Saturday 29 February 2020

Wintersett and Gull roost 29.02.2020

5 - 8 degrees with  8/8 cloud,  rainy start. By mid morning dry with some sun and a moderate south westerly wind.
Anglers CP: Greylag Goose 104.
Wintersett Res: The male Stonechat still on the north bank.  The female Long-tailed Duck still in the south west area.   Goosander 2 male + 1 female.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: A  1stW Iceland Gull was in at 15.45hrs. 

Friday 28 February 2020

Wintersett + Gull Roost 28.02.20

4 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud, some drizzly rain and a strengthening, gusty, south westerly wind.
Wintersett Res: The male Stonechat still on the north bank.  The female Long-tailed duck still present. Kingfisher 1.   2 Cetti's Warblers - north east bank and south west corner.  A male and female Goosander were on Botany Bay.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost:The juvenile Iceland Gull  was in the roost again  tonight.  See video via the link.  https://twitter.com/StevieD131/status/1233465930119876608 

Thursday 27 February 2020

Wintersett + Gull Roost 27.02.20

5 - 8 degrees,  with sun,  4/8 cloud and a cool westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: 38 Pied Wagtail were in back field.
Disposal Point: Green Woodpecker 1.
Wintersett Res: The male Stonechat was on the north bank.  The Female Long-tailed Duck still here.  4 male Cetti's Warblers - Boathouse reeds,  north bank,  south west corner and south east corner.
Cold Hiendley Res: Goosander 2 male and 2 female.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: per Steve Denny A 1st winter Iceland Gull joined the roost at 16:30.  Herring Gulls 380, Common Gulls 180.  
Stonechat Male   Wintersett Res.      SDenny
Iceland Gull 1stW    Wintersett Res. Roost   SDenny
Iceland Gull 1stW    Wintersett Res. Roost   SDenny

Wednesday 26 February 2020

Carlton Marsh

Not much change yet, 17 Tufted Duck, 2 Greylag, 8 Canada Geese, Little Egret, G. Spot Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, Water Rail, 3 singing Reed Buntings and 5 pairs Bullfinch. (Dave Smith et al)

Wintersett 26.02.20

3 - 6 degrees with sun, 4/8 cloud and a moderate south westerly wind.
Wintersett Res: The female Long-tailed Duck still present.  A male Stonechat found by Geoff Carr,  https://twitter.com/GeoffCarrEco/status/1232763305304915970  ,  and a male Cetti's Warbler were in the west bank marsh. 
Anglers CP: Little Grebe 2.  Mute Swan 7.   A Green Woodpecker was at Hare Park.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the Pol Feeders (per Geoff Carr) 
Cold Hiendley Res: Goosander 4.

Wintersett and Anglers CP




A couple of images taken today at Anglers and Wintersett.
A female Great Spotted Woodpecker on the Poll feeders and a male Stonechat on the edge of the Phragmites reed-bed near the boat-house at Wintersett.

Tuesday 25 February 2020

Wintersett + Gull Roost 25.02.20

3 - 6 degrees with  sun, 3/8 cloud and a gusty westerly.
Wintersett Res:  Long-tailed Duck female still present.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: An adult Mediterranean Gull was in tonight  https://twitter.com/StevieD131/status/1232373238904303617 

Carlton Marsh

Mute Swan darvic ringing details from Yorkshire Swan Rescue  

Carlton Marsh
Adult Red Y189 was seen on 30/10/19 and was last seen on 13/12/19. It was ringed on 20/06/07 at Anglers Country Park, Wakefield as a 2006 female cygnet. 

Adult Yellow Y362 arrived on 30/10/19 with the above and was later killed by a Fox on 13/12/19. It was ringed on 22/01/16 at Parkgate Canal, Rotherham as a 2015 male cygnet.

Ferrymoor Flash (Sash)
Adult (F?) Red 763Y was seen on 2/2/20. It was ringed on 4/9/17 at Rother Valley Country Park as a 2016 male cygnet. It was with 3 full grown cygnets.



Monday 24 February 2020

Wintersett 24.02.2020

4 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a strong, gusty westerly wind.
Anglers CP: Snipe 19.  Shoveler 2 males + 1 female.  Oystercatcher 5.
Cold Hiendley Res: Goosander 2 redheads.
Wintersett Res: The female Long-tailed Duck still present.   Times are obviously tough for Barn Owls at the moment, one was hunting on the east bank at 10:45hrs.  per Steve Denny   
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: The Long tailed Duck is quite elusive nowadays, but usually in middle of Top Res.   An adult Mediterranean Gull was in tonight. 
https://twitter.com/StevieD131/status/1232024973553913856
 


Image     
 Barn Owl over east bank Wintersett Res.    SDenny
        
Image
Spot the same Barn Owl which was eating something on the east bank.   
Sue Billcliffe

Bretton cp 24/2/20.

