Wednesday 30 November 2016

Wintersett 30.11.2016

5 - 6 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light westerly. A very quiet day without any new birds in.
Anglers CP:  Wigeon 241  and Shoveler 5 + 2 CHRes +  1 WRes..

The Edge 30/11/16

Wombwell Ings - 100% ice cover of the main flash meant there were few birds to count. Present were 2 Mute Swan over, 15 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 3 Moorhen, 25 Lapwing, 56 BH Gull and c40 Redwing.
Broomhill Flash - About 80% ice cover. Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 55+ Shoveler, 45 Wigeon, 13 Gadwall, 12 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 2 Pochard, 5 Cormorant, 4 Moorhen, 50+ Golden Plover, 40+ Lapwing, 7+ Snipe, 123 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Red Legged Partridge and 1 Kingfisher.
Bolton Ings - About 66% ice cover. On the small area of open water were 2 Mute Swan, c70 Mallard, 57 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 10 Pochard, 8 Goosander, 2 Teal, 2 female Goldeneye, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 212 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 28 BH Gull and 12 Common Gull. Also present were 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Song Thrush and 3 Bullfinch.

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Moorlands + 29/11/16.

Broomhead Moor, dukes rd., ewden, circular. Very cold with bright sunshine for this classic walk. Shame the birding wasn't as good with not much seen. Smoke from heather burning spoiling the views in the ewden valley. 1+ Brambling were in the elusive Chaffinch flock at the Mortimer road entrance gate + Nuthatch. Woodcock flushed off and a Stonechat on broomhead moor. On to midhope/low moor which had very poor visibility due to the sun and smoke from heather burning. 17 Teal on the res. On to ingbirchworth with some of the Brambling flock showing well. All the geese were too far away in fields above the nw corner of the res.

Wintersett + Gull Roost. 29.11.16

A very cold and  frosty  -2  to 4 degrees.  mostly calm with clear blue sky.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1m west bank.  Chiffchaff 1 boathouse area.  Shoveler 3.
Anglers CP:  50 Pink-footed Geese were in the fields.   2 Barn Owls were seen - 16.00hrs and 16.07hrs.   Teal 37.  Woodcock 1.
ACP Gull Roost: The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only notable in the roost tonight.

The Edge 29/11/2016

Bolton Ings - Highlight was the Bittern that flew along the north side of the eastern pool at 11.37am. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 50 Tufted Duck, 25 Mallard, 12 Teal, 6 Pochard, 4 male Goosander, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 female Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 141 Coot, 26 BH Gull and 16 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 48 Lapwing, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Jay, c150 Redwing, 20+ Fieldfare, 1 Greenfinch and 6 Bullfinch.
Broomhill Flash - per J. Seeviour  Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 76 Greylag, 60+ Teal, 55+ Shoveler, 50+ Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 25 Mallard, 10+ Tufted Duck, 8+ Cormorant, 3 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 200+Redwing and 20+ Fieldfare.

BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP

Thursday 1st December 2016, 7.15 pm at the Old Moor visitor centre

Mike Pilsworth with an illustrated talk on 'A Year at Blacktoft Sands'

All welcome. £2.50 cover charge includes interval drink.

Monday 28 November 2016

Fleets Dam 28/11/16.

3 Parakeets at the asda end of the dam this morning. For people that might not know, you can walk to the dam from the asda car park as well as the smithies lane entrance.

The Edge 28/11/2016

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 235 Canada Geese, skein of c40 Greylag NW at 8.40am, 101 Wigeon, 46 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Moorhen, 19 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 83 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 100+ Redwing. K. Fisher had a Kingfisher and c20 Fieldfare along the R.Dove and a Jack Snipe on the Corner Pond.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3y Whooper Swan which came in at 8.20 and left east at 8.40am. Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 60+ Shoveler, c50 Teal, 45 Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 38 BH Gull and 4 Snipe.
TPT - 1 Goldcrest and 1 Little Egret.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 66 Tufted Duck, 9 Goosander, 8 Pochard, 6 Mallard, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 126 Coot, 71 BH Gull and 13 Common Gull. Also present were 5 Grey Heron, 4 Cormorant, 2 Green Woodpecker and 2 Jay.

Wintersett 28.11.16

1 - 4 degrees,  with 6/8 cloud and a cool, light south easterly.
Anglers CP:  Siskin 4,  Shoveler 4 and Teal 19.   Canada X Greylag Goose hybrids 5.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1 m boathouse reeds.  Chiffchaff 1 south east corner.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 2 Pink-footed Geese; 174 Greylag Geese; 403 Canada Geese; 74 Mallards; 1 Tufted Duck; 2 Cormorants; 4 Little Grebes; 2 Moorhens; 5 Coots; 800+ Black-headed Gulls; 104 Common Gulls; 3 Herring Gulls; 12 Woodpigeons; 1 Kingfisher; 3 Magpies; 1 Jay; 2 Jackdaws; 16 Carrion Crows; 16 Blue Tits; 17 Great Tits; 1 Coal Tit; 3 Willow Tits; 2 Wrens; 4 Starlings; 10 Blackbirds; 7 Fieldfares; 1 Song Thrush; 3 Redwings; 12 Robins; 1 Dunnock; 80+ Bramblings; c20 Chaffinches, and 1 Reed Bunting.

