and P. Kent had a good passage of winter thrushes with c3000 Fieldfare and 50+ Redwing.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2 juv Mute Swan, 127 Greylag, 6 Mallard, 6 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Cormorant, 306 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 16 Common Gull, 7 BH Gull, 3 LBB Gull and 3 Herring Gull. Also present were 1 Marsh Harrier, 17 Lapwing, 1 Snipe and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Sunday 28 October 2018

BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP

We've reached that time of year again, the clocks have gone back and the winter bird meetings are due to start again. Here are the details of the first one this coming Thursday;-

THURSDAY 1st NOVEMBER at 7.15pm at the Old Moor visitor centre

speaker JOHN McLOUGHLIN on 'BIRDING IN MONGOLIA'
Johnny Mac has visited this huge country many times and this entertaining talk will show us some of the amazing birdlife there.

All welcome, £2.50 entrance fee includes interval drink. See you there!

Wilthorpe Marsh and Midhope 28/10/18.

Wilthorpe- Water Pipit showed well on wires at sewage farm. Also nearby 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Green Sand, singing Cettis Warbler. 6 Meadow Pipits, 6 C Snipe, 1 G Pecker, 1 Redpoll. Midhope - this aft. Goshawk, Peregrine, 3 C Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, 4 Raven. Heavy sleet shower at 3-30 just about ended it.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights 10 +10 Redwings north, c50 Starlings NW, Treecreeper, Siskin and Redpoll. On the wader scrape 3 Cormorants, c100 BH Gulls, 8 adult Common Gulls, 1 Lesser BB Gull and 20 Herring Gulls.

Wintersett + Excellent Vis.Mig. + Gull Roost 28.10.18

2 - 6 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a very cold north wind, to NNE in afternoon.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig  06.30 - 16.30hrs per Paul Meredith et al.
Going west north west: An all day Starling movement totalling 6235 , is almost double our previous vis mig record, with strongest movement late morning.  
Going west:  A juvenile Gannet at 12.58hrs - the 2nd of this autumn.  Fieldfare 1553.  Redwing 71.  Mistle Thrush 1. Skylark 24 + 11 east.  Snipe 6.  Grey Heron 1 high.  Dunlin 5.
Going north:  Knot 4 at 13.15hrs, new for the year list.
Going north west: Brambling 13.
Going south west: Wood Pigeon 1240.
Anglers CP: A Jack Snipe dropped on the shore of the shallows from high east at 08.15hrs.  Whooper Swans 4 flew in from the south at 09.17h and left east at 16.15hrs.  A female Common Scoter dropped in at 11.05hrs and stayed until dark. 
Anglers CP Gull Roost at dusk: per Steve Denny - 300  Herring Gulls, 150 Great Black Backed Gulls. 33 Goosander.

                                    Juvenile Gannet             Anglers CP     PMeredith

Saturday 27 October 2018

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape this morning 100+ BH Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 17 Herring Gulls and 2 Cormorants. Also present Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest and 10 Redwings (Jim Plant).

Circa 150 Pink Feet flew east over South Kirkby at 12.33hrs (CG)

Wintersett + VisMig + Gull Roost

Only 4 - 5 degrees with light rain and a very cold north westerly all morning,  but 5/8 cloud with a  cold northerly from mid afternoon.
Anglers CP VisMig:  08.00 - 11.30hrs   and 15.00 - 17.00hrs
Going west: Fieldfare  259.   Starling 154.  Redwing 85.  Goosander 2. Brambling 1. Snipe 14.
Anglers CP: Grey Partridge 8 in fields.  Golden Plover 28 over. Snipe 2.  Peregrine 1.
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 31 + 6 ACP + 3 CHRes..
Cold Hiendley Res:  The juvenile, drake Scaup still present.
WRes.Gull Roost:. Herring Gull 170.

Midhope 27/10/18.

Steady with c 600+ Fieldfare, c 250 + Woodpigeon, c 30 Redpoll flock. Sparrowhawk 1, C Buzzard 4, Kestrel 4. Raven 3, Siskin 2. On the res. 2 fem Goldeneye, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 L Grebe.

Friday 26 October 2018

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. 26.10.18

6 - 8 degrees with cloud increasing to 8/8 by mid morning and a very cold north westerly wind.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig:  08.00hrs - 10.00hrs
Going south west: Fieldfare 326.  Wood Pigeon 600.
Going west: Redwing 26.  Starling 40.  Chaffinch 10.
Going east: Pink-footed Goose  Total 349 in 3 skeins (117  at 09.20hrs + 102 at 09.35hrs + 130 at 09.37hrs).
Anglers CP: No sign of Slavonian Grebe today.   Pink-footed Goose 1.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 1.  Siskin 4.
Cold Hiendley Res: Juvenile male Scaup still present.  Goldeneye 5 + 4 WRes. + 1 ACP.

Wintersett Reed Warbler Ringing Recovery per Becky Bailey

A Reed warbler APB6902 ringed at Wintersett on 01/08/18 took 18 days to get to Chew Valley Lake where it was an excellent 2.2g heavier - clearly doing well on migration - 268km so far!

The Edge 26/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 64 Teal, 34 Wigeon, 33 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 226 Lapwing, 100+ Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 132 BH Gull, 7 Common Gull, 2 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail and 30+ Goldfinch. Keith Fisher also had 1 Kestrel, 1 Black Tailed Godwit and c12 Redwing.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 1+3 juv Mute Swan, 100+ Canada Geese, 41 Shoveler, 32 Tufted Duck, 24 Tufted Duck, 14 Wigeon, 7 Mallard, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Pintail, 1 female Smew, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 15 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 66 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull and 60+ Fieldfare( K. Fisher ). 20+ Redwing were seen by J. Thompson near the brickyard.
Bolton Ings - On the west pool were 1 Mute Swan, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Teal, 4 Wigeon,  1 Little Grebe,  2 Little Egret and 12 Coot. On the open water of the east pool were 2+2y Mute Swan, 8 Mallard, 2+5juv Pintail, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Goosander, 1 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 9 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 291 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 7 LBB Gull, 3 Herring Gull and 3 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Buzzard, 39 Lapwing, 2 Snipe and 1 Green Woodpecker. Russ Hayward also had a Peregrine, 2 Grey Wagtail and a skein of  36 Pink Footed Geese over east at 9.35am. K. Foundation reported 8 Redpoll along Warbler Way.

