Small gull roost

Heavy rain, strong winds, poor visibility and acute hypothermia prevented full coverage but numbers at Langsett Reservoir were -  19 Mallards,  3 Tufted Ducks and 5 Swallows west and a gull roost of 107+ Black-headed Gulls, 138+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Just been watching a bluey

Nearly got badly stung a few weeks ago when I was cutting the garden hedge in Stocksbridge, and narrowly missed slicing the top off a huge wasp's nest situated near the top of the said hedge. The exposed nest was promptly abandoned by the wasps. Over the last couple of days the nest has been practically demolished by Blue Tits that are obviously seeking out the dead larva/eggs.
I supposed I'll have to finished the hedge off now.

Carlton Marsh

This morning 3 Buzzards circled overhead and 48 Pink Feet Geese flew west at 10.20hrs. A group of 4 Siskin were in addition to other calling birds not seen.  9 Meadow Pipits and  2 Swallows were heading south and a Little Owl was present.

5 Peacock butterflies were hibernating in a hole in a railway bridge where a couple of Duabenton's Bat usually roost.

Yesterday (29th) 20 Red Admirals, 8 Small Tortoiseshell and 21 Commas were feeding on self-set Buddlejas along the disused railway embankment. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 30.09.12

This week's menu of Black Tern starter followed by Rough-legged Buzzard,  Short-eared Owl, Red Kite and Honey Buzzard was nicely rounded off  this morning with an adult male MANDARIN in eclipse on Wintersett Res - the 3rd record for this site
Anglers CP Vis Mig:   All birds flying south unless stated.  A steady morning but highlights were:
Meadow Pipit 145, House Martin 52,  Swallow 24, Greenfinch  35, Siskin  28.
Wintersett Res: A flock of 24 Mistle Thrush were feeding in fields south of Botany Bay.

Adwick a. m.

Little Grebe 2 ads + 2 well-grown juvs, Cormorant 2 west, Canada c.140, Tufted Duck 1, Marsh Harrier 1 male 09.10 to 10.10 at least, Grey Partridge 4, Snipe 3+, Swallow 10+, Yellow Wagtail 1.

Agden Side ....

Agden 29/09/12  : LITTLE BUNTING - 1 - Caught and ringed at Mortimer Road by Emlin Moor, to the east of the road from wooden gate with access sign as per SBSG report. Photo can also be found there .. Searched for  last night but to no avail ....

Cudworth Common

10 Mute Swans, 26 Mallard, 26 Meadow Pipit, 7 Skylarks and 11 Grey Partridge flushed. 

At dusk a Little Owl called and a Woodcock emerged from  a wooded area and flew towards Storrs Mill Wood.

Vis Mig

Harden Quarries
Time: 06:40 to 11:00hrs.
Observers: Mick Cunningham, John McLoughlin & Dave Pennington.
All movement was generally in a southerly direction.
Cormorant 2, Common Buzzard 1, Golden Plover 3, Snipe - 2, Jackdaw - 14, Raven 3, Swallow 103, House Martin - 2, alba Wagtails - 18, Grey Wagtail - 4, Meadow Pipit - 2475, and Chaffinch 23.
Also present - 1 Peregrine Falcon.

Wintersett Roost 29th Sept

The roost was split again tonight, with 370 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Wintersett reservoir and a further 400 on the Country Park Lake.

There were 12 Yellow-legged Gulls in the Wintersett res roost, including 1 x first winter, 2 x second winters, a third winter and eight adults.

12 Common Gulls were in the Wintersett res roost.

Any info?

According to the Birdguides website a Rough-legged Buzzard was seen at Langsett Reservoir at 11:00hrs today.
Does anybody know anything about this? If so can you leave a comment. Thanks.

Wintersett 29.09.12

Anglers CP  Vis Mig Highlights: All flying south unless stated.
Meadow Pipits 1514 (highest count so far this autumn),  Swallow 81,    Siskin 123,   Skylark  24,  Pied Wagtail  51,  Goldfinch 41,  Linnet 31,  Snipe 6 + 1 NE,  Golden Plover 4 + 6 NE.
Also present:  Peregrine 1 adult,  Chiffchaff 1 + 4 WRes.
Wintersett Res: Wigeon 54, Blackcap 1.
Also flying: Speckled Wood and Red Admiral.     2 Silver Y moths.
See late news from Thursday 27.09.12 in post below.

Wintersett Late Buzz from 27.09.12

“A Juvenile HONEY BUZZARD flew south with a Common Buzzard at 10.50 hrs during a vis mig session on ACP. The bird's ID was suspected at the time but was not 100% certain (seen too briefly), however,  a single reasonable image was taken which is conclusive (see attached). Sorry that this news has taken a couple of days to release, for some reason I did not look at the photo until last night – and it did not seem quite so straight forward in the field! Cheers, Fitz."

Honey Buzzard  and Common  Buzzard        P. Meredith

Honey Buzzard                      P. Meredith

Old Moor - Midday Update

New in today to confirm Autumn/Winter is here are 3 redhead Goosanders on the mere, a juvenile Peregrine has been showy all morning bothering the Lapwings/Golden Plovers. Other waders include 4 Ruff, 6 Dunlin and 4 Green Sandpipers. No sign of Spotted Reds yet today but they are spending a lot of time on Bolton. 2 Goldcrests have been seen on Green Lane, 2 Buzzards over and a count of 110 Wigeon. Finally 2 Little Egrets on Broomhill.

Wintersett night shift

The gull roost on the Top Res this evening held;- Lesser Black-backed 362, Yellow-legged 14 (10 adults, 1 third-year, 3 second-year) Black-headed 2300. A Little Owl was calling at dusk by the sewage works.

Wintersett 28.09.12

Anglers CP Vis. Mig. Highlights.
Little Egret 2 north at 07.35,   Pink-footed Goose 50 high east at 09.27,  Crossbill 5 south at 10.11,  Red Kite 1 north being closely escorted by 20 Jackdaws at 10.45.
Going south - Meadow Pipit  900  - the highest count this autumn.   Swallow 738,  Siskin 81 and Skylark 19. 
Also flyng : Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult, Speckled Wood butterflies 2,  Chinook Helicopter and a Hercules plane.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid am- Only a slight drop in the water level from yesterday. Birds present included 5 Grey Heron, 10, Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan+3 cygnets, 66 Gadwall, 41 Shoveler, 14 Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 10+ Swallow, 3 Skylark, 3 LBB Gull, 1 Snipe and 1 Kestrel.

Bolton Ings late am- The highlight of the morning, just(11.59 am), was a Hobby making life unpleasant  for a Sparrowhawk. On the open water were 4 Mute Swan+ 4 cygnets, 19 Tufted Duck, 14 Mallard, 14 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 13 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 10+ Little Grebe,2 Spotted Redshank and 1 LBB Gull. Also present 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 3 Jay and several smallflocks of fly through Golden Plover.

Little Don Valley res's.

As is usual when the reservoirs are overflowing there was nothing of note on any of them.
Langsett Reservoir - 7 Mallards and 3 Tufted Ducks.
Upper Midhope - c30 Pied Wagtails.
Midhope Reservoir - nowt on the water and 1 Common Buzzard.
Midhopestones - c120 Jackdaws.
Underbank Reservoir - 37 Mallards and 1 Tufted Duck.
That's what you call steady.

Fri pm

A very quiet day apparently, with no sign of the Little Stints so far. Still 2 Spot Reds on Bolton + Hobby and a single Little Egret at Broomhill. So, to brighten up a dull blog, a couple of nice shots from Chris Harris of Mondays Grey Phalarope.

Wintersett Roost update 27 Sept

The roost seems to have split over the last couple of nights. Tonight there were 265 Lesser Black Backs roosting on Wintersett Res plus a further 450 on the Country Park Lake.

There were also 6 Yellow-legged Gulls on Wintersett Res.

Wintersett 27.09.12

Anglers CP Vis Mig Highlights: All flying south unless stated otherwise.
Pink-footed Goose 48 went SE at 08.55hrs, Swift 1 at 10.52 ( a late date for here) Meadow Pipit 613, Swallow 283, Skylark 20, Golden Plover 8 SW + 4 SE, Common Buzzard 2, Common Gull 1cy NE.
Also 300+ assorted finches.
Wintersett Res - Birds ringed today were: Chiffchaff 3,  Reed Warbler 3,  Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 4, Lesser Redpoll 20.  Two Sedge Warblers were also caught.  A Water Rail was also present.

Elsecar am

Elsecar Reservoit - 62 Mallards, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Moorhens and 18 Coots.

