Saturday 30 November 2013

Carlton Marsh

60 Redwing, Buzzard and Cormorant were among the birds present this afternoon. (Rod Heeley) 

Broomhill Flash

Todays sightings for Broomhill Flash included:-

Green Sandpiper 1,
Redshank 1,
Black Tailed Godwit 1,
Snipe 5+.

Mute Swan 10,
Gadwall 40+,
Tufted Duck 2,
Teal 2,
Cormorant 1.

Grey partridge 8.

Edderthorpe

A Marsh Harrier, presumably the wandering Old Moor/Bolton Ings bird was present over the Flash this morning (Al Stonier).

Wintersett, gulls 'n' stuff

Mostly sunny and cool with a light northerly wind.
The gull roost this evening was very good again on the Country Park lake;- Caspian Gull 2, a first-winter bird and a third-winter bird (the latter was seen here just over 2 weeks ago), Yellow-legged Gull 2, the usual adult and a first-winter, GBBGull 240, LBBGull 4, Herring Gull 677.
A high count of 80 Goosanders were on the lake at dusk, Wigeon 218, Greylag Goose 116. A couple of Woodcock also flew over at dusk.
And during the day;- the Cettis Warbler is still on the Top Res, calling regular and singing once, Nuthatch in Pits Wood, a Mealy Redpoll in Haw Park and also 16 Common Crossbills there. Lastly a Redshank was present in the morning.

Friday 29 November 2013

Friday

Old Moor/Bolton Ings: Marsh Harrier still.

Broomhill Flash: Black-wit still.

Wombwell Ings: Shelduck 2.

Edderthorpe (I van-Martin): Water Rail, Shelduck 7, Dunlin.

Thursday 28 November 2013

Scoter

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 female/immature Common Scoter this am.
per Nick Mallinson

The Edge 28th Nov

Broomhill Flash mid/late AM- Present were 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 10 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 52 Gadwall, 23 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 4 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 2 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 23 BH Gull, 12 Grey Partridge, 9 Red Legged Partridge and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Bolton Ings early PM- Present were 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, 31 Canada Geese, 25 Gadwall, 23 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck,  8 Mallard, 4m+2f Goosander, 7 Wigeon, 4 Pochard, 3f Goldeneye, 23 Lapwing, 28 BH Gull, 9 Common Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel and 3 Jay.

Along the TPT were c30 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Bullfinch and 1 Siskin.

Wintersett 28.11.13

7°C,  mild and dry.
Wintersett Res: Redwing 110,  Shoveler 3 + 1 ACP  and  Water Rail 1.  The Cetti's Warbler was calling in the west bank marsh.
Cold Hiendley Res: Buzzard 1.
Anglers CP:  25 Crossbills flew over the car park at 1.30 p.m..

Thursday mornings still!

Old Moor: Marsh Harrier still.

Broomhill Flash: Black-wit still.

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Wintersett 27.11.13

8°C,  mild and sunny.   Pretty quiet.
Anglers CP: A Brambling was on the feeding station in the car park.  Teal 35.  Pochard 75.
Thanks to Lynz Harston for the following photo of a Fieldfare that was a in small flock on the east side of the lake this morning.



Old Moor

The Marsh Harrier is still with us - Jeff Wragg

News from Old Moor today (Keith Pickering): Shelduck, Goosander 4, Goldeneye 1, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Golden Plover c200, Dunlin, Snipe 3.

Sparrowhak - Keith Pickering

Manvers Lake: Goldeneye.

The Edge 27th Nov

Broomhill Flash mid/late AM- The highlight was the cream crown Marsh Harrier that gave a good show between 9.30 to 10.30am but rowdy crows and Magpies were intent on spoiling the performance. Also present were 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant 12 Mute Swan, 50+ Teal, 50 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 4 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 5+ Snipe, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 3 Common Gull, 1 Kestrel, 50+ Fieldfare and 6 Pied Wagtail.

Wombwell Ings early PM- Present were 6 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, c250 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, c150 Wigeon, 9m+4f Goosander, 13 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Mallard, 51 BH Gull, c40 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. 13 Pied Wagtail and 12 Meadow Pipit.

Starlingfest

Broadstones Reservoir - 2 Mallards, 1 Snipe, c80 Black-headed Gulls and 23 Herring Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 34 Mallards, 2 Little Grebes, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 22 Common Gulls, 18 Herring Gulls and 1 Great Black-backed Gull.
Annat Royd Lane - 8 Grey Partridge, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 100+ Rooks and 20+ Jackdaws.
Whitley Edge - c100 Lapwings, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, 400+ Jackdaws, 150+ Carrion Crows and 8,000+ Starlings.
Tinker Hill - 8 Red Grouse and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier.

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Wintersett 26.11.13

6°c, bright, and sunny and calm.
Wintersett Res:  Common Scoter 1 drake,  Teal 20 + 24 ACP,  Water Rail 1 and Wigeon 26.   Linnet 2 in Haw Park gully.
Anglers CP: Green Woodpecker 1,  Little Grebe 3,  Shoveler 4,  Starling 40 west,  Siskin 1.  16 Crossbills were in trees in the car park at midday. 

Haw Park - Monday 25th

Internet down last night.
A walk round with Ralph Hibbert in the morning produced a small group of 8 Crossbills that included 5 males. Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 4 different, calling Great Spot Woodpeckers, Goldcrest and a Tawny Owl. were also of note. Another Tawny called from Willow Wood whilst we were looking at the drake Common Scotor on Wintersett.


Carlton Marsh
Coveys of 8 & 15 Grey Partridge and a Roe Deer (Dave Standish)

Today Tuesday 26th
Very quiet apart from the usual water fowl, 11 Red-legged Partridge,10 Redwing, Coal and Willow Tit and a Water Rail seen at close quarters. 2 Roe Deer were also seen.

The Edge

Broomhill Flash mid/late  AM- What a glorious day to finally be back and birdwatching. Present were 1 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 12 Mute Swan, 7 Canada Geese, 62 Gadwall, 55 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 5 Wigeon, 28 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 70+ Lapwing, 60+ Golden Plover( in back field), 4+ Snipe, 2 Redshank, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Grey Partridge, 1 Mistle Thrush and a flock of 10+ Redwing and Fieldfare in the car park.

Bolton Ingsearly PM- Present were 8 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, 40 Canada Geese,2 Greylag, c60 Teal, 49 Gadwall, 25 Tufted Duck, 25 Shoveler, 4m+2f Goosander, 5 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 4 Wigeon, 2f Goldeneye,  25 Lapwing, 6+ Snipe, 3 Redshank, 33 BH Gull, 7 Common Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 5+ Jay and c50 Rook over.

Tues News

Old Moor (various observers): Bittern, Marsh Harrier 'cream crown' on Bolton Ings, Goosander 18, Golden Plover c400, + report of 4 Ruff.

Broomhill Flash: Redshank 2, Black-tailed Godwit.

Monday 25 November 2013

Monday's roundup

Old Moor (various observers): Bittern 2 Reedbeds, Marsh Harrier 'cream crown' and on Bolton Ings (third day), Goosander 20+, Golden Plover c550, Redshank, Green Sand 3, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl (centre).

Wintersett 25.11.13

4°C,  cold and cloudy with some drizzle, but brightened up mid morning and sunny for the rest of the day.
Wintersett Res: The male Common Scoter still here off east bank.  2 Water Rail  on north bank. Chiffchaff 1.    The Cetti's Warbler was calling in the west bank marsh around midday.
Haw Park Wood: The flock of 15 Common Crossbills still present - 5 males counted today.
Anglers CP: Brambling 1 in car park.

