Wintersett 30.06.15

A very hot  22-27°C  with a little scattered cloud and a south easterly breeze.
Anglers CP: Common Tern 4,  Cormorant 3 and Oystercatcher 3 adults + 1 young.
Overnight moth trapping highlights were a female Oak Eggar a May Highflyer.  Also caught were a Beautiful Hook-tip,  Plain Wave and a Silky Wainscot.

             Oak Eggar -female                    ASmith

            May Highflyer           ASmith

Cudworth Common

A Little Egret was feeding on Ferrymoor ponds at 13.40hrs (Keith Bannister)

Hugsett Wood
A male Orange-tip was seen there with what was thought to be a couple of White-letter Hairstreaks. (Ralph Hibbert/Les Corrall)

Carlton Marsh

Last night's moth session (29th) with Elaine Evans, Chris Parkin, Dave Smith, Keith Webster and Richard Laverack provided 24 species of macro moth, which included 2 that were new for the list - Brown Rustic and Dingy Shell. Other beauties of note were Clouded Silver, Large Emerald, Small Yellow Wave, Herald and Blackneck. The micro Donacuala forficella was also new.

A Tawny Owl flew over the scrape at dusk and 2 Long Eared Owls were calling high above the car park after midnight. A calling Oystercatcher flew north at 00.30hrs and a Barn Owl was still singing when we left at .01.00hrs!  At least 3 Noctule bats were still feeding over the scrape after midnight. 

 

 Brown Rustic

 Dingy Shell

 Large Emerald

 Small Yellow Wave

The Miller





Wintersett 29.06.15

16 - 23°C hot and humid with 8/8 cloud until mid morning, then sunny with a light south easterly.
Anglers CP: A Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Common Sandpipers were new in on the shallows this morning.  Yellow- Wagtail 1,  Grey Wagtail 1,  Common Tern 1,  Willow Tit 1 and Oystercatcher 3 adults + 1 juvenile.

           Black-tailed Godwit      ACP                 ASmith

The Edge 29th June

Wombwell Ings - Very quiet with 5 Gadwall (with broods of 8 and 4), 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Mallard, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1+1y Coot, 2 Moorhen, 6 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Skylark, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush , 5 Linnet and a group of of 12 young Carrion Crow.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan +5 cygnets, 34 Canada Geese, 3+3y Greylag, 11 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Kestrel, 55 Lapwing, 103 Coot and 4 Moorhen.
Warbler Way  - Singing males included 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Yellowhammer.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan +7 cygnets, 1 Canada Goose, 66+14y Gadwall, 19+5y Mallard, 16 Tufted Duck, 6+9y Pochard, 1 Wigeon, 3+1y Great Crested Grebe, 6+1y Little Grebe, 141 Coot, 3 Moorhen, and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron and 1 LBB Gull. Nature in the raw was shown by a Carrion Crow attacking and killing a recently fledged Black Headed Gull. This gruesome assault took place despite the 50+ adult Black Headed Gulls circling and dive bombing the Crow.

Edderthorpe weekend

The highlight was on Saturday when a Red Kite graced the skies; It was seen over Bolton Ings and finally came into Edderthorpe airspace about 20 minutes later at 10.10 although very distantly over Darfield. Twenty minutes later it was much closer over Storrs Mill Wood as it slowly made its way northwards. Little Egrets are quickly coming into the area, 9 on Saturday and 5 on Sunday. Still up to 14 Ringed Plover and 4 Little Ringed Plovers on the mud. Redshank are slowly heading away and back to the coast with numbers now into single figures. Two Green Sandpipers on Houghton Washland where there is still a chipping Common Snipe. Most of the Lapwing chicks from the late broods are surviving and growing well.

Sunday 28/6/15.

Firstly I would like to pay a tribute to Mike Richardson. I know he made top contributions to birds and birding through his photography and lectures, some of which I have attended at the Barnsley meetings. Having read the comments on this blog and on twitter this morning he made himself very popular in doing so. Cheers Mike from Stu Green. Very steady birding this morning at Wilthorpe Marsh with a Green Sandpiper on the river. Joined Dave Simmonite at Midhope/ Low Moor at 2-30pm until 5-30pm.- again very steady with Buzzard 2, Kestrel 6, Oystercatcher 5, a party of 4 + 1 single, Raven 3, BH Gull 14, LBB Gull 6, Siskin 8, Goldfinch 8, Snipe 2 chipping is quite a reduction. Swifts still moving w. today with 250 + counted and 10 House Martins.

Wintersett 28.06.15

12 - 17°C with scattered cloud and a light westerly.
Anglers CP: Curlew 4 flew west at 10.35hrs.  Grey Wagtail 1 and  Cormorant 3.
Wintersett Res:  A Hobby flew over this morning. 
Fitzwilliam CP: An adult Hobby was seen at 16.00hrs.
Overnight mothing highlights were 2 Marbled White Spot and a Plain Wave.

Carlton Marsh

Little Owl 2 adult and 1 juv showing this morning along with Grey Wagtail. A juv Kingfisher was photographed before it was caught later. A Barn Owl was hunting over the main marsh at 21.16hrs and Campion moth was feeding on Bladder Campion at dusk.

 

Both photos were taken by Richard Laverack.

 juv Kingfisher

 

Reed Warbler

Wintersett 27.06.15

17 - 23°C,  hot and humid,  with scattered cloud and a light westerly breeze.:
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 3 adults + 1 fledged young.
Wintersett Res:  Grasshopper Warbler 1 female.  Siskin 1 over.
32 birds were ringed this morning,  a poor number for the end of June.  Highlights were single juvs. of  Goldcrest, Coal Tit  and Willow Tit.  Also only one juv. Willow Warbler.  Others were - Chiffchaff  10 juvs and   Blackcap 9 - 3 adult and 6 juvs.
Butterfly: A male Orange Tip flew along Haw Park Gully.

Juvenile Goldcrest    WRes    RHill

MIKE RICHARDSON

With great sadness we have to report the passing away of the larger than life character Mike Richardson. He died early this morning. Mike was a top bird photographer and a superb speaker, his annual 'show' at the BBSG Meetings was always well anticipated, well attended and always very well received (despite his often colourful language). There is no one else like Mike, his superb photography could have carried a show alone, but add in his fantastic humour and wit and a entertaining evening was guaranteed. He will be sorely missed but his memory will live long in all who knew him. RIP Mike, a true birding character.

Caterpillar

One for you Cliff.  Have you any idea what this 'Woolly Bear' is?

Seen at Mickleden Edge on 24th June. (about 8cm in length).

Wilthorpe Marsh 25/6/15.