Old Moor

late afternoon visit to Old Moor, today's highlights: 420 Golden Plover, 3 Little Stints, 2 Spotted Reds', 4 Green Sands, 5 Ruff. Before my arrival there had been a Knot, 2 Curlew through and a Hobby. No sign of Curlew Sand today.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash Mid am- Water level about 3 inches higher than yesterday even though Mick Rushton opened the sluice gates at 3.45 pm on Wednesday( Thanks for opening and locking up the hide each day). His reward was a fine view of a ' flushed'  Short Eared Owl. Today's sightings included 62 Gadwall, 42 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard, 5 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 4 Mute Swan, 15 Cormorant, 8 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 10 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 2 Swallow, 100 Golden Plover flying towards Old Moor and a Short Eared Owl at 7.40am(by Mick Rushton again but this time no boot involved). A Wheatear was feeding on the manure heap at the end of the lane alongside Clegg's Meadow.

Wombwell Ings-  Not put off by the smell of rotting vegetation, a result of the Bulling Dyke being dredged, the '3 Stooges' ventured onto the Ings. The increased number of birds suggests improved food supplies in the water and bodes well for next year. Birds seen included 150+ Lapwing, 100+ Golden Plover, 8+ Snipe, 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 11 Cormorant, 5 Little Grebe, 7 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 1 Mute Swan+3 cygnets, 2 Greylag Goose, 12 House Martin, 2 Buzzard, 12 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, and 1 Kingfisher. A skein of 150 to 200 Pink Footed Geese flew east at 12.25pm.

Rabbit Ings

This evening - Buzzard on a fence post until darkness fell. 3 Kestrels, and a Short Eared Owl quartering and hovering over the hillside. (Mick Birkinshaw and Ray Dye have seen this bird for the previous 4 nights and pellets have been found containing Short Tailed Field Vole) A pipistrelle came out as we were coming off site.

Carlton Marsh this morning - Wheatear (Geoff Miller)

evening update

Old Moor: No sign of Spoonbill since it flew west late morning, to my knowledge. 2 Spot Reds, 3 Little Stints, Curlew Sand still. A Short-eared Owl was hunting over Broomhill and Wombwell Ings this evening where there were also 18 Snipe (flock of 17). Male Marsh Harrier still at Adwick late afternoon.

Wintersett Late shift 26 Sept

Wintersett Res - 8 Shelduck plus 2 Black Terns till dark. Roost numbers were down, but it appears that some birds may have stayed on Anglers to roost. A devilish 666 Lesser Black Backs plus 17 Yellow-legged Gulls were counted just before it got dark, and there appeared to be still some on the Park Lake as I passed.

New species draw for the Rough-leg ?? The winner is .................Angie Smith who picks it up by virtue of the Great Auk wildcard.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid am - Must be something in the water with a guard of 4 Grey Heron  watching over a feeding frenzy of 27 Cormorant, 50 Black Headed Gull and 4 Little Egrets. Supporting cast included 56 Gadwall, 27 Shoveler, 11 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Mute Swan+ 4 cygnets, 2adult +juvenile Great Crested Grebe,10 Little Grebe, 10+ Swallow, 2 LBB Gull, 1 Kingfisher and 22 Pink Footed Geese flying north.

Bolton Ings late am- Birds present included 25+ Gadwall, 19 Tufted Duck, 10+ Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 3 Mute Swan +3 cygnets, 15 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 LBB Gull, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 calling Greenshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Gt Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Buzzard over the west end.

Upland res. round-up

Upper Windleden Reservoir - 2 Ravens E.
Winscar Reservoir - 2 Shelducks (left W), 85 Mallards and 1 Moorhen.
Broadstone Reservoir - 23 Mallards and 7 Wigeon.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 3 Canada Geese, 42 Mallards, 10 Tufted Ducks, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Moorhens, 15 Coots, c25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c40 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Common Gull.
Royd Moor - 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 350+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls and c300 Black-headed Gulls.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 105 Grey Lag Geese, 177 Canada Geese, 12 Mallards, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Grebe and c35 Linnets. Also a heavy passage of Swallows and Meadow Pipits moving S/SE with smaller numbers of Linnets (no counts).
Midhope Reservoir - mixed flock of c35 tits containing 6 Goldcrests, 11 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Chiffchaff.
Whitwell Moor - flock 40+ Linnets.

Wintersett WOW! 26.09.12

An outstanding day here at Anglers. 
A phone call  from Pugneys to alert us that an Osprey  was coming our way resulted in a gathering on the hill vis. mig. watchpoint.  Half an hour later, at 10.10hrs, a shout of "It's coming!" focussed all eyes on a large raptor coming in from the south west.  As it flew closer it was obviously not an Osprey, although it had a pale head.  As it went past, at close range, it became evident  that is was an adult ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD,  with a white tail and prominent black tail band clearly visible.  It carried on a level flight path away to the north east.  What a cracking new bird for the Wintersett list - presumably having been swept over the North Sea in the north easterly gales.
Later on at 10.58 a Short-eared Owl flew high over ACP to the north west, while being mobbed by corvids, before eventually dropping into hay fields north west of the CP at 11.03 hrs.
Earlier 3 Bar-tailed Godwit flew SE over ACP  at 08.55 and 2 juvenile Black Tern were flying around Wintersett Res.
Also noted today were: Swallow 67 S,  Redpoll 15 S,  Pintail 4 SW, Golden Plover 2 E
Hobby 1,  Dunlin 1

Spoonbill

"Presumably" the bird from Old Moor passed over my garden @ Cliffe Road, Brampton Bierlow, heading SW @ 09:55. I`ll take that one for my garden list :)

early am

Broomhill Flash: 4 Little Egrets

Old Moor: Spoonbill (Wader Scrape), 15 Dunlin, Curlew Sand', 2 Spot' Reds', 4 Ruff (all Wath Ings)

Just like buses?

Evening visit onto Wombwell Ings to spread the coverage. River not over but plenty of water in the Ings as one would expect. A good thrash around the bushes and trees for the Yellow-browed Warbler that is surely lurking somewhere nearby produced nothing more than a Chiffchaff. Onto the Ings itself where a Pintail (presumably from Broomhill) and a Little Stint (presumably from Wath Ings where only two were showing at the time) were looking like the highlights until a Short-eared Owl came over from Broomhill being pursued by corvids. It gained great height and I watched it until it was a pinprick disappear in the direction of Edderthorpe. A short while (and a couple of shotgun blasts) later and a Short-eared Owl apparently got up from the 'rough stuff' at the Back of Broomhill. Surely a second bird?

Late news from Old Moor was that the Spoonbill remained until dusk. And here it is:

Spoonbill at Old Moor today - Keith Pickering

Spoonbill at Old Moor today - Keith Pickering

Dawn and Dusk

Wintersett Res - 2 juv Arctic Terns flew southwest early this morning, whilst the Black Tern was present to sunset.
The roost held 835 Lesser Black Backs plus 10 Yellow-legged Gulls. Also an imm Great Black Backed and at least 15 Common Gulls.

Edderthorpe and Houghton

As reported yesterday afternoon the river has again breached its banks and completly filled up the Flash with water for the third time this year. There is now a lake where 2 days ago there was some nice mud becoming exposed. This evening the river level has fallen and water is no longer coming over the floodbank. Only birds of note;- Wigeon 33.
Houghton Washlands has again flooded but due to rain and drain water, there appears to be no sign that the river emptied into here. But lots of birds on here, all the Lapwings and many of the ducks and geese are now on here.

Wintersett update 25.09.12

Anglers CP:  A  RED KITE flew west at 15.35hrs

Sunday 23/9/12

Cawthorne- still 3 juv hobbys, showing well on fence.
Ewden- a very poor hour at the cabin produced just buzzard, kestrel and a rather confusing sprawk.

Wintersett 25.09.12

Overcast but thankfully only a few drips and drops of rain in the wind.
Highlight today: BLACK TERN  1 juv. on Anglers CP this morning and then flew onto Wintersett Res. A Dunlin flew over at 10.50hrs.
Anglers CP: Sand Martin 6 Teal  3,  Little Grebe 10
Wintersett Res: Siskin 1

Broomhill Flash this morning: Pintail, Hobby, Black-tailed Godwit.

Update from Old Moor: Spoonbill still mid-day on Mere. (left and returned several times), 3 Little Stints.

Adwick Wash = Marsh Harrier (male).

Ravens

Stocksbridge - 2 Ravens SE at 12:10hrs.

negative but...........

