Thursday 30 November 2017

Ringing Recovery

Barn Owl
GF36647    nesting     08/06/2016  Broomhill.
                 controlled   28/04/2017  near Horbling, Sleaford (Lincolnshire). 97 km SE
sexed as a female and breeding in a nest-box.

Wintersett 30.11.17

0 - 2 degrees, 0/8 cloud increasing to 8/8 by mid morning, with a freezing north westerly wind.
Cold Hiendley Res.  1% ICE. 
Anglers CP:  2 Dunlin were on the shallows.   Teal 37 + 3 WRes.  Cormorant 20 + 6 WRes.. A Water Rail walked along the south west bank. 
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 north bank.    2 drake Pintail off the west bank flew up  and joined 2  drake Pintail flying over at 11.15hrs.  All 4 left south west.
No new birds were added to the area year list in November, so the year to date total is still 166.

Wednesday 29 November 2017

Wintersett 29.11.17

2 - 5 degrees, dull with 8/8 cloud and a cold north westerly wind.
Another quiet day.
Anglers CP: A Peregrine flew over the back field at 09.35hrs. Pink-footed Goose 1.   Shoveler 5.   Teal 1.

Tuesday 28 November 2017

Wintersett. 28.11.17

Frosty 2 - 6 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light north westerly.
Another quiet day here.
Anglers CP: Siskin 1.  Little Grebe 8.  Greylag Goose 95 and Pink-footed Goose 1.

Carlton Marsh

8 birds caught this morning with Vivien Hartwell included 7 retraps. They were; 10 blue Tits, 10 Great Tits, 3 Willow Tits, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Robins and a male Goldcrest.
The Willow Tits were colour-ringed as part of the 'Back from the Brink' scheme to track them. Two of them were already BTO ringed previously X076227 was ringed here as an adult on 5/9/15. All three were fitted with a red plastic ring over the BTO ring on the right leg, which signifies that they were fitted at Carlton Marsh. The left leg was fitted with an individual colour i.e. red on the first bird, yellow on the second bird and orange on the 3rd.

 Coal Tit
Goldcrest (male)

Monday 27 November 2017

Wintersett 27.11.17

Rain until 09.30hrs,  3 - 6 degrees  with 8/8 cloud, decreasing slightly and a cool, light north westerly.
Wintersett Res: Little Grebe 9.   Water Rail 2 -  boathouse reeds + north bank.  Cetti's Warbler 1 boathouse reeds.

Sunday 26 November 2017

Bretton Park

An early morning walk around the lakes here hoping to find some finch flocks and of course Hawfinch feeding on the beechmast crop - disappointingly few finches were seen, just a very few of the commoner species and a single Brambling.
Water birds were far better represented with the following counts;- Shoveler 15, Teal 11, Goosander 24, Great Crested Grebe 12, Little Grebe 2, Cormorant 8 and Coot 92. Nine Nuthatch and 3 Treecreeper were in the plentiful tit flocks.

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon's highlights were; 2 Peregrine, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 5 Water Rail, 6 Tufted Duck, Kingfisher, 2 Cormorant and 3 Goldcrest. 2 Coal Tit and 1 Willow Tit were visiting the feeder.

A Fox was hunting at dusk.

Fleets Dam plus on 26/11/17.

Fleets Dam - 7 Parakeets at car park end early aft. 3 ad. Common Gulls. Woolley Dam - very quiet, GS Pecker 1, Nuthatch 1, RL Partridge 10. Low Barugh sewage farm.- No sign of the Water Pipit this morning but can be elusive. Green Sandpiper the best here and the usual dozen or so Meadow Pipits. Town centre last night,- Pied Wagtail roost looked to be around the 300 mark opposite the no.7 pub.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts. 26.11.17

Light frost.  2 - 5 degrees with 4/8 scattered cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP:  Siskin 4.  Water Rail 1 west bank.  Pink-footed Goose 1.  Goosander 33 at dusk.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 south east corner.
Moorhouse Pond:  Teal 23.   64 Pied Wagtails came in to roost.
Gull Roosts:                      Area Total         ACP                   WRes.
Herring Gull                           660                  500                        160
Great Black-backed Gull         69                    66                            3
Lesser Black-backed Gull         8                      4                            4
Black-headed Gull              7200                 2000                     5200

Saturday 25 November 2017

Wintersett 25.11.17

Frosty start, 3 - 6 degrees with 4/8 scattered cloud and a light westerly.
Wintersett Res:  2 Water Rails were heard. One in the boathouse reeds + one west bank.  A Brambling was by the boathouse.  190 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 10.45hrs.   61 Blackbirds and 31 Bullfinches were counted around here and  Botany Bay.
Cold Hiendley field: 130 Golden Plover. 
Anglers CP: Pochard 109 + 12 WRes..   Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull flew in at 16.10hrs. 