Thursday 25 October 2018

Wintersett - 3 MEGAS for Pete Smith 25.10.18

9 - 12 degrees with sun,  1/8 cloud and a cold westerly wind.
Anglers CP:  The first mega find for Pete Smith was a Woodlark, heard calling as it flew over west at 09.15hrs.  Surrounded by trees, he could not get any views.  The second was a Slavonian Grebe,  not seen here since one on October 13th 2012!   Brambling 2 west.  Chiffchaff 1 SW corner.  Pink-footed Goose 1.  Goosander 1.  Teal 21.
Haw Park Wood: 3 Crossbills seen by Steve Denny this morning, led Pete Smith to return to the wood this afternoon.  As he was scanning, he heard, then saw his third mega for the day!  A skein of 28 White -fronted Geese, going west overhead at 14.50 hrs.  These birds were then picked up at 15.15hrs, by Nick Mallinson, still going west over Denby Delph and Sovereign at 15.15,  viewed from Piper Wells Road,  and being watched from Oldfield by Dave Pennington, and still going west!
Pete described the geese as having prominent and extensive black patches on the belly, indicating that these were Greenland race birds, reorientating to their wintering grounds on the west coast or in Ireland, after being drifted in to the North Sea, due to strong west to north westerly winds between Iceland and Scotland.  
Cold Hiendley Res: The juvenile drake Scaup  is still present.
Wintersett Res: A Water Rail was in the boathouse reeds.
Lepidoptera: Speckled Wood 1 HPWood + 1  boathouse reeds WRes..
Slavonian Grebe                     ACP  CSwaine
Slavonian Grebe        ACP    RMarshall
Slavonian Grebe        ACP    RMarshall
What a fantastic day! 

Wednesday 24 October 2018

Carlton Marsh

Quiet here again today, Buzzard, 3 Shoveler and 38 Lapwing.
Butterflies included 18 Small Copper and 1 Speckled Wood (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 24.10.18

10 - 12 degrees with 2/8 cloud and a north westerly breeze.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 10.
Cold Hiendley Res: The drake juvenile Scaup still present.  Pochard 20 + 11 ACP + 2 WRes..  Goldeneye 4 + 2 ACP + 2 WRes..
Wintersett Res:  Siskin 2 over west + 1 HPWood.   Willow Tit 2 west bank.  Cetti's Warbler  1 male in boathouse reeds.
Anglers CP: Snipe 2.  Teal 13 + 7 CHRes. 
Lepidoptera Haw Park Wood: Red Admiral 1.  Speckled Wood 2. 

The Edge 24/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 162 Canada Geese, 64 Teal, 53 Wigeon, 18 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Moorhen, 177 Lapwing, 120+ Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 114 BH Gull, 6 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull, 10+ Skylark, 1 Kingfisher, 30+ Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Highlight was the 2 female Smew located at 9am by Peter Kent. An added bonus whilst watching these two birds was the 14 Whooper Swan that flew over the flash and landed on Wombwell Ings. Also noted were 2 Mute Swan, 61 Shoveler, 23 Teal, 16 Tufted Duck, 13 Wigeon, 11 Gadwall, 10+ Mallard, 1 Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 12 Lapwing, 3 LBB Gull, 1 Common Gull and 1 Fieldfare.
Bolton Ings - Good views of a Bittern were had as it flew from the front edge to land in the reeds on the back edge of the east pool. On the open water were 4+1 juv Mute Swan, 14 Mallard, 7 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 1 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 319 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 6 Common Gull, 3 LBB Gull and 3 BH Gull. A mixed tit flock contained 15+ Long Tailed Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and 1 Chiffchaff. Also present were 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 55 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush and a male Bullfinch.

Tuesday 23 October 2018

Wintersett + Gull Roost

14 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a moderate north westerly.
Anglers CP: Goldeneye 4.  An immature Cormorant with pike lure and fishing line around one wing was on the rock wall.
Cold Hiendley Res: The juvenile drake Scaup  is still present.  Siskin 1.
Critter: A Mink was seen on CHRes. spillway late morning, by Ralph Hibbert and Les Corrall.
Gull Roost Wintersett Res.  The adult Mediterranean Gull was in tonight.

     Mediterranean Gull   adult      WRes.       SDenny
  Mediterranean Gull   adult      WRes.       SDenny
                          Juvenile drake Scaup         CHRes..       ASmith

The Edge 23/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 194 Canada Geese, 55 Wigeon, 54 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 3 Mallard, 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 157 Lapwing, 133 Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 137 BH Gull, 6 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 4 Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail and 32 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 3 juv Mute Swan, 12 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 68 Shoveler, 19 Teal, 17 Tufted Duck, 15 Mallard, 7 Wigeon, 4 Pochard, 3 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 3 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 19 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 55 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull and  1 LBB Gull.
Bolton Ings - Highlight was a Bittern making three short flights across the front edge of the east pool. On the open water were 2+2 juv Mute Swan, 12 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 4 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 9 LBB Gull, 3 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 326 Coot and 1 Moorhen. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 29 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover over west and 1 Bullfinch.

Monday 22 October 2018

Storrs Mill/Hollins Wood

2 Buzzard, 2 Red-legged Partridge, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Speckled Wood, 7 Small Copper and Small White (Chris Parkin). 

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. 22.10.18

10 - 14 degrees with 3/8 scattered cloud and a light westerly.
Cold Hiendley Res: The juvenile drake Scaup still present.  Goldeneye 3 +2 WRes. + 1 ACP.
WRes.Vis.Mig.: 54 Pink-footed Geese flew east at 10.06hrs.
Wintersett Res: Goosander 3 + 2 ACP.  Water Rail 1 east bank + 1 north bank.  Cetti's Warbler 2 males - north bank + east bank.  Grey Partridge 6 in field.
Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose 1 in with Greylags.  Lesser Redpoll 70.
Lepidoptera: Red Admiral 1 WRes.boathouse.
                            Juvenile drake Scaup                        CHRes    SDenny
  Juvenile drake Scaup                        CHRes    SDenny

Sunday 21 October 2018

Ewden valley/ Midhope 21/10/18.

