Wednesday 31 October 2012

Rabbit Ings

3 Short Eared Owls this evening at approximately 4:30pm.  We had been seeing the odd one and then 2 from about 4pm then we saw 3 together at the same time.  (Mick Birkinshaw, Angie Smith & Chris Sayer)

Chinese puzzle?

A pair of Mandarins on Gunthwaite Dam (per Dave Standring).

Nothing to add to the excellent record of 2 Melins at Broomhill except a reminder to the BTO et al below.

FJ is still around some eight months after we reported it and we still don't know for sure where it's from. So much for computerization! 
FJ the Little Egret - both photos Keith Pickering

Magic on the Edge

An audience in Broomhill Hide was enthralled by the show put on, at 10.50am, by a Merlin as it pursued its' passerine prey over the eastern end of Wombwell Ings. Just as the LBJ seemed to make its' escape into cover another Merlin joined the chase but the end of this high drama was not seen as all three birds disappeared into the trees( the wings ?). The supporting cast on Broomhill Flash included 12 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 5  Mute Swan, 30 Gadwall, 28 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 3+ Snipe, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and a flock of c50 Fieldfare.

Bolton Ings Late AM- A flock of c500 Golden Plover flew overhead  as we walked onto the western end of Bolton Ings. On the open water were 18 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan+4 Juv, 80+ Greylag, 35 Pochard,  33 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Duck, 10 Shoveler, 1 Goldeneye, and 11 Common Gull. Also present were 3+ Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green  Woodpecker, several Fieldfare and Redwing flocks,1 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. As we walked off Bolton, a brief view of a Buzzard provided a fine end to a good raptor day.

Wintersett 31.10.12

Cool and grey with stiff southerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  American Wigeon  1 drake,   Common Scoter 1 female/immature  Egyptian Goose 3.
Wintersett - Botany Bay:  Scaup 1 female/immature.

Underbank

Underbank Reservoir - 42 Mallards, 15 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Moorhens and 2 Coots (unusual here at this time of the year).

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Pink-feet

Ewden Height - c1,000 Pink-footed Geese E at 08:10hrs. Initially in one broken group, but forming multiple skeins after passing over the Stocksbridge bypass. Also 1,260 Woodpigeon S/SW per Dave Woodriff.

Snippets

Old Moor: A Bittern was seen in flight at the Reedbeds today.

Broomhill Flash: Little Egret, 70 Pink-feet over.

Adwick Wash: Little Egret, Shelduck.

The Fieldfares are arriving in decent numbers now, but there's plenty of fodder to go at!
Jim Thompson

Wintersett 30.10.12

Anglers CP: Common Scoter 1 juv.  Egyptian Goose 3.   A Brambling was on the feeders in the car park.
Wintersett Botany Bay: American Wigeon,  Scaup 1 female/immature.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Birds present included 5 Mute Swan, 27 Gadwall, 21 Tufted Duck, 7 Teal, 5 Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 5 Common Gull,1 LBB Gull, 2 Kestrel, 15 Fieldfare and 6 Grey Partridge.

Bolton Ings late AM- On the open water were 23 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron,  3 Mute Swan+3juvs, 35 Gadwall, 32 Pochard, 16 Tufted Duck,  9 Shoveler, 2 Goldeneye(1f+1m), 5 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrel, 5+ Jay and several flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing.

Monday 29 October 2012

Rabbit Ings

E mail from Mick Birkinshaw.

I did my last drive round this afternoon and saw 2 possibly 3 Short Eared Owls, 2 grappling with each other and flying over my head very close. One made a cat like chiaow nose as it flew over me, the other one I couldn't confirm as a 3rd  but very likely! This was on the north bank.

I then drove round to the south side and saw 2 perched on the fence posts, I immediately drove to the north that fast, time, space, continuum shifted and I got there before I set off!  I saw 2 owls grappling again and returned as fast back to the south side and one owl was sat on the same fence post and one flew over my head with a vole, this flew in from the south, so this confirmed 4 Short Eared's possibly 5!

This all happened in broad daylight, and as I was driving about and getting out to walk, owls were flying over my head, and in the distance, it seemed that there were many more owls, but could be that 4 or 5 were just moving about so much!

Carlton Marsh

On my way down this afternoon Dave Smith called me to say there was a diminutive Canada Goose on the scrape. It was very small and compact with a short neck and small, dainty bill which, closely resembles Cackling Goose. (Branta hudsonii) The light was fading and we only had our phone cameras.

Also present Kingfisher, c150 Redwings, 2 Tawny & 1 Little Owl calling at dusk.
A Short Eared Owl was hunting over the old Carlton Pit site yesterday at dusk. (Phil Sharpe)

Wintersett 29.10.12

Anglers CP Vis Mig: Starling 3170 WNW,   Fieldfare 200W,   Redwing 21W,   Brambling  9W.
Also present:  Common Scoter 3 female/immature,  Eygptian Goose 1, Goosander 1 male eclipse, Pintail 1.
Wintersett Res: SWALLOW 1 S
Botany Bay: American Wigeon,  Scaup 1 female/immature. 

update

Additions for Broadstone Res. of 12+ Wigeon and a covey of 6 Grey Partridge - per HBC website.

First posting?

Gunthwaite Dam - 1+ Little Grebe, 1 Green Sandpiper, and 1 Kingfisher per David Pennington

Green Sandpiper at Gunthwaite Dam photo David Pennington

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Barn Owl seen early am quartering back field . Also present were 1 Little Egret, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 32 Gadwall, 27 Tufted Duck,8 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Owl, 3 Common Gull, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 50+ Fieldfare and 1 Swallow.

Bolton Ings late AM- On the open water were 7 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe.1 Great Crested, 2 Mute Swan+3 juvs, 65+ Greylag, 32 Gadwall, 29 Tufted Duck, 21 Pochard, 15 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 5 LBB Gull and 9 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Wagtail, large numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare, 6+ Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and Golden Plover( flyover flocks of 22, 21 and 10.)

Adwick Washlands midday

Looking great but still no sign of any seatage. Pretty much the same as Ken but also Little Grebe 2, Mute Swan 6 + 1juv, Peregrine 2, Kingfisher 1, Fieldfare at least 550 mainly coming in from north and leaving south,

Upland/Moorland round-up

Winscar Reservoir - 2 Canada Geese and 88 Mallards.
Broadstone Reservoir - 93 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 4 Common Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, c20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Ravem and c100 Fieldfares.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Canada Geese, 24 Mallards, 7 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 11 Coots and 2 Moorhens.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 17 Greylag Geese, 6 Mallards, 4 Wigeon, 4 (2 drakes) Goldeneyes and 2 Cormorants.
Royd Moor Hill - 1 Short-eared Owl.
Langsett Reservoir - 11 Canada Geese and 2 Great Crested Grebes (unusual here).
Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 150+ Fieldfares.

Adwick Washlands (am)

Cormorant 4, Grey Heron 2, Litle Egret 1, Curlew 1 nw, Lapwing c50, Snipe 2, Peregrine 1juv, Kestrel 2, Fieldfare c450, Redwing c150, Grey Partridge 6, Skylark 12, Starling 80, Grey Wagtail 1, Tree Sparrow 1 (Ken F. and J. Little)
Early morning visit to Old Moor, highlights: Goldeneye 4 Mere, Golden Plover c2,000, Redshank 1, Green Sand 1, Dunlin 2, Great S Woodpecker 3 Themed Area, Golcrest 2 and plenty of Fieldfares and Redwings.

News from Broomhill (Seev): Little Egret 1, Swallow 1

Sunday 28 October 2012

Bolton Ings - 28th October

Felt quite mild this morning at 10c with little wind. Started off well with c60 Redwings feeding in bushes, also 3 Fieldfares. On the open water were 71 Pochard, a very good count and the most I have ever seen. The limping Oystercatcher was still present and a Little Egret dropped in. Full list as follows:- Grey Heron 5, Little Egret 1, Mute Swan 10, Canada Goose 234, Grey Lag Goose 24, Cormorant 6, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 2, Mallard 16, Gadwall 29, Teal 2, Shoveler 8, Tufted Duck 28, Pochard 71, Coot 218, Moorhen 4, Lapwing 6, Oystercatcher 1, Black Headed Gull 44, LBB Gull 6, Common Gull 10, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Kingfisher 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Jay 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Redwing c60, Fieldfare 3.