Early Tues: No sign of Grey Phal' on Mere so far but a Spoonbill there before flying along valley towards Adwick about 7.20. A 30% reduction of mud on Wath Ings but still waders, Curlew Sand, 4 Dunlin and the 2 Spot' Reds' as well as 4 Little Egrets. Time to check other waters!

THE NEWS

Today:  Old Moor = Pintail, Little Stint 3, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Spotted Redshank 2, Ruff 2, Grey Phalarope 1 arrived on Mere late morning and remained until dusk, GBB Gull 2

Adwick Wash = 2 Little Egret, Yellow Wagtail.

A couple of Keith Pickerings shots below of today's Grey Phalarope on The Mere complete with rain. That's two Grey's and two Red-necked's this year - have we got a secret breeding colony somewhere!

Yesterdays highlights: 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sands', 22 Dunlin. Counts from Warbler Way were 22 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackcaps, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, 4 Goldcrests, 25 Siskins, 15 Lesser Redpolls.

And Saturday: Osprey, 2 Marsh Harriers, Baird's Sandpiper, a juvenile spent about an hour on Wath Ings before being flushed by a Hobby and sadly did not return. Assuming acceptance by BBRC this will be the second Barnsley area record following a juvenile at Broomhill Flash on 5th and 6th September 1995.

I am generally kept well informed of what's happening at Old Moor over the weekends, however, unfortunately the very poor phone signal at Spurn (where I normally reside March - Nov) is not good enough for me to update this blog, so it is up to someone else to make an effort.

Little Owl

1 calling just E of back garden @ Cliffe Road, Brampton Bierlow, this evening.

Nice weather for !!!!!

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Through the stair rods  rain could be seen 1 Little Egret, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 31 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 9 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Wigeon, 2 Mute Swan, 1 GBB Gull, 2 LBB Gull, c14 Swallow, 20+ House Martin and 1 Golden Plover which flew north at 10.10 am.

Wombwell Ings  Late AM- Ventured on the Ings but the rain blowing in made the hide uncomfortable with standing water on the ledges and bench. The poor visibility also made viewing difficult. However , there were 250+ Canada Geese, 60+ Greylag Geese and 4 Pink Footed Geese in the back field . 2 Snipe, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 Cormorant , 25+ Mallard, 20 + Gadwall and 10 + Teal. No hesitation was needed to leave when a Grey Phalarope was reported from Old Moor.

Not Again

According to Birdguides a Grey Phal on the Mere today also 2 little stints, 1 curlew sand and 2 spot reds on Wath Ings.
Hats off to the guys that braved the weather today to find these.

On a more serious note; I've been up to Edderthorpe tonight and the river is coming into the Ings at full speed, so I think we can safely say that the wader autumn passage has finished for this year up there.

There's been a big effort by a few of the locals to find something good on Edderthorpe Ings this autumn. So the flooding comes as bad news.
This flooding can't be helped - only wish it was going into Houghton Washland instead of Edderthorpe.

Stop press - now 3 little stints

Edderthorpe, early a.m.

In difficult conditions this morning (dark and damp);- Lesser Black-backed Gull 140 have roosted overnight and amongst them a single adult Yellow-legged Gull and a couple of Herring Gulls. Black-tailed Godwit 1, Dunlin 1.

First Fieldfares?

Late news of early Fieldfares - 2 NNW with Mistle Thrushes at Ewden Height on 22nd September - per SBSG website.

Wintersett washout 23rd Sept

Pretty difficult circumstances in tonights roost. Easterlies always present viewing challenges and the rain made it even worse. However, at least 7 Yellow legged Gulls in and 2 juv Great Black Backs. No sign of yesterdays Glauc. Also one or two Common Gulls also turning up now too.

Wintersett Gull Roost 22.09.12

Highlight :  Glaucous Gull  1 Juvenile,  LBBGull  700,  Yellow-legged Gull 7.
200 Swallows also roosted.

Wintersett 23.09.12

A cloudy and very cold day.
Wintersett Res:  Reed Warbler 2,Sedge Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 12,  Blackcap 2, Sand Martin 2, Kingfisher 1, Redpoll 7, Little Grebe 9 and  Teal 4 + 8 ACP.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: All birds going south unless stated.
Swallow  756,  Meadow Pipit 53,  Dunlin 1,  Curlew 1 NW,  1 N and 1 W,  Grey Heron 4 NW, Pintail 1 SW,  Knot 2 N,  Arctic Tern 1 juv. came in at 09.27 hrs,  Merlin 1 N at  10.55 hrs, 
Also present: Hobby 1, Shovler 90. An incredible 963 Tufted Ducks smashed previous records.

Harden Viz Mig

Just returned from a week in Italy to find 3 Siskins on the garden feeders at Stocksbridge and an email from Mick Cunningham for the vis mig count at Harden Quarries for Saturday 22nd September 2012.
Harden Quarries
Time - 06:00 - 16:00hrs.
Observers - Mick Cunningham, David Pennington and Nick Mallinson.
Cormorant - 1 SW, Grey Heron - 1 NE, Pink-footed Goose - 50 SW, duck (probably sawbills) - 6 SW, Common Buzzard - 29 W/SW, Merlin - 1 S, Hobby - 1 SW, Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3 SW & 9 NE, Skylark - 5 SW, Barn Swallow - 1358 SE, Meadpow Pipit - 161 SW & 28 NE, alba Wagtail - 12 SW, Mistle Thrush - 3 SW, Jackdaw - 5 SW & 9 NE, Raven - 16 SW, Chaffinch - 14 SW, finch sp - 51 SW & 26 NE, Greenfinch - 6 SW, Siskin - 38 SW, Linnet - 6 SW, Crossbill - 6 SW and bunting sp - 2 SW.
Also presentt - 2 Sparrowhawks, 17 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and 1 Wheatear.

Carlton Marsh

New today Redpoll & Wheatear. Also present c60 Goldfinch, Grey Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipits Siskin, Willow Tit & Water Rail.

Curlew Passage

Edderthorpe Flash this morning, 19 Curlew 23 Golden Plover, 1 Black-Tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 67 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200+ Lapwing.( 1 Spotted Redshank yesterday Alan Stonier.)

We are likely to receive some Weather

Some interesting weather on its way.
See link.

http://www.myweather2.com/streamline/player.aspx?Streamline=3

It could produce some goodies.
Juv. Baird's Sand on the Mecca yesterday according to Birdguides.
Unfortunatly I was working so couldn't get down there to see it.
No reports on here about it though. Which just shows how much we rely on the few (such as WIM Man etc) that do post on here.

Carlton Marsh

New today Spotted Flycatcher. (Jim Plant) 2 Buzzard over, 4 Jays, 2 Little Owl and Siskins calling from various parts of the reserve.

Red Admiral 4, Speckled Wood 10, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Comma 5.

Wintersett a.m. 22.09.12

Freezing start becoming sunnier and cloudier as the morning wore on.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  All flying south unless stated. 
Highlights this morning were:Marsh Harrier 1   Swallow 825  and a party of  6 Buzzards  thermalling slowly SE 10.45 - 10.50.  Linnet 9,  Greenfinch 5,Meadow Pipit 114, Chaffinch 12 Reed Bunting 4, Siskin 2, Sand Martin 3, Finch sp. 28, Phylosc. 1.   GBBGull 2 adults NW,   LBBGull  51 N,  Dunlin 3 E at 08.17, Skylark 17 SW + 9 S and Golden Plover 20 S.
Wintersett Res: Redpoll 1 S, Water Rail 1. Reed Warbler 6.  Birds ringed today  Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 5, Sedge Warbler 1,
Also flying: Red Admiral 1, Small Copper 1  +  Speckled Woods ACP

Carlton Marsh

I managed to walk to the hide at tea time just before the heavy rain came.  A Little Owl was sitting on an old lorry chassis next to an immature Red Legged Partridge near Bleachcroft Farm. 

On the reserve were 2 Kingfishers, Green Woodpecker, Reed Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs and 16 Siskins feeding on Alder seeds.  A Tawny Owl called at 18.20 as a Sparrowhawk flashed by its concealed roost.

On 15th 3 Water Rails (2 together) were seen in the main marsh and another on 17th.  Dragonflies included Migrant and Southern Hawker. (Dave Smith)

Barred Sallow, Common Marbled Carpet, Black Rustic and Green Carpet were the best of last nights moths in my garden.

Friday

Status Quo at Old Moor bar 3 Little Egrets. Highlights: 2 Spot Reds, Curlew Sand, Little Stint all Wath Ings.