Canada Geese at Ingbirchworth

Two colour ringed Canada Geese seen at Ingbirchworth Reservoir (Annat Royd Lane) yesterday 27th November had both ringed at Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria on 29th June 2014.

BAZN adult male 29/06/2014 Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria.
                  vv        27/112016  Ingbirchworth Reservoir. 123 kms SE. 2 yrs 151 days.

CAFK adult female 29/05/2014 Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria.
                  vv           27/11/2016 Ingbirchworth Reservoir. 123 km SE 2 yrs 151 days

Carlton Marsh

Bittern sunning itself at the southern end of the marsh as seen from the disused rail embankment from 13.44hrs (Rod Heeley)

This record shot was taken by a phone camera
Rod Heeley

Sunday 27 November 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 27.11.16

4 - 7 degrees with 7/8 cloud that cleared to 2/8 towards mid morning. Sunshine  to mid afternoon and a light north easterly.
Anglers CP:  Grey Wagtail 1 + 1 CHRes..
Birds ringed this morning included:  5 Redwing,  19 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Mealy Redpoll  (see Becky's photos below)
Wintersett Res: An adult Mediterranean Gull was in at 09.40hrs. 
Cold Hiendley Field:  Skylark 400 + 76 NW.   Stock Dove 65
Haw Park Wood:  Siskin 14.
Both Gull Roosts were watched today.
Notables: A 1stW Caspian Gull was on WRes at 15.15hrs.  The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was on ACP and another adult YL Gull was on Wres.
Totals:  Herring Gull                         970  (670 ACP + 300 WRes)
              Great Black-backed Gull       70  (60 ACP + 10 WRes)
              Lesser Black-backed Gull      13  (6 ACP + 7 WRes)

Mealy Redpoll 1st year male ringed today  RHL
                                               

Low Moor 27/11/16 .

Mostly dry with spells of sunshine but a cold north east wind. Steady birding with a good number of species but few raptors. List - C Buzzard 4, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1. Pinkfeet 32+west, Raven 6 a 4+2, Crossbill 6 included a pair showing well, Siskin 19, Redpoll 5, Bullfinch 5, Redwing 9, Fieldfare 5, singing Mistle Thrush. Snipe 1, GS Pecker 1.

Saturday 26 November 2016

A Little Egret and a Fox were seen on the wader scrape at 07.43hrs. (Keith Bannister) Then at 12.45hrs Bittern was seen only yards away, in front of the hide, before it disappeared into the left hand reed bed. (Dave Standish)

Wintersett Flocks + Gull Roost 26.11.16

3 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a very light northerly.
Quantity was the name of the game this morning and Cold Hiendley Field was the place to be.  We watched a spectacular, flying flock of 400 Skylarks This equals the highest ever number of grounded birds, which were  recorded on 29th November 1980.   300 Feral Pigeon - the biggest flock  recorded here. (They weren't generally recorded in the past).   Also 23 Yellowhammer.  10 Meadow Pipit and 4 Grey Partridge.
Botany Bay: Kingfisher.
Anglers CP:   1 Mealy Redpoll.    120 Redpoll .   Pink-footed Goose 82 flew over west at 14.45hrs.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: The first, and quite early in the year,  2nd W Iceland Gull  was in at 15.20hrs.   At 15.25hrs the fog rolled in and put paid to any further sightings.

Friday 25 November 2016

Carlton Marsh

Approximately 300 Pink Feet Geese flew NW over Low Cudworth at 14.05hrs. (Richard Laverack)

A Bittern was seen at 15.44hrs alighting in the southern part of the marsh. (Ian & Karen Pickard) This is the first sighting of it since November 7th!

Chris Parkin sought out the usual known wintering sites for Herald Moth, there were 6 languishing near Ardsley Viaduct and a dead Barn Owl at Ardsley's disused railway tunnel.

Returning to Carlton Marsh
There were 18 Herald Moths under a nearby bridge and Buzzard, Cormorant and 17 Teal were present. (CP)



Bretton Lakes

A good day around Bretton Lakes with 68 PF Geese west at 1000, Peregrine, several Nuthatch, 4 Kingfisher, c50 Siskin and c30 Brambling.
Also, nearly forgot - 2 Black-backed Jackal howling near the bridge between both lakes (so Mr Tyke watch out!!) This is part of an exhibition and on a time lapse or triggered by people crossing the bye-pass dike bridge? Should keep the nearby Badgers on their toes.
Image below of what its about and presumably the foreign bird calls are around the chapel area but worrying/interesting if the recordings are more widespread.
Should get a few new species for 2017 and the Bird Race.

