Thursday, 31 March 2016

Carlton Marsh

4 Water Rails (1 singing) 3 Redshank, Little Owl, 2 Grey Wagtails, Siskin north and Barn Owl hunting at 19.04hrs. A Hedgehog was out and about at dusk. (Dave Standish)

South Kirkby Tip
Ringed Plover, White Wagtail and a Small White butterfly were the highlights today. (Corrall & Hibbert)

Storrs Mill Wood
Buzzard 2, Grey Wagtail 3, Green Woodpecker 2, Chiffchaff 4 singing and Red-legged Partridge 4. 
Butterflies included Brimstone 2, Comma 12, Peacock 7 and Small Tortoiseshell 20.
Also of interest male and female Grass Snake  and Stoat. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 31.03.16

5- 8 degrees,  sunny start with increasing cloud and a very light westerly.
Wintersett Res: A Black-necked Grebe in summer plumage was a new bird for the year list.  A Blackcap was singing in the Willow Wood + 1 ACP,  and the 4 Cetti's Warblers were all heard this morning. A Siskin flew north and a Redshank flew west.
Cold Hiendley Fields: Golden Plover 30.
Anglers CP: Shoveler 1m + 1f. 

Wintersett Ringing Recoveries 31.03.15

A first year Lesser Redpoll ringed at Anglers CP on 13th September 2015
was retrapped ar Gibraltar Point (Lincs.) on 18th September 2015
at a distance of 131kms ESE.

The Black-headed Gull (blue 2H377) seen at
Old Moor on 11th March 2016 and Wombwell Ings on the 29th March 2016
was seen at Anglers CP on 4th June 2014.

The Edge 31.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 98 Canada Geese, 14 Greylag, 3 Pink Footed Geese, 5 Shelduck, 54 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 11 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 9 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 95 Golden Plover, 6 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Kestrel, 17 BH Gull, 5+ Skylark, 2 Mistle Thrush and 3 singing Chiffchaff.
Warbler Way- 11 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker and 1 Willow Tit.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 14 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 28 Tufted Duck, 13 Pochard, 8 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 2f Goldeneye, 6 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 48 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 363 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 3 Buzzard, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing and 1 Sand Martin.

Wednesday, 30 March 2016

Carlton Marsh

A Peregrine was reported moving South this afternoon as the resident pair of buzzards were soaring over the marsh. 3 Water Rails included a singing bird and Kingfisher was quite active. Also present 7 singing Chiffchaffs, 2 Little Owls, 6 Coot chicks and 2 Redshanks.

Dearne Valley Park Hoyle Mill
3 singing Chiffchaffs, Small Tortoiseshell 23, Comma 2 and a Small White butterfly. (Chris Parkin)

Cudworth
A male Brambling visited Geoff Miller's Cudworth garden feeders this morning.

Wintersett 30.03.16

3 - 5 degrees,  sunny start but cloud increased from mid morning, with a cool westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: The first  BLACKCAP  of spring was singing behind the Vis.mig. bench.  Chifchaff 6 singing males, House Martin 1,  Curlew 2,   Fieldfare 1,  Wigeon 61,  Shoveler 2m + a pair on WRes.,
Haw Park Wood: A Tawny Owl was calling.  A flock of 20 Siskin was seen.
Wintersett Res:  A Peregrine was circling to the south at 11.00hrs.   Greylag Goose 4. 
Many thanks to Steve Gombocz for this  great photo of the boathouse reeds Cetti's Warbler.  This is a star bird that has been seen  and heard more often than the other three Cetti's Warblers here.

            Male Cetti's Warbler       Wintersett Res       SGombocz

The Edge 30.03.16

Wombwell  Ings - A good morning for waders with 61 Golden Plover, 5+ Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin. Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 65 Canada Geese, 3 Pink Footed Geese, 4 Shelduck, 54 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 14 Mallard, 10 Pochard, 8 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 3 Little Egret, 8 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 5+ Skylark, 1 Swallow, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 Buzzard.
TPT - Two singing Chiffchaff.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag, 22 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 7 Mallard, 3m+1f Goldeneye, 2 Shoveler, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 74 Coot, 283 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also noted were 5 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Willow Tit and 2 singing Chiffchaff.

Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Ingbirchworth area

Eight Wheatear early afternoon at model aircraft field

BlackHeaded Gull 2H37

Thanks to Karl  Dutton for the the following information which he received after seeing the bird on Old Moor on 11th March 2016.  Ringed as a 1st year/sex unknown bird on 26th November 2013 at Bowness, Cumbria 836 days after ringing 138 kms South East.

Bretton Lakes and Higham

Bretton Lakes
Highlights today were 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 pair Grey-lag Goose, 1 pair Gadwall, 10 Teal, 19 Tufted Duck, 4 pair Great Crested Grebe, 2 pair Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher, 8 Nuthatch territories, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker territories, Tawny Owl calling, 3 Swallow and Chiffchaff.
Heronry doing well again this year despite the earlier lower water levels and an increase in visitors around the lakes, with 65 occupied nests and at least one nest with young around 3 weeks old.

Higham
A pair of Raven drifting about with some display over Hugset Wood and the Wagon Road mid-afternoon.

Wintersett 29.03.16

6 degrees, cool, cloudy,  with a moderate south westerly.  Still very wet underfoot.
Wintersett Res: Shoveler 4 m  and Siskin 1 over.
Anglers CP: Snipe 1,  Sand Martin 60 and Swallow 2.

The Edge 29.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Highlight was the Little Ringed Plover, my first of the year, that dropped in at 9.50am. Also present were 74 Canada Geese,23 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 3 Pink Footed Geese, 47 Wigeon, 17 Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 3 Little Egret, 6 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover, 62 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Kestrel, 6+ Skylark, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Redwing. One of the BH Gulls had been ringed - metal ring right leg + blue ring with 2H37  on left leg.
Warbler Way - Influx of Chiffchaffs with 9 singing males + many more birds visible in trees and bushes. Also 2 Jay, 2 Sand Martin and 1 Bullfinch.
Bolton Ings - Birds of the day were 3 Black Necked Grebe in full summer plumage. Elusive, they would swim in and out of the cover of the phragmites on the near edge, 40 metres to the left of the hide. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 14 Greylag, 13 Canada Geese, 24 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard, 6 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 69 Coot, 3 Moorhen,256 BH Gull,1 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Sand Martin and 1 Kingfisher.