Other news, Pink Footed Goose 50 east, Fieldfare 650 west, Redwing 450 west, Starling 1100 west, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Green Woodpecker 2, Red Legged Partridge 21.

Carlton Marsh

This morning - Goosander, Buzzard, Cormorant, 2 Kingfishers & Little Owl. (D. Standish)

Rabbit Ings
Stonechat & 2 Short Eared Owls at dusk. (M. Birkinshaw) Another record shot of Short Eared Owl & Stonechat kindly supplied by Claire & Chris Wright.



BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP

The Winter programme of Bird Meetings start again this coming Thursday 1st November and all are welcome. The Meet is at Old Moor RSPB in the centre and begins promptly at 7.15pm. There is a £2.50 cover charge to help offset the facilities, speaker and interval refreshments.
Thursdays guest is Andy Hurst who will be speaking about his local patch of SK58 near Sheffield. 

Wintersett round-up

Another good day here at the res, the highlight being the Velvet Scoters below but there was also;- Egyptian Goose 3, American Wigeon 1 adult drake very close views feeding on Botany Bay at one time just a yard from a juvenile Scaup, Shelduck 8, Pintail 2, Common Scoter 1 juv CP, Goosander 3, Peregrine 1 juv, Water Rail at least 5 present,
And viz-mig highlights;- Pink-feet 88 in 2 skeins east, Dunlin 6 in total, Swallow 1, Fieldfare 1930 west, Redwing 2050 west, Starling 2350 west, Brambling 39 west, Crossbill 2 west,

Velvets at Wintersett 28.10.12

Another brilliant Vis. Mig watch at Anglers CP:   7000 + birds.
After an 11 year gap  (Oct 2001) there was great joy as a  pair of Velvet Scoter dropped in at 10.30, swam around  and then left south at 10.41. 
Velvet Scoter                              P Meredith

Velvet Scoter - Drake                           P Meredith

Velvet Scoter - female                                P Meredith

Saturday 27 October 2012

Old Moor/Broomhill area

News from Dave Waddington;-
The Great Grey Shrike was still present in the same area as yesterday (near Broomhill park) but despite being looked for most of the day it was only seen briefly in flight by one observer and it then promptly disappeared! A Hawfinch was also seen by a single observer near the Cormorant hide overlooking Bolton Ings before that also did a disappearing act - it was then seen again some hours later by the original observer close to Darfield sewage farm but again moved on quickly before anyone else could enjoy it.
Other birds not so fussy who saw them included;- Whooper Swan on Bolton Ings, 120 Pink-feet flying north, Little Egret 3 around the area, Redwing 1200, Fieldfare 700, Swallow 1 and Blackcap 1.

Carlton Marsh

Morning - Kingfisher, 2 Mute Swan, 5 Lapwing north, 2 Great Spot Woodpeckers, 20 Long tailed Tits, c150 Redwing, 175 Fielfare, 6 Siskin & 6 Redpoll. (D. M. Smith)

Mid-day Jay 3, 19 Gadwall & Buzzard. Also 1 male Migrant Hawker, 1 male Common Darter & 1 Comma.
Mid- afternoon Red Admiral (K. Bannister)

Low Cudworth
Ring-necked Parakeet on garden nut feeder & 4 Buzzards overhead. (Z. Golebewski) 

Rabbit Ings
Male Stonechat was still showing well & 2 Short Eared Owls were hunting at 17.30hrs as c100 Pink Feet Geese flew east. (R. Dye, D. Standish)

Wintery Wintersett

0.5 degrees at dawn and a freezing northerly wind blasting us head-on up on the viz-migging hill. Whooper Swan 7 on the top res at dawn and a further 2 dropped on to the park lake at 07.30. Pink-feet 150 west and 43 east, Egyptian Goose 3 on CP, Pintail 1, Scaup 1 on Botany Bay (fantastic views), Common Scoter 1 juv on CP, American Wigeon drake in NE corner of top res (very close views from road), Redshank 1, Jackdaw at least 1200 left the Haw Park roost at dawn, Water Rail 2.
And highlights of the vis-mig counts;- Golden Plover 39, Great Crested Grebe 1 high south!, Wood Pigeon 3900 south, Redwing 1215, Fieldfare 260, Swallow 1, Jay 10, Buzzard 2south + 6 locals, Skylark 8,
And finally insects;- Migrant Hawker 2, Common Darter 2, Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 1.

Wintersett 27.10.12

Ice on windscreen this morning. 2 degrees.   Sunny but freezing  wind. Good for walking - uncomfortable for Vis Mig.  I guess Graham will post final totals when he thaws out.

Anglers CP : Jackdaw 1200 leaving north from roost.  Whooper Swan 2 + 7 WRes. Common Scoter 1 juv., Egyptian Goose 3,  Goosander 1,  SWALLOW 1 west at 10.40 hrs,  Pink-footed Goose 42 E + 150N.
Wintersett Res: American Wigeon drake in NE corner.  Water Rail 3.  Scaup 1 female/immature on Botany Bay.    Also flying this afternoon in sunny patches - Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Common Darter and 2 Migrant Hawkers.

Another Whooper

Winscar Reservoir - 1 adult Whooper Swan - per Nick Mallinson.

Bits 'n' Bobs

Elsecar Reservoir - 68 Mallards, 3 Tufted Ducks, 8 Great Crested Grebes and 11 Coots.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 adult Whooper Swans (had beeen on Broadstone Reservoir earlier), 4 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 7 Coots, c50 Black-headed Gulls and c10 Common Gulls.
Annat Royd Lane - c300 Jackdaws with Rooks (c20) and Carrion Crows (c10).

Friday 26 October 2012

Carlton Marsh

Dusk - Tawny Owl & Water Rail calling. Jay 3 + 1 high south & c150 Redwing in to roost.

Like just about everywhere else the invasion of Fieldfare and Redwing was very noticeable in Cudworth this morning with c200 Fieldfare north over my home and more of both species over Storrs Mill Wood.  At the latter site c70 Pink Feet Geese flew north at 11.50hrs.

Ferrymoor Flash
Female Goldenye & Kingfisher (Keith Bannister)

Cudworth Common
c200 Fieldfare (KB) 

Knowing when to cheer

All these migrants flooding into the country from the continent with a fantastic number of birds grounded on the east coast - only to find that these are the lucky ones as thousands upon thousands of birds are found dead in the sea along the east and south coasts (see Birdguides article).

Are birders being wise when they celebrate 'falls' of birds such as these?

A Great Grey day!

A black day, eventually got greyer when a Great Grey Shrike flew low over the Dearne Valley Parkway towards Broomhill Park before seemingly veering off towards bushes along the 'Old Green Sand dyke'. This was at about 3.30 pm but despite extensive searching it was surprisingly not seen again. Hopefully tomorrow? Lots of Fieldfares and lesser numbers of Redwings in bushes as well as 3 Goldcrests. Birds at Old Moor included 3 Whoopers new in + a Rock Pipit through as well as at least one skein of Pinks. A Peregrine was over Bolton whilst birds at Broomhill included 3 Little Egrets, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl and 3 Goldeneye. There may also have been a 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier in the rushes at the back again today, although this report could possibly relate to photos taken of the one there the other day.

The Whoopers at Old Moor today - Keith Pickering
Keith Pickering

Phew! Wintersett 26.10.12

Phew!  Not the weather, (which was very very cold - 4 degrees and cloudy), but the number of birds we had to count this morning.   16000+ flew through and made for another brilliant vis mig watch on Anglers CP  Hill.
Wood Pigeon  10,000,      Fieldfare  2,100 n/NW + 60 E,    Redwing 1670 N/NW + 1800 NE.
Starling 275 NW,  Pink-footed Goose  44 NE/E,    Swallow 1 S,    Rock Pipit 1 SW heard at 09.17hrs.
At 11.45 the watch was nicely finished off with the appearance of 2 c/c Marsh Harriers that flew in and then did a u-turn and left high north.  One was very distinctive with pale tawny upper wing coverts. They were probably birds from Swillington Ings.
Also at Anglers:  American Wigeon 1 drake, Egyptian Goose 3,  Goldeneye 18 + 3 WRes,  Comorant 35, Water Rail 1.
Wintersett Res:  Pintail 3 female,  Teal 3.   A late find was a SCAUP female/immature on Botany Bay.
An excellent day all round!  