Bretton

This morning at Bretton with Mr Tyke produced:
Goosander 38
Goldeneye 2
G C Grebe 12
Little Grebe 4
Shoveler 5
Tufted 44
Teal 7
Gadwall 25
Mute swan 3
Siskin 20.

Too lazy to count Mallard and Coot.

Also 2 Kestrels and surprisingly only a single GS pecker.

Sunday 24 November 2013

Thayers a lot of gulls in tonight!!

The Wintersett Park Lake roost produced the traditional Sunday peak of gulls with the previous November record count of Herring Gulls of 553 almost doubled. Full counts were:-

Herring Gull - 1022
Great Black-backed Gull - 318
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 7

Massive numbers of Black-headed and Common gulls were also present but went uncounted. The resident Yellow-legged Gull was also present, but time was limited to search for any more as we were a little distracted by the gull below which was on the rocks in front of the hide for a few minutes before it flew out into the roost showing a very uniform upper parts across the whole wing and back and brown primaries which were fringed with a pale edge.

Unfortunately, the light turned poor and we didn't get much more on it other than it having a very 'Iceland Gull' feel to it. One to read up on I think!

Whitwell

Whitwell Moor - 2 Stonechats and 5+ Bramblings at Millstones Wood.

Broomhil Flash

Todays sightings consisted of :-

Snipe 1.

Mute Swan 10,
Gadwall 57,
Wigeon 1,
Teal 31,
Mallard 8,
Shoveler 8,
Tufted Duck 3,
Coot 35,
Moorhen 6,
Little Grebe 1.

Fieldfare 5.

Red-legged Partridge 6.

Sightings from the logbook (JL).

Wintersett 24.11.13

4°C,  drizzly and cloudy. 
Wintersett Res:  Common Scoter 1 ♂  and   Kinfisher 2.
Anglers CP: Water Rail 1.
Haw Park Wood: The flock of 15 Common Crossbills, containing at least 4 males, was in larch near Waterton's  Watchtower gate.

Wooley Rec site and Low Moor

Today with Mr Tyke:

Wooley Reclamation Site
Grey Partridge 23, Snipe 5, Buzzard 2.  Linnets, Reed Bunts, Skylanks, Meadow pipits, Goldfinch and Redpolls but only low numbers.

Low Moor
Crossbill 12 ,Raven 3, Kestrel 2, GS Pecker, Fieldfare 190, Starling 40, Siskin 15 and a Rose Ringed Parakeet.

Edderthorpe, Sunday morning

Cold and drizzly. A wildfowl count in rather unpleasant conditions revealed the following;- Shelduck 6, Wigeon 68, Gadwall 38, Teal 190, Shoveler 34, Mallard 135, Pochard 9, Tufted 6, Goosander 5, Golden Plover 50, Dunlin 1.

Saturday 23 November 2013

Wintersett Gulls Saturday 23rd Nov 2013

Excellent numbers again in tonights roost on the Country Park Lake, with the following counts:-

Herring Gull - 525
Gt Black-backed Gull - 156
Lr Black-backed Gull - 2

Yellow-legged Gull - 2 Adults (inc the regular resident bird) plus a third winter bird.

Also roosting were 63 Goosanders.

Broomhead Res. Crossbills & gulls....

A cold but sunny day and the area around the feeders was alive with birds;- Common Crossbills were visible all the time with the most I saw being 60, Nuthatch, Siskin, a single Brambling, and loads of Coal tits.
The evening gull roost on the res was excellent;- a juvenile Glaucous Gull came in at 15.50, GBBGull 115, LBBGull 4, and Herring Gull 340 were all present at dusk. As the temperature dropped to minus one centigrade a Woodcock flew over and a couple of Tawny Owls were calling.

Broomhill Flash

Today's sightings for Broomhill Flash were:-

Snipe 6,
Redshank 1.

Tufted Duck 8,
Mute Swan 8,
Little Grebe 1,
Wigeon 10,
Gadwall 50+,
Shoveler 6,
Common Gull 6.

Red-legged Partridge 6.

Starlings, Starlings and more Starlings

Mr Tyke and I arrived at Wooley reclamation site filter bed at the side of the River Dearne at about 3.30.  At 3.50 a lone Starling began circling the reed bed before being joined by further 19, followed by another 6.  Thereafter they continued to arrive in numbers varying from 5 to 100 with several large flocks of up to 1000. Eventually thousands were circling high above the reed bed before they began plummeting into the Phragmites.  They still continued to arrive in small groups with the last 20 dropping in at 4.30.  The final tally was 8935 Starlings, one of which was taken by a Sparrowhawk.  Two sprawks were present throughout with one flying low over the reed beds at dusk.  Also there: at least 2 Water rails and a Kingfisher on the Dearne.

Carlton Marsh

This morning was cool, but pleasant in the sun. Grey Wagtail, c20 Fieldfare, Siskin, Goldcrest, Great Spot Woodpecker and Kingfisher were all in evidence.

At 13.07 hrs 65 Pink Feet Geese flew west. (Dave Standish)

Martin, this is one I caught earlier and forgot about it.
Reed Warbler X952629  4 male CP wing  65   9/7/2013 Carlton Marsh. Do you want to trace it.


Wintersett 23.11.13

3°C,   frosty first thing but soon melted, sunny with a cool north westerly.
Wintersett Res:  The drake Common Scoter  is still present.  Kingfisher 1.
Cold Hiendley Res: Greylag Goose 103.
Haw Park Wood:  A minimum of 15 Crossbills at  5 ways around 11.00hrs.
Haw Park Lane:  20 Grey Partridge.

Wilthorpe Marsh


Highlights:
6 Jack Snipe, 11 Common Snipe, I Water rail, 110 Redwing, Green woodpecker.

Friday 22 November 2013

Little Owl at Carlton Marsh this Morning 22/11/13..................... :-)


Carlton Marsh

New in today were 2 Wigeon and an  influx of c10 Goldcrests. (Rod Heeley)

Storrs Mill Wood
Comma butterfly

D Day?

An arrival of Goosanders today with 14 roosting at Old Moor including an apparently small and odd looking 'redhead' that had first been thought to be an RBM. Also 7 Goldeneye, 2 Pintail, 2 Resdhank and a Dunlin.

Goosanders at Old Moor - Keith Pickering
Female Pintail at Old Moor today - Keith Pickering
Also today at Elsecar Res were 8 G/C Grebes, 3 Goosanders and a drake Goldeneye.

Broomhill Flash & Wombwell Ings

Today's sightings for Broomhill Flash included.

10 Mute Swan of which 3 had Yellow Rings on the left legs, the numbers were 051, 054 & 055.

Redshank 3,
Snipe 3,
Grey Heron 1.

Cormorant 4,
Mute Swan 9,
Goldeneye 2 ♀,
Gadwall 80,
Teal 14+,
Wigeon 1,
Tufted Duck 6,
Shoveler 2♂,
Little Grebe 1.

Redwing 1,
Fieldfare 3,
Woodcock 1 (dropped over hedge at the top of car park c16.50).

Grey Partridge 11,
Red-legged Partridge 3.

Kestrel 1.

Wombwell Ings.


Grey Heron 5,
Lapwing 34.

Teal 90,
Wigeon 216,
Shelduck 2,
Tufted Duck 3,
Mallard 6,
Canada Goose 180+,
Common Gull 1.

Kestrel 1.

Wintersett 22.11.13

4°C,  cloud 2/8, cool northerly.
Wintersett Res: The male Common Scoter was off the east bank again this morning.  Chiffchaff 1.
15 Crossbills were around the Haw Park Lane/ West Bank track area early morning and again about 13.00hrs.
Cold Hiendley Res:  Kingfisher 2,  Little Grebe 2.
Haw Park Wood: Nuthatch 2,  Linnet 1.