Siskin 15+, Nuthatch 7, Water Rail 1 flushed from track. Goosander 3, Coot 10, Tufted Duck 30, Pochard 7, Mute Swan 5, Mallard 23. Little Grebe 1, Moorhen 12, Kingfisher 1. Surprisingly low on wildfowl with no sign of any Gadwall, Teal or GC Grebes , all assumed to have moved on to breed.

Sunday 23 February 2020

Wilthorpe Marsh and Low Moor 23/2/20.

Wilthorpe.- Pretty much quo. Water Pipit 2, Green Sand, Oystercatcher 1 pair, L Egret 1 the best. Low Moor- Flock of 15 Curlew impressive, Lapwing 21, Raven 3, Fieldfare 20, Greylag c 50. Too quiet on raptors, just 2 C Buzzard.

Wintersett 23.02.20

4 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a gusty westerly.
Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose 1.  Shoveler 1m + 1 f.
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.  Cetti's Warbler 1 SE corner.

Carlton Marsh & Cudworth Common

Carlton Marsh is still really quiet, Cormorant and Little Egret best today (K Bannister).

Cudworth (my garden)

This pair of Red-legged Partridges were in my garden this morning (CG)

Cudworth Common 
Green Woodpecker

Symphony 
35 Lapwings one or two displaying.

Ferrymoor Flash (Sash)
2 Oystercatchers were stood on fallen Crack Willows in the middle of the flash. Also here
1 pair of Goosanders, 16 Tufted Ducks and Buzzard overhead.

The Ash plateau
3 Ringed Plover

Saturday 22 February 2020

Wintersett 22.02.20

6 - 8 degrees with increasing cloud and a  westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 4.   Wigeon 118.   Pink-footed Goose 1.
Wintersett Res: A Curlew flew over.  Cetti's Warbler 2 chasing on the north bank.  Goldeneye 66 + 43 ACP + 6 CHRes..  Great Crested Grebe 6 + 8 CHRes. + 1 ACP.

Friday 21 February 2020

Willow Tit Survey 2020

Willow Tit by Geoff Carr

This year is the final year for the "Back from the Brink" survey for Willow Tits within the Dearne Natural Improvement Area (NIA) and also the second and final year for the National Survey.
The survey is already in place for the Dearne NIA but any of your sightings of birds east of the M1 motorway would be very welcome.
Additionally, any sightings from west of the M1 motorway which is outside the Dearne NIA are equally important. As people are probably aware, there is a continuing population around the upland reservoirs, so these will need monitoring and other places in between.
It would be good if we could cover as much as possible from now through to the end of June to compare with our Breeding Atlas results but any records throughout the rest of the year would also be useful.
Any records onto here or on Twitter etc will be picked up.
Thanks.


Wintersett 21.02.20

7 - 9 degrees with sun,  varying cloud and a blustery, westerly wind.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 5.
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.  Shelduck 1 female.  Goosander 1 male + 1 female.  Cetti's Warbler 1 male SE bank.  A Siskin flew over.

Thursday 20 February 2020

Wintersett + Willow Tit and Gull Roost 19.02.20 and 20.02.20

Wednesday 19.02.20 

Wintersett Res:  Long-tailed Duck 1 female.  Willow Tit 1 south east corner.
Anglers CP: Siskin 3.  Pink-footed Goose 1.  Greylag Goose 88.
Wintersett Res: Gull Roost: 2 adult Caspian Gulls and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were notable tonight. 
Thursday 20.02.20  4 - 8 degreeswith 8/8 cloud,  rain from 09.15 hrs and a westerly wind.
Wintersett Res: The female Long-tailed Duck was the only notable today. 

Wilthorpe Marsh 20/2/20.

Water Pipit 1, Green Sand 1, Woodpigeon c 300 down, Magpie gathering c60. Big drop in river level, about 5ft lower than the beginning of the week.

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Wintersett + Gull Roost 18.02.20

4 - 8 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.  Goosander 1.  Cetti's Warbler 2 - south east corner and boathouse. 
Wintersett Res Gull Roost: 2 adult Caspian Gulls and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls were notables tonight.

Monday 17 February 2020

Wintersett 17.02.20

5 - 7 degrees with  5/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe in SW corner.  A Barn Owl was seen at dawn. Pink-footed Goose 1.  Siskin 1. 
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.   4 male Cetti's Warblers - boathouse reeds,  north bank,  north east bank, south east corner + 1 south bank CHRes..  Goosander 4.   Pochard 37 + 2 CHRes..
Haw Park Wood: Goldfinch 60.

