Carlton Marsh

25 Fieldfares flew south before dusk and a Water Rail called. Just as it was getting dark an estimated 400 Starlings suddenly converged on the Phragmites reed beds to roost.

Earlier, from late morning to early afternoon, 160 Fieldfares in 4 groups were heading west over Storrs Mill Lane, Cudworth.

Edderthorpe, Friday evening

No sign of the Grey Phalarope that was present here yesterday morning but a very good last hour none the less;- Shoveler 243-a new site record (and if all the others were still insitu in other areas in the valley - 147 Old Moor, 10 Broomhill, that makes a total of 400 in the valley WOW!). Pintail 3, Greylag Goose 254, Pink-footed Goose 1, Golden Plover 1080. Unfortunatly it got dark too quickly to count anything else.

Ewden, stone circle track/ shooting lodge, 31-10-14.

A few hours this aft. revealed birds a bit scarce apart from Fieldfares which totalled about 500 going south. Peregrine 1 [ 2 reported earlier] , Common Buzzard 3, Kestrel 1, a total of 8 Ravens , Bullfinch 2, Golden Plover 1 heard only.

Wintersett 31.10.14

15°C - 20°C,  extremely mild with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly, sunny by mid morning.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 06.55 - 09.15hrs
A BEWICK'S Swan flew east with 4 WHOOPER Swan
Going south: Fieldfare 785,  Starling 790, Redwing 315,  Golden Plover 64,  Goosander 2 and alba Wagtail  6.
Going west: Stock Dove 14,  Lesser Redpoll 3,  Blackbird 2,  Reed Bunting 1 and Skylark 1.
Anglers CP: Grey Wagtail 1,  Green Woodpecker, Cormorant 44,  Snipe 54 and Goldeneye 2 drakes.

Thrushes everywhere

Ewden Height - 1 Jay WSW, 1 Raven. 814 Fieldfare S/SW, 324 Redwings S/SW all in one hour before it got too windy. 1 male Stonechat at Thorpe's Brow.
Barnside - 14 Mallards, 8 Red Grouse on pastureland and 8 Lapwings.
Midhope Reservoir - 30 Mallards, 1 Cormorant and 2 Jays.
Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 1 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, c350 Starlings, 500+ Fieldfares, 80+ Redwings and 1 Mistle Thrush.
Whitley Edge - 115 Lapwings, 300+ Jackdaws, 150+ Carrion Crows, 3200+ Starlings and 40+ Fieldfares.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 94 Canada Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Coots, 220+ Black-headed Gulls, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c100 Fieldfare and c70 Redwings.
Small flocks and groups of Starlings, Fieldfares & Redwings noted at several sites between the above locations.
Still no Rough-legged Buzzard!

Wintersett 30.10.14

A very mild start 11°C and foggy.  Still misty with 8/8 cloud and 16°C at 11.30hrs.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 07.15 - 11.30hrs.
Starling 609 W,  Rewing 200 SW,  Fieldfare 50 dropped in then left SW and 40 S,  Skylark 23 W,  Snipe 5W.
Anglers CP:   A  calling Twite flew west over the car park at 07.45hrs.    Yellow-legged Gull 2 adults (including Psycho). at 09.30hrs.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 198 at 09.30hrs., Black-backed Gull 2,  Snipe 25,  Pochard 60 + 17 WRes..
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 male and Goldeneye 4.

Long way for nowt

After a record of Rough-legged Buzzard just outside the Barnsley recording area yesterday, I thought I'd have a good look around. Nowt of course!
Broomhead Reservoir - 3 Goosanders, 2 Cormorants and 2+ Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Midhope Reservoir - 12 Mallards, 1 Little Grebe, 20+ Goldcrests and 15+ Redwings W.
Winscar Reservoir - 30+ Redwings.
Flight Hill - 1 Kestrel and 6 Blackbirds in one field - must have been migrants,
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 33 Canada Geese, 5 Wigeon, 67 Mallards, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Moorhens, 1 Coot, c100 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Common Gulls and 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Wintersett 29.10.14

3°C with 2/8 cloud and a light south easterly.  A cold but productive morning.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  06.30 - 12.00    16200 Wood Pigeons  moved through SW in numerous parties of all shapes & sizes, often at great height, with a mega flock of 2600 at 07.05 hrs and several others in excess of 1000 birds for the first hour,   but almost completely over by 08.00.
Also going SW - Golden Plover 7,  Skylark 26,  Fieldfare 5 and Redwing 8. 
Going west:  Starlings were on and off all morning with a maximun party of 350 and a final total of  3070.     Mistle Thrush 5  and Chaffinch 1.
Also seen: 6 Whoopers flew NE and 14 came in from NW and landed on WRes. at 09.35hrs.   A total of 240 Pink-footed Geese- 200NW + 40 W.    Jackdaw 30 S,  Buzzard 1 S,  alba Wagtail 1 S,  Lesser Redpoll 1 E
Anglers CP:  42 Cormorant  (14 present were joined by 16 + 12 from the west) and 27 Goosander  that also dropped in from the west,  presumably having been flushed from Bretton park due to maintenance work there.

Wintersett 28.10.14

16°C very mild,  2/8 cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  06.45 - 09.30hrs.
This morning saw the first big push of continental Starling with 1365 W.   Redpoll 1 W.
Going south: Jackdaw 92,  Golden Plover 16,  Skylark 7,  Meadow Pipit 1 and  alba Wagtail 4.
Going southwest: Wood Pigeon 480,  Collared Dove 3. 
Also:  A Little Egret flew NE at 08.57hrs.  Brian Lee had 63 Pink-footed Geese flying west over Royston at 10.15a.m.