Thursday 25 October 2012

Calrton Marsh Update

E- mail from Mick Birkinshaw.
I was on the disused H & B Railway line on the reserve, I stopped at a gap in the trees overlooking high ground to to the east, when at 5:15pm a Short Eared Owl flew in from the south heading north, it started to circle round as if ready to drop on the field, the bit that isn't ploughed, but was mobbed by crows and started to climb and continue north, as it got higher a passing gull thought it too would have a go along with the crows. It went over the houses and headed north high up.
This would tie in with me seeing one come into Rabbit Ings from the south up high the other night, also a dog walker said they had seen 2 come in from the south!
Could the Broomhill birds be commuting between the two sites?
Rabbit Ings
The male Stonechat was seen again today around a small pond at the base of the southern end of the reserve not far from Mick's office. (Ray Dye)
White Cross Road, Cudworth
At 16.15hrs an unringed Ring Necked Parakeet spent about 5 minutes in an apple tree in Les Corral's garden.

LDV bits

Old Moor: two skeins Pink-feet through totaling about 170.

Adwick: Little Eget,150 Pink's through, Shelduck, c20 Snipe

Wintersett 25.10.12

A much clearer but colder day today.  A continuous passage of thrushes made for an excellent watch with 10,000+  birds going over!
Anglers CP Vis Mig Highlights:
Most birds going North West unless stated.  (See full details on Trektellen.org)
REDWING  5340,   FIELDFARE  3040,   Starling 780,  Wood Pigeon 770 W, 
Pink-footed Goose 290,  Whooper Swan 10 ( 8 SE - 7 adults, 1juv. at 11.37 and 2 S at 15.23hrs),  Merlin 1 S at 14.45,
Brambling 2 W,  Crossbill 2 NW,    Swallow 8 S.
Also present: American Wigeon 1 drake,  Egyptian Goose 3.

Carlton Marsh

Morning - Female Goosander on Bleachcroft Pond (K. Bannister) Kingfisher 2, Redpoll 20 +, Siskin 10, Yellow Bunting 2, Fieldfare 50, Redwing c60, Starlings 25 north, Great Spot Wood pecker, Canada Geese 8 SE, Meadow Pipit 2 + 1 south, Jay 2 + 1 high, south and 2 Common Gulls north.

Carlton Community School pupils were applying stain to infrastructure in the car park area (doing a good job too)
Trevor Mayne was looking for crayfish on the dike.

Lowland Raven

Tankersley - 1 Raven.
Elsecar Reservoir - 63 Mallards, 3 Gadwalls, 1 Tufted Duck, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Coots and 3 Moorhens.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Birds seen included 2 Mute Swan, 36 Greylag, 34 Gadwall, 20 Tufted Duck, 10 Shoveler, 3 Pochard,10 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Great crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Little Owl. A Short Eared Owl was seen late AM.

Bolton Ings late AM- On the open water were 4 Mute Swan +2 juv, 80+ Greylag, 34 Mallard, 29 Pochard, 24 Gadwall, 19 Tufted, 5 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 8 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 8 Little Grebe, 5 Great crested Grebe and 1 LBB Gull.. Also noted were 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 4+ Jay, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Mistle Thrush.

Wombwell Ings early PM- On the open water were 45 Wigeon, 28 Mallard, 15 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 3 Tufted, 1 female Goldeneye,1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret and 1 Cormorant,. Also present were 120+ Lapwing, 10 Skylark, 2 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Quelle Surprise! Wintersett 24.10.12

After a very long muddy walk this morning Pete was surprised when he opened his car and found a pristine Merveille du Jour mothThe moth trap hasn't been put out since Saturday!  He placed the moth on a tree where it immediately tried, but failed,  to find food.  After a dash to the centre to procure sugar to make a solution to feed it, the moth was recaught and placed back in the car where it fed vigorously before falling asleep with its proboscis still in the solution. It was released onto a tree an hour later.
(Insert expletive! How did I miss this? PS)    Merveille du Jour

Sluuuuuuuuurp!                 Merveille du Jour

Zz z z z z z z z z z z z z!              Merveille du Jour 

Cold Hiendley Res: WHOOPER SWAN - 7 flew east (4 juvs) at 12.02hrs. 
Anglers CP:  Golden Plover 1,  Drake American Wigeon, Egyptian Goose 3,  Goosander 1 adult male in eclipse,  Teal 3.
Old Royston Flash:  Snipe 1,  Mallard 16.
Wintersett Res:  60 Redwing grounded.   Chiffchaff  1 near boathouse.

Carlton Marsh

Through the mist this morning came 25 + 15 Fieldfares west & c250 Redwings some dropping in others heading west or s. west. There were also 40 Mallards, 1 Teal, 2 Gadwall, c40 Redpolls, and small groups of Goldfinches & Siskins flying around. 41 Canada Geese came in off the fields & 3 Common Gulls flew north. Kingfisher, Treecreeper, 2 Water Rails, 2 Goldcrests & a Coal Tit were present. 

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Another murky but mild morning. Birds present included 2 Mute Swan, 39 Gadwall, 29 Tufted Duck, 8 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 2 Pochard,2 Wigeon, 6 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 3 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Kestrel. The Old Moor cc Marsh Harrier flew over Broomhill at 11.20 AM.
NB The 2 Black Swans on Little Broomhill are part of the owner's growing menagerie.

Bolton Ings late AM- On the open water were 3 Mute Swan +1 juv, 48 Mallard, 26 Gadwall, 13 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 3 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 3 Grey Heron, 8 Cormorant, 6 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe and 6 Common Gull. Along the old railway track birds noted included 50+ Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 4+ Jay, 4+ Bullfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Willow Tit and 2 Kestrel.

Old Moor Wetlands 24-10-2012

This morning, Female Marsh Harrier, plus 4000+ Golden Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 2 Goosander and 6 Snipe

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Carlton Marsh

Misty but mild. This morning 50 Redwing, 20 Redpoll & c50 Siskin. (J. Plant)
This afternoon " Redwing 2 + 18 + 14 SW with 1 Fieldfare.

Fungi - Verdigris Agaric, (Stropharia aeruginosa) Clouded Agaric (Clitocybe nebularis) Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) Jews Ear (Auricula -judae) & Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes)

Rabbit Ings
Several observers convened this evening to try and ascertain just how many Short Eared Owls are present. Unconfirmed reports to Mick Birkinshaw of 3 or 4 have been received by members of the public walking the site. However, on the evidence so far only 2 were seen together tonight, but it is possible that there is one more?  (Mick Birkinshaw, Chris Sayer, Ian Bradfield, Dave Cooke, Ray Dye & me)

Also noted were 8 Grey Partridge, c20 Goldfinch, 2 Kestrels, 15 Starlings & 2 Pipistrelle Bats. c200 Canada Geese were in a stubble field on the north side.

Wintersett 23.10.12

Misty, damp and grey again.   
Anglers CP Vis Mig Highlights: All birds flying west unless stated.
Redwing 354,   Fieldfare 58,  Brambling 4,  Starling 20,  Chaffinch 5 and Siskin 1 W + 1 ACP.  Golden Plover  1 flew over.
Also here:Drake American Wigeon,  Egyptian Goose 3,  Goosander 3,  Teal 6. 
Wintersett Res: Canada Goose 202

The Edge of Old Moor

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Another murky morning with visibility getting worse as mist gradually drifted in. Present were 2 Mute Swan, 36 Tufted Duck, 36 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon,  1 Grey Heron, 8 Cormorant, 8 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 4 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe and 1 Kestrel. Jim Thompson noted 2 Black Swan on Little Broomhill late AM and they were still present at 2pm.

Bolton Ings late AM- Influx of winter thrushes today with a flock of 20+ Redwing, a flock of 15 Fieldfare and a mixed flock of 50+. On the open water were 3 Mute Swan and 5 juv, 30+ Gadwall, 26 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 1  female Goldeneye, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, 10 Cormorant and 1 Grey Heron. Also noted were 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 + Greenwoodpecker, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 3+ Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Oystercatcher and a flock of 50+ Redpoll.

LDV update

Another calm and murky day. Highlights - Old Moor: 2 Short-eared Owls, Ringed Plover, Brambling 'over'.
Broomhill Flash: Short-eared Owl on fence by allotments this evening then flew to Wombwell Ings.

Monday 22 October 2012

Rabbit Ings

 At least 2 Short Eared Owls hunting during the day (Mick Birkinshaw)

Wintersett 22.10.12

Not a great deal to report on this damp, drizzly, grey day.
Anglers CP: American Wigeon 1 drake,  Egyptian Goose 3, Goosander 1 male in eclipse and Yellow-legged Gull 1 2nd winter.
Wintersett Res: Chiffchaff 1.

