Monday 30 June 2014

Old Moor Nocturnal Report - Monday 30th June

Wader Scrape - Shelduck 1, Teal 19, Avocet 1 adult + 1 chick, LRP 1, Redshank 2, Green Sandpiper 2, Common Tern 5 adults + 1 chick, Barn Owl 4.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 21, Teal 6, Tufted Duck broods of 11, 8, 7 & 5, Oystercatcher 3, Common Sandpiper 1.

Roost in Willows on Willow Pool - Grey Heron 1, Cormorant 4, Little Egret 4.

Wintersett 30.06.14

19°C,  hot and sunny with a light easterly.
Anglers CP: The 1st Summer Little Gull came in at 10.15hrs.  Water Rail 1,  Common Tern 4 adults + 1 fledged young + 1vs young at least.
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1m.
A total of 77 birds were ringed this morning including a Nuthatch,  3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers,  24 Blackcap,  6 Reed Warbler,  11 Chiffchaff,  5 Willow Warbler and  a TreeCreeper.

Nuthatch ringed today               R L Hill          

Frum tops t' Middup

Upper Windleden Reservoir - 2 Curlew with 2+ young.
Winscar Reservoir - 8+ Oystercatchers, 11 Common Sandpipers, 4 young Black-headed Gulls, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, three pairs Stock Dove,  three pairs of Collared Dove, 1 singing Stonechat and 2 singing Reed buntings.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 5 Canada Geese, 1 eclipse drake Wigeon, 70+ Mallards, 14 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 11 adult +15 young Coots.
Langsett Reservoir - 58 Canada Geese.
Langsett FS - 3 Mallards, 1 drake Tufted Duck and 1 Grey Heron.
Midhope Reservoir - 14 Greylag geese, 1 female Teal + 3 small ducklings and 4 Mallards.

The Edge 30th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 5 Grey Heron 3 Mute Swan, 2a+6y Shelduck, 6 Teal, 3a+5y Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 33 Lapwing, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Kestrel, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting , 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Whitethroat.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 5 Little Grebe, 1 juv Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Mute Swan + 3 cygnets, 31 Canada Geese, 10a+4y Tufted Duck, 7a+26y Gadwall, 1 Mallard, 1f Pochard, 1 Shoveler and 1 Barn Owl( top box
Clegg's Meadow).
TPT- Singing males 4 Blackcap,2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat and 1 Willow Warbler.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 5 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 45 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 2 Mallard and 81 juv BH Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 16 Canada Geese, 9 Greylag, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Tern, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Bullfinch.
Kingfisher- Five Arches, R.Dearne

Adwick (am)

Little Egret 4, Heron 5, Teal 7, Lapwing c150, Avocet 10, Redshank only 2 birds seen this morning, Ringed Plover 6, LRP 4, Green Sandpiper 1, Grey Partridge 3 pr, Kingfisher 1.

Old Moor Nocturnal Report - Sunday 29th June

Field Pool - Little Egret 1, Redshank 2, Oystercatcher 1.

Wader Scrape - Teal 20, Tufted Duck brood of 10, Pochard brood of 4, Avocet 1, LRP 1, Redshank 6 left down river at 21.00, Common Sandpiper 1, Common Tern 4 adults + 1 chick, Barn Owl 5 together.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 20, Teal 1, Oystercatcher 3, Black Tailed Godwit 1, Common Tern 4, Tufted Duck broods of 7 and 5.

Roost in Willows on Willow Pool - Grey Heron 2, Cormorant 5, Little Egret 2.

Sunday 29 June 2014

Bolton Ings - Sunday 29th June

Started out at 9 am this morning, weather not good, only 10c but at least it was dry, brightened up later and reached 19c when I returned. Typical June day but a few bits of interest, 3 Little Egrets were the first this Autumn and a pair of Grey Wagtails on the river feeding 4 juveniles was a nice sight. Still a few Warblers singing included 3 Lesser Whitethroats although only 2 Whitethroats today down from 14 last week.

Full list :- Grey heron 2, Little Egret 3, Mute Swan 2+8y, 2+4y, 3 on river, Canada Goose 42, Grey Lag Goose 40, Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 4+1y, Little Grebe 7+4y, Mallard 12, Gadwall 98, Teal 1, Tufted Duck 10+6y+2y, Pochard 18, Coot 183 adults + 33 juvs, Moorhen 3, Lapwing 13, Oystercatcher 3, Black Headed Gulls 110 adults + 110 juvs, LBB Gull 6, Common Tern 1, Kestrel 2, Kingfisher 3, Grey Wagtail 6, Green Woodpecker 1, Swift c30, Sand Martin 4, Chiffchaff 6, Willow Warbler 3, Blackcap 3, Whitethroat 2, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Sedge Warbler 3, Reed Warbler 4.

Only 10 Tufted Ducks (4 males, 6 females) seen today is the lowest count for the last 5 years, there were 62 this day last year, don't know why? However other comparisons to last year, Gadwall only 11 last year, 98 today. Coot 72 adults last year, 183 today. Looks like the food available is good for Coot and Gadwall but not Tufted's, who knows?

Hartcliff 29/06

13 Golden Plover (8 juveniles) off Hartcliff Road this afternoon.
50+ Lapwing and male Cuckoo over 

Wintersett Glossy Ibis 29.06.14

11°C drizzly start, drier by 09.30hrs with a light northerly, then warm with sunny spells, 16°C by midday. 
The Dearne Valley GLOSSY  IBIS finally made it onto the Wintersett List, when it flew in from the south east, to Anglers CP at 10.15hrs.  It flew towards the shallows, where it attempted, or may even have landed, very briefly.  Unfortunately it was mobbed by breeding gulls etc, and flew off NNW being pursued by a Black-headed Gull.  It turned up on the ridge and furrow at Swillington Ings shortly after.  It was picked by one very lucky observer -  Carlton Starman, Keith Bannister! Frustratingly, the regulars on site were not in the right place at the right time. (Bother! - or words to that effect)    Fingers crossed that the GI does an encore before it finally departs.
Other birds at Anglers CP: The usual 1st Summer Little Gull was on the rocks in front of the main hide.  Redshank 1.  The 2nd pair of Common Tern have at least 1 young.    Oystercatchers 3 very small young. Cormorant 3 and Pochard 1male.  

Awick late am

Little Egret 1, Heron 4, Wigeon 2, Avocet 5, Redshank 6, LRP 3, Ringed Plover 2, Snipe 2.