Nocturnal visit at 11-30 pm was disappointing. The only thing heard and seen of note were 1+ Little Owl at hill end farm. No sign of any Tawny Owl or Long Eared's. The last l.e. owl sighting was what was thought to be a roosting male on 25th April.

Wintersett 26.06.15

15 - 21°C.  Rain first thing then hot and humid with a couple of light showers and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Grey Wagtail 1, Teal 1m,  Common Tern 1,  Cormorant 2 and Oystercatcher 2 adults + 1 young.  A Yellow Wagtail, with food,  flew towards the north bank WRes..  
Butterflies in the area: 20+ Ringlet,  Small Heath 2,  Painted Lady 1 and Red Admiral 1.
Overnight moth trapping highlights were: Beautiful Hooktip,  Marbled White Spot and Beautiful Carpet.  True Lover's Knot (usually feeds on heather) and White Pinion Spotted were the first caught for 3 years.  Also Buff Ermine and Figure of 80.

      True Lover's Knot       ACP              ASmith

                Beautiful Hooktip    ACP     ASmith

         Marbled White Spot    ACP      ASmith

Wintersett 25.06.15

15-21°C very warm with scattered cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP: Grey Wagtail 1 and Oystercatcher 4 adults + 1 young.
 Golf Course Pond: Siskin 2.
Haw Park Wood: Nuthatch 1.
Lepidoptera: Orange Tip  1m Stubbs Wood and 1m ACP.  The first Black-tailed Skimmer of the year was on ACP.  A Pine Hawk-moth was the highlight of overnight moth trapping in Haw Park Wood.

Pine Hawk-moth  Haw Park Wood   ASmith

Cliff Wood

Cliff Wood
Met up with Michael Angel and we came up with these revised breeding figures:
Redstart - two pairs fledged 7 + 2+ young.
Pied Flycatcher - two pairs fledged 7 + 7 young.
Spotted Flycatcher probably two pairs - one pair had 5 eggs predated (perhaps by Jays) and another pair one hundred yards or so away.
Also 1 Hobby N, fp Treecreepers, plenty of young Blue & Great Tits and Nuthatches. At least one pair of Blackcaps has fledged 4 young. All in all it looks as though both resident and migrant species have had a good breeding season.
Of the 32 nest-boxes erected here, 28 were occupied (14 of these by Blue Tits).

Cudworth Common

Had a stroll over here early morning to see how breeding waders were doing. Lapwing, most have given up on the breeding season, 58 flying birds and a brood of 3 recently hatched young behind the Symphony fence and another brood on the Common ponds. Ringed Plover at least 7 adults in the Symphony enclosure, one pair with a recently hatched brood of chicks. Little Ringed Plover, a pair acting as though they had young in the grass although I failed to see any. Little Grebe, a pair with chicks on the moat around the ponds. Judging by the number of Skylarks it would appear they have had a good breeding season.

The Edge 25th June

Wombwell Ings - Present on a rather nice day were 2 Greylag, 12+14y Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 5 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 chipping Snipe, 7 BH Gull, 2 Skylark. 20+ House Martin, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan +5 cygnets, 37 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 12 Tufted Duck, 10+7y Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 2+1y Pochard, 6 Little Grebe, 56 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 26 Lapwing, 2 Kestrel, 118 BH Gull and 1 Little Owl.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 10 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Grasshopper warbler.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 1 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 74 Gadwall, 27 Tufted Duck, 14 Pochard, 9 Mallard, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 6+2y Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 51 Coot ( quite a drop from yesterday's 110 ), 1 Moorhen, 181 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Avocet, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail and the first Painted Lady butterfly of the year.

Wintersett 24.06.15

Hooray - weather as it should be.  16-22°C,  hot and sunny with high wispy cloud and a very light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Siskin 2 SW,  Oystercatcher 1 adult + 1 young and Cormorant 1.
Wintersett Res: Yellow Wagtail 1,  Common Tern 1.
33 birds were ringed this morning, including: an adult female Grasshopper Warbler and juveniles of Blackcap, Chiffchaff,  Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler.
Lepidoptera: A range of species but still very low numbers.  Meadow Brown,  Red Admiral,  Peacock and Chimmney Sweeper were seen in ones or twos. 

Langsett

Langsett (car park) - pair Spotted Flycatcher.
Langsett Banks - two pairs Spotted Flycatcher.
Langsett Reservoir - 36 Canada Geese, 1 drake Teal, 53 Mallards + 2 ducklings, 3 drake Tufted Ducks, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Common Sandpipers.
Hingcliff Common - 1 singing Cuckoo and 1 singing Tree Pipit.
Mickleden Beck - 3 Kestrels, 1 singing Cuckoo and 1 singing Whinchat.
Unbelievably no Red Grouse seen or heard during a four hours walk on the moors - must be a first.

Also
Cowell Flat - 8 Crossbills (DJS, AA et al).

The Edge 24th June

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 21+9y Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 6 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 chipping Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Skylark and 4 Linnet.
 Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan + 5 cygnets, 29 Canada Geese, 2+4y Greylag, 16 Tufted Duck,8+7y Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 2+1y Pochard, 3 Little Grebe, 69 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 68 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Kestrel and 1 Little Owl.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 10 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Yellowhammer.
 Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan + 10 cygnets, 16 Greylag, 14 Canada Geese, 57 Gadwall, 19 Tufted Duck, 25 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 4+1y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 110 Coot and  2 Moorhen. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett 23.06.15

10°C with 8/8 cloud and a cool,  light south westerly.  Again,  three layers and gloves this morning!  Warmer in the afternoon.
Anglers CP: Teal 1m and Oystercatcher 2 adults + 1 young.   A Curlew flew over NW and another was alarming in the back field.
Wintersett Res:   A brood of 4 young Great Crested Grebe were in SE corner.  Kingfisher 1.

Edderthorpe, Tuesday

Up to five Little Egrets were present late afternoon. At least 11 Ringed Plovers and 4 Little Ringed Plovers (all adults except for a single juvenile Ringed), 7 Redshank including the first migrant juvenile, and 4 Black-tailed Godwits are on the mud. A Green Sandpiper and a chipping Common Snipe are on Houghton. The three Lapwing broods from last week are all still surviving and a new brood of 8 Tufted Ducks has emerged.

Underbank

Underbank Reservoir - 51 Mallards, pair Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebes, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Moorhens, two pairs Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Treecreepers, 30+ Blackbirds and 2 Crossbills.