Thursday 21 November 2013

Broomhill Flash

Todays sightings on Broomhill Flash per the logbook.

Redshank 1,
Green Sandpiper 1,
Golden Plover 7,
Grey Heron 1.

Teal 20+,
Gadwall 77,
Shoveler 6+,
Tufted Duck 4,
Little Grebe 1,
Mute Swan 5.

Red-legged Partridge 7.

Wintersett 21.11.13

4 degrees,  showery with a cold northerly wind to mid morning, then brighter with some sunshine.
Wintersett Res:  7 Whooper Swans - 5 adults and 2 juveniles left east at 07.40hrs.  Common Scoter 1 drake,
Teal 18 + 39 ACP and Greylag Goose 104.
Anglers CP:  Buzzard 1 and  Water Rail 1.
Haw Park Wood:  Crossbill  21.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Wintersett 20.11.13

4 degrees, sunny with  a  cold north westerly.
Anglers CP:  Brambling 1 N over car park.
Wintersett Res: The drake Common Scoter is still present.  Canada Goose 169, Greylag Goose 3,  Teal  5  and Kingfisher 1.  

Broomhill Flash ( a fight for flight!)

On arriving at Broomhill Flash just after 8.30 this morning and after a quick look round, I kept hearing a noise from the side of the hide. So as you do I stuck my head out to have a closer look and there was a mute swan caught between the front of the hide and the fencing and no room to open its wings to take flight. I went back to the car to get my dust sheet from the back to cover the swans wings so I wouldn't get a scutch, upon picking the swan off the ground I noticed some blood on its rear probably from hitting the fencing but also a metal BTO ring on it's left leg. I managed to get the bird over the fence but it wasn't happy in the end it got to the water and did abit of preening and made a flight after about 50 minutes. Moral of the story don't go anywhere without a dust sheet!! LOL.

Todays sightings for Broomhill Flash & Wombwell Ings are:-

Broomhill Flash.

Golden Plover 70+,
Redshank 2,
Green Sandpiper 1,
Snipe 2,
Lapwing c100.

Tufted Duck 6,
Gadwall c96,
Teal 40,
Shoveler 9,
Pochard 1
Mallard 4,
Wigeon 4,
Mute Swan 5 (including the trapped one),
Black-headed Gull c50,
Common Gull 1,
Cormorant 2 (one metal BTO ring left leg).

Fieldfare 3.

Kestrel 1,
Common Buzzard 3,
Peregrine Falcon 1.


Wombwell Ings.

Grey Heron 2,
Lapwing 65,
Snipe 3.

Wigeon c140,
Teal 52,
Shelduck 1,
Gadwall 2,
Pochard 1♀,
Common Gull 1,
Cormorant 1.

Meadow Pipit 1.

Sparrowhawk 1.

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 80+ Mallards, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Coots and 7 Moorhens

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Med Gull 3AAE from August 2013



This juv/first winter Mediterranean Gull with the above white ring was rung as a pullus at Valdemarsslot slotsø, Fyn, DENMARK on 16th June 2013 and was present on the Country Park at Wintersett on 25th August 2013. It was subsequently seen at Aberdaron, Gwynedd, North Wales on October 18th 2013.

Bretton sunday17-11-13.

Siskin 15, G.C.Grebe 16, Goosander 38, Shoveler 2, Tufted Duck 50, Gadwall 22, Mute Swan 3, Little Grebe 10, Wigeon 1 fem., no sign of any bramblings. Large flocks of starlings noticed going into roost near river dearne at woolley side, to be counted at weekend.

Broomhill Flash and Bolton Ings

The sightings for today were:-


Broomhill Flash.


Snipe 4,
Green Sandpiper 1,
Grey Heron 1,
Golden Plover 22,
Lapwing c100,
Redshank 3.

Gadwall 95,
Teal 47,
Mute Swan 3,
Mallard 11,
Tufted Duck 2,
Shoveler c12,
Shelduck 1,
Wigeon 4,
Common Gull 2,
Black-headed Gull 31,
Cormorant 2,
Little Grebe 1,
Pink Footed Goose 28 (flew north west),
Goosander 1.

Meadow Pipit 2,

Red-legged Partridge 8.

Kestrel 1,
Sparrowhawk 1,
Common Buzzard 2.

Bolton Ings.


Green Sandpiper 1,
Grey Heron 2.

Pochard 8,
Goosander 5 (3♀, 2♂),
Teal 9,
Tufted Duck 8,
Gadwall 16,
Shoveler 1,
Goldeneye 2♀,
Mute Swan 4 (2 adults, 2 juvenile),
Cormorant 5,
Common Gull 5,
Greylag Goose 18,
Pink-footed Goose 1.

Jay 1.

Kestrel 1.

Wintersett Ringing Recoveries 19.11.13

A 1st year female Blackcap 
ringed at Dunes de la Slack, 50° 46' N,  1° 36' E,
Wimereux (Pas-de-Calais)  FRANCE  on 27.09.08
was caught at Wintersett Reservoir on 11.08.10
a distance of  379 kms. NNW.

An adult Sedge Warbler
ringed at Wintersett Reservoir on 23.04.11 
was caught at Ria de Villaviciosa, 43° 28'  N,  5° 26' W
(Asturias) SPAIN on 01.08.11,
a distance of 1,166kms SSW.

A juvenile Chiffchaff
ringed at Wintersett Reservoir on 10.07.13
was caught at Brook Farm, Reculver (Kent)  on 22.09.13,
a distance of 307 kms south.

Wintersett 19.11.13

1 degree rising to 4 degrees C,  frosty, clear and sunny with a light north westerly.
Anglers CP: A flock of 27 Pink-footed Geese dropped into the Pol field briefly at 12.00hrs.   Shoveler 9,  Little Grebe 2,  Siskin 1 and  Water Rail 1.
Wintersett Res: A male Common Scoter was off the north bank and the Cetti's Warbler was calling in the west bank marsh.

Monday 18 November 2013

Broomhead

Spent a couple of hours watching up to 50 Crossbills in the clearing, no wing bars. Usual birds on feeders. Up to five Bullfinches and a few more Siskins were in close association with the Crossbills. Had a hour at Midhope late afternoon, 1 Kestrel, c400 Fieldfares and 250 Starlings.
For sale, zoom lens for Nikon Spotting scope £60. email turton.m@btinternet.com

Wintersett 18.11.13

8 degrees, cloud 8/8, drizzly rain from 10.00 to 13.30hrs.  Brighter and cooler from mid afternoon.
Wintersett Res: Wigeon 8.
Anglers CP:  9 Crossbill flew east at 09.25hrs,  Cormorant 14,  Water Rail 1,  Grey Wagtail 1 and  Siskin 1 over.   15 Wigeon flew over high and south.   (Wigeon numbers in the area are down, due to shooting in nearby fields at dusk). 
ACP Gull Roost:  The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only notable today.

Broomhill Flash Count

Today's full count for Broomhill Flash included:-

Snipe 3,
Redshank 2,
Golden Plover c50,
Lapwing c100,
Grey Heron 1.

Teal 35,
Wigeon 3,
Gadwall c95,
Shoveler c14,
Mallard 12,
Tufted Duck 3,
Cormorant 4,
Little Grebe 1,
Mute Swan 2,
Black-headed Gull 23.

Fieldfare c50,
Redwing 2.

Red-legged Partridge 6.

Sunday 17-11-13.

Whitley Common- 1200 to 1500 starlings, 300 lapwings. 2 drake wigeon ingbirchworth res. Counts done at bretton also, i will put them on tommorow.

Monday's bit

No change to my knowledge in Old Moor area today bar for a report of a Woodcock over Family Hide. Quite likey, although as yet unconfirmed. Other birds there include Goldeneye 2, Goodander, Redshank 3, Dunlin.