Started ok but ruined by the weather with low cloud,drizzle and strong wind. Ewden- on arrival hundreds of Woodpigeon going down the valley toward broomhead res. Raven 2,C Buzzard 2,c 100 Fieldfare, Meadow Pipit 18. Midhope- 48 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck and 3 L Grebe on res. Also c200 Fieldfare,12 Redpoll.

Carlton Marsh

Another beautiful day encouraging birds to move. During the first hour of daylight 22 Redwing flew west, 60 Starlings NW followed by 20 more NW and 141 (5 groups) of Wood Pigeon flew high SW. A Brambling called near the ringing rides and 2 Song Thrushes (1 ringed) were very flighty. Also present 15 Skylarks (on the fields), 2 Kingfisher, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 3 Siskin, 2 Redpoll and 5 Bullfinch. Meanwhile 2 Cormorants, 3 Herring Gulls and 2 Common Gulls were on the wader scrape and a skein of Pink Feet were heard in the distance heading east. 

Wintersett Vis.Mig + Ringing 21.10.18

9 - 13 degrees with 2/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: A Great White Egret flew high south west at 11.18 hrs..  5 Whooper Swan flew south east.  A total of 341Pink Footed Geese went east in 4 skeins (54 + 130 +110+47).    43 Brambling flew west.
Anglers CP:  7 Goldeneye were new in.  Little Grebe 5. Pink-footed Goose 1.
Wintersett Res:  2 singing male Cetti's Warblers - boathouse and north bank.
Cold Hiendley Res: Scaup  1 juvenile drake.  Pochard 16.  Tufted Duck 174.  Grey Heron 5.  A Peregrine flew over at 15.00hrs.
26 Birds were ringed: Highlights were:- 13 Goldfinch + 10 Lesser Redpoll.
Lepidoptera ACP. : Red Admiral  1,  Speckled Wood 1  and a Small White  1.

Saturday 20 October 2018

Carlton Marsh

On show today 2 Cormorants, 36 Lapwings, 2 Common Gulls, 1 LBB Gulls, 8 Herring Gulls, Little Egret, Water Rail, Grey Wagtail and 7 Shovelers. Single Redpoll, Siskin and Skylark flew over.

Insects included 2 Speckled Wood and an amazing 28 Small Copper butterflies. Also of note, Orange Ladybird (Chris parkin)

Wintersett + Vis.Mig + Ringing + Evening 20.10.18

7 - 14 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: 
Going south: Whooper Swan 1 at 08.35hrs.   Mute Swan 3 at 10.13hrs.  Peregrine 1.
Going south west: Wood Pigeon 260.
Going west: Pink-footed Goose 90 at 10.10hrs.  Skylark 3.  Fieldfare 658. Redwing 329.  Brambling 32 (7+2+ 7+16).  Siskin 1.
Going north west: Starling 1904.
Going east: Hawfinch  5 circled boathouse WRes at 16.35 then left east.
Anglers CP: Grey Heron 10.  Teal 15.  Little Grebe 3.  Pink-footed Goose 1.  
Wintersett Res: 2 singing male Cetti's Warblers - north bank and boathouse reeds.   Starling 650 roosted.  A Great White Egret flew over low and may have dropped in 17.50hrs.   10 adult Whooper Swans dropped in at 18.10hrs.
111 Birds were ringed: Highlights were- 77 Lesser Redpoll.  14 Goldfinch.  Greenfinch 8.  Reed Bunting 1.  Redwing 7.


                                           Great White Egret          WRes        PMeredith

Friday 19 October 2018

Wintersett + VisMig + Gull Roost 19.10.18

6 - 13 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: An excellent morning with a good number of Wood Pigeons and the first really good push of continental Starlings (more tomorrow hopefully :-). A highlight was the first vig mig Woodcock for ACP hill!
Going south west: Wood Pigeon 6100Skylark 44.  Fieldfare  67.  Redwing  120.  Meadow Pipit 19.
Song Thrush 1.  Lesser Redpoll 16. 
Going west: Woodcock 1 at 10.20hrs, (a firstVisMigfor this sp.).    Starling 1351. Brambling 28 (9+1+14+1+3) Pink-footed Goose 32.  Snipe 5.  Chaffinch 69 (record count broken by 6!)
Going east: Rock Pipit 2 at 08.05hrs. 
Going south: Mistle Thrush 3. Golden Plover 2.  Green Finch 5.  Siskin 15.
3 Whooper  Swans flew south at 07.45hrs and 15 dropped in from the west at  09.40hrs, stayed on ACP lake all day then left east at sunset.
For complete counts, per Paul Meredith,  see  https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/1100/20181019
Anglers CP: Goosander 19.  Wigeon 77.  Pochard 19 + 6 WRes. + 17 CHRes..
Wintersett Res:  2  Water Rail were heard - one east bank and one in the boathouse reeds.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: per Steve Denny. Herring Gull 240,  Great Black Backed Gull 140, Lesser Black backed Gull 132.

  Some of the Whooper Swans      ACP at dusk       SDenny

The Edge 19/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 103 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 57 Teal, 38 Shoveler, 37 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Coot, 125 Lapwing, 27 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 112 BH Gull, 1 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 6 Pied Wagtail, 3 Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Park - Peter Kent had 1 Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 2300 Woodpigeon over south, 2 Fieldfare, 25+ Long Tailed Tit and 2 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3 juv Mute Swan, 16 Teal, 16 Tufted Duck, 15 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 5 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 5 Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 5 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 25 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 28 LBB Gull and LBB Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2 juv Mute Swan, 5 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 1 female Goosander, 2+4 juv Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 277 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 6 LBB Gull, 5 BH Gull and 4 Common Gull. Also present were 42 Lapwing.

Thursday 18 October 2018

Wintersett + VisMig + Ringing + Gull Roost

6 - 15 degrees with sun,  2/8 high cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP VisMig:  A decent morning.  Whooper Swan 15E.   Pink footed Goose 174 in 4 skeins (25 W, 15W, 4S, 130 NE).   Wood Pigeons 6600 SW.  Stock Dove 11 SW.   Brambling 31W.  Curlew 1W.    Redwing 520 W.   Fieldfare 160 SW.  Skylark 34 SW.  