More bits

Can't better the previous posting!
Elsecar Reservoir - 7 Great Crested Grebes, 180+ Black-headed Gulls, 10 Common Gulls, 3 Jays and 1 Grey Wagtail.
More Hall Reservoir - 3 Canada Geese, 78 Mallards, 1 Cormorant, 4 Moorhens and 1 Common Crossbill (first for a few months).

Ring Ouzel

Whilst having a coffee outside this morning my wife picked up a possible Ring Ouzel on call in the garden at Greenmoor nr Penistone.. We only got fleeting views at the back of a rowan tree  so were not sure. Later it reappeared and we got excellent views and the attached photos. It was an unexpected  addition to our garden list.
Also present were the usual 15 or so tree sparrows, house sparrows, blue and great tits, goldfinches chaffinches and greenfinches  on the feeders

Langsett

Langsett Banks - 14 Redwing W.
Langsett Reservoir - 103 Mallards. Gull roost - 730 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Common Gulls, 231 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 6 Herring Gulls.

Bits

Cranberry - 200+ Lapwings.
Castle Dam - 26 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, 8 Moorhens,18 Coots, c100 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and c40 Jackdaws.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 133 Greylag Geese, 201 Canada Geese, 64 Mallards, 7 Moorhens and 1 Coot.
Whitley Common - 110+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c150 Jackdaws 30+ Carrion Crows and c200 Starlings.

Wintersett 27.10.14

A very mild  and calm15°C with 3/8 cloud.  A strengthening southerly by midday.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  2000 Wood Pigeon SW 
Anglers CP:  Goosander 1.   
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 2,  Goldeneye 3 + 1 CHRes.,   Little Grebe 14,  Buzzard 1.
Also flying.   Migrant Hawker 1 in the car park.

Wintersett Sun 26th Oct 2014 - Gulls start in earnest

The major event of the daytime was a passage of Pin-footed Geese between 08.10 and 09.00 hrs, with a total of 650 birds moving east in 7 skeins.

Four Siskin were in Haw Park, along with 2 Nuthatches.

With the clocks going back, the gull roost watches can start in earnest at the end of the normal birding day, instead of an additional evening visit.

A first-winter Med Gull flew from the Country Park to the Top Res at 14.55 hrs. A phenomenal number of large gulls were in the Country Park roost for the time of year with the following counts:-

Lesser-black Backed Gull - 404
Herring Gull - 280
Great Black-backed Gull - 61
Yellow-legged Gull - 2 adults and a second winter.

I've only had a quick scan through the archives but I can't see anything even approaching the Herring & GBB numbers in October before.

highlight of reds match

Best bit of the match yesterday was a peregrine flying over the pitch.

Adwick (am)

Pink footed Geese 250 east at 08.30, 120 east at  09.10,  80 east at 09.40.

Barn Owl

Tankersley - 1 over the road south of Taybarns yesterday (24th October).
per SBSG website.

Wintersett 25.10.14

7°C, cool with 1/8 cloud but calm.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 
Pink-footed Goose 180 E at 09.15hrs and 200 at 11.50 hrs. Wood Pigeon 1300 SW and  Starling 112 W.
Going south: Kestrel 1 at 07.45hrs. Goldfinch 36,  Greenfinch 15,  Skylark 7,  Jackdaw 9,   Linnet 4,  Grey Wagtail 1,  Meadow Pipit 1,  Siskin 1 and  alba Wagtail 1.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 male and Willow Tit 1.
A total of 35 birds were ringed this morning, including, 14 Lesser Redpoll,  6 Greenfinch,  5 Reed Bunting and 3 Goldcrest.
Anglers CP:  A juvenile Water Rail walked along the shallows towards the outflow + 1 WRes..  Goldeneye 2 + 1 CHRes.,  Pochard 55, Teal 12,   Goosander 7,  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult and Herring Gull 6.
An adult CASPIAN GULL  left west at 15.35hrs.

Been Sniping

After a very steady vis-mig session this morning over at Harden, I donned the wellies to look for Jack Snipe at Scout Dike. As well as a single Jack I counted 20 Common Snipe - by far the largest count I've had here. Not that I spend much time here these days but it's pleasing to report that some small areas of this site remain relatively undisturbed. Let's hope it continues.
Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

Wintersett 24.10.14

11°C with 8/8 cloud,  mild with drizzle first thing this morning, dry by 09.30hrs.  Quiet.
Anglers CP: 2 skeins of  Pink-footed Geese were moving despite the weather conditions.  54 NE at 10.15 and 50 NE at 10.38hrs.   Redpoll 10. 

Edderthorpe Friday am

Little Egret 2, Golden Plover 600, Shoveler 130, Pochard 11, Pintail 3, Little Grebe 14.
Also of note, 3 Fieldfare South.

Wintersett 23.10.14

10°C with 3/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 
Going south: Stock Dove 9,  Meadow Pipit 8 and alba Wagtail  4.
Going south west: Wood Pigeon 150 and Starling 9.
Also: Brambling 1 E, then dropped in.  Lesser Redpoll 2 W  and 1 Yellowhammer 1 W.
Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose 22 flew SW at 09.35 and  600 flew east late morning (per Yvonne and Keith).   Dunlin 1,  Goosander 1,  the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull,  Green Woodpecker 1 and Greylag Goose 91
Winterset Res:  Keith and Yvonne found a female Stonechat on the north bank. Kingfisher 2,  Goldeneye 3 and Cetti's Warbler 1. 
Also flying: Migrant Hawker 1 and  Common Darter 2 (ACP).