Wilthorpe Marsh 25/11/17.

Sewage Farm this morning. - Water Pipit 1, possibly 2, Chiffchaff 1, Green Sand 1, Grey Wagtail 6. Pied Wagtail not many seen despite the cold about 20+. Similar with Meadow Pipit, 10+. Large flock of Pinkfeet over staincross at 5-20pm.

Friday 24 November 2017

Wintersett 24.11.17

Frost, 3 - 6 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Anglers CP: 73 Pink-footed Geese flew east at 09.12hrs..
Cold Hiendley: 120 Golden Plover were over the field. 
Wintersett Res:  35 Fieldfare flew south + 100 were over Wintersettt Village.  A Cetti's Warbler was on the north bank.  Shoveler 4 + 2 CHRes..  A Kingfisher was seen by the boathouse.  2 Water Rails  were heard - north east bank and south east corner + 1 was seen in the boathouse reeds.
Haw Park Area:  Siskin 1.  Grey Partridge 5.

Wilthorpe Marsh 24/11/17.

Very steady with a big skein of 200+ Pinkfeet high east at 10-40am. Male Goosander thru towards Bretton. Green Sand 1, G Pecker 1, Wren 8 with 1 singing.

Thursday 23 November 2017

Wintersett 23.11.17

6 - 9 degrees with 8/8 cloud but decreasing, with a light southerly.
Habitat management has been ongoing this week, hence the condensed blog posts. 
Anglers CP:  A Crossbill flew over at 11.40hrs was the only record of note this morning.


Carlton Marsh

The working group this morning reported 3 Willow Tits around the feeder, Cormorant, Shoveler, Tufted and 4 Green Woodpeckers (together) presumably 'Anting' in the meadow.

Monday 20 November 2017

Wintersett Mon. 20.11.17. Tues. 21.11.17. Wed. 22.11.17

7 - 11 degrees, drizzly start with 8/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Monday 20.11.17.
Anglers CP: The juvenile Common Scoter was present.

7 - 11 degrees with 4/8 and a light southerly.
Tuesday  21.11.17
Anglers CP: 8 Snipe flew from the SW bank.

11 - 16 degrees with 8/8 and a south westerly with strengthening gusts.
Wednesday 22.11.17
Anglers CP:  150 Pink-footed Geese flew west  08.40hrs.  Golden Plover 70 west. 

The Edge 20/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 377 Canada Geese, 34 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 148 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 2 Moorhen, 41 Lapwing, 25 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 31 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 5 Skylark, 2 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush and 2 Stonechat.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+6y Mute Swan, 26 Teal, 22 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 75 Lapwing, 71 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 18 Grey Partridge.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3+1y Mute Swan, 17 Mallard, 11 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 3+1f Goosander, 3 Tufted Duck, 1f Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 234 Coot, 11 Common Gull and 5 BH Gull. Also present were 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay,14 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing and 4 Bullfinch.

Sunday 19 November 2017

Wintersett WeBS November 2017

Here are the November WeBS totals for the Wintersett Area.

Mute Swan 47,   Canada Goose 63,   Greylag Goose 92,   Pink-footed Goose 1,   Cormorant 11,   Great Crested Grebe 17,   Little Grebe 9,   Coot 580,   Moorhen 17,   Mallard 69,   Gadwall 145,   Shoveler 5,   Wigeon 276,   Tufted Duck 293,   Pochard 104,   Goldeneye 42,   Goosander 28,   Grey Heron 4,   Water Rail 3,   Lapwing 126,   Snipe 1,   Kingfisher 1, 

Wintersett + VisMig . 19.11.17

Frosty, 2 - 5 degrees with 4/8 high cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 08.00 - 12.00hrs
180 Pink-footed Geese, in three skeins (80 + 40 + 60) flew west.  
Anglers CP: A Woodcock flew over.   88 Great Black-backed Gulls came in to roost.
Wintersett Res: A Cetti's Warbler was in the SW corner.
Cold Hiendley Big Field:  Golden Plover 100 and Grey Partridge 4.
21 birds were ringed today, including: 7 Lesser Redpoll,  4 Goldfinch,  1 Reed Bunting,  4 Redwing and 3 Blackbirds,

