Carlton Marsh

A Red Kite over Beech Avenue, Cudworth SW towards Bleachcroft Farm at 10.33hrs. (Geoff Miller) Meanwhile on the reserve were Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redshank and Garden Warbler. Female Mallards had 7 and 4 chicks and there were at least 3 new very young Moorhens.

Butterflies included Common Blue, Speckled Wood and Orange-tip. Broad-bodied Chaser and Four Spotted Chaser were sharing the ponds with a good number of Azure Damselfly.

Broad-bodied Chaser

A nice Chub in the dike

South Kirkby Tip
Cuckoo singing and Green Woodpecker.
Insects included Painted Lady, Holly Blue, 2 Large Skipper, 133 Common Blue, 4 Brimstone and 1 Elephant Hawk Moth. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 30.05.17

12 - 16 degrees with variable cloud cover, damp and occasionally drizzly, with a light south westerly this morning.
Anglers CP: A drake Red-crested Pochard was swimming on the shallows at 09.00hrs. By 09.30 it was asleep.   2  Little Ringed Plovers were chasing around the shallows.  3 Common Terns were present.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler - 6 singing males.

          Drake Red-crested Pochard           ACP   SDenny

Wilthorpe Marsh 29/5/17.

Quiet with not much to report. LRP 2, Oystercatcher 2, Lapwing chicks 2 and 1 nest with 4 eggs. 2 pairs of Grey Partridge flushed. Still 2 Lesser Whitethroats singing. 100+ House Martins at sewage farm and 18 goslings in the Canada Goose crèche.

Wintersett 29.05.17

12 - 15 degrees,  grey 8/8 cloud and drizzly rain from 09.45hrs.
Anglers CP: A Red Kite flew over CP fields, heading south at 08.55hrs.  Wigeon 1 pair and Oystercatcher 3 young.  A Hobby flew over at 19.00hrs.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 1.  House Martin 150 and Swift 400.
 

   House Martins  WRes        CSwaine

Carlton Marsh

4 Buzzards were seen over nearby Beech Avenue (2 over the marsh later) Redshank, Lapwing and LRP were on the wader scrape with 2pairs of Greylags with their 8 goslings and a pair of Canada Geese with 4 goslings. Also of note a female Mallard with 4 new young and another with 7 new young.
Butterflies included Painted Lady, 9 Common Blue, 20 Speckled Wood and 2 Orange-tip. Straw Dot moth was disturbed in grassland.
Blue-tailed and Azure Damselfly were flying with 4 Spot Chaser and a male Broad-bodied Chaser.

Langsett, Low Moor, G and J Wasse, S Green. 28/5/17.

Wood Warbler still singing and showing at 5pm at NW corner of langsett res., grid ref SE 200 006. Very steady at low moor with Peregrine fem., C Buzzard 6+, Kestrel 1. Raven 1, Crossbill 1 male, Siskin 2, LBB Gull 6+, Jay 1. Cuckoo calling in the shaw brook area and 2 C Crows.

Wintersett 28.05.17

15 - 19 degrees with variable cloud and north easterly breeze.
Moorhouse Lane Pond:  A 1st summer drake Scaup was showing well. 
Anglers CP: Wigeon 1 pair.  Common Tern 1.  Canada Goslings 20.  Mute Swan 5 cygnets.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's 6 males.    Swift 600.
Odonata:  Red-eyed Damselflies, including a pair in cop.  on three water bodies, show that this species is becoming established in the area.  3males + the pair in cop on Bistort at Botany Bay.  2 males on Bistort off the north east bank WRes., and 2 males on Water Lily, Golf Course Pond.
A Large Red Damselfly pair in cop and an Emperor were also on the Golf Course Pond.

   1st summer drake Scaup              MLPond       PMeredith

 Barn Owl Hunting    Wintersett    PMeredith

Carlton Marsh

Members of the YNU visited today concentrating mainly on botany. Octogenarian Don Grant opened my eyes to the amazing variety of Brambles, showing me at least 6 different species on the disused railway embankment. Southern Marsh Orchids are now proliferating in the meadows along with Lesser Stitchwort and others.

Butterflies included 2 Common Blue and 2 Small Heath.

LRP, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker and Garden Warbler were the only birds of note today.

Moorland news + 27/5/17.

Last nights nocturnal jaunt. - Ewden stone circle track had 1 churring Nightjar on broomhead moor at 10-08pm. Also heard clapping but not seen, + 3 Woodcocks, 2+ Golden Plovers, 1 chipping Snipe, 5 displaying Lapwings. Better Nightjar news at Mortimer road/ Gill Royd lane junction with 2 churring and 2 showing. Also here Woodcock and 3+ displaying Snipe. Nowt audible in the midhope res./low moor area apart from displaying Snipe. This afternoon at wharnclffe wood no sign of any Wood Warblers and at cliffe wood 3 Pied Flycatchers showing well and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. A birdwatcher in cliffe wood reckons on about 8 males in there. Does anyone have any news on Wood Warbler at wharncliffe wood ?.