Carlton Marsh

5 Herring Gulls, 1 LBB Gull. 2 Common Gulls and c150 Black Headed Gulls were on the wader scrape with 2 Herons and a Cormorant. On the main marsh a Water Rail called and a Redpoll flew over. A Grey Wagtail was feeding in front of the hide and several, single Skylarks headed SW.
3 Speckled Wood butterflies were on the wing along with numerous Common Darters.

Carlton Memorial Lake 
This morning a Golden Plover flew north at 10.10hrs followed by 117 Pink Feet west at 10.14hrs. On the adjacent fields were 4 Meadow Pipits, 10 Skylarks and 6 Pied Wagtails. (Dave Smith)

Rabbit Ings
A Barn Owl was hunting the meadows this morning (Mick Birkinshaw).

The Edge 18/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 105 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 46 Teal, 37 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 5 Wigeon, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 232 Lapwing, 181 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 132 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 15+ Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 60+ Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Park - Peter Kent had c50 Pink Footed Geese over east, 1 Peregrine, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2650 Woodpigeon over south, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Treecreeper.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3juv Mute Swan, 26 Tufted Duck, 14 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 7 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 13 Lapwing and 24 BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - Highlight was a Barn Owl hunting over the eastern end of the East Pool. On the open water were 2+2 juv Mute Swan, 51 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 3 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 1 female Goosander, 2+ 4juv Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 274 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 4 Common Gull and 3 BH Gull. Also present were 1 Buzzard, 1 Bittern, 61 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Jay.

Wednesday 17 October 2018

Carlton Marsh

122 Pink Feet Geese flew SE at 10.27hrs and another skein, not seen, were heard heading NE at 10.50hrs. (Dave Smith) 20 Fieldfare came in later. Also present Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, 4 Jays and 18 Lapwing.

Insects flying in the mild conditions were, single Painted Lady and Speckled Wood, 9 Small Copper and 12 Common  Darter. 
Harlequin Ladybird is often common at this time of year, 166 were counted in the car park. (Chris Parkin)
 Grey Wagtail (Dave Smith)
Shaggy Pholiota (Pholiota squarrosa) (Dave Smith)
This pristine Swallow-tailed Moth was taken in Dave Smith's garden light trap last night. Normally this beautiful moth is on the wing in late June early July!


Wintersett + VisMig 17.10.18

8 - 12 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light north westerly.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1.  Grey Heron 8  Shoveler 53.  A Pink-footed Goose was in with the Greylag Geese.
Wintersett Res: A singing male Cetti's Warbler was on the north bank.  A Water Rail was on the east bank.  A Kingfisher seen north east bank + 1 ACP. 
Haw Park Wood: 2000 Corvids flew out of the roost at 07.00hrs.
Anglers CP VisMig:
Going south west: Wood Pigeon 1360.  Stock Dove 3.  Goldfinch 51.  Siskin 10.  Reed Bunting 4.
Going south: Pied Wagtail 14.   Linnet 38.  Meadow Pipit 1.  Great Spotted Woodpecker 5.
Going east:  Pink-footed Goose 533 +  100 west
Going west:   Brambling 63 (including a flock of 42 which is probably the biggest flock seen here)    Goosander 12Starling 306.  Chaffinch 43.  Blackbird 1.  Mistle Thrush 5.  Fieldfare 633.  Redwing 1363.  Song Thrush 2.  Skylark 102.  Lesser Redpoll 2.  Lapland Bunting 1.
Per Paul Meredith @Fitzybirder: The Lapland Bunting was only the 3rd ever  here during a VisMig. Watch.  Lapland Bunting, previous records being in 2010 and 2014, these in turn being the first at all here since the flush of records during 1987 to 1990 (which included up to five wintering birds in early 1988).
Lepidoptera: Red Admiral 1 ACP.   

The Edge 17/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 58 Canada Geese, 43 Shoveler, 37 Teal, 5 Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 2 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 182 Lapwing, 31 Golden Plover, 38 BH Gull, 7 Skylark, 9 Meadow Pipit and 2 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Park - Early morning P. Kent had c400 Redwing over, 50+ Fieldfare, 6 Siskin, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3 juv Mute Swan, a skein ofc200 Pink Footed Geese over east at 10.08am, 125 Canada Geese, 22 Tufted Duck, 21 Shoveler, 15 Mallard, 5 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 18 Lapwing and 5 BH Gull. Early AM K. Fisher also had 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Snipe,1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker and c50 Linnet.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2 juv Mute Swan, 16 Shoveler, 10 Pochard, 10 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal, 2+3y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 12 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 8 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 3 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 1 Buzzard, 45 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Jay.

Tuesday 16 October 2018

Wintersett + Gull Roost Oddity 16.10.18

10 - 15 degrees with sun,  4/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: A Brambling flew over.  Little Egret 1.   Shoveler 51.  Teal 2.  Goldeneye 1 female.   
Golf Course Field: A flock of 50 Redwing flew over west mid morning.
Cold Hiendley Res: 6 Noctule Bats flew over at dusk.
Wintersett Res: 2 singing male Cetti's Warblers - west bank and north bank.  A Great White Egret dropped in to west bank at 17.45hrs.   
Wintersett Res Gull Roost:Per Steve Denny @StevieD131 .
This Laugher imposter caused a stir for a while in the  Wintersett roost tonight. Went down as aberrant Common Gull but hybrid Med may be an option.  The mask wasn’t as clear cut in real life, I think the photos have enhanced the contrast a bit and make it stand out more.
Here is a couple of photos to discuss/comment on.




Odonata: Common Darter 2 ACP.

The Edge 16/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 150+ Canada Geese, 79 Teal, 32 Shoveler, 16 Mallard, 2 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 91 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 5 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat  and 1 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Park - K. Fisher had 20 Fieldfare and 3 Redwing. P. Kent had 2 Treecreeper.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3 juv Mute Swan, 7 Canada Geese, 23 Tufted Duck, 21 Shoveler, 5 Teal, 3 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 3 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 5 Little Grebe, 6 Red Legged Partridge, 5 Coot, 5 Moorhen and 21 BH Gull. Early AM, K. Fisher also had 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl and 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 1 Mute Swan, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 1 Mallard, 4+2 juv Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 11 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 312 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 23 BH Gull, 8 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 1 Sparrowhawk, 35 Lapwing, and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Monday 15 October 2018

Wintersett WeBS October 2018

Here are the October 2018  WeBS totals for the Wintersett Area.

