Wintersett + Gull Roost

12 - 16 degrees with scattered cloud,  and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis. Mig:  09.00 - 11.30hrs. Birds  moving throughout.
Going south: Meadow Pipit 585,  House Martin 25, Swallow 10,   Linnet 33,  Skylark  41,   Grey Wagtail 2,   Pied Wagtail 7,   Siskin 8 and  Reed Bunting 2.
Pink-footed Goose 19 high east at 09.15hrs + 15 west at 09.25hrs.
Anglers CP: Common Sandpiper 1,  Chiffchaff 1 + 2 WRes + 2 CHRes..
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female.
Cold Hiendley Res: Red-crested Pochard 1 eclipse drake.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Yellow-legged Gull 29 adults + 1 1st W,    Great Black-backed Gull 1 adult and   Herring Gull 7 adults + 3 x 3rd W + 2 x 1st W.

Red-Crested Pochard - eclipse drake   CH Res 29.09.16   MHemingway

                                                   

Higham

Two pairs of Raven flying around in the morning west of Higham and a strong passage of Meadow Pipits south averaging 500 per hour between 0730 and 1130.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 29.09.16

13 - 16 degrees with  sunny spells and a cool westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Water Rail 1,  Teal 5 and Cormorant 53.
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female.
Cold Hiendley Res: Red-crested Pochard drake in eclipse plumage. 
Anglers CP Gull Roost:   1st W Caspian Gull,   21 Yellow-legged  Gulls and  1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls roosted this evening.   None roosted on Wintersett Res..

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - bits - 210 Greylag Geese; 1 Buzzard; 35+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls (mostly juvs/first-winters); 1 Willow Tit; 1 Chiffchaff (10+ on Monday), and 22 Meadow Pipits S/SW..

Wintersett 28.09.16

15 - 18 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Cormorant 45,  Shoveler 83 + 3 CHRes.,  Teal 5.  House Martin 12,  Swallow 20, Water Rail 1 + 1 Wres..
Cold Hiendley Res: Pintail 1m,  Red-crested Pochard 1 eclipse drake,  Wigeon 96 + 2 ACP,  Siskin 1 south.
Wintersett Res: Archie ringed a Garden Warbler and a Chiffchaff  this morning.
Lepidoptera: Speckled Wood  WRes,   Comma and Small White ChRes..

Wintersett 27.09.16

13 - 16 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res: The first REDPOLL of the autumn flew over south.   Swallow 6.  House Martin   Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult and Water Rail 1.
Anglers CP: Cormorant 39 and  Shoveler 76.  Little Grebe 6 + 6 CHRes + 3 WRes..

Wintersett 26.09.16

11 - 13 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a very light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Cormorant 43,  Shoveler 81,  Little Grebe 6
Cold Hiendley Res: Red-crested Pochard drake in eclipse plumage. 
Wintersett Res: Siskin 6 south.  Cetti's Warbler 1 male heard and 1 female retrapped,   House Martin 50,  Swallow 6 + 10 Botany fields.   Goldfinch 30 + 50 MLPonds.
Birds ringed this morning included:  10 Chiffchaff,  1 Blackcap,  2 Reed Warbler and 1 Sedge Warbler. 

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 147 Greylag Geese; 7 Canada Geese; 2 Teal; 1 Pheasant; 3 Grey Herons; 3 Little Grebes; 1 Great Crested Grebe; 1 Sparrowhawk; 2 Moorhens; 2 Coots; 2 Redshanks; 60+ Black-headed Gulls;100+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 1 fw Yellow-legged Gull; 20 Woodpigeons; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 Magpie; 4 Jackdaws; 15 Carrion Crows; 1 Goldcrest; 14 Blue Tits; 3 Great Tits; 1 Swallow; 9 Long-tailed Tits; 10+ Chiffchaffs; 1 Wren; 30+ Starlings; 1 Blackbird; 14 Robins; 6 Meadow Pipits; 3 Chaffinches, and 4 Goldfinches.

Wintersett WeBS September 2016

The  Wintersett WeBS  totals  on  17th September 2016:

Coot 530,   Moorhen 21,   Mute Swan 20,   Canada Goose 596,   Greylag 56,   Little Grebe 10,   Great Crested Grebe 34,   Cormorant 9,   Mallard 56,   Teal 16,   Wigeon 99,   Gadwall 137,   Shoveler 6,   Red-crested Pochard 1,   Pochard 56,   Tufted Duck 399,   Goldeneye 1,   Lapwing  400,   Redshank 1  and Grey Heron 4.

Wintersett 25.09.16

Rain overnight to 07.30hrs.  10 - 15 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig:  Not a lot moving.
Going south: Meadow Pipit 29,  House Martin 5,  Siskin 7, Pied Wagtail 11, Skylark 5,  Snipe 5,  Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, and Sparrowhawk 1.  Shoveler 65 + 3 CHRes.
Anglers CP:  Pintail 3,  Snipe 3,  Common Sandpiper 1,  Yellow-legged Gull 1. Little Egret 1 on shallows late afternoon, then in SW corner at 19.00hrs. 
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1 male north bank,  Chiffchaff  4 + 1 ACP + 1 CHRes and  Water Rail 1.  
Cold Hiendley Res: Red-crested Pochard 1 eclipse drake.

Ewden lodge + return, 25/9/16.

4 seasons in one day with a very cool breeze, warm sunshine and a few wintry rain showers. Very steady for birds with the wind to blame for lack of larger species. Only 1 C Buzzard, 2 Kestrels and 4 Ravens. Main highlight were a total of 7 Stonechats on broomhead moor 5 + 2. A small party of 4 House Martins went s past the lodge and just 1 Swallow which flew in the lodge but no young audible. About 60 Meadow Pipits, 15 Linnets and a few Siskins heard only in the beck woods.