Red Campion    Cold Hiendley Res..south bank            18.02.20    ASmith

Cudworth Common

Near the low lying ponds. Kestrel, Buzzard, 2 Meadow Pipits, 4 Skylarks singing.
There was no sign of Ringed Plover on the plateau and there are two drilling rigs in the 'Symphony' compound, so there wasn't anything in there.

The reclaimed spoil tip now has some maturing woodland and is starting to attract a wide variety of birds. The best today were 6 Redpoll, 40 Redwing and a Long tailed Tit flock with 2 Coal Tits, 2 Goldcrests and at least 1 Willow Tit heard and seen. 

Ferrymoor Flash (Sash pond)
4 Greylags, 40 Canada Geese, 17 Tufted Ducks, 8 Common Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, drake Wigeon and a drake Shoveler.

Sunday 16 February 2020

Wintersett 16.02.20

5 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a south westerly wind.
Anglers CP:  The Black-necked Grebe and a Pink-footed Goose were notable.
Wintersett Res: The female Long-tailed Duck was off the east bank late morning.   Goosander 4 + 2 Cold Hiendley Res..


Wilthorpe Marsh/ Midhope, Low Moor 16/2/20.

Wilthorpe - Never seen the river this high with new small ponds and a lake at the east end attracting 13 Herring Gulls and a pair of Mute Swans. Steady in the cold wind with some of the usual suspects showing. Water Pipit, Green Sand, now a pair of Oystercatchers. Midhope/Low Moor - 2 hours this aft with storm Dennis delivering horizontal rain at 2-50 for a short spell. Not much up in very strong wind. Raven 1 pair, C Buzzard 1, c150 Fieldfare down on barnside Moor. No Curlews yet but an increase in Lapwing with 18 down. 4 Teal on the res and a singing Little Grebe.

Carlton Marsh

The whole valley bottom was flooded overnight as Cudworth dike burst its bank once again, the worst/best its been since November 2016.
A walk round this afternoon saw 2 Treecreepers, Great Spot Woodpecker, 5 Tufted Duck, Water Rail and Buzzard.

The flooded marsh
The view from the hide
Blackthorn in flower

Saturday 15 February 2020

Wintersett 15.02.20

7 - 12 degrees with 8/8 cloud, dull and damp with a strengthening south westerly.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1.  Oystercatcher 4 (the last of the 2 regular pairs was in this morning).  Canada Goose 93.  Greylag Goose 61.  Snipe 28.
Wintersett Res: The female Long-tailed Duck still present.
Hare Park: Redwing 120.
Of interest:  @bigpaddymartin found the Ring-necked Duck and the Ferruginous Duck at Johnny Brown's Common lake, South Kirkby today.

Friday 14 February 2020

Wintersett + Gull Roost 14.02.20

6 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP:Black-necked Grebe  1.   Oystercatcher 3 (the north pair and 1 of south pair) Gadwall 15.  We get lots of Pinkfeet flying through the area, but only very rarely do they come down.  At 09.15hrs 90 Pink-footed Geeese dropped into the Pol Field!  Pink-footed Goose video  https://twitter.com/StevieD131/status/1228255696996720640
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.   Woodcock 1 east bank.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost:An adult and a 1st W  Yellow-legged Gull  and an adult Caspian Gull were notables.  Herring Gull 1200.   Great Black-backed Gull 2.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 2.  Black-headed Gull 6000.


Pink-footed Geese in the Pol field next to the car park    SDenny    

Thursday 13 February 2020

Wintersett 13.02.20

4 - 7 degrees, mostly 8/8 cloud with a few short sunny spells and a strengthening north westerly wind.
Angler CP:  Black-necked Grebe 1. Snipe 9. Oystercatcher 3. Greylag Goose 27.
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.
Cold Hiendley Res: Green Sandpiper 1.

Low Moor 13/2/20.

Quite a winter scene with a fair sprinkling of snow on pike Lowe. 2 hours of very steady birding had signs of spring with 10 Lapwing and at least 1 Oystercatcher calling on the res dam wall. The only raptors were 5 C Buzzards. Raven 1, Siskin 1.