Underbank

Underbank Reservoir - 29 Canada Geese, 77 Mallards, 5 Tufted Ducks, 11 Cormorants (a site record), 2 Moorhens, 8 Lapwings, c200 Black-headed Gulls and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Wintersett 22.10.14

8°C with 3/8 cloud and a very cold WNW breeze. 
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 07.30 - 11.00  
Going south west: There were many Wood Pigeon moving during the first hour after dawn with a total of  6160 by 09.00 hrs and 6300 in total.   Redwing 50.
Going south:  9 Whooper Swan were present at dawn. They left at 09.20hrs and were seen 20 minutes later over Old Moor.   A group of 8 dropped in at 09.30.  They were joined by another 20 at 10.20 and 2 at 11.00.  They formed a flock of 30 which included 2 juveniles.  26 birds flew off at 11.25 and were seen over Old Moor at 11.43hrs.  (I calculated that these birds had an average speed of 29mph.)   Skylark 178,  Stock Dove 6,  Meadow Pipit 14,  alba Wagtail 3,  Jackdaw 53,  Linnet 18 and  Reed Bunting 1.
Going west: Snipe 19,  Fieldfare 2,  Siskin 1,  Lesser Redpoll 1 and Yellowhammer 1.
Also:  Dunlin 1 E,  Cormorant 8 ( 5NW + 3 W) and  Mistle Thrush 4  (1 S + 3 W).
Anglers CP:  Walkers flushed a Jack Snipe from grass very near the watchpoint at 11.17hrs.  It flew towards the Pol.  A female Brambling was at the feeding station in the car park.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 male.

Still steady on t' tops

Whitley Edge - 1,200+ Starling, c70 Jackdaws and c70 Carrion Crows.
Whitley Common - 1 Grey Partridge.
Broadstone Reservoir - 1 Cormorant, 35+ Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Gulls, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Herring Gull and 1 Great Black-backed Gull.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 56 Mallards, 8+ Moorhens, 150+ Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 1 Cormorant.
Scout Dike Reservoir - 1 Cormorant.
Midhope Reservoir - 3 Canada Geese, 32 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks and 1 Little Grebe.
Barnside Moor -3 Kestrels.

Bretton update lunchtime, 21/10/14.

A quick dash round didn't reveal much new. The most obvious were the water levels on the lower lake which have been dropped for work to be carried out on the dam and spillways. It might attract a few more waders with a juv. Dunlin and 2 Lapwings on the mud today. 5 Mandarin still present, with up to 9 last week.

Wintersett 21.10.14

9°C,  cool with 4/8 cloud and a moderate north westerly.  Rain and a gusty westerly on and off from 10.00hrs.  Nothing new happening birdwise this morning despite the after effects of hurricane Gonzalo.
Anglers CP: Snipe 14 and Canada x Barnacle Hybrid Geese 4.  

Wintersett 20.10.14

12°C with 4/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP VisMig:
This morning had the first big push of Wood Pigeon, with 1940 moving south west in just over an hour. 
Going south: Redwing 264,  Grey Wagtail 3,  Pied Wagtail 3, Goldfinch 4,  Jackdaw 19.
Going west: Golden Plover 11 at 09.25hrs., Song Thrush 4,  Skylark 11, Siskin 2.
Also: Stock Dove 1SW.
Anglers CP: The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the small raft at 09.00hrs.  Goosander 1 redhead,  4 Canada x Barnacle Hybrid Geese, 
Walton Hall: Great Crested Grebe 3 large young and Mute Swan 2 fledged
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1male,  Brambling 1 over,  Goldeneye 3 and Water Rail 1.

Wintersett 19.10.14

12°C,  mild with 2/8 cloud and a brisk south westerly.
Anglers CP VisMig: 393 Pink-footed Geese E  (13 at 09.30,  50 at 10.25,  120 at 10.35,  210 at 10.57hrs).)   Redwing 283 S or W,  Starling 92 W,  Skylark 5 W,  Meadow Pipit 1 ENE,  Peregrine 1 S at 10.20hrs,    Song Thrush 1 W,  Mistle Thrush 1 W,  Goldfinch 15 S and Greenfinch 3 S..
Anglers CP: Redshank 1, Cormorant 16,  Shoveler 49 and Teal 27.
Wintersett Res: Goosander 1 and  Little Grebe 17 + 6 ACP

Visible Migration at Flight Hill

Visible migration at Flight Hill between 0800 - 1100 with Jeff Lunn had 1220 Pink-footed Geese flying south-east in various skeins, 5 single Snipe south, 50 Goldfinch in various groups, 7 Redwing south, Bullfinch south, 2 Cormorant west and a local Raven.

Edderthorpe, Sunday morning

Walks around Houghton Washland and Edderthorpe Flash this morning;- Houghton is well overgrown and difficult to see birds on there although it is holding lots of duck and Edderthorpe is full of water again after all the recent rain. Highlights include;- Shoveler 184, Pintail 3, Little Grebe 16, Cormorant 14, Dunlin 1, Golden Plover 1, Pink-footed Goose 274 flew south-east in 4 skeins during a five minute period around 09.10, Stonechat 1 male where it was yesterday in the grass in front of the bench. And butterfly - Comma 1.

Carlton Marsh

c80 Pink Feet Geese flew SE at 10.16hrs followed another skein of c50 SE at 10.25hrs. (Geoff Miller)

Carlton Marsh

It was exceptionally warm overnight and during today with a maximum of 19.2c (my garden)

At first light c500 Black Headed Gulls flew south and some quite sizeable groups of Redwings were continually moving through, some stopping off. I estimated c500, but I didn't manage to catch any. It would appear that all our summering birds have vacated the reserve as only a few residents were caught.

2 Fieldfares flew south with 4 Redpolls heading the same way and 2 Water Rails were calling and 2 Sparrowhawks were on the prowl along with a buzzard.

A Common Darter was on the wing and a Small White and 2 Red Admirals appeared in my garden this afternoon.