Mute Swan 16   Canada Goose 22   Greylag Goose 57   Cormorant 46   Coot 449   Moorhen 30   Great Crested Grebe 38   Little Grebe 17   Mallard 43   Teal 10   Shoveler 62   Gadwall 68   Wigeon 85   
Tufted Duck 229   Pochard 16   Goldeneye 3   Goosander 4   Water Rail 2   Grey Heron 12   Lapwing 168   Little Egret 1.

Wintersett p.m 15.10.18

10 degrees, grey and  damp with a north easterly wind.
Limited number of sightings due totwitching/ dipping/no show of the White-rumped Swift at Hornsea Mere this morning.
Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose 1.
Wintersett Res: A singing male Cetti's Warbler was on the north bank.  A Chiffchaff was in the ruin area.

Wintersett 14.10.18

8 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and rain until late morning with a northerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  Quality over quantity today.  A Rock Pipit was on the shallows.  A Brambling  in the car park. The  Little Egret was
 on the rock wall.  
Wintersett Res: A Green Sandpiper flew from the north bank.

Sunday 14 October 2018

Wilthorpe Marsh / Bretton 14/10/18.N

Wilthorpe Marsh - Jack Snipe 4, Common Snipe 5, Green Sand 3, L Egret 3, Starling c200, Redwing c120, Swallow 1. Bretton cp.- L Egret 2 at dam spillway, Nuthatch 5, GS Pecker 1. Goosander 9, GC Grebe 20, L Grebe 6, Shoveler 40, Coot 88, Gadwall 23, Tufted Duck 20, Teal 3, Wigeon 2.

Old Moor Sofa


An update on the number of species recorded in the Old Moor Area this year, at the end of August the total was 168.

A further five species were added in September as follows - Crossbill on 2nd (169), Spotted Crake on 15th (170), Turnstone on 19th (171), Cattle Egret on 21st (172) and finally Grey Phalarope on 21st (173), 

At the end of September 2015 the total was 160 therefore we are a further thirteen species better off this year.

A further 16 species were seen up to the end of August in 2015 and 2016 but not seen this year - Red Necked Grebe, Egyptian Goose, Bean Goose, Little Bittern, Night Heron, American Wigeon, Red Crested Pochard, Red Footed Falcon, Curlew Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Gull Billed Tern, Long Eared Owl, Alpine Swift, Redstart & Rock Pipit.

As the weather got cooler in September the birding got hotter, a Spotted Crake appeared on the Reedbeds on 15th and on the 21st a new species for the area when a Cattle Egret was at Wombwell Ings and Broomhill Flash early morning. The Egret quickly moved on but later in the day a Grey Phalarope was found on the Main Marsh. Fortunately the Phalarope is still present today, a stay of 24 days and counting, it must have found something it likes. And finally the first Turnstone of the year was on Broomhill Flash on 19th, just the one and for one day but they all count. The count total of 173 is surely near a record with still about ten weeks to New Years Eve, who knows what will turn up in those ten weeks?

For comparison some other inland sites totals are as follows:- Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire 172, Upton Warren, Worcestershire 144 and Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire ???

Old Moor Sofa


An update on the number of species recorded in the Old Moor Area this year, at the end of July the total was 165.

A further three species were added in August as follows - Spotted Flycatcher on 14th (166), Dipper on 25th (167) and Spotted Redshank also on 25th (168).

At the end of August 2015 the total was 158 therefore we are a further ten species better off this year.

A further 16 species were seen up to the end of August in 2015 and 2016 but not seen this year - Red Necked Grebe, Egyptian Goose, Bean Goose, Little Bittern, Night Heron, American Wigeon, Red Crested Pochard, Red Footed Falcon, Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Gull Billed Tern, Long Eared Owl, Alpine Swift, Redstart, Rock Pipit.

As with June and July the hot weather continued into August and few new species were added to the annual total, however a juvenile Dipper found on the River Dearne on 25th by the Five Arches was a nice surprise and provided a great opportunity for many birders to add it to their "Wath" lists. The Dipper stayed until 15th September and is only the second record for the area. Still no Turnstone on the year list.

For comparison some other inland sites totals are as follows:- Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire 170, Upton Warren, Worcestershire 138 and Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire 153.

Old Moor Sofa

An update on the number of species recorded in the Old Moor Area this year, at the end of June the total was 162.

A further three species were added in July as follows - Honey Buzzard on 2nd (163), Common Crane on 18th (164) and Little Tern on 26th (165).

At the end of July 2015 the total was 155 therefore we are a further ten species better off this year.

A further 17 species were seen up to the end of July in 2015 and 2016 but not seen this year - Red Necked Grebe, Egyptian Goose, Bean Goose, Little Bittern, Night Heron, American Wigeon, Red Crested Pochard, Red Footed Falcon, Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Gull Billed Tern, Long Eared Owl, Alpine Swift, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Rock Pipit.

The hot weather continued throughout the month with flyover Common Crane and Honey Buzzard and fly through Little Tern being the only additions. Plenty of omissions as seen in the list above but still the glaring one being Turnstone.

For comparison some other inland sites totals are as follows:- Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire 166, Upton Warren, Worcestershire 136 and Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire 148.

Old Moor Sofa


An update on the number of species recorded in the Old Moor Area this year, at the end of May the total was 162.

No further species were added to the end of June therefore the total at the end of June remained at 162.

At the end of June 2015 the total was 149 and at the end of June 2016 the total was 157 therefore a lot better than 2015 and slightly up on 2016.

A further 16 species were seen up to the end of June in those two years but not seen this year - Red Necked Grebe, Egyptian Goose, Bean Goose, Common Crane, Little Bittern, Red Crested Pochard, Red Footed Falcon, Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Gull Billed Tern, Little Tern, Long Eared Owl, Alpine Swift, Spotted Flycatcher, Rock Pipit.

