Friday, 31 May 2013

Friday's bits

Old Moor: At least two juv Bitterns were seen again on 'Bittern Watch'. Two probable Red Kites flew over gaining height at about 12.45 (Dave Cutts).

One of the Bitterns on 'gate duty' recently - Keith Pickering
Wombwell Ings: 2 Avocets, Whimbrel (field), second-summer Med' Gull over Broomhill village.

The Whimbrel in the field between Wombwell Ings and Broomhill today - Jim Thompson. This bird has been present for a couple of weeks now and looks somewhat disheveled and has a limp, but despite this is does seem to be feeding well, so hopefully will survive.



Broomhill Flash

For the Flash today we had:-

Redshank 1,
Oystercatcher 3.

Tufted Duck 15,
Great Crested Grebe 1,
Little Grebe 4 + 2 young,
Gadwall 1,
Mute Swan 5,
Mallard 9+ 10 duckling,
Little Gull 1 (still present 20.00hrs).


Little Gull Broomhill Flash




Red-legged Partridge 2,
Grey Partridge 2,
Kestrel 1.

Adwick 11am

7 Avocets, 6 Ring Plover and 2 young, 1 Cuckoo calling, 1 Common Tern, 4 Redshank, Lapwings and 2 chicks. Also a young couple walked past the hide, climbed the fence. When challenged politly and explained why this was the wrong thing to do they climbed back over and apologised; but said they had always walked across their in the past. Some signage here would help to educate the young and help protect the site.

Ewden Height/Barnside Moor

Ewden Height/Broomhead Moor - 1 creamcrown Marsh Harrier, 5 Common Buzzards, 1 Hobby,  1 Golden Plover, 1 Lapwing + 2 young, 1 Cuckoo, 1 singing Whinchat and 1 singing Tree Pipit.
per SBSG website.

Thursday, 30 May 2013

Adwick Wash 6pm

The spoonbill was on the top pool along with 7 Avocets and all the usual suspects nice to see the 2 RP chicks are still thriving.

Broomhill Flash

On Broomhill Flash today were :-

Redshank 1.

Tufted Duck 14,
Little Grebe 4+1 young,
Mallard 3+7 young,
Shovelor 1,
Great Crested Grebe 1,
Cormorant 1,
Little Gull 1 still present 20.00hrs.

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 1 drake Tufted Duck, 9 Great Crested Grebes and broods of 2 + 2 young, 4 Grey Herons, 10+ Coots with one brood of  2 young,  2 Common Terns and 3 singing Blackcaps.

Wintersett 30.05.13

Overcast, damp and cool.  Very quiet.
Anglers CP:  Common Tern 2,   Goldeneye 1 female.  Yellow Wagtail 1 and juv Swallow still here.
Walton Hall: 5 broods of Greylag Geese -6 + 5 +3 + 3 + 1.

Adwick washlands

Also this morning Cuckoo 1 along the northern boundary, Snipe 2 drumming, Dunlin 1, 4 Redshank with young, Spoonbill 1 until late morning.

Big bird morning!

The main excitement was the arrival of a Great White Egret which flew over the Field Pools at Old Moor before dropping onto Wath Ings. Fortunately, it remained there for over an hour giving anyone local and available time to see it, though it did make things difficult by choosing the old scrapes (near the pumps) to feed which meant it could only be viewed from the old railway line adjacent to the Bolton Ings screen. In fairness to the bird it had probably chose this area as the only place where it wouldn't get 'covered in blackheads'! At 8.45, after a couple of minor sorties, it took flight and headed back over the Field Pools (giving nice views to those who had decided to try and view it from Old Moor) with a flock of marauding Black-heads in hot pursuit and after flying over the Mere and Bolton, relocated to Adwick Washlands and later to Denaby Ings. There have been seven previous records of Great White Egret in the Barnsley area, five of which were in the Old Moor area. In a British context Great White Egret is no longer a rarity and is  following in the footsteps of Little Egret and Spoonbill now having established a toe-hold as a breeding species. Back to the local stuff, the Spoonbill returned to Adwick Wash this morning (from Denaby) and the magnificent 'big bird morning' was complete with the news from the Reedbeds that those participating in the Bittern watch had just witnessed two young Bitterns clamber up the reeds. Fantastic!

Other news:

Old Moor: Peregrine, Med' Gull 3 + yesterday a 'redhead' Goosander on Wader Scrape in afternoon.

Wombwell Ings: Shelduck 2, Redshank 2 broods (3, 2), Dunlin 1, Whimbrel (field), Med' Gull second-summer 'hawking' over Broomhill Park.

Broomhill Flash: Little Gull, ad-winter.

STOP PRESS

Great White Egret, Wath Ings

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Broadstones & Ingbirchworth

Whitley Edge - a pair of Oycatchers with 2 young and 7 Stock Doves.
Broadstones Reservoir - 6 drake Mallards, a pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying and 2 Oystercatchers. Among singing passerines were: Skylark (8), Common Whitethroat (2), Meadow Pipit (5), Tree Pipit (1), Yellowhammer (3) and Reed Bunting (6).
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 3 drake Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe and two pairs of Little Grebes as well as the usual suspects.

Mammals - 1 Water Vole at Slack Dike at Broadstones Reservoir..

Wintersett 29.05.13

10 degrees. Dry but cold a.m.    Rain for a couple of hours this afternoon .  Quiet birdwise.
Anglers CP:  Male Yellow Wagtail + 2 CHSF,  Goldeneye 1 female, Juv. Swallow and Mallard broods 7 + 5 + 1. 
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2 and Little Ringed Plover 1.

This morning am

A very quiet morning with no evidence of passage so far, as was the case at Edderthorpe early morning apparently.

Old Moor: "all the usual suspects".

Wombwell Ings: 2 Shelduck, Peregrine, 2 Avocets, Redshank with 3+ chicks, Whimbrel.

Broomhill Flash: Little Gull (ad winter).

The Spoonbill is back at Denaby Ings this morning, just outside our area.

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Bolton Ings - 27th May

Finally back on line after more than 3 weeks. A morning visit yesterday started bright and 11c but with a cool strong wind, clouded over later just as forecast. An enjoyable morning and my first visit for 2 weeks following my weeks rest in Portugal. Quite a few broods off now with Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Mallard and Coot young seen. Also plenty of Black Headed Gull chicks now showing. 4 pairs of Lapwing, 1 pair of Redshank and 2 pairs of Oystercatchers - 1 still sitting but I am sure the other pair have young but I didnt see any. Tufted Duck a very healthy 113, 5 migrant Oystercatchers dropped in mid morning and 3 Common Terns present. Full list :- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 4 + (3y), Canada Goose 67 + (7y, 6y, 6y, 6y, 3y), Grey Lag Goose 19 + (6y, 5y, 4y, 4y, 2y, 1y, 1y), Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 6, Little Grebe 18, Mallard 16 + (4y), Gadwall 15, Shoveler 5, Tufted Duck 113, Pochard 10, Coot 61 + ( 6y, 3y, 2y, 2y, 2y, 2y, 2y), Moorhen 6, Oystercatcher 9, Lapwing 8, Redshank 2, Little Ringed Plover 1, Black Headed Gull 464, Common Tern 3, Kestrel 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Reed Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Whitethroat 4, Blackcap 2, Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff  4.

