CORRECTION

The adult Caspian Gull was seen (and photographed) at Lower Maythorn again today - per HBC website.

Langsett Reservoir

Langsett Reservoir - gull roost - 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 296+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 83 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Common Gull. Also 1 Curlew.

Mammals - 1 Brown Hare at Langsett village.

Caspian Gull

Lower Maythorn - No sign of the Caspian Gull today; but five other gull species including 1 adult Yellow-legged, c300 Lesser Black-backs and 1 third cy Herring.

quick update

2 Wood Sands still Wombwell Ings, 2 Little Egrets Old Moor.

Nightjars July 30th

Spent a cold hour and a quarter along Stone Circle path tonight to get good bursts of song, brief flight call and very quick glimpse of a Nightjar in flight.  Then on the way home on the road at Midhope a nightjar sitting on the tarmac caught in the headlights.  I stopped a few yards from it and the bird just stayed there until I moved forward.  A few yards further on a second bird did exactly the same.  This may be familiar to some of you but is a new experience for me.

The news so far:

News from Old Moor so far today includes: 2 Little Egrets, Hobby, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 LRP, 2 RP.

Additional to yesterday: A male Marsh Harrier dropped onto Bolton Ings at 16.35 (Chris Harris).

Broadstone & Ingbirchworth area

Lower Maythorn - 1 adult Caspian Gull again this a.m. plus c300 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 (1 adult & 1 adult//3rd cy) Yellow-legged Gulls, c450 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Common Gulls and c200 Jackdaws.
Broadstsone Reservoir - 3 Curlews.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes + 2 full-grown young, 11 Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Common Pochard, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Sand Martin, c120 House Martins and c80 Swifts.
Langsett Reservoir - c20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 hybrid Canada/Greylag Goose.

Mammals
Another young Badger dead on the A616, this time just west of Midhopestones.

Wombwell Ings - 30th July

Wood Sandpiper 2, Green Sandpiper 3, Dunlin 3, LRP 2, Snipe 4, Black Tailed Godwit 2, Redshank 3.

Old Moor - 29th July

On Wader Scrape today, Little Egret 2, Common Tern 9 (1 juv), Black Tailed Godwit 2, Green Sandpiper 4, Common Sandpiper 1, Snipe 6, Little Ringed Plover 4 (3 juvs), Redshank 1, Oystercatcher 6 and a Hobby which caught a Swift.

Wombwell Ings - 29th July

Wood Sandpiper 2, Redshank 3, Dunlin 3, Black Tailed Godwit 3. All waders are on first flash as you walk on, please remain below banking to avoid disturbance.

Broomhill Flash - 29th July

Green Sandpiper 10, Common Sandpiper 1, Black Tailed Godwit 1, Snipe 19, Common Tern 3.

Bolton Ings - 29th July

Highlight this morning was a Hobby after Swifts at the western end early on, full list :- Grey Heron 6, Mute Swan 5 adults + 6 juvs, Canada Goose 67, Grey Lag Goose 3, Great Crested Grebe 5 + 3 juvs, Little Grebe 20+, Mallard 18, Gadwall 3 (broods of 10 and 7), Tufted Duck 34 (broods of 9, 8 & 3), Pochard 11, Coot 144 (new brood of 2), Moorhen 2 + 2y, Black Headed Gull 39, LBB Gull 2, Lapwing 18, Mistle Thrush 9, Kestrel 2, Hobby 1, Green Woodpecker 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 and Chiffchaff 1.

Caspian Gull

An adult Caspian Gull is among the 800 or so gulls feeding and resting in fields being cut for silage at Whitley Edge/Lower Maythorn this afternoon. It was found by Mick Cunningham on Whitley Common yesterday. Other gulls present:- 3 (1 adult? and 2 3rd cy) Yellow-legged, 5+ Common, c350 Lesser Black-backed and 400+ Black-headed.

Wintersett 29.07.12

Anglers CP:Pochard 1, Cormorant 7, Common Tern 5 + 3 (WR)
Wintersett Res:Purple Hairstreak 1

Crossbills

Midhope Reservoir - 8 Crossbills W at 1345hrs.

Adwick washlands (am)

Shelduck 1 juv, Snipe 11, Lapwing 30, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Tern 3.

Wintersett 28.07.12

Warm and windy today.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1, Common Tern 4,  Garden Warbler 1, Siskin 1 flew NW,

27-7-12. A few friday night jars.

included a nightjar performing well, half a mile up the stone circle track. + audible from the first stone wall. 2 hobbys this a.m. cawthorne, same as.

Wombwell Ings - 28th July

Waders present this morning on Wombwell Ings included Wood Sandpiper 2, Black Tailed Godwit 8, Redshank 3, Snipe 3, Green Sandpiper 3, Dunlin 2 and Little Ringed Plover 2. All birds are on first flash as you walk on, please remain below banking to avoid disturbance.

Old Moor - 28th July

Early morning report from Old Moor, Garganey 1, Green Sandpiper 6, Ringed Plover 1, Little Ringed Plover 3, Common Sandpiper 4, Dunlin 2, Snipe 1, Oystercatcher 5, Redshank 1 and Barn Owl 1.

Old Moor - 27th July

12 species of wader last night on the Wader Scrape, Lapwing, Black Tailed Godwit 23, Green Sandpiper 9, Common Sandpiper 3, Ringed Plover 1, Little Ringed Plover 3, Snipe 5, Ruff 1, Redshank 1, Dunlin 2, Oystercatcher 6 and Greenshank 2. The Black necked Grebe was still on the mere as were 8 Common Terns. 1 Little Egret and 1 Barn Owl also present.

Wintersett 27.07.12

Sunny, warm, breezy.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 1, Pochard 4, Shoveler 1, Little Grebe 1 adult, Tufted Duck 1 female and 6/6 ducklings.
Moth trapping last night produced: Scarce Silver-lines, 3 Pine Hawk-moth, 3 White Satin, 5 Slender Brindle, 2 Poplar Grey, Brown-line Bright-eye, Double Lobed, Dark Spectacle, Bulrush Wainscot, 2 Scarce Footman, Buff Footman, Small Fan-Foot.

Scarce Silver-lines                           A.Smith

Ingbirchworth reservoirs

Royd Moor Reservoir - 10 Greylag Geese, 3 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe and three family parties of Common Whitethroat.
Scout Dike Reservoir - 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes + 2 young, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Willow Tit.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 drake Common Pochard, 14 Tufted Ducks, 2 Great Crested Grebes + 2 young and 1 Little Grebe.

A very steady day for birds, but a really good one for butterflies:-
Royd Moor/Scout Dike Res. - c5 Small Skippers, c10 Large Skippers, c10 Large White, 2 Small White, 1 Small Copper, 3 Common Blues, c30 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Peacock, 5+ Speckled Woods, 10+ Walls, 10+ Gatekeepers, 40+ Meadow Browns, c30 Ringlets and c10 Small Heaths.

