Saturday 30 June 2012

Wintersett 30.06.12

Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2,  Sand Martin 10.
Highlight today was a female Broad-bodied Chaser.
Broad-bodied Chaser - Female

The geese they are a flocking

Lower Windleden Reservoir - 4 Tufted Ducks + 1 duckling, 5+ Oystercatcher (including two pairs with 3+ young), two pairs Curlew with young and a pair of Common Sandpipers + 2 young.
Winscar Reservoir - 83 Canada Geese and 2 drake Tufted Ducks.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 28 Canada Geese, 8 Tufted Ducks, Great Crested Grebe + 2 young and Coots + 2 young.
Midhope Reservoir - 16 Canada Geese and Little Grebe + 2 young.

Mammals :- Hedgehog - road casulties at Dunford Bridge and Flight Hill.

Old Moor - 30th June

More good news from Old Moor this morning, now 5 Mediterranean Gulls present, 4 adults plus 1 second summer. Also Garganey, Black Tailed Godwit 2, Little Ringed Plover 2, Ringed Plover 3, Dunlin, Avocet + chicks and Oystercatcher 7. Interestingly 10 Med Gulls were new in at Upton Warren Worcestershire yesterday. 5 adults, 2 second summers and 3 first summers, none of the birds were ringed and opinion is they are from a colony that has been flooded out. Could our birds be from the same colony? 9 Med Gulls still present at Upton Warren this morning.

Old Moor - 29th June

Yet another good day at Old Moor, female Bittern seen regular and fantastic footage of 2 juvenile Bitterns can now be seen on RSPB blog or Youtube. New in today is 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls which can be seen on the Wader Scrape along with the 'resident' 2nd summer bird. The eclipse drake Garganey is giving good views on the Wader Scrape along with plenty of Teal and Pochard. Waders building up now on the Wader Scrape included Lapwing, Redshank, Ringed Plover 3, Little Ringed Plover 1, Black Tailed Godwit 2, Green Sandpiper 1, Oystercatcher, Avocet + chicks, Curlew 4 and 1 Dunlin. 10 species of waders in late June, not bad.

Edderthorpe Flash

Little change here, in birds, weather or water levels. Cormorant 5, Teal 2, Common Sand 3. A newly dead male Kestrel was picked up roadside.

Friday 29 June 2012

Edge of Od Moor

Broomhill Flash mid-morning - 30+ House Martin, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall + brood of 2, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Red-legged Partridgeand  2 LRP were noted. 1 Redshank and 1 Green Sandpiper were seen early AM.

Bolton Ings late morning- Singing birds included 11 Wren, 10 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Chaffinch,5 Willow Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Whitethroat,1 Song Thrush and 1 Lesser whitethroat. On the open water were c20 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebe, two pairs of Mute Swans with 4 and 2 cygnets, 2 Common Tern, 2 Great Crested Grebe,1 Grey Heron and 1 male Pochard.Also seen were 2 Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 LBB gulland 1 Green Woodpecker.

Wombwell Ings early afternoon- Very little on the open water with 10 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 19 Coot and 2 adult Mute Swans +5 cygnets. 2 Redshank were closely supervising their two young chicks. Also seen were 3 Grey Heron, 9 linnet and a juvenile Kestrel.

Fri Med-day update

Old Moor - 3 adult + 3cy Med' Gulls on Wader Scrape (pair displaying). Bittern also seen.
ADWICK WASHLANDS (morning) Gadwall 8, Tufted 2, Shoveler 2, Grey Partridge 2, Hobby 1, Redshank 7, Snipe 2 (1 drumming), Lapwing c40, Ringed Plover 2, LRP 1, Starling c70.

Edderthorpe early morn

Even more water in the flash- no exposed mud at all. But at least the river hasn't burst its banks again. Virtually no change bird-wise - Teal 1, Redshank 1, Common Sand 1, Barn Owl 1.

Thursday 28 June 2012

wat er place

Getting down later than normal this evening and knowing Old Moor was covered thought I'd have a change and check out Wombwell Ings. Although water is running out the recent downpours have clearly left there mark with no mud visible. However, looking on the bright side, if we enter a dryer spell later this summer then this should make the place better this autumn, as in recent years it has all about dried up. Anyway, birds - 4 Herons, 6 Teal, Ringed Plover, 18 Lapwings, 2 Redshank and a 'drumming' Snipe. Manvers Lake - 2 Common Terns.

News from Old Moor - Little Egret flew north this evening, Garganey, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, Med' Gull, 4 Barn Owls (2 young).

Oycxodus ?

Langsett Reservoir - 11 very vocal Oystercatchers low E down the Little Don Valley towards Midhopestomes at 1515hrs.

Wintersett 28.0612

There was a cracking thunderstorm late this morning.
Anglers CP:   Not much change here but male Tufted Ducks  are moving in prior to their wing moult, 37 today,  also present 4 Gadwall.
Wintersett Res: 5 Common Terns
Moths: Last night was very humid and the warmest of the year so far. Moth trapping produced the highest number this year and included an Orange Footman, the first record for the Wintersett area.  Other highlights were:Silky Wainscot, Eyed Hawkmoth, Pale Shouldered Brocade and 4 Poplar Hawk moths.
Silky Wainscot
Orange  Footman
 

A watery edge to things

Broomhill Flash- At mid-morning 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall with a brood of 7, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 1 LRP and 1 Ruddy Duck were the most noteworthy birds.

Bolton Ings- The thunderstorm late morning put a real dampener on singing birds with 5 Chaffinch, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Wren, 4 Blackcap,4 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat,1 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Reed Warbler being noted. On the open water were 2 pair of Mute Swans with broods of 2 and 4 cygnets, 25+ adult Tufted Duck + a brood of 7, 6 Gadwall, 1 male and 1 female Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Common Tern and 1 Cormorant. 3 Avocets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a Green Sandpiper were visible onthe Waderscrape.Also seen were 3 Bullfinch, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Edderthorpe , early a.m.

Mute Swan 31, Gadwall 55, Common Sand 2, LRP 1.

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Broadstone area

Quail still calling this pm.

good god-wits

Early evening shift at Old Moor where the Bitterns continue to show. The eclipse drake Garganey had moved onto Wader Scrape where the usual Med' remained and a Common Sandpiper was on The Mere. Despite the warm weather there seemed to me to be a noticable increase of Swifts around. Rumours of five Black-tailed Godwits earlier in day was verified when Keith Pickering's photo below popped up in my inbox.

Two more were in front of the Mere Hide, one of which I also managed to photograph (below).



Other news included three Green Sandpipers by Wombwell Sewage Works and a Hobby over Bolton Ings. On the moorlands eight (four pair) of Common Scoters were apparently on Ingbirchworth Reservoir.

Avocet Decline

The Avocet is listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act1 1981,which afford special protection at all times.It is the emblem of the RSPB and symbolises the Protection Movement in the U.K.more than any other species. We usually see them along Coastal lagoons, now they are seeking inland wetlands. They have recently choose to nest on the Old Moor RSPB. Ten pair of adults have produced fourteen young. How many are there left now very few I have been told. So where is the conservation and protection project

Wintersett 27.06.12

Highlights today: Singing Grasshopper Warbler at Walton Hall, 2 Nuthatch in Botany Bay Wood, 5 Common Tern on Anglers CP.
Dragons and Damsels are becoming more evident, particularly at the Disposal Point and Moorhouse Lane Ponds.  A female Broad-bodied Chaser was ovipositing and the first Emerald Damselfly and Emperor Dragonflies of the year were seen along with reasonable numbers of 4 Spot Chaser.
Butterflies seen on the west bank  of Wintersett Res by Ralph Hibbert and Les Corrall:Ringlet 7,  Meadow Brown 6, Large Skipper 3, Small White sp 2, Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1, Common Blue 2 females.
There was also a toadlet exodus from Cold Hiendley Res and Botany Bay.

