Carlton Marsh

The sheep were taken off the Western Meadow this afternoon by the grazier.

Little Egret 3 (2 north), Cormorant, 2 Buzzards (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh Saturday 21/3/26

The wildfowl counts today included 10 Greylags, 28 Canada Geese, Water Rail, Kingfisher, 2 Mute Swans, 9 Teal, Little Egret, Little Grebe, drake Goosander, 2 Avocets, Lapwing and 3 Black Swans.

Also of note Great Spotted Woodpecker 'drumming, 3 Cetti's Warblers, Siskin, 5 Buzzards (R. Laverack/K. Bannister/G. Miller/CG).

Insects on show were 7 Comma, 3 Small Tortoiseshell and a Great Diving Beetle (C. Parkin). 

 

Cetti's Warbler (Helen Todd)

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights on the scrapes included 3 Mute Swans (1 Cygnet), Little Egret, Snipe and Oystercatcher (JP).

Also present Coal Tit and 2 Buzzard. 

Our wildlife group were busy this morning clearing the steps to the embankment, and dead hedging from recently cut down trees (CMWG). 

Carlton Marsh

In perfect flying conditions c100 Whooper Swans flew north at 08.26hrs on the their return migration (Neil Lunn). 

They were seen moments earlier over Edderthorpe Flash in the Dearne valley, and later going over the Wintersett Lakes (Alan Stonier).

Carlton Marsh

BMBC Rangers were on site this morning to put some new signage up. They also felled a large Willow that was obscuring views over the Western Meadow from the Midland Pond viewpoint.

 

Before 

After 

With spring - like conditions insects responded with 3m Brimstone 7 Peacocks and an Orange Underwing Moth that alighted to feed, presumably on minerals in the soil (CG).

 

Orange Underwing Moth (CG)
 

Dearne Valley Park - Hoyle Mill

 47 Peacock, 12 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Comma and a Dark edged Bee Fly (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh

As spring is just around the corner and time for wild flowers to grow, I have asked the grazier to take the sheep off the Western Meadow for now. He will be taking them home on Saturday.

Today's sightings on and around the scrapes included 3 Little Grebes, 20 Canada Geese, 7 Greylags, 1 Little Egret, 2 Water Rails, 2 Cormorants and 3 Cetti's Warblers.

Also present 6 Chiffchaffs, 25 singing Robins, 2 Siskins, 1 Redpoll, 3 Linnets (first since last autumn), 6 Yellowhammers, Great Spot Woodpecker, 3 Starlings and 28 Jackdaws (K. Bannister/CG). 

Carlton Marsh

The only sightings today were from Keith Bannister on his walk round this morning. Apart from the usual wildfowl 3 Skylark were singing, and 8 Redwings, 1 Red-legged Partridge and a female Yellow Bunting were seen in a nearby horse pasture.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights with Richard Laverack were 2 Red Kites at 11.20hrs, 1 left south, the other was still floating around over our heads at 12.20hrs. 

Also 4 Buzzards riding the thermals, Grey Wagtail (the first this year), 3 Cetti's Warblers,  single Redpoll and Siskin, 30+ Canada geese, 6 Greylags, 14 Teal and a Tawny Owl called.

3 Redwings were in Wigleys horse pasture at first light (Keith Bannister).

Insects on show at mid-day were 2 Peacock, 6 Comma, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and an early Dark-edged Bee Fly (Chris Parkin).

                                              Primroses 

Carlton Marsh

The following photographs of Little Egret, Mistle Thrush & Wren were kindly supplied by Harold Heath & Clive Mitchell. 

Carlton Marsh

On the scrapes today 14 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, Dabchick, Little Egret, 35 Canada Geese, 11 Greylags.

Also present Treecreeper, c10 Siskins, Redpoll, 2 singing Mistle Thush, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 singing Cetti's Warbler, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards (R. Laverack)

A low flying calling Raven south at 14.32hrs returned 3 minutes later and flew west (CG). 

 

Carlton Marsh

The highlights of this mornings walk were 1 Singing Chiffchaff, 15 Redwings, c20 Redpolls, c25 Siskins, Peregrine Falcon (JP) and a calling Raven north at 12.25hrs (R. Laverack/K. Bannister/CG).