Old Moor, Friday morning.

Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, 3 LRP, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Green Sands, Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 2 Barn Owls.

Not the 9 o'clock news

But almost........ Just returned from Old Moor where the main changes were 3 Garganey and a couple of adult Dunlin. Still present were Black-necked Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, LRP, 3 Green Sands', Common Sand, Redhank, and Black-tailed Godwit. Earlier in the day a Siskin was seen passing over and 25+ Mistle Thrush did a void from the Golf Course to Bolton Tip.  A Ruff was new in at Broomhill (Bamf) where there were also 5 Green and a Common Sandpiper.

Thursday 26th July

Elsecar Reservoir - 1 Mute Swan, 82 Mallards (proper ones), 21 Coot and 10 Great Crested Grebes.

Return Bittern? Wintersett 26.07.12

Wintersett Res: Highlight today was an adult BITTERN in wing moult that flew from the north bank to the boathouse reedbed, giving brilliant views from the bench.   10 Shoveler, 10 Common Tern and a Kingfisher were also seen.

Anglers CP: The brood of 6 very small Tufted Ducklings have survived another day.  2 Black Headed Gull chicks on the small raft are beginning to explore.  Also present were 2 Pochard , 3 Little Grebe and 80 Lapwing.
Moth traping last night produced: 2 Pine Hawk-moths,  2 White Satin,  2 Scarce Footman,  2 Dingy Footman,  Scallop Shell,  Silky Wainscot,  Southern Wainscot and Poplar Grey.

Poplar Grey                                A.Smith

Knot Much

Edderthorpe Flash this morning,very little mud. There was a Red Knot in part summer plumage, plus 7 Redshank and 64 Lapwing showing,

Dearne Valley highlights:

Old Moor: Black-necked Grebe, Little Egret, 2 Garganey, Peregrine, Green Sand 4, 11 Redshank (through).

Broomhill Flash: Hobby, 5 Dunlin, 2 Green Sands.

Houghton Wash: 13 Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sands.

Harrier sp

Salter's Brook - 1 Harrier sp this a.m. (per James Wells) was possibly the Marsh Harrier that was at Hingcliff Common yesterday p.m.

Langsett Dam Wall

2 Common Sandpiper, Nuthatch, plenty of Siskins calling.

Little Don - Buzzard

Wintersett 25.07.12

Anglers CP: Tufted Duck 1♀ + 6 young, Cormorant 7, Little Grebe 4 + 1 MHLP, Common Tern 3 + 3 WR , Water Rail 1 calling.

Wintersett Res: Siskin 2 flew over.

Moth trapping last night produced: 3 Pine Hawk-moth, 3 Buff Footman, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Pinion-streaked Snout, 2 White Satin, Southern Wainscot, Silky Wainscot and Suspected.

Good Evening

Langsett Reservoir - Gull roost - 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, c20 Black-headed Gulls, 143 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 3 Common Gulls west. Also 26 Canada Geese, 37 Mallards, 13 Tufted Ducks, and 2 Curlews northwest.
Hingcliff Common - 58 Red Grouse feeding on bilberries, 1 creamcrown Marsh Harrier, 1 lone male  'churring' Nightjar and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Mammels - on a sad note - a young Badger dead on the A616 at the bottom of Langsett Hill.

Old Moorning

Early morning news only: Black-necked Grebe, Little Egret 2, Green Sand' 7, Common Sand 3, LRP 3, Redshank 2, Dunlin 2, Barn Owl 1.

Broomhill Flash: Green Sand' 3

Evening visit to Wintersett 24.07.12

An evening stroll produced at least 6 Purple Hairstreak butterflies over the oak on Haw Park Lane around 8 o'clock.

Wintersett 24.07.12

Sunny but clouding over by midday.   The hottest day of the year so far,  25^oC
Wintersett Res:Common Sandpiper 1, Crossbill 1 flew NW at 10.40hrs,  Grey Wagtail, 1 flew south, Yellow Wagtail 3 flew over, Siskin 3 flew over,  Meadow Pipit 1 flew over,  Kingfisher 1, Water Rail 1, Tufted 79, Mallard broods of  3, 3 and  7, Gadwall 1♀ + 6 large young and 1♀ + 2 medium young (CHRes) 
Cold Hiendley Res: Grey Heron 7, Greylag 10, Great Crested Grebe 2 + 1 young
Cold Hiendley Village: Little Owl 1

Adwick washlands (08.30)

Little Egret 4, Heron 8, Greylag Geese 43, Canada Geese 21, Lapwing c70, Black h Gull c120, Willow Tit 1 Adwick tip.

Brief blog

Black-necked Grebe still at Old Moor.

Yorkshire Birdwatchers Meeting

The Yorkshire Birdwatchers Meeting will be held at Weetwood Hall in Leeds on August 8th.

See: http://www.bto.org/news-events/events/2012-09/yorkshire-birdwatchers-meeting for more details.

Langsett area

Langsett Reservoir - 13 Tufted Ducks, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Common Sandpiper.
Langsett Banks/Swinden Walls - 2+ Crossbills.
Midhope Reservoir -  4 Little Grebes + 2 small young.

Damselflies and Dragonflies.
Langsett Banks/Swinden Walls - c30 Large Red Damselflies, c70 Common Blue Damselflies, c20 Blue-tailed Damselflies, 5 Common Hawkers and c15 Broad-bodied Chasers.

Butterflies.
Langsett Banks/Swinden Walls - 10 Speckled Woods, c20 Meadow Browns and 2 Ringlets.

Mammals.
Upper Midhope - a very disorientated Mole crossing the road between the village and Langsett Res. - a first for me.

Sunday 22-7-12

Brief  visit a.m. cawthorne lane produced hobby, sprawk, buzzard, 2 kestrels, 3 r.l. partridge, little owl. Ewden, an hour at the shooting lodge was very quiet apart from 3 ravens showing well. On the way back a red kite showing well just w. of naylors factory at cawthorne, over dixon wood, north lane, opposite upper house.

Wintersett 23.07.12

Wintersett Res Highlight today was: 7 COMMON  SCOTER (4♂ + 3♀).  A singing Grasshopper Warbler was also heard.

Anglers CP Highlight was a Cream crown MARSH HARRIER that flew in  low and then went west at 10.10hrs.  Also here were: Pochard 4,  Common Tern 2,  Siskin 2 flew over.

Cold Hiendley Res: Mallard with 3 small young.

BNG on The Mere

Have just returned from weekend at coast and the only news I have received from Old Moor today is of a Black-necked Grebe on The Mere.

Jim Thompson's photos of it below:

same old, same old

Broadstone Reservoir - 1 Cormorant and 7 Oystercatchers.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 12 Tufted Ducks and 1 Common Pochard.
Midhope Reservoir - 8 Greylag Geese.