Old Moor update

Update this evening (Chris Harris + Dave Waddington): Drake Common Scoter flew towards Bolton Ings 13.05 and probably landed. 1500 Golden Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Green Sands, Redshank.

Whooper

Winscar Reservoir - Whooper Swan present to 17:30hrs at least - per HBC website.

A few weekend bits

Quiet on the moors, for me anyway. saturday 20th - ewden, towards margery hill 2 ravens, sunday 21st., 4+ party of stonechats just left of entrance gate to stone circle track, with 100 ish pinkfeet over at 1-20 pm. going west.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM-  Visible through the murky conditions were Mute Swan, 23 Gadwall, 29 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 3 Little Egret, 4 Cormorant, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Common Gull, 1 Lbb Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk and 6+ Skylark.

Wombwell Ings late AM- Birds present included 2 Grey Wagtail, 10 + Pied Wagtail, 2 Kingfisher, 2+ Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cormorant, 3 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover, 30+ Wigeon, 30 + Mallard, 20+ Gadwall, 10+ Shoveler and a flock of 10+ Long Tailed Tit.

stop press:

Old Moor: Common Scoter on Mere.

Sunday 21 October 2012

Bolton Ings - 21st October

After the mist had cleared at 10 oclock another glorious day seemed set in although on the cool side at 8c. However it didnt last and the mist soon returned and stayed for rest of day. Quiet again birdwise, the limping Oystercatcher still present and I finally managed to see a Goldcrest on Warbler Way. All the Geese were on the Islands this week and were impossible to count accurately, I counted 17 Pochard but 38 had been present earlier, a good count. Full list - Grey Heron 4, Mute Swan 9, Canada Goose 144, Grey Lag Goose 85, Cormorant 6, Great Crested Grebe 7, Little Grebe 14, Mallard 8, Teal 4, Gadwall 49, Shoveler 11, Tufted Duck 37, Pochard 17, Coot 221, Moorhen 11, Oystercatcher 1, Snipe 2, Lapwing 2, Black Headed Gull 43, Common Gull 10, LBB Gull 3, Herring Gull 1, Kestrel 1, Kingfisher 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Goldcrest 1, Green Woodpecker 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Jay 5 all moving south.

I called in at Broomhill and counted the Geese in the field, Canadas 204 and Grey Lags 84.

A few extra bits from yesterday, 4 Little Egrets, 2 on Wombwell Ings and 2 on Wader Scrape (inc. colour ringed bird) at same time. Short Eared Owl on Wombwell Ings and Little Owl at Broomhill. 153 Jackdaws flew west to roost and at least 20 Jays flew south. 4 Green Sandpipers on the Main Marsh and a redhead Goosander on the mere.

Mick's bits

Smallshaw, Hazelhead - 300+ large gulls including 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (1 second-winter & 1 adult) and 1 third-winter Herring Gull. Also 2 Curlews dropped into same field.

Flouch Inn - c130 Pink-footed Geese.

Winscar Reservoir - 1 adult Whooper Swan still present at 17:30hrs.

All records per Mick Cunningham.

Mist and seen

A few birds sighted today between the spells of mist - Old Moor: Pink-footed Goose 78 south, Golden Plover c4,000. Broomhill: Short-eared Owl. Wombwell Ings: 2 Little Egrets, 10 Snipe. Area: 5 Great s Woodpeckers, c25 Goldcrests, Tree Creeper.

Wintersett 21.10.12

Anglers CP Vis. Mig. Crossbill 2 W at 07.45.Pink-footed Goose 40 W. Snipe 14 flew in and then left south. Fog rolled in and stopped play. Also here. American Wigeon drake. Egyptian Goose 3. Goosander 1 male in eclipse. Little Grebe 9 + 10 WRes. Goldeneye 12. Chiffchaff 1

Rabbit Ings

c200 Pink Feet Geese north and 10.20hrs (Tony Guest)

A Short Eared Owl was seen out hunting today at 14.10hrs (Dave Standish)
A roost was discovered where it had come from and 4 pellets were found. (Mick Birkinshaw)

Carlton Marsh

c75 Pink Feet Geese flew NW at 10.32hrs (Geoff Miller) before fog came in.
Present were 1 Mute Swan, 3 Teal, 30 Mallard, 2 Coot, 1 Tufted Duck, 8 Red Legged Partridge & 2 Snipe south.

Moths trapped in my garden last night were: 4 Autumnal/November sp. 3 Black Rustic, 1 Snout, 1 Blair's Shoulder Knot & The Chestnut.

lots o' pigeons

Vis. mig. count for Ewden Height.
Time: 0745 - 10:30hrs.
Observer: Dave Woodriff.
Direction: SW, unless stated otherwise.
Cormorant - 3 W, Lapwing - 15 ESE, Lesser Black-backed Gull - 10, Stock Dove - 1 + 1 NE, Woodpigeon - 11,170 S/SW, Skylark - 1 S, Meadow Pipit - 49 S/SW, Grey Wagtail - 1, alba Wagtail - 10 S, Mistle Thrush - 1, Jay - 3 NE, Jackdaw - 66 S/SW, Starling - 21 + 19 N, Chaffinch - 83 S/SW, finch sp - 100, Greenfinch - 3 E + 3 NE, Goldfinch - 80 S, Siskin - 9 S, Linnet - 11 S, Lesser Redpoll - 1, Crossbill - 13 S and Reed Bunting - 1 S.
Also recorded: 30 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Redwing, 1 Raven and 1 Brambling/

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 46 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Moorhens and 14 Coots.

Winscar Reservoir

Lone adult Whooper Swan on reservoir, opposite the main public car park.  Still present when I left at 1 PM.

Saturday 20 October 2012

Vis. Mig,

Harden Quarries.
Time: 07:30-13:30hrs.
Direction: SW unless otherwise stated.
Observers: Mick Cunningham, Russ Boland, Nick Mallinson and Dave Pennington.
Lapwing - 18 + 8 NE, Black-headed Gull - 21 NE, Common Gull - 2, Woodpigeon - 1950 W/S, Skylark - 2, Meadow Pipit - 252 W, alba Wagtail - 3, Fieldfare - 1, Mistle Thrush - 2, Turdus sp - 17, Long-tailed Tit - 11 W, Coal Tit - 1 S, Grear Tit - 5 S, Jay - 5 + 1 NE, Jackdaw - 153 mainly W + 47 NE, Carrion Crow - 2, Starling - 23 + 3 NE, Chaffinch - 110 + 5 NE, finch sp - 66 S/SE, Greenfinch - 33 S/SE, Goldfinch - 11 S/SE, Siskin - 69 S/SE, Linnet - 7 S/SE, Lesser Redpoll - 12 S/SE, Bullfinch - 1 W and Reed Buting - 2.
Also present: 9 Canada Geese, 2 Common Buzards, 2 Kestrels, 70 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Blackbird.

RLB LDV

Langsett - 1 Rough-legged Buzzard seen just below the reservoir before gaining heght and driftling down the valley towards Midhopestones per SBSG website.

Rabbit Ings

Tonight at 5-30pm the first Short Eared Owl showed coming in from the other side of road, North of the coking plant. This was the light coloured one.
A second SE Owl joined it from the same direction, so I believe the roost is off site.
We had some really good views and it was nice to see both at the same time.
Also c200 Canada/Greylags landed in a cut cornfield just behind the ponds north of the site.
(Ray Dye)

Carlton Marsh

This morning 5 Mute Swans included our ringed residents, 2 left south leaving a spare female. The male spent all day doing his best to mate with both females.

Also present 3 Cormorants, 5 Canada Geese, Kingfisher, c15 Siskins, 20 + Redpolls, 6 Jays, 6 Jackdaw SE & 3 S, 2 Treecreepers, 2 Goldcrests, 20 Skylarks SW, 2 Sparrowhawks & c500 Wood Pigeons south between 08.00 & 08.15hrs. (Dave Smith)

This afternoon 2 Male Migrant Hawkers, 3 Small Tortoiseshell & 1 Speckled Wood were all enjoying the warm conditions. (Ralph Hibbert)

Cudworth Common (dusk)
6 Mute Swan (4 immatures) Tawny Owl calling and 1 Green Sandpiper.

Pinfold Hotel
2 Little Owls calling to each other.