Wintersett 18.10.14

A very mild 16°C start with 8/8 cloud.  Some sun later and a very light southerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig 08.45 - 11.00hrs. There was a steady trickle of Redwings throughout the watch with a final total of 785 south.  Starling 95 west, Fieldfare 3 SW,  Brambling 1SE and Redpoll 1 south.
Anglers CP:  Rock Pipit 1.  A ringed Coot was seen - pink on left leg and white above metal on right leg.   Snipe 14,  Goldeneye 3,  Teal 17 and  Shoveler 57.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1.
Old Royston: Brian Lee had 250 Pink-footed Geese flying east at 17.20hrs.
Cold Hiendley Res: Tufted Duck 249 + 85 ACP.
A Common Darter was on ACP and there was a dead Hedgehog on Haw Park Lane.
Footnote: Barnsleybirdsblogspot.com has had  a quarter of a million hits since it began.

Wilthorpe Marsh saturday 18/10/14.

Jack Snipe 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Snipe 30, Teal 30.

Edderthorpe flash AM

Highlights today, 1 male stonechat showing well in front of the "members lounge" also peregrine paid a visit suspect male due to size, pintail 2 little egret 3 redwing circa 30 goldies circa 60

Ewden, stone circle track / shooting lodge. Friday aft. 17/10/14.

Hen Harrier 1 ringtail, Red Kite 1, Peregrine 1, Buzzard 4, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 2, Raven 2, Stonechat 1 fem/imm. Linnet 15, Goldfinch 12, Redwing 9, Mistle Thrush 4, Song Thrush 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Peacock butterfly 3.     Brambling- 1 heard only near entrance to Broomhead farm.

Wintersett 17.10.14

No blog yesterday due to jaunting to Spurn where another fantastic birding day was had by all present.  Definitely the place to have been any day this week!    See http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/sightings/ for full lists and photographs of Pallid Swift (which was one bird I didn't see!).

Back to today -Friday: 12°C, very mild, 0/8 and sunny but damp underfoot.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 09.00 - 10.00   Redwing 40 W,  Starling 60 W.    Rod and Carol had 200 Pink-footed Geese over Old Royston at 09.00hrs.

Very quiet

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 Teal, 85 Mallards, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Moorhens, c20 Lapwings, c200 Black-headed Gulls and 28+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Whitley Edge - 1 Common Gull and 75+ Carrion Crows.
Midhope Reservoir - 1 Teal, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Adwick

Just after mid-day a Little Owl was present and a Kingfisher was showing well. During the hour that we were there 6 Red Admirals (in singles) all flew south in the very warm conditions.

Hartcliff and nearby

On the hill this morning were c.200 Redwing, with at least 160 moving south, a mixed feeding flock including 12 Yellowhammers, with single Redpoll, Grey wag (probably a migrant as I'm not sure I've had them here before) Little Owl and Sprawk blogging.
A quick visit to Scout Dike early doors revealed a Redshank in the SW corner and a quick call to Royd Moor before home revealed single male Pochard and 4  Buzzards over together.
Russ

http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

Bretton 15-10-14.

First visit of autumn/winter produced a juv. Scaup feeding among the goosanders but it could not be relocated after a circular walk round the lakes. Most of the birds were on the lower lake which had 7 Mandarins with 4 drakes seen. Possibly more as they like the cover on the islands. They all were shy and wary. Counts were Great C. Grebe 23, Goosander 17 all females, Cormarant 64, Tufted Duck 14, Gadwall 29, Shoveler 4, Teal 8, Little Grebe 7, Mute Swan 8, Wigeon 11, Kingfisher 5, Siskin 6, 1 pair of Sparrowhawks. This morning around 250 Pinkfeet went e. over Shafton village club at 11am.

Wintersett 15.10.14

9°C,  8/8 drizzle with a light south easterly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 07.00 - 10.00  We were hoping for a big movement of Redwing after the falls on the east coast yesterday.  Towards the end of the first hour a flock of 200  and then another 20 west, were the only birds moving.  A shower reduced visibility so went to the hide.
Around 09.00 hrs the rain stopped and the sky cleared a little. Redwings started moving west in small groups. Drizzle set in at 09.45 and stopped movement again.  Final total 575 Redwing.
Also: 26 Snipe dropped in to join the 9 already present.   50 Wood Pigeon went south.  30 Starling flew west.

Carlton Marsh

Good numbers of Redwing with Fieldfare this morning, some still moving through. (Keith Bannister)

A Goosander flew over Carlton Village (Dave Smith)

c200 Redwings put by shooters this afternoon. (Chris Parkin)

Hartcliffe Hill

Bit of movement on the old hill this afternoon in amongst the fog.
Stonechat - 1 male on wires at the top
Mistle Thrush 5, Song Thrush 4, Fieldfare 1 (first of year) and 2 Redwing
2 Goldcrest

Broomhill Flash

todays sightings were:-

Shoveler 114,
Mallard 10,
Gadwall 8,
Tufted Duck 15,
Wigeon 3,
Grey Partridge 5,
Red-legged Partridge 2.

Also Little Owl calling from Little Broomhill upon closing Broomhill Flash.

Wintersett 14.10.14

6°C, cool, grey start,  8/8 cloud with a moderate north easterly.  Intermittent rain showers all morning
Wintersett Vis Mig: Observers were stationed on on both sides of hill in anticipation of a Redwing movement this morning.  4000 Starlings flew up from their roost on Wintersett Res at 07.55 hrs,  We moved to Anglers CP hide at 09.00.  The hoped for Redwings started at 09.30, in a dry spell, but the movement didn't amount to much with only 90 Redwing,  in small flocks,  flying west for half an hour.  That was it! Very disappointing.
Also: A Goosander flew west at 09.00hrs.  10 Golden Plover went north. 7 Snipe and 37 Wood Pigeon went south.  2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were present.