Saturday 28 June 2014

Edderthorpe, Saturday

A drake Wigeon started the day on Houghton and moved to Edderthorpe in the afternoon. Shoveler 16 plus a brood of 6 young, Gadwall 135, Teal 25 (15 drakes), Little Egret 1, Lapwing 170, Common Sandpiper 1, LRP 1, Redshank 5, Snipe 5, Hobby 1 over Houghton in the afternoon.

Wintersett 28.06.14

12°C,  grey, wet, light rain on and off all morning with a cool northerly.
AnglersCP:  An immature female  LONG-TAILED DUCK  was a nice surprise this morning.   The usual 1st Summer Little Gull was quiet for a time but then harrassed the Black-headed Gulls on the rocks.  The second pair of Oystercatchers have 3 young.  Total Oycs 4 adults + 3young + 2 juveniles.
Lapwing 2 large young,  Redshank 1 and Grey Wagtail 2.


Long-tailed Duck imm. fem.      ACP     PMeredith

Long-tailed Duck imm. fem.      ACP     PMeredith

Friday 27 June 2014

Old Moor Nocturnal Report - Friday 27th June

Mere - Oystercatcher 1, LBB Gull 21 dropped in just before dark.

Wader Scrape - Wigeon 2, Teal 16, Avocet 1, Oystercatcher 1, Redshank 1, Common Tern 7, Common Gull 3, Black Headed Gull 1000's roosting in the heavy rain.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 20, Wigeon 1, Teal 1, Tufted Duck broods of 8 and 5, Oystercatcher 4, Barn Owl 1.

Roost in Willows on Willow Pool - Grey Heron 1, Cormorant 4, Little Egret 7 - all Egrets were in when I arrived at 20.30, they could be seen from both the Wader Scrape Hide and Wath Ings Hide but were well in the trees and 7 were the most I saw together, there could have been more.

One year ago yesterday the Night Heron appeared at Old Moor, no Night Heron this year (yet) but instead we have had the Glossy Ibis with us since the 3rd May, not bad eh.

Carlton Marsh-Bio Blitz Moth night

Didn't manage to get out today, but as part of the Barnsley Bio Blitz weekend, we hope to run 3 light traps in the car park area tomorrow night (Saturday 28th 21.45hrs) with Frank Botterill, all welcome. The last time Harry Beaumont and Frank came we notched up more than 100 species.

Wintersett 27.06.14

11°C with a cool northerly and rainon and off throughout the day.
Anglers CP: The 1st Summer Little Gull was in - noisy and fractious as ever.  The second pair of Oystercatchers have hatched at least 2 young.  Lapwing 2 young.  Mallard  3 broods 2vs + 1s +7vs.  Canada Goose 142.   A Great Spotted Woodpecker was feeding a youngster at the feeding station in the car park.
Record shot through windscreen  - GSWoodpecker feeding young AS

The Edge 28th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 2 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 3a+6y Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 14 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting and 1 Song Thrush.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 1 Cormorant, 5+ Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked, 1 Mute Swan + 3 cygnets, 4 Canada Geese, 14a+7y Tufted Duck, 13a+24y Gadwall, 2m+2f+1y Pochard, 1 Shoveler and 1 Barn Owl(entrance to box Clegg's Meadow). J. Seeviour had a reeling Grasshopper Warbler on Everill Gate Lane.
TPT- Singing males 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 2 Whitethroat.  On the return walk reasonable views were had of the Glossy Ibis and Little Egrets on the Field Pool.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 1 Cormorant, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan + 8cygnets,73 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 1 Shoveler and 113 juv BH Gull. Also present were 3 Grey Heron, 31 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 1 Oystercatcher and 2 Kingfisher.

Tried out new Phoneskope today. Practise makes perfect so 99% to go.
Snipe - Wombwell Ings


Thursday 26 June 2014

Wintersett 26.06.14

15°C warm and sunny, 8/8 cloud by midday, very light easterly.
Anglers CP: The usual 1st Summer Little Gull was in this afternoon.  Goldeneye 1male, Oystercatcher 4 adults + 2 juveniles.  
Wintersett Res: A Curlew flew west at 06.55hrs. Sand Martin 50,  Mute Swan 4 young, Grey Wagtail 1 and Yellow Wagtail 1 over the west bank. 
Thanks to Lynz Harston for the Reed Warbler shot.

Reed Warbler                        ACP  

The Edge 26th June

Warbler Way mid AM- Singing males included 9 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler, 10 Wren, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Reed Bunting  and 1Cuckoo.                          
Bolton Ings-  On the open water were 4a+1y Little Grebe, 1a+1y Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 16 Gadwall,  7a+3y Tufted Duck, 2a+6y Mallard, 4 Pochard, and 101 juv BH Gull. Also noted were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 18 Canada Geese, 9a+8y Greylag, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel and 2 Kingfisher.
Wombwell Ings late AM- Present were 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mute Swan, 2a+6y Shelduck, 14 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 14 Lapwing, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, 20-30 House Martin, 3 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail and 2 Linnet.
 Broomhill Flash early PM- Noted were 8+ Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan + 3 cygnets, 46 Canada Geese, 3a+2y Greylag, 14a+29y Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 1 Shoveler and 1 Barn Owl.

Edderthorpe, Thursday morning

A slight improvement over the last couple of days with a few new migrants;- a Curlew went over early on, Oystercatcher 1, Ringed Plover 3, Redshank 6, Little Egret 2, Teal 10 and Shoveler 9.

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Carlton Marsh

Little Owl 1 adult with 1 juv, Grey Wagtail 1 juv, Willow Tit 3 juvs + 2 calling birds nearby and Kingfisher 4 on the scrape (3 chasing around together)

Monk Bretton reclaimed spoil tip
Marbled White 1, (This is a new site for this species) Ringlet 575, Meadow Brown 372, Large Skipper 104. Also loads of Bee Orchids and at least 2 Pyramidal Orchids. (Chris Parkin)

A couple of moths from my Cudworth garden last night
 Clouded Brindle
The Sycamore

Wintersett Little Gull 25.06.14

The Little Gull performed up close this morning.   Great shots by Paul Meredith.