Carlton Marsh

Little Egret was back on the wader scrape and Mink was seen from the hide (Dave Standish)

Carlton Marsh

This morning 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Shoveler. (Rod Heeley/Jim plant)
This evening 2 Grey Wagtail, Snipe, 2 Goldcrest, Water Rail, 16 Canada geese and 2 tawny Owl. (Dave Standish)

Wintersett 24.09.16

10 - 17 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP:  A GREAT  WHITE  EGRET  gave great, close views as it flew over  the lake and Vis Mig hill,  going south,  at 08.42hrs.  Only the 4th record for this site.  We shared the news immediately  so we could track its progress.   The bird must have doubled back  because by 08.50hrs it was picked up flying west at  Pugneys. (Chris Nickerson).   Around 10ish it landed on Wath Ings, then seen flying to Bolton Ings around 12 ish.  Later at Adwick,  it was seen flying towards Denaby Ings. (Ken Foundation).
Cormorant 37,  Snipe 1,   Little Grebe 6 + 5 CHRes + 2 WRes.,
Anglers CP Vis Mig: A small but steady passage for the first two hours. 
Going south: Swallow 146,  Meadow Pipit 51,  House Martin 41,  Sand Martin 1.  Linnet 9,  Pied Wagtail 19,  Goldfinch 11, Greenfinch 1,  and Chaffinch 1.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 7.   Siskin 10 + 6 west.
Cold Hiendley Res:   Red Crested Pochard 1 eclipse drake,   Wigeon 203 + 2 ACP + 1 WRes.  Chiffchaff  1.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's  Warbler 2 (west bank and SW corner).  Goldeneye 1 female.

Paul Meredith filled his boots and took  these  great shots of the bird of the day!

Great White Egret     ACP  PMeredith

Low Moor corner, 24/9/16.

Too windy. Main highlights a party of 12 Ravens over ewden height were the most I have ever seen together on the open moor. 3 Crossbills were in the conifer tops at midhope res with a fem showing well. On Thursday aft., C Buzzard 9 which included a kettle of 6, Siskin 20 and 2 Crossbills going and returning to thickwoods.

Wintersett 23.09.16

10 - 17 degrees, sunny with thin, high cloud and a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res: 2 Wheatears were on the north bank.  Skylark 9 south.
Anglers CP:  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.  Cormorant 35.
Cold Hiendley Res: A Little Egret flew over to WRes and was seen on ACP at 12.15hrs..

                      Wheatear               WRes.   CSwaine

                          Wheatear                    WRes    CSwaine

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 172 Greylag Geese; 135 Canada Geese; 3 Wigeon; 2 Cormorants; 1 Grey Heron; 5 Little Grebes; 1 Green Sandpiper; 1 Sand Martin; 11 Swallows; 1 House Martin, 5 Chiffchaffs, and 1 Blackcap.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 22.09.16

Per Steve Denny:
Anglers CP The first Goosander of autumn was in. .   Also 6 Dunlin and 1 Pintail.
ACP Roost:  15 Yellow-legged Gulls of various ages , though no juveniles.   Also still around 1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  ( WRes. wasn't checked but probably more  gulls on there.)

Wintersett + Gull Roost Wednesday 21.09.16

Per Steve Denny.
Wintersett Res:  14 Chiffchaffs were counted  on the east bank and over the road on Botany path.                          
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  An adult Caspian Gull and over 1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were in this evening.

Low Moor Midhope / Wilthorpe Marsh / Ewden.

Today - 21/9/16. Wilthorpe Marsh a.m. - 45 Pinkfeet west at 10-08a.m., 6 Common Snipe with no sign of any Jacks, Little Owl 1, GS Pecker 1, Willow Tit 2. Low Moor / Midhope p.m. - Very steady with 2 Crossbills over from langsett which landed at midhope res conifers and did the return flight later on. Also here Raven 1, Siskin 35 total, GS Pecker 1, C Buzzard 5, Kes 4. Yesterday here 20th, Red Kite showing well over range moor in the afternoon, Siskin 15, and at ewden from the road Raven 1, juv Curlew 1 in the valley.

Mallards

Midhope Reservor - 104 Mallards (x5 the usual number).

Langsett & Gull Roost

Langsett Reservoir - full list - 143 Greylag Geese (in high from the west); 34 Canada Geese; 58 Teal (49 in from the west); 79 Mallards; 5 Pintail (in with the Greylags but carried on south-east; 2 Tufted Ducks; 1 Red Grouse; 1 Little Grebe; 1 Sparrowhawk; 6 Woodpigeons; 11 Goldcrests; 6 Blue Tits; 9 Coal Tits; 19 Swallows; 3 Chiffchaffs; 1 Treecreeper; 4 Robins; 1 Dunnock; 1 Pied Wagtail, and 1 Chaffinch.
Gull roost - 659 Black-headed Gulls; 7 (2 juvenile) Common Gulls; 787 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 (2 adults & 1 third-winter) Yellow-legged Gull, and 1 juvenile Herring Gull.

West of Penistone

A Red Kite drifted high west at 1315 with a Buzzard and two Peregrine as escorts.
Also, a "kettle" of 8 Buzzard over Cubley with a total of 18 soaring in the area, 8 Sparrowhawk, a steady Swallow passage south and a quick "dip" of 12 House Martin at Castle Dam then south.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 20.09.16

12 - 15 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light north easterly. 
Anglers CP:  Shoveler 73, Pochard 48  Also Pintail  and 1 Whimbrel south 07:15hrs per S Denny.
Moorhouse Lane Ponds  2 Buzzard ,  2 Kestrel,  3 Mistle Thrush,  2 Little Grebe,  4 Goldcrest , 50 Linnet ,   1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and  2 Green Woodpecker. per C Swaine.
Gull Roosts per S Denny: Number of gulls building up between ACP and WRes.  1748 Lesser Black-backed Gulls  and  15 Yellow-legged Gulls tonight.   Also 1520 Canada Geese and 77 Greylag Geese.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 19.09.16

15 - 19 degrees with 8/8 cloud, wet first thing, sun after midday with a light but cool northerly.
Anglers CP: Psycho the adult Yellow-legged Gull  was on the raft.  Cormorant 16 and Wigeon 7.
Cold Hiendley Res:  Grey Wagtail 1 on spillway.   Tawny Owl 1 calling.
Wintersett Res: 9 Shelduck dropped in at 07.40hrs and 2 flew over at 18.35hrs.
Area Gull Roost: 887 Lesser Black-backed Gulls  mostly Wres.,  .  8 Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 Common Gull,  1 Herring Gull  and 5000 Black-headed Gulls.
Mammals: A Weasel was seen at Cold Hiendley Res.  See Twitter @CroftonBirder for video.