The Edge 23rd June

Wombwell Ings -.Highlight was a female Hobby  through at c9.10am. Also present were 24 Gadwall, 5+4y Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 2 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 9 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 6 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 1 chipping Snipe, c50 House Martin, 3 Skylark, 3 Linnet and 1 Sedge Warbler.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan + 5cygnets, 31 Canada Geese, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 3 +1y Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, 84 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 32 Lapwing and 1 LBB Gull.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 10 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Whitethroat. 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler and 1 Grasshopper Warbler.
Bolton Ings -On the open water were 2 Mute Swan + 7 cygnets, 7 Greylag, 6 Canada Geese, 64 Gadwall, 23 Tufted Duck, 8+11y Mallard, 3 Pochard, 4+2y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 129 Coot, 2 Moorhen and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 2 Song Thrush and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Carlton Marsh

Yesterday 21st Little Egret and Oystercatcher were reported.

Wintersett 22.06.15

Brrr! 10°C with 6/8 cloud and a very cold and gusty north westerly. Rain showers from mid afternoon.
Anglers CP: Common Tern 2,  Oystercatcher 2 adults + 1 young and Greylag Goose 69.
Haw Park Wood:  Siskin 1.

The Edge 22nd June

Wombwell Ings - The calendar says summer, so does ducks going into eclipse, but the cool north westerly whipping through the wind funnel of a hide suggests March. Present were 16 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 1 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Coot, 2+1y Moorhen, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 chipping Snipe,1 Kestrel, 11 BH Gull, 2 Skylark and 2 Linnet. The young Grey Wagtail is still being fed by its parents near the Dearne bridge.
Broomhill Flash -Noted were 2 Mute Swan + 5 cygnets, 34+8y Canada Geese, 2+4y Greylag, 9 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 2+1y Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 66 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 28 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel and 2 LBB Gull.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 10 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 5 Whitethroat and 1 Sedge Warbler.
Bolton Ings -  The highlight was an unseasonal Merlin ( picked up by Seev) that sped through at 12.10 pm .On the open water were 4 Mute Swan + 11 cygnets, 3+2y Canada Geese, 3+2y Greylag, 19+12y Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 13+5y Mallard, 6+3y Pochard, 3+2y Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 117 Coot, 2+1y Moorhen, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Tern, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Wagtail and 5 Bullfinch.

Hartcliff area

A couple of hour around the hill this afternoon, on mid-'summer' day! Hat and gloves wouldn't have been amiss. Of note were at least 40 Mistle Thrushes frequenting the 'Ouzel field', including several very spotty juvs. A decent count, this - the largest party I've had in a few years. At least 8 young Lapwings were counted, including five not long out of the nest. Golden Plovers totaled 25, which I assume are failed/non-breeders. I also had a 'tick' here today! Too embarrassed to name it but clues are noisy, black and white with an orange bill!
Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

Wintersett 21.06.15

11°C, dry with 5/8 cloud and a cool, gusty westerly.
Anglers CP:  Shoveler 2m,  Pochard 1m,  Common Tern 2 and Oystercatcher 3 adults + 1 young.
Butterflies: Brimstone 1f and Large Skipper 1.

Low Moor / Midhope, 21/6/15.

12-20pm to 4-20pm. Cold and windy with huge amounts of cloud. No warmth from the sun till 3pm. Steady but enjoyable. Hobby over midhope res. and it or another chasing Swifts over barnside moor. Buzzard 4 , Kestrel 4 , Sparrowhawk 1 being mobbed by about 15 House Martins, Raven 1 hunting pair shoed off by a Curlew. Still a few pleasant sounds of spring with a regular singing Skylark and still chipping and displaying Snipe, thought to be 7, LBB Gull 4, Oystercatcher 2. Still a steady passage of Swifts, 90+ counted.

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon there were 2 Little Egrets on the New Scrape. Two new broods of Gadwall were feeding on the marsh and a new brood of 5 Mallard were on the school pond. Willow Tit was calling from SE3710 & 3709. A Sparrowhawk is still sitting and our pair of Little Owls have 1 juv. Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Blackcap were singing along with a Song Thrush.
A Fox was harassing the wildfowl at 20.30hrs and a Noctule Bat was on the wing as I left at dusk.
Yellow Bunting and Reed Warbler were ringed and 2 Chiffchaffs from last year had returned.
Red Admiral, Large Skipper and Common Blue were amongst the butterflies on show.

Chris Parkin discovered our first ever Bee Fly earlier and went home to find a Humming-bird Hawk Moth feeding on Valerian in his garden!

In Carlton Dave Smith's neighbour was pleased to find a single Bee Orchid growing in his garden.

Wintersett 20.06.15

13°C with 8/8 cloud,  intermittent drizzly showers and a light westerly this morning.
 Anglers CP: Sanderling 1 over at 10.52 hrs,  Little Ringed Plover 1 over,  Curlew 1,  Grey Wagtail  1 south,  Cormorant 2 and  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 1 young.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 1,  Sedge Warbler 1 m and Kingfisher 1.  A Mute Swan killed one of its own young - just 3 left now. 
Butterfly:  The first Ringlet of the years was on ACP. 

Wintersett 19.06.15

9°C  with 8/8 cloud and a cold westerly wind.  Some sun from mid morning.
Anglers CP: A Little Egret flew north at 09.30hrs.  Oystercatcher 4 adults.  Pochard 1 drake.
Moorhouse Lane Ponds:  Grey Partridge 2.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 3
Butterflies:  Meadow Brown 1 and Red Admiral 1  (MLPonds)

Carlton Marsh

There were 2 Little Egrets feeding this morning. (Keith Bannister)

The Edge 19th June

Never mind the bird sightings, even the weather's not changing much from day to day. Waiting for a nice Spring day!!!
Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 21 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 6 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 4 BH Gull ( even they are avoiding the Ings ), 2 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1+1y Grey Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Garden Warbler.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan +5 cygnets, 31+2y Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 13 Tufted Duck, 8+6y Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 2+1y Pochard, 1 Cormorant, 3 Little Grebe, 73 Coot, 4 Moorhen,21 Lapwing, 1 Redshank,  2 Little Owl, 2 Skylark and 1 Blackcap.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 10 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap and 5 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan +4 cygnets, 4 Canada Geese,19 Tufted Duck,  14+2y Gadwall,6+2y Mallard, 1 Pochard, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 106 Coot, 2+1y Moorhen, and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Avocet.

Carlton Marsh

This morning members of our wildlife group, together with members of Cudworth Environment Group, BMBC Environment Team and members of the public did a fantastic job of strimming the footpath verges, staining signs and fencing rails and cutting back epicormic growth in the car park area. Our reward was hot pie and peas and a soft drink by courtesy of Councillor Wraith and Councillor Hayward.  I hope you enjoyed you visit Angie, the lads were really pleased to see you.

 

Not much to report on the wildlife front except for Garden Warbler, Kingfisher, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 broods of Canada Geese , 1 brood of Greylag Geese and broods of Gadwall and Mallard.