The Edge 25th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 2a+6y Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 3a+2y Mallard, 13 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Pied Wagtail, 3 Skylark, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash late AM-Noted were 8a+5y Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Mute Swan + 3 cygnets, 37 Canada Geese, 2a+2y Greylag, 13a+36y Gadwall, 11a+9y Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard and 1 Common Tern. A Barn Owl was showing at the entrance to the owl box at the top of Clegg's Meadow. A rather bedraggled looking cream-crowned Marsh Harrier was visible for a short time at 10.30am.
TPT-Singing males 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler and 2 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings Late AM/early PM-On the open water were 3 Little Grebe,, 2a+1y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan +8 cygnets, 14 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 5a+2y Mallard and 5 Pochard. Also present were 3 Grey Heron, 21 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Grey Partridge.

Wintersett 25.06.24

18°C, warm with sunny spells and a  very light easterly.
Anglers CP: The regular 1st Summer Little Gull was present.   Teal 1m,  Goldeneye 1m,  Lapwing 2 young + 3 young Botany Farm,  Common Tern 4 adults + 1 large young and Oystercatcher 5 adults.
Wintersett Res: The regular adult Yellow-legged Gull was hanging around.  Grasshopper Warbler still reeling in the NE corner.
Odonata: Emerald Damselfly 1  and Common Darter 1  (Moorhouse Lane Big Pond)

Parent bug nymphs  - Elasmucha grisea ACP     ASmith

Parent Bugs do just  that.  Here's a link for more information.  http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/13609/t/106387.aspx

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Carlton Marsh

I must say I envy the resources being put into the Dearne Valley, hopefully one day our reserve might see some investment. However, for now everything has to be done by hand. Vegetation removal of one of the islands is nearing completion, the idea being to create a bit of mud and bare ground to attract wading birds. So while I was doing this a buzzard was overhead and a Red Admiral whizzed past me. 3 hours later and within 5 minutes of returning to the hide 3 lovely Kingfishers were on their respective perches fishing.

This ones for Oxycera, it was taken in a Cudworth garden today
 
 
 

The Edge 24th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 8 Mute Swan, 2a+6y Shelduck, 15 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 22 Lapwing, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 LBB Gull, 4 Skylark, 3 juv Pied Wagtail, 2 Linnet and 1 Kingfisher.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 10a+1y  Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 25 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 7a+24y Gadwall, c20 Tufted Duck, 2a+1y Pochard, 2 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel and 1 Hare.
TPT- Singing males 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 2 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 2 Little Grebe, 2a+1y Great Crested Grebe,  1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 4 a+1y Mallard, 3 Pochard and 94 juv BH Gull. Also present were 3 Grey Heron, 13 Greylag, 10 Canada Geese, 3 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel and 1 Kingfisher.

Adwick late afternoon

Glossy Ibis 1, Little Egret 4, Teal 3 (2male), Black t Godwit 1, Snipe 3, LRP 2, Oystercatcher 1, Avocet 11, Buzzard 1, Yellow Wagtail 2.

Wintersett 24.06.14

16°C,  warm with scattered cloud and a light north easterly.
Per Paul Meredith.
Highlight  today was  2 Crossbills  (1 male, 1 female) north over Cold Hiendley Res spillway at 09.40.  2 juvenile Grey Wagtails  and a Kingfisher were also in the spillway area.
Haw Park Wood:  Goldcrest - 1 adult.   A  Jay posed for photographs at the woodyard.
Butterfly: A Red Admiral was on Haw Park  Lane.


Monday 23 June 2014

Improvement to Washland

The photograph's which Chris Needham has produced make the Houghton Washland look very impressive. Even Glossy has taken a shine to it. A big thank you must go to the RSPB and the Environment Agency.

Snailsden & Winscar

Snailsden Reservoir - Common Sandpiper with 2+ young.
Winscar Reservoir - Canada Goose + 7 goslings, Canada Goose paired with white domestic Greylag Goose (Embden Goose) + 7 goslings, Black-headed Gull + 4 young and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Wintersett 23.06.14

20°C,  6/8cloud,  humid with a light north westerly.   Rather quiet here.
Wintersett Res:  A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in the NE corner.    Grey Wagtail 3 on spillway.
Anglers CP: Little Grebe 1,  Great Crested Grebe 9 adults + 3 young.
Butterflies: White letter Hairstreak 2 on Haw Park Lane..

Glossy Ibis (Back home)

Glossy Ibis back on Houghton Washlands this morning at 9.50.Still there at 10.30 when I left but it had moved into long grass right of sluice.Also present 7 Redshank, 8 Teal.
Edderthorpe flash. Little Egret,LRP 1 Kingfisher 1.

Old Moor 23rd June

4 Little Egrets 3 of them on the field pool

Sunday 22 June 2014

Carlton Marsh

A new brood of Grey Wagtails were on the wing.

Wintersett 21.06.14 and 22.06.14

Double blog after latest successful jaunt. This time to Sussex for Short-toed Eagle and, at last,  my very first wild Turtle Dove,  which was just as exciting.
21.06.14  
Wintersett Res: Great Crested Grebe 1y,  Yellow Wagtail 1, 
Cold Hiendley Res:Gadwall 4. 
Anglers CP: The regular 1st summer Little Gull was in.   Oystercatcher 4 adults + 2 young, Lapwing 2 young, Common Tern 6,  Goldeneye 1m Tufted Duck 53. Pochard 2 m + 1 f,
Odonata: Brown Hawker 1 WRes.

22.06.14   15°C, hot and sunny with a light easterly. 
Anglers CP:  Common Gull 1 1st Summer.  Little Gull 1 1st Summer.   The regular adult Yellow-legged Gull came in briefly at 14.45hrs, then flew NW.   Lapwing 2y.   Oystercatcher 5 adults + 2 y.   Common Tern 4 adults, and the youngster, that fell off the raft on the 13th June,  has survived on an island and is now large!

Hobby Again

Low Moor.Upper Midhope - 1 Hobby again this am
per Mick Cunningham.

Saturday 21 June 2014

Sub-urban Red-legged Partridge - Cudworth

A pair of Red-legged Partridges were seen regularly during the last winter and spring on the Newtown estate. Today the female appeared in one of my neighbour's garden with 4 young.
 

 

Kites

Deepcar SF - 2 Red Kites.
Townend Common, Deepcar - 1 male Cuckoo still calling and 3 singing Yellowhammers.

Old Moor nocturnal report - Friday 20th June

Longest day and still acceptable light at 22.30.

Mere - Oystercatcher 2 adults + 2 young, Teal 2 drakes, Common Gull 1, Common Tern 2.