Red Kite

Broomhead Moor - 1 Red Kite this am.

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Broadstone area

Quail calling here again this pm.

mid evening update

Early evening visit to Old Moor tonight but rather quiet with nothing new to report. The eclipse drake Garganey was still on the Field Pool and the 3 cy Med' Gull was still on the Wader Scrape where an adult Black-headed Gull mounted a juvenile on a couple of occasions (legal?). Both adult Bitterns were seen this morning whilst the remote camera captured this juvenile below in 'swimming mode'.


Meanwhile, more good news on the breeding-front with the discovery of a brood of two Little Ringed Plovers at a new site in the valley.

Little Ringed Plover - Jim Thompson.

Wintersett 26.06.12

Wintersett Res.  A Water Rail was heard calling.   3 Common Terns were present.
A ringing session this morning produced  9 Whitethroats, which is encouraging after all the poor weather.  The first  Willow Warbler and Reed Bunting juveniles were also caught and ringed.

Sunday 24-6-12.

Ewden, shooting lodge. - Buzzard 6, Raven 2, Ring Ouzel + 2 juv. Stonechats. Hobby at cawthorne.

Monday 25 June 2012

Quail

Broadstones Reservoir - Quail calling again this pm - per HBC website.
Broomhill late afternoon. Besides the two Buzzards over Bolton another four could be seen over Howell Wood. Two Green Sands, 5 Redshank and one LRP on the mud at the back of the Flash.

sleepers corner

Early evening visit to Old Moor - Bittern seen in flight Reedbeds, Two Buzzards (Bolton), Garganey eclipse drake on Field Pool, Med' Gull (3cy) Reedbeds. Three drake Red-crested Pochards were found on the Willow Pool this afternoon but this evening proved difficult to see spending most of the time out of view asleep under the trees, only occasionally drifting out into view.

Heads up - not for long though, one of three drake Red-crested Pochards on the Willow Pool this evening - John Hewitt
STOP PRESS News just in from the night shift (Barnsley Blade) - immature Little Gull on Wader Scrape + all three RCP's have come out to play!

Three black headed gulls over Market Hill

And below them an estimated 40,000 people from Barnsley watching the procession of the Olympic Torch.

What a day !!!

On the Edge of summer

Broomhill Flash- On a quiet mid-morning 4+ Redshank, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard ( +brood of 7), 3 Gadwall, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Kestrel were presnt. Over the water were 30+ Swifts, 20+ House Martin and 12 Swallows.

Bolton Ings- Singing males included 15 Wren,7 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Lessser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Yellowhammer. On the open water were 25+ Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 3 Common Tern, 4 adult Mute Swans with 3and 2 cygnets,1 LbbGull and 1 Great Crested Grebe. Also present were a Hobby at 12.40pm over the west end, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wombwell Ings- Very quiet with 4 Grey Heron, 9 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 2 Redshank and 2 Mute Swans + 4 cygnets. A Kingfisher was on the Bulling Dyke.

Just like the Med

Royd Moor Reservoir - 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 400+ Black-headed Gulls and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Royd Moor Hill - 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and c100 Starlings.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 adult Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebes + 3 young, new broods of Mallarsd 2+6 and Coot 2 .
Castle Dam - new broods of Mallard 2+2  and Coot 2.

Butterflies - 2 Green-veined Whites and 1 Speckled Wood at Royd Moor Res.

Yellow Success at Wintersett 25.06.12

Despite the recent appalling weather, the wheat field at Cold Hiendley is still vibrant with Yellow Wagtails.  At least eleven adults and two newly fledged juveniles were active this morning.
A pair of Buzzards, and their nest, were located in the area after a recently received report.
Other highlights: 2 Sand Martins were feeding over the fields at Cold Hiendley. Are these birds flying in from the quarry face at the top of Lundhill, Royston, at what is now the coal yard?  Also 3 singing Goldcrests were present in Haw Park Wood and 2 Common Terns and a Kingfisher were on Wintersett Res.

Sundays WeBS counts - Edderthorpe area

Selected highlights
Ferrymoor and Cudworth Common
Greylag 31, Canada 61, Mallard 98, Shoveler 3, Little Grebe 4, Redshank 10 adults plus 2 well grown young, Ringed Plover 6 adults plus 1 well grown chick, Lapwing 32, Cuckoo 1.
Edderthorpe and Houghton
Mute Swan 30, Mallard 34, Gadwall 29, Teal 4, Shoveler 2, Tufted 22, Little Grebe 6 adults plus 3 chicks, Oyc 2, Lapwing 80, Redshank 3, Ringed Plover 2, Common Tern 4.

Autumn begins

News from Old Moor area yesterday: The first returning Green Sandpiper of the autumn was (as predicted) at Broomhill Flash. At Old Moor highlights included Bittern, Buzzard, Hobby, Garganey (eclipse drake), Common Sandpiper, 2 Med' Gulls (adult, 3 cy). Up to 19 Black-tailed Godwits were on Wombwell Ings

Sunday 24 June 2012

Wintersett 24.06.12

Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 2,  Pochard 1 ♀,  Common Tern 8,  Sand Martin 1, GRASSHOPPER  WARBLER 1 ♂ reeling.  
Moorhouse Lane Ponds: Gadwall  1 ♀  with 5 young (down from 9).
The warmer and drier conditions brought out a few butterflies. The first RINGLET of the year,  Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and several Common Blue.

News from Hudds website - 23-6-12

Broadstones - Quail calling off Windmill Lane (second field between Broadstones Road and Wareham Wood).

Saturday 23 June 2012

Old Moor - 23rd June

Another good day at Old Moor despite the weather, two adult Bitterns were seen today on the reedbeds which also had a Peregrine seen a couple of times. On the mere were the 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls with their chick plus a couple of Redshanks in front of the hide. On the Field Pools were a drake Garganey,  3 Teal and another couple of Redshanks. On the Wader scrape were the Mediterranean Gull, 4 Common Terns, 5 adult Oystercatchers plus 1 juvenile, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshanks, 10 Pochard (7 drakes, 3 ducks), 7 Teal (6 drakes, 1 duck), Avocets with chicks and 2 Curlews over. On Wath Ings were a further 5 Pochard (4 drakes, 1 duck) and the first brood of Tufted Duck (6 ducklings).

Carlton Marsh

Kingfisher 1, new broods of 8 Tufted Duck and 8 Mallard and a Little Owl was seen near Bleachcroft Farm.  Butterflies included a late Orange-tip male and our first RINGLET of the year.  The migrant Silver Y moth was also present. (C. Parkin/D. Standish)
The damp conditions encouraged Common Puffball, Brown Roll Rim and The Blusher to push up their fruiting bodies.

Wintersett 23.06.12

Haw Park Wood: SISKIN 1.
Anglers CP: Common Sandpiper 1, Common Tern 7.
Cold Hiendley Res: A brood of 8 young Gadwall.
The first MEADOW BROWN butterflies were seen - 1 ACP, 1 WRes.
The cold, wet weather is having a catastrophic effect on this years butterfly and invertebrate populations, with numbers seen in the area substantially reduced.

Bitterns

Did you know that bitterns have bred at Old Moor?!!!

Well, like most other people, I did, but it's not the same as actually seeing them in the flesh. Been busy over the last couple of months so haven't had the chance to get out and about locally; but today I made a special effort to have a look at them.

It's absolutely fantastic to have these birds breeding within two miles of the pit village that you have lived in all your life. Its extra extra special when something like this occurs on your doorstep.