2 Yellow-legged Gulls Edderthorpe (per pager).

ADWICK WASHLANDS (pm)

No sign of the Yellow legged Gulls, or any large gulls at 2pm, but a Hobby present.

thurs am

Curlew Sand, Little Stint, Wath Ings still.

2 Yellow-legged Gulls Adwick Wash (with 28 LBBs).

Edderthorpe early a.m.

A dark and damp start. Black-tailed Godwit 1, Golden Plover 23.

evening update

The Little Stint was back on Wath Ings and the two Spotted Redshanks arrived for the evening as per usual.

Below are a couple of  photographs of the juvenile Osprey which is appearing down here more frequently now, with the times seeming to confirm it as the Sprotbrough bird.

Juvenile Osprey at Wath Ings this morning - Keith Pickering

Juvenile Osprey at Sprotbrough Flash - Keith Pickering. This is thought likely to be the same bird that is visiting the Lower Dearne frequently, although Sundays bird which flew south at a great height was perhaps a different individual

Old Moor area am

A busy morning so far: Little Stint 1 (flown back towards Edderthorpe), Curlew Sand 1, 3 Ruff all on Wath Ings + Osprey through late morning.

Little Egret still at Broomhill but no sign of Black-necked Grebe yet although it can go missing for lengthy periods. Additional to yesterday. a skein of 45 Pink-feet passed through in afternoon.

Edderthorpe Flash

Additional news Little Stint,now flown to Old Moor mecca

Edderthorpe, early a.m.

Canada Goose 372, Greylag Goose 202, Mallard 484, Teal 110, Shoveler 57, Golden Plover 52.

Wintersett gull roost

Lesser Black-backed Gull 1300, Yellow-legged Gull 17 - all adults except 1 third-year bird, Common Gull 1, Black-headed Gull 4300. And flying around the res;- Curlew 1, Redshank 1.

Sofa

Just a brief evening visit today with just enough time to check out the somewhat neglected Wombwell Ings. Plenty of birds but nothing better than a couple of Snipe and a Greenshank wader-wise. Looks good for a Buff-breast though! More luck this afternoon though as when passing through mid-afternoon whilst working I managed to jam in on an Osprey which circled round Broomhill and Wombwell for a while before leaving towards Wentworth. Nice! News from Old Moor up to now includes 2 Spot Reds, Curlew Sand and flava Wag. Early morning visit to Broomhill produced Little Egret and Black-necked Grebe again.

Tuesday, Edderthorpe, early a.m.

A very autumnal feel to the weather this morning, but unfortunatly not to the birds.
Greylag Goose 208, Golden Plover 26, Ringed Plover 3, Black-wit 1.

Carlton marsh

Overnight vandals caused significant damage to fences and display boards in the car park area!

Highlights today 2 Buzzards, 10 Siskins, Little Owl and Cormorant.

Migrant Hawker 8 males & 1 female, Southern Hawker 1 female, Brown Hawker 1, Ruddy Darter 3 males.

Red Admiral 10 on self-set buddlejas along with 5 Comma and 6 Small Tortoiseshell. Also present 1 Small Copper, 10 Speckled Wood and a male Vapourer Moth.

In my garden trap last night - Burnished Brass & Bulrush Wainscot (aberrant)

Recent highlights

Old Moor today: Bittern, Reedbeds,  and on Wath Ings were 119 Golden Plover, 8 Ringed Plover, 4 Green Sands, 8 Dunlin, Curlew Sand, 3 Ruff.

Broomhill Flash: Little Egret, Black-necked Grebe.

Yesterdays highlights included Osprey through Old Moor + 2 Spot Reds.

So no sign of the American Golden Plover since Thursday but it is good to know that they can still turn up despite the recent decline in Golden Plover numbers here in the last five years or so. There have been six previous records of American Golden Plover in the Barnsley area, all in the Lower Dearne Valley. Although the species has been ditched from the list of species requiring ratification by the British Birds Rarities Committee it's a bird that still has a 'rare feel' to it. Another shot below just to remind us of what a smart bird it was.

Chris Harris

Sunday 16- 9- 12

Cawthorne lane- 2 juv hobbys, 3 buzzards, 3 little owls.
Ewden, shooting lodge,- not much here in 2 hours, 3 ravens, 2 kestrel and a male stonechat at the s bend.

Brampton Bierlow (Sunday 15th Sept)

Buzzard 2 (1 NE & 1 N)
Raptor sp (1 large bird drifted SSW @ height just before mid-day. Appeared to be narrower winged than the 2 Buzzards)

Monday, Edderthorpe Flash, early a.m.

Canada Goose 242, Greylag Goose 258, Shoveler 54, Golden Plover 30, Black-wit 1.

Wintersett

Some high counts here on the national WeBS count;-
Mute Swan 22, Canada Goose 66, Greylag Goose 51, Mallard 86, Teal 7, Gadwall 85, Shoveler 101, Wigeon 41, Pintail 1, Tufted 866 -this is a new Barnsley Area maximum, Pochard 33, Cormorant 11, Great Crested Grebe 53, Little Grebe 18, Coot 557,
Vis-mig during the morning revealed;- Pink-footed Goose 57 north-west (strange direction) Common Buzzard 2 migrants south, Meadow Pipit 446 south, Goldfinch 43 south and the first Lesser Redpoll of the autumn. 

Sunday, Edderthorpe, WeBS count

Mt Swan 19, Canada Goose 443, Greylag Goose 226, Mallard 435, Teal 135, Gadwall 20, Wigeon 7, Shoveler 45, Pintail 3, Tufted 10, Cormorant 5, Grey Heron 3, Little Grebe 3, Coot 101, Moorhen 40, Lapwing 620, Golden Plover 35, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Snipe 7, Kingfisher 1.
Apart from the geese numbers which are recent maximums, there have been higher counts for all species in the preceeding week.
Ferrymoor;- Canada Goose 46, Mallard 96, Gadwall 2, Tufted 4, Little Grebe 1, Coot 6, Moorhen 12.

More from the Uplands

Mick Cunningham reports the following for today;-
Harden, vis-mig this morning. Tree Pipit 1, Meadow Pipit 502, Siskin 13.
Broadstones - 'Greenland' Wheatear 2
Barnside - Buzzard 4, Crossbill 14.

Edderthorpe

Rather quiet today. Numbers of most things are down on the last couple of days. The Black-wit remains.

Wintersett a.m. 15.09.12

Much windier than forecasted - cold in shade.
Anglers Hill Vis. Mig.  Meadow Pipit 518,  Siskin 45 all flying south.
Anglers CP:  Butterflies - Red Admiral  1, Common Blue 1.
Wintersett Res: Reed Warbler 1 + 1 ringed.  Others ringed today were Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 1.
Highlight today was a BROWN ARGUS butterfly near the boathouse.
Mammals. Stoat 2 WRes.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 1

Broomhead Shooting Cabin 15/09/2012

Another blustery day out on t'moors ..

Not too bad 'birdwise' though as an osprey flew South at 11am .. Also seen were 2 sprawks, 2 kestrels, a peregrine, c11 common buzzards and 6 ravens. Birds were streaming South on and off during the morning and c75 mipits were seen along with 31 swallows and 8 siskins .. There were 2 male stonechats perched on the bracken about 100yds or so back from the cabin ..

A text from a very excited Dave Woodriff told of a juvenile gannet which he spotted over Howbrook Dam in High Green .. It was present for about 10 minutes as it circled around and then finally it headed NE towards Tankersley !!

All good stuff !!!!

Moth

Ray Dye sent me this moth he caught in his Smithies garden on 14-8-12. Someone has told him it could be Engrailed or Small Engrailed. I think it is WillowBeauty/Mottled Beauty probably the former. What do think?

Carlton Marsh

This evening -2 Teal, 12 Siskins, Kingfisher, Buzzard, Kestrel, Tawny Owl and 2 Little Owls. Also c50 Swallows roosted.

Wintersett Gull roost

A noticeable influx of large gulls tonight with;- Lesser Black-backed 1020 and with them record numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls - a minimum of 27 birds, mostly adults, a few third-years and 2 second-year birds.

Wintersett 14.09.12

VERY WINDY!
Highlight today was a female/immature COMMON SCOTER on Wintersett Res. 
Anglers CP:Sand Martin 150, Yellow Wagtail 2. 
Vis. Mig. abandoned after 90 minutes.   57  Meadow Pipits south.  It's interesting to see how today compares with same date 2011 - see Trektellen.org.

The news so far

No sign of Yank Goldie at  Edderthorpe, Wath or 'goldie fields' by mid-day.

Old Moor: Pintail 3 down + 10 west c08.00, Curlew Sand 1. An Osprey flew towards Broomhill at 09.50.