 

 Chiffchaff

Photos by Richard Laverack

 

 

Edderthorpe

Not too much changing day to day at present with most birds in the middle of breeding seasons. Three broods of Lapwings have emerged this week and will hopefully prosper better than those earlier season broods which almost all perished. Dabbling ducks are having a superb breeding season, particularly on Houghton Washland where there are 3 broods of Shoveler, 4 of Gadwall and at least 15 of Mallard. With the low water levels on Edderthorpe there has been a late summer feel to this week, the first returning autumn Green Sandpiper arrived on 18th as did an influx of Lapwings with numbers rising to 112 from just 60 four days earlier. Up to 9 or 10 Ringed Plovers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers and 20 Redshank are usually present and Little Egrets are being seen daily again. On a more negative note, construction as began recently in the Symphony compound at the southern side in an area where 4 pairs of Lapwing, a pair of Ringed Plovers and a pair of Skylarks have territories this year. The Lapwings have already moved away having failed to raise any young but the others were still on territory at the weekend..... And on Cudworth Common a great big wind turbine was erected last week. The threats to the areas wildlife continue to escalate.

Wintersett 18.06.15

11°C with sunny intervals with a north westerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  Black-headed Gull - the first juvenile migrant was in.   Common Tern 1,  Grey Wagtail 1,  Curlew 1, Oystercatchers 2 adults + 1 young,  Lapwing 32,  Greylag Goose 61 and Canada Goose 116.

Elsecar - Midhope

Elsecar Reservoir - Mallard + fresh brood 10 ducklings, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Great Crested Grebes and Coot + fresh brood 3 young.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 12 Canada Geese, 55 Mallards + fresh brood 5 ducklings, 5 Moorhens, 14 Coots + 3 young, 7 Black-headed Gulls, 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 40+ House Martins and 2 singing Blackcaps.
Midhope Reservoir - 31 Greylag Geese, 4 Mallards, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Common Buzzard and 4 Little Grebes + 1 young.
Barnside - Lapwing & Curlew both with 2 chicks.
Barnside Moor - 1 Ravern.
Swifts feeding the full length of the moorland edge from Ingbirchworth to Langsett - probably 200+ in total.

The Edge 18th June

Wombwell Ings- Present were 3 Mute Swan, 16+9y Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 1 Red Legged Partridge, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 5 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 8 BH Gull, 3 Skylark, 1 Sedge Warbler and 3 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash -  Noted were 2 Mute Swan + 5 cygnets, 25 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 13 Tufted Duck, 6+2y Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 2+1y Pochard,1 Grey Heron,  3 Little Grebe, 68 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 25 Lapwing and 3 LBB Gull.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 10 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler.
 Bolton Ings -  Highlight was the Hobby hunting Swifts at c12.15pm. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan+7 cygnets, 5+15y Canada Geese, 9 Greylag ,29 Gadwall,  20 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 4+1y Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 102 Coot, 2+1y Moorhen, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 flyover Common Tern.

Carlton Marsh

Last night's moth session with Chris Parkin (Tuesday 16/6)
It was  a very warm, humid evening perfect for catching moths, but the trees I put sugar-bait on only produced 3 Herald and a Figure of Eighty moth. However, the latter is the first for 20 years. The slugs and millipedes enjoyed feeding on the sugar though.
The Actinic light trap didn't fare much better with just 9 species of macro and 2 species of micro moth. These included Gold Spot, Flame shoulder, Common Swift, Double Square Spot, and Buff Ermine. The best of the bunch being a Small Clouded Brindle, the first since 1997.
3 Noctule Bats were flying before dusk, along with Barn Owl and later Tawny and Long-eared Owl after dark. Male and female Water Rails were also very audible after nightfall.

 Figure of Eighty

 Small Clouded Brindle

Today 17/6

A weasel was present and a record number of 61 Long-tailed Tits were reported flying from one gap in the trees to another! Also of note  a Peregrine NE, Kingfisher 2 and Garden Warbler (Rod Heeley)  

 



The Edge 17th June

After yesterday's excitement at Old Moor, it was back to the quieter side of the Dearne Valley.
Wombwell Ings - Present were 3 Mute Swan, 18+9y Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, 3 Skylark and 1 Kingfisher. The one young Grey Wagtail continues to be fed by its parents near the bridge over the Dearne.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swans + 5y cygnets, 26 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 23 Tufted Duck, 6+8y Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2+1y Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 60+ Coot, 2 Moorhen,24 Lapwing,  1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 3 LBB Gull and 1 Little Owl.
Warbler Way -Singing males included 12 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 7 Willow Warbler and 6 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings -On the open water were 2 Mute Swan + 7 cygnets, 8 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 20 Tufted Duck, 19 Gadwall, 8+6y Mallard, 3 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 7+2y Great Crested Grebe, 4+1y Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 103 Coot, 2+2y Moorhen, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel and 1 Oystercatcher.

Wintersett 16.06.15

Apologies for late post - due to GULL-BILLED TERN  twitch  to Old Moor. 
 
16°- 19°C,  hot and humid with high cloud and a very light westerly.
Wintersett Res:  2 Red Kites circled slowly south at 10.20hrs. Common Scoter 1 m,  Grasshopper Warbler 1 m reeling briefly.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 3 adults + 1 young.

Gull-billed Tern    Wader Scrape  Old Moor               ASmith

The Edge 16th June

Apologies for the late post but a Gull Billed Tern ( after a 3 hour wait) took priority.
Wombwell Ings - Highlight was a young Grey Wagtail being fed by its parents near the old road bridge over the River Dearne.  Present were 2 Mute Swan, 17+2y Gadwall, 7+7y Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 1 drake Teal, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Coot, 5 Moorhen,1 Kestrel, 7 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 BH Gull, 3 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Linnet and a distant calling Cuckoo(brickworks).
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan + 5 cygnets, 18 Tufted Duck, 13 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 3+2y Pochard, 1 drake Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 68 Coot, 30 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank and 3 LBB Gull.
Warbler Way -Singing males included 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan + 7 cygnets, 12 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose, 42 Gadwall, 24 Tufted Duck, 9 Pochard, 8 Mallard ,2 Cormorant,  5 +2y Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 109 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 1 Common Gull and 2 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Willow Tit.

Wintersett 15.06.15

12 - 19°C with scattered cloud and a light south easterly.
Anglers CP: The first Green Sandpiper of autumn was on the shallows and a Siskin flew west.    2 Curlew were chasing a crow in the back field.  Oystercatcher 3 adults + 1 young,  Cormorant 1 and  Teal 1 drake.
Wintersett Res:  Common Tern 2 and Mallard 33.
Lepidoptera:  5 Chimmney Sweeper moths were seen on the northeast bank. 