Carlton

An unknown number of Pink Feet Geese flew over my home this morning at 07.45hrs. (Dave Smith)

Wintersett, Monday

A northerly wind with rain most of the day. A brief dry spell between the rain from about 10.00 to 11.00 am and birds were noted migrating but stopped again once the rain got too heavy. During this time a total of 443 Redwings went west and 28 Golden Plovers east. Just after 4 Fieldfare went west, the first this autumn. Common Snipe- 25 were on the CP shallows and 2 went west. Two Chiffchaffs were in the Top Res bushes.

Edderthorpe Monday morning

Just enough time to count most wildfowl this morning before the rain became too heavy. Highlights include;- Whooper Swan 5 came in at 08.50, Greylag Goose 195, Wigeon 110, Teal 250, Pintail 2, Shoveler 166, Gadwall 116, Golden Plover 470, Lapwing 480, Black-tailed Godwit 3, Yellow-legged Gull 2 (adult and juvenile).

Carlton Marsh

Thick fog this morning made impossible to count wildfowl. However, Water Rail was calling and Little Owl was present.
Ringing from first light produced 11 birds which included 3 Reed Buntings, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Goldcrest.

Harden Vis Mig

Harden Quarries/Harden - Cormorant - 4 NW, Grey Heron - 1 SW, Pink-footed Geese - 995 E/ESE + 63 WSW, Sparrowhawk - 1 SW, Common Buzzard - 1 SW, Golden Plover - 27 SW, Lapwing - 448 (including a flock of c400) ESE + 9 NE, Black-headed Gull - 25 SW + 50 NE, Common Gull - 1 NE, Lesser Black-backed Gull - 19 SW + 13 NE, Wood Pigeon - 336 SW + 105 NW, Barn Swallow - 3 SW, Meadow Pipit - 166 SW, Grey Wagtail - 3 SW, alba Wagtails - 12 SW, Song Thrush - 1 SW, Redwing - 15 NW, Mistle Thrush - 2 SW, Goldcrest - 1 NW, Blue Tit - 5 ESE, Great Tit - 4 ESE + 1 NE, Jay - 1 SW, Magpie - 1 SW, Jackdaw - 33 SE + 14 N, Raven - 2 NE, Starling - 2 SW + 33 NW, Chaffinch - 41 ESE, Greenfinch - 46 ESE, Goldfinch - 87 ESE, Siskin - 16 ESE + 8 NE, Linnet - 12 ESE, Lesser Redpoll - 4 ESE, Bullfinch - 6 ESE and Reed Bunting - 6 SW.
Also recorded (not moving) = 3 Common Buzzard, 4 Kestrels, 6 Robins, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Coal Tits, 6 Blue Tits, 1 House Sparrow, 3 Bullfinches and 20 Reed Buntings.
For further details see Trektellen website.

Wilthorpe Marsh 12-10-14.

Not much today, the main highlight was a flock of Pink Footed Geese thought to be 300+ going w. during the first break in the cloud at 1-15pm. Common Snipe 25, no sign of any jacks yet, 2 Water Rails showed well + a pair of  Blackcaps feasting on elderberries. No sign of any egrets since the opencast pond dried up.

On m' way up to 'arden...

Stocksbridge - 3 Cormorants W.
Townhead - 1 Stonechat.

Low Moor 12/10/14

Today's count was as follows:

Common Buzzard x 6, Kestrel x 5, Sprawk x 2, Greater Pecker x 1, Green Pecker x 1, Mistle Thrush x 6, Jay x 5, Stonechat x 2 which were present all day. As we prepared to leave there were flocks of c40 +c40 Canada Geese and a flock of c20 Greylags which all dropped in to roost on Midhope Res.

Old Moor - JF - Little Egret today

Through the murky fog; Orange Left J; Green Right F.

Old Moor in the fog

Marsh Harrier in the gloom from the Wader Scrape; Little Egret 2

Wintersett October WeBS Count

WeBS count totals on October 11th 2014

Great Crested Grebe   40,   Little Grebe  12,   Mute Swan 18,   Greylag Goose 129,  Canada Goose 54,   Cormorant 10,   Coot 643,   Moorhen 44,   Gadwall 70,   Wigeon 312,   Shoveler 40,   Mallard 102,  Teal 15,   Pochard 75,   Tufted Duck 375,   Goldeneye 1,   Goosander 1,   Grey Heron 3,   Lapwing 100  and Snipe 14.

Wintersett 12.10.14

6°C  THICK  FOG   cold and damp up to midday.

Anglers CP: Pink-feet heard 09.35hrs   Grey wagtail 2.

Harden Vis Mig

Harden Quarries - Pink-footed Geese - 260 WNW + 101 E, Merlin - 2 S, Lapwing - 111 SW, Common Gull - 1 NE, Lesser Black-backed Gull - 23 SW, Wood Pigeon - 248 + 96 S/SE, Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 SW, Sky Lark - 57 SW, Barn Swallow - 44 SW, House Martin - 1 SW, Meadow Pipit - 883 SW/WSW, alba Wagtails - 60 S/SW, Dunnock - 1 SSE, Blackbird - 1 NE, Song Thrush - 1 SW, Redwing - 1SW, Mistle Thrush - 8 SW, Coal Tit - 4 S/SE, Blue Tit - 2 S/SE, Great Tit - 2 S/SE, Jay - 1 NE, Jackdaw - 74 SW + 16 NE, Rook - 1 SW, Carrion Crow - 9 SW, Starling - 35 SW, Chaffinch - 371 S/SE, Brambling - 4 S/SE, Greenfinch - 42 S/SE, Goldfinch, 72 S/SE, Siskin - 26 S/SE, Linnet - 21 S/SE, Lesser Redpoll - 6 S/Se and Reed Bunting - 14 SW.
Also present (not moving) - 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff and18 Goldfinches.
per Mick Cunningham
for further details see Trektellen website.