Monday, 28 March 2016

Wintersett 28.03.16

5 degrees.  Heavy rain overnight continued until late morning. Dry from then on, with a cold north westerly.
Anglers CP: The first HOUSE MARTIN of spring was seen. Shoveler 7, Wigeon 73 and Pochard 1 f.   Curlew 2 and Redwing 20 in fields. 
Cold Hiendley fields: Golden Plover 250.
Wintersett Res: An adult KITTIWAKE flew SW at 13.40hrs.  Sand Martin 80,  Swallow 4 + 3 ACP,  Cetti's Warbler 4 singing males.  Chiffchaff 10 singing males.  Goosander 2 and Water Rail 1

Edderthorpe & Houghton

After last nights heavy rain the river Dearne was again very high but fortunately has not breached the spillways at either of these wetlands. The water levels on both areas of water are very high though.
Highlights from today include;- Shelduck 8, Shoveler 10, Pochard 19, Little Egret 2, Common Buzzard 8, Redshank 4, Ruff 1 (Houghton), Barn Owl 1, Swallow 1, House Martin 2, Sand Martin 8.

The Edge 28th March

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 129 Canada Geese, 9 Shelduck, 8 Greylag, 3 Pink Footed Geese, 82 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 21 Mallard, 13 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 2 Goosander, 1 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 3 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 162 Bh Gull, 1 Common Gull, 4 Skylark and 4 Reed Bunting.
Warbler Way - 6 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Bullfinch.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 23 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 19 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 69 Coot and 259 BH Gull. Also present were 2 Moorhen, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing,120+ Golden Plover( through 12.15pm ), 7 Sand Martin and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Carlton Marsh

2 Little Owls, Buzzard, Grey Wagtail, Water Rail, 2 Redshank and 7 Linnet. The first clutch of Coot chicks were being kept warm by the female in the nest.

Sunday, 27 March 2016

Ingbirchworth Area

6 Wheatear on the model airfield near Whitley Common mid-morning, 204 Fieldfare and 8 Redwing nearby in fields, 10 Curlew and 10+ Pied Wagtail.
Ingbirchworth Res had a female Pochard, 4 Oystercatcher and a Chiffchaff.

Saturday, 26 March 2016

Wintersett 26.03.16

5 - 7 degrees with increasing cloud and a strengthening south westerly.
Anglers CP + Vis Mig: The first SWALLOW of spring flew south.   Redwing 620W,  Fieldfare 117 WGolden Plover 40 S,  Meadow Pipit 8 NW,  Sand Martin 6,  Siskin 2,  Pochard 1m + 1f,  Shoveler 8,   Greater Black-backed Gull 1 over, Kingfisher 1.   A RED KITE drifted N over at 08.25hrs, then picked up again over Wintersett Village at 10.25hrs and again over HPWood at 10.35hrs.   Star bird today was a RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE seen near Santingley. 
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1,  Cetti's Warbler 1 singing in SE corner reedbed.

INGBIRCHWORTH WILLOW TIT 26/03/16

Geoff this one was in the trees at the far South end of the dam wall today 2pm

Also Dipper in the River Don off the old bridge in Oxspring, and a pair of Yellowhammers in my garden in Springvale for the first time this Morning.

Carlton Marsh

Buzzard, c80 Redwing, 3 singing Chiffchaff, Goldcrest in sub-song, Grey Wagtail, 32 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, Kingfisher, Water Rail, 2 Redshank, 7 Lapwing, 4 Jay, 2 Willow Tit, 2 Mistle Thrush singing.
New in today Wheatear (Jim Plant)

Friday, 25 March 2016

Carlton Marsh

This morning 2 Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaff singing, 2 Redshank, 2 Shoveler, 1 Little Owl and a Stoat.

At dusk 2 Little Owls together and a Tawny Owl calling.

Wintersett 25.03.16

7 degrees,  sunny with increasing cloud this afternoon and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP:  A Red Kite drifted over west at 11.20hrs. Bar-tailed Godwit 2 over west at 18.05hrs.   Curlew 2,  Shoveler 17, Shelduck 1 and Siskin 1E + 1 HPW.   
Botany Bay: Teal 1 + 2 ACP,  Redwing 8 + 1 ACP and Fieldfare 3
Wintersett Res:  Sand Martin 1,  Cetti's Warbler 4 singing males,  Kingfisher 1, Pochard 1m + 1f,  Nuthatch 1 (Pits Wood) and  Willow Tit 1.
Lepidoptera: Peacock 1 and Small Tortoiseshell 1.

Maythorn and Ingbirchworth

At least 20 Curlew feeding in fields at Maythorn and 150 Fieldfare Spicer House Lane area.

Scout Dike, Silkstone and Hartcliff

A few hours in the Scout Dike/Folly Lane area before the crowds appeared. Typically hard work, with a steady passage of c.50 Meadow Pipits mainly moving west in ones and twos the most interesting. Also of note - single Raven west, 23 Redwings and three Tree Sparrows in a garden at the top end of Thurlstone. Hartcliff was even more challenging - just 35 Fieldfare and my first linnet here of the spring. At Silkstone SF a single White Wagtail with only four Pieds was the highlight. Not sure what the farmer's put on his field but it appears to have drove the wags away!
Roll on the next couple weeks.
Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Carlton Marsh 24/3/16

This morning 3 Buzzards gave brilliant views as they soared quite low over the scrape, one much smaller than the others was probably a male. Also present 20 Teal, 5 pairs of Tufted Duck, 1 pair of Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, Water Rail, Redshank, 4 Linnet, Coal Tit and 2 singing Chiffchaff.
 
During the afternoon 4 Redshanks were feeding on the wader scrape with 2 Snipe and 3 Lapwing.  A Water Rail was singing from the main marsh and Willow Tit and Kingfisher were present as 3 Cormorant flew north. The Klaxon of the sand train to Ardagh Glassworks flushed 30 Redwing and a Barn Owl quartered over the scrape at 17.00hrs.
 
Dave Smith

Wintersett 24.03.16

7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cool, strengthening westerly.
Anglers CP:  Psycho,  the adult  Yellow-legged Gull  is back,  and  his Lesser Black-backed Gull mate is now with him and he looks back to full fitness.   Shoveler 18 + 4 WR, Teal 2, 
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 3 singing males. Pochard 1m + 1f,  Redwing 1 and Sand Martin 3.

The Edge 24.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Highlight was the two Sand Martins over the side pool at 10.25am(the first of the year for me). Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 96 Canada Geese, 13 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 126 Wigeon, 16 Mallard, 14 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 5 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 5 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover, 4+ Skylark, 3 Song Thrush and 6 Pied Wagtail.
TPT - A flock of c20 Siskin.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 18 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 19 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 2 Teal, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 71 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 243 BH Gull and 2 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Wigeon, 3 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 1 Grey Wagtail. Extras reported by S. Roebuck were 3 Chiffchaff on Warbler Way and Willow Tit and Kingfisher in front of the hide.

Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Wintersett 23.03.16

5 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cool westerly.
Wintersett Res: Singing male Chiffchaff  5 + 1 ACP. Shoveler 8 + 6 ACP and  Pochard 1m + 1f.
Cold Hiendley Res: Goosander 1 redhead.
Anglers CP: Redwing 100 in fields.