Wombwell Ings: Wigeon c150, Shelduck, Dunlin.

Broomhill Flash: Redhank 3.

Sunday 17 November 2013

Bolton Ings - Sunday

A mild day, 7c at 08.30 when I started out, cloudy in fact a bit misty but with no wind didn't feel cold at all. Seemed to be more than usual Blackbirds about so decided to count them and reached 29, a few Redwings but still no Fieldfares. A skein of c70 Pink Feet flew north west at 11.45 and a couple of female Goldeneye were on the eastern pool. A Green Sandpiper had a fly round and good numbers of Gadwall and Coot were counted. More Gulls about today and included 44 Commons and a Herring Gull. Finally 3 flocks of c30 Long Tailed Tits were on Warbler Way one of which included a Willow Tit. Full list :- Grey Heron 4, Mute Swan 10, Canada Goose 46, Grey Lag Goose 3, Pink Footed Goose c70, Cormorant 5, Little Grebe 2, Mallard 32, Gadwall 221, Teal 9, Wigeon 32, Shoveler 8, Tufted Duck 10, Pochard 6, Goldeneye 2, Coot 326, Moorhen 16, Lapwing 25, Snipe 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Black headed Gull 201, Common Gull 44, Herring Gull 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1, Jay 4, Green Woodpecker 3, Mistle Thrush 1, Redwing 46, Blackbird 29, Long Tailed Tit c90, Willow Tit 1.

Broomhill Flash

todays sightings for Broomhill Flash were:-

Redshank 3
Snipe 6
Green sand 1
Dunlin 2


Goosander 1
Shelduck 1
Ruddy
Gadwall 100+
Mallard 4
Mute 2
Little grebe 1

Red-legged Partridge 10

Carlton Marsh

A quiet still afternoon saw 10 Skylarks moving SW, Goldcrest and Coal Tit with Longtailed Tits, a leucistic pure white Pheasant, Cormorant, 2 Snipe leaving at dusk, Water Rail and a Tawny Owl were calling at dusk.

Wintersett gulls.....

The gull roost on the Country Park was good this evening and held;- Caspian Gull 2 adults, (both different to the third-winter seen on Friday), Herring Gull 331, Great Black-backed Gull 110.

Sunday's highlights

Afternoon visit to Wombwell Ings: Shelduck, Wigeon c210, Teal 45, Lapwing c400, Golden Plover c250, Snipe 2, Dunlin, Pied Wag' c20, Meadow Pipit 4.

Bolton Ings (Nige Smith, Dave Waddington): Pink-footed Goose c70 northeast @ 11.45, Gadwall 221, Goosander 3, Goldeneye 2, Coot 326, Common Gull 44, Tree Creeper, Goldcrest 6.

Old Moor (various observers): Pintail drake, Golden Plover c150 (+ many heading south), Black-tailed Godwit 2, Green Sand 3+ (area).

Edderthorpe, Sunday

A still, cloudy but mild day gave up the following;- Shelduck 3, Shoveler 28, Gadwall 15, Wigeon 56, Teal 199, Tufted 18, Pochard 4, Pink-footed Goose 62 flew north-west at 10.45, Cormorant 10, Peregrine 1 flew over high up but still flushed all the waders, Water Rail 1, Lapwing 140, Golden Plover 50, Dunlin 6, Woodcock 1 flushed from the railway embankment.
Friday 15th November;- a Jack Snipe and 20 Common Snipe were flushed during grasscutting operations.

Wintersett 17.11.13

8 degrees, mild with no wind.
Haw Park Wood: A flock of 25 Crossbills flew over, and then back to the trees near the entrance around midday.  Tawny Owls were heard calling at 11.05 and 11.30hrs.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1,  Golden Plover 22 flew NE and Kingfisher 1.
Anglers CP:  A Water Rail was heard on the Pol.

Saturday 16 November 2013

The only bits of news I have today is as follows:

Old Moor (Dave Waddington): Shelduck 2, Pintail, Dunlin 8.

Wombwell Ings (Dave Pickering): Shelduck, Teal c50, Wigeon c150.

Broomhill (moi): Redshank 2.

Wintersett Surprise 16.11.13

7 degrees and  cloudy with a westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res:   A late male Blackcap was a surprise for the ringers this morning.
The male Cetti's Warbler was singing on the west bank marsh, just past the spillway bridge.   Common Scoter 1 male and  Gawall 7. 
Anglers CP: Shelduck 2.
Haw Park Lane:  A minimum of 6 Crossbills were seen near the entrance to the wood around midday.  (A flock of 25 were reported down in the field next to the wood)

  Male   Blackcap - ringed this morning.                 RLHill

Jack and Nil, saturday morning 16-11-13.

Wilthorpe Marsh W. still 5 jack snipe, 3 common snipe. Next weeks northerlys might swell the numbers. A brief visit to Woolley Grange produced no jacks but 6 common snipe, 2 buzzards, 12 skylarks.

Found - A Canary

Lynz Harston found this canary at ACP yesterday.  It flew to him and he picked it up.  He now has it at home. It has a ring on, so if anyone has lost it and can tell him the ring ID he will return it.



Friday 15 November 2013

Bleachcroft Farm Pond

3 'Redhead' Goosanders spent the morning here and returned later before finally leaving south before dusk.

Storrs Mill Wood
Comma 1

Moor or Less?

Having managed to get two ordeals over with in one day yesterday it left me free today so decided to have a crack at the moors. The weather at Broomhead was favorable being sheltered from the wind that was blowing on the peak so I decided to put all my eggs in one basket and spend the day crossbill hunting. Overall though it was pretty disappointing  with sightings limited to five by the feeders (which were awash with common birds) that lingered just long enough for me too see that at least one was definitely a Common and about 25 at  Dwarriden Plantation (where Roy Twigg saw a male Two-barred recently) that landed in the tree tops but 'popped' before I managed to 'up-scope'. There seemed to be an abnormally large number of Jays around to me but other than that it was pretty much the usual stuff, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Nuthatch Siskins etc.

Wintersett Caspo 15.11.13

Anglers CP Vis Mig:  Wood Pigeon 2240,  Crossbill 12 over at  08.20hrs. Brambling 2 west,  Linnet 1 south.
Anglers CP: Redshank 1,  Mealy Redpoll 3, Grey Wagtail 2,   and Water Rail 1. The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull  and a 3rd winter CASPIAN GULL were in the roost tonight  and 37 Goosander were also present.
Wintersett Res: Chiffchaff 1 + 1 Botany.

Adwick washlands (am)

Heron 4, Little Egret 2 ( 1 bird ringed with orange ring on the left leg, pale blue on the right), Wigeon 26, Shoveler 3, Teal c50, Redshank 1, Golden Plover 7, Lapwing 60, Yellowhammer c50, Reed Bunting 20, Fieldfare c150, Redwing c10, Skylark 15.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Broomhill Flash

The sightings for 14th November this morning included.

Dunlin 1,
Redshank 2,
Golden Plover c100,
Lapwing c120.

Gadwall 105,
Mute Swan 3 (1 juvenile),
Teal 30,
Shoveler 11,
Mallard 6+,
Tufted Duck 3,
Goosander 1♀,
Little Grebe 1,
Canada Goose 60+,
Black-headed Gull 120+,
Common Gull 2.

Fieldfare & Redwing flock c100,
Skylark c20,
Pied Wagtail 3,
Starling c30.

Kestrel 1,
Buzzard 2.

Carlton Marsh

Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, albino Pheasant, Great Spot Woodpecker and Siskin were in addition to the wildfowl, which included Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and a few Teal.