The Edge 25/11/2016

Wombwell Ings - Present were 212 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag,  68 Teal, 64 Wigeon, 3 Goosander, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 7 Moorhen, 139 Golden Plover, 51 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, c100 Redwing, 2 Pied Wagtail and 1 Bullfinch.
Broomhill Flash - Two skeins of Pink Footed Geese through west at 8.35 and 9.40am. Also noted were 3 Mute Swan, 60+ Shoveler, 40+ Teal, 30+ Gadwall, 30+ Wigeon, 15+ Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 7 Cormorant, 4 Moorhen and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 19 Mallard, 17 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Teal, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 122 Coot and 15 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker and 5 Jay.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - late afternoon - full list - 1 Pink-footed Goose; 183 Greylag Geese; 488 Canada Geese; 1 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall; 55 Mallards; 3 Tufted Ducks; 1 Pheasant; 1 Cormorant; 2 Little Grebes; 2 Moorhens; 7 Coots; c30 Black-headed Gulls; 2 Common Gulls; 5 Woodpigeons; 1 Green Woodpecker; 4 Magpies; 2 Jackdaws; 7 Carrion Crows; 1 Raven E; 6 Blue Tits; 3 Great Tits; 1 Coal Tit; 3 Long-tailed Tits; 1 Wren; 16 Starlings; 3 Blackbirds; 1 Mistle Thrush; 3 Robins; 60+ Bramblings; c40 Chaffinches, 2 Bullfinches, and 13 Goldfinches.

Ingbirchworth / Low Moor 25/11/16.

Ingbirchworth - Plenty of geese either side of annat royd lane this aft. Canada's difficult to count but thought to be pushing 500 and Greylags about 200 with what was thought to be a Pinkfoot among them but lost to view. Low Moor - Crossbill 4 with a singing male at midhope res., otherwise quiet with the sun a problem for viewing - Peregrine 1, Sparrowhawk 2, Snipe 5, Siskin 12, 8 Teal on res.

Wintersett 25.11.16

5 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud this morning and a light north easterly.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 2  and Water Rail 2 - one of each in boathouse reeds + SE corner. 
Anglers CP: Siskin 2,  Fieldfare 12.
Cold Hiendley Fields: Yellow Hammer 8.   Skylark 250 - the biggest flock seen here for many years.
Of interest: An adult Slavonian Grebe was new in on Pugneys boating lake today.

Thursday 24 November 2016

Low Moor 24/11/16

1-10pm to 3-50pm. Better light but fewer birds than yesterday. - Crossbill 7 [2-3-2]. 2 fem and 1 male giving good scope views. + Peregrine 1, Sparrowhawk 2, C Buzzard 5, Kestrel 1, scarce, the only one in 2 days. Raven 1, Fieldfare 60, Bullfinch 5, GS Pecker 1.

The Edge 24/11/16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 3 Mute Swan,164 Canada Geese, 82 Teal, 81 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2m+1f Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Moorhen, 20+ Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 69 BH Gull and 50+ Redwing.
Broomhill Flash - Prior to my visit 12 Whooper Swan passed over east at 8.55am, 35 Pink Footed Geese passed over west at 8.35 am and a Peregrine was seen. Also present were 3 Mute Swan, 60+ Shoveler, 30+ Teal, 15 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 10+ Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 6 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 5+ Snipe and 2 BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - Highlight was the Great White Egret which dropped into the western end of the main pool. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 79 Gadwall, 22 Wigeon, 16 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 6 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 2m+1f Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 135 Coot, 1 Moorhen and 16 Common Gull. Also present were 6 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay and 200+ Redwing (Seen in groups of 10 to 20 along Warbler Way by K. Foundation)

Wintersett 24.11.16

3 - 6 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light north easterly.
Anglers CP:  Common Scoter 2 f/imms + 1 juv WRes..  Siskin 2.   Green Woodpecker 1. Canada X Greylag Goose  hybrids 5.   
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 2 - boathouse reeds + east bankKingfisher 1.  Water Rail 1 boathouse reeds.   Chiffchaff 1 in the Willow Wood.

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Wilthorpe Marsh / Midhope Low Moor, 23/11/16.

Wilthorpe - A small flood in a field just n. of the sewage farm had Green Sandpiper, Little Egret and 8 BH Gulls. Nearby bushes had Chiffchaff and Goldcrest. An imm. Peregrine went through the sewage farm and seen again further down the river + G and GS Woodpeckers. Adult Water Rail showed well and flock of 60 Goldfinchs. Midhope / Low Moor this aft started and ended with low cloud and poor light but the couple of hours inbetween were productive with a Goshawk seen twice, 2 Sparrowhawks, C Buzzard 2, 100 Pinkfeet flew w at 2-00pm, Raven 1 pair, Snipe 3 flying around in almost display mode. Only about 20 Fieldfare in nearby hawthorn with Goldcrest, 7 LT Tits and 4 Redpolls. At and on the res. were 11 Teal, 1 Crossbill and 7 Redpolls. The Low Moor corner Robin was as friendly as ever perching on my scope and fighting itself in my wing mirrors.

Carlton Marsh


Our volunteer rangers were cutting regenerating scrub and treating it in the southern meadow this morning so there was a fair bit of disturbance to the wader scrape. However, this afternoon 31 Lapwing flew east, Buzzard, Grey Wagtail, Little Egret and 8 Snipe left at dusk. (Dave Standish)

Wintersett 23.11.16

4 - 6 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light north easterly.
Anglers CP:  A Great White Egret flew over south at 12.35hrs.  Water Rail 1 + 1 WRes.
Ringing highlights toady were:- 16 Lesser Redpoll,  12 Goldfinch and 5 Redwing.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1 m  boathouse reeds.
Pits Wood: Nuthatch 1.