Friday 22 June 2012

Wintersett 22.06.12

Highlight today was a BLACK TERN on Wintersett Res.
Anglers CP - Common Sandpiper 1, Common Tern 6,  Oystercatcher 2 and Pochard  1 male.

Quick scribe

Old Moor by mid-aft - female Bittern, 3 LRP.

Sunday 17-6-12.

Cawthorne - Hobby perched in oak tree again. Ewden- Red Kite, Peregrine 1 juv. fem., Ring ouzel 2+. Midhope res.- 1 pair Spot Flys. Pair of Red Kites seen together this a.m. up ewden by Jeff Lunn.

Cold, wet and windy Edderthorpe

Mid-summer and just 10 celcius this morning, no wonder nothing is singing. Teal 1, Common Sand 1, LRP1, Oyc 1.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Old Moor very Wetlands

Evening visit to Old Moor in the hope that the rain had got things moving but the only real evidence of movement was me dashing between hides during one of several torrential downpours. Seven Teal on Wader Scrape where there were also six Common Terns and the 3 cy Med' Gull. Avocets were as numerous as ever though I could only see three chicks in one of the broods that should (and hopefully still does) contain four. Three LRP's were on Field Pool and at least four Kestrels were up over Bolton Tip.


Steady Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 1 Mute Swan, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Great Crested Grebes with 1y + 1y, c10 Coots with 2y + 2y, 1 Common Tern and 1 Kingfisher feeding 3 fledged young by the overflow.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash- In addition to what has already been reported were 100+ House Martin, 50+ Swift,18 Tufted Duck, 15 adult Mallard +broods of 10 and 4,8 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Kestrel, Ruddy Duck, male Shoveler, Common Tern and LBB Gull.

Bolton Ings-Singing birds included 10 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 8 Wren, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Chaffinch,4 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.On the open water were 43 Gadwall, 30 Tuted Duck,3 Little Grebe, 2 Great crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron,2 Common Tern, 2 Pochard and 2 Mute Swans + 2 cygnets. Also seen were 3 Kingfisher, 2 Oystercatcher, family of 10 LongTailed Tit, Linet, Green Woodpecker and a hunting Barn Owl on Wath Ings.

Birds from the brown-stuff

My usual pre-work visit to Broomhill Flash brought a welcome surprise as the decision to drop the water levels there brought with it a strange sticky-brown stuff - mud! Instant reward came with a flock of six vociferous Curlew, whilst Lapwings, Redshank and LRP were not only present, but on view too. My money goes on the flash to produce the first returning Green Sand' any day now.

Edderthorpe early a.m.

Mute Swan 35, Pochard 5 (4 drakes), Coot 122, Oyc 1, LRP 3.

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Twilight birding

Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 1 Oystercatcher + 2 young, 1 Lapwing + 2 young and 3 Common Snipe.
Range Moor - 2 Cuckoos.
Langsett Reservoir - 1 juvenile Ring Ouzel, 1+ Nightjar and 3+ Woodcocks.
Wind Hill Wood - 2 roding Woodcocks.
(Apparently at least 5 Nightjars at this site last year).

Mammals - 5+ Pipistelle and summert bigger, perhaps a Daubenton's.

Update - Cudworth Common

This evening - singing Little Grebe, Red Legged Partridge, Cuckoo and 2 Reed Warbler.  Also Long Eared Owl hunting in the wooded area at 21.25hrs. and a reasonably fresh Little Owl pellet was on one of the ornamental seats.

Ferrymoor and Cudworth Common

A walk around these areas early morning checking out breeding birds and wildfowl revealed;-
Ferrymoor - Greylag Goose 31, Canada Goose 64, Mallard 65 plus at least 2 new broods, Shoveler 1
Cudworth Common (including Symphony enclosure) - Little Grebe 2, Mallard 11 plus brood of 10, Tufted 2, Lapwing 57 plus a new brood of 4, Redshank 6 adults, Ringed Plover 10, LRP 2, Skylark 19 singing, Meadow Pipit just 3 singing - hope this isn't replicated across the country or vis-miggers will be brassed off this autumn if numbers of this staple migrant are diminished, Blackcap 7singing, Whitethroat 4singing, Garden Warbler 1singing, Willow Warbler 8singing, Yellowhammer 2singing.

The Wall of Fame?

Old Moor today - Bittern seen several times, Curlew through + Dunlin, Med Gull (3 cy).


The Sand Martin wall was checked yesterday revealing there were six pair, with two broods having hatched so far.


One of the Sand Martin chicks ringed yesterday - Dave Waddington


A bird ringed in the Sand Martin Wall on 17-06-11 was trapped 15 days later (02-07-11)  at Wintersett Reservoir, 12 km NNW. A more lengthy recovery involved one rung in the wall on 24-07-11 that was trapped on 25-08-11 at Pett Levels, Winchelsea (East Sussex), 324 km SSE (32 days).



Wintersett 20.06.12

Anglers CP -  3 LITTLE GULLS early this afternoon, 2 first summers and a 2nd summer, also 5 Common Terns and 3 Oystercatchers.

Tuesday 19 June 2012

The Fleets

Ray Dye's patience paid off when he located an adult Treecreeper with 2 fledglings sunbathing yesterday.




At Bleachcroft Farm, Cudworth yesterday there were 3 juvenile Little Owls plus 2 adults at the nearby Carlton Pit yard (Dave Standish)

Today at Carlton Marsh Mute Swan 2 +2 young, Red Legged Partridge and 2 Song Thrush singing.  Looks like our local Cuckoo's have gone south for the winter - no song here or Cudworth Common since 8th of June.

Butterflies included 2 Dingy Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 3 Small Copper and about 30 newly emerged Green Emerald Damselfy. 

19th June 2012

1 adult and 5 young Little Grebe on large lake at Shafton

Colin Bonnington

Edderthorpe a.m.

On the Flash this morning;- Mute Swan 32, Gadwall 49, Teal 1, Common Sand 1, LRP 2.
On Houghton fields;- the Oystercatcher is still sitting (cant be long before they hatch?) but Lapwings appear to have not fared very well with their third attempts - very few appear to still be sitting and I only saw one brood of young (although it is difficult in a growing and thickening crop).

The Edge

Broomhill Flash- A little more activity today with 11Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 male Shoveler, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Kestrel mobbing a Grey Heron, 1 Redshank, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1Little Grebe, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Tern and  1 Sand Martin( the first for over a week )

Bolton Ings- Singing males included 11 Chaffinch, 11 Chiffchaff, 10, Wren,10 Blackcap, 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting and 1 Lesser Whitethroat. On the open water were 21 Tufted Duck, 20+ Gadwall (a family of 9 ducklings ), 4 Little Grebe, 4 Pochard ( 2m+2f), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 adult Mute Swans + 2 cygnets,1 Shoveler and 1 Common Tern. Also seen were 3 Buzzard ( 1 over the west end and a pair flying from east to west), 2 Kingfisher, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker,1 Grey Heron and 3 Oystercatchers.

Monday 18 June 2012

Owlszat

 1 Little Owl at 6.45pm on post between between Hade Edge and Winscar. Short
-eared Owl at 7.15pm hunting over bank to the west of road between Dunford Bridge and Woodhead.

Old Moor Roundabouts

Broomhill Flash- Very quiet with 10 Tufted Duck,2 Gadwall, 1male Pochard, 1 male Shoveler,2 Little Grebe,2 House Martin,1 Swallow and 1 Reed Bunting.

Bolton Ings- Singing males included 9 Chaffinch, 10 Wren, 6 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff,7 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler,2 Reed Bunting, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Song Thrush. On the open water were 43 Gadwall, 39 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard (2m,3f), 4 adult Mute Swans with  4and 2 cygnets,3 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 LBB Gull and 3 Common Tern. Also present were families of 10+  Long Tailed Tits and 7 Blue Tits, 2 Jay, 2 Kingfisher, 1Garden Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel and a predatory Carrion Crow carrying a baby coot.