Also managed to see 1 of the Red Kites over Wombwell Ings after a phone call from the WIM Man, thanks John.

Wintersett 28.05.13

Steady rain until 09.30 then dry until mid afternoon, then more rain.
Anglers CP:  Yellow Wagtail 1 male and 1 female,   Goldeneye 1 female and 1 young Oystercatcher.   3 Mallard broods 7 + 6 + 4.
Wintersett Res:  Common Tern 2
Old Royston Flash:  Dunlin 2,   Ringed Plover 3.

Adwick washlands 17.00 hrs

Spoonbill 1, Shelduck 2, Avocet 8, Snipe 3, LRP 2 pr, Ringed Plover 5.

Tuesday am

Morning visit to Old Moor: Bittern 'booming', Spoonbill flew west at 10.30 and landed on Wombwell Ings, Teal 4, Ringed Plover 2, Sanderling 2, Med Gull 4, LBB Gull 5, Common Tern 6, Arctic Tern 1.

Additional for Wombwell Ings (per Seev'): Avocet 2, Whimbrel 1 (field).

and Broomhill Flash: Hobby 1

More Tundra Ringedies

Edderthorpe, Tuesday am
The last week of May is usually the peak time for the northern form of Ringed Plover - 'Tundra Ringed Plover' in the Barnsley area as they move north back to their breeding grounds up in the high Arctic regions. Birds were moving yesterday and are today also;- 14 were on the Flash with 4 Dunlin early doors but despite the rain all headed off northwards at 06.15, continuing their long journey northwards.
Avocet 2, Teal 1. No sign of the Spoonbill present yesterday up to 07.00 at least.

Monday, 27 May 2013

Edderthorpe Flash

The Spoonbill remained early evening, spending most of the time sleeping. There was a obvious passage of Ringed Plovers this afternoon - at 3 pm there were 6 on the flash but these had built up to 22 by 5.45 pm. Just before 6pm most of them flew up calling and left high to the north, heading off to the high Arctic Tundra. Also present;- Avocet 1, LRP 1, Dunlin 1, Cuckoo 1.

Sevenup!

The seventh definite species of raptor was recorded in the Old Moor area this afternoon, a Peregrine. Meanwhile the Spoonbill was still at Edderthorpe Flash late-afternoon.

FOR SALE: Swarovski 20-60x zoom eye piece for ats/atx scopes, £200 ono, boxed, mint condition, phone 07989 712168

... and another

Stocksbridge - 1 south-west at 17:35hrs could have been on of the Barnside birds seen by Simmo & Upland Tyke.

Looks Like It Was A Kite Day Today ....

Myself and Mr Tyke began at Low Moor but soon became fed up with the wind and cold temperatures .. We decided to go and use the viewing bench overlooking Midhope Res ..

Results were ..

3 common buzzards, 2 kestrels, a total of 14 lesser black-backed gulls heading SW and a healthy flock of c45 crossbills in the conifers beside the res .. On Midhope Res were a brood of 7 mallard chicks ..

At 2:50 we picked up 2 birds on the horizon over Thorpes's Brow .. The first being a red kite which duly drifted right over us and headed out towards Langsett .. The second bird was also confirmed as being a red kite and this one disappeared over the horizon towards Ewden ... At 3:25 we then saw another one in the same area as the first 2 birds were picked up .. Obviously it's a possibility that the one heading over to Ewden had done a 'U' turn and had come back around again but we will never know for sure ..

On returning home to High Green I looked out of my back window and watched another kite drift low over my estate before disappearing SW towards the Charlton Brook area ..


Carlton Marsh

4 Red Kites over the marsh heading north at 12.53hrs. (Dave Standish) This is a long awaited new species for Carlton Marsh! Well done Mr. S.

Wintersett 27.05.13

Sunny warm but with a cooling SW wind.
Anglers CP: Yellow Wagtail 1 male and 1 female.  Goldeneye 1 female.
Wintersett Res: Pochard 1 male.  Red-eared Terrapin basking in the sun.

Seven species of BOP and still not happy........

Guess I should be happy really though, as whilst returning from a call-out job I decided to call-in to Broomhill Flash. Within five minutes or so (12.05) picked up a Red Kite reasonably low and as it began to gain height two more raptors were picked up one of which was clearly another Red Kite and thus the first multiple sighting down here. So why not happy? Well the third bird left us frustrated, it looked like a harrier, and appeared smaller than a Marsh but try as I might I just couldn't clap the 'scope on it. All three birds seemed to drift off northwest leaving us feeling happy but frustrated as the third bird will just have to be forgot - that's if we can! Also seen there were Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard as well as a Dunlin and the ad-winter plumage Little Gull.

Old Moor: 2 Bitterns, Hobby, Marsh Harrier (cream crown) till 10.50 at least, 4 Oystercatchers south, 5 RP, 4 LRP, Turnstone.

Edderthorpe: Spoonbill mid-morning at least.

Monk Bretton

A butterfly count on the reclaimed spoil tip today produced 23 Small Heaths and 109 Dingy Skippers. (Chris Parkin)

Adwick washlands (mid-morning)

Avocet 8, LRP 2 pair, Ringed Plover 5, Dunlin 1, Redshank several pairs now with young, Common Tern 1, Grey Partridge 2. Perimeter fence cut in several places.

Sunday, 26 May 2013

Sunday news

Old Moor: 2 Bitterns, 5 LRP, 1 RP, 20 Avocet, Dunlin,  4 Med' Gulls, Little Gull, 6 Common Terns.

Manvers: male Cuckoo.

Below is a shot of the stunning Red-necked Phal' that put in a rather too brief appearance late Friday afternoon. It was last seen flying north at about 18.30.

The Red-necked Phalarope on Friday - Chris Harris

Low Moor

Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 1 Red Kite, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Hobby, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Cuckoo and 24 Crossbills.
per Upland Tyke.

Wharncliffe

Wharncliffe Heath NR - singing males today were:- Willow Warbler (10), Garden Warbler (3), Spotted Flycatcher (2), Common Redstart (3) and Tree Pipit (5). Also 4 Crossbills.
Yesterday evening (25th May) there were 2 'roding' Woodcocks and a 'churring' Nightjar.
per SBSG website.

Wintersett 26.05.13

Sunny, warm with a light cool breeze  this morning.
Anglers CP:  Cuckoo 1 male from Golf Course to Pol and over the lake.  Common Sandpiper 1,  Teal 1 male and Goldeneye 1 female.
Wintersett Res: Great Spotted Woodpecker nest with young.   The resident Red-eared Terrapin has come out of hibernation. 
Moorhouse Lane Ponds: Mallard with 3 m/l young.

Off Piste

Broomhill Flash - 1 first-summer Little Gull.

Saturday, 25 May 2013

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon's butterfly counts: Small Heath 2, Holly Blue 1, Small Copper 4, Speckled Wood 1, Dingy Skipper 9, Orange-tip 8, Peacock 13, Large White 12, White sp. 20. Also 1 Green Tiger Beetle. (Chris Parkin)

Tonight's birds included singing Water Rail, Cuckoo, Great Spot Woodpecker and 2 Red Legged Partridge. As dusk fell Tawny Owl called and 9 Pipistrelle and 2 Noctule Bats were airborne. An adult Hedgehog was found dead on the road earlier.

Vascular plants coming into flower are Ragged Robin, Spur Valerian and Ox-eye Daisy.

