Wintersett 30.11.12

Very cold  and bright. Ice around reed bed areas.
Wintersett Res: Highlights today were a  Jack Snipe on the north bank,  96 Pink-foot Geese flew east, and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was in Wintersett Res. roost at 15.20hrs.
Egyptian Goose 3,  Scaup 1 male, 1 female and a 1st winter  male.
Anglers CP:  Drake American Wigeon,   Female Long-tailed duck,  1st winter male Scaup,   Female Blackcap,  Common Scoter 1 juv + 1 on Cold Hiendley Res..

TAKEN UP RESIDENCE

33 Waxwing's in the tree's at Hemingfield, have been there most of the day and were still there at dusk.

fridays roosters

Bittern - Keith Pickering. Photographed from the Bittern Hide, where else?

One Bittern showed at the Reedbeds this afternoon and three eventually came in to roost. Additionally a (presumably the) 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier roosted on Reedbed 5. Other birds at Old Moor today included Little Egret, 17+ Goosander, Barn Owl and 2 Brambling at the feeders, one of which is pictured below.

Brambling - Keith Pickering

22 Waxwings were seen today at Overdale Road, Wombwell and at least 13 remained at Springwood Road, Hoyland, roosting tonight.

Broadstone & Ingbirchworth

Broadstone Reservoir - 37 Mallards and 1 Cormorant.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 21 Greylag Geese, 174 Canada Geese, 28 Mallards, 15 Wigeons, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Moorhens and 5 Coots.

BERRY GOURMET

There was an increase to 42 Waxwing's late afternoon in the tree's near the Albion Public House at Hemingfield. There is plenty of berry gourmet in the area.

Wintersett 29.11.12

Frosty start, stayed very cold but bright.
Anglers CP: Long-tailed Duck 1 female,  American Wigeon 1 drake.  Blackcap 1 female. Common Scoter 2 female/immature early morning, then later one of them was seen on Cold Hiendley Res.
Also here:Goosander 26,  Teal 25, Greylag Goose 91.   4 Scaup still in the area - 1 ACP,  2 WRes and 1 Botany.
Wintersett Res: Egyptian Goose 3.
Haw Park Wood: Siskin 1

Thursdays bits

Old Moor: 2 Bitterns roosted tonight on the Reedbeds. Also Barn Owl.

Bolton Ings: 3 Water Rail, c65 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye, Barn Owl.

Broomhill Flash: Short-eared Owl late aft.

Phone call this afternoon call from a work colleague (Steve Bennett) to tell me of a flock of Waxwings in Hoyland at the beginning of Springwood Road (from Skiers View Road). Working nearby and managed to get there in time to count 18 before they flew off at c3.30pm. Lots of berries in that general area so suspect they might hangs around.

And there's more!

Stairfoot Retail Park - 3 Waxwings early pm.
Elsecar Reservoir - 78 Mallards, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Moorhens and 8 Coots

Waxwings, Dodworth

Small party of Waxwings in trees by entrance to Silkstone Golf Club, early afternoon

WAXWINGS 29-11-2012

28 Waxwings this morning in the trees near the Albion Public House at Hemingfield. Moving around and feeding in the surrounding area.

Wintersett 28.11.12

Colder but brighter today.  Ground still saturated.
Anglers CP:  2 juvenile Common Scoters  are new in. As are more Canada Geese (237 total), including one white type with a pink bill.    The female Long-tailed Duck  and the 1st winter male Scaup are still here   Also here Goosander 27, Pochard 130, Teal 29 Water Rail 1. A Brambling was at the feeding station in the car park. 2 Crossbills flew over at 09.28hrs and a female Blackcap was feeding on Alder Buckthorn berries at the entrance to the CP. 
Wintersett Res:  The Egyptian Geese were in the north bank field along with 7 Grey Partridge.  The American Wigeon was in the NE corner.   The 1st winter male and adult male Scaup were seen from the east bank. The female Scaup was on Botany.

Woodcock

....just gone low NE over Cliffe Road, Brampton Bierlow towards Old Moor @ 16:40.

I knew they liked Rudd but...............

Old Moor: Four Bitterns roosted at the Reedbeds tonight. Also Peregrine and Barn Owls seen late pm.

Adwick Tip

Short-eared Owl 1 showing well this afternoon, Kestrel 3, Sparrowhawk 1, Fieldfare 50, Willow Tit 1, Redwing 100. Little Egret 1 (Adwick washlands)

bits

Old Moor: 3 male Goldeneye, Dunlin, 2 Waxwings, 2 Brambling.

Bolton Ings: 3 Goldeneye.

Broomhill Flash: 2 Goldeneye, 131 Pink-feet through, Short-eared Owl still yesterday late pm.

Stairfoot Retail Park: 18 Waxwings, Tesco's car park late am.

Adwick, Late Afternoon.

2 Waxwings near the 'crossroads' plus about 10 Yellow Bunts.

Wintersett Countdown 27.11.12

 Weather was overcast, damp and cold but it's been all go today here.
4  Scaup:  1st Winter male and an adult male on WRes.  A first winter male on Anglers. The female was still on Botany.  Also 4 Whooper Swans (2 adults and 2 juvs) dropped on to Anglers at 10.30hrs
3 Egyptian Geese in north bank field WRes.
2  LONG-TAILED DUCKS: The female was on Anglers early doors but was reported to have flown off south during the morning.  A new male (probably 1st winter) was still on WRes at dusk.
1 American Wigeon - drake on ACP. .  1 Short-eared Owl was flushed from behind the main hide at 14.40 hrs. It flew off SE, carrying a vole.    1 Dunlin  flew over this morning and, (hopefully),didn't get eaten by a Sparrowhawk like yesterday.
And there's more!  60 Golden Plover  flew over Haw Park Wood, 42 Pink-footed Geese flew east at 13.20.  Also here: Goosander 14 ACP + 2 WRes. Teal 14 ACp.
To round off the day   25 Waxwings dropped in to west bank WRes., briefly, before flying towards Haw Park Wood.
Phew!  Here are  some pics. for your further enjoyment.