Wintersett 11.10.14

6°C, cold, misty with 0/8 cloud.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  Pink-footed Geese were evident today from 09.25 - 11.03hrs. A total of 631 in 7 skeins.  6 going west ( 42, 120, 69, 65, 40, 115) and 1 skein of 180 going east.
Going West: Starling 174, Song Thrush 5.
Going South: Lesser Black-backed Gull 93, Cormorant 4, Jackdaw 17,  Pied Wagtail 22,  Skylark 78,  Linnet 10, Goldfinch 10, Bullfinch 5, Greenfinch 4, Siskin 2, Chaffinch 1, Meadow Pipit 205 and Swallow 1.
Anglers CP:  7 Whooper Swan .   305 Wigeon   A 1st W Yellow-legged Gull was in this afternoon.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 male,  Water Rail 1, Chiffchaff 3.   
A total of 38 birds were ringed this morning, including: 7 Reed Bunting,  3 Goldcrest,  1 Lesser Redpoll  and 2 female Blackcap.

Wheatears

After a decent vis-mig over at Harden I trudged around Hartcliffe for a couple of hours. Three wheatears blogging around the old railway carriage were the best thing. One looked particularly 'chunky' and well marked. Greenland ? These and the refreshing lack of dog walkers just about keep my faith in this site alive!
Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

Wintersett 10.10.14

9°C, sunny with 4/8 cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:
Going south: Buzzard 1,  Skylark 67, House Martin 10, Meadow Pipit 205,  Grey Wagtail 1, alba Wagtail 21,  Mistle Thrush 7, Jackdaw 12, Greenfinch 6, Goldfinch 12, Linnet 36 and Reed Bunting 1.
Also: 40 Pink-footed Geese distant, high west at 12.00hrs,  Swallow 6 NE and Red Admiral 3 south.
Anglers CP: A Rock Pipit flew over at 09.57hrs.  Buzzard 8 and  Redshank 2. Redpoll 1 south.
Wintersett Res: Little Grebe 19,  Water Rail 1, Kingfisher 2 and Cetti's Warbler 1.

Cudworth

6 Buzzards were in the air over Storrs Mill Lane this morning. (Ken Manterfield)

Wintersett 09.10.14

7°C, sunny spells with a light to moderate southerly and a light shower mid morning.
Wintersett Res: House Martin 3,  Swallow 1, Cetti's Warbler 1 SE corner + 1 male WB marsh,  Little Grebe 9, Water Rail 1 andChiffchaff 2. Common Gull 2 + 1 ACP.
Anglers CP: Snipe 4 and Grey Wagtail 1. 

Adwick p.m.

Only birds of note: Dunlin 3; Lapwing c.70. :(

Summert 'n' nowt

Elsecar Reservoir - 103 Mallards, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Moorhens, 14 Coots and 40+ Black-headed Gulls.
Winterbottom Busks - 1 Common Buzzard.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 25 Canada Geese, 4 Teal, 74 Mallards, 4 Tufted Ducks, 5 Moorhens, 2 Little Grebes, c100 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Common Gulls and 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Whitley Edge - 20+ Carrion Crows and 800+ Starlings.
Langsett - 4 Fieldfares W.
Midhope Reservoir - 1 Canada Goose, 14 Teal, 35 Mallards, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Moorhen.

Edderthorpe, Wednesday morning

A couple of hours on Houghton Washland and Edderthorpe this morning before work revealed;- Pintail 4, Mallard 650, Teal 170, Wigeon 30, Shoveler 195, Gadwall 68, Pochard 15, Little Egret 4, Little Grebe 30, Golden Plover 500, Dunlin 3. The Teal and Gadwall numbers are probably lower than the number present as halfway through the count the Environment Agency arrived to cut the grass and flushed the Flash.

Carlton Marsh

A Green Sandpiper left south this morning followed by a Swallow. (Keith Bannister)

Kingfisher and Water Rail were present this afternoon.

Wintersett 08.10.14

7°C, cold but bright with 4/8 cloud, then 8/8 and rain by 11.00hrs.  Dry again by 14.00hrs.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  63 Golden Plover flew SSE.
Going South: A Little Egret flew over the hill at 09.57hrs.  Meadow Pipit 154, Skylark 71, Linnet 61,  Swallow 12, Mistle Thrush 9, Greenfinch 8, Reed Bunting 5, Grey Wagtail 4, Yellowhammer 3,   Kestrel 2 at 10.40hrs, Tree Sparrow 2, Goldfinch 1 and Chaffinch 65 + 2W.
Going West: Starling 8 and Song Thrush 7. 
Anglers CP: Wigeon 336 and  Cormorant 17 
Wintersett Res: A Cetti's Warbler was calling in the SE corner reedbed. Swallow 6,  House Martin 16, Water Rail 1,  Chiffchaff 2 + 1 ACP and Yellow-legged Gull 1.

Wintersett 07.10.14

7 - 10°C,  cold, grey, misty with drizzly rain from 08.30 - 10.30hrs.
Anglers CP: Yellow-legged Gull 7 adults/subadults, including Psycho, and 1 3rd Winter.  Herring Gull 2,  Greylag Goose 118,  Shoveler 82 , Snipe 22 and Grey Wagtail 4 + 1 WRes..
Haw Park Wood: courtesy of the Carlton Dream Team.  5 Nuthatch, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper,  3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Chaffinch and 50+ Tits.  
Wintersett Res: A WHEATEAR flew off north from the west bank at 11.33hrs. 14 Golden Plover NE.  Little Grebe 6 + 1 CHRes,  Chiffchaff 1,  Willow Tit 1 and Water Rail 1.