Wintersett 27.05.17

15 - 20 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a light south westerly.  A short but heavy thunderstorm mid-afternoon.
Anglers CP: Little Ringed Plover 2.  Common Tern 1.  Wigeon 1 pair.  Oystercatcher 3 young.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 6 singing males - with the boathouse, north bank and north east bank birds being more mobile.  SE corner, west bank and ruin are more ore less static.
Lepidoptera: Red Admiral 2 ACP.
Another good moth night. Small Mottled Willow was the 3rd record for the Wintersett Area.  Silver Y,  Poplar Hawkmoth, Eyed Hawkmoth and Elephant Hawkmoth were the other notables.
Odonata: 2 male Red-eyed Damselflies were on Persicaria this morning.  A Broad-bodied Chaser was seen at ACP.

 

Small Mottled Willow       ACP  CSwaine

Red-eyed Damselfly  WRes.  PMeredith    (Record Shot)

Wintersett + a Moth 1st 26.05.17

Hot!  15 - 24 degrees with a few scattered clouds and a light easterly to south easterly breeze.
Wintersett Res:  2  Black-necked Grebe in summer plumage were off the east bank.  2 Shelduck flew towards Walton Hall. 
Anglers CP:  Herring Gull 1.  A Cuckoo was singing to the north.  Wigeon 1 pair.  Mallard young  1 + 2 M/L  and 5 small.
Lepidoptera: A Dingy Skipper was on the Disposal Point.
It was a brilliant for moths last night.  2 Waved Umber were a 1st record for the area. Seraphim, Alder Moth,  Pale Pinion, 6 Grass Rivulet, Dingy Shell,  2 Rivulet. and White Pinion Spotted were the other notables.

Waved Umber  1st for Wintersett Area       ACP     ASmith

Wintersett 25.05.17

15 - 24 degrees - Sunny and hot with 1/8 cloud and a warm south easterly breeze.
Anglers CP: Grey Wagtail 1.  Pochard 1 m. Wigeon 1 pair.
Young birds:  Coot 7.  Oystercatcher 3. Canada Goslings 6.  Black-headed Gull 2 + 2.
Wintersett Res: A Kingfisher flew over to Botany Bay.  A Hobby flew over at 19.05hrs.
Lepidoptera: Very small numbers but a variety of species.
Orange Tip  HPLane.
2 Small Copper and the first Dingy Skipper for WRes..
Painted Lady 1 ACP + 1 Disp.Pt.
2 Small Heath and 2 Common Blue  DispPt. 

Carlton Marsh

A last minute decision to go mothing last night (Wednesday 24th) with Chris Parkin proved very interesting. Amongst the 14 species taken were; Scalloped Hazel (2nd record) Sallow Kitten (2nd record-first since 1979) and Pale Prominent.
May Highflyer (3), Pale Tussock and Grey Birch were all new to the list.

 Pale Tussock

 May Highflyer

 Grey Birch

 Sallow Kitten

Cliffe Wood, Langsett 25.05.17

Four lovely images from Cliffe Wood taken by Ron Marshall.

Nuthatch

Redstart

Treecreeper

Treecreeper

Wintersett 24.05.17

13 - 20 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a light westerly.
Disposal Point:  Chris Swaine picked up yet another great bird for the year list.   This time a ringtail Hen Harrier going over north east at 07.45hrs.  A Cuckoo was singing.
Anglers CP:  Kev Denny had a Whimbrel on the rocks and a Curlew bubbling in the back field.   A Common Tern flew through.  The Wigeon pair are still hanging around. The 2 resident pairs of Oystercatchers were having a set to with  an intruding pair and a single bird at 17.30hrs.
Wintersett Res: Mallard 5 medium young.
Cold Hiendley Res: The Mute Swan pair have made another nest.

                             Whimbrel                 ACP     KDenny

             Ringtail Hen Harrier                    Disposal Point    CSwaine

Wintersett 23.05.17

11 - 20 degrees, sunny with scattered cloud and a light westerly. 
Not a lot to report  because of a very pleasant jaunt to Adwick Washlands this morning.
Anglers CP:  Dunlin 1 over.  Shelduck 5 south,  Oystercatcher  3 young.

Wintersett 22.05.17

12 - 17 degrees and warm all day.  Varying amounts of cloud and a westerly breeze.