BLACK SWAN AT INBIRCHWORTH

Photo of the Black Swan at Ingbirchworth which was with c70 Grey Lags and 3 Pink feet.
Also 3 Little Grebe,2 Kestrel,and a Goldcrest



Saturday 18 November 2017

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 18.11.17

4 - 7 degrees with 2/8 but increasing cloud, and a light north westerly.
Anglers CP:  100 Pink-footed Geese dropped in to the back fields this afternoon.  40 Goosanders were in at dusk.  
Wintersett Res: 50 Chaffinch.  4 Water Rail - 1 west bank,  1 south east corner and 2 in boathouse reeds.   A female Common Scoter was near the boathouse.
Gull Roosts:                           Area Total              ACP               WRES
Lesser Black-backed Gull                 6                         6
Great Black-backed Gull                65                        60                       5
Herring Gull                                  525                      400                   125
Common Gull                               800                       500                  300
Black-headed Gull                      7000                     4000                3000       

Friday 17 November 2017

Wintersett 17.11.17

Frosty start, 2 - 6 degrees with 0/8 cloud, but increasing ad a light westerly.
Anglers CP:  Several huge skeins, totalling 610 Pink-footed Geese,  over ENE at 09.30hrs + 75 west over WRes.   The lone PF goose is still present.   Canada Goose 53.    Canada X Greylag Goose hybrids 2.  Water Rail 1 west bank.
Cold Hiendley SF: Grey Wagtail 4.   Meadow Pipit 6. 
Wintersett Res: Green Woodpecker 1 west bank.  Brambling 2 over.  Grey Partridge 5 in ruin field.

The Edge 17/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 359 Canada Geese, 22 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 146 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 9 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 68 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 92 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 20+ Skylark, 1 male Stonechat, 30+ Redwing, 4 Fieldfare and 7 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+6y Mute Swan, 31 Greylag over west, 24 Teal, 23 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 9 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 6 Cormorant, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 female Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, 9 Coot, 3 Moorhen, c100 Golden Plover, 26 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 1 Ruff, 46 BH Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 30+ Skylark and c20 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - Highlight was a Bittern flying over the reedbeds at the eastern end at 12.05pm. On the open water were  2+2y Mute Swan, 12 Greylag, 57 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 2m+2f Goosander, 1f Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 218 Coot, 7 Common Gull, 5 BH Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 8 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 calling Chiffchaff and 2 Bullfinch.

Thursday 16 November 2017

Wintersett 16.11.17

10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light north westerly.
Anglers CP: Common Scoter 1 juvenile.  Siskin 8.  Teal 2.  Green Woodpecker 1.  Goosander 2.  A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.    
Wintersett Res: A Brambling  flew over north east bank.  Water Rail 1 east bank.  Shoveler 6.

Low Moor/Midhope 16/11/17. D Simmonite, S Green.

Cold but bearable in the sun regards standing about. Goshawk shoed off towards ewden again this time by a Merlin. Also Kestrel 4+, C Buzzard 2, Raven 3. Highlights on the feeders were GS Pecker and Willow Tit. Goldeneye fem. on the res.

Wilthorpe Marsh 16/11/17.

Water Pipit on sewage farm filters this morning + Green Sand, 4 Grey Wags.

Wednesday 15 November 2017

Wilthorpe Marsh 15/11/17.

Highlights - male Stonechat, L Egret, Green Sandpiper, 9 RL Partridge, GS Pecker. Pipits very mobile and not many, probably due to the mild weather. River fish watching from the sewage farm footbridge revealed my first Brown Trout and a shoal of 12 Chub.

Wintersett 15.11.17

9 degrees with 6/8, but increasing cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: A male Blackcap was ringed on the Pol.  The juvenile Common Scoter still present,  Pink-footed Goose 1.  Siskin 5.
Wintersett Res: The boathouse hedges were full of birds this morning and a flock of 80 Redwings flushed off the north bank field.  An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on a buoy.  A male Cetti's Warbler sang in the boathouse reeds.   2 Water Rails were heard - north bank and west bank. 
45 birds were ringed this morning, including: 12 Redwing,  2 Blackbird,   1 Treecreeper,   1 Blackcap,  14  Lesser Redpoll  and  9 Goldfinch.