Roe Deer tracks were found, a Hedgehog was abroad, and a Red Admiral was still clinging to life on rotten apples. (Chris Parkin)  


More Foreign Gulls !!

A first winter Black-headed Gull was seen at Wintersett on 3rd November with a yellow darvic ring with black lettering K627 on its left leg.

This bird was ringed as a pullus on 17th June 2013 at Aizpute, Liepaja region in Latvia.
Details of the metal ring are given as 'Latvia Riga S 8634'.

I don't know about you, but I find it pretty awesome to discover the origins of our wintering gulls - and the age of the internet has made the sharing of details very very quick.
Early morning visit to a wind-swept Old Moor with a few highlights as follows: Cormorant 19, Pochard 19, Lapwing c600, Golden Plover c200, Dunlin 2+, Great S Woodpecker, Linnet 16, Willow Tit (car park feeders).

Broomhill Flash: (per Mick Rushton) Redshank 2, Dunlin.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Broomhill Flash

Today's sightings for Broomhill Flash are:-

Golden Plover c250,
Snipe 6+,
Redshank 2,
Grey Heron 1,
Lapwing 120+.

Mute Swan 2,
Tufted Duck 1,
Wigeon 2,
Shoveler 16,
Teal 36,
Gadwall 94,
Mallard c20,
Little Grebe 1 .

Pied Wagtail 3,
Stock Dove 21.

Red-legged Partridge 4+,
Grey Partridge 5+.

Low Moor / Midhope. - 13-11-13.

A mid afternoon hour. Common buzzard again on the stone wall perimeter of the res. on the lookout. Still good numbers of fieldfares 5- 600+, kestrel 1 and a flock of 10 crossbills flew across towards langsett. This species appears to be hard to miss recently although mostly flight views.

Did that gull sound foreign?

A Darvic-ringed adult Black-headed Gull (J3LE) was present at Worsbrough reservoir yesterday. I emailed the ringer directly and got a reply within a few hours with details of this bird. It was ringed as an adult male (3cy+) on 30/05/2012 at Treschows Bro, Oslo, Norway. All resightings of this bird were from the Oslo area, with the last reported sighting being 29/06/2013, until my sighting yesterday. A total of 531 days since it was ringed and 1030km from the ringing site.

Wintersett 13.11.13

3°C at 07.00 hrs,  cloud 2/8 with a strengthening west north westerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  I forgot to mention yesterday that the first Waxwing had gone through west at 08.22hrs.   Nothing so unusual today!   Highlights being  287 Fieldfare SW,   267 Starling W,  30 Redwing SW and  1270 Wood Pigeon SW.   3 Redshank dropped in to bathe at 08.05 and left 5 minutes later.
Anglers CP:  Greylag Goose 115
Wintersett Res:   Cetti's Warbler  1 calling.

tit for tat?

Early morning pre-dentist visit to Old Moor: Still lots of birds in general, only changes being two Goldeneye, two Dunlin and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Much of my time was spent chasing the flock of Long-tailed Tits (and Goldcrest) along Green Lane having heard a series of long high pitched calls. Perhaps just a Robin or perhaps not!

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Late Weekend News

Really late but here is the news from the weekend:-

Bolton Ings/Sunday :- A cold clear morning, 1c at 07.30 with ice on all the puddles. Webs count day and as usual most numbers down on last week, exception being Coot at 323. The 7 Great Crested Grebes from last week had moved out and Little Grebes down to 6 including 1 on the river. The first Redshank of the winter was present and nice to see 22 Snipe showing in the sunshine. Full list :- Grey Heron 3, Mute Swan 12, Canada Goose 56, Grey Lag Goose 2, Cormorant 6, Little Grebe 6, Mallard 16, Gadwall 198, Teal 18, Wigeon 28, Shoveler 5, Tufted Duck 23, Pochard 9, Coot 323, Moorhen 16, Lapwing 58, Snipe 22, Redshank 1, Black Headed Gull 91, Common Gull 12, Buzzard 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Jay 3, Redwing 2, Skylark 1.

Old Moor/Saturday :- Meally Redpoll 1 near the Visitor Centre.

Old Moor/Sunday :- Gadwall 312, Wigeon 384, Pochard 13, Goldeneye 3.

Wombwell Ings/Sunday :- Wigeon 85, Snipe 11.

Old Moor/Sunday Roost :- Bittern 2, Goosander 5, Barn Owl 2.

Broomhill Village/Sunday :- Woodcock over.

Old Moor/Monday :- Pintail & Curlew.


Midhope

Just missed a flock of c30 Crossbills which had been spooked by a Sparrowhawk out of the clearing at Broomhead just before I got there. Usual stuff around the feeders. A couple of hours at Midhope kicked off with a single Raven followed by a juv Marsh Harrier south over the res' and along Barnside Moor. Two Sparrowhawks, three Kestrels and one or two Common Buzzards. 1100 Fieldfares, five Mistle Thrushes, five Redwing and 250 Starlings.

Absolutely dead?

With the combination of dark evenings and Spurn weekends recently, I appreciated the chance to visit Old Moor today whilst on standby. By the time I returned to the Wader Scrape hide there were plenty of visitors – “seen anything”, I asked? “No nothing, absolutely dead, not even seen a single wader was the reply”. The 800 or so Lapwings seemed to give a glance of disbelief and I wondered why I’d earlier spent an hour or so checking through around 500 ‘Goldies’. I thought about mentioning the single Dunlin I’d seen but wasn't sure if that qualifies as a wader nowadays either? I started looking through the gathering gulls – “just a bunch of Black-heads that lot” he said. Well yes, apart from 16 Commons, two Herrings and a Lesser Black-backed. “Quite a mix, fifty shades of grey” I said. At least he seemed to like that one! Anyway, back to the Wath Ings Hide to look at the duck. After a short while a familiar voice piped-up “what you scoping, got somert?” “Just checking through the Wigeon and Teal for white axillaries or vertical lines” I retorted, not daring to mention I was simply enjoying looking at the beautiful Shoveler and watching the wonderful displaying Teal. And so I left, passing another visitor as I did so. "What’s happened to all the small birds she asked"? Just audible above the non-stop tacking of Tree Sparrows and the ‘si si si’ calls of Long-tailed Tits was the thin call of a Goldcrest. How small do you want it I thought? I trundled off through the centre only to be asked by one of the poor staff – “anything about John?” “No nothing, absolutely dead” I retorted. Ah well, at least I've got the rest of the week to look forward to. Let’s see now, dentist tomorrow, solicitor Thursday, Meadowhall Friday mmmm………

A group of displaying Teal today. Anybody else enjoy them?

Other birds seen perhaps worthy of mention? Grey Wagtail, Starling c400 west, Fieldfare c120 west.


Also: Little Owl Broomhill Flash, Shelduck Wombwell Ings.


Broomhill Flash

Todays sightings were :-

Gadwall 93,
Teal 11,
Mute Swan 2,
Shelduck 4.

Little Owl 1.

L-t T on the Move

One ringing recovery concerning at generally sedentary species.
Long-tailed Tit
CPY402   adult  24th November 2012  Brodsworth Colliery Tip, Doncaster.
                 caught 25th August   2013  Carlton Marsh NR
15 km WNW. 274 days later,

Wintersett 12.11.13

5°C,  cloud 2/8 with a strengthening WNW breeze.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  A male Peregrine  went over south.    Fieldfare 2410 SW,   Starling 1305 W,  Redwing 81 SW,   Wood Pigeon  600 SW and Mistle Thrush 2 SW.
Anglers CP:  115 Greylag Geese were in the Pol field and also a stoat was seen manouvreing a dead rabbit  towards the hedge.