Wintersett 25.05.13

8 degrees early morning rising to 16 degrees by midday.  Sunny  and warm.
Anglers CP: A Cuckoo was calling on the disposal point.    Arctic Tern 1,  Teal 1,  Goldeneye 1 female and  Yellow  Wagtail 1.   3 male Reed Warblers were in the east bank Phragmites.  One young Oystercatcher has survived another day.   There were also 3  Mallard  broods,  2 + 6 + 10.
Wintersett Res: One young Lapwing was seen in an outlying field.
Damselflies:  Common Blue 1 WRes + 1 ACP,   Large Red  1 ACP + 1 Disp.Pt., Azure 1 ACP + 1 Disp. Pt and 1 Four Spot Chaser Disp.Pt.,  were the first of the season.

Friday, 24 May 2013

Cudworth Common

On the lakes this evening were 8 Tufted Ducks, 3 drake Shovelers, 3 Mute Swans, 4 pairs of Gadwall, 2 Canada Geese with 5 small young and 4 Redshanks alarming. A Meadow Pipit was displaying and a Cuckoo called from the wooded area nearby. 2 Brown hares were also present.

Wintersett 24.05.13

Only 6 degrees,  howling north wind,  heavy showers on and off all day.  More like Autumn than Spring.
Anglers CP:  Arctic Tern 1 over + 1  WRes. at 12.12.  Common Tern 2.    3rd Summer Yellow-legged  + Lesser Black-backed Gulls.   Oystercatcher young down from 2 to 1, juv. Swallow still here.    Barnacle Goose 1, Teal 1 male,  Goldeneye 1 female,  Meadow Pipit 1, 
Wintersett Res:  Pochard 1 male and 1 female.
Cold Hiendley Res: Yellow Wagtail 1 over.

stop press

Red-necked Phalarope, Wath Ings late aft.

Adwick Wash 2 pm

9 Avocet, 8+ Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 1 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 6 LRP. A pair of Plovers on the top pool Bolton side have at least two tiny marble sized chicks i think must have hatched today as I've not seen them in the previous four days that I've been down.

late aft update

Old Moor: Knot back on Wader Scrape, presumed Edderthorpe bird.  Also Peregrine.

Friday morning

Old Moor: Bitterns, Teal 2, LRP, Wood Sand, Knot, winter plumage bird Wath Ings then flew west (per Ivan Martin), 4 Med' Gulls, Arctic Tern, 5 Common Terns. The Little Gull (ad-winter) is commuting the area and is thought to be the same bird seen at Broomhill yesterday and also there this morning.

Broadstones - Castle Dam

A promising start with a Blackcap singing from the hedge in my Stocksbridge garden, proving that summer migrants are still moving through.
Then up to Broadstones Reservoir where it was cold, blustery, raining with a bit of hail thrown in, and an unpleasant 4 degrees. May the 24th!!!???
Little of note at Broadstones Reservoir, Gunthwaite Dam or Castle Dam.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 drake Tufted Ducks, a pair of Red-legged Partridge, three pairs of Little Grebe and 1 Great Crested Grebe.
Gunthwaite - a pair of Red-legged Partridge on Carr Lane.

Edderthorpe, Friday a.m.

A bitterly cold north-east wind and very low temperatures, is this really late May? The Knot remains from yesterday but not much else. Avocet 1, Ringed Plover 2, LRP 2, Common Tern 2.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

Thursday evening update

Old Moor: The Bitterns are becoming far more active now with around 20 feeding flights per day. Just one Wood Sandpiper remained on Wath Ings after the initial sighting of 2 this morning, still present tonight. Also 4 Ringed Plover, Arctic Tern, 6 Common Terns. The usual adult winter plumage Little Gull was on the Mere this evening.

Wombwell Ings tonight: Water Rail, Whimbrel.

LBBG's

A loose flock of 126+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls passed low and west over Stocksbridge at 20:35hrs probably to roost on Underbank Reservoir, or more likely, Langsett Reservoir.

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - a pair of Tufted Duck, 8 Great Crested Grebes with three pairs displaying, 1 Grey Heron and the usual suspects.

Wintersett 23.05.13

Cold and gusty north wind, with intermittent sunshine and heavy showers.
Anglers CP: Barnacle Goose 1,  Cuckoo 1 male, Teal 1 male, Goldeneye 1 female,  Swallow 1 juv., Common Tern 4,  Oystercatcher 6 adults +2 young,  Swift 500,  Sand Martin 4 + 6 WRes. and House Martin 150.
Wintersett Res:  Pochard 1 male and 1 female.

Thursday mornings highlights

Old Moor: 2 Bittern, 2 Wood Sands' (Wath Ings), 4 Med' Gulls

Broomhill Flash: 2 Arctic Terns were on early morning and were still there late morning when a Little Gull was also present. Not sure if this is the bird which has been around since at least 18th May as from what I picked up on radio the observer seemed to think it wasn't, so hopefully it's a new arrival? The Whimbrel remains in the back field viewable from Wombwell Ings.

Finally, the Spoonbill was at Denaby Ings this morning, which although not in our recording area is an additional site we now know its visiting.

Edderthorpe, Thursday a.m.

A few things worth mentioning at last;- Oystercatcher 3, Knot 1 in non-breeding plumage, Common Sandpiper 1, Ringed Plover 3, Common Tern 2, Yellow Wagtail 2. Despite the cold spring weather Lapwing broods are doing very well, but hardly any Mallard broods yet.

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

Carlton Marsh

2 Buzzards, Water Rail, Little Grebes with 3 young, 2 pairs of Coot with 5 young, Canada Geese with 5 young, Cuckoo, 3 Reed Warblers and 10 Whitethroats singing. 

Wintersett 22.05.13

Warm, sunny spells, light cool breeze.

Wintersett Res: Common Tern 1,  Buzzard 1 over + 1 over ACP.
Anglers CP:  A Whimbrel  flew over calling at 06.30 hrs..  Barnacle Goose 1,   Goldeneye 1 female.
There were 21 Alder Leaf beetles, Agelastica Alni in a small area of the Pol  yesterday.  Looks like there will soon be a lot more.
Agelastica alni                            K Denny

Agelastica alni                            K Denny

Gravid female  Agelastica Alni              K Denny

Adwick Wash 4pm

1 Spoonbill, 1 Wheatear, 7 Avocet, 2 Shelduck, 6 LRP, 10+ Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Whitethroat also a few small flocks of linnets and 6 Skylark. On the tip 2 Grey Partridge 1 Green Woodpecker.

Today's news

Old Moor: Bittern 2, Dunlin 1,  Common Tern 4, Arctic Tern 2, Little Gull 1, Med' Gull 5 (the new arrival is a first-summer).

Wombwell Ings: LRP 1, Dunlin 1, Whimbrel 1 (field).

Adwick Wash: Spoonbill.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

Broomhill Flash

Broomhill Flash today there were;-

Redshank 1, Snipe 1.

Gadwall 2, Shovelor 2, Tufted Duck 13, Little Grebe 5, Mallard 4, Pochard 1, Mute Swan 2, Common Tern 1.

Red-legged Partridge 2.
ADWICK p.m.

Whimbrel 1 S, appeared to land in crop behind old pillboxes; Avocet 6+; Yellow Wagtail 1 male; LRP 6+; Osprey: 1 probable over trees in east and later a bit closer (G. Stones), but not seen well enough to be sure.