Wintersett 22.07.12

 Wintersett Res: 1 singing Grasshopper Warbler. WeBS count  Coot 140 + 27 ACP,  Moorhen 2 + 2 ACP, Mute Swan 8 + 4 ACP, Great Crested Grebe 15 + 10 ACP,  Mallard 12 + 16 ACP,  Tufted Duck 4 + 126 ACP, Gadwall 7, Little Grebe 1 ACP, Pochard 5 ACP, Greylag Goose 44 ACP, Canada Goose 173 ACP
Anglers CP:Lapwing 70, Oystercatcher 1, Curlew 1 flew over, Common Tern 5 + 4 WR.
Highlight of the day was a drake SCAUP, presumably arrived with the Tufted Ducks to moult in this country.
Moth trapping last night produced:Pine Hawk-moth, Crescent Striped, Southern Wainscot 4, White Satin, Dark Spectacle, Silver Y 2, Barred Red, Angle-striped Sallow.

Carlton Marsh

Little Egret on the dike between the southern meadow and Bleachcroft Farm pond.

Last night's moths at home included Broad Bodied Yellow Underwing, Varied Coronet, Short Cloaked, Scalloped Oak, Ruby Tiger and Early Thorn.

Carlton Marsh

Little Egret, Buzzard, Red Legged Partridge singing, Grasshopper Warbler reeling, Kingfisher and 2 juv Little Owls were the highlights for today.
A male Emperor, c20 Green Emerald and 1 Banded Demoiselle were airborne, the latter is still quite scarce here.
Although 3 Gatekeepers were seen during the week none have seen since!  However, 3 Purple Hairstreaks were flying around Oak on Wednesday 18th (Chris Parkin)

Cudworth Common this evening - Long Eared Owl 20.45hrs. 30 Greylag south bypassing Edderthorpe Flash. Mute Swan 2 with 1 cygnet, Reed Warbler 1 singing male.

Houghton Washland

This morning 8am,1 Whimbrel,1 Greenshank, 9 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 130 Lapwing, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Lapwing less.

Cawthorne +

Hobby 2, food passing this a.m., then flew briefly with 3 kestrels, and 1 buzzard. Nightjar churred distantly last night in the stone circle area around 10p.m., untill the rain. So much for the forecast. I might have another go this weekend.

Wintersett 21.07.12

Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1 calling.  Yellow Wagtail 6 flew over.  Garden Warbler 1♂ + 1 caught.  Common Tern 4 adults + 2 juveniles. Greenshank 1 flew south 08.25hrs. Crossbill 1 flew south 11.08hrs. Siskin 1 flew south.  Tufted Duck 1♀ + 2 very small young.  Grasshopper Warbler 1 retrapped. Willow Warbler 29 ringed. Lesser Whitethroat 1 ringed.

Cold Hiendley Res: Cormorant 5

Moorhouse Lane Ponds: Little Grebe + 3 small young. 

Also flying  Red Admiral (Botany),  Lunar Hornet Moth (caught in mist net WR)

Lunar Hornet Moth                    A. Smith

Old Moor - late evening update

Final post today, late evening sightings included Bittern, 5 Little Egrets and 2 Barn Owls.

Carlton Marsh

Little Egret still present this afternoon.

A happening day

An evening visit to take another look at the phalarope. The highlights up to 7.15pm: 3 Little Egrets, Hobby (flashed-through this evening and also seen in afternoon), Turnstone (late aft), Black-t Godwit, Grey Phalarope still on Mere but generally distant.3 Arctic Terns. A Little Gull also visited this afternoon. 

Another shot of the Grey Phalarope - Keith Pickering. There have been about a dozen previous records in the Barnsley area, including four from our patch. All previous Barnsley records relate to the expected late autumn period of September - November. Summer birds are not unheard of in inland Yorkshire however, and several have occurred  in West Yorkshire in the last couple of decades.

One of at least three Arctic Terns present today - Keith Pickering. Arctic Terns have clearly been on the move this week.

A heavily moulting Little Gull at Old Moor today - Keith Pickering. I have not received any details on what time this bird was seen but assuming Keith's camera time is set correct this photo was taken at 1.15 pm and would seem likely to be the bird that flew this way from Wintersett/Anglers around 30 minutes earlier. Anyone from there care to comment?  

Adwick Washlands

Little Egret 3, (15.20 hrs)

Wintersett 20.07.12

Anglers CP: WHIMBREL  1 flew south 05.15hrs.  KNOT 1 flew around CP before leaving east 10.48hrs. LITTLE GULL 1 adult moulting out of summer plumage, left south at 12.40hrs.
Oystercatcher 1,  Common Tern 3, Black-headed Gull 3 young on small raft, 1 young on middle raft, Gadwall 1, Cormorant 6, Tufted Duck 151, Mallard 6 very small young, Pochard 5.
Moth trapping last night produced: Pine Hawk-moth, White Satin, Scallop Shell, Gothic, Dingy Footman, Barred Red, Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing and Short Cloaked.

Pine Hawk-moth                             A.Smith

White Satin                                    A.Smith

Scallop  Shell                                      A.Smith

Hobbys and interests.

It even perches in the rain, early aft. cawthorne lane.

lobe update

Update from Old Moor and alien areas at at 1.15pm: Grey Phal still on Mere + 2 Arctic Terns.

Bittern Edderthorpe Flash

13 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank Houghton Wash.

Thanks to Barnsley Blade for saving me trouble of doing web on phone this morning. A couple of my record shots of Grey Phalarope this morning, no doubt better to follow now light has improved and it has been a bit closer.

W.I.M. as they say!

Old Moor Update

Grey Phalarope still present, also in addition to earlier post on Wader Scrape summer plumage Sanderling and 3 Little Egrets. Ringed Plover and Whimbrel thro.

Old Moor - 20th July

Adult Grey Phalarope on the mere this morning, moulting from summer to winter plumage. Fairly distant views in middle of mere. Also present this morning Turnstone 1, Dunlin 6, Green Sandpiper 3, Little Ringed Plover 1, Oystercatcher 4, Common Tern 6.

Carlton Marsh

Kids from the new school in Carlton finished putting preservative on the hide today and BTCV will be on site tomorrow to remove Ragwort and Hawthorn scrub from our northern meadow before stock is put on to graze it.

Little Egret was showing well today in the southern meadow. I struggled to identify this moth found outside the hide. The nearest I could get it to was The Sycamore, but it is very rare so it may be The Miller or Poplar Grey. Any thoughts Pete, John?

Quo

Old Moor this evening: Little Egret, Teal, Oystercatcher 2, Green Sandpiper 2, Common Sandpiper 2,Black-tailed Godwit 1, Common Gull 1, Barn Owl 1

Dipped

Castle Dam - 1 juvenile Dipper this p.m. per Brian Penistone.