Long-tailed Duck                  Kev Denny

Long-tailed Duck                     Kev Denny

Long-tailed Duck                         Kev Denny

Ruddy good news

No don't worry, not about to let out any avian secrets, just some news on the Bittern front. Firstly, one roosted tonight at the Reedbeds. Also present, Little Egret, Barn and Tawny Owl. Meanwhile, at least 40 Waxwings remain at Stairfoot Retail Park.

Many of you will be aware that the incredible record of nesting Bitterns at the Reedbeds this year was assisted by the release of around 1,000 Rudd during March. The great news is that several thousand more are to be released there before the next breeding season. The Rudd are from a fish farm in Nottinghamshire and release began again yesterday as Kate Thorpe's excellent photos below illustrate.

Edderthorpe
                    Tues.AM. Flash now level with river at spillway yet again. Birdwise 5 Buzzard were in the air together at 9-30 to 10-30. 1male Goldeneye and 1Goosander were the only notable difference from previous visits.

Midhope & Underbank

Midhope Reservoir - 7 Mallards.
Midhopestones - 2 Goosanders west and c25 Lesser Redpolls.
Underbank Reservoir - 61 Mallards, 7 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Moorhens, 1 Coot and 4+ Jays.

Mid-day news

Not often it's worth a mid-day update in winter, so lets make the most of it!

Old Moor: 'Cream Crown' Marsh Harrier blogging, 2 Whoopers through, 1+ Brambling at feeders.

Elsecar Res: 4 GC Grebes + female Mandarin under bushes at far end of Dam Wall. Not seen it out of water to say if ringed or not but appears fully winged.

Ryhill Ponds: female Long-tailed Duck still on Anglers + male on Wintersett Top Res. Breeding next?

Looking up

Despite the gloomy then wet weather quite good at Old Moor today: Goldeneye 2, Redshank 5+, Bar-tailed Godwit 1 (Mere), Dunlin 3, Snipe 12 (Field Pools), Brambling 2 visiting feeders.

Wintersett 26.11.12

Early mist cleared by drizzle and light winds by 10.00.  Heavier rain started 1.00pm.
Anglers CP:  Female Long-tailed Duck  and drake American Wigeon.
We don't get many waders dropping in here so drama of the day was when a Dunlin flew around the lake before landing on the islands in front of the hide.  As it flew between islands a sparrowhawk swooped in.  The Dunlin dropped into the water but the sparrowhawk persisted and carried it off to have as an early lunch.
Wintersett Res: A flock of c60 Chaffinch feeding on the north bank also contained a Brambling.  All 3 Egyptian Geese were in the same field.  Male and juv. male Scaup still here.  Female Scaup on Botany. Goosander 5 + 10 ACP  and Water Rail 1 + 1ACP.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Birds Present included 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 14 Tufted Duck, 13 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 f Goldeneye, 1 Wigeon , 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Green Sandpiper.

Bolton Ings late AM + early PM- On the open water were 15 Cormormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mute Swan +4 juv, 60 Gadwall, 23 Tufted Duck, 25 Wigeon, 18 Pochard, 15 Shoveler, 2 Goldeneye( m+f ) and 1 Common Gull. Flyovers included 8 Golden Plover, Shelduck( groups of 5 and 2) and a Whooper Swan  at 1.05pm, heading from over Wombwell Ings towards Old Moor. Also present were 1 Kestrel, a flock of 40+ Goldfinch, 38 Lapwing, 1 Green Sandpiper, 150+ Redwing, 50+ Fieldfare and 3 Green Woodpecker.

Winscar, Ingbirchworth etc.

Winscar Reservoir - 2 Canada Geese, 80+ Mallards and 1 Moorhen.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Wigeon, 29 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Moorhen, 11 Coots and 12 Carrion Crows.
Annat Royd Lane - 48 Greylag Geese, 210 Canada Geese and 12+ Carrion Crows.
Fullshaw - 200+ Rooks.
Castle Dam - 28 Canada Geese, 1 Canada x Greylag Goose, 2 Gosanders, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Moorhens, 9 Coots and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Mammals - 1 Weasel across the road at Carlecoates.

Adwick Washlands (am)

Little Egret 1, Little Grebe 1, Canada Geese c200, Greylag Geese c160, Mallard 80, Teal 27, Wigeon 3, Shelduck 4, Lapwing 30, Golden Plover 70, Redwing c20, Wood Pigeon c400 in surrounding fields, Green Woodpecker 1, Grey Partridge 10, Bullfinch 4, Siskin 4.

Wintersett Early Doors

The Long-tailed Duck is still on the Country Park Lake, along with the American Wigeon. Female Scaup still on Botany Bay.

Edderthorpe Floods - again!

For the forth time this year the River Dearne has come over the floodbanks at Edderthorpe Flash and completly filled it up. Fortunatly at this time of year there is little to be harmed breeding bird wise but I would imagine the voles and things aren't too pleased about it. Goosander 9 and Shoveler 35 were the highlights on the water, but the flooding has moved Snipe 16 and Jack Snipe 2 out of the marsh and onto the grass floodbank.

7th Heaven Wintersett 25.11.12

Long-tailed Duck       P Meredith

The Long-tailed duck was still on Anglers at dusk today.  It's the 7th record for Wintersett and it's been 7 years since the last one in 2005!

Dove-tale

Wombwell Ings today - John Hewitt

A visit to Wombwell Ings and Gypsy Marsh this afternoon. Little of note at the latter but the visit to Wombwell Ings was interesting mainly to see what the heavy rain had produced. The Ings looked well as can be seen from above. Bird-wise, a few bits including a good count (for time of year) of 9 Grey Herons. Also Little Egret but number of ducks remain quite low. The walk to Doveside was interesting for the spectacle. The only birds of note there however, were a pair of Siskin in the alders with about 20 Goldfinch and a single Goldcrest. A few more of my pictures below:

Where Dove meets Dearne

The River Dove

Doveside, looking well.

The access bridge over the Dove. Don't blame the Darfield people for any disturbance today!

Wintersett Long-tailed Duck 25.11.12

Anglers CP Highlight:  A female  LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at 10.55hrs.  It was diving a lot and flying to different areas of the lake.  A call to Calder Wetlands confirmed that the Long-tailed Duck seen there earlier this morning, had left after 20 minutes.  It is possible that this is the same bird. 

Other notables here:  Male Scaup ACP, juv. male Scaup WRes,  female Scaup Botany,  American Wigeon WRes,  3 Egyptian Geese Car Park Field

Record Shot        Long-tailed Duck              A Smith

 

Stop press again!