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon 3 Buzzards were soaring over the marsh, a Water Rail called and a Little Grebe had at least 1 young. 
Butterflies included Speckled Wood, G.V. White, Orange-tip 3m 1f, Peacock 2 and Dingy Skipper 2. 17 Azure Blue damselflies were also airborne.  
A cluster of the edible St. George's mushroom have yet to mature and are a month late.  

Windleden - Broadstones

Upper Windleden Reservoir - 1 Common Buzzard.
Winscar Reservoir - two pairs of Common Sandpiper, c30 Black-headed Gulls incl. 7 'sitting' and 3 singing Reed Buntings.
Tinker Hill - 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Broadstones Reservoir - 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Snipe 'drumming', 20+ Black-headed Gulls and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Wintersett Surprise 21.05.13

Dry, warm,  cloudy.
Anglers CP:  Highlight 1 - After an absence of 10 days, the drake Lesser Scaup showed up on an island to the left of the main hide.  
Highlight 2 - At 12.27 hrs an OSPREY flew over the CP before leaving west.
Also here: Yellow Wagtail 2,  3rd Summer Yellow-legged Gull,  Arctic Tern 1, Tufted Duck 21, Juv. Swallow and the female Goldeneye.

Lesser Scaup Drake                                                  A Smith

Old Moor Bittern Watch

Much the same so far today; Old Moor: 2 Bitterns, Peregrine, 2 Turnstone, 4 Med' Gulls. The Whimbrel is still in the field at back of Broomhill viewable from Wombwell Ings.



Old Moor Bittern Watch
RSPB are kindly operating a Bittern watch scheme which allows visitors to Old Moor the chance to see the Bitterns close up and even take photos. The Bitterns are being carefully monitored and visiting sessions for the general public will be in the company of staff or registered volunteers and are between 9.30am and 4pm split into a morning and afternoon slot. There is a booking system to avoid over filling the hide. To book, please contact Kate Thorpe at Katie.Thorpe@rspb.org.uk

One of the Bitterns at the Reedbeds - Ron Marshall

If any registered volunteers are willing to help run a monitoring session for the public it would be appreciated. There are maps in the hide for volunteers to write down the direction and times of feeding flights and also how regularly the male is booming and where he is. Also, if any registered volunteers are willing to do ‘out of hours monitoring’ this too would be appreciated. This must also be arranged through Kate or Dave Waddington.

Wintersett Ringing Recoveries 21.05.13

A juvenile Whitethroat ringed at Wintersett Reservoir on 19th June 2012 was caught by a cat and released alive at Sway, Lymington,( Hampshire) on the 16th April 2013,  a distance of  317 kms to the south.

A first year Lesser Redpoll ringed at Wintersett Reservoir on 7th November 2011 was found, freshly dead, after flying into a window at Brandon Suffolk on 19th March 2013 a distance of  191 kms south east.

Peter Smith

Monday, 20 May 2013

Monday evening

Evening visit to Old Moor. Very little change except for a few of the regular extras: Bittern 'booming', Peregrine, Hobby, 2 Turnstone, 4 Med' Gulls, 2 Common Terns. Didn't see the Little Gull tonight but below are a couple of nice shots of it taken by Ken Williams who visited from North Wales. Thanks Ken.









And finally, the Whimbrel was again in the field at the back of Broomhill and mostly viewable from the Wombwell Ings side.

Broomhill Flash, Warbler Way & Bolton Ings

Mondays run down.

Broomhill Flash.


Tufted Duck 11, Gadwall 24, Shovelor 2, Little Grebe 2,
Mute Swan 2, Mallard 5 + 4 duckling, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 + 2 Broomhill Park, Common Tern 2.

Red-legged Partridge 4, Kestrel 1, Brown Hare 1.

Warbler Way.

Singing Birds.

Wren 7, Blackcap 7, Black Bird 3, Willow Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 8, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 3, Common Whitethroat 6, Chaffinch 5, Bullfinch, Kestrel 1, Red-legged Partridge 2.

8 Avocet viewable from Warbler Way on Oldmoor.

Bolton Ings.

Oystercatcher 2, Redshank 1.

Tufted Duck 43, Pochard 6 drake, Great crested Grebe 3, Shovelor 1 drake, Little Grebe 6, Gadwall 3, Mallard 3, Greylag Goose 6, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, Mute Swan 2 + 3 signet.

Jay 1, Green Woodpecker 1.

Carlton Marsh

Our female Mute Swan has abandoned the nest about a week before the eggs should have hatched! Presumably because the eggs were infertile. 

Cudworth 
A couple of hours moth trapping in my garden last night produced just two species, Garden Carpet and The Spectacle (2) as well the distinctive Sexton Beetle (Nicrophorus humator) that buries carrion.


Stainborough 20/05/13 pm

2 yaffling Green Woodpeckers
One, probably two, Cuckoos calling.
2 Little Owls by Keeper's Pond ~ very much together.

Adwick mid afternoon

Spoonbill still present at 16.30, its possible that it roosted last night on the North Ings at Mexborough, also Whimbrel 1, Shelduck 2, Common Tern 1, Buzzard 1.

Wintersett Cuckoo 20.05.13

Overcast but warm,  rising to 17 degrees this afternoon.
Anglers CP:  A Cuckoo flew east over, calling, at 10.30 hrs and was then calling later.  Common Tern 2,  Goldeneye 1 female and Cormorant 5.

Med Gull movements - update

The movements of two Mediterranean Gulls ringed as nsetlings on 9th July 2010 are as follows:-
EG61728 Old Moor Wetlands on 9/7/10.
                 Seaforth NR, Merseyside on 23/8/11, 5/9/11, 13/10/11.
                 Old Moor Wetlands from 3/5/12 to 4/7/12.
                 Seaforth NR on 14/1/12, 11/8/12, 13/1/13, 24/2/13
                 Old Moor Wetlands 30/5/13.

EG61729 Old Moor Wetlands on 9/7/10.
                 Old Moor Wetlands on 11/8/10
                 Hayling Island, Hampshire on 21/1/12
                 Titchfield Haven, Hampshire from 3/3/13 to 29/4/13.

EG61728 is colour-ringed 2E26 and EG61729 is colour-ringed 2E28.
                           

Tin Mill Rocher

Tin Mill Rocher (incl Tin Mill Dams) - Mallard + 7 ducklings, 2 Moorhens, 1 Kingfisher, a pair of Dipper, 11+ singing Blackcaps, 1 singing Wood Warbler, at least four pairs of Nuthatch and five pairs of Grey Wagtail.
Forge Rocher (south) - a pair of Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, a pair of Dipper and 8+ singing Blackcaps.
Also noted breeding/singing - Wood Pigeon, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Song Thrush (2), Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch (20+), Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Bullfinch.

Monday am

Old Moor: 2 Bitterns, 2 Turnstone, Little Gull

Adwick washlands (am)

Spoonbill 1 in from the east at 08.10, Avocet 10, LRP 4, Ringed Plover 2, Dunlin 1, Snipe 2, Common Tern 3, Grey Partridge 2, Wheatear 1 male.