Much the same

An evening visit to Old Moor produced Little Egret on the Field Pool, LRP, plenty of Avocets including yesterdays new rather vulnerable looking brood of four on Wader Scrape where the ringed 3 cy Med Gull was happily preening. Other birds seen today included Bittern and a couple of Dunlin.

The Wild West

Snailsden Reservoir - female Tufted Duck with 6 ducklings, 2 Common Buzzards, at least three pairs of Curlew with young and at least one pair of Common Sandpiper with young.
Winscar Reservoir - 5 Oystercatchers with 2 + 1 young and at least six pairs of Black-headed Gulls present.
Carlecotes Ponds - pair of Reed Bunting feeding young.

Butterflies - 5+ Green-veined White and 1 Peacock at Winscar Reservoir and 1 Small Heath at Snailsden Reservoir.

Sunday 17 June 2012

Cudworth area

New today 2 young Little Owls near Bleachcroft Farm, Cudworth. (Dave Standish)
Kingfisher and 1 Sand Martin were at a known breeding site on the River Dearne south of Cudworth Sewage Farm.
Also an unconfirmed report from a non-birder of a pair of Golden Oriole near Storrs Mill River bridge. Probably Green Woodpecker, but it's only 2 weeks ago that John Hewitt reported a possible sighting at Ardsley Viaduct - less than a mile to the west of Storrs Mill.  I spent an hour there this afternoon to no avail.

Red Kite

Broomhead Moor - Red Kite again over shooting cabin this afternnon - per SBSG website.

Old Moor - 17th June

Another good day at Old Moor where there is more good news on the Avocets, another new brood today makes 14 chicks (broods of 4, 4, 2, 2 and 2). Add to those the 2 that were lost makes 16 chicks hatched, the oldest 2 chicks are now well grown. The female Bittern was again seen well, and was seen quite a few times from the Wader Scrape hide. The Mediterranean Gull was again on the Wader Scrape and new in were 4 Dunlin, autumn migration has begun? Gadwall numbers are soaring, 291 were counted today between Old Moor, Bolton Ings and Wombwell Ings and that number didn't include females with ducklings. Hobby was seen over Broomhill and Old Moor and a pair of Garganey and 11 Teal were on Wombwell Ings. WEBS count next Sunday, should be interesting, will the first Green Sandpiper be back?

Old Moor area

News from Old Moor today included as follows: Bittern female seen regular, Hobby,  new brood of 4 Avocets, 4 Dunlin + area total of 291 Gadwall.

Wombwell Ings this evening: pair of Garganey, 11 Teal.

Bolton Ings - 17th June

14c at 8 oclock this morning but felt like November not June, but only a few spots of rain thankfully. Highlights this morning were Avocet through at 09.30, singing Garden Warbler and I finally saw some Oystercatcher chicks. Full list as follows :- Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 6 adults (broods of 4 & 2), Canada Goose 30 (brood of 6), Grey Lag Goose 4, Great Crested Grebe 6, Little Grebe 9, Cormorant 2, Mallard 35 (brood of 3), Gadwall 37, Wigeon 1 drake, Tufted Duck 30 (24 drakes, 6 ducks), Pochard 7 (2 drakes, 5 ducks), Coot 72 (broods of 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1 & 1), Moorhen 4, Lapwing 14 + 4 juvs flying, Oystercatcher 6 + 2 juvs, Avocet 1, Redshank 1, Black Headed Gull 342, Common Tern 2, Kestrel 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Kingfisher 1, Chiffchaff 6, Blackcap 6, Willow Warbler 5, Whitethroat 5 and Garden Warbler 1.

Wintersett 17.06.12

Just a quick round up of what's been happening over the last few days. Weather - It would be nice to go out without a coat, hat, gloves and wellies.
Friday 15th -  WRes. Common Tern 2.   Anglers CP.  Oystercatcher 2, Tufted Duck 22, Dabchick 1, Starling - 4 pairs nesting.
Saturday16th  - ACP - Common Tern 3, Oystercatcher 2, Greylay Goose 49, LBBGull 15 dropped in briefly (p.m) Mallard Broods in area of 6,2,4,3.    WRes. CHIMMNEY SWEEPER moth.
Sunday 17th - ACP - Oystercatcher 3,   Teal 1 male.  WRes - Mallard 15, Commom Tern 4 + 3ACP.

Edderthorpe this week.
                                     The long eared owls left the nest this week and the adults can be seen hunting on cudworth common tip,as late as 10 am. this morning,the barn owl is being seen daily near the river.On the down side the common tern has given up eventually with water lapping at the scrape for 2 days, and we have witnessed the loss of at least 3 lapwing clutches,and 4 redshank chicks to crows ,this morning we had 2redshank,1 LRP.1common sandpiper,and 2 OYCs.and on the 13th.a whopping 52 mute swan.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Old Moor - 16th June

Plenty to see at Old Moor today, the 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull was present on the Wader Scrape. 14 adult Avocets and now 4 broods of chicks (4, 2, 2, 2) also on Wader Scrape as well as 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers and 3 Little Ringed Plovers. A duck count revealed 200+ Gadwall plus at least 6 broods now, Tufted Duck 90, Shoveler 10, Pochard 6 and Teal 11 (10 drakes). A female Yellow Wagtail was seen on Wath Ings and also 2 Barn Owls. The Bitterns are being seen more now, both the male, female and one of the juveniles have been seen today, all 3 juveniles plus both adults were seen yesterday. Finally a Red Kite was seen passing over at 12.30.

Cudworth Common

Mute Swan 2, Redshank 4 with young, Skylark 6 singing. Meadow Pipit 1 displaying and Drake Shoveler.

2 Ringed Plover adults were on the south side of the Symphony warehouse.

Red Kite

Broomhead Moor - 1 Red Kite at 11:30hrs drifted south.

Friday 15 June 2012

LBBG's

Royd Moor - 105 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - per HBC website
Also adult Yellow-legged Gull here again on 14th June - per HBC website.

Friday Old Moor

Old Moor today - Bittern/s, Hobby.

Thursday 14 June 2012

BB Rarities in Barnsley

Not surprising no change at Old Moor today in the cool dull weather. Bittern still showing in flight over Reedbeds and 3CY Med' Gull on usual island on Wader Scrape. So, with little to write about it seems like a good idea to get up to date with the following:

The British Birds Rarities Committee recently updated their online ‘work in progress’ section which included the following selected information which may be of interest to Barnsley birders:

Now accepted

·             Least Sandpiper, Old Moor RSPB, 26th May 2011.

·             Penduline Tit (2), Wintersett Reservoir, 6th November 2011.

Also accepted, although not surprisingly onto Category E (Species recorded as introductions, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Forms no part of the British list) is the following:

· Wood Duck, Wintersett Reservoir 15th - 17th May 2007.

Records still in circulation include the following:

· 'North American Night Heron', Scout Dyke Reservoir, 9th February 2008.

Quiet Surroundings

Broomhill Flash- 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Mute Swan, 1Little Grebe, 2 Kestrel, 1 Shoveler, 1 Redshank and 100+ Swifts.

Bolton Ings- Singing males included 12 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 10 Wren, 6 Willow Warbler, 6 Chaffinch, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting,2 Yellowhammer and 1 Garden Warbler. On the open water were 24 Gadwall, 21 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls( 2 adults+ 2 second summer ), 4 adult Mute Swans( broods of 2 and 4 cygnets), 3 Common Tern and 2 Great Crested Grebes. Other birds included 4 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard,  3 Oystercatcher , 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Kingfisher.