Wader Scrape - Wigeon 3, Teal 11 drakes + 1 female, Pochard new brood, Avocet 4 adults + new brood of 2, Redshank 8 (3+ juvs), Oystercatcher 3, Common Tern 4, Barn Owl 1.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 18, Little Egret 1, Wigeon 1 (4 in total), Pochard new brood of 5, Oystercatcher 2, Barn Owl 1, Cuckoo 1 male.

Broomhill - female Pheasant + 4 chicks crossing road.

Other birds seen today in area included the following:- Black Necked Grebe, Marsh Harrier and Hobby at Broomhill. Bittern at Old Moor.

Friday 20 June 2014

Rabbit Ings

A pair of Little Grebes were feeding young today on Ruby's Pond. Insects included the following

 Broad Bodied Chaser male (Ray Dye)
Large Red Damselfly male (Ray Dye)

The Edge 20th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Another very quiet day with 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mute Swan, 2a+6y Shelduck, 20 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 29 Lapwing, 1a+2juv Redshank, 1 Kestrel, 2 Linnet and 1 Willow Warbler.
Broomhill Flash Late AM-Present were 6 Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 5 Mute Swan +4 cygnets, 28 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 3a+14y Gadwall, 11a+11y Tufted Duck, 3a+4y Mallard, 2
Pochard, 1 Hobby and 1 Marsh Harrier.
TPT-Singing males 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler and 2 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 5 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan +8 cygnets, 23 Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 7 Pochard,1 Shoveler and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 16 Canada Geese, 12 Greylag, 3 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett 20.06.14

18°C,  warm with scattered cloud and a light north easterly.
 Wintersett Res: Negative news on Yellow Wagtails which were in all wheat fields around the Res earlier in the season. None showing now.  Heavy downpours/crop spraying.....?   Sand Martin 7.
Cold Hiendley Res:  Grey Wagtail 5 juveniles.  
Haw Park Wood: Green Woodpecker
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 6 adults + 2 young.   Lapwing 1 young,  Mute Swan down to 3/6.

Good Deed for the Day.

Broadstone Reservoir - 2 Curlew with young (Maythorn Slack) and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls moving W.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 13 Tufted Ducks.
Annat Royd Lane - 2 very small Lapwing chicks removed from the centre of the lane into a nearby field.
Langsett - 1 Hobby  S.


Houghton Washland

The Environment Agency have been lowering the floodbanks this week and due to the good weather have completed their works in a week instead of the assumed two weeks. The machines will be moving off site tomorrow (Saturday) and peace should be restored. Not much changing bird wise this week, a Nuthatch with a roving tit flock on the railway this morning is unusual here and Redshank are up to 11.

Adwick mid morning

Little Egret 1, Glossy Ibis 1 in from the west at 10.15, Green Sandpiper 1, Black tailed Godwit 1, LRP 3, Ringed Plover 2, Redshank 20+, Cuckoo 1.

Thursday 19 June 2014

The Edge 19th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 1 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 2a+6y Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 5a+2y Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 17 Lapwing, 3a+2juv Redshank, 4 Skylark, c20 Swift, c20 House Martin, 2 Linnet and 2 calling Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash late AM-  Highlight was a Barn Owl hunting for 90 minutes over the back of the flash. Also noted were 1 Black Necked Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mute Swan, 36 Canada Geese, 2a+2y Greylag, 13 Tufted Duck +6 juv, 4 Gadwall, 3a+1y Pochard, 1a+3y Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Sparrowhawk.
TPT-Singing males 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap and 2 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings early PM-A Hobby flew in at 12.52 pm  and  afforded good views when it perched in the trees on the edge of Bolton tip for a further 45 minutes. On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 2a+1juv Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mute Swan +8 cygnets, 38 Gadwall, 23a+3yTufted Duck , 6 Mallard, 1 Shoveler and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 18 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 1 Oystercatcher and 2 Lapwing.

Wintersett 19.06.14

16°C,  warm 8/8 cloud with a light north easterly.  Slight drizzle morning,  then sunny and hot.
 Wintersett Res: Steve Denny had a female Cuckoo looking for Reed Warbler nests over the main reedbed early this morning.  2 Chimmney Sweeper moths were in the NE area.
Anglers CP: A noisy and fractious 1st Summer Little Gull was on the rock wall in front of the hide.  Oystercatcher 2 adults + 2 young and  Lapwing 1 young.

Little Gull having a go at a BH Gull                       AS

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Adwick late p.m.

Glossy Ibis still present at 6.00.

Wintersett 18.06.14

Up to 19°C,  8/8 early doors,  but sunny and hot from 10.30hrs, with a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: 27 pairs of Black-headed Gull are breeding on the islands.  Lapwing 2 young.  Oystercatcher 2 adults and 2 young. (The remains of the 3rd young Oyc are on the reserve - possibly Sparrowhawk predation).   Common Tern 4, Green Woodpecker 1.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1. 
Cold Hiendley Res: 3 juvenile Grey Wagtails were on the spillway. 
Haw Park Wood: A Nuthatch was in the woodyard and a Treecreeper was sunbathing in the same area.

Catching rays  - Treecreeper               PMeredith
Non-birds: A froglet on HPLane was the first of the year.
There were localised mass emergences of Common Blue Damselflies on Anglers CP  with 'normal' numbers emerging  on WRes..    Results were as follows. (per PM)

South bank CP
5,300

East bank CP

2,200

East bank  WRes. 

350

CHRes. spillway area

900

Moorhouse Lane ponds

900

Total

9,650
Some birds enjoyed a feast of Tenerals (young, soft and tender damselflies) which were also in abundance around the lake.                                       


Carlton Marsh, a few odds and sods 18th June

Long Tailed Tit Fledgling - one of a large group

 Common Darter ?
 Four Spot Chaser Male
 Four Spot Chaser Female

 Unconfirmed Emperor Dragonfly seen but flew away before good view achieved.

The Edge 18th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Very quiet on a laid-back ings with birds seeking the shade of the soft rush.  Noted on the walk to  the hide were 1 Grey Heron,  2a+6y Shelduck, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 22 Lapwing , 1 Redshank, 1 LBB Gull, 4 Skylark and 1 Willow Warbler. A complete circuit  of the ings was needed  to add 5 Mute Swan, 6 Tufted Duck(on R.Dearne),  21 Mallard in horse paddock north of R.Dove, 11 flyover Canada Geese,and 1 singing Blackcap.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Present were 6 Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan+ 4 cygnets, 37 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 10a+9y Tufted Duck, 4a+7y Gadwall, 2a+1y Pochard, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Redshank and 2 Red Legged Partridge.
TPT- Singing males 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap and 1 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings early PM- On the open water were 5+ Little Grebe, 2a+1y Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mute Swan +8 cygnets, 29a+3y Tufted Duck,17a+8y Gadwall, 8 Mallard, and 6 Pochard. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 22 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag and 1 Kestrel.