Wednesday 12 February 2020

Carlton Marsh

Today Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Great Spot Woodpecker, 42 Magpies getting ready to roost, likewise 22 Pied Wagtails ((at Ardagh glass I think) and a single Linnet on arable land. 30 Herring Gulls north and a Stock Dove was singing to its mate.
A crocus was in flower.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 12.02.20

3 - 5 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1. Oystercatcher 2.  Snipe 8.  A Water Rail was at the Pol feeders.  Goosander 5.  Barn Owl 1.
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed duck 1 female.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: An adult Yellow-legged Gull was in from 16.30hrs.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: An adult Kittiwake was in tonight - the first since 2014.

Adult Kittiwake            Wintersett Res. Roost      SDenny

Wilthorpe Marsh 12/2/20.

Not good for small birds in windy showery conditions and quite a mudbath under foot. The best were Water Pipit 1,showing well, Green Sand 1, single Oystercatcher, 1 GS Pecker.

Tuesday 11 February 2020

Wintersett 11.02.20

3 - 4 degrees with 8/8 cloud, a gusty westerly wind and rain in the afternoon.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1.  Oystercatcher 2.
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.  Cormorant 9  Pochard 25.

Monday 10 February 2020

Wintersett after the storm + Gull Roost 10.02.20

2 - 4 degrees with 8/8 dark cloud and a moderate, gusty westerly wind.  Roads flooded in dips and at Wintersett Village pond. Ground  waterlogged at Anglers CP and around Wintersett Reservoir.  Lots of tree debris on roads around the area.
Anglers CP:  The Black-necked Grebe and 2 Oystercatchers still present.  The female Long-tailed Duck was with a small group of  Goldeneye, then seen late morning  on Wintersett Res..
Wintersett Res.. Gull Roost:  A 1stW Yellow-legged Gull and a 2nd W Caspian Gull  were in tonight per @StevieD131.

Long-tailed Duck female at Anglers CP         ASmith

Sunday 9 February 2020

Wintersett + Storm Ciara 09.02.20

A mild, but very wet  6 - 11 degrees, with  west south westerly Storm Ciara blowing  20+mph with  40+mph gusts until mid afternoon.   Roads, paths  and car park flooded in places.   No electricity at ACP Visitor Centre. 
Anglers CP: The Black-necked Grebe still present.  Teal 42.  Shoveler 2.  Oystercatcher 2.
Wintersett Res:  Long tailed Duck  still present this afternoon.

Saturday 8 February 2020

Wintersett WeBS for February 2020

Here are the February 2020 WeBS totals for the Wintersett Area. 

Mute Swan 10    Canada Goose 46   Cormorant  21   Coot  204   Moorhen  12
Mallard  48   Teal  31   Wigeon  282   Tufted Duck  168   Pochard  118  Goldeneye  86  Goosander  14   Long-tailed Duck 1  Great Crested Grebe 20   Little Grebe   4  Black-necked Grebe 1   Kingfisher 1   Oystercatcher 2   Lapwing 207    Grey Heron 3    Snipe  5.  

Wintersett + Gull Roost 08.02.20

6 - 9 degrees with sun and a light south westerly this morning.   Increasing cloud and a strengthening wind by evening.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1 showing well in the SW corner.  Shelduck 2.
Wintersett:  Little Owl 1.
Wintersett  Res.  Long-tailed Duck 1 adult.   Cetti's Warbler 2 - boathouse reeds and west bank + 1 south bank CHRes...
Gull Roost Wintersett Res:  Caspian Gull 2 adults. Great Black-backed Gull 5.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 6.  Herring Gull 1000.

Friday 7 February 2020

Wintersett + Gull Roost 07.02.20

Misty start.  3 - 7 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a southerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1.  Great Crested Grebe 5. Little Grebe 2 + 1 WRes..  Teal 31.  A Water Rail was under the Pol feeders + 1 west bank marsh WRes..   Pochard 107.  Wigeon 314 + 7 WRes. + 3 CHRes..
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 adult female.  Kingfisher 2.  A male Cetti's Warbler was in the west bank marsh.
Gull Roost Wintersett Res.: A thousand Herring Gulls in the roost tonight, along with an adult and a 4thW Caspian Gull.   See video https://twitter.com/StevieD131/status/1225842398724534272

 Long-tailed Duck  adult female         Wintersett Res        ASmith


           
   Caspian Gulls     WRes          SDenny

Thursday 6 February 2020

Carlton Marsh

This morning Pink Feet were on the move again with 80 west at 10.00hrs and c100 west at 11.15hrs (Arthur Vincent/Geoff Miller)

This afternoon 200 Herring Gulls and 2 Common Gulls were on the wader scrape. 3 new Mute Swans joined them later. 2 Water Rails called from the marsh and a Coal Tit was singing (CG).

Chris Parkin had his first butterfly of the year, a Small Tortoiseshell,  at the Dearne Valley Park.