Wintersett 19.07.12

A warmish, dry and sunny day.
Anglers CP: Pochard 1.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 20,  Siskin 10.
Walton Hall: Great Crested Grebe 2 adults and 3 large young,  Greylag Goose 40, Tufted Duck 1♀ + 2 young, 1♀ + 8 young.

ADWICK WASHLANDS (am)

Little Grebe 3, Tufted Duck 14, Shoveler 4, Gadwall 6, Little Egret 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Ringed Plover 2, LRP 1, Redshank 1, Lapwing  c80, Grey Partridge 12, Yellowhammer 5 singing, Reed Warbler 2, Whitethroat 3, Swift c100.

Old Moor - 17th July

Night shift yesterday, Grey Heron 10, Black Tailed Godwit 1, Oystercatcher 4, Common Sandpiper 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Redshank 2, Common Tern 7, Wigeon 1, Teal 4 and Pochard 12.

Carlton Marsh - Egretta garzetta

Spent this afternoon trying to relocate a Little Egret that was reported at 10.45am. It was only see-able from Cudworth Bypass looking back to Bleachcroft Pond, in a hawthorn bush.  Later in the evening it flew between there and the marsh. It was our second record of it.  Some of the Barnsley Naturalist Society members managed to see it when they visited this evening.  Also present were male Teal, Tufted Duck with 8 young, Little Grebe nest with 1 egg, Kingfisher 2, Buzzard, Green and Great Spot Woodpeckers, Little Owl 4 and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling.

Dragonflies airborne in the warmth of the sun were Brown Hawker 1, Green Lestes 15 and Blue Tailed Damsel 6.

Yesterday's butterfly counts included Ringlet 130, Small Skipper 67, Gatekeeper 3, Red Admiral 1, Meadow Brown 61 and Blackneck Moth 1. That latter appears to be quite common here now. (Hibbert & Corrall)

Amongst last night's moth catch at home were Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing and what appears to be Varied Coronet!  I apologise for the poor quality of the photo.

Bono!

My first visit to Old Moor since Thursday and having heard tales of rather birdless expanses of water I was left pleasantly surprised. The water levels are falling fast on Wader Scrape and there were plenty of birds to look at. Site totals included Little Egret, 3 Oystercatchers, c400 Lapwings, 2 Green Sands' 3 Common Sands', Curlew.

The sun was out and likewise my camera. The sun was strong and so was my camera. Quite fortunate actually as I managed to drop it in 50% of the four hides visited. A few pictures below as testimony to the strength of the Canon 7D:

A Great Spotted Woodpecker on someones nuts......

A juvenile Curlew on mud on The Mere..................

and a Common Sandpiper on the mud at Wath Ings...........................................

Broadstone & Ingbirchworth

Broadstone Reservoir - 33 Mallards & 18 Oystercatchers.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 10 Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Pochard and 1 Kingfisher.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid morning-With the water level down to 3.0, lots of lovely mud has appeared. 5  Green Sandpiper, 2 LRP and 1 Ringed Plover were certainly finding rich pickings. On the open water were 9 Tufted Duck( + broods of 2, 3 and7), 6 Mallard, 1 Gadwall and 1 Little Grebe. A Peregrine passed through at 8.23 am( M. Rushton). Also present were 50+ House Martin, 30+ Swallow, 20+ Swift, 6  Sand Martin and 3 Kestrel.

Bolton Ings late morning- Singing birds included 8 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat, 5 Wren,5 Chiffchaff2 Blackbird, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting,1 Reed Warbler, 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Song Thrush. On the open water were 12 Tufted Duck( + broods of 10,6 and 2), 4 adult Mute Swan and 6 cygnets, 6 Pochard, 3 Gadwall, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe + broods of 2 and 2 and 1 Grey Heron. Also present were 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Kestrel, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Bullfinch.

Old Moor - 17th July

Night shift yesterday, Black Tailed Godwit 5, Oystercatcher 4, Common Sandpiper 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Redshank 2, Common Tern 9, Wigeon 2, Teal 5, Pochard 10 and Barn Owl 1.

Wintersett 18.07.12

Wintersett Res: Oystercatcher 2,  Pochard 1♂ + 1♀  and 3 ACP.
Anglers CP: Common Tern 9, Tufted Duck 1 in wing moult.
Haw Park: Crossbills still present,  Siskin 20.
Moth trapping last night: Blackneck (3rd record), Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Silver Y 2, Common Emerald, Antler, Buff Arches.

Small  Elephant  Hawk-moth              A.Smith

Blackneck                              A. Smith

Houghton Washland

Oyc 1, Redshank 2, Lapwing 375, Golden Plover 1, Ringed Plover 10, LRP 3, Green Sand 1. Nothing much of note on Edderthorpe.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid morning- Water level reading was 3.1 and still dropping. In addition to the birds mentioned by the WIM Man.s earlier posting, also present were 9 Tufted Duck with broods of 5 and 3, Mallard 5, Gadwall 4, Little Grebe 2, Sand Martin 2, Kestrel 4, Oystecatcher 1,Cormorant 1 and Sparrowhawk 1.

Bolton Ings late morning- Singing birds included Chiffchaff 9, Blackcap 7, Whitethroat 5, Blackbird 4, Wren 4,Sedge Warbler 2, Reed Bunting 2, Song Thrush 1 and Reed Warbler 1. On the open water were Gadwall 22 with  a brood of 10, Tufted Duck 16 adults (+ broods of 13, 10, 7, 6 and 5 ), Pochard 16, Mallard 9, Little Grebe 5 with broods of 2 and 2,  Mute Swan 2 pairs with 4 and 2 cygnets, and Great Crested Grebe 6.Also present were Kingfisher 2, Common Tern 2 adults + 1 chick, Cormorant1, Sand Martin 1, Bullfinch1 and Jay 1.

Wintersett 17.07.12

Overcast, breezy but warmer today. 
Wintersett Res: 1 calling Water Rail,  1 Siskin flew over,  2 Garden Warblers caught, Great Crested Grebe has 4 young - 1 is tiny, Gadwall 1 female and 6 young, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher.
1 Lunar Hornet moth flew into mist net at 10.45 hours. 
Cold Hiendley Res:Grey Wagtail 1 adult and 1 juvenile.
Haw Park Wood:Crossbill 40, Siskin 50
Stubbs Wood:1 Buzzard,  1 Kingfisher
Disposal Point: Azure Damselfly

Mud, glorious mud!

Broomhill Flash = LRP 2, Ringed Plover 1, Snipe 1,Green Sand 6. Water levels continue to drop and its looking very much the part.

Water levels also falling at Old Moor but still high = Wigeon 2, Lapwing c600, Green Sand 2, Common Sand 2, Med Gull 1 (3 c-y) a new individual, Common Gull adult. Also an unconfirmed report of Cetti's Warbler at Reedbeds.