Carlton Marsh

Resident Buzzards 2 and Little Owl, Fieldfare 7, Goldfinch c30. Shelduck immature and 2 Water Rails in aerial combat at Bleachcroft Farm.
Insects included Common Darter 5 and Red Admiral 1 feeding on rotting apple. (Chris Parkin)

A very mild evening yesterday produced 4 moths to my garden trap. Silver Y, Feathered Thorn, Northern Winter Moth and the migrant Dark Sword-grass.

 Northern Winter Moth

Feathered Thorn

Dark Sword-grass

Monday 11 November 2013

Broomhill Flash

Kittiwake 1 juvenile came in from north gained height and gradually drifted off north east at 15.45.
Goldeneye 1 male.

Carlton Marsh

75 Fieldfares flew SW at 16.30hrs and an  immature Shelduck spent about 30 minutes on Bleachcroft Farm pond before leaving south at 16.25hrs. (Keith Bannister) A Water Rail called from the same site a little earlier.

Wintersett Equaliser 11.11.13

A milder start, 7 degrees, with drizzly rain and a light southerly.
Wintersett Res: Steve Denny heard the Cetti's Warbler calling on the west bank clump and then picked up a Bar-tailed Godwit on the boathouse slipway at 07.50hrs, thus adding a new bird to the year list to equal the all time record of 179 species. It stayed until 08.35, when it was flushed off by a Heron.  It flew calling to the shallows at Anglers CP. and eventually left  south at 10.38hrs. An excellent start to the working week for him! 
Anglers CP Vis Mig highlights:  12 Dunlin SW at 09.24 + 4 S at 09.54.   Crossbill 9 NE at 12.03hrs.
2290 Starlings were pulsing through in mainly small flocks.   Fieldfare 1565,  Redwing 140,  Wood Pigeon 50 S and Golden Plover 33 S.
ACP:  71 Teal were new in,  and a drake and 2 female Pintail dropped in at 11.14hrs.
Also flying: A Migrant Hawker was seen on the north bank Wintersett Res..

Jacked Up.

10-11-13. wilthorpe marsh w. definetly 5 possibly 6 jack snipe. 11-11-13 - bretton, brambling 2 showing well preening and calling in hawthorn s side of lower lake. + 1 green pecker, 2 gs peckers, gc grebe 17, little grebe 6, goosander 21 included 1 male, gadwall 17, wigeon 9, shoveler 4.

More Good Stuff

Appears to have been a Wigeon day on the moorland reservoirs today,
Winscar Reservoir - 6 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck and 1 moulting drake Red-breasted Merganser.
Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Little Owl, c280 Fieldfare, c80 Redwings and 18 Common Crossbills.
Barnside Moor - c140 Red Grouse.
per Dave Pearce

Ingbirchworth & Royd Moor

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 adult Whooper Swan, 31 Wigeon, 64 Mallards,6 Tufted Ducks, 3 Goldeneyes. 3 Little Grebes and c15 Pied Wagtails.
Spicer House Lane - 85 Greylag Geese.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 35 Wigeon, 17 Teal and 2 Cormorants.

Sunday 10 November 2013

Carlton Marsh

Flocks of Wood Pigeons were moving south here this morning in line with other sites. Buzzard, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, Water Rail, Redwing, Little Owl, Siskin and Redpoll were present. A male and female Goldcrest were amongst a flock of tits ringed this afternoon.

Despite the cold conditions 2 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma were feeding on fallen apples. (Chris Parkin)

The Best from the West

Harden Quarries - 7 Whooper Swans SE, 1 Hen Harrier and an impressive c16,850 Woodpigeons W/SW in a 3hrs vis mig watch
per Russ Boland, Nick Mallinson & Dave Pennington.

Broomhead Reservoir - 7 Teal, 6 Tufted Ducks, c30 Redwings, 1 Two-barred Crossbill (back near the feeders) and 10+ Common Crossbills.
More Hall Reservoir - 5 Cormorants.
per SBSG website.


Broomhill Flash

Today's sightings were,

Common Gull 1,
Cormorant 5,
Teal 14,
Gadwall 50,
Shoveler 6,
Tufted Duck 5,
Pochard 3.

Edderthorpe WeBS counts

The highlights from this weekends count are;- Goosander 4, Shelduck 3, Shoveler 23, Teal 200, Wigeon 47, Lapwing 243, Golden Plover 210, Dunlin 2.

Wintersett, Sunday

Very cold and clear all day.
WeBS counts;- Mallard 92, Wigeon 176, Shoveler 46, Teal 18, Gadwall 30, Tufted 251, Pochard 97, Goldeneye 27, Goosander 23, Cormorant 17, Great Crested Grebe 67, Coot 442, both a Oystercatcher and a Redshank are new in. The gull roost on the Country Park this evening held;- GBBGull 72, LBBGull 74, Herring Gull 295, Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult, Common Gull 1000.

Bird-of-the-day is a male Cettis Warbler discovered in the west bank clump on the Top Res this afternoon. It called frequently, sang once and showed itself off on a couple of occasions right up to dusk. This is the seventh bird at Wintersett and the first since December 2011. A Chiffchaff was also in the clump and a Blackcap was in Botany. Four Crossbill were photographed in Haw Park. Up to 8 Common Buzzards were enjoying the sunshine and wind.

Vis mig;- the cold overnight frost did the trick and Wood Pigeons were on the move southwards for the first couple of hours after dawn - 9680 were counted. A skein of 19 Pink-footed Geese went east and runner-up-bird-of-the-day was a Marsh Harrier which went south at 07.45. Starling 520, Skylark 10, and Fieldfare 69 were the other notable movers today, although there was a good passage of large gulls heading north-west which we unfortunatly failed to count due to being pre-occupied with pigeons!
  

Oyc

Stocksbridge - 1 Oystercatcher W calling at 08:55hrs.

Saturday 9 November 2013

Broomhead Gull Roost

Broomhead Reservoir - 3 Teal. Gull roost - c1000 Black-headed Gulls, 39 Common Gulls, 52 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c90 Herring Gulls and 55 Great Black-backed Gulls.
per SBSG website.

Carlton Marsh in the Rain

Before it started a 'charm' of Goldfinch included a few Siskin and Redpoll. Also present were Buzzard, Kingfisher, Willow Tit, 20 Skylarks, on arable land, 10 Redwings and Green Woodpecker. (Jim Plant)

50 Pink Feet Geese flew east yesterday afternoon. (Chris Parkin)

FLYING SKY HIGH

This morning 9am, a reasonable movement of Pink-footed Geese, flying high eastwards over Hemingfield towards the Old Moor. A Total skein of 200+.

Wintersett, Saturday

A cold 1 degree start with rain rolling in from late morning.

Vis mig from the hill;- Wood Pigeon 4400 south, Starling 743 west were the main moving species today with just a trickle of other things. We are, however, hopefully of a good movement tomorrow after a cold, clear night (if the forecasters get it right).
65 Shoveler were on the Top Res, a couple of Lesser Redpolls were caught in a ringing session.

Woolley Grange 9-11-13 a.m.

Again no owls but walked into a site for snipe with 3 jacks, one of which only flew a few yards and scurried into the grass, also 6 common snipe, 24 grey partridge, 50 linnets, 12 skylarks and 10 meadow pipits. Poor for raptors this morning with just 1 kestrel.

Friday 8 November 2013

Edderthorpe & Wintersett Updates.....

EDDERTHORPE
A early morning visit revealed;- Greylag Goose 140, Shelduck 1, Shoveler 28, Wigeon 31, Cormorant 9, Water Rail 1, Dunlin 6, Golden Plover 3, Jack Snipe 1.
WINTERSETT
A afternoon/evening visit;- Shoveler 63 on the Top Res. The Country Park gull roost held;- GBBGull 38, LBBGull 44, Herring Gull 40, Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult, Black-headed Gull 6500.