Carlton Marsh

At least 200 Canada Geese left south this morning. Present were 5 Shoveler, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, 2 Buzzard , Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Kingfisher, 15 Bullfinch, c50 Goldfinch, 20 Swallows and 3 male Blackcaps together feeding on Blackberries. (Rod Heeley/Dave Standish)

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 24 Greylag Geese; 34 Mallards; 1 Cormorant; 6 Little Grebes; 1 Great Crested Grebe; 2 Moorhens; 2 Coots; 55+ Black-headed Gulls; 85+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 1 third-winter Yellow-legged Gull; 1 Stock Dove; 18 Woodpigeons; 2 Collared Doves; 2 Kestrels; 1 Magpie; 9 Jackdaws; 16 Carrion Crows; 23 Blue Tits; 8 Great Tits; 1 Coal Tit; 3 Willow Tits; 108+ Swallows W; 2 House Martins W; 14 Long-tailed Tits; 7 Chiffchaffs; 4 Wrens; 47 Starlings; 4 Blackbirds; 3 Mistle Thrushes; 11 Robins; 7 Pied/White Wagtails; 3 Meadow Pipits; 13 Chaffinches; 15 Goldfinches, and 2 Siskins.

Carlton Marsh

Around 500 Canada Geese left the main scrape south at 09.12hrs. (Rod Heeley) Other birds included Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail, Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Jay, 3 Shoveler and 2 Skylark south.

Wintersett 18.09.16

 12 - 20 degrees with 0/8 and a very light north westerly.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: 08.00 - 11.00hrs  Another watch very light on numbers. 
Going south: Swallow 14, Meadow Pipit 96,  Grey Wagtail 1,  Pied Wagtail 2,   Siskin 16 ,  Greenfinch 3, Mistle Thrush 3,
Others: Snipe 2 N,   Skylark 1 NE and   Cormorant 9NW.
Anglers CP: Wigeon 19 + 14 dropped in from high east.  A Little Egret was on the shallows.
Haw Park Wood:  Nuthatch 1,   Buzzard 3, Treecreeper 1 and 7 Siskin 7.
Birds ringed today included:  Blackcap 4,  Chiffchaff 4,  Reed Warbler 1 and  Willow Warbler 1.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was singing on the west bank.
Moorhouse Lane Big Pond Critters:  Several  of Common Darter,  Ruddy Darter,  Migrant Hawker and Emerald Damselfly.  Singles of  Migrant Hawker,  Southern Hawker,  Red Admiral and Silver Y.
Highlight of the morning was my first ever Grass Snake, about 40cm long. It  woke up, hissed and then slithered away.  

Grass Snake record shot.     MHLPond     ASmith

Ewden lodge + return 18/9/16. D Simmonite, S Green.

Good conditions with good numbers of birds but not enough species. Main highlight was the 250+ Swallows and 100+ House Martins with some down in the heather. I haven't seen this behaviour before. Also - Peregrine 1, C Buzzard 7, Kes 4, good for Sprawk with 4 seen. Raven 8, Siskin 7, Curlew 1, Stock Dove 1 and a total of 8 Stonechats with 6 together on broomhead moor and a pair at the s bend.

Carlton Marsh

The highlights of today were Grey Wagtail 1 south, Shoveler 3, Reed Warbler 1 and Bullfinch 6. A few Swallows roosted and 370 Canada Geese and 17 Greylags came in off the fields before dusk. (Dave Standish)

Butterflies included 28 Comma, 1 Small Copper, 1 Meadow Brown, 9 Red Admiral and 57 Speckled Wood. (Chris Parkin)

Nearby a Swift flew over The Grove estate in Upper Cudworth at 12.05hrs (Jim Plant)

Yesterday (16th) c12 Siskins flew SE over Darfield Road, Cudworth at 12.20hrs

Wintersett 17.09.16

14 - 19 degrees  with 5/8 cloud and a cool north westerly breeze.
ACP Vis Mig: 07.15 - 09.00hrs.  Nothing moving!
Wintersett Res:  Greenshank 1 SW at 09.45hrs,  Grey Wagtail 4,  Reed Warbler 1 and Cetti's Warber 1 singing male in boathouse reeds,   Water Rail 1 + 1 ACP, 
Anglers CP: Redshank 1,  Snipe 1, Teal 16, Wigeon 18 and Grey Heron 2.
Cold Hiendley Res: RED CRESTED POCHARD  drake in eclipse plumage.  Goldeneye 1 female, Chiffchaff 4, Yellowhammer 13,  Tree Sparrow 20 and Grey Heron 1.

Wintersett 16.09.16

16 degrees with thunder and lightning storm from 05.15hrs until 07.00hrs, then rain until late morning. 
Anglers CP: .   Yellow-legged Gull 2 adults (including Psycho).  Common Gull 1 juvenile.  Hundreds of Black-headed Gulls.   Snipe 5 west.  Pintail 1.  Teal 4.
Haw Park Wood:  Hobby 2 over.
Wintersett Res:   When the rain stopped late morning there was a flurry of birds moving  south until early afternoon - Swallows,  Meadow Pipits,  House Martin and a flock of 10 Siskin going south.

Wintersett 15.09.16

16 - 20 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Wintersett Res:  
Birds ringed today included: Sedge Warbler 1,  Blackcap 5,  Reed Warbler 5 and Chiffchaff 11.
Also a  juvenile, female Cetti's Warbler was retrapped and a singing male was heard. 

The Edge 15.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 53 Canada Geese, 41 Teal, 20+ Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 3 Cormorant,  6 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 62 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 9 BH Gull and a singing Chiffchaff.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 27 Tufted Duck, 25 Mallard, 23 Teal, 17 Gadwall, 15 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 3 Cormorant, 6+ Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 13 Moorhen, 9 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank and 1 Kingfisher.
TPT -  3 singing Chiffchaff.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3+4y Mute Swan, 62 Greylag, 11 Canada Geese, 8 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 13 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 108 Coot, 1 Moorhen and 15 BH Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 33 Lapwing and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 14.09.16

16 - 20 degrees,  8/8 cloudy, hazy start with sunny spells from late morning  and a cool north easterly breeze.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 07.30 - 09.00hrs  Hardly any birds moving.  Meadow Pipit 12 south.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1 one on the shallows 07.30 - 08.00hrs.   Snipe 2,  Teal 14,  Pochard 37,   Cormorant 17 + 1 WRes.   and   Little Grebe 6.   Canada Goose 390 +  65 WRes..  Grey Partridge 3 in GC field.
Wintersett Res: 11 Chiffchaff were ringed this morning.  A male Cetti's Warbler was heard.
WRes Gull Roost: per Steve Denny  13 Yellow-legged Gull,  143 Lesser Black-backed Gull,   2 Common Gull  and  1600 Black-headed Gull.