The Edge 15/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 45 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 119 Wigeon, 16 Shoveler, 16 Teal, 7 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Grey Partridge,  35 Lapwing, 55 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 9 Skylark, 3 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Redpoll and 7 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted by J. Seeviour were 2+6y Mute Swan, c340 Canada Geese, 52 Greylag, 22 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 6 Pochard, 5 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 6 Cormorant, 4 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Red Legged Partridge, 3 Snipe and 10 Redwing.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3+4y Mute Swan, 12 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 214 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 15 Common Gull and 9 BH Gull. Also present were 7 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Song Thrush.

Tuesday 14 November 2017

Wilthorpe Marsh 14/11/17.

Not many Pipits away from the sewage farm so only 6 Meadows on the mud. Green Sandpiper nearby and 2 Woodcocks were flushed off the canal path. 2 Jacks and 2 C Snipe flushed off marsh edge and Linnet flock c 50. Again no sign of any Cetti's at oxbow lake and canal areas.

Wintersett 14.11.17

9 degrees with 6/8 cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  The female/immature Common Scoter still present.   Teal 10.  Field Fare 80 went west.  Green Woodpecker 1.   3 Goosander dropped in, then left south. 
Cold Hiendley Big Field:  A flock of 125 Golden Plover were at the bottom of the slope.
Cold Hiendley Res: Shoveler 4 + 2 ACP.   
Wintersett Res:  A male Cetti's Warbler was in the south east corner.  A Water Rail was in the boathouse reeds.  A Siskin flew over. Grey Wagtail 1.    Pochard 6.
Lepidoptera:  Ralph Hibbert  and Les Corrall  saw 2 Red Admirals this morning - over boathouse reeds and on west bank Wintersett Res..

The Edge 14/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 161 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 114 Wigeon, 11 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 3 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 108 Golden Plover, 47 Lapwing, 105 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 9 Skylark, 1 female Stonechat, 5 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Redwing and 11 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+6y Mute Swan, 43 Shoveler, 35 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 3 Mallard, 1 male Pintail, 1 female Goosander, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 21 Lapwing, 20+ Snipe, and 4 Fieldfare over south.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3+2y Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 10 Pochard, 9 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 204 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 7 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull and 2 Herring Gull. Also present were 5 Cormorant, 35+ Lapwing over west, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Bullfinch.

Monday 13 November 2017

Low Moor 13/11/17.

Bitterly cold but decent light given the forecast for the uplands. Main highlight accipiters with a Goshawk low over shaw clough but lost to view before again high over barnside moor and shoed over ewden height by 2 Ravens. Sparrowhawk chased a Blackbird through midhope res. conifers and it or another around the res. area later on. Not much else with 3 C Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, GS Pecker 1, Fieldfare 30, Siskin 2. Willow Tit constantly at the feeders.

Carlton Marsh

3 Little Egrets, 2 left north. Also present 2 + 1 Willow Tits, 2 Common Gull, 2 Siskin, Water Rail, 1 Meadow Pipit west and Song Thrush.

A Fox was on the prowl.

Wintersett 13.11.17

3 - 6 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: A female/immature  Common Scoter was new in.    Siskin 1 over.  Little Grebe 9.  Teal 4 + 4 WRes..  Greylag Goose 103.  Pink-footed Goose 1. 
Wintersett Res: 3 Water Rail were heard:- west bank, south east corner and north bank.  Shoveler 3 + 2 CHRes..  Gadwall 52 + 24 CHRes..  Goosander 2. 

The Edge 13/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 348 Canada Geese, 14 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 161 Wigeon, 13 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 4 Mallard, 1 female Goldeneye, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 81 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 14+ Grey Partridge,1 Sparrowhawk,  82 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull, 13 Stock Dove, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Skylark, 9 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Bullfinch and 25+ Linnet.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 8 Mute Swan, 88 Canada Geese, 39 Shoveler, 27 Teal, 13 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 2 Kestrel, 16 Lapwing and 21 BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 5+4y Mute Swan, 57 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 219 Coot, 10 Common Gull and 9 BH Gull. Also present were a skein of c100 Pink Footed Geese over east at 12.40pm, 5 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Stonechat and 3+ Bullfinch.

Sunday 12 November 2017

Carlton Marsh

Water Rail, 9 Lapwing, 2 Common Gull, 6 Canada Geese, 37 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler,
8 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, Little Egret and 2 Goldcrest.