Saxony Duck

                                                                                             Saxony Duck today at Ferrymoor Flash.

Wintersett 08.11.13

6°C start,  cloud 2/8,  very light  south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  Pink-footed Goose 80 E at 09.10hrs.   Wood Pigeon 2160 SW,  Fieldfare 178 W,  Redwing 26 W,  Starling 277 W,  Golden Plover 35 S,  Yellow Bunting 2 S,  Mistle Thrush 1 S,  Skylark 1 S,  Buzzard 1 S,  Meadow Pipit 1 S  and Chaffinch 1W.
ACP: Grey Partridge 14.

Friday's highlights

Goldeneye at Old Moor today - Keith Pickering
Old Moor: Goosander 2, Goldeneye, Redshank, Dunlin. Additionally, good numbers of Wood Pigeons were moving south this morning. And yesterday there were at least two sightings of Bittern at the Reedbeds.

Wombwell Ings: Shelduck 4.

Elsecar Res: G/C Grebe 12, Goosander.

Edderthorpe (Ivan Martin): Dunlin 8, Ruff.

A 'wintery feel' at Old Moor today included a few Redwings - Keith Pickering

Thursday 7 November 2013

Bits

Broomhead Reservoir - 1 Two-barred Crossbill heard only just south of Mill Lane (continuation of Dwarriden Lane),
Stocksbridge - c120 Pink-footed Goose high ESE,
Underbank Reservoir - 134 Canada Geese.
per SBSG website

Duck!!

Saxony Duck ( I think ) at Ferrymoor Flash.......................... :-)

Carlton Marsh

A lovely day for our first scrub bash of the winter. Five us spent a very satisfying two hours removing regenerating Willow and bramble from both sides of the hide on the inner bank of the scrape.
After the disturbance Mute Swan, Kingfisher and a pair of Tufted Duck soon returned with the Mallard, Gadwall and 4 Teal. A buzzard was very vocal and 2 Goldcrests and 2 Willow Tits were amongst the Longtailed tits. 15 Fieldfares flew west this afternoon.

11 Common Darters and a Comma were out in the sun.

Wintersett 07.11.13

Wintersett Res:  5 Common Scoter.   1 redhead Goosander + 8 S at 10.00hrs.

Low Moor- Midhope, thursday 7-11-13.

Joined Dave Simmonite early afternoon for a couple of hours. Peregrine 1, Buzzard 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 2, Crossbill 30+, Fieldfare 800 minimum, probably into four figures,Starling 200, Grey Heron 1, Jay 2. Turned very cold just after 3 pm which prompted the exit.

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Catch Up

After 7 days without a telephone line or broadband the kind people at BT have finally got round to mending the fault.
3rd November 2013
Broomhead Reservoir - 1 male Two-barred Crossbill at Dwarriden Lane with c40 Common Crossbill,

4th November 2013
Royd Moor Reservoir - 6 (3 drakes & 3 females) Mandarin Ducks .
per Brian Haywood.

5th November 2013
Stocksbridge - 1 ringtail Hen Harrier W at 0840hrs.

Wintersett 06.11.13

Mild 9 degrees, cloudyand dry from 07.00 hrs, light SWesterly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: Very slow after first hour. 
3 Whooper Swans flew south at 08.10hrs.  Starling  252 SW,  Fieldfare 202 SW, Redwing 28 W,  Linnet 10 S,  Meadow Pipit 1 SE and Stock Dove 2 SW.  
ACP: 05.11.13  12 Grey Partridge in Pol field.  Goldeneye 1 male.

Wath/Bolton

A walk along old railway between Wath Ings and Bolton Ings produced 5 Goldcrests, 17 Long-tailed tits, Chiffchaff, and a female Stonechat at the eastern end of Main Marsh. Four Siskin and Water Rail on Gypsy Marsh. plus two Green Sands in flooded field just north of GM ( 3 there yesterday)

Adwick tip mid-day

Yellowhammer 50+, Reed Bunting c20, Willow Tit 1, Bullfinch 5.

ADWICK a.m.

Dunlin 7;  Mallard 400+;  Shoveler 6+;  Teal c. 30; Wigeon c. 15;  Fieldfare 100+; Mixed Yellow Bunt/Reed Bunt c.40; Sparrowhawk 1;  Meadow Pipit 40+.

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Carlton Marsh

Water Rail calling, and c150 Pink Feet Geese flew east at 16.05hrs (Keith Bannister)

Xmas Bash

With very little news in today it seems like a good time to announce details of the Barnsley Birders annual Christmas bash which will held at the Old Moor Tavern on Monday 9th December 7.30 pm. The cost is £14.99.  Bookings can be made through John Hewitt (including at this Thursdays BBSG meeting). Please give your choice of starter and main course although you may choose your dessert on the night. A £5 deposit per head secures your place and bookings will be taken while ever there is availability but best to book soon to avoid any disappointment. All welcome!





Monday 4 November 2013

Bolton Ings - 3rd November

Cold this morning, 6c mainly clear, blustery with squally showers. A good start with 61 Pink Footed Geese over east at 08.55 then a Buzzard drifted south. Loads of dabbling duck on the western pool included a record 230 Gadwall and a fine drake Pintail. At 10.45 a flock of ducks flew up the valley over to Old Moor (flushed from Adwick?) included 107 Mallard. Later around midday 10 Black Tailed Godwits flew West. Finally 2 Goldcrests were with a Long Tailed Tit flock on Warbler Way. Full list :- Grey Heron 3, Mute Swan 10, Canada Goose 21, Grey Lag Goose 2, Pink Footed Goose 61, Cormorant 9, Great Crested Grebe 7, Little Grebe 14, Mallard 16 + 107 over, Gadwall 237, Teal 23 + 3 over, Shoveler 16, Wigeon 40 + 3 over, Pintail 1 drake, Tufted Duck 21, Pochard 19, Coot 274, Moorhen 14, Lapwing 33, Snipe 1, Black Tailed Godwit 10, Black Headed Gull 84, Common Gull 17, LBB Gull 3, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Jay 5, Kingfisher 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Goldcrest 2, Skylark 1.

Carlton Marsh

Buzzard 3, Little Owl and 11 Red-legged Partridges. Also Red Admiral 1, Peacock 2 and Comma 3. (Chris Parkin)
Last night Tawny Owl, Water Rail and 2 Foxes.

Castle Dam 04/11

Beautiful clear frosty morning with 3 Brambling feeding amongst 12 Bullfinch. 60 Pink-footed Geese flew west calling. Didn't have time to count but hundreds of  Woodpigeon streaming south.
Old Moor (Jeff Wragg): Goosander, Merlin male, Peregrine, Grey Plover, Ruff 2, Green Sand 2, Black-t Godwit.

The Stonechat was still on the fence-line by the Broomhill sluice yesterday, view-able from Wombwell Ings.

Adwick Wash sunset.

1 Little Egret, 4 Whooper swans on the top pool left east towards Denaby ings at 16.15. Also 1 Kingfisher, 1 Snipe, 2 Little Grebe, 9 Shoveler ducks, 10+ Teal 100+ Mallard, 4 Grey Heron. On Adwick tip 9 Grey Partridge.

Broomhill Flash

Broomhill sightings for 4th November are :-

Golden Plover c400,
Snipe 6+.

Gadwall 24,
Tufted Duck 2,
Teal 21+,
Shelduck 3,
Common Gull 1,
Herring Gull 1.

Red-legged Partridge 7.

Common Buzzard 1,
Sparrowhawk 1,
Peregrine Falcon 1,
Little Owl 1.

Sparrowhawk DIY - Urgent

A Sparrowhawk has been trapped in Wickes off Tannery Road in Barnsley since Saturday after dispatching a Pigeon inside the warehouse.