Anglers CP: Shelduck  4 left south at 05.20hrs.  Oystercatcher 6 adults + 3 young.   Wigeon 1 pair.  Moorhen (2nd brood) 4 young.
Pits Wood:  Nuthatch 1 south of road.
CH Res. SF: Yellow Wagtail 1.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2.  Cuckoo 1 male still singing all around.
Odonata: The first Blue-tailed Damselfly of the year was on the west bank WRes..

                        Blue-tailed Damselfly                WRes.  ASmith

Whoo hoo! It's a Wintersett 1st 20.05.17

I have the great pleasure of announcing that Mike Denton has confirmed  the 2  GREEN  TIGER  BEETLES seen on 20.05.17  are the first for the Wintersett Recording Area.  Congratulations to Paul Meredith  aka Fitzy.

                    Green Tiger Beetle                  CSwaine

Wintersett Interesting Chiffchaff 20.05.17 Possible Iberian?

This interesting Chiffchaff  showing characterisitics of the Iberian species Phylloscopus ibericus was trapped and ringed at Wintersett Res.  20.05.17    Any comments welcomed.

Ewden valley to lodge and return, 21/5/17.

Cool breeze but not a problem sheltering at the lodge. Nowt new apart from a singing Tree Pipit at Moor Side. Also, - Buzzard total of 7 which includes a kettle of 6 which were joined by a Red Kite. Falcons scarce with a Peregrine on and off and seen chasing a Mallard but failed. Kestrel just one. Raven 2, Golden Plover 4 with 1 showing very well down near the track, 1 calling distant on broomhead moor and a pair on white carr. 1 chipping Snipe, Swift 30, House Martin 2, Redpoll 1, singing Reed Bunting, Cuckoo 1 heard more distantly near brown edge. Meadow Pipits counted on the way to and at the lodge, total 45+.

Carlton Marsh

Oystercatchers were on the move this morning, 3 SE at 07.15hrs, 1N at 09.05hrs and 2 more minutes later. 2 Redshanks, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 4 Lapwings were on the Wader Scrape and 1 Ringed Plover flew north. Also present Buzzard, Kingfisher and Water Rail (Jim Plant).

Unfortunately no-one was on site when I received a call from Angie that an Osprey was heading our way.

South Kirkby Tip & Pond
Birds included a singing Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, 4 Tufted Duck and Buzzard.
Butterfly counts included 10 Orange-tip (7 females) 53 Dingy Skipper, 25 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue and 2 male Brimstone (Chris Parkin). 

Wintersett 21.05.17

9 - 16 degrees with sunny spells and scattered, increasing cloud and a light southerly.
Wintersett Res: Grey Wagtail 1 m.  Cetti's Warbler 6 singing males.
Disposal Point: Cuckoo 1 singing male.
Anglers CP: A rather quiet morning -  Oystercatcher 3 young. Pochard 1m.  Wigeon 1 pair.  Herring Gull 1. - but finished with a very nice OSPREY circling over, then leaving south at 12.10hrs.
Lepidoptera Disposal Point: Dingy Skipper 3 and Small Heath 1
Coleoptera: A great find by Paul Meredith was 2 Green Tiger Beetles Cicindela campestris on the Disposal point.  Not sure if these are the first for this area - ~will check with Mike Denton and update later.  (22.05.17Mike Denton confirmed Green Tiger Beetles are the first for the Wintersett recording area.)
Evening:  
CHRes:  Yellow Wagtail 1.  5 Oystercatchers flying around.                   
Santingley Area.  A Barn Owl was hunting at dusk.

                              Dingy Skipper   Disposal Point                CSwaine

                                Green Tiger Beetle    Disposal Point    CSwaine

                                                        Osprey                             ACP   PMeredith

Wintersett 20.05.17

8 -11 degrees with blue sky and a light south westerly.  Increasing cloud and showers in the afternoon
Wintersett Res:  Cuckoo 1m.  Common Tern 2 + 1 ACP.  Arctic Tern 1 over at 09.05hrs.
Anglers CP:  Wigeon 1 pair.  Oystercatcher 3 young.  Mallard 1 small young.  Black-headed Gull young in both nests on small raft.    Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull flew over.

Low Moor 20/5/17.

Early afternoon. Cold, with both heavy and horizontal rain. Inbitween were 10+ Crossbills, 6+ Snipe, Buzzard 3, Kestrel 2. Filling up the seed feeder had quick results with a male Siskin and the white breasted male Chaffinch. A pair of Grey Partridges should have been included in last nights post from Wilthorpe Marsh. A scarce bird now.

Carlton Marsh

We don't seem to have much look with Mute Swans, the pen appears to have abandoned the nest! A male Cuckoo was singing first thing this morning and a female gave her babbling call later. A single LRP was on the Wader Scrape with Lapwing, but other than that it was quiet. (Dave Smith/Jim Plant)

Turning our attentions to insects, day flying moths included Silver Y, Silver Ground Carpet and Dingy Shell (our 5th record).