Wilthorpe Marsh 14/9/16.

A surprise Jack Snipe flushed off the wetland edge with 2 Common Snipe and 2 Water Rails. At the oxbow 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets and a party of 3 Willow Tits.

The Edge 14.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 29 Canada Geese, 52 Teal, 6 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 95 Lapwing, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Greeenshank, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 24 BH Gull and a flock of 20+ Goldfinch.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 62 Canada Geese, 46 Teal, 30 Mallard, 27 Tufted Duck, 20 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 35 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 12 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 14 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 9 Lapwing, 6+ Snipe and 7 BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+3y Mute Swan, 29 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 15 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 19 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 81 Coot, 35 BH Gull and 5 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 5 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Jay and 1 singing Chiffchaff.

Variegated Cuckoo Bees at Ingbirchworth

Also found a small colony of Red-thighed Epeolus Epeolus cruciger at Ingbirchworth Res which appear to be quite localized in the UK and my first.

                                          Red-thighed Epeolus by Geoff Carr

                                          (confirmation John)

Ingbirchworth late morning

Two Little Egret, 150+ LBB Gulls (on fields), 200+ Swallow south and 2 Willow Warbler.
Additionally, a Wall butterfly - scarce in the Barnsley area and my first for a number of years.

                                          Wall by Geoff Carr

Wintersett 13.09.16

16 - 25 degrees with scattered cloud and a light north easterly.
Anglers CP Vis. Mig: 07.00 - 09.00hrs. Still very slow.
Going south - Meadow Pipit 69 and  Swallow 20.
Skylark 2 SW
Anglers CP: Snipe 2.  Little Grebe 4 (2 adults + 2 juveniles) + 3 WRes..   Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult. 
Haw Park Wood:   Hobby 2 over.
Wintersett Village: A juvenile Red Kite was circling over at 13.00hrs, then over ACP.  Whitethroat 1 and Sedge Warbler 1.

The Edge 13.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Got out of the car to the sound of a singing Chiffchaff. On the ings were 2 Mute Swan, 14 Canada Geese, 39 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 16 Lapwing, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Pied Wagtail and a flock of 12 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Highlight was the cc Marsh Harrier that quartered the backfield. Also noted were 2 Mute Swan, 62 Canada Geese, 56 Teal, 35 Mallard, 30 Tufted Duck, 25 Gadwall, 18 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 38 Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 12 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 14 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 29 Lapwing, 3 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 12+ Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Owl and 1 Kingfisher.
Bolton Ings - Started the walk down with good views of a female Sparrowhawk circling over the Old Moor Rspb car park. Highlight was a Whinchat sat on a fencepost  front left of the hide, a spot it favoured for the next 90 minutes until we left . On the open water were 1+3y Mute Swan, 18 Greylag, 3 Canada Geese, 24 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 18 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 89 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 29 BH Gull and 6 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1cc Marsh Harrier and 1 Kestrel.

Caspian Gull

I have just received the following information regarding the Caspian Gull at Ingbirchworth Reservoir and surrounding areas from late July to August.

Pontic/Caspian Gull
EA204215    nestling  06/06/2016   Reddern, Oberspreewald-Lausitz 51.42'N 14.
X215                                                06'E (Brandenburg) Germany.
                                    29/07/2016   Ingbirchworth Reservoir.
                                          to            and at Broadstone Reservoir, Whitley
                                    13/08/2016   Common and Langsett Reservoir on various
                                                          between.

1083 kms W after 53 days of ringing.

Wintersett 12.09.16

15 - 18 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP Vis. Mig:  Dire!  3  Meadow Pipits south in two hours.
Anglers CP: At 15.00hrs  a Red Kite, being mobbed by Lapwings,  flew low over the hide for 10 minutes, then headed off north east.   Litte Grebe 2 adults + 1 juvenile.

             Little Grebe family               ACP   CSwaine

                           

Broomhead Moor fence, Dukes Road, Stone Circle track, circular. 12/9/16.

Always a great walk but birds sometimes scarce. Breezy but warm and dry. Nowt seen or flushed from the moor on the way up apart from grouse. Not much better on dukes road but an adult Wheatear. On to the shooting lodge which was another tow with just 3 C Buzzard, 3 Raven and 2 Kes in a couple of hours. The lodge Swallows are still very busy feeding young. Things improved on the way down with a small group of 3 Ring Ouzels feeding on rowan berries. They flew up the valley but not far. Also 1 Whinchat, flock of 8 Siskin, Linnet flock of about 100, an impressive flock of 250+ House Martins feeding up near holt farm and 1 Curlew.

Barnby Furnace 12th September

A larva of the Sycamore Moth found today.

The Edge 12.09.16

Wombwwell Ings - Highlight was a Wood Sandpiper. Also present were 1 Mute Swan, 28 Canada Geese, 55 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 98 Lapwing, 4 Ringed Plover, 51 BH Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 49 Canada Geese, 39 Mallard, 34 Teal, 24 Gadwall, 23 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 2 Garganey, 33 Little Grebe, 1 Great Cresteed Grebe, 12 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Cormorant, 15 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 8 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Little Owl. 
Bolton Ings -  A cc Marsh Harrier gave good views as it quartered over the eastern end of the main pool at c.12.00 midday. On the open water were 1+1y Mute Swan, 24 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 1 Mallard, 14 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 91 Coot and 1 Moorhen. Also present were 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 17 Lapwing and 2 Kestrel.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full count - 63 Greylag Geese; 102 Canada Geese; 26 Mallards; 1 Grey Heron; 3 Little Grebes; 1 Great Crested Grebe; 20+ Black-headed Gulls; 60+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 1 first-winter Yellow-legged Gull; 6 Woodpigeons; 1 Kestrel; 2 Magpies; 6 Carrion Crows; 4 Blue Tits; 1 Great Tit; 8 Swallows; 7 Chiffchaffs; 2 Willow Warblers; 1 Blackcap; 1 Sedge Warbler; 1 Wren; 8 Blackbirds (7 together); 5 Robins; 3 Pied/White Wagtails; 1 Tree Pipit S; 35+ Meadow Pipits; 5 Chaffinches, and 15+ Goldfinches.
Midhope Reservoir - 27 Mallards, and 1 Tufted Duck.