A very uneventful Month with no new species added as most species settled down to breed and the hot weather took hold.

For comparison some other inland sites totals are as follows:- Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire 165, Upton Warren, Worcestershire 135 and Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire 145.

Saturday 13 October 2018

Wintersett 13.10.18

17 - 20 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a strong south westerly.
Anglers CP: 5 Rock Pipits  were seen from the hide: 1 over, left north at 10.00hrs,  2 south at 10.17hrs, 1 south at 10.38hrs and 1 south at 10.40hrs.  Yellow-legged gull 1 2nd W.  Little Egret 1.  Grey Heron 8.  Cormorant 52.  Shoveler 40.Grey Partridge 3.
Wintersett Res: Little Grebe 16 + 2 ACP.
Lepidoptera:  Speckled Wood 1 NE WRes..  Late news from Thursday 11.10.18: Peacock  1 NW WRes.. Red Admiral 1 Botany.
Odonata: Migrant Hawker 1 SW WRes..

Friday 12 October 2018

Wintersett + Vis Mig 12.10.18

15 - 18 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a south westerly wind.  Light drizzle from late morning.
Anglers CP VisMig:  per @Fitzybirder
Going south:  Sparrowhawk 1.  Skylark 4.  Swallow 3.   Redwing 215 (a few west early in watch).   Linnet 3.  Reed Bunting 1.

Going south west:  Dunlin 7 (1+2+4).  Grey Wagtail 1.

Going west: Fieldfare 2.  Song Thrush 1.   Chaffinch 8.   Brambling 15 in one flock.  Goldfinch 38.  Yellowhammer 1. 

Going east: 5 Pink-footed Geese at 08.25hrs. 
Anglers CP:  Little Egret 1. 

The Edge 12/10/2018

Wombwell Ings -Present were 26 Canada Geese, 64 Teal, 24 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 354 Lapwing, 298 Golden Plover, 4 Snipe, 102 BH Gull, 4 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail,2 Meadow Pipit and 7+ Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3 juv Mute Swan, 19 Canada Geese, 41 Shoveler, 27 Teal, 25 Tufted Duck, 6 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 6 Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Buzzard, 2 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 15 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 4 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kingfisher and 50+ Linnet.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were2+2 juv Mute Swan, 9 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 3 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 279 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 5 BH Gull, 3 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 14 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 52 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Thursday 11 October 2018

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were, Little Egret, 2 Cormorants, 3 adult Common Gulls and a juv. Yellow-legged Gull on the wader scrape this afternoon. The latter left north at 14.08hrs. Also present 7 Shoveler, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Redpoll and a Buzzard.

South Kirkby Tip area
Yorkshire Swan Rescue have sent the results of the 2 swans that Chris Parkin found dead here recently.
Y902 was ringed on 29/7/13 at Whitley Bridge as a Male cygnet. Y905 was ringed 16/07/13 as an adult female at Doncaster Lakeside. They may have been poisoned by pollutants in the water they were feeding in.

The Edge 11/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 42 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 49 Teal, 22 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 5 Wigeon, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Moorhen, 208 Golden Plover, 146 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 44 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 6+ Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 7 Redwing and 30+ Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3 juv Mute Swan, 27 Shoveler, 24 Tufted Duck, 22 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 7 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 1 female Pintail (8.10-9.08am), 5 Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 6 Red Legged Partridge, 6 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 14 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, and 7 BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2 juv Mute Swan, 39 Tufted Duck, 3 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 4+1 juv Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 264 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 9 LBB Gull and 7 BH Gull. Also present were 14 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 76 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wednesday 10 October 2018

Wintersett 10.10.18

A warm 12 - 17 degrees with 0/8 cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP: A Marsh Harrier flew over the car park at 09.20hrs.  500 Pink- footed Geese  in 2 skeins flew high west at 11.10hr.  Little Egret 1.  Fieldfare 1 west.  Skylark 5.  Wigeon 166.
Wintersett Res: A Water Rail was in the north east corner.  
Lepidoptera: Red Admiral 1 ACP.
Odonata: Migrant Hawker 1 east bank WRes..

Carlton Marsh

Very busy this morning refencing the northern meadow to keep the horses in. Meanwhile a large group of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust team leaders were strimming and managing scrub in the marsh as well as thinning out large stand trees in the north bank plantation. Our thanks to them for a great job done.
During all this the highlights were 2 Cormorants, 20 Siskin, 1 LBB Gull, possible juv. YL Gull and Grey Wagtail. 23 Pink Feet Geese flew west at 11.45hrs.

Storrs Mill Wood area
Buzzard 2, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Cormorant and 2 Grey Partridge.
Butterflies included Red Admiral 7, Peacock 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1 and Small Copper 6.
Moths found were Grey Shoulder Knot, November Moth sp. and Silver Y 4. There were also hundreds of Harlequin Ladybirds. (Chris Parkin)
This was reflected in my garden and no doubt everybody else's, that's how common they were today in the sunshine.

The Edge 10/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 44 Teal, 28 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 3 Wigeon, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 224 Golden Plover, 152 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 72 BH Gull, 5 Skylark, 5+ Meadow Pipit and 7 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 3+4 juv Mute Swan, 18 Canada Geese, 31 Shoveler, 25 Teal, 21 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 7 Little Grebe,  6 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 6 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 27 Lapwing and 8 BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - Novelty sighting of the day was a full size plastic Pink Flamingo placed on the water's edge to the left of the hide. Will it stay as long as the Phalarope?
On the open water were 1+1 juv Mute Swan, 4 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 4+2 juv Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 302 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 17 BH Gull and 6 LBB Gull. Also present were 14 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron and 1 Jay.