Sash Pond, Grimethorpe
Goosander 1 male, Pochard 1male, Tufted Duck 4 and Teal 3. (Keith Bannister)

Wintersett + VisMig. + Gull Roosts 12.11.17

A very cold 3 - 7 degrees with 0/8,  but increasing cloud,  and a north westerly breeze.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 07.00 - 09.00hrs
Going west:  Fieldfare 85,  Redwing 20,  Starling 39 and Chaffinch 1.
Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose  1.   Little Grebe 7 + 8 WRes..
Golf Course: .A Jack Snipe was in the field marsh.  2 Nuthatch were on the  cafe feeders
Haw Park Canal:  Siskin 1.
Cold Hiendley SF: Grey Partridge 4.
Wintersett Res: A Water Rail was calling in the boathouse reeds.  16 Whooper Swans dropped on briefly this morning and 9 more (4 adults + 5 juveniles) flew north at 15.25 hrs.   A Linnet flew over.  At dusk, a  BITTERN flew from the south east corner reeds,  following the east bank before curving over the water and dropping in the west bank marsh. A Woodcock flew over the west bank field.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:   21 Great Blackbacked Gulls,   8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and, 200 Herring Gulls
Wintersett Res. Roost: Poor number of big gulls,  with just 17 Herring Gulls in tonight.

Saturday 11 November 2017

Carlton Marsh

Just 2 Cormorants, Little Egret, 15 Fieldfare and 5 Siskin reported today.
The highlight of the day was phoned in by Keith Bannister.  This one's for Chis Parkin, Les Corrall and John Seevior. The first Jubilee Class 4 6 0 to frequent the old Midland Railway at Carlton for 50 years. No 45699 Galatea ran from Carnforth via Wakefield past Carlton Marsh to Ardagh Glass (formerly Redfearn's) along the old Monk Bretton branch. What a wonderful sight to behold. After gaining permission the owner (on the footplate) decided to take his mates for a nostalgic trip.

Thanks to Ian Morley for the photos.




Wilthorpe Marsh 11/11/17.

Sunny and almost springlike with a couple of singing Wrens. 1,possibly 2 Water Pipits in the area with 1 showing well briefly on wires and dropped on to mud to feed with Meadow Pipits before flying to sewage farm. No joy at the sewage farm but Green Sandpiper and Willow Tit here. Nearby 2 Jack and 2 C Snipe flushed off the marsh edge. Pinkfeet heard only at 12-30pm.

Wintersett + VisMig 11.11.17

6 - 8 degrees with 8/8 and a north easterly breeze.
Anglers CP Vis Mig: 07.30 - 09.30hrs
Starling 165 NW.   Meadow Pipit 1 S. Golden Plover 2 N. 
Anglers CP:  2 Brambling were in the car park 07.15hrs.  Pink-footed Goose 22 E at 10.05hrs. A HAWFINCH flew SW at 10.09hrs The lone Pink-footed Goose is still present.   25 Goosander were on at dusk. 
Wintersett Res:  A Water Rail was calling on the north west bank.  A Cetti's Warbler was heard on the dam wall + a male was in the NE corner.   A Grey Wagtail was on the spillway.
79 Birds were ringed this morning including: 23 Redwing,  2 Blackbirds,  1 Treecreeper,  3 Goldcrest,  18 Lesser Redpoll,  5 Goldfinch and 19 Long-tailed Tits.
Critter: A Stoat was on the Botany south path.

Friday 10 November 2017

The Edge 10/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 286 Canada Geese, 9 Greylag, 148 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, c150 Golden Plover, 64 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 82 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 5 Skylark, 10 Stock Dove, 4 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 7 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch, 14 Linnet and 2 Redpoll.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 1y Mute Swan, 32 Teal, 27 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 9 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 9 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 59 Lapwing, 3+ Snipe, 1 Dunlin and 31 Stock Dove.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4+4y Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 31 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 11 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 205 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 22 BH Gull and 4 Common Gull. Also present were 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Jay.
TPT- A  group of 4 Little Egret could be seen on the Field Pool RSPB Old Moor and a Peregrine gave good views as it circled overhead.