The Edge 23/11/16

WombwellIngs - Present were 5 Mute Swan, 162 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 147 Teal, 25 Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Moorhen, 81 Golden Plover, 41 Lapwing, 8 Snipe, 32 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Redwing and 1 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 75 Shoveler, 30+ Teal, 25 Gadwal1, 17 Mallard, 9 Wigeon, 9 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 1 male Goldeneye, 1 Pintail, 15 Cormorant, 2 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 8 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 male Goosander, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 135 Coot and 10 Common Gull. Also present were 4 Jay, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher and c50 Redwing.

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Carlton Marsh

The dyke breached again flooding the valley floor! Most of the duck were on the southern wader scrape, they included 10 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 37 Mallard and 35 Gadwall. Also present Green and Great Spot Woodpecker, 50 Redwings, 20 Fieldfare, Grey Wagtail and Tawny Owl.

Phototographs taken by Caren Pickard


Wintersett Squelch! 22.11.16

After the incessant rain throughout yesterday, paths around the area are even more waterlogged and muddy than usual.    4 - 6 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light northerly.
Anglers CP:   3 Whooper Swan flew over west at 10.30hrs.   Wigeon 217 and Teal 60
Cold Hiendley Field:  A flock of 200 Skylark was blogging around.
Haw Park Wood: Lesser Redpoll 60.
Wintersett Res: Common Scoter 1 f/immature.  Water Rail 1 boathouse reeds and 1 west bank. 

The Edge 22/11/16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 142 Canada Geese, 87 Teal, 33 Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 11 Moorhen, 43 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 4 Snipe, 59 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 5 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 10+ Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, and 20+ Goldfinch.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 76 Shoveler, 19 Gadwall, 19 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 1 male Goldeneye, 5 Cormorant, 11 Moorhen, 10+ Snipe, 1 Dunlin and 7 BH Gull.
TPT - Most of the walk from Old Moor carpark to the Cormorant Hide a Curlew could be heard calling as it circled the Field Pool and Wath Ings, eventually passing over the TPT at 11am before heading for the Waderscrape.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 28 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 4m+4f Goosander, 7 Pochard, 5 Wigeon, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 2 Common Gull, 119 Coot and 2 Moorhen. Also present were 3 Grey Heron, 100+ Lapwing over, 3 Snipe, 2 Jay and 1 Grey Wagtail.

BTO Breeding Bird Survey

For the last 20 years I have done the BTO Breeding Bird Survey for SE2402 and SE2500 in the Penistone/Cubley area and received a little badge for my efforts (wow!) For various reasons, creaking body for one, I have decided to stop doing these surveys. Before I inform BTO of my decision I just wondered if anyone would like to continue with these squares. It takes 4 mornings in Spring and a few hours putting data on the BTO website. It is interesting to look back and see trends in 'your own' squares over the years. If anyone is interested please contact me, Colin Graham, on colin-linda@outlook.com .I would be glad to help with the first surveys in 2017.

Great Blog! Congratulations to all concerned!

Monday 21 November 2016

Carlton Marsh

This morning Pete Wall braved the rain to check on the recently dredged section of dyke where it used to breach into the scrape. So far so good. He saw a Kingfisher and lots of Redwings feeding on Haws etc and a small group of Bullfinches.
Then this afternoon Dave Standish got caught in heavier rain dashing between the car and the hide, but was rewarded with a Peregrine coming in like a missile before turning back north over the hide. On the scrape were 9 Shoveler and 5 Teal.

Sad News - Lesser Scaup Shot 10.09.16 (Posted 21.11.16)

The  red nasal tagged ,  drake Lesser Scaup,  which has toured UK in recent years was shot at Lough Neagh,  N Ireland 10/09/16.


Photos per Andy Deighton 09.05.15 Anglers CP


It was first trapped on 20th December 2013 as a juvenile drake
at Sao Jacinto Dunes NR in Portugal and it remained here for the winter through to 3rd February 2014. It was next noted in southern Wales at Llangorse Lake in the Brecon Beacons National Park from 17th October 2014 to February 2015. And then it went 'missing' again until turning up in the Wintersett area  04.05.15 - 17.05.15.    It was at Vane Farm,  Perth/Kinross on July 30th and 31st July 2016.

Fleets Dam / Dodworth 21/11/16.

Fleets Dam - 1 Parakeet seen with around 5 still in the area listening to a dog walker. 3 Mute Swans the only other noteable, 2 ad. 1 imm. Dodworth Capitol Park ind. est. - 1 Jack Snipe with not much else in the marsh apart from a Meadow Pipit and 2 Wrens.

Sunday 20 November 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 20.11.16

3 - 5  degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cold westerly wind.
Wintersett Res: A Little Egret  flew into the NE corner.   Water Rail 1  north bank.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult at 11.00hrs.     Chiffchaff 3 - south east corner,  boat house and Willow Wood.  Cetti's Warbler 3m - west bank,  boathouse reeds and north west bank.   Lesser Redpoll  40.
Anglers CP: Fieldfare 90,   Wigeon 118,   Teal 51,  Shoveler 2 + 6 WRes.  and  Woodcock 1.
Gull Roosts, both waters were watched tonight and there were good numbers of birds for this time of year
Notables:  Yellow-legged Gull  1 ACP + 1 WRes.   The White Black-headed Gull  was on ACP.
Totals:
Great Black-backed Gull          95    (93 ACP + 2 WRes)
Lesser Black-backed Gull        17    (12 ACP + 5 WRes)
Herring Gull                           655    (530 ACP + 25 WRes)
Common Gull                       1780   WRes.
Black-headed  Gull             12300   WRes
Goldeneye                                36   ( 21 ACP + 15 WRes)
Goosander                                71   ACP at dusk.