Castle Dam - Midhope

Main objective today was too check the Broadstone/Ingbirchworth area for calling Quail. Needless to say!
Castle Dam, Penistone - 1 adult Mute Swan (very scarce up here), 1 Canada Goose, 18 Mallards, 2 Moorhens,10 Coots + 4 young and one nest-building, c5 Swallows, c5 House Martins and a family party of 5 Grey Wagtails.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 3 Canada Geese, 41 Mallards with fresh broods of 4 + 6 ducklings, 1 drake Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Moorhens, 9 Coots + 3 young, 38 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 third cy Yellow-legged Gull and c10 Black-headed Gulls. All the gulls were flushed by an illiterate muppet who decided to walk his dog on the reservoir 'shoreline' near the overflow. What a clown - he must think the signs have been put up for other people. B*llocking administered - rant over).
Midhope Reservoir - 52 Greylag Geese and 3 Liitle Grebe + 1 young.

Low Cudworth

Both photos taken by Richard Laverack

 

Carlton Marsh

A new arrival yesterday was a singing Garden Warbler, our first this year. It was singing from the same area this afternoon. A female Gadwall was with 5 ducklings and a Tufted Duck had 5 young. 

A little Egret was busy feeding on Minnows and 2 Oystercatchers flew south over the new scrape at 18.47hrs.  Both adult Little Owls were joined by a juvenile and were showing well at 19.13hrs. (Dave Standish)

Song Thrush numbers are up here this year and in the surrounding villages.

Butterflies were thin on the ground, but I did manage to see 3 Large Skippers.

 

The following photos of a Buzzard and a Kestrel in combat, Willow Warbler and Little Egret were taken by Richard Laverack

 

 

 





The Edge 15th June

Broomhill Flash - A late start this morning. Present were 3 Mute Swan +5 cygnets, 34 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 23 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 8 +1y Pochard, 6 +8y Gadwall, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 56 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 23 Lapwing, 64 BH Gull, 3 LBB Gull and 1 Barn Owl (Rain stopped hunting over the last two nights?)
Warbler Way - Singing males included 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and1 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings -On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 12 Greylag, 3 Canada Geese, 27 Tufted Duck, 26 Gadwall, 11 + 7y Mallard, 3 Pochard, 5 + 3y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 98 Coot , 2+1y Moorhen, 2 LBB Gull  and 124 BH Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 flyover Common Tern,1 Jay, 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 Kingfisher.
Wombwell Ings - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 11 Canada Geese, 38+10y Gadwall, 13 + 2y Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 1 Skylark and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Wintersett 14.06.15

9°C with 8/8 cloud, drizzle from mid morning and a cold north easterly breeze.
Wintersett Res:  House  Martin  400 and  Swift  2000. 
Moths: Overnight trapping produced Scallop Shell,  Brown Rustic,  Dusky Brocade,  Clouded Bordered Brindle and 3 Elephant Hawk-moths.

                 Scallop Shell                          ASmih

Nocturnal news and Bretton 14/6/15.

Steady walk home after Saturday night in town along Huddersfield rd. and Wilthorpe Marsh. Calling ad. Tawny Owl on Victoria Crescent and 5 calling juv Tawny Owls at Wilthorpe Marsh. No other owl species heard but I'll be checking again. Moorland birding cancelled due to weather so counts at Bretton were Mallard 102 which included a brood of 8, one of 5 and a single chick with 2 males. Moorhen 2, GC Grebe 2 adults with 1 juv., Coot 35 which included a brood of 4, Canada Goose 34, Greylag 4, Grey Heron 11, Mute Swan 2 adults with 5 young, Tufted Duck 3. Grey Wagtail 1 feeding young, Pied Wagtail 3, 1 male GS Woodpecker and 1 singing Reed Warbler in n.e. corner of lower lake.

Wintersett June WeBS count 14.06.15

June WeBS totals for the Wintersett area were:

Great Crested Grebe 20,   Mallard 63,   Teal  2,   Gadwall 5,   Tufted Duck 33,  Mute Swan 7,   Canada 98,  Greylag Goose 50,   Coot,   Moorhen 8,  Oystercatcher 2 adults + 1 young,  Lapwing  10,  Curlew 1.

Edderthorpe Sunday

WeBS count day again, some highlights being;- Mallard 110, Teal 2, Gadwall 41, Shelduck 2, Shoveler 6, Water Rail 1, Lapwing 60, Redshank 22, Ringed Plover 6, LRP 2, Cuckoo 1,

Wintersett 13.06.15

10°C with 8/8 and light rain until mid morning.  Dry thereafter.
Anglers CP:  Curlew 1, Oystercatcher 2 adults + 1 young.   Black-headed Gull 3 fledglings. 
Haw Park Lane: Treecreeper 2 adults + 2 young.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2 and Mute Swan Cygnets 6 + 4 ACP

Bedraggled young Oyc     Angler CP                         AS

Carlton Marsh- Yesterday

Friday 12th June
Little Egret was present most of the day along with a juvenile Kingfisher, 11 Mallard young and 10 Gadwall young. A small group of Chub were seen in the dike this afternoon, something that was unheard of until recently in the polluted dike.
This evening a Buzzard was perched overlooking the new scrape while a Barn Owl spent much of the evening hunting. An Oystercatcher flew south at 22.05hrs.

Dave Smith

Cudworth
A Humming-bird Hawk Moth was feeding in Dave Standish' garden this afternoon and at Storrs mill a Male Orange-tip and male Brimstone were in company with a Red Admiral (my first this year) and several Banded Demoiselles.

Barrow Tip (Chris Parkin)
Kingfisher,  Grey Wagtail, , Coal Tit, Buzzard and 2 female Blackcaps.
Meadow Brown 3, Painted Lady 4, Large Skipper 18, Dingy Skipper 10, Common Blue 102, Small Heath 61 and Burnet Companion moth 58.

Wintersett 12.06.15

Up to 20°C by this afternoon. Cloud built up throughout the day with a light but cool north easterly.
Anglers CP: A Greenshank was on the shallows,   a new bird for the year list.  Curlew 1,  Greylag Goose 64,  Canada Goose 96 + 12 young.   Cormorant 3 over.   
Moorhouse Lane Big Pond: Great Crested Grebe 2 adults + 2 young.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 1.
Lepidoptera at MLPonds: Painted Lady 1,  Meadow Brown 1 and Mother Shipton 1.  The first  Red Admiral  of the year was at ACP.  A male Orange Tip was on Haw Park Lane.