Tuesday 9 October 2018

Wintersett + Vis Mig. 09.10.18

12 - 17 degrees with 6/8 cloud and a south westerly wind.
Anglers CP: Wigeon 136,  Little Egret 1,
Anglers CP Vis.Mig:  Skylark 51 SW
Going south: Grey Wagtail 1.  Meadow Pipit 18.  Linnet 4. Goldfinch 23.  Reed Bunting 1. 
Going west:  Redwing 11.  Chaffinch 3.  Lesser Redpoll 1.  Yellowhammer 2.  
Wintersett Res: Chiffchaff 1 + 1 Botany.  
Lepidoptera Botany:  Small White 2.  Speckled Wood 2


Carlton Marsh

Sunny warm 20c SW lovely day. This morning 20 Canada Geese were languishing on the main scrape with 6 Shovelers. Further along on the wader scrape were 3 Cormorants, 20 Lapwings and 2 LBB Gulls. 2 Buzzards were soaring above as 2 Foxes hunted the banks. (Rod Heeley)

Butterflies on show were 17 Small Copper, 6 Red Admiral, 13 Speckled Wood, 3 Comma and 1 Small Tortoiseshell (Chris Parkin)

There will be some disturbance to the marsh tomorrow due to essential management of scrub.

The Edge 09/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 112 Canada Geese, 37 Greylag, 66 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck, 7 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 350 + Lapwing, 176 Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 63 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 4 Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail and 9 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3juv Mute Swan, 104 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 31 Shoveler, 27 Teal, 22 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 8 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 7 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 5 Swallow and 50+ Linnet.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4+2 juv Mute Swan, 34 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 1 Teal, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Cormorant, 267 Coot, 7 LBB Gull, 3 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 4 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 51 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Monday 8 October 2018

The Edge 08/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - A Peregrine through at 9.03am flushed 304 Lapwing, 108 Golden Plover and 82 BH Gull into the air and 77 Teal onto the safety of the central main flash. Also present were 105 Canada Geese, 21 Shoveler, 3 Mallard, 4 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail and 5 Linnet.
Broomhill Park - Early morning, K. Fisher had 9 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Treecreeper, 4 Goldcrest and 5 Chiffchaff.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 5 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Geese, 45 Teal, 31 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 7 Little Grebe, 10 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 6 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 5 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 17 Lapwing, 8 Snipe, and 11 BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - A good day for raptors with 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel. On the open water were 2+2 juv Mute Swan, 34 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 5 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2+3 juv Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 13 Cormorant, 304 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 12 BH Gull, 6 LBB Gull, 4 Herring Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 17 Canada Geese, 63 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker and a Coal Tit in a flock of 15+ Long Tailed Tit.

Wintersett 08.10.18

A warm 12 - 16 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  Little Egret 1.  Goldeneye 1 female.  Snipe 1.  Redwing 14 south east.
Wintersett Res.  Buzzard 2 + 2 ACP.    Little Grebe 6 + 1 ACP 

Lepidoptera: Small Copper 1.  Small White 1.  Speckled Wood 4.

Odonata: Migrant Hawker 4.

Sunday 7 October 2018

Low Moor/Midhope 6/1018 +.

2 hours Saturday aft.Very steady with 10 Ravens,sometimes together the highlight. Pinkfeet c 100w at 2-30. C Buzzard 5, Kestrel 3, Crossbill 1, Redpoll 6,Siskin 3, Meadow Pipit 4, Skylark 1. Yesterday,5th at birdwell obelisk 120 Pinkfeet s at 10-50am + 5 Meadow Pipit,5 Skylark. Curlew s here on 3rd.

Ewden valley 7/10/18.

Dry with good light but cold.11-30 to 4-30 had 3 Peregrines, 1/2 Merlins chasing, C Buzzard scarce,just 2, Kestrel 2. Raven 6, Grey Heron over upper commons, Pinkfeet c100 e at 15-45 pm. Fieldfare total c 600+ going s. Meadow Pipit total 63 s. Siskin total 14, Linnet 10, Skylark 2. Heard only were 2+ Crossbills and 1 Dunlin.

Wintersett + Vis.Mig + Ringing 07.10.18

A light frost.  4 - 13 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig.  per @Fitzybirder.  A great morning with steady movement and good variety.
Going south west: 600 Wood Pigeon and a record count of 58 Stock Dove, also 17 Golden Plover.
Going south east: 3 Jay.    
Going west: 402 Fieldfare.  318 Redwing.  6 Song Thrush.    2 Common Gull.  1 Snipe. 542 Pink-footed Geese in 4 skeins + 50 going east in 2 skeins.  4 Brambling. 5 Chaffinch.   
Going south:  2 Twite, which called when straight over our heads.  Once regular here in spring Twite are now rare in both migration periods so these were a welcome first for a vis mig session.   2  Black-tailed Godwit  at 08.07hrs.  1 Common Buzzard.   8 Cormorant + 6 north.  1 Mistle Thrush.  1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.  62 Meadow Pipit.   2 Greenfinch.  48 Linnet.  3 Lesser Redpoll and 61 Goldfinch. 
57 birds were ringed: per Pete Smith.  Highlights were:  Cetti's Warbler 1 male. Blackcap 1 male.  Lesser Redpoll 16.  Goldfinch 14.  Longtailed Tit 6 and Reed Bunting 1.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 2 males, north west and west bank + 1 male south west ACP.
Anglers CP.   Little Egret 3 flew in from south at 08.05 + 1 south west bank. 



Carlton Marsh

3 Cormorants were on the wader scrape along with 3 Herons that were squabbling over fishing rights. A Green Sandpiper called in at 12.35hrs, but a crow chased it off.
Also present on the marsh, Grey Wagtail, 6 Shoveler and a singing Cetti's Warbler. 2 Goldcrests a Treecreeper and a single Redpoll were in the car park. 30 Fieldfare flew west at 11.57hrs.

Later c200 Pink Feet flew east over Cudworth at 15.55hrs (Dave Standish).


Saturday 6 October 2018

Wintersett 05.10.18 + 06.10.18

Thursday  05.10.18  Per SDenny
Wintersett Res:  Pinkfooted Goose 2 skeins - 140 & 180 west .  An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the north bank. A Cetti's Warbler  was in the south west corner +  another in south west corner of ACP..  
                          Mediterranean Gull adult   WRes.                   SDenny

Friday 06.10.18
6 -13 degrees,  drizzly rain until mid morning, then 8/8 but  decreasing cloud with a cool north westerly.
Anglers CP: A Rock Pipit was on the shallows then left east. Whooper Swan 6 flew east at 09.40hrs.  Golden Plover 8 over.  Goosander 1.   Cetti's Warbler 1 male, singing in the south west reeds.  Little Egret 1. Snipe 1. Little Grebe 2.  
Cormorant 47 + 10 WRes..   Shoveler 55 + 18 WRes. + 10 CHRes..
Wintersett Res: Swallow 6 + 4 CHRes..   House Martin 1 + 1 CHRes..   Sand Martin 1.   Canada Goose 9.   Water Rail 1 boathouse reeds.  
Cold Hiendley Res:  Teal 5.   Chiffchaff 2 at SF + 1 WRes..    Blackcap 1 male SF..   Skylark 80 in fields + 25 Pol field ACP.   Tawny Owl 1.  Willow Tit 2 south west bank. 