Sunday, 19 May 2013

A few extras for today: The Spoonbill (thought same bird as was around early month) was on Wombwell Ings this afternoon but no sign at 9pm. At least three Bitterns, a Hobby and the four Med' Gulls were seen at Old Moor.
And a few photos from yesterday below:

The pair of Pintail at Old Moor - Keith Pickering
And the Little Gull at Old Moor - Jeff Wragg

Cuckoo! Cuckoo!!!!!

Cuckoo at Langsett Wood.............................. :o)

Broomhill Flash roundup

Broomhill Flash today there were :-

Lapwing 4, Whimbrel 1 (back field same as Wombwell Ings bird), Redshank 2, Oystercatcher 3.

Tufted Duck 14, Pochard 1 drake, Shovelor 1 drake, Gadwall 3, Mute Swan 2, Little Grebe 4, Common Tern 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull 2.

Kestrel 1.

Low Moor 19/5/13

A nice change not to be blown sideways today ...

Results were ..

At least 5 common buzzards, 2 kestrels, 1 raven, a flock of c23 crossbills which were hanging around for most of the afternoon, an impressive flock of c70 siskins which were seen heading from Midhope Res over towards Hollin Wood, 2 cuckoos, 1 heard from over Langsett Wood area and then another seen flying from Midhope Res over to the same area as the first bird,  1 oystercatcher, 10 greylag geese, 5 Canada geese and the bird of the day in the shape of an osprey .. It came over from Thorpe's Brow at 1:10 and passed over Low Moor before heading over towards Langsett Res ..

About chuffin time ;-)

Carlton Marsh

Butterflies today included 4 Small Copper, 5 Dingy Skipper, 2 Comma, and 4 Speckled Wood.  Cinnabar, Blood Vein and Silver Y moth were also present. (Chris Parkin)

Wombwell Ings and Old Moor

This morning on Wombwell Ings, Whimbrel in the back field, 2 Avocets, 2 Ringed Plover and 7 Redshank. Old Moor, 2 Turnstone, 1 Little Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Med Gulls and a Booming Bittern.

Wintersett - Another Long-tailed Duck 19.05.13

Warm, cloudy and still,  becoming brighter mid morning.  
Anglers CP:  Highlight today was the appearance of an immature female Long-tailed Duck in front of the hide at 09.35hrs, the first May record for this site.    Curlew 1 west at 08.20 hrs. Yellow Wagtail 1,  Common Sandpiper 1 + 1 CHRes.,  Common Tern 2,  Little Grebe 1,  Cormorant 4 and  Goldeneye 1 female.   A Green Woodpecker was showing well on the Pol rocks.
Newborns - a Mallard with 10 ducklings,  Survivors -  a Canada Goose with 1 gosling, a Mallard with 2 ducklings and  Oystercatcher with 2 young.
Wintersett Res:  Pochard 1 male and 1 female.
Butterfly: A Holly Blue was flying in the sunshine.

Immature Female Long-tailed Duck                          ASmith

Adwick washlands (am)

Little Egret 1, Heron 3, Avocet 4, LRP 3, Ringed Plover 1, Redshank 6, Hobby 1, Wheatear 2, male, female, Yellow Wagtail 1.

More Hall & More Hall Reservoir

The Midhope Reservoir  Pink-footed Goose appears to have relocated to More Hall Reservoir, where it has attached itself to a local 'domestic goose' and is coming to bread; also a pair of Great Crested Grebe, 2 Moorhens and 1 Coot.
More Hall - the following warblers held breeding territories in the hawthorn & gorse scrub -Common Whitethroat (3), Garden Warbler (3), Blackcap (2+), Willow Warbler (4) and Chiffchaff  (1).
Yew Trees Lane (re-generating woodland to the north of Broomhead Reservoir) - 2 singing Garden Warblers, 5 singing Willow Warblers and 1 singing Chiffchaff.

Butterflies - 2 Small Whites, 3 Green-veined Whites, 2 Orangetips and 1 Small Tortoisehell.

cliffe wood late pm

1 pair pied flycatchers, 1 spotted flycatcher,  1 garden warbler , 2 curlews in fields beside the wood along with a pair of red legged Partridge , and a greatspotted woodpecker in the car park at langsett

Saturday, 18 May 2013

Broomhill Flash 6.30 - 7.30am

An early count on Broomhill produced this morning produced.

Lapwing 4, Tufted Duck 14, Pochard 1 drake, Shovelor 1 drake, Gadwall 5, Mute Swan 2, Mallard 6 + 6 duckling, Little Grebe 2, Black-headed Gull c130, Canada Goose 19 + 11 Gosling, Coot 15, Moorhen 4, Swallow 3, Red-legged Partridge 2, 2 Brown Hare, Redshank 1 which was entered into the log later in the day.

Old Moor area

Per Dave Waddington
Pintail, Little gull, Med gull 4, Bittern 2, Ringed plover 3, Avocet 20, Peregrine, Common gull 2, pink f goose, water rail, Oystercatcher 4, Gadwall 72 and Common sandpiper.

Cliffe Wood

1.40pm.
 A pair of Spotted Flycatchers, 1 male Pied Flycatcher and 1 Garden Warbler-Cliffe Wood.
1 Common Sandpiper - Langsett Res.

Wintersett 18.05.13

8 degrees, grey, drizzly  all morning.
Anglers CP:  The highlight today was a Hobby flying south over the car park at 12.37 hrs. Dunlin 1 over at 07.53 hrs.   One pair of Oystercatcher have 2 young.  A Mallard pair also have 2 very small young. Yellow Wagtail 1 male. Great Crested Grebe 4,  Goldeneye 1 female.   Juv.Swallow still here.
Wintersett Res: Pochard 1 male and 1 female.  Common Tern 2.

Friday, 17 May 2013

Broomhill Flash & Wombwell Ings

A cold day today with north easterly blowing through and making it quite cold which probably reflected in the birds seen but did seem to bring the Brown Hares out on Broomhill, go figure!

BROWN HARE BROOMHILL FLASH

Broomhill Flash 17th May.


Oystercatcher 2, Grey Heron 1.

Shelduck 1 female, Pochard 2 drake, Tufted Duck 17, Little Grebe 2, Gadwall 7, Shovelor 1 drake, Mute Swan 2.

Swift c80, Swallow c30, House Martin 6, Common Whitethroat 1.

Red-legged Partridge 4, Hobby 1.

Brown Hare 7.


Wombwell Ings.


Dunlin 2, Redshank 4, Common Sandpiper 1, Grey Heron 1, Whimbrel 1,
Little Ringed Plover 1.

Gadwall 48, Tufted Duck 11, Shovelor $ (3 drake, 1 female),  Pink-footed Goose 1, Greylag Goose 11.

Sedge Warbler 1.

Athersley

Another Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) was discovered in Ray Dye's garden recently.

Rabbit Ings today
A pair of Canada Geese with 5 young and a Mallard with 5 young.

Adwick Wash 5pm

1 male Wheatear, 6 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 10+ Redshanks, 4 LRP, 2 Ring Plovers and Lapwings + Chicks. Also 2 Yellowhammers a few Linnets And Reed Buntings.

Friday, so far


Old Moor: 2 Bitterns, Hobby, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier 'cream crown' west c14.14, Turnstone (early am), 4 Med' Gulls.