Silkstone Sewage Works

Mid afternoon, two White Wagtail on filter beds and also using field west of works (been manured), 15 Pied Wagtail, two Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff. At least 10 Goldcrest but no sign of Firecrest.
Broadstones area
18 Pied Wagtail in fields along Whitley Road and 5 Oystercatcher beside Broadstones Res.

The Edge 23.03.16

Wombwell Ings - The soft nature of the ground means that the Bar Tailed Godwit can forage widely over the Ings and it is rarely seen feeding along the waters edge. The uneven surface means that it may disappear from view for long periods. Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 98 Canada Geese, 9 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 156 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 16 Tufted Duck, 16 Mallard, 12 Shoveler, 10 Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 2 Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Peregrine through at 9.45am, 12 Golden Plover, 3 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 31 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 4+ Skylark, 3 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush and 2 Song Thrush.
TPT -  First singing Chiffchaff of the year for the Trudgers. Also Grey Heron over, a Kestrel and restricted views of the 4 Common Scoter on Wath Ings.
Bolton Ings -  Greeted at the hide by the closest views of Buzzard to Nigel's Sofa. 4 birds in the air not too high above us - raptorous. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 22 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 5 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 1f Goosander, 1f Goldeneye, 6 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 76 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 219 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 8 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 2 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Willow Tit.
Brickworks - J. Thompson had two singing Chiffchaff.

Little Don Valley reservoirs

Langsett Reservoir - 12 Canada Geese, 21 Mallards, 2 drake Tufted Ducks,1 female Goldeneye, 2 Oystercatchers and 2 singing Mistle Thrushes.
Upper Midhope - 7 Curlews, 20+ Fieldares, 5+ Redwings (including 1 in full song) and 2 singing Mistle Thrushes.
Midhope Reservoir - pair of Teal, 12 Mallards, 3 Little Grebes and 1 Oystercatcher.
Midhope Hall Lane - 2 Greylag Geese, 10 Mallards, 9 Lapwings, 67 Curlews and c30 Meadow Pipits.
Midhopestones - 1 Tree Sparrow (first here for c20 years) and c15 Siskins at garden feeders.
Underbank Reservoir - 16 Mallards, 17 Tufted Ducks, 1 immature drake Gooseander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Moorhen, 3 Coots, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 singing Mistle Thrushes.


Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Cudworth Common

The highlights of a walk round this morning were 4 Redshank, 4 Wigeon, 2 Green Woodpecker, 30 Skylark and 8 Meadow Pipit.

Symphony
4 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, c20 Lapwing and a Hare. (Les Corrall/Ralph Hibbert)

Wintersett 22.03.16

The sun, which was forecast for today,  never materialised.  7 degrees with 8/8 throughout and a cool westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res:   Cetti's Warblers 3 singing males  and Water Rail 1.
Anglers CP:   2 Curlew were displaying in the back field.  Redwing 6,  Shoveler 11,  Wigeon 123,  Teal 2,  Snipe 7,  Goosander 1 redhead and Chiffchaff 1m.
Of interest: A Dipper was seen on the rapids of the river Calder, behind the Swan and Cygnet Pub Pugneys,early this morning.

The Edge 22.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 57 Canada Geese, 15 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, c200 Wigeon, 16 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 12 Shoveler, 9 Teal, 5 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant, 7 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 24 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, 4+ Skylark and 4 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 8 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 25 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 6 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 73 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 171 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff  ( showed briefly in front of hide ).

Wombwell Ings 11.30

As I approached the hide there was a couple on top of the banking with scope set up on tripod.  I pointed out that we don't climb the bank as it scares away the birds.  She came out with the classic retort ~ "There is no birds."  He didn't agree that this proved my point.  When they left they walked the full length on top of the bank.
I hope they read this because when the Baht Wits had gone I managed to relocate the Bar Wit.

Monday, 21 March 2016

Wintersett 21.03.16

4 - 8 degrees,  mostly cloudy with a light westerly this morning.
Wintersett Res:  A RED KITE drifted south over Pits Wood at 10.50hrsNo sign of the Firecrest this morning.   Cetti's Warbler 3 singing males, Chiffchaff 2 singing males + 1 ACP,  Sand Martin 3,  Nuthatch 1 (Willow wood),  Redwing 1,  Kingfisher 2, Water Rail 4,  Teal 2 and Siskin 1 over.
Anglers CP:  Common Scoter 1m + 1f,  Yellow-legged Gull 1 2ndW  at 11.00hrs,  Curlew 1,  Shoveler 12 + 5 WRes.
Mammals:  A Mink was on the path by the boathouse reeds.  A Weasel was seen ACP.

2ndW Yellow-legged Gull      ACP       ASmith

Carlton Marsh

A Peregrine flew north this afternoon, 2 Water Rail and 2 Buzzards. The first Cowslips are in flower.

The Edge 21.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Normally I feel  in higher spirits when I walk off the Ings. Saddened to be told about and then locate a dead Otter. First noticed yesterday morning, it appears to be a young Otter. There does not appear any signs of  severe mauling on the dead animal. The only positive I can think of is that it is real proof of Otters on the River Dearne and not anecdotal evidence.
Dead Otter - Wombwell Ings




Present on the Ings were 2 Mute Swan, 92 Canada Geese, 9 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 133 Wigeon, 15 Mallard, 11 Shoveler, 11 Tufted Duck, 10 Teal, 5 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 1f Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 8 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 24 Golden Plover, 8 Lapwing, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher,  41 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 10 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Goldcrest.
TPT - 2 Siskin.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 16 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 7 Pochard, 2m+3f Goldeneye, 4 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 5 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 79 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 223 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 6 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant, 3 Buzzard, 5 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 singing Chiffchaff ( Warbler Way ).

Sunday, 20 March 2016

Wintersett 20.03.16

7 degrees with 3/8 cloud. Warm sun with a cool north easterly.
Wintersett Res: The male FIRECREST was more mobile, but showing well  in trees near the boathouse reeds on and off throughout the day.   It was more elusive late morning.   Sand Martin 2,  Singing male Cetti's Warblers 4,  Water Rail 1,  Nuthatch 1,   Siskin 2S,  Redwing 1 and Pochard 4 + 3 ACP.    Goldeneye 76 + 35 ACP + 7 CHRes - making a total of 118 in the area.
Cold Hiendley Res: Goosander 2 redheads,  Golden Plover 240 in field.
Anglers CP:  A Ringed Plover flew west at 08.30hrs.  51 Meadow Pipits  were moving between west and north.  3 Curlews were in field.  Shoveler 17.
25 Buzzards were up in the area this morning.   