The Rising Swan

Edderthorpe Flash and Mute Swans are now up to 48. Oyc 1, LRP 3, Ringed Plover 1, Dunlin 1, Redshank 8 and Common Tern 2.

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Garden Tick = Nightjar!


This nightjar spent most of Monday in a Darton garden. Thanks to Russell Conway for the images!

Once Bittern, twice shy?

With no Chase or Weakest Link on TV this week due to the demands of football and tennis we decided to offer you a quiz of our very own. Good luck!
One of the three young Bitterns at the Reedbeds can be clearly seen in this photograph taken yesterday but can you see the other two? I am assured they are all there!

Not too much news today although needless to say the female Bittern is getting through plenty of work. Otherwise, 182 Gadwall, six Teal, 3 LRP, ten Oystercatchers and the 3cy/2s Mediterranean Gull. Now there's another quiz to come, surely?

Carlton Marsh

We are now at the height of the breeding season, and the reserve is heaving with 9 species of warbler including Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed and Sedge Warbler. Other birds on eggs or feeding young include Jay, Green Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk.

Todays sightings included, HOBBY,  Kingfisher, 2 Red Legged Partridge, Cuckoo singing and Little Owl.(Hibbert/Corrall)

BMBC cut the footpaths around the reserve yesterday making it even better to walk round and the mown grass contrasts very nicely with the wild flowers on show.  If the sun ever shines again we are hoping to see Ringlet, both Large and Small Skipper and Gatekeeper towards the month end.  Dragonflies too have yet to emerge because of the cool conditions.

Yesterday I forgot to mention that the wind measuring mast (c150ft high) has been removed from its position on the south side of the Symphony warehouse, Cudworth Common. One less hazard for birds.

Wintersett 13.06.12

Anglers CP -  2 Common Tern present,  3 Teal came in briefly this morning and a LRP flew over.   An increasing number of geese are beginning their wing moult, with 202 Canadas and 46 Greylags on the lake today.

Life on the edge (of Old Moor)

Broomhill Flash- 70+ Swifts  and 60+ House Martins flying low over the flash at 9am. 27 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Shoveler and 1 Teal were on the water. Also present were 2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Avocet and 1 Kestrel.

Bolton Ings- Singing males included 13 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap,7 Wren, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Garden Warbler. On the water were 32 Tufted Duck, 20 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 2 families of Mute Swans9 ( broods of 2 and 4), 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Tern and 1 male Wigeon. Also present were 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Heron, 2Redshank and 2 Kestrel.
 The amount of Giant Hogweed next to the old railway path is a cause for concern.  The sap can cause blisters and scarring and a small amount in the eye can cause temporary or permanent blindness.

Wombwell Ings- Another very quiet day with 10 + Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 10 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 5 singing Skylarks,  2 Grey Heron, 2 male Reed Buntings. 1 Shoveler and 1 Redshank.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Cudworth Common

9 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank + 2 young, drake Shoveler, 2 Mute Swan,  singing Reed Warblers (2) Whitethroat (4) and 10 pairs of Lapwing with young.
Symphony
Ringed Plover (2 males 1 female) and 3 Red Legged Partridge.

Old Moor Fantastico!

More great news on the breeding front today as yesterdays suspected new brood of Avocets was confirmed today - two chicks. So that's four broods of two so far (minus one to a Magpie) and still four birds sitting. Add to that, Barn Owls feeding young and Long-eared Owls thought to be doing the same and you began to think things couldn't get a lot better. That is until the news came in from the Reedbeds that the Bitterns have not two young, but in fact three, and pretty well grown at that. Fantastic! Not much change otherwise, the Little Egret was on the Field Pool tonight whilst 4 LRP, a couple of Teal and several Pochard were on Wader Scrape.

Adwick Washlands

Little Grebe 1, Ringed Plover 1, LRP 2, Lapwing at least 12 well-grown young, Snipe 1, Redshank at least 6 adults + 1 c.2 day old chick, Common Tern 2 adults (one feeding t'other), Willow Tit 1, Yellowhammer at least 8 singing. Banded Demoiselle 1 ad. male. Can someone please get rid of all this blogger crap.

Royd Moor & Res

Royd Moor - 1 adult Yellow -legged Gull with 38 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Royd Moor Reservoir - All four sylviid warbler species singing.
Langsett Reservoir - Common Sandpiper + 3 young.

Edderthorpe

Slightly more interesting than the last couple of mornings;- Mute Swan 31, Teal 1, Shoveler 5, LRP 7, Ringed Plover 1, Oyc 1. Interesting breeding birds included Kingfisher and Willow Tit carrying food and fledged Grey Wagtails on the river.

Monday 11 June 2012

cool chicks?

With unseasonable (or perhaps you'd say seasonable!) cool conditions at least 150 House Martins were feeding low over the water at Broomhill Flash. Meanwhile at Old Moor the Bittern is showing as per norm and both a Little Egret and a drake Garganey were on the Wader Scrape where there was also a dead adult Avocet which has apparently been there a few days. Better news however, is that another sitting bird was showing signs of having hatched young, although no young were seen. Keep them warm! Also in the area a Grasshopper Warbler is feeding young and two birds have been 'reeling' in last couple of days. Second broods to follow?

More Yellow Wags at Wintersett 11.06.12

Very cold (10 degrees) and overcast all day.
Another check in the wheat field south of Cold Hiendley village produced 7 territorial male Yellow Wagtails.   These numbers are unprecedented for one field. It seems the close proximity of the sewage works is a main factor for this  as the birds are collecting large amounts of insects from the filter beds.
Other highlights were: a Red-legged Partridge on the sewage works track, 2 Grey Wagtails flew south from the spillway on Wintersett Res and 2 Common Tern were on Anglers CP.

Old Moor Surrounds

Broomhill Flash- Apart from the good numbers of Swift, Swallow and House Martin it was a quiet day with 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Shoveler, 1Pochard, 10 Gadwall and 25+ Tufted Duck on the flash.
Bolton Ings- Singing males included 7+ Chiffchaff, 5+ Willow Warbler, 5+ Blackcap, 5+ Wren, 5+ Chaffinch, 4+ Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Cuckoo. On the open water were 40+ Tufted Duck, 10+ Gadwall, 10+ Mallard, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Cormorant, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Tern, a pair of Mute Swans + 4 cygnets and 8 Pochard ( a pair and 2 ducklings on the west end lake). Also seen were 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel, a family group of 6+ Willow Tits, 2 Kingfisher and a hunting Barn Owl on Wath Ings. 
Wombwell Ings- Very quiet with 10+ Mallard ( 1 brood of 10 ducklings0, 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Redshankand a Mute Swan with 5 cygnets. The only young Lapwings seen were 2 juveniles and 1 chick. 

Sunday 10 June 2012

Old Moor - 10th June

Went onto Old Moor following my visit to Bolton Ings, the mere first where the pair of Avocets with their chick are in front of the hide giving fantastic views. Onto the field pools where I couldnt see the Little Egret or the 2 Teal reported earlier. New from Wath Ings were a brood of 9 Gadwall, also present 88 adult Gadwall and a Barn Owl. On the Wader Scrape were 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and the 2 broods of 2 Avocets, The ringed Mediterranean Gull was seen but again I didnt see it. The Bittern was seen  and I saw a Hobby over the mere from the new Hobby viewing balcony.