Carlton Marsh

Very quiet, dusk was best again with Barn Owl at 15.53hrs, Little Egret south at 16.22hrs and Woodcock at 16.36hrs. (Dave Standish)

Low Moor / Wilthorpe Marsh 20/11/16.

Low Moor - 1pm to 3-50pm when the light was poor. Cold with a good sprinkling of snow on pike lowe. Very steady - 4 C Buzzard with a very pale one, Sprawk 1, Kes 1, Crossbill 1+ heard only, Raven 2, Snipe 1, Fieldfare 150. Wilthorpe Marsh a.m. - very steady, Green Sand 1, Little Egret 2, Snipe mostly left alone but 1 Jack and 8 Common on the fringes. Redwing 200, Goldfinch 60, Redpoll 45, Bullfinch 9.

Saturday 19 November 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 19.11.16

2 - 5 degrees  with 8/8 cloud and intermittent showers.
Wintersett  Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1m north bank. 
Anglers CP: Water Rail 2,  Snipe 10 and Jack Snipe 2.  Little Owl 1.
A Mealy Redpoll was ringed this morning.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only notable tonight.  Great Black-backed Gull 40,  Lesser Black-backed Gull 7 and Herring Gull 230.  Goosander 67 at dusk.

Carlton Marsh

At dusk 3 Water Rails called and a Woodcock flew across the scrape. A Tawny Owl called and 4 Snipe left to feed elsewhere. Also present 5 Lapwing, 10 Shoveler and 8 Tufted Duck.

Sash Pond Grimethorpe
20 Shoveler (Keith Bannister)

Friday 18 November 2016

The Edge 18/11/16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 235 Canada Geese, 135 Wigeon, 131 Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 7 Moorhen, 113 Lapwing, c50 Golden Plover, 3 Dunlin, 74 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 30+ Redwing and 2 Pied Wagtail. Keith Fisher also saw 16 Snipe, 2 Goosander and 2 Skylark.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 8 Mallard, 6 Teal, 3f+2m Goosander, 2f Pochard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 123 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 7 BH Gull, 6 Common Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 3 Canada Geese over, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 5 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2+ Jay and 50+ Redwing.

Thursday 17 November 2016

Wilthorpe Marsh 17/11/16.

Two record counts this aft. were 13 Jack Snipe, the record before was 11. Also 3 Little Egrets present, the record before was 2. Cold and windy with not many other noteables, - Buzzard 1 which have been scarce recently and 4 imm. Mute Swans together with no sign of the recent adult pair.

The Edge 17/11/16

Wombwell Ings -Present were 90+ Canada Geese, 63 Wigeon, 31 Teal, 8 Mallard, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 3 Moorhen, 2 Peregrine at 9.00am, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Dunlin, 9 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 109 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 5 Skylark, 50+ Redwing, 2 Pied Wagtail and 1 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 78 Shoveler, 28 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 1 Goldeneye, 11 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Moorhen, 5 Lapwing, 3+ Snipe, 1 Dunlin and 1 Buzzard.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 33 Tufted Duck, 18 Mallard, 9 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 2f+1m Goosander, 1 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 121 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 13 BH Gull, 10 Common Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 39 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel and 30+ Redwing.

Wintersett 17.11.16

5 degrees with 5/8 - 8/8cloud. Rain from 11.00hrs and a moderate south westerly.
Anglers CP: Chiffchaff 1m.    Little Owl 1 heard off east bank.
Wintersett Res:  Pete Smith spotted a juvenile Great Northern Diver from the east bank.  It was swimming and diving off the west bank at 10.30hrs. It moved gradually towards the north east corner before turning and facing into the wind, shaking its head, which is always  the prelude to taking flight, which it did promptly. It circled the reservoir to gain height and flew off east at 10.47hrs.  Rain was imminent, but I managed a few record shots.





Ingbirchworth

Gilbert Hill, Langsett - 1 Common Buzzard.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full count - 3 Pink-footed Geese; 288 Greylag Geese; 448 Canada Geese; 3 Wigeon; 36 Mallards; 6 Tufted Ducks; 1 Cormorant; 4 Little Grebes; 2 Moorhens; 4 Coots; c120 Black-headed Gulls; 6 Common Gulls; 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull; 18 Woodpigeons; 3 Magpies; 3 Carrion Crows; 8 Blue Tits, 10 Great Tits; 1 Coal Tit; 1 Willow Tit; 7 Blackbirds; 10 Fieldfares; 4 Redwings; 2 Mistle Thrushes;  4 Robins; 1 Dunnock; c20 Brambling; c50 Chaffinches, and 25+ Goldfinches.
Royd Moor Hill - c1,000 Starlings.