Carlton Marsh

10 Fieldfares were in a nearby hedgerow with 2 beautiful male Yellow Buntings (K. Bannister)

                         Bullace in full bloom on the embankment

 

 Primroses near the school pond

                                 Kingfisher near the scrape (Harold Heath)

Carlton Marsh

Sightings today included 3 Snipe (2 wader scrape), 30 Canada Geese, 4 Greylags, 2 Siskins, Redpoll, 2 Kingfishers, Dabchick, Great Spot Woodpecker, 25 Jackdaws and 2 Buzzards (Harold Heath/Clive Mitchell/John Finch/CG).

Also Peacock butterfly. The following photos were all taken by Clive Mitchell.

                                   Common Buzzard

                                                 Adult Cormorant

Dearne Valley Park 

2 Grey Wagtails, and butterflies, a male Brimstone, 2 Peacocks, and a Comma (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh

This morning 15 Redwings were feeding in Wigley's horse pasture (K. Bannister).

2 pairs of Shoveler (Whin Pool), c10 Tufted Ducks, 30 Canada Geese, 8 Greylags, Kingfisher, 

Lapwing south, 2 Buzzards, male Bullfinch and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. (S. Cox/H. Hearth/C. Mitchell/P. Bulpin).

This afternoon Redpoll, 2 Siskins, Blackbirds feeding on Ivy berries, 2 Little Grebes still in winter plumage (wader scrape), Snipe, 2 water Rails and 2 Cetti's Warbles called, and 2 pairs of Red -legged Partridges were on fields nearby (CG).

 Male Reed Bunting feeding in newly laid Dead hedge (H.Heath/C. Mitchell)

                         Male Great Spotted Woodpecker (Phil Bulpin)

                        Female Great Spotted Woodpecker (PB)

 

This is what we don't want to see! 3 people took it upon themselves to go into the Western Meadow. They said they didn't know it was a nature reserve. The only way they can access this meadow is by climbing the gates that say, 'No Access to The Public Conservation Area.

The only people allowed in the meadow are the sheep/cattle grazier, BMBC Rangers, Our Rangers and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust on management or survey work. 

Thanks to Harold Heath and Clive Mitchell for removing them! 

 

Carlton Marsh

This morning 3 Snipe, 12 Teal, 18 Tufted Ducks, 35 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag Geese,Water Rail, 2 Cetti's Warblers, Cormorant and Little Egret.

Also 2 Great Spot Woodpeckers, 5 Siskin, and a Red Kite south (JP/ R. Laverack/S. Cox/R. Frost).  

                                   Little Egret (Simon Cox)

Carlton Marsh

20 Redwings were feeding in a nearby pasture, Cormorant, Tufted Duck Canada Geese and Greylag Geese.

                                       Gadwall (S. Cox)

 Low Cudworth

                   Oak Beauty came to my garden MV lamp (CG).

Carlton Marsh

Today's sightings included 48 Canada geese, Water Rail, 3 singing Cetti's warblers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 LBB Gulls and 3 Great Spot Woodpeckers chasing each other in courtship, and drumming (C. Parkin/CG).

Carlton Marsh

A Redshank on the wader scrape was new in today (JP).

3 Chiffchaffs were feeding together in the same tree (S. Cox).

 

Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) Terry Smith

 

Chiffchaff (Simon Cox) 

Carlton Marsh

The White Fronted Goose was on the pasture behind the wader scrape this morning (JP).

4 Little Egrets on the wader scrape with 2 LBB Gulls and 2 singing Chiffchaffs near the double seats suggests inward migration (K. Bannister/JP).

c150 Pink Feet Geese flew west at 07.45hrs (K. Bannister).

Also present 3 singing Reed Buntings, Water Rail and 2 singing Cetti's Warblers (JP).

A Peacock butterfly was on the wing (S. cox).

 Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) Simon Cox

 

 Dearne Valley Country Park 

2 Peacock butterflies were on the wing and Coltsfoot was in flower (C. Parkin).

Carlton Marsh

The White Fronted Goose spent its 5th day moving between the Whin Pool and the Wader Scrape (L & R Frost/G. Miller et al).

Also of interest 3 Cettis warblers , 3 Cormorants, 2 Goldcrests and a singing Mistle Thrush (L & Corrall).

The year's first Buff-tailed Bumble Bee and the day flying Orange Underwing moth were enjoying the warmth of the sun (CG/C. Par

                    False Turkey Tail (Stereum ostrea) CG