Butterflies on show were, 2 Peacock, 2 Common Blue, 6 Orange-tip, 1 Small Copper and 3 Dingy Skipper. (Chris Parkin/CG) 

A Goldcrest was singing in my Cudworth garden again today!

Wintersett 19.05.17

7 - 13 degrees with 8/8 cloud and drizzle until mid morning, then dry with a cool westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: The southern pair of Oystercatchers have 3 young.  Little Ringed Plover 1.  An Avocet flew in  to the shallows briefly, calling. at 09.45.  Cormorant 4. 
Wintersett Res: Common Scoter 2 m + 2 f  on at 07.45hrs, then flew off north.  Arctic Tern 1.  Cuckoo 1m.  Teal 1m.  An increase in House Martins today, with 200 in the area.

Wilthorpe Marsh 19/5/17.

Early evening. Quiet but enjoyable with a Hobby showing well going towards cawthorne. Also LRP flew into small muddy area which I assume is just a feeding area. They have bred in the adjacent industrial est. in the past and probably doing so again. Broods seen were 2 very recently hatched Lapwings, 6 Mallards, Greylag 7, a 4 and a 3.

Cliffe Wood Langsett 18.0517

Ron Marshall took these excellent images of a Pied Flycatcher  at Cliffe Wood
Langsett today.  Also in the wood Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.

Wintersett 18.05.17

8 - 10 degrees  with scattered cloud and a light north westerly.
Wintersett Res: Cuckoo 1m + 1m Disposal Point.  Common Tern 1.  Cetti's Warbler 6m.
Anglers CP: Herring Gull 5 over.  Wigeon 1 pair.   The pair of Oystercatchers at the northern end of the shallows have failed to rear their chick.  The parent was bringing in small white grubs but  the chick refused to eat them.  The Oystercatcher pair nearest the hide have presumably hatched young. These parents are also bringing in white grubs which are being refused.  In both cases the parent birds eat the grubs themselves.  What's going on?? 
Critter: The resident Yellow-bellied Slider was basking on the reeds by the boathouse bench this morning.

The Edge 18/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 5+6y Greylag, 26 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 11 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 10 Lapwing, 4 Redsahank, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 31 BH Gull, 6 Skylark, 2+1y Pied Wagtail and 8 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 42 Canada Geese, 14 Greylag, 2 Pink Footed Geese, 16 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 15 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Barn Owl, 8 Lapwing and 23 Herring Gull.
TPT - Singing males 12 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Song Thrush. Also 1 Jay.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+6y Mute Swan, 5 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 23 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 4+3y Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 41+5y Coot, c200 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel,  2 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Whitethroat.

Wintersett 17.05.17

9 - 11 degrees, mild with 8/8 cloud and continuous light  rain from 10 o'clock.  Not a lot to report today.
Anglers CP:   . 8 very small Mallard ducklings.  Wigeon 1 pair
Wintersett Res: Cuckoo 1 singing male.  Cetti's Warbler 6 singing males.

The Edge 17/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1 Mute Swan, 19+6y Greylag, 12 Canada Geese, 2 Pink Footed Geese, 19 Gadwall, 19 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 11 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 5 Skylark, 4+1y Pied Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler and 3 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 23 Canada Geese, 12 Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 1 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 15 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 6 Lapwing, 12 Herring Gull and 2 LBB Gull.
TPT - Singing males 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap and 1 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+6y Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 27 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 7+6y Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 37+5y Coot, 190+ BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Redshank over, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Whitethroat and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Wintersett Ringing Recovery

A first year female Blackbird ringed at Anglers CP on 13th November 2016
was caught at Hauho, Ylitalo, Häme, Finland on 25th March 2017
at a distance of 1759 kms ENE

Peter Smith

Carlton Marsh

Tropical air produced warm humid conditions (19c) on a light southerly today. 2 LRP and 1 Redshank were on the wader scrape as a Fox emerged, only to be harassed by 2 Crows. 5 Blackbirds were singing along with Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler.  A pair of Grey Wagtails were feeding at least 2 young and 2 family groups of Long-tailed Tits were feeding in cover. There were 2 Buzzards up and a female Peregrine was about. Greylag and Canada Geese have young, but the female Mute Swan appears to have abandoned her nest.

The Edge 16/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 49 Canada Geese, 29 Greylag, 2 Pink Footed Geese, 22 Gadwall, 18 Mallard, 11 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 10 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 12 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 27 BH Gull, 50+ Swift, 4+ Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 singing Sedge Warbler and 2 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 11 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 7 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 7 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 16 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 9 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher,  7 LBB Gull and  2 Herring Gull.
TPT - Singing males 9 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap and 1 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings  - On the open water were 2+6y Mute Swan, 10 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 17 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 7+14y Mallard, 2 Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 37+3y Coot, 200+ BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 3+ Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Wintersett WeBS for May 2017

Here are the WeBS counts for the Wintersett Area  14th May 2017.