Moors 15-7-12

did the triangle walk. stone circle, dukes rd. back to car down west side of fence. much safer than using the strines road. Only things of note were 2 ravens showing well and a wren nest building behind the shooting lodge. Regarding the livestock i wouldn't mind a few pints of what young nudger drinks.

Edderthorpe&Houghton

Houghton;- Lapwing 353, Ringed Plover 8, LRP 1, Dunlin 1.
Edderthorpe;- Common Sand 2.

Normality returns, for some anyway

Mid-evening update from Old Moor, not (as expected) Iv'e had chance to get down myself.

Little Egret, Hobby, Arctic Tern, Med Gull (ad moulting out of Sum-plum), Cuckoo.

Water Levels have dropped on the access footpaths and the reserve is now open as normal including the Reedbeds where a Bittern has been seen and photographed today.

Wintersett 16.07.12

Anglers CP: 1 Curlew flew north, 30 Lapwing flew south east.
Botany: Great Crested Grebe 2 adults and 2 young,  1 female Pochard.
Wintersett Res:Great Crested Grebe 2 adults and 3 young,  Sand Martin 60.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 10.
Disposal Point: 1 male Ruddy Darter

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid morning - At 3.3 the water level is continuing to drop and more mud is gradually being exposed. Birds present, but not listed on  J.Hewitt's early blog , included 9 Tufted Duck with broods of 3 and 7, 5 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 30+ House Martin, 3 Little Grebe, 1 adult Kestrel +4 juveniles, 2 Linnets and 1 Grey Heron.

Bolton Ings late morning- Singing males included 10 Blackcap, 9 Wren, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackbird, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Chaffinch. On the open water were 14  adult Tufted Duck(+ broods of 12,6, 6 and 5), 17 Gadwall, 2 pair of Mute Swans with broods of 4 and 2, a pair of Greate Crested Grebe in courtship display, 10+ Little Grebe, 5 Pochard, ! Grey Heron and 1 Cormorant. The pair of  Common Terns on the eastern island are doing a great parenting job with the chick growing quickly in the last week. Also present were 4 LBB Gul, 3  Kingfisher, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Green Woodpecker.

The news so far............

Great to be back on planet earth although looking like it will be more work than play!

The news so far -

Broomhill Flash = 2 Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin.

Old Moor = Little Egret, 2 Wigeon, 230 Lapwings, 6 Oystercatchers, Green Sand, Common Sand, Redshank, Arctic Tern, Grasshopper Warbler.

Meanwhile below are a couple of Jeff Wragg's superb shots of the juvenile Bittern at Edderthorpe this weekend, which is presumably one of our birds dispersing.

Old Moor - 15th July

After Bolton Ings this morning, a brief visit to Edderthorpe to see the Juvenile Bittern and a Dads taxi run to Manchester Airport I called for an hour at Old Moor. No wellies so just the Mere Hide and Field Pool West Hide. An adult Mediterranean Gull dropped onto the mere for a wash just after I arrived then flew onto the grass behind the Sand Martin Wall. 5 Common Terns were also on the Mere as were 4 Oystercatchers and 1 Redshank. The family party of LBB Gulls were still present. Also reported today were Herring Gull, Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sands, 2 Redshank and the male Bittern. Yesterday the following were reported, 2 Kingfishers, Water Rail, Female Bittern, 5 Oystercatchers, Barn Owl, 17 Black Tailed Godwits, 4 Common Terns, 2 Greenshank, Common Sand, Green Sand, 5 Redshank, Common Gull, Buzzard and Curlew.

Bolton Ings - 15th July

Clear blue skies and 15c this morning but a strong wind made it feel anything but mid July. Highlights today were 10 Pochard and 8 broods of Tufted Ducks with a total of 60 ducklings. On the down side Gadwall were down to 2 (55 a few weeks back) and no Moorhens seen for the first time ever. Full list :- Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 7 adults + broods of 4 and 2, Canada Goose 17 + broods of 6 and 2, Grey Lag Goose 3, Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 6, Little Grebe 12, Mallard 17, Gadwall 2 + brood of 7, Tufted Duck 27 + broods of 13, 10, 9, 8, 6, 6, 6 and 2, Pochard 10, Coot 131 + new broods of 3 and 2, Lapwing 2, Oystercatcher 5, Black Headed Gull 147, LBB Gull 4, Common Tern 2 ( 1 which was attacking me and has a chick on the eastern most island), Kestrel 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Chiffchaff 4, Whitethroat 3, Blackcap 3, Reed Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 3.

Edderthorpe & Houghton

The juvenile Bittern found yesterday was still present today and showing extreamly well;- from the layby look in the reeds/grass in the near right-hand corner, it was in this area all day despite lots of disturbance from the nearby footpath. Common Sand 2, Ringed Plover 1. In the evening there was a bit of a owl-fest with 2 Barns, at least 2 Long-eareds and a Tawny all out hunting before it got dark.
Houghton;- Lapwing 306, Ringed Plover 5.

Carlton Marsh

Buzzard, 2 Siskin, Kingfisher, Jay, Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit family, Gadwall with 1 half grown young.

Gatekeeper butterfly is very late still nothing.  Red Admiral 1, Ringlet 30, Comma 3, Small Skipper 6, Green Veined White 2. Common Darter 1, Southern Hawker 1, Green Lestes 9 and Cinnabar Moth 1.

Lesser Stitchwort, Heath, Marsh and Ladies Bedstraw all in flower.

Hugsett Wood:  White letter Hairstreak 3 (Hibbert/Corrall)

Another Hobby

Broadstone Reservoir - 2 Tufted Ducks, 13 Oystercatchers, 1 Hobby (towards Whitley Common), c20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c60 Black-headed Gulls (with plenty of juveniles) and 1 Common Whitethroat.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 drake Common Pochard, 7 Tufted Ducks, pair Great Crested Grebe + 2 young, c30 Swifts and c50 House Martins.
Midhope Reservoir - 1 Greylag Goose + 4 goslings.

Hobbys

Barnside Moor - 1 Hobby this a.m.

Also: 1 Hobby at Royd Moor Reservoir yesterday a.m. leaving NW per HBC website.

Wintersett 15.07.12

Sunny and breezy from west.
Anglers CP: Common Tern 8,  Siskin 2 flew over,  Buzzard - 4 up in area
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill  20
Wintersett Res: Grey Wagtail 2, Grasshopper Warbler  1 singing
Cold Hiendley Res: Common Scoter 1♂
Butterflies: 2 firsts of the year -  White Letter Hairstreak  (Botany),  Gatekeeper (Moorhouse Lane Ponds)

BITTERN'S LEAVE NEST. 14-7-2012.

A good afternoon for Broomhill Flash a Juvenile Bittern plus a MED Gull and 3 Green Sandpiper's were showing there. Late afternoon a Bittern was showing at Edderthorpe Flash Alan Stonier.