The Edge 12th June

 Wombwell Ings- Present were 2 Mute Swan, 3 Greylag, 15+3y Gadwall, 13+7y Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 11 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 45+ BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 2 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan +5 cygnets, 12+8y Canada Geese, 2+4y Greylag, 41 Tufted Duck, 16 Mallard, 5+2y Pochard, 1 Cormorant, 4 Little Grebe, 44 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 5 LBB Gull, 1 Kestrel and 1 Barn Owl.
Warbler Way - A better day for singing males with 12 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 10 Whitethroat and 3 Sedge Warbler.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan+7 cygnets, 15+4y Greylag, 3 Canada Geese, 29 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 3+4y Pochard, 5+2y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 83 Coot and 2+1y Moorhen. Also present were 2 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtail.

South Kirkby Pit Tip

As expected the Wheatear we saw on Monday had moved on, but the 2 LRP's were still present. Singing warblers included 6 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler and 3 Willow Warbler. Several Skylarks were present, which lead to a nest of 5 eggs being discovered and a Cuckoo was calling.

Butterflies
Common Blue 166, Small Heath 36, Dingy Skipper 6, Meadow Brown 3 and Orange-tip female 1.
The day flying Chimney Sweeper was also seen.

Carlton Marsh had new broods of Mallard and Gadwall and a Little Egret spent most of the day here.

Cudworth Common

As reported elsewhere, it seems the Lapwings have had a very poor breeding season on Cudworth Common and in the Symphony enclosure. A minimum of 19 pairs attempted to nest here, quite a few hatched young but only 6 fledged young could be found this morning, a very poor outcome. A few are still sitting on eggs so it's not over yet (but the weekends weather forecast wont be helpful). Ringed Plover 8, a couple sitting but no chicks or young seen, Little Ringed Plover 4 adults but no young seen, Redshank 12 adults no young seen although their anxiety suggested some young in the vegetation.

Wintersett 11.06.15

13 - 20°C, pleasantly warm and sunny with a light south easterly.
Anglers CP: Great Crested Grebe 9,  Curlew 1,  Oystercatcher 3 adults + 1 young and Common Tern 1.
Butterflies: Large Skipper 1 and Orange Tip 1 female.
A good part of the day was spent checking nest boxes  for 2nd broods of Tree Sparrow.  There were 12 active nests.  However, it was disappointing to find several boxes  held dead Blue or Great Tit chicks. It looks like these species have had a poor breeding season, probably due to cold temperatures and gale force winds restricting feeding opportunities for the adults.  A freshly dead, adult hedgehog with no obvious sign of predation was also seen in a plantation.
It was mid afternoon by the time we scanned over the lake again and  saw all the birds fly up in alarm.  It was a fox on the Sand Martin Box island.  It swam to and searched all the other islands.  We rushed from the hill to the waters edge near the hide.  As soon as it saw us it started to back track along, and swim frantically between, the islands,  before heading towards the shore.  It swam alongside us  and got to within a metre before making its escape up the bank.  Hopefully it will have been so scared by our presence that it will not revisit, but I'm afraid it's too late for this years breeding stock. 

Carlton Marsh

Little Egret was present again today. The following photographs were taken by Richard Laverack.

The Edge 10th June

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 6 Gadwall,1 Shoveler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Coot, 4+2y Moorhen, 8+1y Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Meadow Pipit.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 11 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat and 1 Sedge Warbler.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan + 7 cygnets, 9 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 37 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 3+2y Mallard, 1 Pochard, 6+2y Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 83 Coot, 4+2y Moorhen and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Grey Partridge, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash -(per J.Seeviour) 2 Mute Swan +6 cygnets, 42 Tufted Duck,28 Gadwall, 14 Mallard, 4+2y Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe and 1 Kestrel.

Cudworth

At the Cudworth Local History Group meeting today, a colleague brought in this record shot of a Turtle Dove that had visited her garden on Sunday 7th of June. It was feeding on sunflower hearts that had spilled on to the floor from the feeders. The lady lives on Royston Lane, which is about half a mile east of Carlton Marsh.

Underbank

Underbank Reservoir - 1 drake Mandarin Duck, 46 Mallard + 3 fresh ducklings, 1 Cormorant, 4 Moorhens, 3 Coots, 6 singing Chiffchaffs and 14 singing Blackcaps.

Edderthorpe, Tuesday

A Hobby was out hunting early 05.30 over the Sash factory by Ferry Moor. On Edderthorpe;- Shelduck 3, Shoveler 10, Ringed Plover 5, LRP 6, Common Tern 1, Yellow Wagtail 1. The first juvenile Black-headed Gull of summer (bred elsewhere) was on the Flash this morning. I naturally assumed it to be from the nearby Old Moor colony but apparently their first juvenile to fledge was only this morning so perhaps this bird came from further afield?

Wintersett 09.06.15

8°C with mostly 8/8 cloud, a cold north easterly breeze and a few short sunny intervals.
 Wintersett Res: Mallard 25 +  3 vs young + 4 CHRes.   A Willow Tit family party with fledglings was on the east bank.  Common Tern 1. 
Anglers CP: Redshank 1,  Curlew 1,  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 2 young and Greylag Goose 55.  Today, at 13.45hrs, a fox was seen on the islands, which explains why breeding success has been disastrous this year.  For example:From  44 pairs of Black-headed Gull  there are only 4 young remaining.   It seems foxes are a major problem here and at other sites in the region. 

Carlton Marsh

A Little Egret was feeding on RJB's new scrape at 16.30hrs. (Dave Standish)

Cudworth Common
Around the low lying ponds were up to 8 Redshank, including some young birds, and 2 Little Ringed Plover.
Butterflies included 5  Common Blue, 16 Small Heath, 5 Large Skipper, 1 Brown Argus and 2 Dingy Skipper. (Corrall & Hibbert)

Les reports that some of the south side of the Symphony complex has been concreted over and the rest levelled and tidied up!

The Edge 9th June

Wombwell Ings - Present were 20 Gadwall, 11 Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 7 Lapwing+ 1 chick, 3 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 5 BH Gull, 3 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan +6 cygnets, 29 Canada Geese,5 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 22 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 4 + 1y Pochard ,5 Mallard, 4 Little Grebe, 36 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Little Egret, 51 BH Gull and 2 LBB Gull.
Warbler Way - Highlight was hearing a Cuckoo calling on Old Moor. Singing males included 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat and 1 Sedge Warbler. Dismaying to see 2 dead young Magpie and 1 young Jay alongside the path. No sign of the birds being eaten. Possible target practice ?
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan +7 cygnets, 8 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 31 Tufted Duck, 6a+6y Mallard, 3 Pochard + brood of 8 ducklings, 4a+2y Great Crested Grebe, 3  Little Grebe, 81 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 1 Cormorant, 175+ BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 4 Oystercatcher and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Edderthorpe, Monday

Best news here are the Shoveler broods, three up to now, 10, 5, and a 2, all on Houghton Washlands. Shelduck 3, Dunlin 1, Ringed Plover 7, LRP 4, Redshank 14, Yellow Wagtail 1.