Edderthorpe Flash

Mallard 290, Gadwall 26, Shoveler 53, Teal 76, Cormorant 15, Golden Plover 400, Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 12, Lesser Redpoll 14.

Wintersett 20.10.12

A cool, clear, bright and still  morning encouraged a steady passage of migrants. 
Anglers CP Vis. Mig. Highlights: Pink-footed Goose  110 NW + 360 SE,  Wood Pigeon 1150 S,  Skylark 27 S,   Meadow Pipit 55 S,   Jay 4S + 2 N,  Curlew 6W,  Common Buzzard 1S + 13 in the area,
Also here: American Wigeon 1 drake flew in late morning from NE corner of WRes. Common Scoter 1 female,  Egyptian Goose 3,  Goosander 1 male in eclipse plumage.  10 Whooper Swans dropped onto the lake at 13.40hrs.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1,  Goldeneye 2.  Also flying: Common Darter 1 + 1 ACP, Migrant Hawker 1, Comma 1.
Moth trapping last night produced:  Grey Shoulder-knot,  5 Red-green Carpet,  5 Black Rustic, Yellow-line Quaker,  Red-line Quaker,   Pink-barred Sallow,  Angle Shades and 2 November Moth types.

Gadding Moor, Gunthwaite

Caspian Gull amongst the Lesser Black Backs, Common and Black Headeds this lunchtime

Old Moor - Early News - 20th October

Early news from Old Moor today - Pink footed Goose c650 east, Whooper Swan 2 main marsh ( 1 with colour ring), Peregrine 1, Grey Lag Goose 210, Little Egret 1 (colour ringed), Golden Plover c4000, Jay 12 south.

Friday 19 October 2012

Dusk shift

News from Old Moor at dusk (Jeff Wragg): Little Egret 3 roosted (but none colour-ringed), Pochard 37 (Bolton) + 4 Wath,  Golden Plover c4,000.

Wintersett 19.10.12

Anglers CP: Egyptian Goose 3, Common Scoter 1 female. Goldeneye 9, Goosander male in eclipse, Crossbill 1 over 09.30hrs. Siskin 4, Kingfisher 1, Chiffchaff 1 , Teal 4, Redwing 1, Curlew 2. Botany N. Hill: Little Owl 1. Buzzard 1. Wintersett Res: American Wigeon 1 drake. Migrant Hawker 1. Moorhouse Lane Ponds. Common Darter.

fri am

Morning visit to Old Moor. Still plenty of birds but little change: Goosander 1, Moorhen 38, Buzzard 1, Golden Plover c2,000, Green Sand 5, Dunlin 1, Jay 2 south, Goldcrest 1 Green Lane, Blackbird 10 Green Lane but sadly no Ring Ouzel.

Broomhill: Little Egret 3, Little Owl 1.

Thursday 18 October 2012

Ring of truth?

following defeat by the glaring sun yesterday I decided to try the afters shift in an attempt to get at the goldies. Around 2,000 were swirling around as I reached the Field Pool West hide where I was greeted by a rapid harsh rattle. Surely a Ring Ouzel? Two hours later spent in the same area and nothing other than about six Blackbirds. Four Green Sands and a Kingfisher were the only other birds of note.

Kingfisher - Jim Thompson
Late evening news from last night (Jeff Wragg): 3 Little Egrets roosted, 280 Wigeon, 3 Goosander, 2,000 Golden Plover, Barn Owl.

Carlton Marsh

This morning: 2 Cormorant (1 with BTO ring) Green Woodpecker, 9 Siskin, c10 Redpoll, c40 Goldfinch, 5 Goldcrest, 10 Skylark south, 2 Treecreeper, 17 Redwing & Water Rail. (Dave Smith)

This afternoon: 2 Mute Swan (ringed resident male was with a different unringed mate) 4 Canada Geese (others were shot on the field juxtoposition the reserve by using decoy Canada Geese) Buzzard NE.

10 Common Darter, 1 Migrant Hawker & 1 Comma.

Rabbit Ings 
This evening: 2 Short Eared Owls hunting, 141 Canada Geese (in a field north of the site) & a Noctule Bat (Dave Standish)

My Garden last night: 3 Black Rustic, Red Green Carpet & The Brick. 

Wintersett 18.10.12

Anglers CP: American Wigeon 1 drake, Common Scoter 1 female, Egyptian Goose 3, Goldeneye 8 + 1 WRes, Siskin 2 west. Also flying: Migrant Hawker 1 and Red Admiral 1.

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 32 Mallards, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Moorhens and 13 Coots.
Wombwell - 1 Cormorant east.

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Carlton Marsh

2 Mute Swans, 10 Gadwall, 35 Mallard, 1 Teal, 4 Canada Geese + 110 on nearby fields, Cormorant, 10 Herring Gulls south, 10 Jays flitting about, 2 Willow Tit, 2 Siskins, 2 Redpolls & c50 Goldfinches.

Common Darter 20, 1 male Migrant Hawker, 2 Comma & 5 Speckled Wood (Les Corrall & Ralph Hibbert)

Rabbit Ings
The male Stonechat was still in situ (Ray Dye) & at dusk 2 Short Eared Owls were hunting, 1 flew along the skyline behind the pallet yard & 1 more came in from the left and went up and over the top of the hill.
Also present Barn Owl, 4 Kestrels and a Hare. (Angie Smith, Dave Standish)

Ingbirchworth res's

Broadstone Reservoir - 5 Mallards.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 3 Canada Geese, 11 Mallards, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Coots and 2 Moorhens.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 1 juvenile Cormorant, c30 Black-headed Gulls and c60 Leeser Black-backed Gulls.
Scout Dike Reservoir - 87 Greylag Geese, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Canada x Greylag Goose, 224 Canada Geese, 9 Mallards, 10 Tufted Ducks, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Moorhens, 8 Coot, c50 Lapwings, 2 Jays and c220 Jackdaws.

Wintersett 17.10.12

A  heavy downpour early morning.  Brightened up by 09.30 and was much warmer - 14 degrees.  Many layers had to be shed but still needed wellies.
Anglers CP: Green Woodpecker 1, Goldeneye 6,  Goosander 2,  Common Scoter 1 female,  Egyptian Goose 3,  Teal 4,  Grey Partridge 7 Goosander 2, Teal 7, 87 Shoveler,  155 Wigeon - but no American.
Wintersett Res: Buzard 3, Nuthatch 2.  Also flying Common Darter 2 and Migrant Hawker 3 + 1 ACP.

Poles take note!

An early start at Old Moor only to be greeted with torrential rain which tempted me to call the whole thing off, fortunately however, when I reached the Mere Hide the RSPB had remembered to put the roof on and the birding went ahead as planned! By the time I reached the Wath Hide the sun was shining and glaring light meant that most birds were seen purely in silhouette. Present were about 250 Wigeon (types), 200 Teal (types), 1,500 Golden Plover (types), a Dunlin (type) and a definite Green Sandpiper. A decent number of thrushes were grounded on Green Lane, 20 Blackbirds, 6 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings as well as a couple of Goldcrests and a Jay. A steady trickle of Skylarks passed over south as did 6 Siskin and a Redpoll. As I left to check out Wombwell Ings a couple of Coal Tits and a Willow Tit were at the car park feeders.
Wombwell Ings: 2 Little Egrets, 26 Greylags, 28 Wigeon, 150 Lapwing, a Golden Plover, 2 Snipe and a Grey Wagtail. And there was news from Broomhill Flash too (presumably the 42b doesn't run Wednesdays!) where as well as the two Little Egrets earlier there was a Little Owl.

Belated news from Saturday of a Stonechat Wombwell Ings (Dave Pickering).

Cormorant at Broomhill Flash - Jim Thompson. Phalacrocorax lawycus perhaps?
Common Gull at Broomhill Flash - Jim Thompson

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Carlton Marsh

120 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, Kingfisher, 2 Cormorants & Little Owl. Also fresh Water Vole droppings found on the dike & 1 Migrant Hawker.

Rabbit Ings 
Male Stonechat on Typha on a small pond quite near Mick Birkinshaw's office this afternoon at 16.30hrs (Ray Dye)


Wintersett 16.10.12

Cold, wild and windy here today.
Anglers CP:  Goosander 1 male in eclipse plumage.  American Wigeon 1 drake,  Common Scoter  1 female,  Egyptian Goose 3,  Herring Gull 6 flew south. Cormorant 25.
Also here: Great Crested Grebes 23,  Teal 5.   Migrant Hawker  1.
Wintersett Res: A Common Darter was flying near the boathouse reed bed this morning.