Great Crested Grebe 15   Coot 79   Moorhen 12   Mute Swan 8   Canada Goose 35   Cormorant 3   Wigeon 3   Mallard 57   Gadwall 33   Tufted Duck 32   Lapwing 4   Oystercatcher 4.

Wintersett 15.05.17

A very mild 9 - 18 degrees, with 8/8 drizzly rain showers and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Curlew 2.  Oystercatcher 1 young.  Yellow Wagtail 2.  Wigeon 1 pair.
Disposal Point:  Cuckoo 1 calling + 1 calling ACP (Same bird?)  Little Grebe 8 + 1 young. Gadwall 3m + 3 f.
Moorhouse Lane Pond: Little Ringed Plover 1.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 1.  Lesser Whitethroat 1 NE corner + 1 west bank.
In the area:  House Martin 100. 

The Edge 15/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 32 Canada Geese, 24+6y Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 18 Mallard, 16 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Coot, 5+2y Moorhen, 1 Sparrowhawk, 13 Lapwing, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 1 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 4+ Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Wheatear and 3 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 17 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 13 Tufted Duck, 9 Pochard, 5 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 6+ Little Grebe, 15 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 9 Lapwing, 3 Herring Gull and 2 LBB Gull. Also seen early AM were 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Barn Owl, 10 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshank and 1 Redshank (PWK).
TPT - Singing males included 9 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 2 Mistle Thrush and 1 Song Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4+6y Mute Swan, 4 Greylag, 3 Canada Geese, 24 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 6+11y Mallard, 3 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 45+3y Coot , 180+ BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 1 Song Thrush, 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Wintersett 14.05.17

9 - 15 degrees with scattered cloud and a cool  south westerly.
Anglers CP: Wigeon 2m + 1f.  Pied Wagtail 1 with food for young  Redpoll 1 east.  Oystercatcher 1 young.  100 + Swifts. Cormorant 3.  Moorhen 6 young
Moorhouse Lane Pond:  Little Ringed Plover 1,  Yellow Wagtail 1.  Little Grebe 6 adults + 1 young,  Gadwall 6.   Circa 10 Reed Warbler.
Rough Bottom Plantation: Red-legged Partridge 1, new for the year list. 
Wintersett Res:  Dunlin 2  06.45hrs.  Cuckoo 1 pair. 
Critters:   Bee Fly 1 at Walton Hall.    Orange Tip 2   Brimstone 1m.

Little Ringed Plover        MLPond             JHolliday

Yellow Wagtail                        MLPond       JHolliday

Carlton Marsh

Wakefield Naturalist Society visited this morning led by John Gardener. They came up with Cuckoo, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Large Red Damselflies, 3 Dingy Skippers, Small Copper and a long-horned beetle species.

In addition our lads had LRP, 3 Lapwings with 1 chick, singing Garden Warbler and Coal Tit. Canada Goose, Greylag, Mallard, Coot and Long-tailed Tit, all with young.

10 Orange-tip, 1 Peacock, 2 Green Viened White and several Speckled Wood butterflies about.

A Fox was laying down enjoying the sunshine.

The Edge 14/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1 Mute Swan, 45+ 6y Greylag, 18 Canada Geese, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 27 Mallard, 18 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 1 Teal, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Coot, 6 Moorhen, 9 Lapwing, 3 Avocet, 3 Ringed Plover, 6+singing Skylark, c50 Swift, 4 Pied Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting.
Warbler Way - Singing males included 16 Chiffchaff, 14 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler and  1 Lesser Whitethroat. Also present were 1 Kestrel and 1 Barn Owl hunting over the west end.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3+6y Mute Swan, 7 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 23 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard,  7 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 36+3y Coot, 188+ BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Bullfinch and 1 Buzzard.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 38 Canada Geese, 18 Greylag, 2 Pink Footed Geese, 11 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 6 Pochard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 19+2y Coot, 4 Moorhen, 57 BH Gull, 7 Herring Gull and 8 Lapwing.

Langsett, Low Moor, 14/5/17.

Cliff Wood, - An excellent one and half hours here with Red Kite over, 3 pairs of Redstarts, 1 pair of Spotted Flycatchers, 2 probably 3 male Pied Flycatchers, 2 Oystercatchers on filters. Steady away at Low Moor with Red Kite again, 4 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. Also 27 Crossbills, Raven 2, Siskin 5, 2 chipping Snipe, Swift 10, Oystercatcher 1, LBB Gull 14, BH Gull 2.