Wintersett 11.09.16

12 - 19 degrees with 8/8 cloud first thing, sunny spells later and a light southerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig:  07.30 - 12.00hrs.  A  surge of birds first thing and then raptors from mid-morning.
Going south: Meadow Pipit 431,  Swallow 100,  Sand Martin 2,  Yellow Wagtail 2,  Siskin1.
A total of 33 Buzzards were seen from mid morning: 1 flew south at 10.30hrs.   19 more formed the biggest kettle  of Buzzards seen here, drifting west.     A total of 13 more also  drifted west up to midday.  A call from Ian Beveridge at Pugneys, alerted us to an OSPREY, which we managed to pick up circling high , drifting  south, to the west of HP Wood at 12.15hrs. This bird was seen over Bolton Ings at 12.50hrs.   A Hobby flew over ACP at 14.35hrs  and a Peregrine went over the Pol field at 16.32hrs. 
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 juvenile and Shoveler 28.

Low Moor p.m. 11/9/16.

Great conditions but very steady birding. Still, anything was welcome after a morning dip at the pallid. - Peregrine 1 ad. showed well, Merlin 1 mobbing a Buzzard, C Buzzard 5, Kes 2, Raven 5 + 1, Curlew 1 down.

Carlton Marsh

This morning a male Shoveler, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Blackcap, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Willow Tits, 10 Grey Partridges, 5 Red-legged Partridges and a Peregrine south at 08.45hrs. (D.M. Smith)

This evening Little Egret, Whitethroat and Little Owl.

Low Moor, Wilthorpe Marsh 10/9/16.

Both sites very steady. Wilthorpe Marsh a.m. Green Sand 3, Little Egret 1, Teal 12, Snipe 3. Low Moor p.m. - C Buzzard 8, Raven 2, fem Goosander 1, Mistle Thrush 33, LBB Gull 3, Tufted Duck 1 on res., calling Nuthatch upper midhope village.

Wintersett 10.09.16

11 - 18 degrees, cool with 8/8 cloud  and a light south westerly,
Anglers CP Vis. Mig: 07.30 - 12.00hrs.  Very slow start  with small flurries of  Meadow Pipits totalling 135, going south, mid morning.  Also going south Buzzard 1,  Kestrel 1,  Siskin 1,  Mistle Thrush 2,   Lapwing 18,  a flock of 210 House Martin slowly over HP Wood,  Chaffinch 2 and Swallow 11,
Also Snipe 3 SW and Cormorant 2 W.
Anglers CP: A Little Egret  flew into the shallows.  Water Rail 1 + 1 WRes.,  Kestrel 1,  Sparrowhawk 1,  Hobby  2 and  Peregrine 1 juvenile seen 3 times.  Shoveler 32,  Little Grebe 2 and Canada X Greylag Hybrids 6.
Birds ringed today included:  Linnet 26,   Blackcap 14,   Chiffchaff 11,  Reed Warbler 4,   Willow Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1 and Lesser Whitethroat 1. 

Broomhill Flash - Gannet 10.09.16

Here are Ron Marhshall's photos of the Gannet seen at Broomhill at 10.30hrs. 

It was seen earlier at Swillington Ings  and Pugneys.  Thanks to Ian Beveridge for giving Wintersett an alert,  but, sadly, we could not pick it up from  Anglers CP Vis Mig. Hill.  (Curses!)

Carlton Marsh

This morning Little Egret, 2 Greenshank and 2 Buzzard around the wader scrape.  A Sparrowhawk took a Jay, the hawk was mobbed by to more Jays! (Rod Heeley)

Wintersett 09.09.16

13 - 17 degrees, mostly 8/8 cloud, with  a couple of short sunny spells and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: 06.30 - 10.00hrs   Very slow this morning.
Going south:  Tree Pipit 1 at 09.20hrs..  Meadow Pipit 61,  Swallow 60,  Sand Martin 2.
Gadwall 4 west.  Snipe 2 west + 1 ACP.
Anglers CP: Pochard 32 + 3 WRes..  
Haw Park Wood:  Hobby 4 and Buzzard 6.  
Cold Hiendley Res:  Wigeon 11.   A total of 133 Gadwall in the area -  124 CHRes + 3 WRes + 6 ACP.
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female,  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult, 

Carlton Marsh

Last night's mothing with H.E. Beaumont provided 24 macro species and 17 micros. The highlights were Centre-barred Sallow 2, Angle Shades, Copper Underwing sp. 3, Canary Shoulder Thorn 2, Black Rustic, Flame Shoulder, Gold Spot and Bulrush Wainscot. Apologies to 'Webbo' I forgot to ask you to come.

This morning 2 Snipe, Little Egret, 2 Kestrels, Blackcap,

The Edge 08.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Highlight was the 2 Bar Tailed Godwit that dropped in for twenty minutes at 9.00am. Also present were 23 Canada Geese, 66 Teal, 9 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 3 Red Legged Partridge, 157 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 25 BH Gull and 1 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 25 Canada Geese, 42 Teal, 33 Mallard, 26 Tufted Duck, 19 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 42 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 12 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 18 Moorhen, 7 Coot, 9 Lapwing, 4+ Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper,1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank,11 BH Gull and 1 Little Owl.
Bolton Ings - Highlight was the extended views of a hunting Hobby from 12.20 -1.00pm. On the open water were 1+1y Mute Swan, 48 Greylag, 19 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 2 Mallard, 16 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 84 Coot and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett 08.09.16