Broomhill Flash

Mid morning- Bird numbers appeared a little low, possibly to do with the poor weather conditions and shooting on the field opposite the recreation ground. Birds present included 2 Mute Swan, 62 Gadwall, 12 Mallard, 9 Shoveler, 22 Tufted Duck, 4 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 4 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 1 LBB Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper and a flock of 300+ flyover Golden Plover. The lure of an American Wigeon at Anglers CP proved greater than Bolton Ings on a wet morning.

Nights so days

Morning visit to Old Moor in blustery conditions: About 1,000 Golden Plover flying around but just would not settle. Wath Ings: Green Sand 3, Dunlin 1. Mere: Goosander 2. Nobody on channel all morning so no news at all from elsewhere although may have been some coverage as it would seem that with retirement comes the increasing ability to forget radios, mobiles, batteries or even sometimes binoculars...................

Monday 15 October 2012

Rabbit Ings

Dusk - Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels & Short Eared Owl. A second bird came in from the general direction of Monckton Coke & returned the same way when it was harrassed by Carrion Crows.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 11 Tufted Ducks and 1 female Goldeneye - per A King on HBC website.

inland

Just returned from the coast that has most, so only time for a visit to Broomhill Flash where the main difference to when Bono's mate visited was a Short-eared Owl over Broomhill Old Tip. News from Old Moor this evening from Chris Harris: Goosander 2, Golden Plover c2,000, Green Sandpiper 2, Dunlin 2.

A few bits for saturday oct. 13th.

9 buzzards up together just e. of cawthorne village. Quiet on the moors-, 2 ravens over midhope moors and a party of 5 stonechats at ewden on track up to shooting lodge.

Wintersett 15.10.12

Anglers CP: Cormorant 16,  Common Scoter  1 female ( flew to WRes pm),  Egyptian Goose 3, Snipe 8,  Teal 3, Chiffchaff 1,  Goldeneye 7.
Wintersett Res: Blackcap 1 female,  American Wigeon 1 male (flew to ACP pm), Little Grebe 12 + 6 ACP,  Mallard 99.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Birds present included 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 4 Cormorant, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 34 Tufted Duck, 33 Gadwall, 22 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 4 Mallard, 3 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 5 Snipe, 30+ Goldfinch, 2 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Kestrel and 7 Skylark.

Bolton Ings Late AM- At least 5 Jays highly visible on their numerous foraging trips to and from Bolton on Dearne. Also present were 3 Grey Heron, 8 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested, 5 Little Grebe, 4 adult Mute Swan +5 juvenile, 98 Greylag, 2 Gadwall, 8 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 5 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 4 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Gt Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kestrel and 1 Kingfisher.

Wombwell Ings late AM ( Mick Rushton) - 1 Grey Heron 2 Little Egret3 Snipe, 42 Mallard,14 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 1 Teal,1 Tufted Duck, 69 Wigeon, 1 Mute Swan, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel.

Houghton Washland

Time 11:05.
Strings of golden plover heading for Broomhill. Probably 2000 birds.
Peregrine circling and drifting in the same direction.

Sunday 14 October 2012

Late Wheatear

Lower Maythorn - 1 Wheatear per H Quarterman on HBC website.

More vis. mig.

Harden Quarries.
Time: 07:15-10:15hrs.
Observers: Mick Cunningham amd Nick Mallinson.
Direction: S/SW unless otherwise stated.
Canada Goose - 8 E, Kestrel - 2, Lapwing - 6, Black-headed Gull - 14 W, Common Gull - 3 W, Lesser Black-backed Gull - 26 W, Woodpigeon - 1170, Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 N, Skylark - 2, Meadow Pipit - 58, alba Wagtail - 2 + 1 E, Blackbird, 1 + 1 N, Redwing - 518, Mistle Thrush - 1, Coal Tit - 7 + 3 E, Blue Tit - 2, Great - 2, Jay 5 + 3 E, Jackdaw - 91 WNW + 60 N, R ook - 2 N, Raven - 2, Starling - 78 N/E, Chaffinch - 54, Greenfinch - 12 + 2 N, Goldfinch - 3, Siskin - 4 and Lesser Redpoll - 4.
Also present: 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 32 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Blackbirds and 13 Crossbills.

Old Moor Area - 14th October

Highlights today - Rock Pipit over Bolton Ings, 5 Buzzards, 16 Pink Footed Geese over and 2 Little Egrets at Broomhill.

Edderthorpe - 14th October

Webs count today so I did my bit and counted Edderthorpe, again very quiet and low numbers of everything really. Grey Heron 3, Mute Swan 6, Cormorant 13, Mallard 19, Gadwall 9, Teal 62, Shoveler 24, Wigeon 11, Tufted Duck 14, Coot 15, Moorhen 8, Lapwing 261, Golden Plover 148, Black Headed Gull 320, Common Gull 6, LBB Gull 5.

Bolton Ings - 14th October

A repeat of last weeks glorious weather this morning, a little cooler at 9c and a bit more wind but still very pleasant. Unfortunately the birds couldnt match the weather and it was very quiet. Nearly 500 Geese now grazing on the cut grass, the limping Oystercatcher still present and 2 Grey Wagtails on the river were the best I could muster. Full list as follows:- Grey Heron 4, Mute Swan 11, Canada Goose 285, Grey Lag Goose 176, Cormorant 10, Great Crested Grebe 2 ads + 4 juvs, Little Grebe 21, Mallard 2, Gadwall 25, Teal 4, Shoveler 12, Tufted Duck 31, Pochard 11, Coot 210, Moorhen 10, Oystercatcher 1, Lapwing 2, Snipe 1, Black Headed Gull 340, Common Gull 13, LBB Gull 1, Kestrel 1, Green Woodpecker 2, Jay 2, Grey Wagtail 2.

Vis mig.

Ewden Height
Time: 07:40-0945hrs.
Observer: Dave Woodriff.
Direction - all S/SW unless otherwise stated.
Canada Goose - 20 NE, Mallard - 2 NE, Lesser Black-backed Gull - 35, Stock Dove - 2, Woodpigeon - 1411, Meadow Pipit - 7, Grey Wagtail - 1, alba Wagtail - 12, Fieldfare - 1, Redwing - 62, Mistle Thrush - 1, Jay - 4, Jackdaw - 108 S, Rook - 4, Starling - 20 + 2 NE, Chaffinch - 34, finch sp - 30, Greenfinch - 5, Goldfinch - 2, Siskin - 5, Linnet - 2 and Lesser Redpoll - 8.
Also present: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 7 Lapwings and 1 Raven.

Adwick

Noticeable increase in Blackbirds with at least 10 in just one short hedgerow. Probably treble that number along the middle footpath.
Buzzard over the site and kingfisher along the drains but other than that there is very little using the site at the moment.
Can only think that this is because there isn't a large enough sheet of open water for water birds such as wigeon and teal to jump onto in times of disturbance. There are plenty of smaller pools (which look good for snipe) dotted about the site but these are just not big enough to hold the more vigilant and wary bird species.
I was hoping that Adwick would be the site where whoopers and maybe bewicks could establish themselves back in the valley. As things stand it's looking unlikely - but hopefully things will improve over time.

Wintersett 14.10.12

Anglers CP:  American Wigeon 1 drake,   Egyptian Geese 3,  Common Scoter 1 female and  Pintail 1 female. 

Saturday 13 October 2012

Wintersett 13.10.12

We've had a great week at Wintersett for returning and passing migrants. It continued today with the appearance of an adult SLAVONIAN GREBE on Anglers CP.   The 3 Egyptian Geese and the drake American Wigeon were also still here. A Peregrine  flew by in fields next to the car park  and an adult Yellow-legged Gull came in this afternoon.  A Red Admiral was also seen.
Anglers CP Vis. Mig. Highlights:    Swallow  3 S,    Starling 1088 (83 NW + 1005 W),  Wood Pigeon 700 S ,  Crossbill 4 E,     Redwing 84 W,   Fieldfare 1 W.  A total of 31 Jays went through - (9 S,  5 W,  4 E,  13 N)
Wintersett Res: Chiffchaff 1,  Grey Wagtail 2 and  GOOSANDER 2 males.