Wombwell Ings: Pink footed Goose, Whimbrel, 2 Dunlin

Broomhill Flash: Hobby

Wintersett 17.05.13

Cool, cloudy, light northerly wind.  Not a lot to report.
Wintersett Res:  Pochard 1 male and 1 female,  Buzzard 2 over.
Anglers CP: Yellow Wagtail 1 female and Goldeneye 1 female.   Juvenile Swallow - Day 8.

Royd Moor

Royd Moor Reservoir - 6 Mallards, 2 drake Tufted Ducks, a pair of Grey Partridge, a pair of Little Grebe, a pair of Great Crested Grebe, 6 Moorhens, a pair of Coot and 1 Tree Pipit.
Carrying on from yesterday, the following warblers and buntings were holding breeding territories:- Blackcap (6), Garden Warbler (3), Common Whitethroat (10), Lesser Whitethroat (2), Chiffchaff (2), Willow Warbler (34+), Yellowhammer (4) and Reed Bunting (6). Again an increase in both Common Whitethroat and Reed Buntings; but fewer Blackcaps and Gardens Warblers than previous years.
The following were also noted to be breeding:- Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow (two pairs), Magpie (one pair), Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird (6),Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Upland bits

Broadstones Reservoir - 1 Whinchat.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Shelducks.
per Nick Mallinson.

Edderthorpe, Friday morning

Avocet 6, Oystercatcher 2, Turnstone 1, Ringed Plover 1, Common Tern 2.

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Edderthorpe Flash

Tuesday 14th 10.30 -11.30am (Z. Golebiewski)

Avocet 6, R. Plover 11, LRP 1, Dunlin 10, Redshank 2, Shelduck 3, Buzzard 1.  Also 3 Buzzards over Sunnybank wood at 2.30pm.
 

Almost Zilch!

In stark contrast to yesterday almost nothing migrant wise, the one exception being a single Black-tailed Godwit at Old Moor. Also there: 2 Bitterns, Peregrine, 4 Med' Gulls. On Wombwell Ings this evening there were 69 Gadwall, 3 Avocets and 2 Dunlin.

Broomhill Flash

Todays roundup include:-

1 Redshank, 2 Shovelor, 2 Pochard, 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebe, 10 Mallard + 6 duckling, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Lesser Black backed Gull, 2 Common Tern, 2 Red-legged Partridge.

Edderthorpe, a.m.

Not much on what is left of the exposed mud;- Oystercatcher 5, Avocet 6, Ringed Plover 2, Dunlin 1. A flock of 11 LBBGulls went north-west.

upper Ewden Valley

Bull Clough (off Ewden Beck) - 1 Cuckoo, 4 Redstarts, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipits and 1 Hawfinch E towards Broomhead Reservoir.
per Dave Pearce.

Scout Dike

Scout Dike Reservoir (incl. Maze Brook) - 6 Mallards, 4 Tufted Ducks, a pair  of Great Crested Grebes, two pairs Little Grebes, 5 Moorhens, c20 Coots, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
The following warblers and buntings were holding breeding territories:- Blackcap (4), Garden Warbler (2), Common Whitethroat (8), Lesser Whitethroat (2), Willow Warbler (24), Chiffchaff (3), Yellowhammer (6) and Reed Bunting (9). The figures for Common Whitethroat and Reed Bunting being higher than previous years.
The following were also noted to be breeding:- Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Treecreeper, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Chaffinch (10), Greenfinch and Goldfinch.

Wintersett 16.05.13

Ground frost very early, but sunshine all day, light easterly wind, very pleasant. 
Anglers CP:  Highlight today was a Turnstone  on the islands in front of the main hide.  Dunlin 1,  Yellow Wagtail 2 and  Goldeneye 1 female.  The juvenile Swallow was here for the seventh day.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2, Pochard 1 male and 1 female.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 1
Thanks to Lynz Harston who got these cracking shots from the extremely obliging Dunlin.
Dunlin                                                    L Harston

Dunlin                                      L Harston

Adwick washlands mid morning

Avocet 5, Dunlin 2, Oystercatcher 3, Snipe 1 drumming, LRP 2 pair, Ringed Plover 2, Marsh Harrier  1 flew east over the marsh at 09.40, Hobby 1 on Adwick tip at 11.00, Wheatear 1 male.

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

More pics from Ingbirchworth reservoirs


Common Scoters at Scout Dike Reservoir this afternnon. Dave Pennington

Black Tern at Ingbirchworth Reservoir this afternoon. Dave Pennington.

Edderthorpe,evening

Todays rain has pushed up the water levels leaving only small areas of exposed mud. Birds present this evening include;- Shelduck 1, Avocet 8, Black-tailed Godwit 3, Oystercatcher 1, Greenshank 1, Whimbrel 1, Dunlin 1.

Wombwell Ings

A great morning today on Wombwell Ings with a single Avocet, 16 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 36 Dunlin (missing Dave Waddingtons extra one who had 37), 2 Redshank, 2 Snipe and a Grey Plover.

Also 34 Gadwall, 4 Shovelor (3m 1f), 10 Tufted, 8 Mute Swans (3 Juv), 9 Greylag, 8 Mallard, 1 Pochard drake.

A Red Kite was also picked up by Chris Harris who passed the word on and ticked from Wombwell Ings.

Going, going.............

Turnstones and Dunlins at Old Moor today - Keith Pickering
Gone! The Turnstone record blown to bits!

Additional birds this afternoon included another Grey Plover (day total of 2) through and another Bar-tailed Godwit (day total of 3) that stopped off briefly at Old Moor and was later photographed on Wombwell Ings before disappearing.

The Bar-tailed Godwit at Old Moor this afternoon - Keith Pickering


This evenings left-overs for the night shift at Old Moor as follows: Bittern ‘booming’, 2 Black-necked Grebes Mere, Peregrine, Hobby, 5 Turnstone Wader Scrape, total of 20 today, thus a Barnsley Area record, c15 Dunlin, 4 Med’ Gulls,  7+ Arctic Terns, c800 Swifts, c350 House Martins.

One of the Black-necked Grebes on The Mere - Keith Pickering


Additionally the late night shift reported 11 Arctic Terns on Mere (day total 11+) and 2 Little Grebe chicks.

Some of the Arctic Terns on The Mere today - Keith Pickering

Black Tern

Black Tern at Broadstones Reservoir today. Dave Pennington.


Scooters

The Black Tern was at Ingbirchworth Reservoir (from Broadstones Reservoir) to c1530hrs when it left high E.
Scout Dike Reservoir - 8 (5m, 3f) Common Scoters and 1 male Yellow Wagtail.
per Dave Pennington.

Adwick washlands 16.00 hrs

Little Grebe 2, Gadwall 22, Shoveler 10, Tufted Duck 8, Avocet 4, Dunlin 9, Ringed Plover 5, LRP 3, Lapwing lots with young, at least 20 pairs,  Yellow Wagtail 1.

Wintersett Washout 15.05.13

 6 degrees, grey,  heavy rain very early morning, then showers on and off to midday.  Horrendous conditions  and very disappointing passage compared to other sites nearby. 
Wintersett Res: Pochard 1 male and 1 female.
Anglers CP: A Ringed Plover,  4 Dunlin NW at 10.15 hrs  and  5 Common Gulls N (4 1st Summers and 1 adult)  were the only notable migrants.  The first pair of  Oystercatchers have hatched young.   Yellow Wagtail 2,  Common Tern 3,   Common Sandpiper 1,  Meadow Pipit 1.  The regular Goldeneye female and  the 3rd Summer Yellow-legged and Lesser Blackbacked Gulls were here. A calling Cuckoo briefly tried to cheer us up.  A Dunlin dropped in this afternoon but the amazing spectacle today was the huge number of 1500 Swift and hirundines (700 Swallow including the juvenile bird,  300 House Martin  and 20 Sand Martin) over the lake.
Thanks to Lynz Harston  for the following photos taken on Monday 13.05.13

Swallow                                    L Harston
Swallow                                          L Harston






Swallows                                                L Harston

Bring the action!