Broomhill Flash

Todays count consisted of

Shoveler 34,
Mallard 14,
Cormorant 8,
Grey Heron 1,
Tufted Duck 2,
Pochard 2,
Gadwall present,
Teal present,
Wigeon 2,
Ruff 4,
Snipe 5,
Dunlin 3,
Grey Wagtail 1,
Meadow Pipit 7.

Wintersett Monday morning

A moderate south-easterly wind and fairly heavy rain all morning. Little new to report, a Pintail and 56 Shoveler are on the islands in front of the CP hide, as is a Rock Pipit, 17 Common Snipe and 113 Greylag Geese.

Carlton Marsh

c120 Pink Feet Geese flew east at 09.04hrs this morning. (Keith Bannister)

Wintersett 05.10.14

8°C with 4/8 high cloud and a light southerly.

Anglers CP Vis Mig: 

Going west: Pink-footed Geese 21 at 09.20hrs,  Starlings 156 ,  Jay 5, Siskin 2  and Yellow Hammer 2.

Going south: Common Gull 2,  Lesser Black-backed Gull 9, Skylark 136, Swallow 15, Meadow Pipit 79 and Reed Bunting 1. 

Also: Grey Wagtail 4 (2S + 2 W),  alba Wagtail 27 SW, Chaffinch 33 (27S + 6 W) and Bullfinch 3 SW.

Anglers CP:  2 ROCK PIPITS dropped in at 09.40hrs.  Wigeon 257 + 31 CHRes, Shoveler 72 + 1 CHRes,  Pintail 2, Snipe 10, Chiffchaff 1 + 1 WRes and Grey Wagtail 2.  
Cold Hiendley Res: Tufted Duck 307 + 132 CP, Gadwall 64 + 18 ACP,  Goldeneye 1 female,  

Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1 male and Yellow-legged Gull 3 adults.

The  26th Wintersett Annual report 

is now available from Anglers CP Visitor Centre £5. 

or contact sdenny@supanet.com  £6  including postage 

Wintersett 04.10.14

A cool 6°C with rain, although not as heavy as predicted, and a light westerly.  Dry by 11.00 with good visibility.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: The first autumn flock of 31 Redwing flew west. 
Anglers CP:  A Ruff flew onto the shallows briefly at 11.30hrs.  4 Pintail  and 2 Goosander were present. Swallow 8 + 5 WRes., Chiffchaff 1 and Water Rail 1.   Teal 19 + 1 CHRes., Shoveler  55 + 13 CHRes..  This evening a Dunlin was present and a Merlin flew south west.
Wintersett Res: A female Stonechat was on the west bank. Cetti's Warbler 1 male, House Martin 1, Goldeneye 1,  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult,  Mallard 9 + 59 CHRes.and Pochard 37.  12 Grey Partridge were in fields near Santingley Grange.

Female Stonechat                        PMeredith

Langsett

Langsett Reservoir - 36 Greylag Geese, 9+ Teal, 70+ Mallard, 2 redhead Goosanders (probably eclipse drakes), 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Green Sandpiper.
Gull Roost - 745 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 605 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull + 1 juvenile that's bill stuck out like Pinocchio's nose - not a clue as to its ID.
Martin Wells & Mick Cunningham

Broomhill Flash n' Bolton Ings

Broomhill Flash

Ruff 1,
Golden Plover c130,
Snipe 4,
Lapwing c145,
Tufted Duck 5,
Teal 25,
Mallard 29,
Shoveler 24,
Pochard 4,
Wigeon 2,
Cormorant 8,
Chiffchaff (Car park),
Grey Partridge 9,
Red-legged Partridge 3,
Mute Swan 3,
Pied Wagtail 2,
Linnet 6,
Kestrel 2.

Bolton Ings

Snipe 3,
Grey Wagtail 1 (5 arches),
Marsh Harrier 1,
Pochard 18,
Mallard 3,
Teal 1,
Little Grebe 15,
Great-crested Grebe 7,
Tufted Duck 13,
Gadwall 66,
Shoveler 3,
Cormorant 3,
Green Woodpecker 1,
Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1,
Buzzard 2,
Kestrel 1,
Hobby 1,
Kingfisher 1,
Mute Swan 5,
Jay 1.

Ewden, stone circle track , shooting lodge. Thursday aft. 2-10-14.

Good light and a free afternoon prompted lunch at the lodge and a few hours birding. Results- Merlin 1, Peregrine 1, Common Buzzard 4, Kestrel 4, Sparrowhawk 2, Raven 5, Stonechat 2, male still in fine plumage. Meadow Pipit 40, Siskin 3, Redpoll 1. Of interest on Wednesday morning 8-25am, 1-10-14, 250 to 300 Pinkfeet  east over Netherton, W. Yorks., looked to be flying in the Wintersett direction.

Wintersett 03.10.14

12°C mild with 7/8 cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 08.30 - 10.30hrs.
Highlights today were a Dunlin S at 09.40hrs,  Pintail 3S at 09.55 + 4 present.  Snipe 12 SW, 5 W (2+3), 2 dropped in and 7 present.  Buzzard 2 NE at 09.20 and 1 SE at 10.30hrs.Brian Lee had 300 Pink-footed Geese NW over Royston at 15.35hrs. 
Going south - Skylark 10,  Jay 2,  Meadow Pipit 10,  alba Wagtail 6, Grey Wagtail 2 and  Dunnock 1 .
Anglers CP: Shoveler 54.  Greylay Goose 90.