Much cooler this morning. 13 - 19 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP + Vis. Mig.:  06.30 10.00.  A steady movement of birds from the start. 
Going south: Swallow 427,    House Martin 30,    Sand Martin 12,   Meadow Pipit 216.   Black-tailed Godwit 5 over at 08.28hrs.    Pintail 4 over at 08.17hrs, then returned at 08.23, left  again at 08.32hrs. + 5 at 09.45hrs.  Mistle Thrush 11, 
Going west /south west: Cormorant  2 x 7 flocks flew south west.  A Marsh Harrier went south west at 10.20hrs.    Snipe 8 west.   Hobby 4 over HP Wood.
Anglers CP:  Green Sandpiper 1,   Water Rail 1,  Little Grebe 1,  Shoveler 42,  Wigeon 14,  Pochard 30.  Feral Pigeon 160 in Pol field.
Wintersett Res: A young male  Cetti's Warbler was learning to sing by the boathouse bench at midday.  Shelduck 1 adult - them moved to ACP.  Goldeneye 1 female,  Canada Goose 185.
Insects.  A Green-veined White butterfly was on the west bank WRes..  Common Blue Damselfly  1 ACP.
Mammal: A Mink was seen in the car park.
NB:  If you see a hedgehog in the area, (alive or deceased) could you please add a comment to the blog,  or tweet @Wintersett1  giving the location.  Thank you.

                           Green Sandpiper                     ACP  CSwaine

Wintersett 07.09.16

15 - 20 degrees with 8/8 cloud this morning and a light south easterly,  sunny this afternoon.
Anglers CP Vis. Mig:  06.30 - 10.10hrs.   The first movement of  Meadow Pipits started around 08.00 and continued to 10.00hrs  502 was the final total - an excellent number for September.   A Greenshank flew northwest at 07.20 and 2 more dropped in at 09.30hrs.  240 Swallow went south, also 23 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin,  38 Chaffinch  and 2 Hobby .
Wintersett Res: A Greenshank flew east at 10.30hrs.  Cetti's Warbler 1 singing male.  A flock of 200 Linnet were in the west bank field.
Bird Ringing highlights this morning were:  Blackcap 11,  Whitethroat 2,  Lesser Whitethroat 1,  Sedge Warbler 1,   Reed Warbler 13,  Willow Warbler 7 and Chiffchaff 17.
Overnight moth highlights were:  Twin-spotted Wainscot,  Scarce Silver-lines,  Chevron,  Angle-striped Sallow, Black Rustic and Flame Carpet.

                                           Flame Carpet           ACP  ASmith

September 7th

Highlight at Stainborough today ~ 2 Hobby hunting near the Rotunda and settling in Shed Plantation.  Very vocal and territorial when I approached the wood.
On my local patch at Athersley Memorial Fishing Lake - a kingfisher.

Low Moor corner, 7/9/16. D Simmonite, S Green.

1pm to 4pm. Top weather conditions but very steady birding. Common Buzzard 17+ with 15 up together at 1 point. Kestrel 4, Raven 8 all going w., Mistle Thrush 9 together, Curlew 1, Jay 2. Big numbers of House Martins blogging about so just about impossible to count. 200+ probably many more. Crossbill 1? heard only at the end. Lastly a flock of about 65 grey geese s. over gilbert hill appeared to land in the langsett res area were thought to be Greylags.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 28 Greylag Geese; 56 Canada Geese; 4 Wigeon; 81 Mallards; 2 Cormorants; 2 Little Grebes; 1 Great Crested Grebe; 1 Sparrowhawk; 2 Moorhens; 2 Coots; 1 Golden Plover; 50+ Black-headed Gulls; c400 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull; 7 Woodpigeons; 2 Kestrels; 7 Jackdaws; 11 Rooks; 8 Carrion Crows; 4 Blue Tits; 1 Great Tit; 7 Chiffchaffs; 3 Willow Warblers; 1 Common Whitethroat; 36 Starlings; 3 Blackbirds; 9 Robins; 3 Wheatears; 7 Pied Wagtails; 1 Chaffinch, and 6 Goldfinches.
Langsett Reservoir - on the dam wall bank were - 4 Canada Geese; 1 Wheatear, and c20 Pied Wagtails.

The Edge 07.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 36 Canada Geese, 41 Teal, 19 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 142 Lapwing, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe and 13 BH Gull.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 111 Canada Geese, 60+ Teal, 55 Mallard, 42 Tufted Duck, 20 + Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 1 Garganey, 41 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 12 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 17 Moorhen, 9 Coot, 100+ Lapwing, 2+ Common Sandpiper, 1 Greeen Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 2 Snipe.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 1+3y Mute Swan, 78 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 59 Gadwall, 20 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 2 Mallard, 14 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 78 Coot, 3 Moorhen and 2 LBB Gull. Also present were 4 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2cc Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 2 Black Tailed Godwit (through NW at 1.05pm) and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett 06.09.16

21 - 25 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew east at 07.43hrs + 1 flew west 13.40 - 13.50hrs.  A Greenshank flew south at 08.58hrs.  Snipe 1 over.   Shoveler 31,  Teal 6,  Wigeon 1 and Gadwall 16. Yellow-legged Gull 2  adults.
Birds ringed this morning included: Blackcap 13,   Chiffchaff  7,   Willow Warbler 1,   Whitethroat 1 and Reed Warbler 3.
Overnight moth trapping produced: Orange Sallow,   Heath Rustic,   Crescent,   Chevron, 2,   Frosted Orange 2,   Angle-striped Sallow 3  and Dusky Thorn 7.

                    Frosted Orange          ACP   ASmith

Carlton Marsh 5/9/16

Little Egret 2, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 2, Willow Tit 2, Buzzard and Wigeon.

Today 6/9/16
Little Egret and Greenshank.

Ewden cabin + return 6/9/16. D Simmonite, S Green.

Poor today compared to recent days. More expected with the weather brighter and drier than yesterday. Still, that's birding. Best bird was the juv./fem. Merlin found for us again by the cabin Swallows. Also - Raven 6+, 1 juv. fem. type Stonechat, C Buzzard 6+, Kestrel 6+, Sprawk 1, Linnet 20, Mountain Mars Bars [ Meadow Pipits for the uneducated] continue to build up slowly, about 50. Still a movement of mostly House Martins and some Swallows but reduced.