Just had a message to say there's a Long-tailed Duck on Anglers CP (perhaps the bird from nearby Calder Wetlands?). No doubt we will get more information later. Also, as per-pager, c60 Waxwings at Stairfoot Tesco car park this morning. No further sightings of yesterdays Firecrest at Old Moor, yet............

Foggy Wintersett

A bit of a wash-out (or rather a mist-out) here today. Dawn broke with minus1.5 temperatures and everywhere shrouded in mist - it cleared a bit by mid morning but quickly misted over again in the afternoon - and then it rained! All the wildfowl are still present;- American Wigeon and Egyptian Geese 3 on the country park, all 3 Scaup on the top res and botany. Too foggy to see the gull roost. Eight Crossbills were in the hedge by the car park briefly in the morning.

Barn Owl

Annat Royd Lane - 3 Pink-footed Geese in the Greylag flock.
Winscar Reservoir - c100 Pink-footed Geese ESE.
 per Mick Cunningham.

This Barn Owl was photographed in a house at South View Farm, Dunford Bridge on 8th November. The picture was sent to Huddersfield Birdwatchers Club and forwarded to me by Mick Cunningham.

An unusual high moorland record.

Wednesday, late afternoon.

1 hunting s.e. owl, woolley grange.

stop press

Firecrest Old Moor in sycamores at Bird Garden.

Bit of news

Some of you will know John Brown (Souter Bird Observatory); he was featured on the BBC One Show last night (23.11.12) ringing Storm Petrels on the Isles of Scilly.

'The Big Year' is on Sky Movies at the moment. A film about twitching in America featuring Jack Black and Steve Martin. In my opinion it's well worth watching.

Cid is getting married !!! Which is great news.

And another bit of good news, Ben Whitworth has been appointed Dearne Valley Green Heart (DVGH) - Improvement Area Community Ranger at Old Moor.

 

Waxwings

This afternoon, 4 Waxwings were in the trees near the Albion. Public House Hemingfied Village

Wintersett Roost Boost 23.11.12

Blue sky, cool and sunny.
The highlights today were in the gull roost this afternoon.  At 15.30 hrs  a first winter Caspian Gull wearing a yellow ring was spotted, followed ,at 16.00hrs, by another Caspian Gull, this time an adult. Seeing two of these birds in the same roost is a first for Wintersett Res.
Other highlights today: A flock of 11 Crossbills passed through Haw Park Wood and another first for here was a female Blackcap on the feeding station in Anglers CP car park.
Regular goodies still here:  
WRes: Drake American Wigeon in NE corner.  Male Scaup and juv male Scaup off west bank.  Egyptian Goose 2 in north bank field and 1 ACP.    
Botany Bay: Common Buzzard  and Female Scaup.
AnglersCP: Goosander 9,  Water Rail 1.
Correction from yesterday.  ACP: Pochard should have read 165 (not 16).

Crepuscular news

Birds seen at dusk included the Short-eared Owl at Broomhill Flash and the Bittern going to roost on the Reedbeds at Old Moor. Daytime sightings at Old Moor included c500 Golden Plover, 3 Redshank and Green Sandpiper. A Little Egret and a Green Sandpiper were at Broomhill Flash.

Cortonwood

A large Retail Park and a Housing Estate are situated close to an interesting birding location, Just a small area of water which attracts a few winter migrants. Goosander 18, Great Crested Grebe 1 Tufted Duck 9, Grey Wagtail 1, Heron 1, Bullfinch 2, Redwing 8, and a Sparrowhawk 1.

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 53 Mallards, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Moorhens and 15 Coots.
Copley Wood (side of A616) - pre-roost gathering of 250+ Rooks.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Birds present included 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 15 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 11 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 1 Goldeneye, 39 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, 7 Common Gull, 3 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Mistle Thrush.

Wombwell Ings late AM- Birds present included 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 110+ Canada Geese, 13+ Greylag, 28 Wigeon, 26 Mallard, 23 Teal, 18 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 3 Pied Wagtail and 8 Meadow Pipit.

Wintersett Trio 22.11.12

 Mild 10 degrees, overcast and  windy.
AnglersCP: Pochard 165 (corrected 23.11.12),  Goosander 9 and Teal 16.
Wintersett Res: There was a surprise ending to  another very muddy trudge this morning . After  checking the regular goodies were still present  - Female Scaup on Botany,  American Wigeon in the SE corner,  Egyptian Goose 2 in the north bank field and 1 on Anglers.   Another Scaup, an adult male,  had joined the juvenile male Scaup off the west bank.  Cheered us up no end!
Some readers may have been on tenterhooks because it's taken me two days to find the fungus mentioned by Cliff earlier this week. That's because it was sitting high up in the dead sycamore, way above my eyeline (as most things are).  Anyhow, here's a shot of what it looks like from underneath.   A fine example indeed.

  Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes)      Ange Smith

Rabbit Ings

There were at least 3 Short-eared Owls hunting from 3.15pm yesterday (Mick Birkinshaw) 

Dale Bentham

Tony Smith

Tony Smith

Wintersett 21.11.12

Persistent rain all morning.  Nothing new to report.
Wintersett Res Botany Bay: Adult female Scaup.
Wintersett Res: Juvenile male Scaup. Egyptian Goose2 + 1 ACP
Anglers CP: Drake American Wigeon.  Pintail 1 juvenile male.  Teal 5.  

Old Moor: Little Egret 1, Goosander 27 (roosted), Golden Plover c500, Redshank 2, Green Sand 1, Tawny Owl 1.

Broomhill Flash: SEO again late afternoon.

Elsecar: GC Grebe 5, Goosander 10

The Edge

Broomhill Flash all morning- Sense dictated that it was preferable to stay in the hide than venture out into the deluge. Through the rain could be seen 6 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 17 Tufted Duck, 10 Teal, 9 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 2 Wigeon and 1 Snipe.

Wombwell Ings early PM- The area of standing water is now quite extensive,. Present were 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 30+ Greylag, 25+ Mallard, 25+ Wigeon, 17 Gadwall,  7 Shoveler7 Tufted Duck, 6 Teal, 1 Goosander and c20 Golden Plover.