Grenoside area, 8th June

A quick evening walk with some good birds seen/heard.

Hill Top Lane/Holly House Lane
1 Tawny Owl, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker

Wheata Wood & Prior Royd LNR
1 Cuckoo calling near edge of Prior Royd

Stanley Hill
1 Little Owl

South Kirkby reclaimed tip

Ralph Hibbert, Les Corrall and me arrived mid morning just as a Buzzard passed overhead mobbed by 2 Crows. Our main preoccupation today was insects, but the sun kept clouding over. However, we managed to count 147 Common Blue, 5 Dingy Skippers and 9 Small Heath butterflies along with Silver Ground Carpet, Cinnabar and Common Carpet moths. 

Dragonflies included 3 Four Spot Chaser, 2 Large Red Damselfly and several Azure Damselflies. Then Les suddenly spotted a grey-backed female Wheatear.  It didn't appear to have a male with it and being so well marked it is probably a late bird of the Greenland race. Then a Little Ringed Plover flew across, a perfect nest for it. Ralph spotted several Bee Orchids in flower amongst Viper's bugloss.

Wintersett 08.06.15

11°C with 4/8 scattered cloud and a light north easterly.
Anglers CP:  Oystercatcher 2 adults + 2 young and Green Woodpecker 1.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 1.
Moth Twitch: Cliff's blog on June 3rd, which inlcluded Chris Parkin's report of the butterflies on Barrow Tip, inspired us to twitch the day-flying Burnet Companion moth there.  We saw 8 this afternoon, in the short time when the sun broke through the cloud. A Cuckoo was calling as we left Blacker Lane.

Burnet Companion Euclidia glyphica   Barrow Tip    PSmith

Burnet Companion  Euclidia glyphica    Barrow Tip    PSmith

The Edge 8th June

Wonmbwell Ings- Another quiet day with 30+ House Martins, collecting mud for nests, providing most of the activity on the flash. Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 10 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron,  1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 15 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 7 Lapwing +1 chick, 21 BH Gull, 3 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash -Noted were 2 Mute Swan +6cygnets, 12 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 35 Tufted Duck, 23 Gadwall, 4 +2y Pochard, 3 Mallard, 3 Little Grebe, 29 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 13 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel, 74 BH Gull and 2 LBB Gull.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 38 Tufted Duck, 13+6y Mallard, 11 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 3+2y Great Creted Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 73 Coot, 2 Moorhen and 2 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Low Moor/Midhope 7/6/15.

1pm to 5pm. Very steady, the best bird was a Hobby which showed well over midhope res.,+ Sparrowhawk 2, Buzzard 6, Kestrel 3, Oystercatcher 1 still feeding young, ferrying worms, Cuckoo 1 calling in the shaw brook area, chipping/displaying Snipe 6, Grey Wagtail 1 flew towards langsett, Swifts still moving 140 counted +.

Wintersett 07.06.15

11-15°C,  with 6/8 cloud and a cool light north westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res:  SWIFTS are the main feature here again today, with circa 2000 over the water and  in the sky over the surrounding area.  A fisherman reported that, yesterday evening,  there were so many he couldn't cast his lines. 
Reptile: The Yellow-bellied Slider is still in the north east corner. 
Anglers CP:  Oystercatcher 2 adults + 2 young.
Disposal Point Dragons: Emperor 1 and Broad-bodied chaser 1 m.  per Mick Hemingway tweet.

Common Sandpiper

Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 1 Common Sandpiper giving alarm calls on the roadside wall near Midhope Reservoir.

Carlton Marsh

Not much change bird wise today, except for new broods of 10 and 4 Mallard. It was another good day for butterflies though with 14 species that included another Painted Lady, Large Skipper, Brown Argus and 8 Dingy Skipper. A Broad Bodied Chaser was accompanied by a Four Spot Chaser. (Chris Parkin)

Rabbit Ings
Quite a few Sand Martins and a pair of Mute Swans on a nest. Large Red Damselfly and several Common Blue butterflies were present. (Ray Dye)

Wintersett 06.06.15

11°C with 3/8 cloud and a cool,  strong, westerly breeze. 
Anglers CP: Curlew  1, Common Tern 2 + 1 WRes.,  Shoveler 1m,  Cormorant 2,  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 2 young and Canada Goose 70 + 12 goslings.

Ewden Height - Red Kite at Ewden Height & the Ewden Valley from 11:00hrs to at least 13:00hrs today. Photos by Ron Marshall.

Wharncliffe area, 6th June

Wharncliffe Wood
2 Wood Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Tree Pipit, 1+ Cuckoo, 13 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Chiffchaff.

Wheata Wood & Prior Royd LNR
1 Cuckoo.

Ringing Recoveries

Sand Martin
R818122  first-year  19th June 2014  Old Moor
               controlled    7th July 2014   Wintersett Reservoir.
12 km NNW. 18 days.

Reed Warbler
X076142  first year  1st September 2011  Carlton Marsh.
                controlled     16th May 2013     El Acebuchal: 37.21'N 05.54' W
                                                                   Alcala de Guadaira, Sevilla SPAIN
1837 km. SSW. 623 days.

Wintersett 05.06.15

16°C, very warm,  humid  and calm this morning.
Anglers CP: Greylag Geese are coming in to begin ther moult with 53 counted today.   Common Tern 1.  Grey Partridge 2 in back field.
Golf Course Pond:  Canada Goose 2 adult + 6 young.   Damselflies - Large Red 1 mating pair,   4 Spot Chaser 4 and Azure 1.
Walton Hall: 5 broods of Greylag Gosling totalling 16.
Thanks to Lynz Harston for the following photos.

              Reed Warbler      WRes                     LH

                               Nest building Wren                   LH               

Ladies Day

There were 2 Painted Ladies at Monk Bretton (Chris Parkin) 1 at Worsbro (Andrew Corrall) and I saw one near Tyers Hall, Darfield. This looks like it could be the start of a good year for them. 

 

Carlton Marsh

This evening there were 2 Redshank, 20 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe (1 on nest) Kingfisher, a family of Willow Tits, a family of Great Spot Woodpecker and 2 Little Owl. With the Redshank was a Little Egret, which moved between the 'New Scrape' in the southern meadow and the marsh. It's getting better Russ.