The Edge 06.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 89 Canada Geese, 53 Teal, 23 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 196 Lapwing, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Golden Plover,  2 Greenshank, 1 Ruff, 1 Snipe and 17 BH Gull.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 3 Mute Swan, 29 Tufted Duck, 27 Teal, 25 Gadwall, 16 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 34 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 11 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Moorhen, 10 Coot, 8+ Lapwing, 6+ Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 6 LBB Gull, 5 BH Gull, 40+ House Martin and c10 Sand Martin.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+3y Mute Swan, 79 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 80 Gadwall, 31 Shoveler,  22 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 15 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Cormorant, 77 Coot and 1 BH Gull. Also present were 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Buzzard, 2cc Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, c150 Lapwing, 2 Black Tailed Godwit and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Wintersett Monday 05.09.16

Anglers CP + Vis Mig:
Little Egret 1 on shallows at 05.45hrs.  Black-tailed Godwit 3 at 06.50hrs.  Ringed Plover 1 over 07.50hrs.   Ruff  8 flew over briefly, left at 09.10hrs.    Wigeon 1,  Shoveler 25,  Teal 20 and Pochard 14.  Water Rail 1SW corner.
Going south: Hobby 1 at 07.20hrs.  Sand Martin 15, House Martin 12,  Swallow 85,  Meadow Pipit 17,  Snipe 1 W + 1 in.
Wintersett Res:  Linnet 200 in the north bank stubble.

Wintersett Catch Up 26.08.16 - 03.09.16

Back from an excellent jaunt around Georgia, from Tiblisi to Batumi,  with Sunbird Tours led by @Paul French and Giorgi Darchiashvili.

Here are the notables from  Wintersett last week. 
Friday 26.08.16
Anglers CP: Sand Martin, 2 nests still active.  Swift 1.     Cetti's Warbler 1m  SW corner.  Yellow-legged Gulls  2, including Psycho.    Hobby 1 over and 1 adult mobbing a juvenile.  Peregrine 1 juvenile male over 10.35hrs + 1 over WRes.    Mediterranean Gull 1 juvenile at 10.55hrs and 13.30hrs.   Linnet - a flock of 100 in stubble field.

Saturday 27.08.16
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1m west bank,  1m SW ACP + 2 juvenile females retrapped.  2 Greenshank flew over at 11.24hrs and then dropped on ACP shallows. 
Anglers CP + Vis.Mig: A Ruff  and a Redshank came in, briefly at 08.50hrs. Snipe 1,  Wigeon 1 over. Hobby 2over.   Buzzard 16 east.   Linnet flock now 180.    
Going south: An adult Ringed Plover at 08.00hrs, a Tree Pipit at 08.12hrs, an adult female Peregrine,
Birds Ringed: Lesser Whitethroat 1,  Garden Warbler 1,  Reed Warbler 13,  Sedge Warbler 4,  Blackcap 8 and Whitethroat 2, Chiffchaff 24 and Willow Warbler 12.

Sunday 28.08.16
Anglers CP + Vis.Mig. : Common Tern 1 adult in 09.30hrs.  Common Scoter 1m,  Wheatear 1 S
Snipe 1 N + 6 left shallows, west.   Yellow Wagtail 1over,  Grey Wagtail 5, Yellow-legged Gull 4 adults (incl.Psycho).  Linnet flock now 400 in Rapeseed stubble field.
Teal 24,  Shoveler 9 + 2 CHRes.,  Pochard 10 + 1 WRes., Goldeneye 1f CHRES and Wigeon 2 CHRes.

Monday 29.08.16
Anglers CP + VisMig:  Meadow Pipit 1 S.  48 Linnets were ringed. Yellow-legged Gull 2 (incl. Psycho)
Wintersett Res: Cormorant 4 W
Cold Hiendley Res: Little Grebe 5.

Tuesday 30.08.16
Anglers CP: 2Sand Martin still active.
Wintersett Res: Sedge Warbler 1,  Whitethroat 1,  Cetti's Warbler 1m north bank + 1 SW ACP.

Wednesday 31.08.16
Snipe 1 ACP/  Water Rail 1 adult Botany,  Little Owl 1.  Hobby 1 adult Disposal Point.

Thursday 01.09.16
Anglers CP: Meadow Pipit 1 S,  Yellow Wagtail 1over + 1 over WRes..  Wigeon 1.  Little Egret 1, Cetti's Warbler 1.   Sand Martin 2 - an adult still feeding a juvenile around the box.

Friday 02.09.16
Anglers CP:  Little Egret 1.  Green Sandpiper 1 flew east over islands at 09.30hrs.  Snipe 1.

Saturday  03.09.16
Wintersett Res: Yellow Wagtail 1 S,  Greenshank 1 over at 08.20hrs.
Anglers CP+ Vis Mig:  Merlin 1 flew east.  
Going south: Ringed Plover 5,  Sand Martin 15,  House Martin 354,  Mistle Thrush 34.

Ewden cabin and return, 5/9/16. D Simmonite, S Green.

Low cloud a problem here but sunny spells as well. Totals were - Marsh Harrier 2, 1 fem. juv. type Merlin past the cabin found by the Swallows which are feeding young in the gable. Peregrine 2, 1 ad. and 1 imm., Kestrel 6, C Buzzard 7, Raven 6, small flock of 3 Snipe through, Wheatear 2, Siskin 2, House Martin 60.