Midhope

Midhope Reservoir - 27+ Greylag Geese, 3 Mallards, Little Grebe + 2 young, 5 Oystercatchers including a pair with 2 fledged young, 2 Common Sandpipers with young, 8+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20+ young Willow Warblers and 1 male Redstart carrying food.

Butterfllies 
50+ Speckled Woods, 5+ Small Skippers, ? Small Whites and c20 Small Heaths.

Adwick mid morning

Glossy Ibis 1, Heron 5, Teal 4 (3 male), Lapwing c120, Black tailed Godwit 1, Snipe 2, Ringed Plover 2, LRP 3, Redshank 20+, Avocet 9 birds, Yellow Wagtail 1.

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Old Moor nocturnal report - Tuesday 17th June

Mere - Black Necked Grebe 1, Oystercatcher 2 + 2 young, Peregrine 1 over.

Wader Scrape - Glossy Ibis flew over at 21.00 and landed on Wombwell Ings, Little Gull 1 first summer, Garganey drake, Teal 4 drakes (15 this morning), Avocet 6 adults + 1 chick, Little Ringed Plover 1, Redshank 2, Common Tern 5, Barn Owl 4.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 15, Wigeon 1 drake, Little Egret 1, Oystercatcher 1, Redshank 1 juv, Barn Owl 1 (5 in total).

Wintersett 17.06.14

Late post due to successful jaunt to Redcar for Black Scoter.
14°C,  overcast with a cool northerly.  Not a lot to report.
Anglers CP:  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 2 young,  Common Tern 4,  Lapwing 2 young,  Gadwall 6 and Great Crested Grebe 7.
A Black-tailed Skimmer was the first this year.                                        

The Edge 17th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Highlight was the elusive Glossy Ibis. Also present were 3 Mute Swan, 2a+6y Shelduck, 15 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 23 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 1 LBB Gull, 5 Skylark and 2 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 6+ Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 43 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 10a+9y Tufted Duck, 4a+6y Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 1a+1y Pochard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, and 1 Oystercatcher.
TPT-  Singing males 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and 1 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings early PM- On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 2a+1juv Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swans + 8 cygnets, 31a+3y Tufted Duck, 20a+8y Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 3 Shoveler and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 19 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 1 Kestrel and 3 Oystercatcher.

Wilthorpe Marsh on 15-6-14.

Family party of six Willow Tits on the river. Cawthorne- Hobby seen perched on two occasions first week in June but no sign since.

Edderthorpe, Tuesday morning

The bulldozers are on Houghton lowering the floodbanks so there have been fewer birds on here the last couple of days due to the disturbance. Two Sandwich Terns came from the Darfield direction calling at 06.05, over the washland towards Edderthorpe and presumably carried on north-eastwards. A bit of mud edge is appearing on Edderthorpe since the sluice was sorted at the weekend, hopefully not too late for the July LRP build-up. Shoveler 10, Teal 4, Gadwall 130, Mallard 170, the 2 Great Crested Grebes are still on Edderthorpe, LRP 2, and a Cuckoo.

Monday 16 June 2014

Old Moor nocturnal report - Monday 16th June

Mere - Black Necked Grebe 1, Teal 3 drakes, Oystercatcher 5.

Wader Scrape - Garganey drake, Teal 11 drakes + 2 females, Shelduck 1, Avocet 5 adults + 1 chick, Oystercatcher 1, Little Ringed Plover 2, Redshank 6, Common Tern 4, Barn Owl 2.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 16, Wigeon 1 drake, Little Egret 1, Common Tern 1, Barn Owl 1, Starling many but no count as already in Willows when I arrived.

Other birds in area today included, Old Moor - Cuckoo, Hobby and 3 Curlew. Broomhill - Black Necked Grebe, Water Rail and 3 Grasshopper Warblers around top of Everill Gate Lane. Wombwell Ings - 2 Avocets and 32 Lapwings.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were Buzzard, Little Owl and a pair of Grey Wagtails feeding a second brood in the nest.


2 freshly emerged Ringlets were on the wing with about 6 Meadow Browns and 4 Large Skippers. The Reed Warbler I reported the other day as being the oldest on record here wasn't correct. I am afraid I overlooked this one.
 
Reed Warbler K702016   4 = Male breeding  21/7/96    was re-trapped on 15/5/05     8yrs 298 days making it at least 10 years old.

 

Wintersett 16.05.14

14°C,  8/8 cloud with a light northerly.  Sunshine for a couple of hours from 16.00hrs.
Anglers CP: Nuthatch 1 near hide.  Redshank 1, Lapwing 2 young,  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 2 young.      Pochard 1m,  Gadwall 5,  Common Tern 6 and Sand Martin 1.
Wintersett Res: Grey Wagtail 3 juveniles at the spillway.

Wintersett - Late news from yesterday -15.06.14

Paul Meredith had a Red Kite east over Wintersett Res. at 15.55 hrs, quite low...

Old Moor Monday 16 June

Juv Black-necked Grebe, Drake Garganey, Little Egret, 3 Curlew and a Cuckoo.

The Edge 16th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 3a+6y Shelduck, 41 Gadwall, 22 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 32 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 LBB Gull, 7 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Kingfisher.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 3 Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 2 Mute Swan + 4 cygnets, 21a+6y Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 11a+9y Tufted Duck, 3a+1y Pochard, 1 Mallard and 1 Oystercatcher.
TPT-Singing males 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Blackcap.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Highlight was a Hobby slowly drifting east at 11.48am. On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan+ 8 cygnets, 39a+3y Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall and 6 Pochard. Also present were 12 Greylag, 11 Canada Geese, 3 Lapwing, 1 Common Tern and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Sunday 15 June 2014

Bolton Ings - Sunday 15th June

A late start this morning or an early one perhaps, a Grasshopper Warbler was singing near top of Everill Gate Lane at 01.40 this morning as I walked home from Wombwell after watching England's latest excuse for losing a World Cup match. After a few hours sleep I was making my way onto Bolton at 09.30, weather was cloudy with drizzle at first but dried up later. Very quiet today as it has been for last few weeks, 3 broods of Gadwall and a brood of Tufted's were new. However things got better when I crossed the river from Bolton where a Long Eared Owl was hunting on the Golf Course. Full list:- Grey Heron 4, Mute Swan 2+8y, 2+4y, Canada Goose 31, Grey Lag Goose 32, Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 3, Little Grebe 12, Mallard 22+2y+1y, Gadwall 53+9y+8y+7y, Shoveler 1, Tufted Duck 60+3y, Pochard 14, Coot 121 adults+37juvs, Moorhen 4+2y, Lapwing 3=1y, Oystercatcher 1, Black Headed Gull 144 adults+75juvs, LBB Gull 4, Kestrel 1, Long Eared Owl 1, Kingfisher 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Swift 5, Sand Martin 10, Chiffchaff 11, Willow Warbler 10, Whitethroat 10. Blackcap 3, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Reed Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 3.