Wintersett 13.05.17

7 - 12 degrees with high thin, increasing cloud, a light southerly breeze and a short shower at midday.
Anglers CP:  A Marsh Harrier flew south over Santingley at 07.30hrs.  Little Ringed Plover 1.  Curlew 2.  Oystercatcher 7 + 1 young.   Little Grebe 1.  Wigeon 1 pair.   Mallard Ducklings 2 vsy + 1 vsy.
Wintersett Res:   2 Arctic Terns with  3 Common Terns flew north + 2 Common Terns ACP.   Cuckoo 1 singing male. Lesser Whitethroat 1m at the boathouse.  Willow Tit 1 with food for  young.
Cetti's Warbler 6 singing males.

Cudworth Common

This morning I met up with Alan Crossland, who was leading a walk for the Barnsley Naturalists. We only went as far as the perimeter of the Symphony factory. There was nothing unusual, but it passed a couple of hours on with friends I hadn't seen for while. Bird wise there were 5 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 2 Meadow Pipit, several Skylarks, 2 Reed Buntings, and 2 Chiffchaffs all singing. There were also 2 pairs of Gadwall a few Mallard, 1 Redshank and several Swifts and Lapwings. 2 Brown Hares were hunkered down in the Symphony compound and a Ringed Plover called from the ash plain nearby.

Carlton Marsh

Cuckoo 2 singing males this afternoon, Grey Wagtail feeding young, 2 Redshank, 2 LRP, 3 Lapwing +1 chick, Coot with 2 new young and 3 Fox cubs were playing out.

Wintersett 12.05.17

7 - 15 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cool north easterly this morning and a warmer south easterly by late afternoon.
A variety of goodies today with a new bird for the year list.
Anglers CP:  Black Tern 1.  Common Sandpiper 2.  Curlew 2.  Wigeon 1 pair. Hobby 1 over.  
Wintersett Res:  A booming BITTERN was heard this morning 07.30hrs.  Common Tern 8 + 4 later.  Cuckoo 1 m + 1m MLPond.     A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling and showing well on the north east bank.  Lesser Whitethroat 1m.  Cetti's Warbler 6 m.  Grey Wagtail 1.  A LITTLE  STINT, in summer plumage,  was on the boathouse slipway from 15.35hrs to 15.50hrs, in line with a small influx nationally.
Moorhouse Lane Pond: Little Ringed Plover 1.  Grey Partridge 2.  Yellow Wagtail 1.  Teal 1.   Moorhen 4 young.
Chris Swaine has been busy again.  He constructed and erected a replacement Tawny Owl Box.  Another job well done. Keep it up Chris!

Carlton Marsh

Little Egret, LRP and Redshank were on the wader scrape with a family of Greylags this morning. We didn't do much birding as it was our weekly work morning, but there was a Lesser Whitethroat singing in the car park and a young Fox cub was also seen. (Keith Bannister)

Cudworth Common

Butterflies included 40 Dingy Skippers, 2 Peacock and 3 Small Heath. Also of note 2 Brown Hares.

Edderthorpe

10 Dingy Skippers and a female Grass Snake (Les Corrall/ Ralph Hibbert).

The Edge 11/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - The small wader I tweeted out as a possible Little Stint was flushed by a Crow towards the eastern end of the main pool, before several local birders arrived to confirm the identification of the bird. It was relocated shortly afterwards on the Waderscrape at Old Moor RSPB with the general consensus being it was a probable Little Stint.
 The other highlight of the day was seeing a Cuckoo fly low southeastwards across the ings at 10.15am. Also present were 7 Mute Swan, 28 Canada Geese, 22+6y Greylag, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 2 Shelduck, 22 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 8 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 74 BH Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Wintersett 11.05.17

9 - 16 degrees,  warm with high thin cloud and a light, but strengthening easterly.
Anglers CP:  Oystercatcher 1 young (northern pair).  Canada Gosling 16.  Little Grebe 1.  Shelduck 2.  Wigeon 1 pair.  Curlew 1.  Common Sandpiper 2.  Cormorant 2. A Wheatear was in the shallows in the evening.
Wintersett Res: Grasshopper Warbler reeling on the NE bank this morning.   Cuckoo 1 m calling.  Yellow Wagtail 1 pair north bank.  Common Tern 2.