Cudworth Common

This evening; 33 Red Legged Partridge, 16 Grey Partridge, Green Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipit, 28 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 9 Common Gulls & 1 Herring Gull sp. north with Black Headed Gulls.

Rabbit Ings
Short Eared Owl is still being seen every evening & Barn Owl has also been seen during the past week on at least 2 occasions. (Mick Birkinshaw)

Vis. Mig.

Harden Quarries
Time: 07:15 - 13:30hrs.
Observers: Mick Cunningham, Russ Boland. Nick Mallinson & Dave Pennington.
Cormorant - 1 SW + 3 NE, Canada Goose - 2 NE, Sparrowhawk - 2 SW, Common Buzzard - 1 SW, Lapwing - 9 SW, Black-headed Gull - 8 SW, Common Gull - 1 SW, Lesser Black-backed Gull - 52 SW + 8 NE, Herring Gull - 2 NE, Woodpigeon - 720+ SW + 63 NE, Skylark - 1 NE, Meadow Pipit - 166 SW, alba Wagtail - 4 SW, Song Yjthrush - 1 SW, Redwing - 508 W/SE, Mistle Thrush 13 SW, Long-tailed Tit - 6 SW + 8 NE, Coal Tit - 6 S, Blue Tit - 2 S, Great Tit - 5 S, Jay - 20 S/W + 1 N, Jackdaw - 63 SW, Raven - 4 SW + 2 NE, Starling - 709 W/NW, Chaffinch - 84 S/SE, Brambling 2 S/SE, finch sp - 58 S/SE, Greenfinch - 16 W, Golfinch, 2 - S/SE, Siskin - 13 S/SE, Linnet - 3 S/SE, Lesser Redpoll - S/SE, Crossbil - 1 NE, and Yellowhammer 2 S.
Also present: 4 Sparrowhawks, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 1 Song thrush and 4 Jays.

Friday 12 October 2012

Carlton Marsh


BTCV were here all day to do some scrub bashing and so Keith and I felt obliged to do our bit too.

The dike breached again after heavy rain last night so most of the duck had legged it to feed on flashes nearer to Bleachcroft Farm. Chiffchaff, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were in evidence.

10 Commas were feeding on Buddlejas & 7 Migrant Hawkers  were abroad.

Painted Lady has been very scarce this year, but a very late one was feeding near Cudworth Bridges on Valerian this afternoon. (Chris Parkin)


Wintersett 12.10.12

A very cold westerly wind but a steady passage of birds this morning with many highlights.
Anglers CP: Vis. Mig:  All birds flying WEST unless stated.
Dunlin 16,   Snipe 42,  Starling  445,   BH Gull  80 East ,  LBBGull  60,  Redwing 60, Golden Plover 21,  Lapwing 23.  A Rock Pipit flew by.
Also present:  American Wigeon 1 drake (See Ron's fantastic pics on earlier post),  Egyptian Goose 3 flew in.  Common Scoter 2 females + 2 drakes and 1 female WRes.
Cold Hiendley Res: The first 2 Goldeneye of the autumn.

Adwick Washland

Mallard 82, Goosander 3 redheads also one or two snipe flying about.
Engineering work continues and this site becomes increasingly impressive.
More ridge and furrow would be beneficial though especially in the fields between the central path and the river.
Security is still a problem, which can often spoil a good walk around this lovely site. Three guys shooting with air rifles (at 16:20) walked straight passed the excavators and then walked straight across the central meadow. I was on the phone to the police when I confronted them so they moved off quickly towards Bolton fishing ponds.

at last..........

Movement! A first-winter Little Gull visited Old Moor this morning where there were also at least 7 Dunlin new in + a couple of Pintail. A couple of Dunlin were on Bolton Ings as well as an influx of Pochard 30+. Ten Pochard were at Broomhill this morning as well as the Little Egret whilst a Dunlin flew west. A flock of 11 Pintail were on Eddderthorpe and at least two Jack Snipe are at Adwick Wash. Three Common Scoter (2 drakes) were at Wintersett Res and the drake American Wigeon remains at Anglers.

Drake American Wigeon, Anglers CP. - Ron Marshall

Drake American Wigeon, Anglers CP. - Ron Marshall

Adwick washlands - am

Lapwing c80, Snipe 7, Jack Snipe 1, Skylark 16, Lesser Redpoll 10, Grey Partridge 24, Grey Wagtail 1, Kingfisher 2, Willow Tit 1, Yellowhammer c20.

Thursday 11 October 2012

Carlton Marsh

Yesterday (10th)
22 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds & 3 Song Thrush flew high south, 20 Lesser Redpolls, 15 Siskins & 30 Goldfinches. (Dave Smith)

Today (11th)
Kingfisher, 4 Swallows south at 12.55hrs & a female Peregrine put the frighteners on c300 Wood Pigeons at 13.35hrs. moments later it headed north carrying a small bird.

A single Migrant Hawker managed to get airborne in the cool conditions & 1 Red Admiral & 1 Comma were feeding on a Buddleja.

Gloom and brightness!


A visit to Old Moor this evening in gloomy conditions. Remains rather quiet with c300 Golden Plover, 4 Green Sands as good as it gets. The Little Egret was still at Broomhill Flash this morning. Jack Snipe and Rock Pipit at Adwick Wash today where as Matthew Capper's photos below show the outlook is certainly not gloomy.
The Rotary Ditcher at work creating habitat for Lapwings. A far cry from the days of pulling up softrush by hand!
The digger creating new pools
Work is currently being carried out to create a new central viewing point.

Vis. mig.

A brief watch at Ewden Height today.
Time: 07:40 to 08:15.
Obsever: Dave Woodriff.
Cormoramt - 2 NE, Woodpigeon  - 96 SW, Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2 SW, Jackdaw - 13 SW, Redwing - 26 S, Meadow Pipit - 2 S, Grey Wagtail - 1 S, alba Wagtail - 2 S, Greenfinch - 11 SW, Goldfinch - 1 S, Lesser Redpoll - 9 S/SW and Reed Bunting 1 S.

Elsecar

Harley - 4 Grey Partridge.
Elsecar Reservoir - 49 Mallards, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Moorhens and 8 Coots.

Wintersett early news 11th Oct

The 3 Egyptian Geese from Old Moor were on Anglers this morning. Also 2 Black-necked Grebes on Wintersett Res and 2 Pintail on Anglers.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Edderthorpe, 10. 10. 12.
Wigeon,49 were up by 46 since yesterday, still 2 goosander 12 cormorant  and 2 Pintail  c.2000 Goldys, 700 Lapwing, 6 snipe, 2 Pintail, and 11 Linnet went straight through.

Egg on Wader Scrape?

Evening visit to Old Moor: The only real change was the appearance of three Egyptian Geese which flew from Wader Scrape towards Bolton Ings, a strange record in view of the lack of easterlies! 1500 Golden Plover and three Green Sands were on Wath Ings and a Common Buzzard was high over Bolton. The Little Egret and a Green Sand' were still at Broomhill this morning and a few Redwings were seen on Warbler Way. Adwick Washland had a Hobby.
Two of the three Egyptian Geese heading ftowards Bolton Ings - John Hewitt

Wintersett 10.10.12

Anglers CP:  The   drake AMERICAN WIGEON  was easy to pick up in the middle of the lake this morning.  This afternoon he was showing well in front of the hide and by 16.30 he was out on the east bank grass with a group of  Canada Geese.
Vis Mig Highlights:Wood Pigeon 150 S,  Wigeon 12 NW,  Redwing 18 SW and Jay 3NE.

Vis. Mig.

Vis. mig figures for Ewden Height for 9th October.
Time: 07:00 - 10:00.
Observer - Dave Woodriff.
Whooper Swan - 3 ESE, Lapwing - 15 SW + 4 N, Lesser Black-backed Gull - - 47 SW, Woodpigeon - 1347 S/SW, Stock Dove - 1 NE, Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2 SW, Skylark - 7 S, Meadiw Pipit -79 S, Pied Wagtail - 23 S, Redwing - 2 S, Starling - 10 N, Jay - 4, Jackdaw - 47 SW + 10 N, Chaffinch - 98 SSW, Greenfinch - 7 S,  Goldfinch - 24 S, Siskin - 55 S, Linnet - 13 S and Lesser Redpoll - 13 S/SW.