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Wintersett 15.11.16

13 degrees at 09.00hrs,  with 5/8 cloud and a light. cool westerly. 
Anglers CP:  2 Waxwing flew west at 09.40hrs.
Wintersett Res:   3 Cetti's Warblers heard today - SE corner,  north bank and west bank.  Archie ringed a Mealy Redpoll.

Monday 14 November 2016

Carlton Marsh

13.3c in my garden. Today at the marsh Kingfisher, Cormorant, Grey Wagtail, Willow Tit, 12 Shoveler and 4 Water Rails included 2 seen together.

Wintersett 14.11.16

A very mild 8 - 13 degrees with 8/8 cloud and calm until late morning, then light westerly.
Very pleasant for walking but quiet for birds.
Wintersett Res:  A Water Rail 1 and a  Chiffchaff 1 were on the north bank.  The boathouse reeds Cetti's Warbler was the only one heard this morning. 

Sunday 13 November 2016

Ewden cabin 13/11/16

Cold when it clouded over early afternoon with not many birds. - Peregrine 1, C Buzzard 3, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel thought to be 5, Raven 5. Not much small with 60 Fieldfare and 9 Siskin. Thanks to the couple who returned my gloves if your reading this, Cheers. Wilthorpe Marsh yesterday - Jack Snipe 9, C Snipe 15, L Egret 2, Rail 3, 4 Mute Swans, 2 ad, 2 imms. Little Owl heard only.

Edderthorpe, weekend...

Highlights from this weekends WeBS counts at Edderthorpe & Houghton include;-
Canada Goose 163, Greylag Goose 328, White-fronted Goose 1 juvenile, Mallard 240, Teal 233, Gadwall 32, Pintail 2, Wigeon 86, Shoveler 52, Pochard 31, Goldeneye 1, Goosander 2, Water Rail 2, Little Egret 4 roosted in trees on Saturday evening, Lapwing 150, Golden Plover 316, Dunlin 3, Snipe 5.

And up the valley at Ferry Moor & Cudworth Common;-
Mallard 120, Shoveler 26, Teal 4, Goosander 2, Moorhen 23

Carlton Marsh

It was nice and sunny for Remembrance. Today was pretty quiet with 2 Kingfishers the only birds of note reported. However, when I arrived at dusk 2 Water Rails were calling along with 3 Tawny Owls. Then at 16.42hrs a Woodcock flew across the scrape just as a very late Little Egret flew south over the hide at 16.43hrs. If this bird was heading for Old Moor it certainly would have been dark by the time it got there, as I could only just make out what it was in the fading light.
A Woodcock was also seen about 3/4 of a mile to the east over Geoff Miller's Cudworth garden at 16.36hrs.

Insects today included a Red Admiral feeding on apple, 2 Common Darters and a Two Spot Ladybird. (Chris Parkin)
A Red Admiral was sunning itself on my house wall this morning.

Wintersett WeBS November 2016

The WeBS totals for the Wintersett area are:
Mute Swan 25,   Canada Goose 144,   Coot 497,   Moorhen 18,   Water Rail 9,   Cormorant 23,   Teal 47,  Mallard 39,   Shoveler 18,   Gadwall 76,   Wigeon 133,   Pintail 2 f,   Tufted Duck 267,   Goldeneye 58,   Goosander 57,   Great Crested Grebe 24,   Little Grebe 12,   Pochard 35,   Grey Heron 7,  Lapwing 124 and Kingfisher 1.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 13.11.16

8 - 10 degrees with 6/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res:  4 Cetti's Warblers - SE corner, west bank marsh,  boathouse reeds and north bank.
Haw Park Wood: Woodcock 1.
Stubbs Wood: Nuthatch 3.
Anglers CP + Vis Mig:  Pink-footed Goose 105 east.  Chiffchaff 1 (Pol).  Lesser Redpoll 100.  
Birds ringed this morning included:  77 Lesser Redpoll,  4 Mealy Redpoll,  7 Redwing and 4 Blackbirds.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: An adult Caspian Gull was in from 16.00hrs.  The adult Yellow-legged Gull (Psycho) was in from 16.20hrs..  The leucistic Black-headed  Gull was in.  Great Black-backed Gull 75,   Lesser Black-backed Gull 19 and Herring Gull 215.

     Mealy Redpoll          ACP      RLHill

Saturday 12 November 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost. 12.11.16

4 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light north westerly.
Wintersett Res:  A Bittern was seen in the boathouse reeds at 08.00hrs.  4 male Cetti's  Warblers were heard today. 1 boathouse reeds,  1 north bank,  1 west bank and a new one in the SE corner. Kingfisher 2, 
Anglers CP: Pochard 67 + 1 WRes,    Shoveler 9 + 6 WRes. ,  Teal 58,   Goosander  62 at dusk.  Pintail 1.  Chiffchaff 1m (Pol), 
Anglers CP  GULL ROOST:  A 1stW Caspian Gull came in at 15.45hrs and an adult Caspian at 16.10hrs..   The leucistic Black-headed Gull was seen.   Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull flew in at 16.20hrs and lived up to his name by attacking an adult Great Black-backed Gull, even though it was bigger than him!