Wintersett 10.05.17

What a difference a day makes.!   9 - 17 degrees.  Warm sunshine with light scattered cloud and a light north to easterly breeze this morning.  Hot and sunny all afternoon with the light breeze swinging south easterly by evening.
Anglers CP: The first  Oystercatcher chicks have hatched. (the northern pair.)    Curlew 2.  Wigeon 1m + 1f. Common Sandpiper 1.   Whimbrel 1 in at  08.55hrs then flew off to CP fields. Herring Gull 1 south at 10.10hrs.  Greylag Goose 9.  Grey Wagtail 1 + 1 WRes,,
22/24 holes have now been excavated in the Sand Martin Box.
Wintersett Res:  Cuckoo 1 m.  Yellow Wagtail 1 pair mobbing a Buzzard.
Moorhouse Lane Ponds: Little Grebe with 1 small young.  Reed Warbler 6+.  Lapwing 3.  Cuckoo 1 (maybe same bird ranging around area). 
Disposal Point: Lesser Whitethroat 1.
Lepidoptera: Dingy Skipper 7 on Disp Point,   Around the area:- Red Admiral 2.  Brimstone 2.  Small Tortoiseshell 2.  Peacock 1 and several  Orange Tips and Speckled Woods  
Odonata:  Common Blue Damselfly tenerals making maiden flights  WRes..    4 Spot Chaser 1  MLPond.

                                  Yellowhammer                   JHolliday

South Kirkby Tip

The highlights for this site were Buzzard and Green Woodpecker. Butterfly counts included 77 Dingy Skipper, 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Heath and 6 Brimstone. (Chris Parkin)

Cudworth
A Goldcrest was singing in my sub-urban garden along with Blackcap and Chiffchaff. (CG)

Wintersett Tuesday 09.05.17

Late post due to jaunting to Blackmoorfoor for the Stone Curlew yesterday evening.
6 - 14 degrees, cold with 8/8 cloud and a perishing northerly wind in the morning. The afternoon was brighter, sunny and calm.
Anglers CP: Grey Partridge 2.  Curlew 1.  Oystercatcher 6. Wigeon 1m + 1f.  Grasshopper Warbler 1m reeling in back field.  A male Goldcrest was singing in Haw Park Lane, near the main car park. Yellow Wagtail 1. 
Cold Hiendley Res:  Cuckoo 1 m.
Wintersett Res: 5 singing male Cetti's Warblers. Common Sandpiper 1. Cuckoo 1m.
In the area:  Swallow 160.  Swift 600. 

The Edge 10/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 35+6y Greylag, 19 Canada Geese, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 4 Shelduck, 24 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 11 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 9 Lapwing, 4 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 17 BH Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 5 Skylark, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Sedge Warbler and 2 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 27 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag,15 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 9 Pochard, 6 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 17 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 10 Lapwing, 6 Oystercatcher, 40 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 2 Common Tern  through at 10.10am. A Sedge Warbler was singing in the car park and a Lesser Whitethroat on the Top Lane.
TPT - Singing males 13 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff and 5 Blackcap.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3+6y Mute Swan, 6 Greylag, 3 Canada Geese, 13 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 42+2y Coot, 210+ BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Heron, 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Carlton Marsh

As well the resident waders etc. a walk round this morning produced 10 singing Whitethroats and 1 Lesser Whitethroat. (Jim Plant)

The Edge 09/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - Walked on to the sight of 60+ Swift and 30+ Swallow hawking low for insects along the Bulling Dyke, at times only five feet above my head. Surely  warmer days can't be too far away. Also present were 37 Canada Geese, 31+6y Greylag, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 4 Shelduck, 15 Gadwall, 12 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 11 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 8 Lapwing, 3 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 25 BH Gull, 6 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Mistle Thrush.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 19 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 14 Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 4 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 50+ Swift.
TPT - c80 Swift hawking over the Trail. Singing males included 11 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff and 4 Blackcap.
 Bolton Ings - Singing around the hide were 3 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 reeeling Grasshopper Warbler and a yaffling Green Woodpecker. On the open water were 2+6y Mute Swan, 9 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 18 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 9 Pochard, 7 Gadwall, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 39+3y Coot, and 225+ BH Gull. Also present were 1 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Grey Wagtail

Wintersett 08.05.17

5 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud, decreasing from mid morning but with a cold moderate northerly wind.
Anglers CP: Grasshopper Warbler still reeling in hedge on way to golf course.  Curlew 1.  Common Tern 4.  Wigeon 1 pair.   20/24 holes have been excavated in the Sand Martin Box.
Wintersett Res:  Cuckoo 1 male singing.    SWIFT  700 zooming low over the water early morning + 100 ACP.

Carlton Marsh

At 07.50hrs Keith Bannister alerted me to a Whimbrel in a field at the back of the Wader Scrape. It continued to feed before flying on to the scrape, but after being harassed by a Lapwing, it flew off in a westerly direction calling as it went at 08.15hrs. This is our first record since August 2009. Although we have 50 previous records for the species, this is only the second bird to actually come down to feed. The previous one was way back on 25/4/1993.

Also present Redshank, LRP, Grey Wagtail, Canada Goose with 4 young, Greylag with 6 young. A Great Black-backed Gull and 2 + 5 Herring Gulls flew north and Garden Warbler continues to sing with other recently established warblers.