Thursday 9 November 2017

Wintersett 09.11.17

4 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cool, westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: A male and a female Pintail left south west at 09.07hrs. A Dunlin flew over at 09.15hrs.  Teal 3.   Snipe 2.  Goosander 3.  Cormorant 20 + 3 WRes..  Little Grebe 6 + 2 WRes.. Water Rail 1 west bank.
Wintersett Res:  130 Fieldfare flew over west.    60 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 11.15hrs.  A male Cetti's Warbler was in the south east corner reedbed, 
189 Wigeon were in the area:-   144 WRes.,  39 CHRes and  6 ACP.

The Edge 09/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 204 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag, 129 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Cormorant, 1 Peregrine through at 9.05am, 1 Kestrel, 34 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 113 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail, c50 Redwing and 1 Willow Tit.
 Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+6y Mute Swan, 30+ Teal, 19 Tufted Duck, 18 Pochard, 14 Gadwall, 11 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 male Goosander, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 8 Coot, 8 Moorhen, 31 Lapwing, 14 Dunlin, 8 Snipe, 63 BH Gull, 4 Herring Gull and 2 Common Gull. Early AM, PWK also had c350 Golden Plover, c150 Fieldfare over west and c80 Redwing over south.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2y Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 13 Pochard, 9 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Moorhen, 175 Coot, 17 BH Gull and 9 Common Gull. Also present were 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Lapwing over west and 1 Bullfinch.
Warbler Way - Adam Hutt had 1 calling Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tit and 1 calling Cettis Warbler.

Wednesday 8 November 2017

Wintersett 08.11.17

3 - 7 degrees 4/8 but increasing cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: A Woodcock was flushed on the Pol this morning.   The 2 juvenile Scaup still present.  Goosander 3.  A female Pintail was on the shallows. 
42 birds were ringed this morning, including: 20 Redwing,  4 Goldcrest,  1 Coal Tit,  8 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Goldfinch.  A control Lesser Redpoll was also caught.

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon 2 Buzzards, 2 Cormorants, 9 Lapwing, 14 Teal, 22 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret south, 2 Goldcrest, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Linnet west. At dusk 30 Redwing, 8 Meadow Pipits SW, 3 Water Rails called, 2 Snipe left and 1male and 2 Female Tawny Owls called. (Dave Standish)

A Fox was hunting the wader scrape.

Red Admiral 1 (Chris Parkin) & 1 in my garden.

Tuesday 7 November 2017

The Edge 07/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Just started walking through Broomhill Park when I met Keith Fisher. His answer to "Owt abaht?" was " Been down since first light and its been very quiet even on Doveside and from the hide".  As I made my way across the park a calling Greater Spotted Woodpecker gave its position away on top of the hawthorns., otherwise there were few birds to be seen. The occasional Blackbird and Wren provided the only interest in the hedge along the Bulling Dyke. Then the CB radio crackled into life. Keith Fisher put me onto a female Peregrine which gave an amazing  hunting display over the eastern end before settling on a  metal pylon with its prey. There was little change on the Ings with 2 Mute Swan over west, 7 Greylag, 127 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, c50 Lapwing, 8 Golden Plover, 28 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 female Stonechat, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail and 5 Linnet present. Walking off  I had 3 Skylark in the back field, 1 male Stonechat on the eastern end of the Ings and c10 Fieldfare, 5+ Redwing and 1 Song Thrush in Broomhill Park.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+6y Mute Swan, 56 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 17 Mallard, 15 Gadwall, 14 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 1 male Goosander, 1 Little Grebe, 11 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 117 Lapwing, 35 Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe and 48 BH Gull.
PWK had a good passage of winter thrushes with 300+ Fieldfare and 300+ Redwing.
TPT- Best was a Goldcrest in a flock of 12 Long Tailed Tit. Also 1 Jay.
Bolton Ings - Duck numbers can vary greatly on the eastern pool depending on human/ raptor disturbance on Old Moor( they fly over to the Ings ) and/or the wind conditions( they shelter in the reeds or under the near edge ). Today's count of 4 Tufted Duck contrasts with yesterday's total of 52 . On the open water were 2+1y Mute Swan, 13 Pochard, 10+ Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 male Goosander, 1 male Goldeneye, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 172 Coot, 76 BH Gull and 24 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Buzzard and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett 07.11.17

9 dropping to 7 degrees with 7/8 and a light south westerly, then  north westerly when rain started 12.15hrs.
Anglers CP:  A Cetti's Warbler was calling in the Pol ditch + 2 males WRes., north bank and north east corner.   A Water Rail ran on the shore in front of the hide + 1 north bank WRes..     Shoveler 7 + 3 WRes., 
Wintersett Res: 2 juvenile Scaup still presentA Dunlin flew over and left west at 09.35hrs + 1 flew over ACP and left south at 11.45hrs.  Cormorant 15.    