Friday 11 November 2016

Carlton Marsh

Today 5 Shoveler, Kingfisher, Water Rail, c200 Redwing SE at 16.00hrs were in addition to c100 feeding on Haws. 26 Yellow Buntings came in to roost. A Barn Owl was hunting at dusk yesterday.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 11.11.16

5 - 8 degrees with 2/8 cloud and calm to light southerly.
Wintersett Res: Goosander 11.  Cetti's Warbler 2 singing males - boathouse reeds and west bank.  Snipe 6 in west bank track field.   Water Rail  4 -    1 north bank,  1 boathouse reeds,   1 west bank marsh,  1 dam wall +  2 CHRes: 1 SE bank + 1 NE bank.
Anglers CP: Teal 44 + 3 WRes + 1 CHRes..    Shoveler 1 + 3 WRes + 2 CHRes..
Anglers CP Gull Roost: 
A 1st W CASPIAN GULL was in from 15.35hrs.  The regular adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the small raft from 16.37.
Here are three photos of the 1stW Caspian Gull at ACP tonight.




Thursday 10 November 2016

Wintersett 10.11.16

0 - 6 degrees with 5/8 cloud and a cold north westerly.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1 and Teal 43.
Wintersett Res:  Little Grebe 8 + 8 ACP.   Water Rail  1 north bank,  1 boathouse reeds + 1 ACP south west corner.

Waderfest at Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 2 Pink-footed Geese; 374 Greylag Geese; 1 Greylag x Canada Goose; 337 Canada Geese; 45 Mallards; 5 Little Grebe; 2 Moorhens; 1 Coot; 1 Knot; 2 Dunlin (looked like alpina to me); 200+ Black-headed Gulls; 11 Common Gulls; 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; 1 third-winter Herring Gull; 4 Woodpigeons; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2 Magpies; 2 Jackdaws; 11 Carrion Crows; 1 Goldcrest; 12 Blue Tits; 7 Great Tits; 1 Wren; 20+ Starlings; 2 Blackbirds; c250 Fieldfares; c10 Redwings;1 Mistle Thrush; 1 Robin; c40 Chaffinches; c20 Brambling, and 4 Goldfinches.

Athersley Memorial Lake

Just two goosanders today plus kingfisher again.

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Wintersett 09.11.16

SNOW!  0 degrees with 8/8 cloud and light snow from 05.30hrs - 11.00hrs. Very light  westerly.
Wintersett Res:  A BITTERN was standing in the flattened, boathouse reeds, viewed from the boathouse bench  at 12.05hrs.

Carlton Marsh

A quick visit this afternoon saw the Bittern fly from one reed bed to another across the scrape at 15.52hrs. Its favourite reed bed has been flattened by this mornings snow, so we might see more of it in the coming days?
2 Water Rails called and 2 Kingfishers put on a show, one perched briefly on the branch in front of the hide. As dusk approached Blackbirds and Redwings began to cackle as they settled into a stand of Hawthorns for the night. Several Yellow Buntings also came in to roost along with about 12 Starlings.

Athersley Memorial Lake

Change in the weather brought me a patch tick today ~ 4 Goosanders on the lake. 
Also Grey Partridge three groups of six and one of four - all on same field northwest of the lake.

Low Cudworth 8/11/2016

3 Little Egrets stood in a pasture near the police stables at 1.15pm was unusual. (Richard Laverack)

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Wintersett 08.11.16

Very cold and frosty, 0 degrees with 8/8 cloud and calm.
Anglers CP Vis. Mig.  07.00 - 0830 hrs. 
Wood Pigeon 380 south,  Fieldfare 60 south and Starling 100 west. 
Anglers CP:  Redshank 5,  Chiffchaff 1.   Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost at 16.30hrs.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 2 and Cetti's Warbler 1 north bank.  A Barn Owl was seen over the village at 15.30hrs. 

Monday 7 November 2016

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were; 3 Kingfishers whizzing around the scrape and Bittern that came out briefly at 15.30hrs. (Dave Standish/Richard Laverack)

Richard Laverack
Also present 4 Fieldfares, c40 Redwings, Grey Wagtail, Buzzard, 6 Shoveler and new in today a single Wigeon. (Rod Heeley)
Some remedial work was done on the dike last Friday to prevent the Shaw Dike from breaching at high water. My thanks to Russ Boland and Peter Wall for organising this important work.

Wintersett 07.11.16

3 - 6 degrees with 7/8 cloud and a very cold northerly.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 2 boathouse reeds and 1 north bank.  Common Scoter 2 f/imm + 1 f ACP,  Teal 3 and Chiffchaff 1 m boathouse reeds.
Anglers CP:  A female Pintail flew over.
Moorhouse Lane Pond: Green Woodpecker.

Green Woodpecker    MLP         CSwaine

Sunday 6 November 2016

Wintersett 06.11.16

4 -6 degrees with 8/8 cloud, light rain from mid morning to midday,  with a very cold north to north westerly wind. 
Wintersett Vis Mig:   A total of 1000 Pink-footed Geese flew east in ten skeins between 09.00 and 09.30hrs.   A Black-tailed Godwit went south west at 09.40hrs.   70 Starling flew west.
Wintersett Res:  2 Cetti's  Warblers were singing in the boathouse reeds.  Water Rail 1 + 3 CHRes. Gadwall  91 (inc. CHRes.)   + 10 ACP.
Cold Hiendley Field: Skylark 50.
Anglers CP:  Common Scoter 1 f/imm.  Chiffchaff 1m,   Goosander 31,  Goldeneye 42 + 9 CHRes..  Greylag 170.  Great Crested Grebe 24 + 12 WRes + 9 CHRes..  Little Grebe 11 + 5 CHRes. + 4 WRes..  
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  2 Caspian Gulls came in - a new adult at 15.55hrs and a 3rd W at  16.25hrs.    A 2nd W  Yellow-legged Gull came in at 15.50hrs and an adult came in at 16.30hrs

Woolley / Bretton 6/11/16.