Birds seen at Old Moor today included the following:- Little Egret 1, Teal 12, Avocet 6 adults + 1 chick, Green Sandpiper 1 (first of Autumn), Garganey 1.

The Black Necked Grebe and Marsh Harrier were still at Broomhill where 2 Yellow Legged Gulls flew West.

The Glossy Ibis was seen at Adwick.

Wintersett 15.06.14

16°C, warm but cloudy with some light drizzle.
Anglers CP:  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 3 young.  Lapwing 2 young and Common Tern 4.
Walton Hall: Canada Goose 2y,  Great Crested Grebe 3y,  Greylag Goose 3y + 5y and  Mallard 5s/m + 2L + 2 fledged.
Moth: Chimmney Sweeper 1 WHGC.

Wintersett WeBS Count June 2014

WeBS counts totals this month are as follows:   Mute Swan 10,   Greylag Goose 3,   Canada Goose 105,   Great Crested Grebe 24,  Coot 97,   Moorhen 9,   Cormorant 1,  Tufted Duck 38,  Mallard 94 and Gadwall 3.

Wintersett Insects and "Weeds" Catch Up. 10th - 14th June 2014

Look away now if you are unable, or unwilling, to appreciate that living things don't function in isolation! 
10.06.14 
Paul Meredith had a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in his Fitzwilliam garden at 13.00 hrs.
Humming Bird Hawk-moth                   PM
12.06.14  Around the area: 
Lepidoptera - Meadow Brown 1,  Ringlet 1, Small Heath 1 and  Common Blue 2.
Odonata: Emperor 2,  Common Darter 1 and  1,700 male Common Blue Damselflies
Flora: 70 BEE ORCHIDS at a new location in the area.  Also 235 Southern Marsh Orchids and 10 Common Spotted Orchids.
Thanks to Paul Meredith for the photos.

Bee Orchid
Common Spotted Orchid
Southern Marsh Orchid



Wintersett Catch Up 10th - 14th June 2014

Back from a  family jaunt to Dorset where the weather was above 20°C, blue sky,   and sunny all week.   I heard it was cooler and cloudier in the Barnsley area. 
10.06.14   
Anglers CP:  Redshank 1 
11.06.14 
Wintersett Res:  A Red Kite flew over south at 10.50hrs.   Cuckoo 1m.  Whitethroat  and Willow Warbler juveniles were on the east bank.
Anglers CP: Pochard 1m.  Common Tern 7.
12.06.14 
Anglers CP:  Gadwall 3.   
13.06.14
Anglers CP: A 1st Summer Little Gull was in.  The same bird had been at Pugneys earlier.   The young Common Tern fell off the raft.   Kingfisher 1 at 06.30hrs,  (possibly same bird seen later at MHLPonds)  Green Woodpecker 1 and  Water Rail 1 
Moorhouse Lane Ponds:  Gadwall 9 very small young.

Little Gull     ACP                    PMeredith
14.06.14
Wintersett Res:  Grey Wagtail 1,  Sand Martin 2 flew NW,  Cormorant 5 SW,  Grey Heron 2.
Anglers CP: Common Tern 4.   Oystercatcher 4 adults + 3 young.   Lapwing 2 young.  Great Crested Grebe 3 young.

Carlton Marsh

A Reed Warbler re-trapped on Friday evening has set a new longevity record for this species here.
T607521 was ringed on 2/7/08 as a adult male. This means it is at least 7 years old!

Request for photos

If anyone has any photos showing 3 or more (pref  5 or 6) Two-barred Crossbills taken last year at Broomhead Reservoir would they please forward them to me at martinwells@barnsleybsg.plus.com
The quality is not that important. It is just to confirm (if possible) the number of birds present here between August and December 2013 to YNU and BBRC.

Old Moor 15th June

Green-Sandpiper (Per.Dave Waddington) Little Egret present yesterday and today. Drake Garganey at 2-45pm on the Wader Scrape.

Saturday 14 June 2014

Birds on Cudworth Common...

Apologies for going on about birds on a 'Birding blog' but Cudworth Common has excelled for breeding waders this spring/summer and is a very important site in Barnsley for thse species;- Lapwing -a minimum of 20 pairs hatched young. Redshank -at least 5 broods of young. Ringed Plover -at least 6 pairs with 5 broods hatched to date. Little Ringed Plover -3 broods hatched to date. And though many of us are fed up with the almost constant wet weather, this combined with the highish temperatures seem ideal for the waders to raise young. Every cloud etc. See, far more to look at on the Common than insects and weeds!

Friday 13 June 2014

Cudworth Common

  Before the sun went in after lunch...

 

 

 

 


 

Thursday 12 June 2014

Cudworth Common

A pair of Mute Swans have 3 fledged cygnets and it was pleasing to see several Black-tailed Skimmers on the wing.
In the woodland areas were 2 singing Garden Warblers, loads of Whitethroats and Blackcaps, 5 male Brimstone butterflies and 110 Bee Orchids near the carved Badger seat. Southern Marsh and Spotted Orchids are also present. A Cuckoo seen at the western edge of the site didn't sing or call.
 
Storrs Mill Wood area (Chris Parkin)
Buzzard 2, Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail and 2 Kingfishers. 16 species of butterfly included 8 Red Admirals, 2 Ringlets, Brown Argus, Large Skipper and Meadow Brown. Moths included Chimney Sweeper, Blood Vein and Gold Spot.