A Fox was seen with 3 cubs yesterday

The Edge 08/05/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1 Mute Swan, 24 + 6y Greylag, 20 Canada Geese, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 4 Shelduck, 25 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 3 Teal. 1 Grey Heron, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 11 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 6 Lapwing, 6 Black Tailed Godwit over 8.35am, 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 32 BH Gull, c50 Swift, 30+ House Martin, c20 Swallow, 4+ Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 singing Sedge Warbler and 5 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 9 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 14 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 4 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 18 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 8 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 22 Herring Gull, 3 LBB Gull, 3 Common Tern through west at 10.05am and 1 Mistle Thrush.
TPT - Singing males included 11 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 9 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 19 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 5 Mallard, 45 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7+3y Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 38+2y Coot, c200 BH Gull and 2 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail,  3 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Bullfinch.

Carlton Marsh Annual Report

Hot off the press is the 2016 Natural History Report for Carlton Marsh. This is the 41st consecutive report compiled by the volunteers at the reserve. I'm sure you'll agree that's an outstanding achievement and a run we hope that will go on and on and on!
For a free E copy please email parksservices@barnsley.gov.uk

Cheers
Russ

Ewden valley cabin and return, 7/5/17. D Simmonite, S Green.

Very cold wind and shelter took at the south facing gable where it was sometimes warm in the sun. First bird of note was a calling Cuckoo and what was thought to be another calling nearer the cabin. Big movement of 300+ Swifts going north mid aft but probably many more. A Short Eared Owl was hunting fields near brown edge. Raptors were - Red Kite 1, Peregrine 1 but probably 2, Common Buzzard 10+, Kestrel 3. Also, - Raven 7, LBB Gull 2, Redstart 1 fem., House Martin 3 north, Snipe 1 chipping, Golden Plover 2 calling on broomhead moor, Stock Dove 1 pair and 1 Mountain Hare.

Langsett - Little Don / Swinden Plantation

Crossbill c12, Redstart 3 ( 2m  +  1f), Cuckoo 1, Siskin 4, Coal Tit 2, Mistle thrush c10, Song Thrush 5, Curlew 2, Goldcrest 2, Willow Warbler c15 singing, Chiffchaff 2, Garden Warbler 1 singing male, Blackcap 1, Buzzard 2, Kestrel 2

Wintersett 07.05.17

5 - 11 degrees.  Dry with a cold northerly wind, 8/8 cloud until mid morning, then sunny spells.
Anglers CP: An Arctic Tern flew north at 06.40hrs + 2 in.  Black Tern 2 .  Common Tern 6.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 2ndY north at 07.06hrs. Herring Gull 6 NE.   Common Sandpiper 1 + 1 WRes.   Teal 1m.   Wigeon 1 pair. Little Grebe 1.   Curlew 1.  Yellow Wagtail 1 north + 1 MLP.  Grasshopper Warbler 1m still reeling on the path to the golf course. Edwin L spotted a Treecreeper in the car park.
Moorhouse Lane Pond:  Teal 4m + 2 f.   Gadwall 5. Tufted Duck 12.  Garden Warbler 1
Wintersett Res: Cuckoo 1 NE bank.   A male Goldcrest was singing by the boathouse bench.  Swift 200

Cudworth Area

Swifts are arriving at their breeding sites now with c40 at Beech Avenue and similar numbers at Birkwood Avenue and the Grove. 30 were also flying over Ruscombe Place, Carlton.

Wintersett Swiftacular! 06.05.17

7 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a brisk, cold northerly.

Number of Swifts was up to 550 this afternoon  - 400 WRes. + 150 ACP. 

Anglers CP:  Black-necked Grebe 2. Little Grebe 1.  Common Tern 4.  Curlew 1.  Teal 1m + 2f.  Wigeon 1 pair.  Cormorant 4.  The Grasshopper Warbler was reeling,  and showing well,  in the hedge between the wheat fields, on the path to the golf course.  Green Woodpecker 1.
 Garden Warbler 3 male.  Redpoll 2 + 10 flew NW. 
Wintersett Res: A male and a female Cuckoo were seen together.

Grasshopper Warbler              ACP field hedge           

Grasshopper Warbler in full reel       ACP field hedge       CSwaine

Singing male Blackcap   Walton Hall Grotto Wood    CSwaine

                             Swift   (from yesterday)       WRes.   CSwaine

Carlton Marsh

Today's best birds were Grey Wagtail, Snipe, Swift and 15 House Martins. Sedge, Reed and Garden Warbler are singing good and loud now.
The one-eyed Fox was on the prowl and Buzzard was showing well along with Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
It was pleasing to see so many Mayflies over the dyke, this would not have been possible a few years ago due to oil pollution.
Butterflies included Small White, Comma, Orange-tip and Peacock.

More photos of buzzard and Fox from Tony Harding