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Carlton Marsh

Another beautiful day! 40 Pink Feet NW 09.10hrs (Keith Bannister) & 30 Skylarks & 20 Meadow Pipits on nearby fields. (Geoff Miller)

4 Buzzards thermalling over the reserve between 11.50 & 12.25hrs drifted west.

Jays are being seen all over the place, but 3 south, 2 north, 1 north east & another south all flew high like continentals, as far as the eye could see.

Meanwhile 2 Sparrowhawks were aggrevating the Wood Pigeons and Little Owl was in its usual roost. Also present were Kingfisher, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaffs, and a Grey Wagtail flew west.
Invertebrates included 3 Red Admiral, 3 Commas, 6 Migrant Hawkers and c10 Common Darters.

Carlton Village
Dave Smith elected to stay home and do some bird ringing. This is what he caught in his suburban garden:
30 Goldfinches, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Great Tits, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Robin and 5 Dunnocks.

Cudworth Common (This afternoon)
5 Meadow Pipits, 7 Mute Swans (5 immatures) & 6 Grey Partridges. Also 2 Common Blue butterflies, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Migrant Hawkers & 8 Common Darters. (Les Corrall)

Edderthorpe Flash (This afternoon)
C300 Golden Plover, Shelduck, 2 'Redhead' Goosanders & 50 Greylags. (LC)

LDV Tues

Another quiet day. Little Egret and Green Sand' at Broomhill Flash this morning. Evening visit to Old Moor where there were plenty of birds but somewhat lacking in variety, especially waders. Goosander, 1300 Golden Plovers, 4 Green Sands, Common Gull and Barn Owl were the highlights.

Cawthorne Lane

No sign of any hobbys here since 23rd. september. Looks like job done, roll on next spring.

Monday 8 October 2012

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid am.- Through the fog it was possible to see 3 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Little Grebe, 11 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 26 + Gadwall, 15+ Shoveler, 11+ Tufted Duck, 7+ Wigeon, 6+ Teal, 2  Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Grey Plover.

Bolton Ings  late am._ Present were 8+ Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan+ 5 juv, 110+ Greylag, 15 Pochard, 15 Tufted Duck, 11 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Swallow and 60+ Redpoll.

Broomhead Shooting Cabin 07/10/2012

A belated report due to time constraints ;-)

Myself and Mr U Tyke spent a few hours over by the shooting cabin on Broomhead Moor ..

Results were;

2 stonechats, c24 mipits, 1 peregrine, c11 common buzzards, 7 ravens, 3 kestrels, 3 sprawks, 2 flocks of pinkfeet .. first one was c70 birds heading West at 2:34 and then another flock of c200 in the same direction at 2:45, a flock of 8 mistle thrushes and then a hobby which treat us to an impressive aerial display as it tried to take a butterfly ...

It made a nice to be able to stand there without the wind howling around us  (apart from the odd blast of the remnants of Mr Tyke's Saturday night out) ..


Mondays bits

Evening visit onto Wombwell Ings produced little of note. News from Old Moor included six Ruff, and a 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier this afternoon, whilst around 60 'Redpoll' were on Warbler Way.  Adwick Wash had 21 Snipe, Jack Snipe and a Rock Pipit.

Midhope & Underbank

Midhope Reservoir - 19 Mallards, 6 Teal, 3 Goosanders and 14 Jays.
Midhopestones - c120 Jackdaws.
Underbank Reservoir - 53 Mallards, 5 Tufted Ducks, 4 Moorhens and 4 Jays

Rover Returns? Wintersett 08.10.12

A very cold and  misty morning here was brightened considerably by the sight of an AMERICAN  WIGEON  on Anglers CP lake, in front of the hide,  at 10.30 this morning.  Could it be the same bird that was here last winter? I took some quick record shots before all birds were flushed into middle of lake by workmen on the reserve.
American Wigeon           Record Shot    A. Smith
American Wigeon   Record Shot      A.Smith



    Also present:  Kingfisher 1,  Snipe 1.
Edderthorpe, Monday am.
A raven flew south west   calling over Storrs mill bridge at 8 .10 this morning. Water levels on the flash will take another few days to get back to normal, there's still a good flow to the river.
Winter thrush arrived on Cudworth common tip yesterday, with 30 Mistle thrush and 6 redwing.  On the flash other than a few snipe, 30 Goldies and about 300 lapwing, (1 Ruff) tempted over from Houghton, things are still very quiet.
  A surprise find a few days ago was a dead Harvest mouse on my lawn, possibly killed by a cat, the wheat field next to the house has recently been harvested.

Houghton Washland

Raven seen flying south from Houghton Main Tip over Houghton Washland, Darfield towards Broomhill.
Time about 11:20.
Called Bernard who says Alan Stonier has had a raven at Edderthorpe this morning. Presumably the same bird.

Vis. mig. at Harden


One of the Peregrines passing southwest at Harden Quarries on 6th October. photo Nick Mallinson

Sunday 7 October 2012

Bolton Ings - 7th October

Glorious weather this morning, only 11c but clear blue skies and not a breath of wind. Started well with 3 Jays flying west quickly followed by 2 Green Woodpeckers and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 3 Buzzards were up over the tip with a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel, they werent close but I could here the Buzzards calling. On the grassland between the 2 main pools were nearly 400 Canadas and Grey Lags grazing as well as a couple of Mute Swans which had been chased off the water by the resident pairs. Surprisingly an Oystercatcher was also in with the Geese, it was limping and looked a bit sorry for itself and I thought its wing was trailing but it soon flew round and looked a lot better. On the open water were 22 Pochard amongst the many Coot and Little Grebes. Didnt see anything of note on Warbler Way and Dave had 16 Goldcrests, I must be looking the wrong way. Full list as follows:- Grey Heron 5, Mute Swan 12, Canada Goose 271, Grey Lag Goose 103, Cormorant 12, Great Crested Grebe 2 ads + 3 juvs, Little Grebe 28, Mallard 18, Gadwall 28, Shoveler 3, Teal 4, Tufted Duck 23, Pochard 22, Coot 204, Moorhen 16, Lapwing 11, Golden Plover 2, Oystercatcher 1, Black Headed Gull 82, Common Gull 6, Lesser Black Backed Gull 4, Buzzard 3, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 2, Green Woodpecker 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Jay 6. Ventured onto Old Moor after, very quiet apart from the Golden Plovers which put on a fine display. Only other waders seen apart from Lapwings were 2 Green Sandpipers and 2 Snipe. A redhead Goosander was asleep on the mere where there were also 6 Lessers. Wigeon are slowly building up and c200 had previously been counted. 3 Whooper Swans were in the book at Old Moor but nobody else mentioned them.

Wintersett

Most of the day was spent vis-migging and it was one of the better days of this autumn being notable for Buzzards, Pink-feet and Jays in particular.
Buzzard;- difficult to be sure of exact numbers but absolute minimums are 12 local (resident) birds all counted in the air at the same time and at least a further 12 moving between south and west, a minimum of 24 birds.
Pink-footed Goose;- five skeins totalling 350 birds mostly heading westwards.
Jay;- a acorn failure on the Continent means lots of Jays have been arriving in the UK during the last few days, chiefly to coastal counties to the south of us (East Anglia and Kent) and today we got the first signs they are heading our way. 19 were counted all heading in a north-westerly direction and all high up in the sky. All the local Jays are busy collecting acorns at the moment and are very obvious but are acting far different to these birds.
Other birds of note;- Shoveler 77, Water Rail 1, Peregrine 1, Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult, and other migrants heading south included;  Redwing 14, Swallow 15, Wood Pigeon 820, Skylark 107, Meadow Pipit 166

Pinks

50 high W over Brampton Bierlow @ 08:50.

Vis. mig.

Harden Quarries
Time: 07:15 - 10:30.
Observers: Jeff Lunn and Nick Mallinson.
Movements: S / SW unless stated otherwise.
Cormorant - 1, Grey Heron - 1, Sparrowhawk - 2, Peregrine - 1 W, Lapwing - 20, Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3, Woodpigeon - 372 W/SW,  Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2 in from E, Jay - 7 + 19 N, Magpie - 10 E, Jackdaw - 68 N/NW + 6 E, Carrion Crow - 6, Raven - 1, Long-tailed Tit - 15, Skylark - 1, Swallow - 19, Redwing - 3, Mistle Thrush - 3, Meadow Pipit - 35, alba wagtail - 5, Chaffinch - 45, Greenfinch - 27, Goldfinch - 48, Siskin - 19, Linnet - 10, Lesser Redpoll - 11, Crossbill - 6 and finch sp - 58.