It's........ deja vu......all over again

Excellent post Cliff......it got me thinking about the time when we had regular (max 6?) SEOs hunting over Wath Ings and how things have changed since then.

For a start we now have trees. Looking around the old Wath area it's hard to imagine that there were no trees - or very few trees. You had to walk up to Cat Hill to see woodland birds. In those days a single Jay was a noteworthy record.

I might be wrong here but the reduction of SEOs in this area seems to have coincided with increases in Tawny Owls and LEOs which have followed the increase in woodland cover. There's now up to 3 pairs of LEOs just at the Adwick end of the valley. I wonder if there is direct competition between these owl species; the Tawnys and LEOs pushing the SEOs out of the old Wath area.

Deja Vue

Seeing the Short-eared Owls again recently at Rabbit Ings (formerly New Monckton Colliery tip) I was reminded of the first time I saw one here during a ringing session in the spring of 1979.  It was probably one

of 8 that frequented Carlton Marsh from October 1978 to May 1979.

Two years later two were seen at Monkton again on November 24^th 1981. (Peter Senior, John C. Clarkson) During the following year up to four were seen together between January and April 1982 with one more in October the same year. (Alan Winset).  As far as I know there hasn’t been anymore until the present time.  

Mick Birkinshaw and the Groundwork Dearne Valley Trust seem to have created the right balance of open space for wild flowers with small areas of woodland and wetland rather than going down the road of planting vast numbers of trees, which has happened on most reclaimed spoil tips.  So I hope we can all look forward to seeing Short Eared Owls, Wheatears, Stonechats, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and the like for many years to come.

The Phragmites reedbeds at the base of the southern end of the old pit tip held large numbers of Corn Buntings and Reed Buntings during the late 1970’s.  Phil Wordsworth, Keith Bannister, Peter Senior and myself ringed 52 Corn Buntings and more than 600 Reed Buntings here until flooding made the reedbeds unworkable after 1982.  For all our efforts we controlled two Reed Buntings that were both ringed in Lancashire, and a Pied Wagtail that was ringed in Durham.  However, several Reed Buntings were retrapped at Wintersett Reservoir and Carlton Marsh.

Wintersett 20.11.12

Mild (12 degrees),  damp, grey and same old goodies still here.
Wintersett Res Botany Bay: American Wigeon.  Adult Female Scaup.
Wintersett Res: Juvenile Male Scaup.  2 Egyptian Geese + 1 ACP.
Anglers CP: Juvenile male Pintail,  Goosander 6,  Teal 6.

dawn n dusk

A visit to Broomhill Flash at dawn produced nothing much, but on returning at dusk there were two Goldeneye's, Oystercatcher and Short-eared Owl.

Cortonwood: GC Grebe, Goosander 8, Pochard.

Elsecar: GC Grebe 4, Goosander 3,

Stainborough 20/11

Went to the gardens again for an hour this afternoon to check the hawfinch site.  No luck.  Yesterday that part of the gardens was full of birds feeding, calling and moving around - tits, crests, redwings.  So much so that I spent a long time going through the flocks hoping for a Lesser Pecker.  That is how I found the hawfinch.  Today not only no hawfinch - not so much as a feather!

Rabbit Ings

The Short-eared Owls are still creating a lot of interest as they continue to hunt over the landscaped spoil tip during the late afternoon.  Derek Wroe's patience was rewarded with another great shot.

Ray Dye

OMA Recent

Old Moor today: 2 Little Egrets, Peregrine, Green Sand.

A few numbers from the area yesterday: Whooper Swan 16 east, Greylag 210,  Gadwall 360, Goosander 24, Snipe 18, Green Sand 3, Waxwing 6.

And Saturday: Black-tailed Godwit 1, Chiffchaff 1.

Wintersett 19.11.12

Damp, grey and breezy today.
Anglers CP: Peregrine  1 adult flew south.   American Wigeon  1 drake,  Pintail 1 juvenile male, Canada Goose 30,  Goosander 15,  Egyptian Goose 1 +2 WRes..
Wintersett Res: Snipe 20 over,  Scaup 1 juvenile male.   1 adult female  Scaup on Botany Bay.

Just a few bits for 18-11-12

Low Barugh s.f - 1 green sand, half a dozen meadow pipits might have to build up to attract something rarer.
Had afteroon on the moors with Dave Simmonite. Quiet, highlights being- 2 ravens over ewden height + 1 buzzard+ a pair of stonechats in this area. Ewden, dukes rd. triangle walk very quiet with just a male stonechat near stone circle entrance gate.

Uplands round-up

Castle Dam - 36 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag x Canada Goose, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Coots, c200 Black-headed Gull and 1 drake Cape Shelduck.
Scout Dike Reservoir - 11 Mallards, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Cormorant.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 45 Greylag Geese, 207 Canada Geese, 41 Mallards, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Moorhens, 12 Coots, 120+ Black-headed Gulls, 21 Common Gulls and 8 Herring Gulls.
Whitley Edge - 52 Common Gulls, 33 Carrion Crows and 150+ Starlings (down from 2,500+ on the 13th).

Hawfinch

Today I fulfilled my second greatest wish connected to my duties at Stainborough - I found a Hawfinch!  (First prize obviously would be to find them breeding.)  The bird seemed quite settled - I watched it from 12.15 to 13.00 and it was only out of sight for a couple of minutes at a time and I don't think it ever left the tree.  It is near the castle in a tall sycamore on the northern edge of the gardens.  I put Gary Lee onto it and he is leaving maps marked with an X at the admissions desk.  Incidentally Gary's last record was three years ago and in the same tree!
I also found a Willow Tit in the parkland and apparently this is a good record for the site.

Carlton Marsh

Webs Core Count; Mute Swan 2, Mallard 40, Gadwall 19, Teal 2, Moorhen 2, Kingfisher 1, Heron 1.

Also 1 late male Common Darter which is just 2 days short of the all time record here.