Carlton Marsh

Grey Wagtail, 3 Buzzards up together, 2 Shoveler and Water Rail singing.

Saturday, 19 March 2016

Cudworth

An unknown number of Whooper Swans flew north over Firth Avenue in the direction of Carlton Marsh at 21.57hrs - it pays to go to the outside toilet sometimes! (Dave Standish)

Wintersett 19.03.16

3 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cool north easterly.
Wintersett Res: The male Firecrest was seen at 08.00hrs  in trees next to the boathouse reedbed.  It showed well, on and off,  for most of the day.  The last one seen here was near Foxwell in Haw Park Wood , from November 15th to 1st December 2007
Cetti's Warbler 3 singing males,  Chiffchaff 2 singing males, Sand Martin 2,  Pochard 2,  Goosander 3,  Nuthatch 1, Willow Tit 5,  Siskin 1 and Water Rail 1. 
Cold Hiendley Fields: Golden Plover 220.
Anglers CP: Curlew 2 in fields,  Redwing 39,  Meadow Pipit 1 N,  Wigeon 148,  Shoveler 4m, 3f + 5m, 1f WRes..
There were 101 Goldeneye in the area..

Friday, 18 March 2016

Wintersett 18.03.16

5 degrees with 8/8 cloud, a  drizzly start. and a cold northerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Redwing 21, Snipe 6,  Shoveler 8 + 3 WRes.
Cold Hiendley Fields: Golden Plover 40.
Wintersett Res:  A male Firecrest gave  Paul Thorp close views 13.25 - 13.30hrs, between the boathouse and the bench.   Sand Martin 2,  Pochard 5,  Goosander 2,  Water Rail 2,  Kingfisher 1 and Curlew 1 over.  Songsters were 3 male Cetti's Warblers and 2 male Chiffchaffs.  A small number of Black-headed Gulls roosted tonight.

The Edge 18.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 3 Mute Swan, 87 Canada Geese, 13 Greylag, 5 Shelduck, 143 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 13 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 2 Goosander, 2 Little Egret, 7 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 5 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 31 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, c60 Redwing, c10 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush and 4+ Skylark.
TPT - 1 Kestrel. The Common Scoter on Wath Ings was visible through the trees but Seev had to drop down the steep slope to get a photo. Came back up mumbling about Taman Negara!!!!!
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 24 Tufted Duck, 13 Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, 1m+2f Goldeneye, 1f Goosander, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 89 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 184 BH Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were, 2 Oystercatcher over, 2 Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Willow Tit.

Thursday, 17 March 2016

Wintersett 17.03.16

5 - 9 degrees with 5/8 cloud and a calm to light north easterly.
Wintersett Res: 23 Whooper Swans flew north at 07.50hrs.   Cetti's Warbler 4,  Goosander 2, Pochard 8, Chiffchaff 1 west bank,  Meadow Pipit 2 NW + 2 ACP.
N.B.  No Black-headed Gulls roosted tonight.
Anglers CP: Redshank 1, Golden Plover 60 over,  Shelduck 1, Shoveler 5m + 3f,  Wigeon 228,  Redwing 1 and  Siskin 2.
A Stoat was seen on Haw Park Lane.
The Owl Box (M5) on ACP  has been refurbished and replaced today - ready for birth and fledging with infanticide, sibling rivalry, violence & murder along the way. 

Wintersett - Jolly Boating Weather 16.03.16

Anglers CP:  A work party of Friends of Haw Park Wood & Wintersett  took to the water and cleared the islands today.   The two Petes  cleared out the 3 old nests in the Sand Martin Box and refilled the sand.  The vegetation at the waters edge was also lowered .  The birds were returning as we left.   Many thanks to all the volunteers and Dave and Bob from WMDC.





Calrton Marsh

20 Whooper Swans flew north at 08.10hrs followed a few minutes later by another 6. (Rod Heeley)
Busy scrub bashing this morning so not much time to survey. However, a Siskin flew over and a Chiffchaff was singing.
Meanwhile butterflies at Dearne Valley Park, Hoyle Mill included Speckled Wood 1, Comma 3 and Small Tortoiseshell 6 and frogspawn. (Chris Parkin)

The Edge 17.03.16

Wombwell Ings - By far, the best day on the Ings so far this year for variety and number of birds. Present were 2 Mute Swan, 84 Canada Geese, 16 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 173 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 16 Tufted Duck, 13 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler, 11 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 189 Golden Plover, 22 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 Avocet (first of the year), 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 85 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 8 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 4+ Skylark, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 6 Pied Wagtail and 3 Reed Bunting.
TPT - Kingfisher, 1 singing Song Thrush and 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 7 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 35 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, 2m+2f Goldeneye, 8 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 61 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 193 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 2 Buzzard and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Ringing Recovery

Barn Owl
FB04723   pullus      23-06-2015   Ingbirchworth area.
              found dead  09-09-2015  near Ravenfield, Rotherham.
32 km ESE. 78 days.

Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Cudworth

Another herd of Whooper Swans flew north over Beech Avenue, Cudworth at 20.49hrs.
(Geoff Miller)

Carlton Marsh
c50 Redwing came in to roost

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Merlin

A male Merlin shot across the A628 at Hoylandswaine at 1800 tonight

Carlton Marsh

A Redshank this morning was new for this year. It left the wader scrape south at 10.40hrs. Also present Buzzard, Little Owl, 15 Redwing and 3 Willow Tit.
 
I received a call from Arthur Vincent at 13.35hrs to say that a herd of about 50 Whooper Swans had just flown over his home in the Darfield Road area of Cudworth, heading north. They will probably have been the 38 seen earlier over Wombwell Ings.
 
In a winter when there have been less than usual numbers of Siskins, Dave Smith reports that he has 2 regularly visiting his Carlton garden feeders.

Wintersett 15.03.16

7 degrees, sunny spells with a cool north easterly.
Wintersett Res: A Merlin flew over south The first 2 Sand Martins of Spring came flying in around 09.00hrs.  Chiffchaff 1m, Redwing 100,  Cetti's Warbler 4m.
Anglers CP: 2 Curlew were bubbling in the back field.  Snipe 9.
Amphibians:  Frogs were very vocal in the Pol ditch.

The Edge, 15.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 89 Canada Geese, 9 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 135 Wigeon, 22 Gadwall, 17 Mallard, 14 Tufted Duck, 13 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 1 drake Pintail, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 8 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 9 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 49 BH Gull, 20+ Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 4+ Skylark and 5+ Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings -  Noted were 3 Mute Swan, 9 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 23 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 1m+3f Goldeneye, 8 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 76 Coot, 203 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Willow Tit.

Monday, 14 March 2016

Carlton Marsh

c30 Golden Plover flew south at 07.35hrs. (Geoff Miller) Later 8 Greylag were noisily competing with a similar number of Canada Geese for nest sites while Kingfisher was dashing about over the scrape. 10 pairs of Tufted Duck were also present and 3 Buzzards were up in the air. A singing Coal Tit, 2 Grey Wagtails. 3 Linnets and a good number of yellow Buntings in to roost added more colour to the scene.

Storrs Mill Wood
Buzzard 3, Fieldfare 2, Yellow Bunting 15, Wood Pigeon c1,000 and a Green Woodpecker. Insects included 1 Peacock and 6 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. Wood Anemones were coming in to flower.(Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 14.03.16

4 - 7 degrees sunny but with a cool north easterly.
 Wintersett Res: 2 male Chiffchaffs  on the west bank mid morning.   4 male Cetti's Warblers. 3 seen and heard: boathouse reeds,  north bank  and an unringed one east bank + 1 heard west bank.  Starling 32 flew east.
Anglers CP: Shoveler 7m+ 1f,  Teal 1,  Pochard 1 + 2 WRes,  Redwing 1,  Little Grebe 2 + 2 WRes..
Lepidoptera: 2 Small Tortoiseshell  WRes. west bank track.

Windleden - Langsett

Upper Windleden Reservoir - three pairs Canada Geese.
Windleden Edge - 1 Common Buzzard hovering over the moor giving a good imitation of a Roughleg.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 37 Canada Geese, 43 Mallards, 10 Tufted Ducks, 1 female Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebes (displaying), 4 Moorhens, 16 Coots, 2 Oystercatchers, c120 Common Gulls, 20 Common Gulls and a pair Mistle Thrush.
Langsett Reservoir - 1 Greylag Goose and 23 Canada Geese.
Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 11 Greylag Geese, good numbers of Lapwing, Curlew and Snipe and 3 singing Skylarks.

Hawfinch

I normally do a 2 hour shift at Stainborough but today I did 3 and right at the end of my shift I found a Hawfinch!  The bird was in the section of the Wentworth Castle Gardens known as "The Wilderness".  At the top of Lady Lucy's Walk there is an information board labelled "Lady Lucy's Walk" carry on north up the path for about 100 metres and on the right is a very obvious dead tree with lots of holes.  At 3.17 the bird flew into the tree immediately north of this onto a branch level with the top of the dead tree.  Obviously it has moved but it might help you to start from where I saw it.  I am not signed up for tweeting so pass it on.  The gardens close at 3pm - open 11am.

The Edge 14.03.16

Greensand Dyke- A Little Egret was in the dyke opposite the Old Moor Tavern.
Wombwell Ings - Highlight was the return this Spring of the first Redshanks( 4 in total). Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 62 Canada Geese, 10 Greylag, 5 Shelduck, 69 Wigeon, 18 Mallard, 13 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 8 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 14 Lapwing, 126 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Kestrel, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Skylark and 2 Reed Bunting.
Bolton Ings - No sign of any early migrants on our walk down Warbler Way. On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 34 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 10 Wigeon, 3m+3f Goldeneye, 4 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 11 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 88 Coot, 242 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull and 2 LBB Gull. Also noted were 11 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Kingfisher and 2 Willow Tit.

Sunday, 13 March 2016

Carlton Marsh

Wildfowl Counts
Mute Swan 2, Canada Goose 25, Greylag 1, Tufted Duck 19, Teal 17, Mallard 13, Gadwall 28, Moorhen 6, Coot 12, Lapwing 4, Water Rail 3, Heron 4, Little Grebe 1, Kingfisher 1.

Also noted Buzzard 6 in the air, Treecreeper, Red-legged Partridge 2, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, Linnet 4 SW, Rook 1 SW (scarce here) 27 Yellow Bunting in to roost, Redwing 12, Tawny Owl 2 calling males 1 female, Little Owl and Pipistrelle bat at dusk.

A text came from Geoff Miller at 19.45hrs to say that a herd of calling Whooper Swans had just flown north over his home in darkness. Geoff Lives in Cudworth about 3/4 of mile east of Carlton Marsh.

Whoopers - Broomhead 12.03.16


Ron Marshall's been out and about again.   
Here's  some great shots of  part of a flock of  38 Whooper Swan, on Broomhead  Res  on Saturday 12 03 2016.

 

Woolley Dam area 13/3/16.

Steady with not much activity from the peckers, just 1 GS seen and 1 G heard yaffling. 300 Woodpigeon, Nuthatch 2 pairs, Siskin 1, drk Teal 1, 2 Tree Sparrows briefly at mill farm, 1 Curlew over w calling.

Saturday, 12 March 2016

Wintersett WeBs March 2016

The March 2016 WeBS totals for the Wintersett Area are:

Mute Swan 11,   Canada Goose 58,   Greylag Goose 4,   Cormorant 15,   Mallard 50,   Gadwall 35,   Shoveler 8,   Wigeon 237,   Tufted Duck 130,   Pochard 29,   Goldeneye 60,   Great Crested Grebe 26,   Little Grebe 3,   Coot 166,   Moorhen 23,   Water Rail 1,   Snipe 3,   Lapwing 34,   Oystercatcher 4,   Grey Heron and Kingfisher 1.

Wintersett 12.03.16

4 - 10 degrees.  Sunny start but clouded over by 09.00hrs with a light southerly.
Wintersett Res: All 4 male Cetti's Warblers were singing this morning.  SE corner, West bank,  Boathouse reeds and north bank.  Buzzard 5.
Cold Hiendley Res: Grey Wagtail 1
Moorhouse Lane Pond:  Redwing 15 north.
Anglers CP: Siskin 1 and Curlew 1.
Other sightings:  There were masses of frogs spawning  ACP , and the first Peacock butterfly of spring was on the Pol. 

Carlton Marsh

A possible Stonechat this morning on private land is yet to be confirmed. (Jim Plant) Also present 7 Lapwing, 2 Buzzard, Goldcrest, Kingfisher & Willow Tit.
 
Insects included Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral. The latter feeding on Goat Willow catkins. (Chris Parkin)
 
This afternoon Little Owl and a c200 Golden Plover that had been flying up and down the Dearne valley, they finally got as far as Bleachcroft Farm before turning back towards Edderthorpe.
 
The highlight of the day was a singing Chiffchaff from Hawthorns near the wader scrape. (Dave Standish) A Hare seen at the same location was the first since May 23rd 2015!

Friday, 11 March 2016

Low Cudworth

12 Whooper Swans flew over my Newtown home this morning at 09.00hrs heading NW towards Carlton Marsh

Elsecar

Finkle Street (Wortley) - 2 Common Buzzards.
Winterbottom Busks - 1 Common Buzzard.
Elsecar Reservoir - 38 Mallards, 8 Goosanders, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Moorhens, 20 Coots, c80 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Nutchatch.
Stairfoot, Barnsley - 1 Common Gull scavenging food in Tesco Car-park with Black-headed Gulls and winning the tussle.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 11.03.16

4 - 10 degrees, sunny with light southerly.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 2 singing males - boathouse reeds and west bank. Water Rail 1 west bank.
Anglers CP: Redwing 4,  Redshank 1,  Gadwall 13 and Shoveler 2 drakes.  Barn Owl  2.
ACP Gull Roost:  A 1stW Caspian Gull was in at 17.30hrsHerring Gull 323,  Great Black-backed Gull 6 and Lesser Black-backed Gull.

The Edge 11.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 91 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 78 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 18 Mallard, 11 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 5 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 22 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 118 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 6 Skylark and 1 Mistle Thrush. A Little Egret and a Song Thrush were present along the dyke opposite the Old Moor Tavern.
Bolton Ings - Highlight was the female Stonechat in the phragmites on the near edge of the eastern pool, directly in front of the hide.On the water were 1 Mute Swan, 27 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag,19 Tufted Duck, 2m+3f Goldeneye, 4 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 84 Coot, 207 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 1 Lapwing, 2 Willow Tit and 1 Kingfisher.

Thursday, 10 March 2016

Ingbirchworth - Midhope

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 46 Canada Geese, 17 Mallards, 3 drake Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Goosander, 2+ Great Crested Grebes, 1 Moorhen, 14 Coots, 1 Oystercatcher, 40+ Black-headed Gulls and 14 Common Gulls.
Gunthwaite Dam - pair Canada Geese, 5 Teal, 8 Mallards, two pairs Tufted Duck, 2 Moorhens and 6 Coots. Also 1 Weasel.
Scout Dike Reservoir (very brief visit) - 15 Canada Geese and at least four pairs Great Crested Grebes.
Langsett Reservoir - 4 Canada Geese, 1 adult Kittiwake and 5 Black-headed Gulls.
Midhope Reservoir - 2 drake Mallards, pair of Goldeneye, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Moorhen.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 10.03.16

2 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly.
Anglers CP: A juvenile Iceland Gull was on the rock wall from 06.45 - 07.30hrs, at least.  A Curlew flew over north,  Green Woodpecker 1,  Redwing 1,  Shoveler 2 and Willow Tit 1.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler  1 male in boathouse reeds.  Goosander 2.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: No notables up to dark at 18.30hrs,  but quite good numbers of large gulls for this time of year.  Herring Gull 450,  Great Black-backed Gull 30 and Lesser Black-backed Gull 15.
               Juvenile Iceland Gull          ACP              SDenny
Juvenile Iceland Gull          ACP              SDenny

Crests at Silkstone 10.03.16

Ron Marshall visited Silkstone SF today and took these fabulous shots of  displaying Goldcrest and the Firecrest that has been seen here since January 2nd.  




The Edge 10.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 75 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 108 Wigeon, 36 Mallard, 24 Gadwall, 15 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 11 Teal, 3m+2f Goosander, 3 Pochard, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 222 Golden Plover, 49 Lapwing, 157 BH Gull, 4 Skylark and 1 Greater Spotted Wood pecker.
TPT - 12+ Siskin.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 10 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 21 Tufted Duck, 13m+6f Pochard, 2m+4f Goldeneye, 5 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 2 Teal,4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 99 Coot, 134 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 2 Moorhen, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 Willow Tit.

Wednesday, 9 March 2016

Wintersett 09.03.16

RAIN all day!  6 degrees with a northerly breeze.
Anglers CP: 2 adult Kittiwakes and 16 Common Gulls dropped in at 07.10hrs.  Pochard 19 + 2 WRes and Green Woodpecker 1.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was singing in the pouring rain - Boathouse reeds.   Goosander 4.

Wilthorpe Marsh / Fleets Dam 9/3/16.

Wilthorpe - Jack Snipe 9, Common Snipe 11, Water Rail 3 seen, 2 Grey Partridge, 150 BH Gulls down, 2 G and 2 GS Peckers. 12+ Jack Snipe in the area throughout February. Fleets - 3 Goosander, 3 GC Grebe , 1 Common Gull, 2 Jays. No sign of any Parakeets in the heavy rain.

The Edge 09.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Rather moist inside and outside the hide. Present were 107 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 52 Wigeon, 11 Mallard, 9 Shoveler, 7 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 9 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 57 Lapwing, 121 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 2 Skylark.
 TPT - A group of 8 Siskin gave excellent close-up views as they moved along the Trans Pennine Trail (No cameras due to the heavy rain. Typical !!!!).
Bolton Ings - The Bolton Brolly and Bird  Brigade (Me and Seev) beheld 3 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 16 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall, 3m+4f Goldeneye, 5 Mallard, 1f Pochard, 4 Great Crested, Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 112 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 102 BH Gull and 1 Herring Gull.

Barnsley Bird Watching Group


Alwyn Timms is giving a presentation entitled 'A Year in the Life of Alwyn Timms' on Monday 14th March 7pm at Highstone Farm. Alwyn is an excellent photographer and his delivery is amusingly empathetic to the many species that he observes eg Butterflies, Dragonflies and Birds. All welcome.

Directions to Highstone Farm (S70 6NN): From the M1, junction 37, take the A628 (Dodworth Road) to Barnsley. At the first main cross road and traffic lights turn right onto the A6133 (Broadway Road). At the 2nd set of traffic lights turn right onto Keresforth Hall Road, go past Locke Park car park and take the 2nd left (sharp turn) on to Race Common Lane (a no through road). Highstone Farm is approximately 0.3 mile on the right.

Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost. 08.03.16

0 - 6 degrees with sunny spells and a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res: A Cetti's Warbler was calling in Botany Reeds + 1 calling west bank.
Anglers CP: Curlew 1 NW,  Willow Tit (Pol),  Redwing 2 and Goosander 7 + 2 WRes.
Gull Roost: Herring Gull  170. 

Scout Dike, Hartcliff and Silkstone

Firstly, a couple of notable late entries from Sunday 6th. At Scout Dike 8 Tufted Duck (four pairs) 26 Skylarks (parties of 20+6), c.150 Fieldfare and 4 Brambling in a garden near Thurlstone.
Today: Ingbirchworth Res: single Buzzard flying west; Hartcliff Hill area - a flock of 35 Skylarks still feeding in the usual fodder crop near the plant, 30 Golden Plover, 2 Buzzards, 2 Lesser Black-back Gulls, single Raven and two Little Owls - my first here this year.
Silkstone SF: The Firecrest was still showing well along the fence line between the works and the brook, and a count of 39 Pied Wagtails on the beds and in he adjacent field, which looks very good for a 'white'.
Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

Midhopestones -Stocksbridge

I don't usually bother to blog sightings from this area (mainly because there is very little of interest, but seeing as I ventured to Stone Moor today and recorded a species I have not seen in this area since 1992, I'll make an exception.
Midhopestones - a pair of Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 3 Moorhens and 1 Coot on the River Little Don and 40+ Jackdaws.
Underbank Reservoir - 25 Mallards, 1 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, a par of Coot and 70+ Black-headed Gulls. A pair of Grey Wagtail and a pair of Pied Wagtail on the overflow.
Stocksbridge - a calling Grey Partridge and 1 singing Mistle Thrush off Machin Lane.
Stocksbridge - 3 Curlews, 1 Little Owl and 1 singing Mistle Thrush off New Hall Lane.
Stone Moor - 70+ Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank - the first here since 1992, 5 Common Snipe W and 3 singing Sklarks.
Pot House Wood, Stocksbridge - 1 Nuthatch singing, 25+ Chaffinch and 2 Lesser Redpoll with Siskins (c5) and Goldfinches (c10).

The Edge 08.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1 Mute Swan, 93 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 127 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 14 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 46 Lapwing, 7 Golden Plover, 204 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kestrel, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Skylark and 7 Pied Wagttail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 7 Greylag, 23 Tufted Duck, 12m+5f Pochard, 1m+4f Goldeneye, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 1 Mallard, 6 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 101 Coot, 181 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing and 2 Willow Tit.
TPT -8 Siskin feeding in alders.

Monday, 7 March 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 07.03.16

0-6 degrees,  cool but sunny with a light north westerly.
Wintersett Res: Shelduck 2.  Cetti's Warbler 4 singing males - west bank,  boathouse reeds,  north bank and south east corner.  Water Rail 1 and Grey Wagtail 3.
Cold Hiendley Res: Goosander 3.
Anglers CP: Cormorant 12,  Green Woodpecker 2.  The juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the rock wall at dawn  (Steve Denny)   A Woodcock was seen at dusk.
Both roosts were watched this evening.   WRes had the leucistic Black-headed Gull. 
Anglers CP Roost: An adult Kittiwake was found, on the rock wall, at 17.50hrs by Carl Thompson.  It joined the roost later.  A new bird for the year list. 


  Juvenile Glaucous Gull            ACP      SDenny

Juvenile Glaucous Gull                  ACP  SDenny

             Adult Kittiwake         ACP   Carl Thompson

Carlton Marsh

Barn Owl was hunting from 16.55hrs. (Dave Standish) Earlier Siskin, Redpoll, 4 Lapwing, Buzzard, Little Owl and 2 Willow Tit were seen.

Ewden cabin and return, D. Simmonite, S. Green , 6/3/16.

11-30am to 5pm. Very poor for birds and cold with the sun struggling to get through the thick cloud. - Linnets total of 80 included a flock of 65 down, Buzzard 2, Kestrel 1, Bullfinch 3 in side head beck.

Ingbirchworth - Midhope

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 5 Greylag Geese, 292 Canada Geese, 41 Mallards, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Moorhens, 14 Coots, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 17 Common Gulls and 1 singing Reed Bunting.
Ingbirchworth FS - a pair of Grey Wagtails.
Royd Moor Reservoir (from Spicer House Lane) - 1 Cormorant.
Langsett Reservoir - 10 Canada Geese.
Midhope Reservoir - 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Mallards, 1 Moorhen, 1 Little Grebe and 4 Crossbills into the plantation from Shaw Brook (first of the year for me).

Sunday, 6 March 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 06.03.16

2 - 4 degrees,  cloudy with sunny spells,  snow flurries and a light north westerly.
Anglers CP:  5 Whooper Swans were in very early.  Little Grebe 5,  Teal 1 and  Siskin 1.  A Barn Owl was at Wintersett Village at 16.15hrs.
Cold Hiendley Res: 96 Golden Plover were in the fields.   Grey Wagtail 2.
Wintersett Res: Two birds were new for the year list - a female Stonechat was on the north bank and a  Long-eared Owl was seen.   A Peregrine was circling south at 11.50hrs.   4 singing male Cetti's Warblers - north bank, south east corner,  west bank and boathouse reeds.  A Curlew flew over.  Water Rail 1 west bank and 1 Botany.  Willow Tit 2 - west bank  Willow Wood.   A Nuthatch was heard in Pits Wood. Goosander 6 and Tawny Owl 1.
ACP Gull Roost: A juvenile Glaucous Gull flew in at 17.02hrs and the leucistic Black-headed Gull was in at 17.25hrs.  Herring Gull 180,  Great Black-backed Gull 16 and  Lesser Black-backed Gull 4.

Carlton Marsh

A new record was set for Tufted Duck today with 33 (19 drakes and 13 ducks) Also of note Buzzard, Water Rail, Grey Wagtail and a singing Coal Tit.

A Barn Owl was hunting from 17.00hrs (Dave Standish)

As part of the Queen's birthday Keep Britain Tidy weekend, another 10 bags of rubbish and a TV was picked up, in addition to the 10 bags Pete Wall's volunteers picked up last week.

 Rod Heeley & Keith Bannister

Saturday, 5 March 2016

Low Moor / Upper Midhope 5/3/16.

Sunny, good light and plenty of birds with the arrival of the breeding species. Up to 70 Curlews in the area, 30+ Lapwing, 1 Snipe, Oystercatcher 1, Raven 2, 80 Woodpigeon down, 50 Fieldfare north, Buzzard 3, Sprawk 1.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 05.03.16

2 - 4 degrees with scattered cloud and a light northerly.  A couple of short showers this morning.
Anglers CP:  Snipe 9,  Goosander 7,  Oystercatcher 7 and Goldeneye 56 + 28 WRes..
Wintersett Res:  13 Pink-footed Geese flew northwest at 11.50hrs.  94 Golden Plover flew west.  A male Cetti's Warbler was singing in the boathouse reeds.  22 Buzzards (11 pairs on territory) were seen in the area today.
Gull Totals for the area:   Great Black-backed Gull  86  (28 WR + 58 ACP),    Lesser Black-backed Gull  43  (7 WR + 36 ACP),    Herring Gull 610 (50 WR + 560 ACP).

Firecrest at Silkstone



Ron Marshall took these excellent shots of the Firecrest at Silkstone sewage works on Thursday 3rd March.


Edderthorpe, Saturday

Following all the snow and rain yesterday the River Dearne was very high overnight. Early this morning it had breached the banks and was emptying into Houghton Washland but fortunately failed to get high enough to empty into Edderthorpe Flash (over the spillway at least, but the Flash was filling up from the river along the inlet/outlet dike).
Still not much change happening here; Shelduck 6, Teal 130, Wigeon 183, Shoveler 14, Gadwall 24, Pochard 16, Goldeneye 1, Little Egret 1, Oystercatcher 2, Golden Plover 30, Lapwing 200, Common Buzzard 6.

Carlton Marsh

New in today was a Great Crested Grebe, only our 11th record. (Keith Bannister et al) It was a Carlton Marsh tick for Jim Plant. Also present this morning were 21 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant, 2 Water Rail, Snipe, Buzzard, Willow Tit, Siskin, 3 singing Song Thrush and 3 Mistle Thrush. (J.Plant/R. Laverack)

A Curlew was reported at 16.33hrs and a pair of Goosander, 6 Greylag and 4 Canada Geese were present. (Dave Standish)

NB
Reading the tweets it would appear that John Hewitt has retired and is moving to the coast. May I add my best wishes John for all that you have done to promote Barnsley birding over the past 40 years. Happy birding at Spurn.

Friday, 4 March 2016

Wintersett 04.03.16

Rain turned to  a 4 cm layer of  slushy snow overnight.  2 - 3 degrees with light snow/sleet  all morning with a moderate  north easterly. 
Anglers CP: A Knot was calling while flying around in a snow storm at 09.50 - 10.05hrs.  It eventually landed on an island at 10.25hrs.   Goosander 1 male,  Teal 3,  Oystercatcher 5,  Lapwing 65,  Shoveler 1 pair and Wigeon 163.
Of interest: 1stW female Ferruginous Duck still at Calder Wetlands behind Swan & Cygnet  and  a pair Common Scoter still on Pugneys main lake  at 15.00hrs. 

The Edge 04.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 129 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 65 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck , 10 Mallard, 5 Goosander, 4 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 2 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Coot, 3 Moorhen,1 Kestrel, 64 Golden Plover, 54 Lapwing, 2 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Song Thrush, 7 Pied Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark and 3 Yellowhammer.
Bolton Ings - On the open water( after the snowstorm abated ) we could see 2 Mute Swan, 25 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 1m+3f Goldeneye, 2 Mallard, 4 Great Crested, Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 133 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 65 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 18 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant, 2 Willow Tit and 1 calling Green Woodpecker.

Carlton Marsh

Owing to computer problems yesterday I wasn't able to access this page. So on 3/3/16 at 17.51hrs 2 Whooper Swans circled the marsh then headed back south. (Dave Standish)

Wintersett Colour Ringed Gull Details 04.03.16

An adult Herring Gull seen on the rock wall at Anglers CP on 27.11.15
had been ringed at Anda,  Øksnes  69°03'N  15°10'E  ( Nordland) NORWAY
on 21.06.15 at a distance of 1915 kms to the south west.

Thursday, 3 March 2016

Elsecar

Wentworth - 1 Buzzard over Barrow.
Elsecar Reservoir - 50+ Mallards, 1 drake Pochard, 1 drake Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Moorhens, 12 Coots and c150 Black-headed Gulls.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 03.03.16

2 - 6 degrees,  sunny start, clouded over late morning and  a light south westerly
Anglers CP: Shoveler 2,  Goosander 6,  Woodcock 2.     
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 2 singing males -  north bank and SE corner.  Barn Owl 1.
Both gull roosts were checked this afternoon:
WRes.  The juvenile Kumlien's Gull  flew in at 16.45hrs. 
Area Totals: Herring 1157  (564 WR + 593 ACP),    Great Black-backed Gull 7 (1 WRes + 6 ACP),   Lesser Black-backed Gull 23 ( 7 WR + 16 ACP).
Goldeneye  111  (72WR  + 39 ACP)   This is the peak number for winter so far.

The Edge 03.03.16

Wombwell Ings - A good start to the day with a Water Rail and a Kingfisher in the dyke opposite the Old Moor Tavern and 2 Grey Partridge in the back field. On the Ings were 2 Mute Swan, 104 Canada Geese, 9 Greylag, 52 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Goosander, 1 Pochard, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 9 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 153 Golden Plover, 24 Lapwing, 207 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull and 6 Skylark.
TPT - A singing Song Thrush and 1 Siskin.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 27 Greylag, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 1m+4f Goldeneye, 4 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 3 Goosander, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 112 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 157 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 6 Canada Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Willow Tit.

Wednesday, 2 March 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 02.03.16

3 - 5 degrees,  cold with rain/sleet/snow shower late morning and early evening.
Anglers CP: Pochard 27,  Goosander 1 + 2 WRes,  Little Grebe 3,  Shoveler 5,  Cormorant 14.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was singing from west bank.
WRes Gull Roost: The leucistic Black-headed Gull was in at 16.30hrs,  The juvenile Kumlien's was picked up at 17.20hrs and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was in at 17.45hrs.

The Edge 02.03.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 128 Canada Geese, 113 Wigeon, 7 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 5 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 151 Golden Plover, 21 Lapwing, 142 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 1Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush and 4 Skylark. A Water Rail was in the Greensand Dyke.
Bolton Ings - Timed our 'trudge' down to avoid the worst of the snowstorm. On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 17m+6f Pochard, 16 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 1m+3f Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 2 Mallard, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 114 Coot, 141 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 5 Canada Geese, 4 Wigeon, 5 Moorhen,1 Buzzard and 2 Oystercatcher.

Tuesday, 1 March 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 01.03.16

The first day of meteorological Spring was a mild 9 degrees with 8/8 cloud, light rain until 10.00hrs and a light westerly.
Anglers CP: Most of the Pochard have departed on spring migration - just 15 remain.   Cormorant 10,  Little Grebe 2 ,  Water Rail 1 and Shoveler 3.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was singing on the west bank.
WRes. Gull Roost: Increasing number of big gulls this afternoon.  600 Herring Gulls,  mostly immatures now.  A lot of the adults have moved on their spring migration.   The leucistic Black-headed Gull was in at 17.10hrs,  the 1stW Mediterranean Gull at 17.22hrs and the juvenile Kumlien's Gull at 17.25hrs.

The Edge 01.03.16

Wombwell Ings -  A fine start to Spring with 2 Black Tailed Godwit and 1 Ruff on the Ings. Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 122 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 101 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 10 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 3m+2f Goosander, 3 Gadwall, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 9 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 13 Lapwing, 139 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Skylark and 6 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 5 Mute Swan, 29 Greylag, 15 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 10 Gadwall, 1m+4f Goldeneye, 2 Mallard, 1f Goosander, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 112 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 203 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 3 Canada Geese, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 female Sparrowhawk and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Barnsley Bird Study Group

The final winter meeting of the 2015/16 season is on Thursday 3rd March, 7.15 pm at the Old Moor visitor centre. The speaker is Carl Dixon on  'Peru; the Andes to the Amazon'.
Entry is £2.50 which includes an interval drink and everyone is welcome,