Black-necked Grebe still on Broomhill.

Friday, Edderthorpe, early a.m.

No sign of the American Golden Plover. The windy conditions revealed;- Golden Plover 19, Black-wit 1.

Wot no Yank Goldie?

Birds at Old Moor this evening till dusk included 10 Dunlin, juv Curlew Sand, 2 ad Spot Reds, Black-wit, 3 Ruff and 111 Golden Plovers all on the mighty Wath.

More pics below of the Yank Goldie all taken at Edderthorpe. First found there this morning before later finding its way to Wath Ings yet still returning to Edderthorpe. This bird is clearly sick!

Alan Whitehouse

Keith Pickering

Keith Pickering

Keith Pickering

Edderthorpe Flash

The adult American Golden Plover stayed most of the day on the Flash (sleeping much of the time) and eventually left to the south with 10 Golden Plovers at 18.25 hours after being spooked by a couple of joggers who decided a circuit of the Flash would be a good idea!
A couple of other good counts today included;- Gadwall 154, Lapwing 816, Golden Plover 81.

Wintersett Gull Roost 13.09.12

Gull numbers increased markedly this evening on Wintersett Reservoir.
Lesser Black-backed Gull 872, Yellow legged Gull 7, Herring Gull 6,  Black-headed Gull 2000.

First Pinkfeet

Ewden Height - 07:15-09:00 hrs - 118 (c70 SE + 11 ESE + 37 ESE) Pink-footed Geeese, 3 Cormorants NW, 2 Stock Doves SW, 27 Jackdaws SW, 96 Swallows SW, 8 alba Wagtails SW, 508 Meadow Pipits SW, 10 Chaffinches SW and 4 Crossbills SW. All records per SBSG website.

Wintersett 13.09.12

Anglers CP Vis Mig:  Pink-footed Goose 5 north west,  Meadow Pipit 369 south  and Siskin 12 south.  Hobby 1.
Wintersett Res: Little Grebe 7.  Birds ringed today: Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blackcap4, Reed Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 1
Old Royston Flash:  Hobby 1 adult at 11.40 hrs,  Greenshank 1 and Grey wagtail 1 + 1 WRes.

Edderthorpe 13.09.12 -American Golden Plover Photos

American Golden Plover  Kev Denny

American Golden Plover   Kev Denny

American Golden Plover     Kev Denny

late brood of Mallards

Elsecar Reservoir - 53 Mallards + 8 small ducklings, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Coots and 14 Moorhens.

Looney Tunes on the Edge

3 Elmer Fudds shooting in the back field at Broomhill between 6 am and 11 am meant few birds in the immediate area. Shooting is bad enough but  an out of control gun dog straying onto the Flash is even worse for birds.
Birds present at Broomhill included 11 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 16 Gadwall, 3 Mute Swan, 5 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 11 Little Grebe , 2 Gt Crested Grebe and 126 Coot.

Decided to stop half way on Wombwell Ings to observe gunners who packed up and left almost immediately but made a show of collecting their decoy Canada Geese. A quick view of the water revealed very litle, just 1Mute Swan + 5 cygnets and 1 Greenshank. Also seen were 8 Pied Wagtail and a Kingfisher on the Bulling Dyke. The  siren call of Edderthorpe  and a possible American Golden Plover ( later confirmed) proved irresistible.

Obviously the number of geese  and ducks ( the birds that regularly commute between flash and ings) had moved elsewhere to avoid buckshot. Thats all folks.

EDDERTHORPE FLASH 13-9-12

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. 8-15am. Still showing there at 2pm

AGP

American Golden Plover, moulting adult Edderthorpe Flash (still 13.40) B Emson et al + visited Wath Ings briefly late morning.

Thursday morning, Edderthorpe

Canada Goose 401, Mallard 642, Shoveler 103, Garganey 1, Golden Plover 35, Black-wit 1, Common Sand 1, Curlew Sand 1 juv, Ringed Plover 1

ins n outs

Seemed like a bit of a clear out tonight at Old Moor compared to yesterday but, when one door closes another one opens, and there were some new arrivals too: Down were Ringed Plover 6, Green Sand 10, Greenshank 2, Ruff 5, and no Common or Curlew Sands but on the up were Golden Plover 77, Dunlin 23, Little Stint 1 juv (presumably from Edderthorpe). Status Quo included Spot Red 2 ads, Black t Godwit 1. Additionals from this morning included Little Egret 3 and Hobby.

More vis-mig from Ewden

Dave Pearce was up here again 07.00 to 09.00 and counted;-
Meadow Pipit 143, Swallow 15, House Martin 6, and 2 Wheatears along the path.
Midhope - Raven 1,

Wintersett 12.09.12

Wintersett Res: Garganey adult male in eclipse SW corner and then flew into ACP.
Walton Hall: Little Grebe 14 + 14 ACP.
Anglers CP: Meadow Pipit 373 went south,  Pied Wagtail 10,  Yellow Wagtail 1, Grey Wagtail 2, Teal 5.  Starling 200 in fields.
Haw Park Wood Siskin 3

Ewden Height

Ewden Height - 08:00-09:00 hrs - 40 Swallows, 140 Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail and 8 Siskins, all S. 2 juvenile Skylarks and c40 Goldfinches. All per SBSG website.

The Edge correction

Should read 2 Grey Heron, 13 Cormorant. Apologies for any choking caused to readers.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM-Present were 132 Grey Heron, Cormorant, Black Necked Grebe, 8 Little Grebe 1 adult+1 juv Gt Crested Grebe, 7 Mallard, 7 Gadwall,9 Shoveler8 Pochard, 6 Teal, 1 Shelduck, 2 Snipe, 3 Pied Wagtail, 5 Red Legged Partridge, c40 Swallow, 15+ House Martin, 2 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Bolton Ings late AM- On the open water were 61 Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, 17 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 2 Mute Swan, 13 Little Grebe, 2 adult+2juv Gt Crested Grbe, 20 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron and 3 LBB Gull. Also noted were 2 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Jay, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 50+ Sand martin and 20+ House Martin.

Wednesday, Edderthorpe, early a.m.

Canada Goose 317, Greylag 111, Little Stint 1 juvenile, Dunlin 1, Common Sand 1, Black-wit 1, Ringed Plover 1.

Interesting runt!

The colour ringed Cormorant (Sinensis) seen at Broomhill Flash for last couple of days was ringed as a chick on 30/5/2012 at Copenhagen (Denmark).

Tuesday, Edderthorpe

Shoveler 91, Wigeon 6, Lapwing 580, Golden Plover 64, Ringed Plover 1, Black-wit 3, Common Sand 1, Whimbrel 1 in briefly 07.05

HT Update

Old Moor: Little Egret 4, Wigeon 29, Hobby 1, Peregrine 1, Ringed Plover 13, Lapwing 1200, Golden Plover 22, Greenshank 4, Spot Red 2, Dunlin 14, Curlew Sand 3, Green Sand 16, Common Sand 4, Whimbrel 1 through, Black t Godwit 1, Ruff 7.

Broomhill Flash: Black n Grebe.

Wintersett 11.09.12

Cold,wet and windy start to the day but rain stopped around 09.00 and it was much warmer, but still windy, by mid morning.
Wintersett Res: Garganey 1 adult male in eclipse (but then flew in to ACP). Wigeon 36,  Teal 3 + 6 ACP. Willow Warbler 1.
Anglers CP: Snipe 2 flew over, 2 flew SW and 2 dropped in. Yellow Wagtail 4, House Martin 150, Sand Martin 150.  Little Grebe 17 + 5 WR + 5 MHLPond.
Also flying in the area: Common Blue, Red Admiral, Comma and Speckled Wood butterflies.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 1.

Upland Wigeon

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 5 Wigeon - per Nick Mallinson.

MC's sightings today

A Hobby was sparring with a Kestrel at Townhead and a Wheatear at Winscar Reservoir was probably of the Greenland race but not enough time available to scrutinize.
Records per Mick Cunningham.

Night shift returns

Old Moor: At least 60 Cormorants flew east to roost. Little Egret 1, Wigeon 12+, Teal 148 on Wath Ings, Golden Plover 44, Greenshank 2, Ruff 5, Green Sand 12, Common Sand 2, Dunlin 14, Curlew Sandpiper 3 juvs, Black-tailed Godwit.

3 Pintail were on The Mere this afternoon.

Carlton Marsh

Viz. Mig. 4 Siskin south 17.00hrs & 1 Tree Pipit SW at 17.23hrs.  Between 1700hrs & 18.00hrs c30 Swallows & 30 Sand Martins (5 +17 +8) moved south harassed by 2 Sparrowhawks.