Well-I-am!

The 15 Turnstone recorded at Old Moor this morning does I believe equal the Barnsley area record, which was of a flock of 15 flying over Carlton Industrial Estate on 18th November 1976.

Additional (or extra details) to Bernard's blog:

Old Moor: 2 Bitterns, 2 Black-necked Grebes on The Mere, Red Kite flew northwest over Bolton late morning, 5 Sanderling, the 2 Bar-tailed Godwits had gone AWOL late morning, Wood Sand' through early afternoon, 4 Med' Gulls on Island 2, 6 Arctic Terns.

Wombwell Ings: Grey Plover, 2 Sanderling.

Both Broomhill Flash and Manvers Lake checked and pretty much devoid of migrants so far and no news yet from Bolton Ings.

Area totals so far include 35+ Ringed Plover and 60+ Dunlin 

Magical Morning at the Old Moor

Blacknecked Grebe 2, Red Kite 1, Turnstone 15, Bar-Tailed Godwit 2, Sanderling 5, Arctic Tern 4 and numerous Dunlin.

early bird

Black Tern early morning at Broadstones (Nick Mallinson).

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Broomhill Flash

An early count on Broomhill didn't produce any rarities unfortunately but here's the run down.

Mallard 7, Tufted Duck 14, Gadwall 5, Shovelor 2, Little Grebe 4, Mute Swan 2, Greylag 4, Reed Bunting 2, Common Tern 1, Swift 30+, Swallow 12+, House Martin 6+, Red-legged Partridge 3, Grey Partridge 1, Kestrel 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Brown Hare 1.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 Dunlin, 230+ Common Swifts and 1 singingi Garden Warbler.
Annat Royd Lane - 2 Grey Partridges
per Dave Pennington

Dunlin at Ingbirchworth Reservoir today. Dave Pennington.

Castle Dam

50+ Swifts over Scout Dike driving home so thought the Dam would be worth a quick look.

60+ Swallows, 8 House Martin and 2 Swift present. 5 Tufted Duck (4m 1f) were unexpected. Other sightings included: 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, 5 Pied Wagtail

Wintersett 14.05.13

8 degrees,  westerly breeze,  sunny spells but generally cold for the time of year.  Showers late afternoon.
Anglers CP:  Cuckoo calling in the back fields. Also still here:  juv. Swallow,  Water Rail,  3rd Summer Yellow-legged and Lesser Blackbacked  Gulls, 2 Cormorant and a Common Sandpiper.
Wintersett Res: A White Wagtail was on the boathouse slipway and a Buzzard flew over.
Cold Hiendley Res: Common Tern 2.
Old Royston Flash: Yellow Wagtail 2 male.

Tuesday mid-day

A quiet morning visit to Old Moor, highlights: Pink-footed Goose, 4 LRP, 3 RP, Common Sand', 3 Dunlin, Cuckoo. There are now at least 11 Avocets sitting. A Med' Gull remains sat on The Mere and another was on Bolton Ings. At least 4 Pochard (3 males) were on Old Moor and 8 (7 males) were on Bolton where there were also 4 Great Crested Grebes. A Greenshank was seen on Wombwell Ings this morning.

Nice weather at Edderthorpe!

That headline is not one I could have written much recently, but this morning with a clear sky (after a shower just before dawn) and no wind it was a pleasure to be out. Not that it made much difference to what I saw though;- Shelduck 1, Avocet 7, Ringed Plover 5, Dunlin 1, Herring Gull 1, LBBGull 2, Yellow Wagtail 1.
Just watching on the news that it may snow this afternoon!!

Monday, 13 May 2013

Monday evening update

Evening visit to Old Moor, nothing new, but new for me. Highlights: 2 Bitterns (male 'booming', female in flight), Hobby (caught a Swift, + several sightings through day), 2 LRP, 2 Dunlin , Sanderling on Mere (third day), 2 Common Tern, c500 Swifts, c100 Swallows, c50 House Martins, Cuckoo male. A Pink-footed Goose was also seen earlier on Wath Ings and at least two Med' Gulls were on The Mere.

The 'Wombwell Waterhen' reported Hobby and a Wheatear on the Ings whilst both the Common and Arctic Tern were still on Broomhill Flash this evening, a nice shot of the latter below taken by John Seeviour.



And another from Jim Thompson:





And lastly no sign of the Black-necked Grebe on Bolton Ings.

Broomhill Flash

Todays count starts with three wild foul in the car park followed by:-

1 Redshank, c12 Lapwing, 6 Little Grebe, 16 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard+9 Young, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shovelor, 1 Pochard, 1 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Little Gull (1st Summer), 3 Mute Swan, c10 House Martin, 20 Swallow, 12 Swift, 10 Sand Martin, 1 Kestrel, 3 Brown Hare.

Wharncliffe Chase

Spent the afternoon trying (and failing) to avoid the rain and hail. Birds seen are as follows - Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Wheatear, Skylark, Cuckoo, Curlew, Kestrel, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers.

Winter birding with summer migrants 12-5-13.

A bitterly cold couple of hours at Low Moor had a visit of about 50 swifts feeding over midhope res. 1 calling whimbrel n., 1 raven e., fem. sparrowhawk, male kestrel  and 2 displaying snipe. A pair of snipe with 2 chicks were photographed here on saturday attempting to cross the road.

Wintersett Brrrr! 13.05.13

Down to 6 degrees today.  Perishing northerly wind,  heavy showers on and off all morning.
Old Royston Flash:  Greenshank 1.
Butterfly: The first Holly Blue of the year was seen on ACP.
Anglers CP: Common Sandpiper 2,  3rd Summer Yellow-legged Gull 1, Yellow Wagtail 1,  3 Whimbrel flew NW at 09.02 hrs.and   300 Swallows (180  + 120W Res.),  including one juvenile  here for a 4th day, are being held up on their migration further north by the cold and windy weather.

Juvenile Swallow in May                      K Denny

Adult and juvenile Swallow                   K Denny

Monday mid-day

Early morning visit to Broomhill Flash finally produced some fruit: (The?) first-summer Little Gull was present as well as one Arctic Tern and one Common.

News from Old Moor so far: A/the Sanderling.

And yesterday, two singing Wood Warblers at Wharncliffe Wood (Roy Twigg) which I assume is in our recording area?

Edderthorpe, Monday a.m.

Cold, windy and showery! Shelduck 1, Avocet 5, Ringed Plover 11, Dunlin 2, Oystercatcher 1, Common Tern 2 , Tawny Owl 1.

Sunday, 12 May 2013

also today

Old Moor ~ Hobby, 1 Common Tern, 2 Yellow Wagtail
Wombwell Ings ~ 1 Wheatear, 9 Dunlin, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Red-legs

Cudworth

My first Holly Blue of the year was on Ivy all morning in my mother's Cudworth garden trying to warm up in the cold conditions, and then it rained!

weekend summary

Weekends highlights from the returning coaster as the Barnsley Blade has had his internet closed down!