Very steady everywhere - Woolley Dam. Highlight here were the game birds with a feeding party of 14 Grey Partridges and 25+ Pheasants. Woolley Grange.- not much here either with 5 Grey Partridges and a surprise 5 Grey Herons down. Also 2 Roe Deer here. Bretton CP.- Goosander 2 redheads, 2 GS Peckers, 1 Nuthatch, half a dozen or so Wigeon on the top lake, a few Siskin heard only.

Carlton Marsh

Our Bittern is much more elusive now, perhaps because of firework noise. It showed for about 5 seconds from the hide at 14.55hrs, before disappearing again into the reeds. (Dave Standish) This is the first sighting since October 30th.

Saturday 5 November 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 05.11.16

3 - 8 degrees with cloud cover 6/8 - 8/8 and a very cold north westerly wind.
Anglers CP: The female/immature Common Scoter was still at the southern end of the lake.  A juvenile Peregrine flew over north then was seen late morning over Wintersett Res., and then back over ACP in the afternoon.    A Red Kite went over north west at 14.40hrs. Chiffchaff 1m (Pol),
Cormorant 37,  Little Grebe 12 + 3 WRes.,  Greylag Goose 174,  Shoveler 6 and Teal 33.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1 east bank + 1 boathouse reeds.   Cetti's Warbler 1 west bank.  Grey Wagtail 3 on the spillway.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  A 4thW Caspian Gull was in from 15.30hrs.  The leucistic,  Black-headed Gull adult was seen.  The usual  adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the small raft from 16.30 harassing those around him.  Common Gull 453,   Herring Gull 290,  Great Black-backed Gull 55 and  Lesser Black-backed Gull 26.
               Common Scoter         ACP      CSwaine. 

Wilthorpe Marsh / Low Moor. 5/11/16.

W.M.- a.m., Jack Snipe 9, Common Snipe 12, Green Sand 1, W Rail 1, Siskin 1, Redwing 100ish, low number with still an abundance of hawthorne berries. Low Moor - a couple of hours this aft. Bitterly cold with a big reduction in birds compared to last weekend. - C Buzzard 1, Kes 2, Raven 1 pair, Fieldfare 120+, Siskin 3. 9 large grey geese over high s.e. were thought to be Beans.

Thursday 3 November 2016

Elsecar & Broomhill

Elsecar Reservoir - 2 Canada Geese; 3 Shovelers; 1 Grey Heron; 12 Great Crested Grebes; 13 Moorhens; 21 Coot; c50 Black-headed Gulls; 5 Carrion Crows; 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Pied Wagtail.

Broomhill Flash - 2 Mute Swans; 14 Mallards; 1 female Pintail; 27 Shovelers; 4 Pochards; 1 drake Goldeneye; 12 Cormorants; 1 Little Egret; 4 Little Grebes, and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett 03.11.16

3 - 9 degrees with 8/8 cloud and calm.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1 and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull.  A flock of around 60 Redpoll were feeding on Alder.
Botany Bay: Kingfisher 2.
Wintersett Res:  A male Cetti's Warbler was on the north bank.  A Water Rail was heard in the boathouse reeds.

Wednesday 2 November 2016

Wintersett 02.11.16

The first ground frost this morning.  3 degrees with thin high cloud and a light, but very cold, westerly.
Anglers CP + Vis. Mig: 06.45 - 08.30hrs.  A good movement of Wood Pigeons with  flocks  at two heights on two flight paths.  I couldn't count them all so a minimum total of 3580 going south.  There were also a few flocks of mixed thrushes, more Fieldfare than Redwing, going south.   8 Goosander went west at 06.50hrs.
Anglers CP: The female/immature Common Scoter was still present at the southern end of the lake.  The Little Egret was on the north bank late afternoon.
Wintersett Res: A Cetti's Warbler sang quietly on the dam wall bank, just before the bridge.

BRRRRoomhead Moor 02.11.16

Ron Marshall  took these great shots of the Snow Buntings at  Broomhead  Moor today.




Tuesday 1 November 2016

Carlton Marsh

80 Wood Pigeons flew west at 07.35hrs. (K. Bannister) Visitors today didn't see the Bittern, but they were treated to great views of the ringed adult male Kingfisher as it hovered over the scrape in front of the hide this afternoon. Other birds present were Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, Redpoll, Grey Wagtail, Willow Tit and Water Rail.

A Common Darter and a Migrant Hawker were on the wing and a Fox was on the prowl. 

Wintersett 01.11.16

Only one sighting to report today - per Keith Bannister.
Anglers CP: 6 Whooper Swans flew over north this morning.