Wintersett 10.09.12

Wintersett Res: The west bank had the highlights today.  STONECHAT  1 female,  PEREGRINE 1 juvenile flew over at 12.30.   GARGANEY 1 adult male in eclipse still here. Lesser Whitethroat 1, Siskin1 went south.  A Red Admiral butterfly was also seen.
Anglers CP: Shelduck 1 juvenile,  Yellow Wagtail 3, Sand Martin 80,  Greylag Goose 75, Pochard 23 + 45 WR,  Shoveler 40 + 14 WR, Teal 3. Also flying Meadow Brown 2.

Broadstone & Ingbirchworth

Broadstone Reservoir - 25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Canada Geese, 17 Mallards, 13 Tufted Ducks, 5 Little Grebes, 9 Coots, 1 Swift and 1 Siskin.
Midhope Reservoir - 7 Mallards and 5 Teal

Better Birding. Or is it?

Following on from WIM Mans comments about better birding inland compared to the coast. I've had a think abart this - and personally I think all birding is relative.
For example, for me, the biggest thrill is to see things in your own garden followed closely by birds on your own patch. I consider my own patch along the Dearne Valley to be an extension of my own front garden. I know others will think on the same lines.
There's an exciting buzz about Spurn Point at this time of year, every bird is a potential rarity. But nothing is better than seeing something like a bullfinch in your own back garden or seeing a flock of ruff dropping onto Wombwell Ings. And nothing can beat sitting in the hide at Wath Ings as it looks right now.

News FlashIngs

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Black Necked Grebe still in residence along with 8 Little Grebe, juv Great Crested Grebe, 25 Cormorant, 57 Gadwall, 11 Mallard, 9 Pochard, 6 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 LBB Gull, 2 Grey Heron, c60 Swallows, c20 House Martins,4 Pied Wagtail, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Peregrine.

Wombwell Ings late AM- Saddened to see carcasses of 3 dead Canada Geese around the edge of the water, probably the result of shooting in the back field during the past week. Live birds present included  8 Mute Swans + 5 cygnets, 79 Greylag, 34 Mallard, 8 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Shelduck, 6 Little Grebe,3 Grey Heron, 9 Snipe, 5 Greenshank, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Monday, Edderthorpe, early a.m.

Curlew Sand 1 juv, Dunlin 2, Common Sand 1, Curlew 1, Black-wit 1, Golden Plover 16, Snipe 9, Mallard 250.

Carlton Marsh

Our resident pair of Mute Swans arrived here on March 15th and produced 2 cygnets both of which perished during the summer monsoon.  Both adults were already ringed, data recently received from the BTO reveals the origins of both birds.

The male ZY0122 was ringed as a first year (sex unknown) on 17-10-2008 at or near Grimethorpe.

The female ZZ9816 Red Darvic ring Y216 (left leg) was ringed as a 2 years old female on 2/7/2007 at Pugneys Country Park. 

Both birds were ringed by the Sorby Breck Ringing Group.

inland rules ok

Just back from coast, better birding here by the sounds!

Old Moor: Little Egret 2, Hobby, Peregrine,  Buzzard 4, Golden Plover 57, Lapwing 1200, R Plover 1, Com Sand 2, Green Sand 12, Curlew Sand 2 juvs, Greenshank 2, Spot Red 2, Snipe 14, Ruff 5, Dunlin 5,  Yellow Wag 4,

Broomhill: Black n Grebe

Yesterday at Old Moor 5 Little Egrets roosted + Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher in car park

Viz Mig at Harden

Totals from the visible migration watch at Harden Quarries today.
Time: 05:45hrs to 11:30hrs.
Observers: Mick Cunningham & Nick Mallinson.
1 Grey Heron SW, 1 Marsh Harrier SW, 1 Sparrowhawk SW, 2 Common Buzzards SW, 1 Snipe SW, 2 Black-headed Gulls SW, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull SW, 1 Stock Dove SW, 666 Swallows SW, 59 House Martins SW, 2 Tree Pipits SW, 359 Meadow Pipits SW, 8 Chaffinches SW, 12 finch sp SW & 4 NE, 7 Greenfinches SW, 2 Goldfinches SW, 174 Siskins SW, 2 Linnets SW, 1 Lesser Redpoll SW and 7 Crossbills SW.
Also present: 1 Cormorant, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Raven.
All records per Mick Cunningham.

Interesting to compare with v.m.w. totals at Ewden Height this morning on SBSG website.

Langsett

Langsett Reservoir - 52 Mallards, 4 Teal, 11 Tufted Ducks and 1 Moorhen. Gull roost - 137 Black-headed Gulls, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 491 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Edderthorpe,a.m.

Garganey 1, Teal 187, Shoveler 109, Gadwall 110, Cormorant 9, Common Sand 1, Dunlin 1, Snipe 20, A juvenile Curlew Sand and a Ringed Plover dropped in at 08.55 . Black-wit 1,

Wintersett 09.09.12

Vis. Mig.  Dunlin 5 south west, Snipe 9 + 5 west and 2 dropped in, Teal 10 over + 3 ACP, Swallow 116 south, Meadow Pipit 156, Sand Martin 20, Chaffinch 16, Siskin 53, Goldfinch 23.
Anglers CP: Shelduck 1 juvenile, Shoveler 31, Wigeon 21.  Also flying  Red Admiral 1.
Wintersett Res: Garganey  1 adult male eclipse  flushed off and flew to ACP where it sat on an island in front of the main hide giving brilliant views. Kingfisher 1.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 1
Highlight today:  RED  ARROWS 8 flew east 14.42 hrs!

Viz Mig at Harden

Figures for visible migration at Harden Quarries on 8th September.
Time: 08:30 - 12:30hrs
Obsevers: Mick Cunningham & David Pennington.
3 Cormorants WSW, 2 Sparrowhawks SW, 1 Merlin SW, 18 Lapwings NE, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker S, 162 Swallows S/WSW, 1 Tree Pipit SW, 504 Meadow Pipits WSW/WNW, 1 flava Wagtail SW, 2 Grey Wagtails SW,1 alba Wagtail SW, 1 Raven SW, 21 Chaffinches SW, 14 finch sp SW & 9 NE, 4 Greenfinches SW, 54 Goldfinches SW & 39 NE, 64 Siskins SW and 2 Crossbill SW.
Also present - 6 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and 1 Pergrine Falcon
All records per Mick Cunningham.

Cudworth Common

30 Meadow Pipits and 10 Skylarks were present and a female Tawny Owl called at dusk.

Cudworth
A peregrine flew SW over Beech Avenue this afternoon at 14.35hrs. (Geoff Miller)

Amongst the moths caught in my garden last night were: Black Rustic, Rosy Rustic, Burnished Brass and 6 second brood Green Carpet.

The Moors

Dave Pearce was up here early morning and reported the following;-
Ewden Height 06.45 to 09.45
Meadow Pipit 129, Swallow 93, Wheatear 1, Ring Ouzel 2, all heading in a westerly direction, Merlin 1 and Stonechat 1.
Ewden Valley 10.15 to 11.15
Raven 4, Sparrowhawk 7.
Upper Midhope Village
Spotted Flycatcher 4, Nuthatch 2.
Winscar Res
Common Buzzard 6,
Broadstones Res
LBBGull 617,

Wintersett 08.09.12

Great weather for people today -very little in the way of birds moving - but not a bad list overall!

Highlights today: An adult Black-necked Grebe was on Anglers CP, the adult male eclipse Garganey was on Wintersett Res.
Anglers CP:  A small male Peregrine flew over. Hobby 1 adult, Buzzard 8,    Yellow Wagtail 4 flew over, Little Grebe 14 + 4 WR, Teal 2,  Shoveler 57 + 7 WR, Wigeon 22.
Wintersett Res:Redshank 2, Golden Plover 1.
Birds ringed today: Blackcap 6, Whitethroat 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Reed Warbler 7, Sedge Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 5, Goldcrest 2, Sand Martin 21, House Martin 1, Swallow 1.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 1.
Also flying:Gatekeeper, Small White, Meadow Brown, Peacock and Common Blue Butterflies. Ruddy Darter 1 male.
Moth trapping last night produced a Bulrush Wainscot, 2 Autumnal Rustics, a Centre-barred Sallow and 5 Green Carpet. 