My stepson, who works for Canon Pest Control has contacted both RSPCA and RSPB who have both declined to assist.

The bird is perched up for tonight and is not going anywhere, but if anyone is interested to help or give advice, Steve Quick can be contacted on 07714794755.

I suppose the easy option would be to leave it to find its own way but this might not be possible due to its location.

Wintersett First Frost 04.11.13

First frost of the autumn.  2 degrees at 07.00hrs, bright and sunny with a brisk south westerly this morning.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: All SW unless stated.    WOOD PIGEON 11300,    Starling 53 W,  Redwing 25,  Fieldfare 2, Blackbird 2,  Meadow Pipt 6,  Pied Wagtail 3,  Chaffinch 4,  Goldfinch 2,  Siskin 3,  Yellowhammer 2 and  Reed Bunting 3.  Sparrohawk 1,  Common Buzzard 2,  Lapwing 12,  Stock Dove 7 and Golden Plover 12 NE.
Wintersett Res:  Goosander 2 redheads and  Grey Wagtail 1.
Also flying: A  Comma and a  Migrant Hawker.

Low Cudworth

5 Common Buzzards over Carrs Lane 1:40pm,+ Pair Sparrowhawks.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Gulls galore!!

Numbers of big gulls in the Country Park roost at Wintersett were reminiscent of the 1980's tonight, with the counts of Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls being the largest November counts since that period. In fact 553 Herring Gulls is a November record for the Wintersett Area, whilst 82 Great Black-backed and 221 Lesser Black-backed were also impressive counts for the time of year.
They were also joined by the regular, now adult, Yellow-legged Gull.

Hopefully, we are in for a good winters worth of gulling!

Broomhill Flash.

Todays sightings for Broomhill are :-

Golden Plover c500,
Lapwing c400.

Tufted Duck 8,
Mute Swan 2,
Teal 8,
Wigeon 6,
Shoveler 4,
Gadwall 56,
Coot 32,
Cormorant 9,
Little Gull 1,
Little Grebe 1,
Canada Goose 260.

Red-legged Partridge 4.

Kestrel 1.


TTFN

BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP presents.......

Yes, it's that time of year again and the winter Meetings kick off again. The first is this coming Thursday 7th November at the Old Moor visitor centre at 7.15 pm (usual place and time). The speaker will be Tony Sawbridge informing us of his recent visits to Indonesia. Anyone who has seen Tony's recent talks on Japan and Tibet will be aware of the excellent photography we were treated to and hopefully there will be plenty more here. All are welcome to attend.

Wilthorpe Marsh

Common Snipe 9
Jack Snipe 3
Water rail 2

Edderthorpe works!

Anyone visiting the Flash over the next couple of days should be aware that a earthmoving machine will be present in the marsh and disturbance to birds will be high. The aim is to widen some dikes to help control water levels better and to create some islands and trenches out in the marsh, to help breeding birds and to provide some exposed mud even when water levels are high. Saturday 2nd November;- Shelduck 3, Teal 500, Mallard 175, Golden Plover 450, Dunlin 1, Snipe 20 and a Jack Snipe was flushed when assessing a route in for the machine.

Wintersett 03.11.13

6 degrees, dry with a cold south westerly wind,  sunny and clear with some cloud.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  Any movement fizzled out very quickly this morning. It was all over by 09.00hrs.
Best was a female MERLIN zooming through S at 08.20hrs.  Going west were: Wood Pigeon 420,  Fieldfare 5,  Redwing 51,  Chaffinch 6 and  Starling 18. Stock Dove 5 SW,  Skylark 9 S, Pied Wagtail 1 S. 
ACP:  Little Grebe 4,  Greylag Goose 90 and Cormorant 17.
Haw Park Wood:  Crossbill 17+,  Goldcrest 17 + 7 WRes.
Wintersett Res: Great Crested Grebe 70 and Goldeneye 21.  
Botany Bay: Chiffchaff 1
Also flying WRes:  Comma.

Early Report 3rd November.

60 Pink-footed Geese over Broomhill. In the field next to Gypsy Marsh, 2 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Mistlethrush, 2 Redwing and a Grey Wagtail.

Saturday 2 November 2013

Broomhill Flash

Todays sightings for Broomhill Flash for the 2nd November are:-

Golden Plover c250,
Black-Tailed Godwit 1,
Lapwing c200,
Snipe 10.

Gadwall 40+,
Coot 74,
Cormorant 4,
Shoveler 4,
Mute Swan 2,
Tufted Duck 7,
Common Gull 2.

Merlin 1 (Hunting over sewage farm (Jim Thompson)).

Fox 1.

Finches

2 Brambling in a mixed group of 5 Chaffinch and 4 Bullfinch just off the footpath between Castle Dam and the Trans Pennine Trail this afternoon.

Wintersett + p.m. update 02.11.13

6°, cold and very misty first thing,  grey and drab with rain late morning.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  Whooper Swan 7 left E at 08.10 + 4 adults W at 08.55 hrs. Redwing 48 W,  Fieldfare 58 S + 9 E,  Snipe 2 SE,  Skylark 3 SE + 3 E  and Meadow Pipit 3 S.
ACP: 20 Grey Partridge were in the Pol field. Shoveler 33,  Wigeon 216,  Little Grebe 2 + 15 WRes.  Greylag Goose 95.
Wintersett Res: A female Blackcap was ringed this morning.   Grey Wagtail 1,  Linnet 1 over,  Goosander 1 male + 4 redheads.
Wintersett Village Fields: Linnet 110,  Stock Dove 60,  Feral Pigeon 370.
Cold Hiendley Res: Cormorant 4.
The Gull Roost tonight held  160 Lesser Black-backs,  10 Great Black-backs, 39 Herring Gulls and 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Friday 1 November 2013

Broomhill Flash,Wombwell Ings

Broomhill Flash sightings.

Golden Plover 600+,
Little Egret 1.

Gadwall 19,
Teal 6,
Shoveler 3,
Shelduck 3,
Cormorant 11,
Black-headed Gull 49,
Coot 29,
Kingfisher 1.

Jay 1.
Female Stonechat (between Wombwell Ings and Broomhill Flash near sewage farm).

Kestrel 1.


Wombwell Ings.

Redshank 1,
Shelduck 1.

Friday's chit-chat

A couple of Ruff at Old Moor today - Keith Pickering
Old Moor today: Little Egret, Goosander, Golden Plover c500, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Ruff 2, Dunlin 8, Barn Owl.

This Grey Plover remains in long-term residence at Old Moor - Keith Pickering
 Broomhill Flash: Little Egret, Shelduck 3.

Wombwell Ings: Shelduck, Lapwing c200, Golden Plover c500, Grey Wagtail, Stonechat female type on fence posts adjacent to Broomhill sluice early pm (JES) but not since (to my knowledge), Goldcrest.

Wintersett 01.11.13

8 degrees, light south westerly, cool, cloudy but dry until midday then increasing rain all afternoon.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: Pink-footed Goose 120 E at 08.25hrs + 24 NW at 08.32.  Whooper Swan 14 E at 08.34hrs. Wigeon 9 S,  Wood Pigeon 570 SW,  Stock Dove 10 SW,  Fieldfare 73 S,  Redwing 33 S, Mistle Thrush 1 W,  Golden Plover 8 SW, Jackdaw 20 S, Starling 197 W,    Grey Wagtail 2 S,  Greenfinch 2S,  Meadow Pipit 6 S,  Goldfinch 4 S,  Skylark 10 SW,  Yellow Bunting  3S and Chaffinch 7 S. 
ACP: Cormorant 10 and  Little Grebe 3.
Haw Park Wood:  Crossbill 15.