Bolton Ings - 10th June

Weather good this morning, clear and sunny, little wind and 17c. First broods of Pochard, Shoveler and Moorhen seen and 2 Grey Wagtails on the river being the highlights. Full list :- Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 4 (broods of 4 and 2), Canada Goose 25 (brood of 2), Grey Lag Goose 14 (broods of 3 and 1), Great Crested Grebe 5, Little Grebe 6 (broods of 2 and 1), Mallard 25 (broods of 5 and 1), Gadwall 55, Shoveler pair + 3 young, Wigeon 1 drake, Tufted Duck 47 (31 drakes, 16 ducks), Pochard 11 (5 drakes, 6 ducks + brood of 2), Coot 82 ( broods of 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1 & 1), Moorhen 5 (broods of 2 and 1), Lapwing 15 + 8 young all nearly at flying stage, Oystercatcher 4 (2 pairs but I still cant see any young), Redshank 2 (again no young seen), Black Headed Gull 382, Common Tern 2, Grey Wagtail 2, Kingfisher 1, Blackcap 7, Willow Warbler 6, Chiffchaff 7, Whitethroat 3, Reed Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 1.

Rabbit Ings

A walk along the south side with Ralph Hibbert produced 4 singing Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit displaying while its mate was carrying food nearby.
Butterflies included 14 Small Heath, 9 Common Blue, 8 Small Copper and 3 Orange Tip (2 were females)

There were also 5 Sand Martins flying around Mick Birkinshaw's portacabin, which led me to wonder if they were breeding on the quarry face at the top of Lundhill, at what is now the coal yard.  The gates were locked, but it might be worth a second look here as in the 1980's I discovered a a small colony of about 5 pairs breeding there, which eventually died out.  I think I am right in saying that they were the only breeding Sand Martins in Barnsley at that time.

uplands today

Ewden shooting lodge path ~ 2 pairs of Curlew alarming.  1 Hobby. 1 juv Winchat and a second bird with it which was seen too briefly but was probably also a juv Whinchat.  2 Cuckoos across the valley - both singing and both seen.  1 Common Buzzard.  1 probable Black Grouse across the valley too distant to be certain.
Hordron Road ~ 2 Spotted Flycatchers plus one juv.  Lots of juv Mistle Thrushes.
Hordron Farm ~ no Ring Ouzels but 1 male Redstart carrying food.  1 male Wheatear plus 2 maybe 3 juvs.  Curlews including 2 juvs together and 1 smaller juv 100 yards away.
Lots of Mipits everywhere - many carrying food.

Yellow Delight - Wintersett 10.06.12

The weather forecasters got it wrong, but this time for the better.  Not cooler and overcast, but sunny, warm, humid and very calm!
A stroll over to the wheat field south of Cold Hiendley yielded no quail calling this morning.  However, the same field produced a magnificent 5 PAIRS OF YELLOW WAGTAIL, two of which were feeding young.  Also in the same field were a good number of skylarks, a tree sparrow and a reed bunting.
Other highlights today were a  male Pochard new in and a Mute Swan with a new brood of 2 cygnets on Anglers CP.  A brood of 9 young Gadwall  were on Moorhouse Lane Ponds.

Cliff Wood

Final totals for the nestboxes at Cliff Wood, Langsett :-
Blue Tit - six pairs - 21 young.
Great Tit - five pairs - 15 young.
Pied Flycatcher - three pairs - 13 young.
Some activity in one box suggests a nesting attempt by Nuthatch.

Saturday 9 June 2012

Edderthorpe

Mute Swan 37, Little Egret 1 early morning soon moved off elsewhere, LRP 2, Teal 3.

Carlton Marsh

Dull and cool , but lots of activity families of Blackcap, Great Tits, Blue Tits and for the first time ever a pair of Coal Tits.  Both adults were with at least 3 fledged young.  A Cuckoo is still present and a pair of Whitethroats were feeding young in a nest.  Two Song Thrush egg-shells found near the hide - predation or successful hatching?

Earlier in my garden I noted 12 species in one hour for the RSPB Spring Birdwatch. The highlights were: Bullfinch 2, Goldfinch 2, Greenfinch 1, Blackcap 1 and Lesser Whitethroat 2.

Wintersett 09.06.12

 An overcast, showery morning but drier and breezier this afternoon with little to report.
Cold Hiendley - A QUAIL was calling again today, in the fields south of the village.  2 maleYellow Wagtails were also seen in that area.

5 Common Terns were still on Anglers CP

Friday 8 June 2012

Cudworth Common

Of significance today was: 30 Canada Geese, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank (alarming) 1 with at least 1 small young, a pair of Coot with 5 young and another in the process of hatching, all on the bottom ponds. On the bypass pond were a pair of Mute Swan and a drake Shoveler.  Elsewhere singing males included Cuckoo 1, Blackcap 2, Willow Warbler 2, Meadow Pipit 1. (displaying)

On the north side of the Symphony factory were 1 adult Ringed Plover with 3 immatures, c5 pairs of Lapwing with young, 2 Redshank alarming near a nest site on the boundary with the Common and 6 Brown Hares.  On the south side were 2 Lapwings on their respective nests, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Red Legged Partridges.

Elsecar Res & Castle Dam

Elsecar Reservoir - 1 Mute Swan, two pairs Great Crested Grebes with young (1+1), 1 Common Tern and 1 Kingfisher carrying food.
Castle Dam - 3 Oystercatchers (per Brian Penistone)

Wintersett 08.06.12

Cold Hiendley - A QUAIL was calling again today, in the fields south of the village.  2 Yellow Wagtails were also seen in that area.
In Pits Wood a SPOTTED  FLYCATCHER was singing and so was a Nuthatch.
5 Common Terns were still on Anglers CP  and a Kingfisher was on Wintersett Res.

Old Moor

Old Moor by late afternoon - Bittern seen frequent, 3 CY Med' Gull (ringed bird) 3 broods Avocet still (2,2,1)

Edderthorpe

Cold, wet and windy. The water level has risen with the last 24 hours rain but not yet to critical levels. Bird wise this morning was hopeless;- Mute Swans still at 34, LRP 1........yawn...

Thursday 7 June 2012

Old Moor

Bittern seen several times. Hobby, Med' Gull (heard only), 3 LRP. The Lesser BB Gulls have hatched two young. A Magpie took one of the Avocet chicks from The Mere, presumed one of the Wader Scrape broods.

Wintersett 07.06.12

A very overcast day with showers in morning and rain all afternoon.
Anglers CP - Common Tern 5.
The Quail was not heard singing today.
The AgapanthiaVillosoviridescens beetle seen yesterday was the 2nd record for Wintersett. (See comments from 06.06.12 post)

Barnside Moor 5-6-12.

Hobby, flew w. hawking insects late aft. + very brief views of falcon over dukes rd. , alarming golden plover, thought to be merlin.

Ewden valley 5-6-12

Upper commons - red kite 1, buzzard 3, peregrine 1, hobby 1.

Cawthorne Dyke 5-6-12

Hobby 1, buzzard 1, curlew 1, presumed to be on territory.

Edderthorpe early morn

Mute Swan 34, Shelduck 2, Teal 1, Gadwall 49, Oyc 1, LRP 6, Ringed Plover 2, Yellow Wag 1.

Carlton Marsh

Ringing control: Sedge Warbler X076053 ringed here as a 3j (juvenile) by Dave Smith at 05.40hrs on 19/7/2011 controlled as a 4 (adult) wing length 64mm at Wintersett Res. by Pete Smith on 2/6/2012. This species has declined in recent years so its nice to get news that one made it back!

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Cudworth Common

This evening-Mallard with at least 11 ducklings, Cuckoo singing, 2 Redshank alarming near top pond + 2 on bottom ponds, 4 Meadow Pipits (1 displaying) Oystercatcher 1, Little Grebe 1, Mute Swan 2, Skylark 3 singing and 5 Tufted Duck.
Symphony (north side) Ringed Plover 1, 8 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, Lapwings with young. (south side) 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Ringed Plover and Lapwing on nest. A large Dragonfly whized past too quick to identify-Emperor? climbed very high out of sight.