RSPB new reserve in the Dearne Valley

The RSPB and partners are creating a new wildlife reserve in the Dearne Valley that will provide an important natural habitat for animals and plantlife. The Houghton Washlands, situated to the north of Darfield, will be managed as part of the Dearne Valley Green Heart Nature Improvement Area. It is being created by the RSPB with funding from Defra as part of the NIA work program after a donation of 30 hectares of land from the Environment Agency, which previously leased out the land for arable farming. Within the coming weeks, the Environment Agency will carry out works on a bank of the River Dearne so that the washlands take on water more frequently. A small overspill channel will be created, allowing the land to return to its previous natural state of grazing marsh, reedbed, wet woodland and fen, making it an ideal home for lapwings, snipe, jack snipe and water voles, among many other species. The Environment Agency will be delivering the machinery This Saturday 14th June They will be starting work on the spillway on Monday 16th. There will inevitably be some disturbance during the process but its for the long-term good of the wildlife of the Valley so please be patient and contact Pete W if you have any problems on 07899 676597

The Edge 12th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 2 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 2a+6y Shelduck, 28 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 4a+4y Shoveler, 2a+5y Mallard, 18 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 4 Pied Wagtail and 2 Linnet. Singing males- 4 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Chiffchaff.
J.Thompson had a singing Grasshopper Warbler on Old Pontefract Road where the path leads to the sewage farm.
TPT- Singing males 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat and 2 Willow Warbler.
Bolton Ings late AM- On the open water were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1a+6cygnets Mute Swan, 16 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 33 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 3 Pochard,  1 Shoveler and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Lapwing and 1 singing Sedge Warbler.

Bolton Trans Pennine Trail

Oystercatcher 6  se at 08.10, Cuckoo 1, Willow Tit 2

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Carlton Marsh

The highlights today were Buzzard, Little Owl, Tufted Duck with 9 young and a Kingfisher perching close to the hide.

Butterflies included Brimstone, 6 Meadow Browns, 4 Large Skippers and 2 late Orange-tips.

D. M. Smith

Splattered Windows

I thought the House Martin was Amber listed due to their population decline. Definitely not at my house. Four nests have been built under the eaves above my bedroom window. Do not mind them nesting, but does anyone know of a professional window cleaner.

What a difference a res. makes.

I have noticed  that the number of Mallard ducklings hatched at the Ingbirchworth group of reservoirs has been very high this year. However the broods in the Langsett and Ewden groups of reservoirs (although never as high) have been smaller than usual. This is particularly noticeable when you compare the figures at Ingbirchworth Reservoir and Langsett Reservoir.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - twelve broods - 110 ducklings hatched - average brood size 9.2.
Langsett Reservoir - ten broods - 49 ducklings hatched - average brood size 4.9.
It is also interesting to note that despite Ingbirchworth Reservoir having more favourable breeding conditions, roughly the same numbers have bred at each water.
Disturbance by walkers/dog walkers is high at both waters; but at Ingbirchworth the paths are closer to the water's edge.
So more disturbance = higher breeding number???? Crazy.

Quail-less

Had a good look around Broadstone/Whitley Common/Ingbirchworth/Spicer House Lane for Quail - but no joy.
Broadstone Reservoir  a pair of Coot and 300+ Starling (c95% juveniles).
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - Mallard + 8 young ducklings and 8 drake Tufted Ducks.

The Edge 11th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Failed to relocate the Glossy Ibis seen early AM by J. Hewitt. Did manage to see 2 Grey Heron, 5 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 2a+6y Shelduck, 15 Gadwall, 12a+4y Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 13 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Skylark.
Broomhill Flash late AM-Noted were 6a+2y Little Grebe, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 2 Mute Swan+4 cygnets, 16 Canada Geese, 21 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 1 Redshank, 1 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher and 2 Red Legged Partridge,.
Trans Pennine Trail (TPT)- Singing males 3 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Blackcap.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 4a+1y Little Grebe, 3a+1y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 30 Tufted Duck, 17a+1y Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 4 Pochard and 3 Shoveler. Also present were 9 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 1 Kestrel and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Edderthorpe, Wednesday morning

Houghton;- no sign of the Glossy Ibis this morning. A Quail flushed from the field corner by the railway and river and flew to the rear of the field. Oystercatcher 2, LRP 1, Redshank 6. Willow Tit 1. Edderthorpe;- a Great Crested Grebe and 2+ Willow Tits.

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Carlton Marsh

New today a brood of 9 Tufted Ducks. Also present Little Owl, 2 Kingfishers and a singing Garden Warbler. A Peregrine flew SW at 19.10hrs (D M Smith)

Butterflies included 1 Red Admiral. The first male Emperor dragonfly was airborne along with Broad Bodied Chaser and Large Red Damselfly.

Dams

Castle Dam - 13 Mallards including the long staying leucistic female and 9 Coots (including young).
Gunthwaite Dam - pair Canada Geese +3 goslings - 5 Mallard + female with 5 ducklings, 1 Grey Heron, pair of Moorhen, pair of Coot, 1 singing Sedge Warbler, 2 singing Garden Warblers, 2 singing Common Whitethroats, 1 singing Lesser Whiethroat.
Low Moor, Upper Midhope - Common Sandpiper up from the side of the road near Midhope Reservoir giving alarm calls then onto a stone wall and still alarming. Presumed young at the side of the road (not seen).

Manvers Lake

Common Scoter still on Manvers mid morning, must be flightless.

Edderthorpe, Tuesday morning

Everything mentioned here is on Houghton, Edderthorpe is full of water and holding few birds. The Glossy Ibis is still here where it most definatly seems at home! It returned Sunday afternoon (after a weekend visit to Broomhill/Wombwell). Three Mute Swans are the first I recollect seeing on Houghton, Teal are up to 10, Ringed Plover 2 and Redshank 6.

Monday 9 June 2014

Crepsucular Langsett

Langsett Banks - singing Wood Warbler and Redstart (1+).
Langsett Reservoir - 34 Canada Geese, 2 Tufted Ducks, 4+ Common Sandpipers, 2 singing Common Whitethroats and a pair of Grey Wagtails with fledged young..
Hingcliff Common - 5 Woodcocks, 1 Cuckoo and 2+ Tawny Owls.

The Edge 9th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 25 Canada Geese. 2 Shelduck + 6 young, 17 Gadwall, 10 Mallard  + broods of 8 and 4, 10 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 7 Redshank, 22 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 5 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Green Woodpecker.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 5 Little Grebe + 1young, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan + 4 cygnets, 44 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 21 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall + 6 young, 4 Teal, 1 male Pochard, 15 Lapwing, 1 Little Owl( top lane), and 1 Common Gull.