Bolton Ings - 18th November

Yet another glorious Sunday morning, clear blue skies and flat calm. 1 degrees c at 8 oclock and a sharp frost but warmed up nicely to 10c by mid afternoon. Highlight today being 16 Whooper Swans which flew east at 09.35, looked like all adults. Fairly quiet apart from Whoopers, female Goldeneye still present and Gadwall up to 85 although the Pochard never came out of the reeds today. Full list :- Grey Heron 6, Mute Swan 8, Whooper Swan 16, Canada Goose 169, Grey Lag Goose 3, Cormorant 12, Great Crested Grebe 2, Little Grebe 3, Mallard 3, Teal 1, Shoveler 2, Gadwall 84, Tufted Duck 18, Pochard 29, Goldeneye 1, Coot 235, Moorhen 11, Lapwing 180, Snipe 5, Black Headed Gull 125, Common Gull 8, Kestrel 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Jay 6, Green Woodpecker 2, Grey Wagtail 1.

Edderthorpe a.m.and Wintersett p.m.

A skein of 120 Pink-feet went south-west at 08.50. Shelduck 1, Shoveler 33 and a Goldeneye were on the flash. All the Lapwing and Goldies were very 'jumpy' but not surprising as first a Merlin went low over the water and then 2 Peregrines together buzzed the flock.
Wintersett extras;
Some decent counts from the WeBS wildfowl counts included - Gadwall 124, Wigeon 232, Goldeneye 60, Tufted 410, Pochard 113, Coot 709, and in the gull roost this evening - GBBG 10, LBBG 20, Herring Gull 80, Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult, Common Gull 1700, Black-headed Gull 9000.

Wintersett 18.11.12

 Frosty start but sunny all morning. 
Anglers CP Vis. Mig.Highlights: Going East  Whooper Swan 25 at 08.57hrs,   Pink-footed Goose 295 in 3 skeins: 65 at 09.05,   130 at 09.25 and  100 at 09.35.   Starling 24 W at 10.48.
Also here at CP:  Drake American Wigeon,   Pintail 1 juv. male,  Snipe 3,  Goosander 4,  Egyptian Goose 3 Teal 6,  Little Grebe 2,  Grey Heron 3,  Water Rail1, Scaup 1 juv male.
Wintersett Res: 1 female Scaup back on Botany Bay.

Castle Dam & Underbank

The Ruddy Shelduck at Castle Dam has been re-identified as a drake Cape Shelduck. Also there - 23 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Moorhens, 10 Coots and 300+ Black-headed Gulls.
Underbank Reservoir - 38+ Mallards, 20 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Coots.

Wintersett 17.11.12

Heavy rain overnight had stopped by  9.00am.  Cooler today -7 degrees.
Anglers CP:  Drake American Wigeon,  juvenile male Pintail,  7 Teal,  3 Goosander, 
2 Egyptian Geese + 1 WRes.
Wintersett Res: Juvenile male Scaup,   1 Chiffchaff.

Fust f' tops?

Castle Dam - 1 Ruddy Shelduck at 15:00hrs - per Brian Penistone.
First upland/moorland record to my knowledge. But is it an escape or is it feral? or who cares either way.
Still nice to see.

Waxwings

The 20 Waxwings reported at 1.15 opposite the old garden centre on Station Road, just off Manvers Way were still there at 2.15.

YesterJAY

Photo taken by Mick Rushton on Friday 16th November from Cormorant Hide on Bolton Ings.

Ingbirchworth & Midhope

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 45 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 46 Mallards. 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Moorhens, 8 Coots, c300 Black-headed Gulls and 1 first-winter Herring Gull.
Midhope Reservoir - 8 Mallards, 5 Teal and 1 Moorhen.

On a lighter note..............

Cliff says...........
'Lets lighten up these pages with peoples thoughts' !!!!..............

Do you know that some of our little chums do not post on here because of such disparaging comments !!!

LOL !!!
 

Nevertheless, some of the best banter I have heard in my life has come from:

The Wath Association of Twitchers that used to meet in the old Wath Ings hide.
None of the banter could ever be described as complimentary.
Some members of this group have gone on to be Grand Masters such at 'The Lawman' and 'Hamid Seev'.
So it would be fab if we could have that sort of banter on here.
A potential problem would be that those that weren't there may find it a bit difficult to understand. 

The Cliff on Rabbit Ings

My thoughts are; that it's not the population of rodents that is the important consideration on Rabbit Ings - it is the habitat that allows rodents to be abundant that is important.

We have at the side of every wetland area along the Dearne Valley huge areas of ex-colliery spoil heaps that if managed correctly would enable farmland/grassland bird species to become much more abundant e.g. owls, harriers, skyark, meadow pipit,  quail, yellowhammer, grey partridge etc etc.

Edderthorpe Ings - Cudworth Common. Park Spring Tip
Houghton Washland - Houghton Main Tip
Broomhill / Old Moor - Bolton Tip
Adwick - Bolton Common Tip
 

Unfortunately after the demise of the mining industry there was a mad rush to 'green' the valley. Consequently all of these spoil heaps were rapidly top soiled and blanketed with trees without much thought.

It is up to local birders to point out to the RSPB, Barnsley Council and Forestry Commission that these sites should be managed more effectively for the benefit of birds.

Which of course means a bit of tweaking to remove large swathes of trees and carry out a bit of re-landscaping to create grassland and heathland habitats.
Not many river valleys have such massive ex-colliery spoil heaps running along the length of them like the Dearne Valley has.
Huge benefits could be gained in the valley if these areas were managed for birds.
It would be great to have more owls and harriers using the valley.
 
It is up to you to push this.

Rabbit Ings

4 Short-eared Owls hunting this afternoon. (Ralph Hibbert, Les Corral)

E-mail from Mick Birkinshaw

 

I have a dilemma, one that has been on my mind now for a while, how many voles are there on Rabbit Ings???

Does anyone out there in bird blog world have the answer, has anyone done a piece on The Abundance of Voles, Mice and Shrews on former Colliery Sites for Consumption by Short-eared Owls, Kestrels, Foxes, Stoats and Weasels.

The site is 70 hectares in size and we have had 2 broods of Kestrels feeding all Summer, then we have had the SEO's for about 2 months, plus all the other diners at the vole table. I welcome any comments serious as well as amusing. 

Lets lighten up these pages with peoples thoughts!!!!

 

I've met some more friendly people today, one from Barton on Humber, sorry didn't get your name? We had convivial dialogue over lashings of hot tea in 'Cafe Monckton,' after an afternoon stood out in the cold for most of the day. One new tea drinker, Andrew Smith from Wentworth and local Melvyn Plant from Cudeth sent in the attached pics.....more to come from today's soiree, I hope?