The Edge 05.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 112 Canada Geese, 46 Teal, 5 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Litttle Egret, 1 Moorhen, 2 Kestrel,1 Sparrowhawk, 150+ Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover, 52 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Linnet.
 Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 11 Canada Geese, 38 Mallard, 36 Gadwall, 33 Tufted Duck, 14 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 1 Garganey, 1 Shoveler, 43 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Cormorant, 31 Coot, 14 Moorhen, 18 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Kingfisher.
Bolton Ings - Felt healthy on the Ings with me getting "My-five-a-day", Raptors that is!!! Highlight was a Hobby that gave excellent views as it hunted high and low over the eastern pool for nearly 45 minutes. The supporting cast of 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1cc Marsh Harrier also showed well. On the open water were 2+3y Mute Swan, 16 Canada Geese, 12 Gadwall, 11 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 15 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 89 Coot, 5 BH Gull and  4 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Little Egret, 44 Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Ingbirchworth & Royd Moor

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 1 Greylag Goose; 8 Canada Geese; 77 Mallards; 1 Grey Heron; 3 Little Grebes; 1 Great Crested Grebe; 3 Moorhens; 2 Coots; 1 Common Sandpiper;3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; c20 Black-headed Gulls; 5 Woodpigeons; 2 Carrion Crows; 2 Goldcrests; 3 Blue Tits; 1 Great Tit; steady passage of c100 Swallows W; 1 House Martin; 5 Chiffchafs; 3 Willow Warblers; 2 Wrens; 1 Blackbird; 3 Robins; 1 Whinchat; 1 Dunnock; 3 Grey Wagtails; 6 Pied Wagtails; 35+ Meadow Pipits W; 3 Chaffinches and 3 Goldfinches.
Shooters in the south fields explained the lack of geese.
Royd Moor Reservoir - full list - 7 Greylag Geese; 1 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks; 25 Mallards; 4 Cormorants; 2 Little Grebes; 3 Great Crested Grebes; 1 Moorhen; 45+ Black-headed Gulls; 1 juvenile/first-winter Common Gull; 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 2 Stock Doves; 5 Woodpigeons; 2 Carrion Crows; 50+ Swallows (moving S here!); 2 Chiffchaffs; 1 Blackcap, and 1 Chaffinch.
Millhouse Green - 3 Kestrel hunting over High Bank.
Barnside Moor - c20 clowns in fancy dress slaughtering grouse. Kids in tow too - morons!!!

Wintersett 04.09.16

13 - 17 degrees with occasional light showers and a westerly breeze.
Anglers CP Vis. Mig:  Variety over numbers today.  Hobby 1 over. 
Going south -  Sand Martin 7, House Martin 122,   Common Tern 5 (1 adult + 4 juveniles) at 09.10hrs,  Red Kite  1 at 11.10hrs,  A Dunlin dropped in late morning and a Turnstone flew in briefly at 14.15hrs. 
Going north east -A Cream-crowned Marsh Harrier at  10.05hrs and a Little Egret at 16.25hrs. 
Anglers CP: Lapwing 500,  Canada X Greylag Goose 6 hybrids,  Pochard 16 and Cormorant 16.
Wintersett Res: Shoveler 10 and Water Rail 1.
Paul Meredith took these frame fillers,of the obliging Dunlin,  on the south bank at ACP.

Tomorrow I'll post a catch up blog for last week. 

Carlton Marsh

Yesterday morning (3rd)
Little Egret 1, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Buzzard 2, Jay 3 and Heron 5.

Carlton (today 4th)
A Little Egret flew over Dave Smith's Carlton home towards Carlton Memorial lake at 13.00hrs followed by a Red Kite drifting east at 13.06hrs.

Carlton Marsh
This morning 5 Lapwing, 20 House Martins, 10 Grey Partridges and 3 Red-legged Partridges - too much shooting nearby.
This afternoon a Little Egret left the wader scrape north at 16.55hrs and a female Wigeon was on the main scrape.

Wilthorpe Marsh 3/9/16. Ewden 1/9/16.

Wilthorpe Marsh a.m., 500+ House Martins with the arrival of the rain with at least half of them on wires. Otherwise steady with 2 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 juv Water Rail, 1 GS Pecker. Ewden cabin + return 1/9/16. - Steady with most of the action over thorpes brow, ewden height with 1 cc Marsh Harrier, 4 C Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and 2 Ravens fighting it out. Good for Stonechat with the party of 5 possibly 6 on broomhead moor not far from the entrance gate. Quiet at the cabin with adult Peregrine, 3 Ravens and a moulting male Stonechat. Curlew 1 near holt farm.

The Edge 02.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 98 Mallard, 38 Teal, 27 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 2 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Moorhen, 77 Lapwing, 3 Greenshank and 1 Black Tailed Godwit.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Geese, 34 Tufted Duck, 24 Gadwall, 17 Teal, 15 Mallard, 7 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 34 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Little Egret, 4 Cormorant, 30 Coot, 28 Moorhen, 24 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 9 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 3 Linnet.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+4y Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 19 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 16 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 77 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 6 BH Gull and 4 LBB Gull(+10 over). Also present were 3 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 cc Marsh Harrier (flew in from west and dropped directly into reedbeds).

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 1 Greylag Goose; 170 Canada Geese; 80 Mallards; 1 Little Egret; 1 Grey Heron; 3 Little Grebes; 4 Moorhens; 8 Coots; 2 Curlews; 2 Common Sandpipers; c20 Black-headed Gulls; 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 5 Woodpigeons; 1 Magpie; 3 Carrion Crows; 1 Swallow; c30 House Martins; 9 Blue Tits; 5 Great Tits; 9+ Long-tailed Tits; 1 Willow Warbler; 4 Wrens; 1 Starling; 5 Blackbirds; 2 Robins; 1 Dunnock; 7 Pied/White Wagtails; 3 Chaffinches and 4 Goldfinches.
Whitley Edge - 30 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Millhouse Green - 2 Kestrels at High Bank.

The Edge 01.09.16

Wombwell Ings - Very quiet with 1 Mute Swan, 25 Canada Geese, 37 Teal, 29 Mallard, 11 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 3 Moorhen, 75 Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 35 BH Gull, 4 Pied Wagtail and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 20 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 53 Teal, 48 Mallard, 44 Gadwall, 35 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 42 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 15 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 19 Coot, 16 Moorhen, 19+ Lapwing, 15 Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 BH Gull and 2 LBB Gull.
TPT - As we started walking down to Bolton Ings at 11.15am, we eventually located a Hobby flying over the main marsh and waderscrape(thanks to directions over the radio from Ivan Martin).
Bolton Ings - Bird of the day was a cream crown Marsh Harrier which gave good views as it quartered up and down the eastern pool for over 25 minutes at 12.45pm. We were quite surprised when another cream crown flew up from the eastern end to join the first bird. They gradually flew high and west but not before we had a chance to get Ivan Martin in Wath Ings Hide onto the birds. Pleased to return a favour so quickly. On the open water were 2+4y Mute Swan, 8 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 10 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 15 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 61 Coot, 2 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 1 Lapwing, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Blackcap.