Wintersett 06.02.20

2 - 7 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1.  Pochard 111 + 11 CHRes..  Cormorant 12.  Teal 19.  Siskin 4.  30 Redwing at Santingley.    11 Whooper Swans came in from east at dusk, 3 dropped in, the rest continued west.
Wintersett Res: Kingfisher 1.  Long-tailed Duck 1 female.
Cold Hiendley Res: Fieldfare 50.

Whooper Swans                               ACP       SDenny

Wednesday 5 February 2020

Wintersett 05.02.20

4 - 7 degrees with 5/8 cloud and a moderate south westerly.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe  still in SW corner.  Snipe 10.  Skylark 1 over.  Lesser Redpoll 1.  Oystercatcher 2.   Raven 1.   11 Whooper Swans came in from east at dusk, 3 dropped in and rest continued west.
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.  Cetti's Warbler 1 male in boathouse reeds.

Tuesday 4 February 2020

Carlton Marsh

This has been one of the quietest winters here for quite sometime. The spring like weather saw the first flowers of buttercup, Blackthorn and Bullace today. Another indication of how mild it was this afternoon was the emergence of a Pipistrelle Bat at 5pm shortly before dusk.
Birds included a Great Spotted Woodpecker 'drumming', 24 Yellow Buntings roosting, Bullfinch and Song Thrush singing. 70 Magpies came in to roost in a stand of large Hawthorns and 2 Water Rails (1 seen 1 called at dusk (Dave Smith/CG).


Wintersett 04.02.20

A frosty start.  3 - 9 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a moderate north westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe   Oystercatcher 2    Wigeon 200.  Water Rail 1 Pol feeders. 
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck 1 female.

Wilthorpe Marsh 4/2/20.

Pretty much quo with Water Pipit, Green Sand, Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, the best. Firecrest the target bird.

Monday 3 February 2020

Wintersett + Gull Roost 03.02.20

5 degrees with  8/8 cloud and a moderate westerly.
Anglers CP:  Black-necked Grebe still SW corner.   Vandals have smashed the seed feeders at the viewing screen😠
Wintersett Res: Long-tailed Duck still present.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.  Mediterranean Gull  1 2ndW.  Great Black-backed Gull 33.  Herring Gull 1300.  


Wintersett 31st Jan 2020 , 1st and 2nd Feb 2020

Generally mild -  6 - 10 degrees, with sunny spells and  cool westerly wind.

31.01.20
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1  Oystercatcher 3.   

Wintersett Res:  Long-tailed Duck still present. A Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.   Pink-footed Goose 79 flew north west at 11.25hrs.

01.02.20 
Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1.  Oystercatcher 2.  Cormorant 26   

Wintersett Res:  Long-tailed Duck  still present. A Cetti's Warbler was on the west bank.  Little Grebe 1.

02.02.20 
Anglers CP: The Black-necked Grebe  present.  Oystercatcher 2.  Shoveler 4.  Teal 29.  Snipe 14. Pochard 95 + 2 WRes. + 9 CHRes..  

Wintersett Res:  Long-tailed Duck still present.
Cold Hiendley Res: Kingfisher 1.  Goosander 8.
Haw Park Wood: A Nuthatch was at Blue Bridge.  A Raven flew over, calling, at 11.25hrs.




Sunday 2 February 2020

Wilthorpe Marsh and Low Moor/Midhope 2/2/20.

Wilthorpe sewage farm, - Water Pipit 2, singing Chiffchaff, pair Willow Tit, 4 Goldcrest. Midhope/Low Moor this aft. Very steady couple of hours with not much and ended by rain. Raven 1, C Buzzard 1, c100 Fieldfare flock, c30 Goldfinch flock.

BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP

Thursday 6th February 2020 at 7.15pm at the Old Moor RSPB visitor centre.

Francis Hickenbottom giving a talk on 'Flight'.
Francis draws on his experience in the aerospace industry to look at the design of flying birds and mammals. Expect a humorous and interesting talk.

All welcome, £2.50 entrance fee includes interval drink.

Rabbit Ings

2 Short eared Owls were hunting this afternoon (Dave Standish).

Ferrymoor Flash
5 Wigeon, Buzzard, single Redpoll, Linnet and Meadow Pipit.

Sash Pond-Grimethorpe
A pair of Goosanders, 10 Common Gulls. A Little Egret flew over south towards Edderthorpe Flash (CG)

Carlton Marsh Ringing recovery

Reed Bunting ARD0848       3M        23/9/18           Blackburn Meadows NR Sheffield

                                               R=4M   2/10/19          Carlton Marsh 374 days 19kms N