 

 

Thanks to all contributors to the Rabbit Ings blog.

Mick Birkinshaw

Rabbit Ings Country Park Project Officer
Groundwork Dearne Valley

Work 01226 740077
Mobile 07854 926199

The National Trust’s High Peak Moors Vision and Plan Project

Red Grouse - Ron Marshall

This is probably a once in a lifetime chance to influence management of this critically important part of our area. It is vital that conservationists offer support and propose specific actions. We all know what goes on! So if you want to see more birds like this:

Hen Harrier - Ron Marshall

And this:

Merlin - Ron Marshall

then please follow the link and take action. You can give your feedback online, or via a form that you can download from the website. The deadline for comments is 30th November.

http://www.high-peak-moors.co.uk/ to view the plan, or call 01433 670368 or email peakdistrict@nationaltrust.org.uk to be sent a copy through the post.

additional

Just a couple of additions to that of the edge. Two Little Egrets together at Broomhill Flash apparently both colour ringed. The Short-eared Owl was up at 15.50 over the rough-stuff (no, not Farm Rd!).

The Edge

Broomhill mid AM- Birds present included 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 24 Tufted Duck, 16 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 1 f Goldeneye, 1 Pochard, 6 Common Gull, 2 Snipe, 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Bolton Ings late AM- On the open water were 4 Grey Heron,1 Little Egret, 3 Cormorant, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan+3 juv, 85+ Canada, 61+ Greylag, 73 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Duck, 15+ Mallard, 9 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Shelduck and 11 Common Gull. Also seen were 80+ Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 3+ Jay, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 3+ Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk  and 3 Buzzard soaring together over Bolton west end,

ADWICK

Short-eared Owl at least 1 on tip-top 15.00 to 15.45, Kingfisher 1, Fieldfare c.12, Redwing 2.

Wintersett 16.11.12

Cold, still  and misty morning, brightening towards midday.
Wintersett Res Highlight: SNOW BUNTING - 1 flew over going west, calling at 10.55.
Also here: Scaup 1 juv. male,  Teal 3
Anglers CP going West :  Redwing 1,  Starling 30,  Siskin 2,  Chaffinch 6.
Also here: Drake American Wigeon,  Egyptian Goose 3,  Goosander 3.
Moths: A mottled Umber and a Scarce Umber were on security lights in the car park.

Carlton Marsh

This morning - A Woodcock was flushed from a footpath nearby at 08.30hrs (Keith Bannister) 

A Little Owl was languishing on a lorry chassis (Lidster's Yard) Blackbird c20, Redwing 15, Wood Pigeon c250 south.  Then 120 Pink Feet flew NW 11.15hrs followed by 20 N 11.30hrs and 60 N 12.00hrs. (Dave Smith)

This afternoon - Kingfisher, Cormorant, 3 Water Rails and a ringed adult Black Headed Gull (left leg) which was too distant to read.

Another mild night last night produced 3 moths Silver Y, Blair's Shoulder Knot and The Chestnut in my garden trap. 

Wintersett 15.11.12

Anglers CP: New in today  COMMON  SCOTER  2 male.   Pink-footed Goose 33 W at 10.17 hrs,  20 N at 11.33 hrs,  147 W at 12.37.  Siskin 4, Fieldfare 70W,  Starling W27.   American Wigeon Drake,  Pintail juv. male,  Goosanders 3,  Teal 24, Snipe 7,  Egyptian Goose 2 + 1 WRes.
Also flying: Common Darter 1.
Wintersett Res: Scaup 1 juvenile male,  Water Rail  4.

dusk update

Old Moor at dusk (Chris Harris): 17 Goosanders, Redshank, Green Sand, Black-t Godwit, Barn Owl.

Adwick reclaimed tip

Short eared Owls 2 showing well at 15.15 at the Bolton end of the tip. On Adwick washlands at dusk 3 quad bikes using the central pathway flushing all the wildfowl

brave Waxwings

Two Waxwings were on Farm Road, Kendray early afternoon, flycatching around the now burnt-out shell of the former Farm Road Club

border Waxwings?

Two skeins of Pinkies over Old Moor today; c250 and c120. Also Little Egret and c700 Golden Plover.

Wombwell Ings = Little Egret

Cortonwood + GC Grebe, 9 Goosanders (3 males).

Pager news of 100 Waxwings at Wooley Edge northbound services (M1). Someone may like to enlighten me as to if (as I suspect) this is in BBSG recording area? Wouldn't it be great to have a detailed map of area online. Any offers? Maybe Wakefield Council can help!!!!!!!!

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 63 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 6+ Moorhens and 10 Coots.

Manvers Lake

Waxwing c40  between the boat house and the golf course at 09.30 am., Lesser Redpoll 8, Greenfinch 6, Bullfinch 4. (Jim Thompson, Ken F.)

Rabbit Ings

2 Short Eared Owls today (Chris andy Parkin) 1 was seen earlier heading north towards Felkirk (Ray Dye)

Derek Wroe Submitted this shot of a Fieldfare

40 Years On

Today 40 years ago the wildlife recording system began at what is now Carlton Marsh! 

Below is a photo of the regulars back in 1979, two years after  the site was declared a Local Nature Reserve.  I think it was the first local authority owned and managed reserve in the country? 

Look closely and you will see Eric Bennett (extreme left) next to him Edwin Blunt & his wife, Keith Bannister, me, Gary Lee (not the Worsborough one) John J. Jackson, John Moore and a very young Peter Senior (aged just 15)

Due to commitments I didn't manage to get out today, but here a two moths I caught in my garden trap last night.

Feathered Thorn

The Herald

Waxwings everywhere! This one was part of around 45 at Manvers today - Keith Pickering

As well as the Manvers flock around 30 flew over Edderthorpe.

Wintersett 14.11.12

Very mild today.   Usuals still here.

Anglers CP:  Egyptian Goose 2 + 1 WRes. Goosander 3,  Pintail 1 juv. male. Water Rail 1, Redwing 20 west, Teal 1 male.
Wintersett Res Botany Bay: American Wigeon drake.  Female Scaup and Juv. Scaup on main res.  

Smoked out!