Cudworth Common

Mute Swan 3 (1 pair with a cygnet less than a week old) I can't remember seeing  a cygnet of this age so late in the season. Other birds of interest were; Redshank alarming, Sand Martin 3, Little Grebe singing, Meadow pipit 9 (2 displaying) Oystercatcher 2 and 4 Yellow Bunting singing.

Symphony: 24 Greylags and 2 Red Legged Partridge.

I digress. It was excellent weather for Cudworth Environment Group's 'Tea in the Park' event today in Cudworth Park. Dorothy Hyman opened the event and brought along her Olympic torch.
A falconer was booked to provide additional colour in the shape of an Eagle owl, Snowy Owl, Harris Hawk, Goshawk, Tawny and Barn Owl. The kids loved them, I did too.

Wintersett 14.07.12

Dry with sunny spells.
Anglers CP: Siskin 3 over,  Common Tern 7, Canada Goose 186, Cormorant 5.
Cold Hiendley Res: Drake Common Scoter 1,  Kingfisher 1.

Camels in Barnsley ?

I have had it mentioned. I'll have a look on the mayors parade. On a more serious note, hobby showing well in good light early aft., cawthorne lane.

Old Moor - Friday the 13th

Aquired some wellies and had a visit to Old Moor last night. On the Mere the LBB Gull youngster had a short fly round, 2 Redshank were disturbed by the cattle on the Field Pools. 6 Common Terns were commuting between the Mere and the Wader Scrape where there were 3 Oystercatchers and 130 Lapwings. A quick count of wildfowl on the Main Marsh and Willow Pool included 60 Coot, 37 Gadwall, 27 Tufted Duck and 16 Pochard. The water level had gone down a bit but was still near top of wellies on Green Lane.

Edderthorpe & Houghton

Houghton;- Lapwing 316, Ringed Plover 4. Edderthorpe;- Pochard 2.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid morning- Yesterday's water levels should have read 4.9 and 4.6, so apologies for the senior moment. Todays reading was 4.1 and the small island in the north west corner is beginning to re-emerge. On the open water were 8 Tufted duck + brood of 7, 4 Gadwall, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Mute Swan and 1 Little Grebe. 3 young Kestrelwere perched on top of the eastern owl box. Also present were 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Sand Martin.

Bolton Ings late morning- Singing birds included 14 Wren, 10 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackbird, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler and 1 Reed Bunting. On the open water were 24 Gadwall ( + broods of 10 and 7), 14 Tufted Duck( + broods of 13, 10,7 and  6), 10+ Little Grebe, 7 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 adult Mute Swans and 4 cygnets  and 1 Grey Heron. Also present were 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Jay,1 Cormorant, 2 Common Tern and a flock of 12 Mistle Thrush( J. Thompson)

Wintersett 13.07.12

Wintersett Res: Common Tern 7,  Gadwall -brood of 6 young.
Cold Hiendley Res: Drake COMMON  SCOTER,  Kingfisher.
Haw Park Wood: At least 30 Common Crossbills seen,  Siskin 2.
Dragonflies: The first male SOUTHERN  HAWKER (HPW)
Moth trapping last night was fairly good with Pine Hawk-moth, Crescent Striped, Scarce Footman, Suspected, Lychnis, Fan Foot, Silver Y 3 and a Diamondback.

Crescent Striped

Scarce  Footman

Fan Foot

backdate

Just a few bits from last couple of days as I have been pretty much confined to the sick bed.

Wed 11th - 3 Whimbrel flew west over Old Moor, four Bitterns seen.

Yesterday - At least two Bitterns seen, 5 Green Sands at Broomhill Flash.

Today - very little reported so far.

Carlton Marsh

Siskin 1 (first of the autumn) Green Woodpecker 1, Mute Swan 2, Little Grebes swapped over nest duty revealing 1 egg.  2 Little Owls were perched out in the open at Lidster's yard and our second Sparrowhawk nest still has 3 large, healthy young.
No ringing today, the ringing rides are still under water and very overgrown.
At Storrs Mill Wood this afternoon-Nuthatch calling, a dead grass Snake (Road casualty) several Ringlets, 2 Comma's and a Red Admiral.

FlashIngs

Broomhill Flash mid morning- The water level is still high ,but with the sluice open and water pouring into the Bulling Dyke, the level on the depth marker has dropped from 3.9yesterday to 3.6 today.On the open water were 8 Tufted Duck with broods of 8and 3, 4+ Little Grebe, 2 Gadwall, 1Ruddy Duck and 1 Mute Swan. Also present were 4 Green Sandpiper,2 Kestrel, 1 Redshank , 1 LRP and several Linnet and Goldfinch on the thistles in front of the hide.

Wombwell Ings late morning- With the water levels high and much flooded vegetation and birds swimming in and out of cover any accurate count was impossible.On the open water were 19 Greylag Geese, 13 Coot, 4 Canada Geese, 8 Mallard +brood of 7, 8 Gadwall +broods of 7 and 2, a pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets  and 2 Teal.Singing birds included 3 Reed Bunting,  2 Whitethroat and 1 Blackcap. Also present were 1 Kestrel,1 Cormorant,1 Sand Martin and parties of 5+young Long Tailed Tit and 3 Chiffchaff.

Jip, Jip Hooray Wintersett 12.07.12

 Cool start became sunny and warm.  DRY ALL DAY!
The highlight of the day was a large flock of Common Crossbills feeding around the woodyard in Haw Park Wood during the afternoon. Brilliant views were to be had of males and females, but the majority were juveniles.  They were feeding on larch cones and dropping down to drink, along with the siskins. There were at least 57 Common Crossbills and 15 Siskin, so it appears the irruption of these two species is gaining strength.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1 calling,  Common Tern 7,  Cormorant 6,  Grey Wagtail 1, Gadwall - broods of 6 and 2, Grasshopper Warbler - 2 juveniles were ringed, Siskin 2 flew over.
Anglers CP: Siskin 6 over, Nuthatch - 2 flew high over car park towards Willow Wood 12.20hrs.
Butterflies: Painted Lady (ACP), Red Admiral 3 (WR), also the first Small Skipper of the year (WR)
Moths: Lunar Hornet Moth - sitting on mist net (WR), Oak Eggar - flying along Haw Park Lane.
Dragonflies: The first Brown Hawkers were seen at WR and HPW.

Cawthorne Lane

Hobby showing well in oak tree this a.m.

Edderthorpe and Houghton

Nothing much this morning;- Edderthorpe- Teal 2, Tufted 64, Little Grebe 3, Common Sand 1,
Houghton- Oyc 2, Lapwing 170, Black-headed Gull 250, Common Tern 1.