Wintersett 06.06.12

Anglers CP - Common Tern 5
Walton Hall - Gadwall 1 male and 1 female, Mute Swan with 4 cygnets
Wintersett Res - A new brood of 5 Mute Swan cygnets
Highlight today was a QUAIL singing in fields south of Cold Hiendley village.
(Thanks to Ivan for initial report.)
Also found was a longhorn beetle north of its usual range.   (Thanks forcomments -  I stand corrected)

Agapanthia Villosoviridescens



Old Moor Outskirts

Broomhill Flash- Very quiet with 25 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall, 7 Mallard (1 brood of 7 ducklings), 1 Shoveler, 1 Redshank, 1 Ruddy Duckand  150+ Swifts . A Green Woodpecker was on Little Broomhill.
Wombwell Ings-The highlight was a pair of Garganey but they were being elusive like most other ducks (8 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 4 Tufted and 1 Shoveler).Also present were a Kingfisher on the Bulling Dyke, 1 Avocet, 1 Redshank, 3 Grey Partridge and 3 broods of Lapwing(3, 2and 1 chicks)
Bolton Ings-Along the old railway track were singing Chiffchaffs 8, Blackcap 4, Willow Warbler6, Whitethroat 5, Reed warbler 1 and Yellowhammer1. Other birds included 4 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 LBB Gull, 12 Mallard, 17 Gadwall, 35 Tufted Duck, 3 Gt Crested Grebe, $ Little Grebe, 2 Common Tern and a Buzzard over the west end.

The end of an era?

Early evening update - pair of Garganey still on Wombwell Ings. Bittern still showing quite regular at Old Moor. And now some not so good news - An adult summer-plumage Mediterranean Gull has been picked up dead (estimated time of death 1 - 2 weeks) by the Trans Pennine Trail near Old Moor and is thought to have succumb to overhead power lines. It is likely that this is the adult bird which graced the bird this spring and perhaps more importantly the male of the pair that were Yorkshire's first proven successful breeders back in 2010. Sad news indeed.

The Garganey on Wombwell Ings today - Jim Thompson Above - drake
below - female

Carlton Marsh

2 Buzzards over this afternoon, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) and a Little Owl near Bleachcroft Farm.  Both Swan cygnets are doing well and a pair of Coot have 2 small young.  Little Grebe have so far failed to produce any young.
Butterflies included 7 Dingy Skipper, 13 Common Blue, 6 Small Heath, 5 Small Copper and a PAINTED LADY.
Also taking to the wing between the sunny spells were small numbers of Azure Damselfly and Four Spot Chaser.

Quail

Quail singing at 2.45pm today just south of Cold Hiendley village in the field behind the houses.

WI AM

A pair of Garganey Wombwell Ings this morning.

Edderthorpe early morning

Mute Swans are up to 35, a migrant Little Grebe has appeared, Shelduck 2, first brood of Gadwall - 3, of the season, Avocet 1, Oyc 1, LRP 2, Ringed Plover 1, Dunlin 3,
And for anyone who meant to get up early to see Venus transit the Sun, well you missed nowt due to the overcast conditions.

Tuesday 5 June 2012

News from Donny

According to the Donny blog today per Andy Gray (glad he's out birding and not playing for't TARN this season);
Adwick
Turtle Dove 1.......is this the first for the Dearne this year? I haven't even heard of any others in the Barnsley district.
Also snipe 5 (one drumming). Avocet 1. Lapwing 40+. Redshank 10. Ring Plover 3. Gropper 1.

Also..........on the RSPB Old Moor website they are reporting a fox walking about in the reedbeds.
The guy who has posted this has added............'Maybe Basil Brush has turned up after all to try a bit of 'Boom booming' !!
Some may find this funny..........I don't.
The RSPB Old Moor have been continually asked over many years to get a grip on the fox problem at Old Moor but they have refused to do this because no one on site is willing to actually carry it out.
Consequently - the young and adult bitterns are  now at risk.
It will be an absolute disaster if the foxes get hold of these birds.

LBBG's again

Broadstones Reservoir - Lesser Black-backed Gulls up to 54 - a high count for early June. Also a Little Ringed Plover this afternoon (per HBC website).

Wintersett 05.06.12

Wintersett Res -  Today was cool and overcast with brief sunny spells and a SW breeze. 
Swift 500,  Common Tern 3.   The Mute Swan cygnets are down to 3 from 6 and the  2 young Great Crested Grebes were not seen so have probably been predated.

Edderthorpe Flash

Oystercatcher 5 - The nesting bird on Houghton is no longer sitting and presumably the eggs have been predated. Avocet 1, Ringed Plover 2, LRP 5, Forgot to mention yesterday- the first brood of Redshank-4 since the floods washed everything out. And finally- Coot 108.

Monday 4 June 2012

Whitwell Moor

Barn Owl at the bottom wood at Long Lane, Whitwell Moor this evening.

Edderthorpe - 4th June

Called at Edderthorpe on my way home to count the Mute Swans, I agree with Grahams total of 26. Also to add to the Owl theme I saw a Little Owl sat on a road sign near the roundabout at ASOS.

Old Moor - 4th June

Following my visit to Bolton Ings I progressed onto Old Moor, highlight being 2 sightings of the female Bittern in flight at 15.10 and 15.20 from the Bittern Viewpoint. There are now 6 Avocet chicks present (3 broods of 2) and a further 2 adults dropped in from a great height mid afternoon. A flock of 9 Lapwings also dropped in shortly after the Avocets. The drake Wigeon was still present on the Wader Scrape and a drake Teal was on the field pools. I counted 10 Pochard in total with only 1 female seen, new broods of Mallard included broods of 9 and 5 on the Field Pools and 7 and 5 on the Wader Scrape. Regarding the Bittern Viewpoint this is the first time I have seen it and I was impressed. A couple of notice boards describe the history of the reedbeds and the hopes that Bitterns could be attracted to breed, I am sure the introduction of Eels and Rudd certainly helped. Also an up to date notice board of the days sightings, times, behaviour etc and helpfull staff on hand to give up to the minute news. A Gazeebo and plenty of chairs completed the setup. As mentioned earlier during my couple of hours there the Bittern showed twice and about 25/30 people were rewarded with good views. Everybody was happy with their sightings, the bloke next to me saw the Bittern for the first time and he had been trying for 2 years, he was well chuffed. Another bloke saw it yesterday for the first time (in the reeds on Reedbed 1) and came back today to see it again. Huge thanks go to the RSPB and all their staff for providing the Viewpoint but more importantly providing us all the opportunity to see Bitterns breeding in our part of the country at Old Moor.

Bolton Ings - 4th June

My first visit to Bolton for 2 weeks following my weeks rest in Magaluf, weather a lot better than yesterday. Highlights being a bit more breeding success but not much plus 4 pairs of Common Terns. Full list :- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 4 adults + 1 on river (broods of 4 and 2), Canada Goose 52 (broods of 6 and 2), Grey Lag Goose 9, Great Crested Grebe 6 (1 left towards Manvers), Little Grebe 10 (brood of 2), Mallard 14 (brood of 3 including a bright yellow one), Gadwall 46, Shoveler 1 drake, Tufted Duck 59 ( I decided to count males and females as with Pochard, result 39 males, 20 females), Pochard 9 (6 males, 3 females), Coot 62 ( broods of 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 & 1), Moorhen 2, Lapwing 16 (broods of 2, 2, 1 & 1), Oystercatcher 4, Redshank 2, Black Headed Gull 517 ( well down on previous counts but now harder to see because of vegetation and also birds away collecting food for chicks, many chicks now visible but not counted, next week perhaps?), Common Tern 8, Kestrel 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Reed Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 5, Willow Warbler 4, Blackcap 3.