Wintersett 09.06.14

16°C,  warm and sunny, then humid with an almighty thunder and lighting storm at midday.  Rain continued until mid afternoon.
Anglers CP: A 1st Summer Little Gull  was in at 09.20hrs.  The first young Common Tern for several years has hatched.  Common Tern adults 5,  Buzzard 2,  Oystercatcher 4 ad. + 3y.  Great Crested Grebe 3 young.  Mute Swan down to 5 from 6 young.
Wintersett Res: A Grasshopper warbler was reeling on the west bank.   Mallard young 5 vs.  Cuckoo 1.
Many thanks to Lynz Harston for the Little Gull pics
.


Adwick mid morning

Little Egret 1, Grey Heron 4, Teal 3 male, Shoveler 1 with 7 young, Pochard 2, Avocet 5 adults, LRP 1, Ringed Plover 1, Oystercatcher 1, Snipe 2 (1 drumming), Redshank 16, Cuckoo 1, Yellow Wagtail 2. Water Vole 1 showing well along the central dyke.

Hobby

Harden - 1 Hobby E yesterday
per Mick Cunningham

Carlecotes Ponds - 1 Red Kite yesterday
per HBC website

Sunday 8 June 2014

Wintersett 08.06.14

21°C  - hot and sunny with a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: A summer  plumage Black Tern was in all day. Common Tern 5.
Oystercatcher  6 adults + 3 young.   Other young - Lapwing 2 ,  Great Crested Grebe 2 and Mallard 8L.
Wintersett Res:  A male Sedge Warbler was new in.  Grey Wagtail 1 f.
Cold Hiendley Res: Cormorant 2.

Black Tern      ACP        PMeredith

Low Moor 8/6/14

It was like watching paint dry last weekend but there was, at least, a bit more to see today ..

Results were; At least 6 common buzzards, a male merlin, a male sprawk and c22 crossbills ..  Snipe and curlews are still in good numbers in the 'set aside' field beside the road ...

Just shows how bad last weekend was !

Carlton Marsh

A 'Cream Crown' Marsh Harrier was hunting over the Southern Meadow at 13.30hrs before leaving north at 13.55hrs. (Dave Standish)

Last night's moths in my garden included these two beauties.

 Elephant Hawk Moth
 Lime Hawk Moth

Saturday 7 June 2014

Carlton Marsh

A Oystercatcher flew east at 06.40hrs (Jim Plant) and 3 Little Owl (2 juvs) were abroad at dusk. 6 Reed Warblers were singing and 34 Swift flew east at 21.05hrs.

A Cuckoo flew through my Cudworth garden at 14.00hrs.

Houghton Washland, Saturday

An influx of dabbling duck, presumably for their post-breeding moult - Teal 6 (5 drakes) and Shoveler 12 (9 drakes). The Redshank still has 3 (now well grown) chicks, Oystercatcher 1, Ringed Plover 4, LRP 1.

Wintersett 07.06.14

14°C, rain on and off all morning, with a cool east to north easterly.
Anglers CP: Lapwing 2 young,  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 3 young,  Common Tern 4,  Cormorant 2, Shoveler 1 m + 1f,  Pochard 1m, Tufted Duck 25 + 13WRes.,  Canada Goose 119, Greylag Goose 31,
Wintersett Res: Grey Wagtail 1.

Glossy Ibis

The Glossy Ibis was at Broomhill Flash at 9am perched on the Hawthorne Hedge NW side

At 9.25am black headed gulls mobbed it and it flew across to Wombwell Ings.

The Blacknecked Grebe was still showing

Friday 6 June 2014

Carlton Marsh

This evening 19 Canada Geese dropped in for a wash and brush up. A Grasshopper Warbler was singing in the Western Meadow along with a Red -legged Partridge. Little Owl was abroad and was seen earlier with a small owlet.
 
Cudworth Common (Les Corrall)
Cuckoo singing, Painted Lady 1, 3 Large Skippers, Broad bodied Chaser male and 12 Bee Orchids in flower.

Ardsley Viaduct (River Dearne) (Les Corrall)
2 pairs of Sand Martins are feeding young in the nest and Banded Demoiselle is common again this year.
 
Barrow Tip (Chris Parkin)
Insects included 30 day-flying Burnet Companion moths, 60 Small Heath butterflies and hundreds of Southern Marsh Orchids.

The Edge 6th June

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Having spent half an hour trying to locate the returning wanderer, Jim Thompson and I had reasonable views of the Glossy Ibis as it flew over the back field onto Broomhill at 9.20AM. The next hour was spent viewing 1 Grey Heron,  2 Mute Swan, 13 Canada Geese, 12 Greylag, 2 Shelduck + 6y, 13 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 7 Lapwing, 7 Redshank, 1 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 5 Skylark and 2 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash Late morning-The Glossy Ibis settled around the pond in the north west corner. Elusive, it was only viewable from well down the top lane. John Seeviour and I saw it at 11.20 and with no further sighting we left at 12.20pm. Earlier from the hide 1 Black Neck Grebe, 3+ Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan + 4cygnets, 63 Canada Geese + broods of 8 and 4, 38 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Red Legged Partridge were seen. The Little Owl was seen mid AM on the top lane by J.Seeviour. A Marsh Harrier dropped into the area of the sluice gate at 8.50am( Mick Rushton).
TPT- Singing males 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler and 3 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings early/mid PM-On the open water were 3 Little Grebe, 1+1y  Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 7 Greylag, 5 Canada Geese, 29 Tufted Duck, 26 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 1 Shoveler and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Bullfinch.

Wintersett 06.06.14

19°C,  warm and sunny until late afternoon when it clouded over.
AnglersCP: Common Tern 4,  Pochard 1 drake,  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 3 young and Mute Swan 6 young.  A juvenile Black-headed Gull was in,  the first, this year, from elswhere. 
Haw Park Wood: Buzzard 3.
Wintersett Res: 2 Grey Wagtails were on the spillway.
Butterflies: Common Blue 1 and Large Skipper 1, both at ACP.
Thanks to Paul Meredith and Gerry McShane for the following photos.

Juvenile Tree Sparrow    ACP      P Meredith

Gigantic worm to feed young Oystercatchers  ACP  GMcShane

Common Tern bringing in food for his mate.  ACP  GMcShane

BHGull house building  ACP  GMcShane