Cudworth Common

A lovely evening for a walk. Present were LRP (1), 2 Sand Martins, 8 singing Skylarks, 8 Meadow Pipits (3 displaying, 1 carrying food) 2 Yellow Buntings & 1 Reed Warbler singing, 2 Litle Grebe, Coot with 2 well grown young, Gadwall with 1 young, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Cormorants north and a Brown Hare.

At Symphony 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Redshank & c10 Lapwing.

Nearer to home 2 Red Admirals together in Cudworth and last nights moths in my garden included Ingrailed Clay and Dark Spectacle below.

Quail

Scout Dike Reservoir - Quail calling from fields to the south - per Russ Boland.

Wintersett 11.07.12

 A mainly dry and breezy day with some SUNSHINE.
Anglers CP: Common Tern 8,  Oystercatcher 2,  Redshank 1, Pochard 9
Wintersett Res:Yellow Wagtail 2,  Buzzard 1, Kingfisher , Great Crested Grebe 2 adults and 2 young, Sand Martin 30 + 10 ACP.

Ingbirchworth Res

At Ingbirchworth this morning: 2 Great Crested Grebe with their 2 juveniles now well grown to about 75% of adult size. Also 7 male Tufteds, 1 male Pochard, 2 Common Sands, 3 singing Yellowhammer, 1 singing Garden Warbler plus 2 juveniles, 1 singing Blackcap, a dozen low-flying Swifts as well as the usual suspects.

The news so far

Old Moor = Wigeon 3, Oystercatcher 8, Redshank 7, Black-tailed Godwit 11, Common Sand 3, Green Sand 1, Dunlin.

Wombwell SF. = Green Sand 5

Edderthorpe and Houghton

Substantial amounts of water have left both these areas even though the river level is back up quite high after yesterdays rain. Houghton in particular is looking good - the water logged crop appears to be dieing off leaving glorious mud and presumably plenty of food judging by the 350 Black-headed Gulls feeding on there. Also a single Redshank and about 60 Lapwings. The water level on Edderthorpe is still about a metre too high and that lot will take some moving, especially if it keeps raining. Only things of note;- Pochard 4, Heron 6.

End of at era!

OMG it's gone! The icon that was the Cuckoo Tree finally tumbled - CT, RIP

The Cuckoo Tree aint no more!

An evening visit to Old Moor and squish squash, they were right - the water does come over the wellies!

Best birds were an Arctic Tern (+ 4 Commons), Greenshank and 4 Common Sandpipers. Just had a dusk text from the Barnsley Blade who arrived well prepared for the floods with trousers tucked in socks (well, we Blades are optimists!) - 19 Black-wits just dropped in, 3 Barn Owls hunting main Marsh, Med' Gull over + Cuckoo Field Pool - wot, no tree?

No prizes for guessing what this is - lets just call it a platform for success!

LDV reservoirs.

Midhope Reservoir - 13 Greylag Geese.
Stone Moor - 2 Grey Partridge.

Carlton Marsh

A review of the last 4 days. The marsh like everywhere else is inundated, God only knows what went in there after the Shaw Dike burst through.
7th 3 Little Owls (Lidster's yard) and 2 Daubenton's Bats roosting in an old railway bridge. (R. Hibbert) Moths: 8 Shaded Broad Bar, 12 Silver Y and 10 6 Spot Burnets. Butterflies: 48 Ringlet, 20 Large Skipper and 8 Small Skipper. (C. Parkin)
8th 2 Kingfisher, Buzzard and a singing Grasshopper Warbler. (D. Standish)
9th Both adult Mute Swans with our remaining cygnet, which was dead.  We can only assume that Friday's deluge was responsible.
10th Kingfisher 1, Mute Swan 2, Little Grebe 2, Swift 16 and up to 8 Ringlets flying in the rain.

About Tern at Wintersett 10.07.12

Rain from 09.00hrs  Water has been running over Anglers lake spillway since Saturday.  The lake is at the highest level ever recorded.
Anglers CP: Common Tern 5,  BLACK TERN 1 Summer Plumage,  ARCTIC TERN 1 adult  Greenshank 1 flew over south,  Redshank 1,  Oystercatcher 1,  Black-headed Gull on raft with 2 newly hatched young.
A quiet night for mothing produced Silver Y, Suspected, Small Dotted Buff, Shoulder-striped Wainscot and Burnished Brass amongst the usual species.

Burnished  Brass                           A.Smith

Early closing

A good start to day when I pulled up in the car park at Broomhill to wader acoustics, as a mixed flock of 14 Redshank and six Black-tailed Godwits passed through. A further six Redshank passed through later this morning apparently.

Old Moor: The water has apparently risen and if you proceed any further than the Mere or Field Pool West hides expect to get wet, even in wellies. The reserve will close at 5pm. Birds so far- Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sands and a Ringed Plover.

Edderthorpe Lake

The drake Common Scotor seen yesterday was still present up to 06.40 when it left to the north. Mallard 85 and Pochard 2. Four Redshank and 2 breeding-plumage Knot were on the grass floodbank until 06.20 when they departed to the south. Oystercatcher 2 and a hunting Barn Owl.

evening update

Managed to get on Wombwell Ings this evening, plenty of water and a few birds too: Gadwall 26, Tufted 29, Pochard 1, Oystercatcher 1, Redhank 6.

News from Old Moor: LRP 2, RP 1, Common Sand 3, Green Sand 3, Dunlin 2, Redshank 2, Med' Gull adult, Yellow Wagtail 2 (pair).

Drake Common Scoter at Edderthorpe this afternoon.

Wintersett 09.07.12

Wintersett Res:Water Rail 2 calling, Kingfisher 1,  Common Tern 6.  A family (?) of  5 Grey Wagtails were seen mobbing a Sparrowhawk.  A male Common Scoter flew over all three water bodies before gaining height until lost from view over ACP 12.28 - 12.37hrs.
Fly overs: Siskin 2,  Yellow Wagtail 1.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 1,  Common Sandpiper 1.
Moorhouse Lane Ponds  Dabchick 6 pairs with 11 young
The first PAINTED LADY butterflies were seen.  1 ACP and 1 Disposal Point.

Sunday 8-7-12

ewden- hobby showing well from shooting lodge + singing ring ouzel, 2 distant ravens towards margery hill. hobby in oak tree, cawthorne lane at 5-15 p.m. and again today, 9th, at 12-30p.m.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid-morning -With higher water levels,  drowned vegetation and not mud is visible around the edge of the flash. On the open water were 10 Teal,7 Mallard, 5 Gadwall + a brood of 3,  Little grebe 2 and a male Ruddy Duck. Over the water were 30+ Swifts, 30+ House Martins and 2 Sand Martins. Flyovers included 5 Oystercatcher, 3 LBB Gull and 1 Cormorant.Also present were 3 Kestrel, 1 Red-legged Partridge and 1 singing Willow Warbler.