Monday 6 November 2017

Carlton Marsh

4 Little Egrets were on the wader scrape this afternoon. (Rod Heeley)

Jack Snipe at Old Moor 06.11.17

Ron Marshall took these shots  of the  Jack Snipe at Old Moor today.



Wintersett 06.11.17

Ground frost, 3 - 8 degrees with 2/8 cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP: A cream crowned Marsh Harrier flew south east at 11.09.hrs.  2 juvenile Scaup still present.  Teal 5.  Goosander 2.
Wintersett Res: Pink-footed Goose 300 east at 09.15hrs.    Pochard 7.   Cetti's Warbler 1 male, west bank marsh.  Water Rail 1. 
Lepidoptera: Red Admiral 1 WRes..

The Edge 06/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1y Mute Swan, 7 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 117 Wigeon, 29 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 94 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 250+ BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Skylark, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Redwing, 2 Stonechat and 2 Bullfinch.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+6y Mute Swan, 200+ Canada Geese, 31 Teal, 30+ Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 5 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 46 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover and 2 Ruff.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 8+1y Mute Swan, 66 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 4 Shoveler, 3 Mallard, 1 female Goldeneye, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 179 Coot, 28 Common Gull and 27 BH Gull. Also present were 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel and 2 Jay.

Bolton Ings and Old Moor

An early morning walk on here was rewarding;- highlight were 2 Hawfinch that flew over constantly calling, quite low that headed off to the north-west. A pair of Bearded Tits at the eastern end reedbed are the first occurrence on Bolton apparantly and could be birds from across the river at Old Moor or perhaps immigrants from further afield, either way it bodes well for the future. At least 6 Cettis Warblers were located calling from the reedbeds and a drake Pintail on the water. Two pair of Stonechats in the reed edges.
Old Moor.
A large (presumably male) Bittern had a mid morning fly around, a Marsh Harrier earlier at Broomhill did a circuit of the marsh and was joined by a second bird (both cream-crowns) over the reedbeds early afternoon. Common Buzzards were noticeable in the morning sun, a 'stack' of 8 from Wombwell Ings as well as many singles around the area. Two Pintail and a Goldeneye on the Mere but there is a very noticeable lack of waders - acres of mud, mostly empty mud, just 2 Green Sandpipers and a couple of Common Snipe, no Lapwing or Golden Plover - where are they? Another pair of Stonechat were distant from Wath Ings hide.

Sunday 5 November 2017

Wintersett + VisMig. + Gull Roost

Cool start,  5 - 9 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light north westerly .
Anglers CP VisMig:  06.45hrs - 10.30hrs
Going south west:  Wood Pigeon 1720.  Fieldfare 55.  Stock Dove 2. 
Going west:  Starling 1020.  Goldfinch 39.  Siskin 10.  Meadow Pipit 1.  Chaffinch 2.
Others:  Pink-footed Goose 35 NE.   Skylark 6 N.  
Anglers CP:  Pintail  1 female.   Scaup.2 juveniles.   Goldeneye 29.  Goosander 17. Teal 6. 
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Great Black-backed Gull  36,  Lesser Black-backed Gull 8,  Herring Gull 81,  Black-headed Gull 5000,   Common Gull c500.
Cold Hiendley:  Tawny Owl 1
Lepidoptera:Red Admiral 1. CHRes..

Carlton Marsh

Sunny with cloud increasing in the afternoon NW L-M maximum 10.5c. Today's highlight were; Little Egret, 22 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 20 Canada Geese, 3 Water Rail, 2 Siskin, 9 Lapwing, 2 Willow Tit, 30 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, Peregrine and 4 Buzzard riding thermals in clear blue sky.
A large skein of Pink Feet Geese flew west after dark at 18.07hrs. (Geoff Miller)

Storrs Mill Wood
Red Admiral 1, Comma 2 & Small Copper 3. (Chris Parkin)

Saturday 4 November 2017

Wintersett + Roost 04.11.17

Rain to 09.00hrs.  Cool 7 - 9 degrees with 8/8 cloud, slowly decreasing,  and a light westerly.
Anglers CP: 3 Shelduck left north at 10.05hrs.  2 juvenile  Scaup, a male and a ? female.  Goosander 12.  Pochard  99.  Goldeneye 35.  Little Grebe 9.    Teal 3.  Snipe 3.  Water Rail 1+ 3 WRes.  Greylag Goose 88.  Pink-footed Goose 1.  Cormorant 10.    6 Dunlin flew over at 15.15hrs, then left west.
Anglers CP Roost: An adult Yellow-legged Gull flew in.  At 16.30hrs Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull, flew in to the small raft.