 

Newtown, Cudworth

2 Buzzards were thermalling over the field at the back of my house this afternoon 

The Edge 5th June

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 21 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 7 Lapwing + 1 chick, 4 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 9 BH Gull, 4 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet and 2 Bullfinch.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 16 Canada Geese, 4 + 4y Greylag, 4 Shelduck, 22 Tufted Duck, 15 Gadwall, 7+1y Pochard, 4 Mallard, 19 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 4 Little Grebe, 12 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 1 Kestrel and 1 LBB Gull.
 Warbler Way - Singing males included 11 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler and 2 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan+ 4 cygnets, 12 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 37 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 5+2y Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 48 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 97+ BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Carlton Marsh 4th June

Last nights mothing session provided a new species- Seraphim. Herald, Chinese Character and Common Lutestring entered the light trap. Tawny Owl was calling and 3 Noctule, 4 Daubenton's and several Pipistrelle bats were busy catching insects. Earlier 2 Barn Owls were hunting over the meadows and a Weasel was seen.

South Kirkby tip
Cuckoo 1 singing male, 172 Common Blue, 3 Large Skipper, 15 Dingy Skipper and 35 Small Heath.

Rabbit Ings
Cuckoo 1 singing male, Common Blue 136, Small Heath 124, Brown Argus 2 and the first Painted Lady. It was good to record this may blue's after recent catastrophic declines. (Chris Parkin)

Honey Buzzard

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - excellent views of a Honey Buzzard low over the dam wall before it was mobbed by a couple of Carrion Crows and leaving slowly N/NW towards Shepley (not NE as I stated on Twitter.
Annat Royd Lane - 73 Stock Doves feeding with Rooks and 3 Wood Pigeons.
Nothing else of note but 1-3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen at Ingbirchworth, Langsett and Midhope.

Wintersett 04.06.15

At last!  A hot and sunny 13°C - 21°C  with a light south easterly.
Wintersett Res: Grey Wagtail 2 juveniles, Kingfisher 1,  Common Tern 1, 
Butterflies were  all around the area today.   Small Copper 2,  Small Heath 5,   Dingy Skipper 1, Common Blue 10,   Orange Tip 6,  Brimstone 1m,   Green-veined White 10  and  Peacock  5
Moths:  Silver Y 1 and Grass Rivulet 1.
Reptile:  A Yellow-bellied Slider was in the north east corner of WRes.
Disposal Point Odonata:On the 21st July 2014 Paul Meredith had the first local record of  a Red-eyed Damselfly, found at Nostell Pond.  It's in  the Barnsley BSG recording area, but unfortunately, 570 linear metres outside the Wintersett area  There was speculation that, because of the late date, it could have been a member of a breeding colony.
Today we confirmed that there is a breeding colony of Red-eyed Damselfly  at Nostell Pond,  with 14 males and 4 pairs in cop seen on and around the waterlily pads this afternoon.  
 

Common Blue Damselfly  and 3 Red-eyed Damselfy (1f+2m)   Nostell Pond    PSmith

Edderthorpe, Wednesday

Still plenty of Arctic bound waders moving through;- Ringed Plover 12 early morning had more than doubled to 28 by evening, Little Ringed Plover 2, Dunlin 5 all day, a Common Sandpiper is an unusual early June visitor here, Redshank 19 and a Common Snipe is the first for a few weeks. A Cuckoo is still calling and Yellow Wagtails were seen on both Edderthorpe and Houghton Washlands.

Carlton Marsh Fly Over

Not really news now but......

...............this is the Drone Video we took of Carlton Marsh mid-way through the habitat works in April. The purpose of the video was to get a good overview of the excavations so that we could tweak it before Paul Bichan - the multi-talented digger operator left site.

I thought it might give an interesting view of what birds will see when they fly into the Dearne Valley! The water's a lot clearer now and the banks are Greening Up but you'll get the idea. You can also pause it so you can see all those out-of-the-way spots you can never quite see!

All these works were done thanks to funding by Defra for the Nature Improvement Area.

Click this link here....
Carlton Marsh Flyover | April 2015 | Dearne Valley

I have similar video of the works that have been done at other sites if anyone is interested ?

Carlton Marsh

2 Little owls were present this morning at the usual site and this afternoon 2 Little Egrets were happily feeding very close to the disused railway embankment from 15.00hrs. The fist Chub of the year was seen near the hide this morning.

All being well we will be having a mothing session for a couple of hours in the car park area from 21.00hrs. tomorrow.

Worsbro
Ray Dye reported a very large Corvid being harassed by 2 Crows today at 12.20hrs near the road and Red Lion pub - Raven.

Barrow Tip
Cuckoo, 41 Dingy Skipper, 41 Small Heath, 45 Common Blue, 15 Burnet Companion Moth, 40 Mother Shipton, 16 Cinnabar and a newly emerged male Emperor Dragonfly. (Chris Parkin)

The Edge 3rd June

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 21 Canada Geese, 18 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 8a+7y Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 21 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 5 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 39 BH Gull, 5 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Linnet. J.Hewitt also had 1 drake Wigeon and 1 Ringed Plover.
Broomhill Flash-Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 26 Canada Geese, 9 Greylag, 15+ Tufted Duck, 15a+1y Pochard, 6 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 1 2 Little Grebe, 15 Lapwing, 25 Coot, 1 Moorhen and 5 LBB Gull.
Warbler Way- Singing males included 8 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat and 5 Chiffchaff.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan + 7cygnets, 11 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 46 Gadwall, 36 Tufted Duck, 13a+ 2y Mallard,1 Pochard, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 53 Coot, 2 Moorhen, and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 4 Cormorant,4 Grey Heron, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing and1 Green Woodpecker.

Wintersett 03.06.15

11 - 15°C with 4/8 cloud, but still a cool westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res:  2  Black-necked Grebe.   Fledgling Blackcaps were near the boathouse. 
Anglers CP: An Egyptian Goose was a new bird for the year list. Common Tern 2.   There are 3 nests in the Sand Martin box.  Oystercatcher 2 adults + 2 young.  The north pair of Oystercatchers have failed in their second breeding attempt.
Butterflies  are still in short supply here.   Brimstone 1 male ACP,  Orange Tip 1 male CHRes.. 

Carlton Marsh

Today there were 2 new broods of 12 and 8 Gadwall and 3 Lapwing chicks. Also present Kingfisher, 2 Redshank, Little Owl and 12 pairs of Tufted Duck. (Rod Heeley) They last bred in 2010 and previously way back in 1997.

Butterflies and Dragons
Brown Argus 1, Common Blue 3 males and Broad Bodied Chaser male and female. (Chris Parkin)

Edderthorpe Monday & Tuesday

Still plenty of waders to see on the mud despite Monday nights heavy rain. Ringed Plover 21 on Monday with 15 still present Tuesday, up to 4 LRPs and 6 Dunlin on Tuesday. !7 Redshank were present Monday. A couple of Shelduck are being seen daily and the first brood of Gadwall chicks (5) are on Houghton Washland. 2 Yellow Wagtails were on the Flash Tuesday morning. On Worsbrough Res 20 adult Great Crested Grebes were present this afternoon.