Winscar-Early evening

Singing birds included 3 Willow Warbler,Curlew and Red Grouse. Also present were an Oystercatcher, a Cuckoo and a hunting Short-eared Owl opposite the car park at 7pm.

Edderthorpe Flash

Mute Swans are down to 26 today. Shelduck 2, Teal 2, Avocet 1, Ringed Plover 2, LRP 2, Oystercatcher1, Cuckoo 1, Yellow Wag 1, House Martin 110. Good news on the owl front;- the Long-eareds territory has been found and a adult flying around during the morning means they should have young and they haven't abandoned the area after being displaced last winter by a Tawny Owl. And Barn Owls are also feeding young nearby.
ADWICK WASHLANDS (am) Little Grebe 2, Shoveler 3 males, Tufted 4, Lapwing at least 12 juvs flying now, plus 3 recently hatched young, Redshank 10 plus 5 young, Ringed Plover 2, Avocet 1, Snipe 3, 1 drumming, Common Tern 1, Cuckoo 1.

Carlton Marsh

New in today a female Pochard.  A Cuckoo and 3 Garden Warblers were singing and a Little Owl was in Carlton pit yard.  A Lesser Whitethroat was feeding young in a nest and Brooklime and Orange Hawkweed were in flower. (per Jim Plant)
Butterflies included 1 Large Skipper, 6 Small Copper, 16 Small Heath, 6 Dingy Skipper, 13 Common Blue, 7 Orange-tip males and 5 Four Spot Chasers. (per Chris Parkin)

Earlier at Barrow Tip were 66 Dingy Skippers (per CP)

Wintersett 04.06.12

The Black Tern is still on Wintersett Res.  The 2 Common Terns are still on Anglers CP.

LBBG

Very quiet at the Ingbirchworth group of reservoirs.
Broadstones Reservoir - 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 drake Tufted Duck and suprisingly 1 singing Blackcap.
Mammals - 1 Stoat with prey over the road at Horn Lane, Ingbirchworth.
Butterflies - 1 Wall and 1 Small White on Spicer House Lane.

Stainborough June 4th

Highlights of this morning's patrol were two GS Woodpeckers together in the parkland and in the gardens one of the two Spotted Flycatchers which Gary saw earlier today.

Sunday 3 June 2012

Old Moor - 3rd June

Very little coverage today in the poor weather, however the Bittern was seen again as were the Avocets still with 4 chicks. New in was a drake Wigeon on the wader scrape where a Teal was also seen. Also on the Wader Scrape were 4 Ringed Plovers and 4 Little Ringed Plovers.

Jubilee Bonanza Wintersett 03.06.12

The weather today has been dreadful.  It was a very cold 8 degrees, with gusty wind, and the rain was incessant.  However the dramatic and unseasonal conditions heralded the appearance of a large number of Swifts and House Martins swooping low over Wintersett  Res.  Conservative counts were: 1000 Swift  and  400 House  Martin,  (which is the highest HM count for many years). Swallow 80,  Sand Martin 30.  The highlight today was a BLACK  TERN  gliding and dipping around the edge of the throng.
The 2 Common Terns were still present on Anglers CP.
Edderthorpe. Sunday morning, we now have 36 mute swan, 1little egret, 4 redshank 1Oyc. 2ring plover, and a Roe deer on the tip.

Saturday 2 June 2012

Boom boom at old moor

The male bittern was heard booming twice this morning and the female is still making regular feeding flights over on the reedbeds. Please be aware that the reedbed paths are still closed although adequate viewing can be had from the switchback.
Other news; A 1st summer(2cy) med gull was seen flying towards bolton ings, 16 avocet + 4 young, 4 LRP, 4 ringed plover, 159 gadwall, 13 pochard (2 fem), 1 teal and a barn owl.
Worsbrough res. GCGrebes are doing very well here - 3 broods of 3 so far plus 6 birds still sat. Hopefully the forecasted rain will hold off! Common terns look to have deserted, probably as a result of herons occupying the rafts and/or the youths that went out during the last warm spell.

SWAN LAKE

This morning the number of Mute Swans at Edderthorpe Flash had increased to 34. Also 5 Pochard, 1 Avocet, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 11 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, and 7 Redshank

House Martins & Ravens

Whitwell Moor - 2 adult Ravens and 7+ Skylarks
Stocksbridge - 30+ House Martins over the Garden Village area - first in the Little Don Valley this year.

Wintersett 02.06.12


Another cool day today.  A Water Rail was singing at Wintersett Res and 2 Common Terns were flying around Anglers CP.

Friday 1 June 2012

Now is the time.........

......to make a special note of..........Pochard.......how many females and males are still hanging about?
Can the Dearne Valley achieve more than the 4 successful pairs which have been recorded in each of the previous 2 years?

Teal is another one which is a good record at this time of year. 

Friday 1st June

Langsett Reservoir - 1 Cormorant.

Wintersett 01.06.12

Brrrr!  Cold, damp and overcast start to a new month. 
Very little of note here.  A pair of Common Terns have been around Anglers CP all week and an Arctic Tern arrived this afternoon.  On Wintersett Res. the Mute Swans still have four cygnets and the Great Crested Grebes have two youngsters.

The Trinity

Broomhill Flash- Quiet apart from good numbers of  Swifts,House Martins(50+) and Swallows(100+) but only two Sand Martins. On the flash were 25 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe and 1 Ruddy Duck.
Bolton Ings- Along the old railway the singing males included7 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap,1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 6 Wren, 2 Song Thrush and 2 Mistle Thrush. A Common Tern flying from Wath Ings had a fish in its mouth- for a mate or feeding young? Views of the Waderscrape included  Avocet (10 adults +1 young), 2 Redshank and 1 Shelduck. Large numbers of hirundines but only 2 Sand Martins. Also seen were 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Kestrel, 1 Redshank and 1 Jay.
Wombwell Ings- Quiet apart from 2 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover and a Lapwing family with 3 young.

House Martins

Has anyone noticed  a significant fall in the number of House Martins?
Amazingly I have not seen one in the Little Don Valley this year. There are usually 20-30 pairs in the Stocksbridge & Deepcar areas, but to my knowledge not a one to date.
Additionally there were smaller numbers than usual at the Ingbirchworth group of reservoirs this spring.

New Month - Same Birds

Virtually no change at Edderthorpe Flash from yesterday;- Ringed Plover 13, LRP 3, Dunlin 6 and I know everyone is wondering-there are still 29 Mute Swans.

Thursday

Old Moor - Bittern still showing quite regular in flight. Little Egret, 20+ Ringed Plover, 6 LRP, 1 Dunlin.

Steve Ward has kindly sent the location of where he saw his probable Golden Oriole recently. The description certainly fits nicely.


The location ~ go up the northern arm of the Trans Pennine Trail from the Stairfoot roundabout. After about 1/4 mile, the TPT takes a left turn towards Wakefield/Leeds, but don't take that left turn, instead carry on for about another mile towards Cudworth until you come to a very long bridge/viaduct over the river/valley with a sewage works to the right (pray for a westerly wind). The bridge and the path form part of a dismantled railway. It was on that bridge, which must be a good 80-100 feet high, that I saw the bird ~ on my right hand side. I'd stopped for a drink as I'd cycled from Wath and was just looking over the bridge at the river and I saw it fly north(ish) from the river, i.e. towards Cudworth, and it went into some trees about 200 yards away from the river.

I wont be around personally for the next few days but would suggest this is well worth looking for if anyone can drag themselves away from the jubilee celebrations! Steve Also sent these great shots of a Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding young which he took locally. Thanks Steve.