  The  26th Wintersett Annual report 

is now available from Anglers CP Visitor Centre £5. 

or contact sdenny@supanet.com  £6  including postage

Buzzards 'R' Us

Wintersett Vis Mig The vis mig hill was manned from before dawn through to 16.00 hours, with the forecast of rapidly falling temperatures overnight it was hoped birds would realise winter is on its way and it's time to migrate. Well temperatures weren't as cold as predicted and passerines haven't responded as hoped. However, something has certainly stirred the Common Buzzard population to the north as previous day record counts were shattered today;- the first bird that was clearly a migrant and not a local went south at 10.30 and then nothing much until 11.15 - we picked up a 'kettle' of Buzzards soaring very high in the sky to the north, five to begin with, then ten with distant dots slowly metamorphasing into Buzzards as they joined the 'kettle' and in the next 15 minutes a minimum of 21 were in the skies above us. Most of these drifted off to the south or west with the local birds which had joined them (presumably defending their territories) then losing height and returning to their own woodland patch. This was a repeating scene for the next couple of hours, by 2.00 pm we had a total of 45 migrants and the last flock of five went south at 3.15pm to make a total of 51 migrant birds and a absolute minimum of ten local birds - a grand day total of 61. Most of these were going through very high in the clear skies, unseeable to our ageing naked eyes but quite easy to find using optics. Anyone out casually birding would probably have seen none! And for anyone still reading and not bored senseless the following were also moving (southwards unless noted);- Pink-footed Goose 84 in 3 skeins (53, 15, 16)west, Sparrowhawk 5, Kestrel 1 west, Dunlin 1, Common Snipe 3 +3 in +12 down, Swallow 41, House Martin 10, Skylark 81, Meadow Pipit a very disappointing 73, Grey Wagtail 3, alba Wagtail 36, Jay 16 north, Linnet 28, Chaffinch 22, Red Admiral 15, Comma 3.

Carlton Marsh

A misty cold start to the day meant that catching was slow at first. Two nets produced 14 birds of quality. They were Yellow Bunting 1, Reed Bunting 2, Bullfinch 2, Blackcap 1, Reed Warbler 1 and Blackbird 2. Then it was  time to put the nets away and do some graft clearing scrub from around the hide.
In between times there were some flighty Song Thrushes and Blackbirds, Treecreeper, Coal Tit and a Water Rail calling.

A Little Egret flew over Geoff Miller's Cudworth garden SE at 10.40hrs. (His garden is half a mile east of the reserve)

Broomhill Flash & Bolton Ings

Broomhill Flash

Snipe 5, Lapwing 48, Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 3adult & 1 juvenile, Teal 21, Shoveler 9, Wigeon 2, Pochard 3♂ & 3 ♀, Gadwall 2, Tufted Duck 4, Little Grebe 1, Mallard 19, Cormorant 12, Meadow Pipit 9, Pied Wagtail 5+, Red-legged Partridge 4, Grey Partridge 3, Kestrel 1, Buzzard 1.

Bolton Ings

Green Sandpiper 1, Jay 2, Tufted Duck 17, Gadwall 25, Wigeon 100+, Little Grebe 11, Pochard 17, Shoveler 13, Teal 4, Mallard 4, Grey Heron 3, Great crested Grebe 8, Mute Swan 8 (5 Juvenile), Cormorant 2, Kingfisher 1, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 1, Grey Wagtail 1 (5 arches), Herring Gull 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull c6. Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1.

Wintersett 02.10.14

5°C - 16°C,  cold start but warm in the mid morning sun, with a light westerly.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 male,  Water Rail 2 and Swallow 2.  A BRAMBLING flew over and a REDPOLL WENT south. 
 A total of 63 birds were ringed today, including: 4 Blackcap,  3 Chiffchaff,  6 Goldcrest and 8 Reed Buntings.

Elsecar & Ingbirchworth

Elsecar Reservoir - 50+ Mallards, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 21 Moorhen, 11 Coots, c30 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 11 Greylag Geese, 118 Canada Geese, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 108 Mallards, 3 Tufted Ducks, 3 Little Grebes, 5 Moorhens, 5 Coots, 50+ Lapwings, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls,
Fullshaw - c300 Rooks.

Wintersett 01.10.14

16°C, warm and sunny with 3/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Wintersett Res: 60 Pink-footed Geese went east at 08.45hrs.  A male Cetti's was heard.  Green Woodpecker 1,  Swallow 2, Chiffchaff 3,  Little Grebe 6 + 6 ACP + 1 CHRes,  Goldeneye 1 female and a Buzzard flew south.
Pits Wood: Nuthatch 1.
Anglers CP: 40 Tree Sparrows were at the feeding station in the car park.  Grey Partridge 7 in the Pol field.
October Butterflies: Small Copper 1, Comma 1 and Speckled Wood 1.
Odonata: Migrant Hawker 1 and Common Darter 1.

The  26th Wintersett Annual report 

is now available from Anglers CP Visitor Centre £5. 
or contact sdenny@supanet.com  £6  including postage.

Midhope & Underbank

Midhope Reservoir - 6 Teal, 78 Mallards, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 4 Little Grebes and a mixed flock of 7+ Goldcrests, c10 Coal Tits & 18 Long-tailed Tits.
Midhopestones - c100 Jackdaws.
Underbank Reservoir - 119 Canada Geese, 63 Mallards, 2 Cormorants (one was noticeably smaller and got me going for a bit) and 1 Moorhen.

Carlton Marsh

Warm sunshine today produced another Painted lady, 12 Comma, 9 Small Copper and a Black Darter. (Chris Parkin)

A Humming-bird Hawk Moth was feeding in Dave Standish's Cudworth garden this afternoon. 

Adwick

Hobby 1 (poss 2); Little Egret 2; Ringed Plover 2; Kingfisher 2.