Wintersett

The Top Res is full of wildfowl and inclues;- Garganey 1, Shoveler 64, Wigeon 22, about 600 Tufted Duck. A adult Black-necked Grebe on Anglers CP in front of the hide. A minimum of 8 Common Buzzards, a adult Hobby catching dragonflies and a adult male Peregrine were over the CP during the day.
Vis-mig was disappointing with;- Redshank 2, Golden Plover 1, Yellow Wagtail 4, Grey Wag 2, and only 52 Meadow Pipits, all going southish. A Greenshank is on Old Royston Flash.

Cormorant

Wondered what these floaty things in the reservoirs were used for!!

Cormorant at Royd Moor Reservoir, August 20th.

friday aft. 7-9-12

Cawthorne- 3 juv hobbies still, showing well on and off, 7 rl partridges. Ewden- from the gate at garlic house farm. Not good light, 5 very distant large raptors were thought to be 4 buzzards and a red kite. Yellow wag. showing well in field.

Carlton Marsh

Just back from a family holiday. This evening there were 2 Kingfishers together, Grey Wagtail, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 19 Canada Geese and a Tawny Owl calling at dusk.

Also present was a male Southern Hawker and a late Purple Hairstreak.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Birds present included 38 Gadwall, 9 Pochard, 9 Teal, 8 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Mute Swan, juv Great Crested Grebe, 9 Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 3 Snipe,  1 Greenshank, 10 Cormorant and 1 LBB Gull.

Bolton Ings Late AM- On the open water were 13 Little Grebe+1 young, 4 adult and 4 young Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mute Swan+5 cygnets, 16 Gadwall, 17 Mallard, 19 Tufted Duck, 20 Greylag, 1 Shoveler, 2 Grey Heron, 15 Cormorant and 1 LBB Gull. Also noted were 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kingfisher.

Wombwell Ings Early PM- Present were 3 Greenshank, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Mallard, 22 Gadwall, 19 Teal, 18 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 61 Greylag, 120+ Canada, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan+ 5 cygnets, 1 singing Chiffchaff and a flock of 50+ Goldfinch.

Wintersett 07.09.12

Sunny and warm with a light breeze.
Wintersett Res: The adult male Garganey in eclipse plumage is in the north west corner.  Sedge Warbler 1.
Unwanted Resident:  A Red-eared Terrapin was seen in the north east corner.
Anglers CP: Siskin 1.
Late Broods in the area: Moorhen 1 adult + 1 young WRes. + 2 adults with 2 young each MHLPonds.  Little Grebe 1adult + 2 young ACP, 1 adult + 1 young MHLPonds.  Great Crested Grebe 2 adults + 1 small young.
Old Royston Flash: Green Sandpiper 1 his morning.  Harvesters in field again this evening.
Also flying: Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper, Peacock and Speckled Wood.
An Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar was seen on the track to Cold Hiendley Res.

Little change this am:

Highlights: BN Grebe Broomhill, 2 Spot Reds, 5 Dunlin Wath Ings

Edderthorpe news returns

After 2 weeks away it is disappointing to find the water levels higher than when I left but I understand some heavy rain during the last week is to blame. But water is flowing out into the river at present. Anyway, birds;- I'd only been here 15 minutes when a adult Osprey flew in and spent 20 mins fishing before heading off towards Ardsley. It reappeared a hour later and sat in a tree before heading off towards Old Moor. A juvenile Peregrine was also terrorising waterfowl during the afternoon including a Garganey that it flushed from cover. Shoveler 71, Wigeon 3, Teal 186, Golden Plover 70, Black-wit 1, Common Sand 1, Snipe 9, Dunlin 2, Common Buzzard 3 and Siskin 2.

Return of the Osprey?

Old Moor: A juvenile Osprey visited the area on several occasions this afternoon and early evening. Sprotbough bird? Also on Wath Ings this evening, 57 Golden Plover, 5 Ruff, 4 Dunlin, 6 Black t Godwits. Five Little Egrets roosted last night and a Little Owl was calling at Broomhill Flash where the Black-necked Grebe remains today as well as 2 Yellow and a Grey Wagtail.

Meanwhile below are a couple of cracking Spotted Fly' photos taken this morning by Ron Marshall at Whitwell Wood, near Stocksbridge (8 - 10 present).

Wintersett evening update. 06.09.12

Anglers CP: An adult male Peregrine was hunting at 15.30hrs.  Little Grebe 6 Teal 4.
Also flying : Meadow Brown and  Common Blue butterflies.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 2,  Linnets 60.  (Harvesters in field tonight.)

Osprey over Old Moor this evening.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid morning- Black Necked Grebe still in residence. Also present were 5 Mute Swan, 3 Grey Heron, 9 Cormorant, 9 Little Grebe, juv Great Crested Grebe, 43 Gadwall, 15 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler, 1 Kestrel and 1 LBB Gull.

Bolton Ings late a.m./early p.m.- An  Osprey over Bolton west end at 12.40 pm flew over towards the Mere.On the open water were 2 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan + 2 cygnets, 19 Gadwall, 31 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 3 Shoveler, , 3 Great Crested Grebe + 1 juv, 21 Little Grebe, 18 Cormorant and 2 Spotted Redshank. Also noted were 3 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Willow Tit, 1 Bullfinch and a singing Chiffchaff.

Wombwell Ings mid afternoon- Birds noted were 5 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan +5 cygnets, 42 Greylag,17 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 2 Kestrel and 2 Greenshank.

Back to the mundain

Elsecar Reservoir - 28 Mallards, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 18 Coots + 2  young and 6 Moorhens.

Wintersett 06.09.12

Wintersett Res: Garganey 1  adult male in eclipse plumage, Wigeon 6 flew west, Willow Warbler 1 male,  Little Grebe 4,  Siskin 4 went south, Grey Wagtail 1 went south + 1 CHRes,  Yellow Wagtail 3 flew over  + 1 ringed. Also ringed today were: Garden Warbler 2, Blackcap 6, Chiffchaff 7, Reed Warbler 5 and Sedge Warbler 4.
Old Royston Flash this morning: Greenshank 1

Stox Gos

Stocksbridge - 1 juvenile male Goshawk drifted west at 10:15hrs.

All quiet

Only made Broomhill and Wombwell today but Old Moor well covered also.

Highlights:

Broomhill Flash: Black-necked Grebe, Hobby.

Wombwell Ings: 4 Greenshank.

Old Moor 2 Garganey

Scout Dike & Royd Moor

Scout Dike Reservoir - 5 Mallard, 3 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little Grebe + 2 young, 2 Great Crested Grebes + 2 young, 5 Moorhens and 8 Coot.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 84 Greylag Geese, 56 Canada Geese, 14 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes + 2 young, 3 Moorhen, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Whitethroat.

Dragonflies - 1 Common Hawker & 1 Common Darter (both RMR).
Butterflies - 1 Small Skipper, 3 Large Whites, 1 Small Copper (SDR), 6 Small Tortoiseshells, 13 Peacocks, 4 Speckled Woods, 2 Gatekeepers, 2 Meadow Browns and 2 Small Heaths (most RMR).

Ewden Valley/Dukes Road

Black Grouse 1 male, Buzzard 6, Kestrel 2, Raven 3, Wheatear 5, Stonechat 3, Whinchat 2, Swallow c20, - Whitwell wood - Nuthatch 1, Siskin 4.

Wintersett 05.09.12

Mostly clear blue sky with a cool north west wind but warm in the sun.
Anglers CP: Grass cutting yesterday flushed many of the ducks but the male eclipse Garganey was on shallows in front of main hide this afternoon.  Cormorant 20, Shoveler 35,  Kingfisher 1, Whitethroat 1, Willow Warbler 1.
Wintersett Res: Pochard 28, Yellow Wagtail 2 flew over + 1 over ACP.  A Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Willow Warblers were ringed today.
Also flying: Holly Blue butterfly 2, Silver Y moth 1.
TUFTED DUCKS: A total of 614 in area.    (446 CHRes, 89 WRes, 79 ACP)

Evening Update Wintersett 04.09.12

Cold Hiendley Res: LONG-EARED OWL at dusk.
Wintersett Res: Lesser Black-backed Gull 193
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 7, Snipe 1.

2nite

Old Moor:  3 Garganey , 38 Golden Plovers,14 Green Sandpipers, 6 Black Tailed Godwits, 6 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank (ads), 5 Snipe. 3 Common Sandpiper. 

Juvenile Greenshank on The Wader Scrape - photo Jim Thompson and his new toy!

Broomhill Flash: Black n Grebe

Ings News

Wombwell Ings mid morning-Birds present included 2 Cormorant, 350 + Canada Geese, 15 Greylag Geese, 4 Mute Swan + 5 cygnets, 19 Mallard, 16 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 17 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 150 + Lapwing, 4 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, a flock of 40+ Goldfinch, 3 Bullfinch and 1 Great Spot Woodpecker.