Bolton Ings late morning -  The slight rise in water level appears to have washed out the Common Tern nest on the long thin island in front of the hide but 2 adults were seen feeding a week old chick on an island in the eastern corner. On the open water were14 Tufted Duck (+ broods of 8,7and 4), 17 Gadwall + brood of 10, 14 Mallard, 12 male Pochard, 2 pair of Mute Swans with broods of 4 and 2, 5 Little Grebe and 3 Great Crested Grebe. Singing males included 12 Wren, 10 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackbird, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Chaffinch and 1 Song Thrush. Also present were 3 Jay, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Greenwoodpecker, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Kestrel.

mon am

Unconfirmed report of two Common Scoters, Edderthorpe Flash this morning.

Greenshank still at Old Moor

Old Moor update

A few extras from later in the day - Hobby, Dunlin 1 Wader Scrape, Cuckoo 1, Nuthatch 1 (heard in Slag Willows), Grasshopper Warbler 'reeling' at Wath Ings.

Cuckoo - Jeff Wragg  Something of a rarity nowadays, these photos will at least save the observer the job of writing out a description! 

Cuckoo - Jeff Wragg

Broomhead

Broomhead Reservoir - 5 Common Crossbills.

Wintersett 08.07.12

Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 2,  Common Tern 4,  Common Sandpiper 1.
The Great Crested Grebe was seen turning 2 eggs on the rebuilt nest in front of the main hide.  Is it possible that they will still be viable after being in the water on Friday?
Wintersett Res: Grey Wagtail 2

ADWICK WASHLANDS (morning) Tufted 28 ( plus 7 young), Gadwall 6, Avocet 3 (1 adult, 2 juvs), Dunlin 3, Ringed Plover 4, Green Sandpiper 1, Greenshank1, Redshank 4, Snipe 1, Oystercatcher 1, Lapwing c60, Grey Partridge 6, Grasshopper Warbler 1 singing, Lesser Whitethroat 2 singing. (access only possible via the river embankment)

waders for waders at Old Moor

A 4.30am start to try and assess the flood damage so far. The Field Pool and Wath Ings were pretty much linked together and after a look from the Mere (family) Hide I knew things were going to get tricky. Green Lane was well under water and as I made my way to Wader Scrape and Wath Ings it literally lapped the tops of my wellies. As the water is still coming in I am sure RSPB will have to close off this area and I suspect by this afternoon you would need waders to keep dry. A single Shelduck was sat on the Mere and contrary to first impressions there were quite a few waders but as they feeding in flooded grass and weeds they were mostly difficult to see. About 70 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatchers, Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and 3 Green Sandpipers. Sadly the Common Terns appear to be washed out. Next to sluice matters and after teaming up with the wardens we toured the reserve checking the various inlets and outlets. The water level in Knoll Beck is still higher than on the reserve so at the moment we are not able to get any water off. So its coming in but not going out - get me! On the drive round we put up a minimum of 10 Grey Herons (mostly juvs) and at the Reedbeds a single juvenile Bittern which had been feeding on the footpath flew into cover.  A drake Wigeon was asleep on the banking, whilst a pleasing site was a near full grown brood of six Shoveler. There was also a new brood of six here as well yesterday apparently. I have included a series of snaps I took below to hopefully put you in picture.

A view from the Field Pool looking east

They can swim cant they?

The River Dearne has calmed down a bit, for the time being anyway.

Looking back over Willow Pool to the Wath Ings Hide.

The hides on the Reedbeds are looking a bit damp!

Managed to grab a couple of Bittern shots through the pickup windscreen

Note the pristine plumage confirming this as one of the juveniles.

Flood Update

As yesterdays photo shows, Houghton Washlands was flooded after Edderthorpe and the complete field and maize crop is now under water - this could bode well for the autumn if it doesn't flood again. The 2 adult Oystercatchers are still around but no sign of their chick which has presumably perished. Better news for a couple of Lapwing broods though, a brood of 3 half-grown young and a brood of 2 almost fledged young have survived.
At Edderthorpe Flash which is full to capacity, the river level has fallen substantially and hopefully we'll be able to start draining off soon.
Birds;- a noticeable decrease in most waterfowl particularly weed-feeders. Both Mute Swan and Coot numbers have halved, down to 15 and 67 respectively. Mallard 65, Gadwall 17, Tufted 56, Pochard 5, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 2, Cormorant 3, Redshank 2, Curlew 1 and Common Sand 3.

Houghton Washland looking at its best

View of Houghton Washland from the back window.
If only there was as much water as this in winter.

Early evening update

A visit to Broomhill Flash where most of the non-water birds were huddled together on what little bit of the island remained. Oystercatcher, 2 Green Sands and a few Lapwing were the only waders. On the water two Great Crested Grebes and a pair of Wigeon were presumably victims of the floods from elsewhere.

Green Sandpiper - Jim Thompson

Update from Old Moor: Regular sightings of Bittern, Hobby, two Cuckoos, four Kingfishers (flooded out?).

Uplands/Moorlands

Whitley Common - 1 Oystercatcher.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 11 Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Pochard, 5 adult Great Crested Grebes (but no sign of any young).
Midhope Reservoir - 21 Greylag Geese + 4 goslings.
Midhopestones - 150+ Rooks.

Wintersett 07.07.12

Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1 calling,  Gadwall 1♀ + 2 young, Common Tern 6,
Fly overs:  Siskin 2  SE 07.10hrs + 3SE later,  Sand Martin 18 SW in fog  07.10hrs.  Yellow Wagtail 1, Meadow Pipit 1.
Anglers CP - The water level dropped a little overnight  and the Great Crested Grebe is sitting on the rebuilt nest.  Instinct 1 Adversity 0. 

Still running!

Despite the rise in water levels I'm glad to say Old Moor is currently open (mid-day) although wellingtons are pretty much essential if you plan to go beyond the Mere Hide. Water is still coming in at various points particularly the Reedbeds so obviously the situation will have to be monitored. Water is also currently coming over the spillway onto Wombwell Ings.

Birds: With no mud left it's perhaps not surprising that most of the remaining waders have long legs, the best being a Greenshank at Wader Scrape. The female Bittern has been seen in flight and thankfully the young birds should now be able to take evasive action from the rising waters.

Carlton Marsh

Yes like everywhere else we are flooded out, but more than that, the water stinks of diesel oil from the run off of the nearby scrapyards and maybe Monkton Coke.  The dike breached this afternoon allowing millions of gallons into the scrape.  As you can see water was also flowing under the hide and the access to the railway embankment was under water.
Thankfully our only cygnet is coping as are our 4 Tufted Duck young, but Little Grebe and Coot nests were obliterated by the fast rising water.  One good thing, I was able to read the ring numbers of both adult swans when they came close to the hide to preen.
At home on Wednesday night  I caught a beautiful, pristine Elephant Hawk Moth, the first this year.