Smoke drifting across Langsett Reservoir from heather-burning on Langsett Moors prevented any build-up in gull nummber with just 217 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls roosting. 100's of Black-headed's arrived before spiralling high and moving off to the north. Langsett's loss was probably Ingbirchworth's gain.

Waxwing's Galore.

Waxwing's 45+ in the tree's at Manvers Lake (near Old Moor) between the Boat House and Golf Course Centre.

yawn!

Little Egret Old Moor. Peregrine and drake Goosander over Bolton. Goldeneye Broomhill.

Wintersett 13.11.12

Everything pretty much the same  here.  Weather very mild - 15 degrees at lunch time.
Anglers CP:  Egyptian Goose 2 + 1 WRes. Goosander 2,  Pintail 1 juv. male
Wintersett Res Botany Bay: American Wigeon drake and female Scaup.  Juv. Scaup on main res. Fieldfare 50 W.       There was no sign of the Azorean Atlantic Gull in the roost tonight.

Brampton Bierlow

Waxwing 1 SW mid-morning, over Cliffe Road.

Cortonwood Lakeside

12 Goosander 7 male and 5 female. Plus Tufted Ducks, Pochards, Great Crested Grebe, Little Crebe, Heron, 19 Redwing, 12 Fieldfare and 2 Buzzard over. Approach from the roundabout on Smithy Bridge Lane or Elsecar Road B6097. Can also walk up the slope at the rear of B&Q at Cortonwood Retail Park.

Starlingfest

A drive around the Little Don Valley & Ingbirchworth Reservoirs yielded very little of note, with the 'highlights' being:-
More Hall Reservoir - 1 Canada Goose, 79 Mallards and 1 Muscovy Duck!!
Broomhead Reservoir - 17 Mallards.
Midhope Reservoir - 1 Little Grebe.
Langsett Reservoir - 16 Canada Geese.
Royd Moor Hill - 1 Common Buzzard.
Whitley Edge - 2,500+ Starlings.
Broadstone Reservoir - 53 Lapwings and 11 Carrion Crows.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Canada Geese, 44 Mallards, 1 drake Pochard, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Moorhens, 4 Coots, c120 Black-headed Gulls and 28 Common Gulls.
Annat Royd Lane - c100 Jackdaws feeding with c70 Rooks.
Fullshaw - 1 Raven.

Further to Defra

Obviously the Norfolk area has similar problems to us...  I'm sure the lads from the Pond will agree.  Wells-Next Sea.

Rabbit Ings

4 Short Eared Owls and a male Stonechat today (Dave Standish)

Wintersett 12.11.12

Damp and grey but milder than of late.  
A dozen folk turned up for the gull roost but unfortunately, the Azorean Atlantic Gull didn't show up.  I hope everyone found their way back home and are now recovering from the shock of moving from their local patches!

Wintersett Res: 2 Scaup - female and juv. male .
Anglers CP: Waxwing 1 W at 07.30hrs,  Brambling 1 W,  Drake American Wigeon, Goosander 1, Water Rail 1 and Egyptian Goose 2 + 1WRes.

Brampton Bierlow

Cliffe Road - Waxwing : 8 SSW @ 07:35 & 13 S @ 07:55.

Sat-isfying!

Old Moor: 180 Greylags roosted. Little Egret, C1,000 Golden Plover, 3 Redshank, 2 Green Sands', 2 Barn Owls, Tawny Owl.

I made a late afternoon visit to Wintersett for the gull roost but no sign of the 'Azorean Yellow-legged Gull'. It wasn't all bad news though as I had to use my sat nav to get there. Born a Wath-Lad, die a Wath-Lad!

Ewden, Dukes Rd. triangle walk. 11-11-12.

Great conditions, not many birds. Just an adult peregrine off broomhead moor into the valley and a skylark down feeding on dukes road,

Adwick Washlands (am)

Little Egret 1, Little Grebe 3, Mallard 80, Shoveler 4, Teal 25, Wigeon 2, Snipe 5, Grey Partridge 19, Redwing c30, Fieldfare c60, Skylark 12, Yellowhammer 10, Tree Sparrow 11 (hedgerow, 1st field on the right up from maggot farm wood), Grey Wagtail 1.

Bolton Ings - 11th November

A cold start this morning 3c at 8 oclock and a sharp frost, clear blue skies and flat calm. Soon got milder and reached 10c by 11 oclock. Very quiet to start with but got better, highlight being 99 Pochard. Only 18 seen before something or someone disturbed them and they emerged from reeds to be counted. A female Goldeneye still present and a couple of Goosander flew round. A redshank present on the newly formed mud and Gadwall up to 78. Sadly the limping Oystercatcher found dead on the grassland between the 2 main pools. Full list :- Grey Heron 5, Mute Swan 8, Canada Goose 124, Grey Lag Goose 7, Cormorant 7, Great Crested Grebe 2, Little Grebe 6, Mallard 8, Teal 7, Shoveler 10, Gadwall 78, Tufted Duck 22, Pochard 99, Goosander 2, Goldeneye 1, Coot 224, Moorhen 23, Lapwing 53, Snipe 2, Redshank 1, Black Headed Gull 68, LBB Gull 1, Common Gull 8, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Jay 2, Green Woodpecker 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Redwing 6.

Carlton Marsh

2 Buzzards, 2 Great Spot Woodpeckers, 2 Siskin, 8 Redpolls. Also 1 Comma & 1 female Common Darter.

Rabbit Ings
At least 4 Short Eared Owls and 3 Buzzards were seen together this afternoon as well as an unconfirmed report of a Water Rail. (Mick Birkinshaw)

Mick thought the Daleks had colonised!

Tony Smith

Dale Bentham

A wobbly Azorean

As promised, they are a bit distant and the light was beginning to fade but this was a fantastic looking bird.

Wintersett Gull roost Goody

The Top Res gull roost held a real rarity this evening - Azorean Atlantic Gull, a near adult. At present this is a race of Yellow-legged Gull but may well be split in the future. The bird was found at 4.15 pm and watched from the bridge until dark. Photos should be appearing on here soon(dont expect too good photos - it was getting dark).
All the usual wildfowl is present;- American Wigeon spent all day on the CP, both Scaups, 3 Egyptian Geese, Pintail etc. A Short-eared Owl was over the CP late morning, 12 Waxwings late morning and 120 Pink-feet flew through. A late Red Admiral was still flying.