TODAY

Old Moor: 2 Bittern, Peregrine, 4 Med Gulls. Also 31+ Avocets in LDV.

Wombwell Imgs: Hobby, 2 Whimbrel.

Bolton Ings: Black-necked Grebe.

Broomhill Flash: first-summer Little Gull.


The Little Gull (centre!) at Broomhill today - Jim Thompson




YESTERDAY

Old Moor: 2 Bittern, Hobby, 20 Avocet, Sanderling, 4 Med' Gulls,  Cuckoo.

Wombwell Ings: Wood Sandpiper.

Hawfinch flew north over Broomhill at 12.45.


Edderthorpe, Sunday

Highlight this morning was a Red Kite which flew low north-west up the valley and over John Clarksons house at 09.30.
Highlights from the WeBS count include;- Shelduck 3, Gadwall 30, Shoveler 8, Teal 1, Tufted 52, Great Crested Grebe 1, Lapwing 64, Whimbrel 4 came in at 11.20 and landed in the ploughed field, Avocet 7, Common Sand 2, Ringed Plover 22, Dunlin 11, Herring Gull 6 and Common Tern 3.

Wintersett WeBS count and update. 12.05.13

WeBS: Mute Swan 11,  Greylag Goose 2,  Coot 80,  Moorhen  10,  Great Crested Grebe 12,  Little Grebe 2,  Mallard 33,  Gadwall  24,  Tufted Duck  67  and Cormorant 1.
Wintersett Res:   Grasshopper Warbler 1 and  Swift - a  grand total of 1300 in the area.
Anglers CP:  Common Sandpiper 1,  Common Tern 2,  Oystercatcher 4.  The Yellow-legged egg thief and Lesser Black-backed  3rd Summer Gulls were back together again.
Walton Hall:  A calling Cuckoo was heard in Grotto Wood.

Cliff Wood & Midhope

Migrants in a cold Cliff Wood this morning were:- Pied Flycatcher (2), Lesser Whitethroat (1), Garden Warbler (1), Blackcap (2), Chiffchaff (1) and Willow Warbler (7).
Midhope Reservoir - 1 Greylag Goose, 6 Mallards and 1 drake Teal.

Wintersett 12.05.13

Only 8 degrees!  Cold northerly wind,  cloudy,  showers by midday.
Anglers CP:  Swallow  200 (including 1 juvenile) + 60 CHRes..  Goldeneye 1 female,  Yellow Wagtail 1 + 2 Pol.    Dunlin 2 flew west at 10.00hrs.
Old Royston Flash: Greenshank 1.

Saturday, 11 May 2013

Broomhill Flash

I did an early count on Broomhill Flash this morning before 7.15 and here are those numbers.

1 Redshank, 11 Lapwing, 2 Avocet (which dropped on Wombwell Ings a few seconds later), 1 Grey Heron, 15 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Pochard, 9 Mallard + 6 young, 5 Gadwall, 8 Greylag Goose, 51 Canada Goose + 6 Young, 41 Coot, 6 Moorhen, 1 Water Rail (singing in marsh at back of Broomhill by Dave Waddington), 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Skylark, c15 Swift, c30 Swallow, 6 Sand Martin, 4 House Martin, 1 Kestrel, 3 Brown Hare. 2 Geese were shot in back field by "Farmer" at 11am. Also 2 Dunlin entered into logbook later today.

Cudworth Common & Ferrymoor

A walk all around these areas this morning revealed;-
Ferrymoor;- Mute Swan a pair and nest, Greylag Goose 2 broods of 5 each and a further sitting bird, a few sitting Canada Geese.
Cudworth Common;- pair of Little Grebes, Redshank 5, Ringed Plover 1, Lapwing 18 adults, 4 broods of recently hatched young and a further 2 sitting birds, plus a further 14 adults, 1 brood of young and 6 sitting birds in the Symphony enclosure - at least 13 breeding pairs! Skylark 12 singing birds and Whitethroat 8 singing birds.

Edderthorpe & Houghton

Edderthorpe;-  Shelduck 4, Avocet 7, Ringed Plover 4, Dunlin 4.
Houghton;-   The water has almost dried up and the farmer has been on again ploughing the area that is now dry enough and destroying two Lapwing nests. Surprisingly a brood of Lapwing 3+ have survived and are sheltering in the field edge.

Wintersett p.m.update 11.05.13

200 House Martins  were over Wintersett Res and a  grand total of 1200 Swifts were in the area.   The juvenile Swallow was seen over Cold Hiendley Res.
Anglers CP:  Yellow Wagtail 1,   Peregrine 1 immature flew SW at 14.10hrs.   After an absence of  a few days, the 3rd Summer Yellow-legged Gull came in briefly and stole an egg from a Canada Goose nest.

High & Dry

Despite the recent showery weather, the water level at the Ingbirchworth group of reservoirs is still falling at an alarming rate. From overflowing in the second week of April to 0.75m. dowm as of today (11th May).


This is bad news for the local waterfowl. This Coot at Ingbirchworth Reservoir, whos eggs should hatch any day now, will probably be OK as the nest is still over the water. Later broods, and breeding attempts by Little and Great Crested Grebes, will probably not fair as well, unless we get significantly more rainfall.

Wintersett - Scaup Scarpered? 11.05.13

A cool westerly wind,  only 8 degrees, sunny spells with some light showers late morning.
Walton Hall:  Pink-footed Goose 1,  Greylag Goose 1 sitting and 2 broods with 6 + 7 very small young. Canada Goose 3 sitting and 2 broods of  4 + 1 young.
Anglers CP:  Goldeneye 1 female.  Common Tern 2,  Common  Sandpiper 1.   A Greenshank  came into the shallows from Old Royston Flash before leaving NE at 10.55 hrs.   The juvenile Swallow was in a  group perching on the Sand Martin box. 
The drake Lesser Scaup was not seen mid morning.  Here's a fine photo from yesterday.

Drake Lesser Scaup                                          P Meredith

Friday, 10 May 2013

Cudworth Common

This evening around the low lakes were 3 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, male and female Shoveler, 2 Little grebe, 3 Greylag, 5 pairs of Lapwing, 2 pairs of Meadow Pipit and a Green Woodpecker. A Cuckoo flew from the disused railway embankment and started to sing near the northern most pylon.

Symphony Factory
6 Brown Hare

More Moorland bits

Midhope Reservoir - 1 Pink-footed Goose and 1 Dunlin (heard only).
Stone Moor - first brood of Lapwing chicks.
Hunger Hill - 1 immature Peregrine Falcon.
per Dave Pearce.

Friday update

A flock of six Whimbrel this morning - Jim Thompson

A reasonable 'happening day', particularly this morning.

Old Moor: At least two Bitterns seen today. The Grey Plover was still present this morning and six Whimbrel and two Turnstone were also seen though all had gone AWOL this afternoon. Other wader counts there were 18 Avocet, 9 Ringed Plover, 6 LRP and 6 Dunlin. The Peregrine was seen again and the two pairs of Med' Gulls remain.
Three of the Whimbrels - Keith Pickering
The Peregrine - Keith Pickering
And news just in of a/the Spoonbill on Wombwell Ings.