Thursday 4 October 2018

Wintersett + VisMig + Gull Roost 04.10.2018

12 - 16 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP:  Little Egret 1. 
Anglers CP VisMig:  Red Kite 1 over Haw Park.  Pink-footed Goose 400 west in three skeins.  Redwing 39 west and Fieldfare 2 west.  Skylark 14 south west.  Swallow 2 south.
Wintersett Res: Hobby 1 juvenile. Cetti's Warbler 1 male in boathouse reeds.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult (Psycho).
59 Birds were ringed: Highlights were: 4 Chiffchaff,  6 Goldcrest,  4 Reed Bunting,  1 Lesser Redpoll,  4 Chaffinch,  9 Goldfinch and 21 Green Finch.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: Per Steve Denny.  The 2nd calendar year Caspian Gull was in the  roost again tonight.  It's very educational to see at this time of year, when we usually see these here in Dec/Jan as 2nd winter birds.
2nd CY Caspian Gull  WRes Evening Roost  SDenny

Carlton Marsh

A lovely warm October morning saw 2 Grey Wagtails and 74 Canada Geese on the main scrape. c100 Pink Feet headed west at 09.00hrs (Chris Parkin) followed by 75 NW at 10.56hrs (Russ Boland CG) 14 Lesser Blacked and 1 Common Gull were with c200 Black Headed Gulls, 3 Cormorants, 6 Shoveler and 20 Lapwing on the wader scrape. 2 Willow Tits and a Siskin were also of note.

Wednesday 3 October 2018

Wintersett 03.10.18

11 - 14 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a  south westerly wind.
Disposal Point: A TWITE flew over south at 07.30hrs.
Anglers CP: House Martin 2 + 5 Wintersett Village.   Chiffchaff  1 + 1 Botany + 2 WRes - south west + west bank.  Swallow 3 south.  Redpoll 1.  Cetti's Warbler 1 male singing in the south west corner.  Redpoll 1.   Little Egret 1. Little Grebe 3 + 6 WRes..  Cormorant 67 + 7 WRes..  Water Rail 1 south west corner.  Greylag Goose 36.
Wintersett Res: Canada Goose 7.  Willow Tit 1 south east corner.  A Reed Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.
Odonata: Migrant Hawker 1 Botany. 

Tuesday 2 October 2018

The Edge 02/10/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 22 Canada Geese, 77 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 82 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover (145 early AM), 58 BH Gull, 7 LBB Gull, 2 Common Gull, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail and 50+ Goldfinch.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 30 Teal, 28 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 7 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine,  2 Moorhen, 21 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, and 1 LBB Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2y Mute Swan, 7 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 3+3y Great Crested Grebe, 19 Cormorant, 302 Coot, 5 LBB Gull, 3 BH Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 18 Lapwing, 3 Grey Wagtail and 1 Bullfinch.

Wintersett + Gull Roost + Pics 02.10.18

10 - 13 degrees with a little sun, scattered cloud and a north westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1.  The adult Yellow-legged Gull (Psycho) was on the rafts.
Cold Hiendley Res: 25 Golden Plover were in the fields.
Wintersett Res: Chiffchaff 1 south west corner,  House Martin 5.  Willow Tit 1 west bank.  Goldeneye 1 female.  2 male Cetti's Warblers - north bank + west bank.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost:  The 2cy Caspian Gull was in again tonight, along with 457 Lesser Black-backed Gulls,  3 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gull and 20 Herring Gull.   Steve Denny also had a brief view of what was the 1cy Caspian Gull seen by GJSpeight the other night.
Here's a selection of photos of 2CY Caspian Gull taken by Steve Denny




Monday 1 October 2018

Wintersett + Gull Roost + Pics 01.10.18

10 - 14 degrees with scattered cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1.  Snipe 3.  Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull.  A Curlew was in the fields, then left north.  Lesser Redpoll 1.   Siskin 4 went south. Shoveler 28 + 10 WRes..  Teal 3 + 3 CHRes..
Wintersett Res:  Chiffchaff 3 + 2 ACP.  Cetti's Warbler 2 males - north bank + one singing in the boathouse reeds.  Pink-footed Goose 90 east at 09.50hrs.  Little Grebe 8.  Kingfisher 1.  Blackcap 1.  Goldeneye 1 female.  Willow Tit 1 north east bank.  Hobby 2 juveniles.
Lepidoptera WRes.: Small Copper 1.  Comma 1. Speckled Wood 2.
Odonata WRes.: Migrant Hawker 2.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost:  A 2nd calendar year Caspian Gull was picked out by Daniel Langston  Also in - an adult Mediterranean  Gull.

                             Adult Mediterranean Gull in WRes.Roost      SDenny
                               Caspian Gull 2nd calendar year    WRes.Roost  SDenny

Belated Insect sightings

A Humming Bird Hawk Moth was feeding on a Fuchsia on 24th September (Brian Dearnley) and a Hornet was seen today at South Kirkby reclaimed spoil tip (Les Corrall & Ralph Hibbert).

The Edge 01/10/2018

Generally, a quiet day and for the first day this autumn no Hirundines were seen.
Wombwell Ings - Present were 13 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag, 54 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 138 Golden Plover, 92 Lapwing, 51 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 4 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 12+ Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 29 Shoveler, 25 Teal, 18 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard, 8 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 5 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker,  20+ Skylark and 2 Yellow Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 6+2y Mute Swan, 39 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 4+3y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 269 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 5 LBB Gull and 3 BH Gull. Also present were 12 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard,13 Lapwing, 1 Snipe and 1 Common Tern.