Bolton Ings late morning- Birds included 3 Mute Swan and 5 cygnets, 14 Tufted Duck, 37  Gadwall, 14 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, 18 Cormorant, 7 Great Crested Grebe + 2 young, 16 Little Grebe + 2 young, 1 Kestrel and 1 LBB Gull.

Wath Ings mid afternoon- 14 Green Sandpiper, 37 Golden Plover, 5 Black Tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 3 Snipe. 2 Common Sandpiper + 1 Dunlin on Waderscrape.

Cawthorne 4.9.2012

Two juv Hobby at Cawthorne around mid-day, later seen over Hugset Wood, viewable from Norcroft Lane. Two Buzzards also.

 

 

 

 

Edderthorpe Flash 4-9-2012

Morning visit,3 Pintail, 1 Black-Tailed Godwit, 7 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 145 Lapwing, 11 Wigeon, also good numbers of Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler.

Wintersett 04.09.12

Wintersett  Res: The drake eclipse Garganey is still in the north west corner.  Wigeon 19, Pochard 20, Shoveler 8. 
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 5 
Anglers CP:  Pintail 2 flew in at 09.17 hrs and 1 adult eclipse male still here.  Teal 6. Little Grebe 1 adult and 2 very small young.
Also flying today: Small Copper 1, Common Blue 1, Meadow Brown, Peacock butterfliee and a Silver Y moth.

Reduction of golden plover numbers in the Dearne Valley.

Golden plover is probably the most important species that occur in the Dearne Valley as their numbers often exceed internationally important threshold levels.

However, there has been a large percentage decrease in golden plovers using the Dearne Valley in the last few years.

A theory has been suggested that it's a direct result of the new wind turbines at Marr.
But could the reduction be due to the wet summers we have been having over this last few years? This has delayed crops being harvested and subsequently fields have not been ploughed. The consequence of unploughed fields has reduced the amount of available foraging areas for golden plovers at a time of year when golden plovers are moving into the Dearne Valley.

 

this eve

Old Moor highlights: 2+ Garganey , Water Rail ad, Hobby, 2 Buzzards, 19 Golden Plover, 7 Ruff, 10 Green Sands, 4 Greenshank, 2+ Spot Reds, 6 Black-t Godwits 

Broomhill this evening. Black-necked Grebe,  6 Pochard, 127 Gadwall, 26 Shoveler, 38 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 10 Cormorants, 1 Green Sand. Don't count on much being on there tomorrow morning, the bastards started shooting just before dark.

Wintersett 03.09.12

Highlight today: An adult male GARGANEY  in eclipse plumage in the north west corner of Wintersett Res. mid afternoon.
Vis Mig: The following birds were all moving south early this morning.  Siskin 15,  Meadow Pipit 43, alba Wagtail 7, Chaffinch 5,  Goldfinch 4, Reed Bunting 1.
Anglers CP: An adult male Peregrine out hunting then left north at 07.28hrs.  Little Grebe 13 + 2 very small young. Teal 2, Shelduck 1 juv. and  Pintail 1 adult male in eclipse.  A Green Sandpiper flew south west and 146 Lesser Black -backed Gulls and an adult Herring Gull were bathing mid afternoon. A Red Admiral butterfly was also seen.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1, Swift 2, Little Grebe 5. The following birds were ringed this morning.Willow Warbler 2,  Reed Warbler 2,  Whitethroat 1 and Goldcrest 2.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 5,  Green Sandpiper 1.

Broadstone & Ingbirchworth

Broadstone Reservoir - c30 Goldfinches.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 57 Mallards, 15 Tufted Ducks, 5 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 7 Coots.

Mammals - 1 Brown Hare (BR).

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid morning- Birds present included 8 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Wigeon, 5+ Shoveler, 45+ Teal, 88 Gadwall, 5 Pochard,11 Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 3 Kestrel, 4 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron and 1 LBB Gull.

Bolton Ings late morning- Birds present included 11 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 25 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 18 Little Grebe,  6 adult and 2 young Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 LBB Gull, 10+ Sand Martin and 1Spotted Redshank.

Monday 3- 9-12

Cawthorne- Hobby 3 juvs still present, adults presumed to have departed.    
Midhope, Low moor- Raven 1, Curlew4, Crossbill 1+, Hobby1 hawking over thickwoods, langsett res.
Ewden, shooting lodge- Raven 10+, Red Kite 1, Buzzard 8, Kestrel 6, Tree Pipit 1 s. calling, most of the chats from yesterday still pres.










                                                            

ur lee eve

Much the same at Old Moor this evening. Highlights: Garganey 3, Spotted Redshank 3 (2 adults), Ruff 5 + Marsh Harrier seen earlier over 'goldie fields'.

Broomhead Shooting Cabin 02/09/12

Had a decent afternoon with the 'Upland Tyke' today beside the shooting cabin ..

Seen today were ..

A juvenile peregrine, c6 kestrels, c6 common buzzards, 3 ravens (plus a possible 4th bird as we went back to the cars), 3 stonechats + 3 whinchats seen just before the 's' bend before you reach the cabin .. Good sized flocks of hirundines and mipits and then a great finish with an osprey which headed South at 5:03 approx .. A cream-crown marsh harrier was reported earlier on in the morning before we arrived ..

 

More Hall & Broomhead

More Hall Reservoir - 1 Canada Goose, 89 Mallards,1 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants and 2 Moorhens.
Broomhead Reservoir - c20 Siskins.
Whitwell, Stocksbridge - c200 Rooks.

Wintersett a.m. 2.09.12

Anglers CP Highlights: A  SHORT-EARED OWL ,  in wing moult and tailless, flew around high up while being  mobbed by corvids at 11.06.  It dropped into a grass field north of the lake at 11.15 hrs.  A Hobby was seen at 10.30 and a Shelduck flew in at 10.55hrs. 
Also here: Wigeon 16, Shoveler 37,Teal 3, Swift 1 and  Little Grebe with 2 very small young. Male Brimstone butterfly.
Wintersett Res: Grey Partridge 1 adult + 2 juveniles.   Willow Warbler 5 ringed,  Chiffchaff 7 ringed, Whitethroat 3 ringed, Blackcap 1 ringed.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 7.

early numbers

Broomhill Flash: Black-necked Grebe

Old Moor: Garganey 2, Hobby, Spotted Redshank 3, Greenshank 5, Ruff 3, Black t Godwit 6, Green Sand 12, Com Sand 6, Snipe 8.

Ewden Height

Single male Black Grouse + 10+ Red

Omission from yesterday

It wasn't just a good walk yesterday. There was a male Black Grouse in conifers at Spring Moor, Midhope Reservoir.

Gull numbers up

Langsett Reservoir - 19 Canada Geese, 62 Mallards, 17 Tufted Ducks and 1 Grey Heron.  Gull roost - 75 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Common Gulls, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and 723 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Wintersett 01.09.12

 Anglers CP Highlights: Pintail 1 female flew in from WRes., Tree Pipit 1 went south at 09.27hrs, Black-tailed Godwit 3 flew south at 10.53,  Ringed Plover 3 west at 11.17, Herring Gull 1 adult west,  Hobby at 11.25 and a 2nd winter Med. Gull flew in from the south and landed on the lake at 15.22 before leaving NE at 15.35hrs.
Also here: Mallard 81,Shoveler 27 + 7 WRes., Little Grebe 7 + 2 very small young, Cormorant 16, Buzzard 6,  Grey Heron 3,  Teal 2, Swift 6, Yellow Wagtail 1,
Wintersett Res:Wigeon 5 + 1 ACP,  Pochard 27, Common Sandpiper 1 + 1 went south ACP,
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 4,  Green Sandpiper 1, Yellow Wagtail 1.
Butterflies seen today: Purple Hairstreak, Male Brimstone, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Green-veined White, Large White and Speckled Wood.

Wombwell Ings

Evening visit: Mallard 30, Gadwall 133, Wigeon 10, Teal 6, Garganey 1, Shoveler 12, Pochard 10, Greenshank 3, Snipe 4, Kingfisher 1, Chiffchaff 1.

1-9-12

3+ hobbys still, cawthorne, sometimes showing well hunting fields.

Mid-morning

Broomhill Flash: Black-necked Grebe.



Old Moor: 1 Garganey, 16 Pintail (Mere), 4 Greenshank , 3 Spotted Redshank (2 ads, 1 juv), 12 Green Sands, 3 Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwits.