Moorlands, bank holiday weekend.

Very steady at both Ewden and Low Moor. - Ewden valley 28th, 6 Buzzards together was the raptor highlight. Just 1 brief Kestrel was the only falcon sighting and 1 Sparrowhawk. Raven 2, Golden Plover 3, one seen, 1 chipping Snipe, 1 pair of Stonechats at the s bends with the male in stunning plumage, Swift 10 blogging in the valley. Low Moor 29th, a few hours late aft only produced 2 Ravens, 2 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels together. Wharncliffe Wood 30th - 1 singing Wood Warbler showing well late a.m. from track at e side of wood.

Carlton Marsh

Seen at distance, with the naked eye only, a Glossy Ibis flew south at 07.55hrs this morning. (Geoff Miller)

Cudworth Common

A quick walk around Ferrymoor ponds revealed 1 Little Ringed Plover at least 3 Redshanks and a pair of Mute Swans with their very young family of 6 cygnets.

The Edge 31.05.16

Wombwell Ings - Felt cold after the sun of Extremadura. Greeted with the flyover of 5 calling Oystercatcher. Also present were 10 Mute Swan, 75+1y Canada Geese, 13 Greylag, 20 Gadwall, 19 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 male Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Cormorant, 21 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 5 Lapwing, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 30+ BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 5+ Skylark, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 singing Song Thrush.
Broomhill Flash - Highlight was the 2 Black Necked Grebe in the south-west corner of the flash. Also noted were 2 Mute Swan, 19 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 7+4y Pochard, 1m Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 23 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 LBB Gull and 1 Common Tern.
TPT - Singing males 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 5 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag,41 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 2 Mallard, 48 Coot,and 163+ BH Gull. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 30+ Swift and good numbers of hirundines low over the water.

Gunthwaite - Midhope

Gunthwaite Dam - pair Canada Geese + 5 goslings; pair Tufted Duck; 6 singing Blackcaps, and 3 singing Whitethroats.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 drake Teal; 30 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 50+ Swifts; 1 fp Willow Tits; 4 s Blackcaps, 2 s Garden Warblers; 2 s Whitethroats, and 1 s Lesser Whitethroat.
Whitley Edge - 8+ Lapwing + 4 very small chicks on the road (returned to field - good deed for the day).
Midhope Reservoir - 1 drake Teal; two fp (2 young each) Little Grebes, and 1+ Curlew chick in fields at the bottom end of Low Moor.

Carlton Marsh

Not much to report, but 7 pairs of Tufted Duck is good for here. Also of note Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Grey Wagtail, 80 Swifts, 2 Willow Tits and a Tawny Owl called at 17.05hrs. It also pleasing to see Chub feeding in the depths of the mucky dyke.

Barrow Tip - near Worsbro - yesterday

Butterflies included Dingy Skipper 67, Small Heath 16, Small Copper 1, Brown Argus 1.

Also present Mother Shipton moth 9, Burnet Companion 32 and Bee Fly. (Chris Parkin) 

Excitement at Goldthorpe

After a gap of around 15 years the Great Crested Grebes are again breeding on the Brick Ponds

Wintersett 26.05.16

9 - 12 degrees with 8/8 cloud and drizzly showers until midday.
Wintersett Res:  Common Tern 12. 
Anglers CP:  Arctic Tern 1 over at 10.40hrs.,  Dunlin 1 over,  Herring Gull 7 flew SW,  Pochard 3.
3 broods of Black-headed Gull on small raft.  6 Mute Swan cygnets were on the shallows and 2 broods of Mallard 6 m/l + 5m were seen.

Ingbirchworth - Midhope

Highlights were
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Cormorants. 4 Oystercatchers. 7+ Swifts, 130+ Swallows, 60+ House Martins, 1 s Chiffchaff, 14 s Willow Warblers, 4 s Blackcaps, 1 s Garden W, 3 s Whitethroats and a pair of Bullfinch.
Fullshaw - at least six pairs of Rook nesting on an electricity pylon.
Midhope Reservoir - 1 drake Teal (still) and a pair of Little Grebe with 2 young.

Wintersett 25.05.16

7 - 9 degrees, with 8/8 cloud and a very cold northerly wind.  Rain from 13.00hrs.
Anglers CP: Cuckoo 1m.  Oystercatcher young 2 x 2. Mute Swan young (south pair).  House Martin 130.  Wigeon 1 1stS  male.  Canada Goose 47 and Greylag Goose  16.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 6.  All 4 Cetti's were heard.  Swift 200.

Wintersett 24.05.16

9 -15 degrees, warm with clear blue skies until midday, when cloud increased quickly to 8/8 and the breeze went north easterly.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher broods still  2+ 2 young.  The Cuckoo is still singing on Golf course and around WRes..
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 1,  Cetti's Warbler 3m heard, east bank bird not heard.
Haw Park Wood:  A Bee Fly was on the path near the woodyard.

Wintersett 23.05.16

Sunny but clouded over, then afternoon showers, but flat calm.
Anglers CP: Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull flew around at 17.15hrs, then left west.  2 Herring Gull flew north west.  Oystercatcher 2 broods with 2 young each.  A Cuckoo was singing near the golf course.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2.

Carlton Marsh

A Hobby flew south from Bleachcroft Farm at 06.30hrs. (Tony Guest) A Cuckoo was singing and a male Tawny Owl gave away its presence by uttering the typical hoot.

A few Lesser Black-back Gulls passed over this afternoon and 2 new broods of Coot were out of the nest along with a new brood of 8 Mallard chicks. A single Rook flew west, a species we don't see much of here and a Willow Tit was foraging near the hide.

May blossom is filling the air with perfume and Red Campion abounds on the disused railway embankment. 

I saw my first Red Admiral butterfly of the year, in my south facing garden, this morning. This insect has almost certainly overwintered close by.

Whitley - Midhope

Highlights were
Whitley Edge - 1 Little Owl.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - five broods of Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 23 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 second-summer Yellow-legged Gull, 3 (1 first-summer & 2 second-summer) Herring Gulls. and singing Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Common Whitethroat.
Midhope Reservoir - 1 drake Teal (where's the female of a couple of weeks ago??) and a pair Little Grebe + 2 young.

Hordron road to Upper Hordron and return 22/5/16 .

Seen were 1 pair of Merlin, Buzzard 6, Kestrel 1, Raven 5, Ring Ouzel thought to be 6+ in the area, 1 pair taking food to nest. 5 Crossbills showing well at swinden, Golden Plover 2 down, Lapwing about 6 pairs on barmings and long moor with 5 young seen. On Sunday 15/5/16 at Ewden stone circle track - Hobby 1, Peregrine 1 imm., Kestrel 1, Buzzard 3, Raven 1, Stonechat 1 fem., Swift 8.

Carlton Marsh

3 Oystercatchers left north this morning. Also present a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and a family of 7 Grey Partridge

A female Broad-bodied Chaser and a Four-spotted Chaser were on the wing along with this year's first Small Yellow Underwing moth.

Four-spotted Chaser (Keith Webster)

Wintersett 21.05.16

13 - 15 degrees warm, with rain until mid morning, then 4/8 sunny spells and a south westerly breeze.   Rain from mid afternoon.
Wintersett Res:  2 Little Ringed Plover were on the slipway.  The male Cuckoo was on the east bank.  Common Tern 4 and Mallard 1 medium young, 
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher  - just 2 young were seen this morning .  The Oystercatcher pair sitting on the Sand Martin box have 2 hatched young and the female is still sitting. Cormorant 4,  Shoveler 1m. 
Critters: The Red-eared Terrapin was showing off NE bank.  This year's first SMALL  COPPER was on the  north bank.

Wintersett 20.05.16

11 - 15 degrees ,  warm with 5/8 cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res: Cuckoo 1m in the Willow Wood and then on the east bank.  Common Tern 3, Red-legged Partridge 1. 
Botany: A Tawny Owl was calling.  Yellow Wagtail 1m in the paddock.
Disposal Point: Great Crested Grebe young 2+. 
Around the area: 8 pairs of Lapwing seen.  8 young were in the Botany paddock.

Wintersett 19.05.16

10 - 13 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.  Rain from mid afternoon.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 5 adults + 3 young.  Mallard 6 medium young + 10 small young WRes..  Black-headed Gull 2 young on small raft.  Curlew 1 alarm calling.  Cormorant 2.
Wintersett Res:  Common Tern 3 and Cuckoo 1m. It was warm enough for the Red-eared Terrapin to haul out onto a reed pile, north west bank.

                   This is what the Reed Buntings were eating this morning.  ACP      Lynz Harston

Wintersett 18.05.16

9 degrees with intermittent, short rain showers all day and a light north westerly.
Wintersett Res: An adult LITTLE  GULL was on at 14.55hrs until 15.05hrs. 
Anglers CP: Common Tern 2.  Cuckoo 1m.  This year's first young Black-headed Gull was seen on the big raft.   3 of the young Oystercatchers are plumping up, but the fourth is much smaller. 

Wintersett 17.05.16

9 - 15 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a  south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  Oystercatcher 4 young,  Cormorant 1 and  Cuckoo 1m CP.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2 and Cetti's Warbler 4m.
Insects: Common Blue Damsel Fly 1 north west bank,  and Bee Fly 1 west bank track.

Shafton

A Hobby was seen flying over Engine Lane again today. (Jim Plant)

Carlton Marsh
A new brood of Canada Geese (8) Cuckoo singing male and a Fox was abroad. (Rod Heeley)

The Edge 17.05.16

Wombwell Ings - A quiet morning with 10 Mute Swan, 6+2y Greylag, 3 Canada Geese, 15 Gadwall, 14 Mallard, 14 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe,  1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron over, 9+2y Coot, 8+3y Lapwing, 32 BH Gull, 3+ Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 male Reed Bunting and 3 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 19 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 15 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 21 Coot, 4 Moorhen and 76 BH Gull.
TPT - Singing males 10 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff and 3 Whitethroat. Also 1 Bullfinch and 1 Grey Heron over.
Bolton Ings - Highlight of the day was at 12.06pm  when a Bittern flew from east to west along the length of the eastern pool. On the open water were 2+7y Mute Swan, 26 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 2 Mallard, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 47 Coot, 350+ BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 4 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 3 Grey Heron,1 Jay and 1 singing Sedge Warbler.

Carlton Marsh

At least 10 singing Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler. Also present Redshank and Kingfisher. New broods of Coot (7) and Mallard (9).

South Kirkby tip
8 Black-tailed Godwits flew north this morning. (L. Corrall & R. Hibbert)

Wintersett 16.05.16

7 - 14 degrees with 0/8 and a cool but light westerly.   Not a great deal to report today.
Wintersett Res: The Cuckoo was calling on  on the north east bank.  3 Common Terns were flying around but then moved onto ACP.
Anglers CP: Cormorant 1. 

The Little Don and Mickleden Beck

A nice jaunt up the LDV today before the weather turns. A quick look at Langsett Res. revealed a distant plover, but without a big scope we couldn't put a name to it! Anyway, it was definitely one of the 'Ringed' types, but I understand both are unusual here. Later, birds of note were singing male Redstart, at least 5 Spotted Flycatchers, at least 4 Dipper, two Ring Ouzels, singing male Wheatear, Cuckoo, Woodcock, Stonechats including a recently fledged juv., c. 40 Crossbills were blogging around just to N of the entrance to Mickleden Beck, two Redpoll, 4 Buzzards over, single Peregrine and a Red Kite gave superb low level views has it drifted south at snap time!
Same time next year!
Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

                                       Not bad with a hand held pocket camera, eh?

Wintersett 15.05.16

9 - 12 degrees with 5/8 cloud and a cool north easterly.
Wintersett Res: A  BITTERN  dropping into the reedbed, from quite a height,  at 07.50hrs  was a  nice surprise for Graham Speight.  A Yellow Wagtail flew over the ruin field and the male Cuckoo was doing his rounds this morning.
Anglers CP:  Common Tern 2,  Wigeon 2m,  Shoveler 1m, and 4 young Oystercatchers.

Wintersett 14.05.16

9 - 13 degrees with sunny spells from late morning, but with a very cold northerly wind.
Anglers CP: Black Tern 1,  Arctic Tern 1 and Common Tern 4 in late morning.  Common Sandpiper 2,  Ringed Plover 1.  Wigeon 2m and Cormorant1.
Botany Paddock:  Yellow Wagtail 2.   Lapwing 1 young.
Wintersett Res: Cuckoo 1m.

                                     Black Tern                              ACP           CSwaine

Wintersett 13.05.16

9 - 13 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a very cold north westerly wind early morning.  Cloud cleared to 4/8 by mid morning.
Anglers CP:  Common Sandpiper 1.   Oystercatcher 4 young.
Wintersett Res: An Arctic Tern and 2 Common Terns were in first thing,  A male and a female Cuckoo were seen flying from the east bank. 
Odonata:  A Large Red Damselfly was seen in Haw Park Gully.

Recording birds in the Barnsley area.

The task of  the YNU bird recorder for South Yorkshire is very time consuming (and rewarding).
At a recent meeting with the BTO at Old Moor it was decided that using the BirdTrack system operated by the BTO would considerable lighten this workload.
This would take the form of producing maps for the most common 100 or so species recorded in the area, rather than the laborious task of writing an account for each species.
In order to achieve this, it would mean entering your records directly on to this system.
This would not only benefit the YNU, but also the BTO, and ornithology generally.
The system is easy to use and would allow you to collate and update your 'patch' records - all viewable at a glance.
The BirdTrack team will be willing to answer any queries you may have.
I would therefore asked you to seriously consider using this website when recording your sightings in the Barnsley area, South Yorkshire and Yorkshire as a whole.

Martin Wells

Edderthorpe Flash

A Long tailed falcon seen over the flash at 12.20hrs heading down the valley was thought to be the Red Footed Falcon, but couldn't be certain. (R Hibbert & L Corrall)

Wintersett 12.05.16

9 - 15 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a moderate northerly breeze.
Anglers CP: A drake Garganey was seen early doors, but couldn't be relocated later.  A Common Tern  was in  and 2 Arctic Tern flew through NE at 10.25hrs.   The Turnstone  and 3 Common Sandpipers were around the rock wall at 09.45hrs
Wintersett Res: 5 Black Terns were present at 08.25hrs and 3 left ACP at 09.15hrs.    Just one Black Tern and a Cuckoo calling when I left at 11.30hrs.

The Edge 12.05.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 3 Mute Swan, 45 Canada Geese, 26 Greylag, 34 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 10 Coot, 6+1y Lapwing, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Black Tern, 16 BH Gull, 3+ Skylark, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 4 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 28 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 16 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 15 Coot, 4 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Buzzard.
TPT - Singing males 9 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap and 4 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings - Initial scan of the eastern pool revealed 1, then 2, then 3 and finally 4 Black Tern. Further scanning revealed 4 Common Tern. Having then finished the usual count Dave Waddington came on the CB radio to ask Seev and I to keep a lookout for a smallish falcon that was heading our way from Old Moor. 5 minutes later we located a female Red Footed Falcon which did a few passes over the eastern pond before flying back towards Old Moor where it was seen by some people in the Wath Ings Hide before being lost to view over the Field Pool. The airwaves were red hot when it was relocated with instructions to its location coming fast and furiously. During this period a Bittern flew over to the eastern pond from the the reedbeds but we failed to hear the message of a Red Kite high over Bolton Tip. Our last view of the of the Red Footed Falcon was at 1.35pm when it flew directly over our heads and disappeared eastwards along the R.Dearne.
Also present were 2+7y Mute Swan, 8 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 15 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 5 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 37 Coot, 350+ BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Jay and 1 Green Woodpecker.
What a days birdwatching. Nigel's Super Sofa - The treat that keeps on giving.

Carlton Marsh

A female Shelduck was on the wader scrape today. A distant large raptor flying north at 17.43hrs was thought to be a Marsh Harrier?

Adwick Wetlands 11.05.16

Here's a cracking shot of a Black Tern, taken at Adwick today, by Ron Marshall.

The Edge 11.05.16

Wombwell Ings - Highlight was the 3 Common Terns and 1 Black Tern feeding over the main flash. Also present were 4 Mute Swan, 41 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 19 Tufted Duck, 15 Mallard, 13 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 7 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 4 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 35 BH Gull, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 4 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 35 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 11 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 13 Coot, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and a year tick for the Week-a-Wednesday Team.
Trans Pennine Trail - Thanks to Dave Waddington's instructions over the CB radio, Seev and I were able to have good views of 2 Bittern circling over the reedbeds on Old Moor at 1pm. Singing males 9 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat and 1 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+7y Mute Swan, 4 Greylag, 10+7y Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 3 Gadwall, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 41 Coot, 360+ BH Gull, 4 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 6 Canada Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Jay.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 9 Canada Geese; 17 Mallards + 12 ducklings; 2 drake Tufted Ducks; 2 Pheasants; 3 Great Crested Grebes; 1 Moorhen; 9 Coots; 4 Lapwings; 2 Common Sandpipers; 1 Black Tern; 15+ Black-headed Gulls; 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 1 Woodpigeon; 1 Magpie; 1 Jackdaw; 6 Carrion Crows; 5 s Blue Tits; 1 Great Tit; pair Willow Tit; 12 s Willow Warblers; 2 s Blackcaps; 1 s Garden Warbler; 4 s Common Whitethroats; 6 s Wrens; 5+ Starlings; 3 s Blackbirds; 1 s Mistle Thrush; 1 Spotted Flycatcher; 6 s Robins; 1 s Dunnock; pair Pied Wagtails; 10 (7 s) Chaffinches; 4 s Goldfinches; 1 s Linnet; 4 s Yellowhammers, and 7 (5 s) Reed Buntings.
Millhouse Green - 2 Carrions Crows mobbing a Raven.

Wintersett + evening update 11.05.16

12 - 16 degrees with 8/8 cloud,  rain until late morning and a ENE breeze.
Anglers CP: A  TURNSTONE,  2 Dunlin  and 2 Common Sandpipers were on the rocks at 09.15hrs. The 4 young Oystercatchers were seen briefly when the male brought in food, but soon returned to shelter under the female.  2 Mallard familes  5 small ducklings each.
Wintersett Res:  3 Black Terns were  flying beyond buoy 7and 4 Common Sandpipers flew in together and landed on the wooden jetty at 10.45hrs.
Evening update:  6 Black Terns were present at 18.15hrs. (KDenny)   The Turnstone was present  at 19.45hrs (CSwaine).

Turnstone                            ACP  SDenny

4 young Oystercatcher                         ACP   ASmith

Turnstone  20.00hrs   ACP         CSwaine

Wintersett 10.05.16

8 - 11degrees with 8/8 cloud and rain from late morning onwards.
Wintersett Res:  A Cuckoo was calling on the east bank and 2 were chasing by the old pumphouse. Common Tern 2. 
Anglers CP: The Oystercatchers nearest to the hide have 4 young.  Common Sandpiper 2 and Greylag Goose 2.    Chris Swaine found 2 Knot on the islands early evening.  They were still present at 20.15hrs per Steve Denny.
Critters: A Stoat crossed the road from WRes to Botany.  The Red-eared Terrapin was in NE corner WRes.
Lepidoptera: Green-veined White 20 + 5 HPLane,  Small Tortoiseshell 1,  Speckled Wood 2 and Peacock 4 per RHibbert and LCorrall

                                    Knot                     ACP    SDenny

The Edge 10.05.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 25 Canada Geese, 19 Greylag, 24 Tufted Duck,11 Mallard, 10 Gadwall, 1m Goosander, 2 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 11 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 4+2y Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 44 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 30+ Swift, 30+ House Martin, 3 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail and 2 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Highlight was a Whimbrel which flew off at 10.35 am. Also noted were 2 Mute Swan, 8 Greylag, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Coot, 2 Lapwing and 1 Common Sandpiper.
TPT - Singing males 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap and 1 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+6y Mute Swan, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 3+10y Mallard, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 39 Coot, c500 BH Gull and 2 LBB Gull. Also present were 7 Canada Geese, 1 Moorhen and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Coot

Details of a colour-ringed Coot at Ingbirchworth recently are -

CVZ   juvenile male  13/12/2015  Lister Park, Bradford (West Yorkshire).
                  seen        07/05/2015  Ingbirchworth Reservoir. 30 km SSE

Thanks to Dave Pennington for this information.

Winscar

Late morning for a couple of hours with Hibbert & Corrall. 4 Oystercatchers and 1 Common Sandpiper and there were plenty of Siskins in the conifers. Buzzard and Sparrowhawk passed overhead.

Butterflies 

Barrow Tip 12 Dingy Skippers & 1 Mother Shipton Moth.

Winscar 75 Green Hairstreaks.

Chris Parkin

The Edge 09.05.16

Wombwell Ings  - Highlight was 4 Bar Tailed Godwit. Also present were 5 Mute Swan, 19 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 19 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 12 Mallard, 1 male Goosander, 1 Pochard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 9 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 8 Lapwing +3 chicks, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 23 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 3 Skylark, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush and 3 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 9 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 18 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 27 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Common Sandpiper, 135 BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull.
Warbler Way - Singing males 14 Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, 8 Whitethroat, 8 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Song Thrush. Also 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan + 5 cygnets, 2 Greylag, 29 Tufted Duck, 14 Pochard, 12 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 39 Coot, c500 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 16 Canada Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lapwing and 1 Jay.

Wintersett 09.05.16

9 - 20 degrees with  0/8  cloud  and a strengthening easterly.
Wintersett Res:  A BLACK  TERN was in early morning but flew over to ACP where it showed well in front of the hide.   Common Tern 7 early morning + 1 ACP at midday.   Curlew 1 in fields.  .  Kingfisher 1.   Coot 8 young off north bank.
Disposal Point: Grasshopper Warbler 1 reeling.  Cuckoo 1m  +  1m  WRes.
Botany:  Lapwing 3 young.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher  2 young (the pair nearest the hide).  Common Sandpiper 1 + 1 WRes,  Ringed Plover 1 and  Wigeon 2m.
Cold Hiendley: Red-legged Partridge 1.  Stock Dove 42.
Old Royston Flash: Male Marsh Harrier flew south at 18.30hrs.

Black Tern                        ACP  ASmith

Weekend roundup 8/5/16.

Saturday 7th Low Moor/Midhope - Hobby 1 over midhope res., Buzzard 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 3, Raven 3 1pair and a single, 12 Lapwing chicks seen, 2 broods of Greylags a seven and a five, 1 drumming GS Pecker, Snipe 10 some showing well low over the road. Sunday 8th Ewden cabin and return - Hobby 1 pair hunting over white carr, Red Kite 1, Buzzard 6, Whinchat 1, Raven 2, 1 chipping Snipe.

Wintersett 08.05.16

9 - 20 degrees,  hot and sunny with a  very light easterly. 
Anglers CP:  Black Tern 3 + 1 WRes. at 19.20hrs.
Hare Park: Green Woodpecker 1.
Wintersett Res: Cuckoo 1m .
Cold Hiendley Fields:  Stock Dove 58,  Red-legged Partridge 1 and Grey Partridge 1.
Critters: A Stoat was seen on the path at Cold Hiendley Res.   The Yellow-bellied Slider was sunning in reeds near the boathouse bench. 

Carlton Marsh

A Little Ringed Plover paid a brief visit in the fog this morning. 2 Garden Warblers were singing along with Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo and Lesser Whitethroat. Redpoll, 2 Grey Wagtails, Willow Tit and 2 Sand Martins were also of note. 

Holly Blue butterfly was reported from several Cudworth gardens today.

Carlton Marsh

New in today Garden Warbler (Jim Plant) and Grasshopper Warbler in the northern meadow. 2 more Sedge warblers arrived making 4 in total. 2 Lesser Whitethroats were singing and Cuckoo and green woodpecker were singing in the western meadow. 2 Water Rails gave excellent views commuting between the reedbeds for food. 3 Sand Martins flew north this evening.

Butterflies included Brimstone and Speckled Wood.

Cudworth Common
5 Redshank, Common Sandpiper and 2 Dingy Skipper butterflies. (Les Corrall)

Pied Flycatcher at Langsett Reservoir 04.05.16

Pied flycatcher at Langsett reservoir

A few years ago an area of conifers on a steep slope just above the stone bridge over the little Don river at the Western end of the reservoir was felled to encourage certain species of birds to the area. Yesterday I had good views of the above feeding there, I report this to you because the blog gets few reports from this area and I'm pretty chuffed that the work carried out has paid off, for this species at least.
C Sayer

Carlton Marsh

3 Cuckoo's seen together one of which was a female displaying and calling to the other two. (Dave Standish)

Wintersett 06.05.16

Wintersett Res:  Common Sandpiper 1
Critters: A  Red-eared Terrapin and Yellow-bellied Slider were seen WRes.
Anglers CP:  Cuckoo 1m,  Wigeon 2m,  Curlew 1 and  Dunlin 1.

The Edge 06.05.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 74 Canda Geese, 21 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 25 Tufted Duck, 18+brood of 6 Mallard, 18 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 1 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1m Goosander, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Lapwing, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Dunlin, 19 BH Gull and 5+ Skylark..
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 1 Mute Swan, 15 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 10 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 28 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 3 Lapwing and 128 BH Gull.
TPT - Singing males 9 Blackcap, 6 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 6 Mute Swans +4  cygnets, 8 Greylag, 14 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 6 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 41 Coot, 3 Moorhen, c500 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 6 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard and 1 Jay.

Wintersett 05.05.16

A fantastic 9 - 20 degrees, with clear skies this morning and a light southerly.
Anglers CP: A male HEN  HARRIER flew over Hare Park  heading west at 07.30hrs..  The cuckoo was heard here before moving around Wintersett Res.  Mallard 12 vs young. Siskin 1 over,  Greylag Goose 5,  Gadwall 7 + 2 WRes and Wigeon 2m.   There was a huge amount of activity around the Sand Martin Box today.  Several holes were excavated from scratch this morning.  Potentially, 16 pairs were in residence or excavating.
Wintersett Res:  A RED  KITE was blogging over at 11.15hrs.
Critters: A Bee-fly was on the north bank WRes.    The Yellow-bellied Slider was sunning on a pile of reeds, NE bank WRes..
Thanks to Ron Marshall who spent the morning with the boathouse Cetti's Warbler.

                    Cetti's Warbler       Boathouse WRes    RMarshall

   Cetti's Warbler       Boathouse WRes    RMarshall

The Edge 05.05.16

Wombwell Ings - Highlight was the Wood Sandpiper on the side pool, east of the hide. Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 46 Canada Geese, 22 Greylag, 3 Shelduck,, 19 Tufted Duck, 16 Mallard +brood of 11, 15 Gadwall, 1m Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 5 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Wheatear, 5+Skylark and 5 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 17 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 2 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Buzzard and 2 Pied Wagtail.
Warbler Way - Singing males 12 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 15 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 3 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 47 Coot, c500 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. On the R.Dearne were 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Common Sandpiper. Also present were 9 Canada Geese, 10 Greylag, 2Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Willow Tit and 2 Bullfinch.

Wintersett 04.05.16

A very pleasant  9 - 15 degrees with sunshine and a southerly breeze.
Anglers CP: The Cuckoo was heard and then it called from around Wintersett Res before it was seen on the east bank.  2 male Wigeon , including  Golden Head look like they could be here for sometime.  Cormorant 2.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 3 and Garden Warbler 4.
Lepidoptera: The first SPECKLED  WOOD was seen  SW corner, WRes and then another on the Woodland Walk ACP. 

Wintersett 03.05.16

6 - 11 degrees, with sunshine and scattered cloud and a very cold moderate to fresh wind.
Wintersett Res: A CUCKOO was seen and heard in Wintersett Village and then in the Willow Wood. A WHIMBREL flew north at 11.40hrs.  A Peregrine flew over SW fields. Siskin 1 over north,  Grasshopper Warbler 1 west bank. Common Tern 5,  Garden Warbler 2m + 1m ACP,  
Anglers CP: Ringed Plover 1,  Dunlin 1,  Common Sandpiper 1, Cormorant 1 and Wigeon 2m.  The first fledged Dunnock and the first young Coot were seen.  The Oystercatchers weren't happy when Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull, turned up.  Many thanks to Lynz Harston for capturing the action!

                                                                                            ACP     LHarston

The Edge 03.05.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 24 Canada Geese, 22 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 17 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 1 Cormorant, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 10 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 7 Lapwing, 6 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 19 BH Gull, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5+ Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 5 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 19 Coot and 2 Moorhen.
TPT -Singing males included 7 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap and 2 Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings - Highlight of the day was a stunning male Whinchat about 50 metres in front of the hide. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 21 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 5 Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 43 Coot, c500 BH Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 1 singing Sedge Warbler.

Old Moor Sofa

An update on the number of species recorded in the Old Moor Area this year, at the end of March the total was 122.

A further 24 species were added in April as follows -Alpine Swift on 1st (123), Wheatear on 2nd (124), Raven on 2nd (125), House Martin on 2nd (126), Willow Warbler on 3rd (127), Blackcap on 4th (128), Common Sandpiper on 5th (129), Reed Warbler on 7th (130), Yellow Wagtail on 9th (131), Garganey on 11th (132), Whitethroat on 11th (133), Little Gull on 11th (134), Arctic Tern on 12th (135), Whimbrel on 12th (136), Sedge Warbler on 14th (137), Osprey on 14th (138), Lesser Whitethroat on 15th (139), Garden Warbler on 17th (140), Greenshank on 17th (141), Swift on 18th (142), Grasshopper Warbler on 19th (143), Cuckoo on 20th (144), Common Tern on 24th (145) and finally Hobby on 25th (146).

Last year the total at the end of April was 138 therefore this year we are 8 species better off. However 7 species had been seen by then last year but not this year, Merlin, Mandarin, Bean Goose, Rock Pipit, Tree Pipit, Black Tern and Grey Plover.

The good spring this year has been halted by the weather for the last couple of weeks with the Northerly winds and snow on and off. We have only had 2 new species since 18th April (Common Tern and Hobby) bu the Hobby was number 146. We didn't reach 146 (Gull Billed Tern) last year until 16th June nearly 2 months later confirming the really poor spring last year. Let's hope both the weather and the birds pick up from now on.

 For comparison some other inland sites totals are as follows - Lound, Nottinghamshire ???, Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire 148, Upton Warren, Worcestershire 124, Hatfield Moors, South Yorkshire 140 and Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire 135.

Carlton Marsh

Marsh Harrier 'Cream Crown' 09.28hrs came in from the east and drifted low south. A steady passage of hirundines this morning with a group of 15 Swifts in addition to smaller groups. 2 Sedge Warblers were singing, but no sign of Greenshank and the Cuckoo heard on May 1st appears to have gone through.

An Oystercatcher flew north at 18.34hrs. (Dave Standish)

South Kirkby Tip

2 brightly coloured Wheatears. (Keith Bannister)

Wintersett 02.05.16

Anglers CP: Common Sandpiper 1,  Dunlin 2 and  Wigeon 2 drakes.
Moorhouse Lane:  Cuckoo 1 and Grey Partridge 2 at 19.00hrs (Chris Swaine)
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 3.
Many thanks to Ron Marshall for putting in a long shift to get this stunning shot of our star Cetti's Warbler today.

The Edge 02.05.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 5 Mute Swan, 42 Canada Geese, 13 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 13 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard. 4 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 13 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Linnet.
Warbler Way - Singing Males 10 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Tit and 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 4 Greylag, 13 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, c500 BH Gull, 3 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 17 Canada Geese, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 18 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 21 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 9 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Grey Partridge, 25 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 2 Lapwing, 130+ BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull.

Carlton Marsh

Our first Cuckoo was singing briefly at 08.43hrs. Singing Warblers included 4 Reed Warblers, Sedge Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat and 2 Lesser Whitethroat. Airborne were 12 Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, 2 Swifts and a Redpoll. On the wader scrape were Redshank, Greenshank, Grey Wagtail and 4 Lapwing. A Stock Dove was singing from a stand Silver Birch. 

Wintersett Grasshopper Warbler 01.05.16

Many thanks to Keith Webster, who took these shots of the Grasshopper Warbler  at Wintersett Res this morning.

Wilthorpe Marsh 1/516 and 30/4/16.

Today - Wheatear 1 male, possibly Greenland, 1 L.E.Owl, were the highlights. Better yesterday with 4 male Wheatears, possibly Greenlands, 1 L.E. Owl, 1 Common Sandpiper on river, 2 imm. LBB. Gulls down, Cuckoo 1. Still poor for some migrant warblers with only 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 50 per cent down and only 4 Common Whitethroats, more than 50 per cent down. No Sedge Warblers yet and only 1 singing Reed. Interesting fly throughs over Staincross village recently were a pair of calling Yellow Wagtails and a singing Skylark both on 23rd April and a Whimbrel n. over woolley edge on 27th April.

Broomhill Flash Sunday 1st May

Shelduck 2, Oystercatcher 2, Little Grebe 1, Great-crested Grebe 2, Mallard 1, Tufted Duck 16, Gadwall 11, Mute Swan 2, Pochard 5♂ & 1♀, Lesser black-backed Gull , Canada Geese 40+, Greylag Geese 12, Swallow 30+, Sand Martin 3+, Redshank 1.

Wintersett 01.05.16

Another cold start.  3 degrees with 8/8 cloud and rain showers from late morning with a cold south westerly.
Anglers CP: Common Sandpiper 2.  Sand Martin 300 in area.
Disposal Point: Mallard 13 vs young on railway pond.   Snipe 1 on Big Pond.
Cold Hiendley SF: Yellow Wagtail 1 female.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 4 singing males.  Common Tern 5.  A Grasshopper Warbler reeled briefly agin on the west bank.