Old Moor: 13+ Waxwings in area today (25+ yesterday), Merlin, Water Rail, 750 + Golden Plovers, Green Sand. 99 Pochard Bolton Ings.

25 Waxwings South Kirby today (Dave Cutts).

Mr Penistone's Penistone sightings.

Castle Dam - 18 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag Goose x Canada Goose, 14 Mallards. 2 Little Grebes, 9 Coots, c400 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Little Owls - per Brian Penistone.

At Least Four

At least four short-eared owls showed on one occasion at Rabitt Ings this afternoon between 2.30pm  and dusk

ADWICK WASHLANDS - Short eared Owl 1 reported at mid-day yesterday Saturday 10th (M. Thompson)

Edderthorpe Sunday morning.
Awing tagged Buzzard flew south with crow escort @ 9.50 this morning, a pale tag on left wing,otherwise all quiet, frequent sightings of locally bred Buzzards. The Barn owls @ Storrs Mill farm are having a late brood, a non flying juv. was put back in the nest just over a week ago.

And There's More

3 Short Eared's today at Rabbit Ings. (Dave Standish) 'Cafe Monckton' was busy with Mick serving tea and coffee.

These photos were sent in by Tony Smith from Wombwell

Ferrymoor Flash

Female Goldeneye with 8 Tufted Ducks



Wintersett

American Wigeon still on Botany or across the road in the bay on the Top Res. Juv drake Scaup still on Top Res. Egyptian Geese 3 and Pintail on CP. Wigeon 195, Cormorant 39. Curlew 6 flew west in the morning. Main birds of the day were Waxwings - a minimum of 67 in 4 flocks either went straight through or slowly went through via the CP trees.

Wintersett

Most of the wildfowl are still present;- American Wigeon and Scaup (which is a adult female and not a juv) on the Botany, Egyptian Goose 3 on the CP, Scaup the juv drake still on the Top Res. Goosander 6 on CP. A flock of c400 Golden Plover circled over the CP early morning.
Vis mig was quite good for finches with;- Chaffinch 63, Brambling 7and Redpoll 9 the highlights.

Abbit Ings

Wombwell Ings: Little Egret 1,Goosander 2

Wath Ings: Goldeneye 2, Redshank 4, Green Sand 2

Cudworth

c100 Pink Feet Geese high over Newtown east at 09.12hrs. 30 minutes later a Buzzard was buzzed by 2 Carrion Crows over the Pinfold Hotel on Darfield Road.

At Storrs Mill c250 Golden Plover and c200 Lapwing were moving back and forth from Edderthorpe Flash and Low Cudworth.

Rabbit Ings - more photos

Derek Wroe from Kendray kindly sent both these photos, via Ray Dye, of Short Eared Owls hunting yesterday afternoon.

Carlton Marsh

A group of us were scrub bashing this morning along the old railway embankment to keep the main viewing areas open.
Meanwhile 3 male Common Darters and a Comma were out in the mid-day sun. (Chris Parkin)

Later birds included, Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, Great Spot Woodpecker, 6 Red Legged Partridge, Kingfisher and Water Rail.

Playtime?

Old Moor = 12 Waxwings this afternoon in play area.

Bolton Ings: Short-eared Owl

For anybody interested, the next Sheffield Bird Study Group meeting is as follows:

Changes in Yorkshire's Bird Populations - by Keith Clarkson

Date:November 14th at 7.15pm
Venue: University of Sheffield Arts Tower, Lecture Theatre 5. 

Rabbit Ings

Just two Short-eared Owls appeared at 3.53 this afternoon.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid AM- On a short visit 6 Cormorant,2 Mute Swan, 31 Tufted, 18 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon,1 male Pochard, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Common Gull were noted.

Bolton Ings late AM- A pleasant walk onto the ings with 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 1 Peregrine being seen. On the open water were 40 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mute Swan+4juv, 42 Gadwall, 31 Pochard, 15 Tufted Duck, 5 Shoveler, 3 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 LBB Gull and 5 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch and flyover flocks of Golden Plover( c40,c50).

Darfield

13 Waxwings flew low and west over North Street rec.
I've scored some reight goals on that field al tell thi.

1p

'Little change' at Elsecar Reservoir with 66 Mallards, 12 Great Crested Grebes. 2 Grey Herons, 11 Coots and 6 Moorhens.

Adwick Washlands (am)

Little Egret 1, Grey Heron 2, Little Grebe 3, Canada Geese c200, Greylag 80, Mallard 120, Teal 18, Tufted Duck 2, Shoveler 6, Golden Plover c600, Lapwing 150, Redshank 2, Snipe 5, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 2, Redwing 100, Grey Partridge 14, Yellowhammer 20, Willow Tit 1.

Wintersett

American Wigeon and Scaup still on Botany, juv Scaup still on Top Res, Egyptian Geese and Pintail on CP.
Vis mig was good this morning despite the strongish wind;-
Whooper Swan 28 - a flock of 10 at 10.03 headed for Pugneys then returned and left NE at 10.43 and another flock of 18 dropped onto the CP from great height at 10.30.
Waxwing 4 flew south, Redwing 404 west, Fieldfare 140 west, Brambling 3 west, Crossbill 1 west.

Haw Park Explodes!!

Finally got there early enough this morning to witness the Corvid roost dispersing from Haw Park at 06.40 hrs. Around 30 minutes before sunrise there was a mass evacuation of at least 3,000 Jackdaws, Crows and Rooks from the roost which all leave together. Numbers will build up through the winter, with up to double that seen in recent years. Its all over in around 3 minutes with birds leaving to the north and south at the moment. We would need them to leave to the east, which would take them over the Country Park, in order to get a chance of Raven or even Hooded Crow.

American Wigeon and immature Scaup were still on Botany Bay this morning.

Rabbit Ings

There is still quite a lot of interest in the Short Eared Owls, at least 8 birders from elsewhere were in situ along with Ray Dye, Dave Cooke and myself to see 2 hunting from about 15.30hrs.  The light was quite good so hopefully more photographs will be forth coming.

Also present were 2 Kestrels, and Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest and Redpoll in the wooded areas.  I didn't see the Stonechat, but Ray said it has been frequenting the south eastern corner of the site.