Friday 3 November 2017

Wilthorpe Marsh. 3/11/17.

Water Pipit seen twice this morning at sewage farm but mobile and elusive. Also 15+ Meadow Pipits and 20+ Grey Partridge in nearby field.

The Edge 03/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 81 Canada Geese, c120 Pink Footed Geese over west at 8.50am, 1 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 138 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 35 Lapwing, 2 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 50 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 17 Grey Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 3 Skylark, 5 Redwing and 1 Bullfinch. J.Thompson also had 2 Stonechat and K.Fisher had 15 Meadow Pipit and 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+7y Mute Swan, c300 Canada Geese, 27 Greylag, 36 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 9 Wigeon, 6 Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Moorhen, 7 Coot, 58 Lapwing, c35 Golden Plover, 56 BH Gull, 7 Herring Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 17 Grey Partridge and c40 Skylark.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2y Mute Swan, 14 Tufted Duck, 14 Pochard, 8 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 male Goldeneye, 3 Little Grebe, 177 Coot, 13 BH Gull and 12 Common Gull. Also present were 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sonechat and 2 Bullfinch.

Thursday 2 November 2017

Wintersett 02.11.17

9 - 13 degrees. mild with 5/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP:  Whooper Swan 1 adult.  Goosander 1 m.   The immature drake Scaup still present. 
Wintersett Res:   Brambling 2 on ruin.   Cetti's Warbler 1 north bank.
Just 1 new bird was added to the area year list in October, bringing the total to 166.

Wilthorpe Marsh / Fleets Dam. 2/11/17.

Water Pipit showed well on sewage farm filter beds but quite shy and eventually flew to nearby fields. Also here 10+ Meadow Pipits, 4 Grey Wagtails, Chiffchaff. Nearby, 6 Jack Snipe, 7 Common Snipe, 6 Water Rails include 2 showing well. 3 Willow Tits in mixed tit flock, 18 Teal and Little Egret flew in from the west, possibly from Bretton. Fleets Dam. - Top fly around by group of 7 Parakeets which continued to show well in willow in sw corner at car park end + 1 ad. Common Gull.

The Edge 02/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1y Mute Swan, 77 Greylag, 131 Wigeon, 21 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 11 Mallard, 9 Gadwall, 3 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron,1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel,  45 Lapwing, 8 Golden Plover, 1 Ruff, 65 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Skylark, 9 Redwing, 50+ Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch and 2 Reed Bunting. K.Fisher also had 5 Grey Partridge, 1 Treecreeper and 7 Fieldfare.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+6y Mute Swan, c300 Canada Geese, 29 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 7 Wigeon, 5 Pochard, 5 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 1 Goosander, 9 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 16 Grey Partridge, 10 Coot, 6 Moorhen, 38 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 23 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2y Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 65 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 178 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 12 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch and 1 Redpoll.

Wednesday 1 November 2017

Carlton Marsh

Little Egret 2, Shoveler 14, Tufted 8, Gadwall 40, Canada Goose 17, Water Rail 2, Kingfisher, Buzzard and Siskin 2.  76 Pink Feet flew NW over low Cudworth at 15.15hrs (Dick Laverack/Dave Standish) and were last seen over Carlton heading NW (Dave Smith)

The Edge 01/11/2017

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1y Mute Swan, 54 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 107 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 12 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe,1 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 31 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 51 BH Gull, 9 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 10+ Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, c10 Long Tailed Tit and 5 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+6y Mute Swan, 300+ Canada Geese, 26 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 18 Tufted Duck, 5 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 1 Goosander, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 8 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 41 Lapwing, 15+ Snipe, 4 Ruff, 79 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull. Early AM,  PWK also had 1 female Marsh Harrier ( 8.15 to 8.30am ), 1 juv Peregrine and 16 Grey Partridge.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4+3y Mute Swan, 30 Tufted Duck, 16 Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 158 Coot, 21 BH Gull and 11 Common Gull. Also present were 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay and 1 Stonechat.