Wintersett + Vis.Mig + Crane update 30.09.18

6 - 12 degrees with 7/8 cloud and a very cold north westerly wind.
Anglers CP VisMig: A slow morning.   84 Pink-footed Geese in 3 skeins (39+17 + 28), flew east. 
Going west: Goosander 6.  A Red Kite at 11.40hrs. Starling 17.  Snipe 2. 
Going south: Meadow Pipit 73. Chaffinch 14. Goldfinch 23. Swallow 11.  Skylark 27.  Common Buzzard 1.
Crane Update:  The 2 adult  COMMON  CRANES that circled high to the north of Anglers CP, then circled  and glided south, from 15.05 - 15.18hrs yesterday,  turned up later at Erewash Meadows NR, Nottinghamshire from 17.47hrs to 18.26hrs, then flew north west.  
Anglers CP: Kingfisher 1.  Little Egret 1.   Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult (Psycho).  Grey Heron 5.  Pintail 1 + 2 CHRes + 1 WRes..  Soveler 37.  Wigeon 114.
Cold Hiendley Res: Goldeneye 1 female.

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. + Ringing

A cold start, 6 - 14 degrees with mostly clear sky and a light, but cold westerly breeze.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: 1250 Pinkfooted Geese in 19 skeins, (9 skeins east and 10 skeins west). 
Going north: A Red Kite flew through at10.30hrs.
Going south west: Common Buzzard 5 high.  Goldfinch 60.  Skylark 44.
Going south: Great Spotted Woodpecker 5.   Swallow 43.  Grey Wagtail 8.  Chaffinch 63.  Siskin 1.  Linnet 78.  House Martin 5.  Meadow Pipit 1010.
Going west: Snipe 23.  Lesser Redpoll 1.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:  2 adult  COMMON  CRANES were circling high to the north of Anglers CP, then circled  and glided south, from 15.05 - 15.18hrs. 
Anglers CP: Hobby 2 juveniles.  Yellow-legged Gull - Psycho, the adult  was on the rafts + 1 juvenile.  Little Egret 1.   Pintail 17 + 1 Shoveler in one flock dropped in ACP late morning
Winterset Res: 3 male Cetti's Warblers - northbank,  north east bank WRes + north bank CHRes..
Haw Park Wood: Nuthatch 2. 
56 Birds were ringed: Highlights were - 2 Blackcap,  1 Chiffchaff,  the first Lesser Redpoll this autumn,  12 Goldfinch,  3 Linnet,  14 Chaffinch,  3 Reed Bunting and 5 Goldcrest.
Lepidoptera: Small Copper 1 Pol ACP.  Comma 1 ACP.  Speckled Wood 1 WRes.
Odonata: Common Darter 1 Pol ACP.  Migrant Hawker 1 ACP.

First Lesser Redpoll ringed ACP this autumn     RBailey

Flock of Pintail + 1 Shoveler            ACP  PMeredith

Carlton Marsh

105 Canada Geese were on the scrape this morning. Also present 5 Shoveler, Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, 22 Lapwing, Snipe, Buzzard, Goldcrest and Willow Tit. Meadow Pipits were moving through in small numbers.

Today's butterfly counts exceeded all expectations. (Chris Parkin)
A record number of 51 Small Copper, 2 Painted Lady, 17 Red Admiral (on self-set Buddlejas), 26 Speckled Wood, 5 Comma, 1 Common Blue & 1 Small Tortoiseshell.

Wintersett + VisMig + Gull Roost 28.09.18

6- 14 degrees with sun, 4/8 cloud and light south westerly.
Anglers CP VisMig:  Pink-footed Goose.  207 east in 4 skeins,  743 west in 16 skeins  + 40 west this evening.   An Osprey flew through,  low south west, at 10.10hrs  Skylark 35 SW.  
Going south:  Swallow 22,  Meadow Pipit 42,  Siskin 13 
Anglers CP: Little Egret Chiffchaff 1. 
Wintersett Res Gull Roost:  Caspian Gull  1 1st winter.  Yellow-legged Gull 17,  Herring Gull 12, Lesser Black-backed Gull  320, Common Gull 4.
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1.  Greenshank 1. Curlew 1 over north.  Hobby 2. 

The Edge 28/09/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 44 Canada Geese, 44 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 8 Cormorant over, 110 Lapwing, 78 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 49 BH Gull, 10+ Skylark, 4 Pied Wagtail, 7 Linnet and 2 Yellowhammer. K. Fisher also had a Great White Egret fly over the ings at 8am and 2 Tawny Owl on Cliffe Road very early morning.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 9 Canada Geese, 28 Shoveler, 23 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret ( 5 early AM - K. Fisher ), 1 Buzzard, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 10 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 3 BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2y Mute Swan, 14 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 28 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 269 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 13 LBB Gull and 3 BH Gull. Also present were 17 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 16 Lapwing, and a female Stonechat.

Cudworth

A Curlew flew SW over Storrs Mill Lane at 13.32hrs. Meadow Pipits were moving south over Cudworth Common all morning.

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. 27.09.18

13 - 17 degrees with sun, 3/8 cloud  and a light north westerly.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: Good numbers of Pink-footed Geese  with 281 west in 4 skeins and 883 east in 14 skeins. 
Lapwing 10 high north.  Skylark 22 south west.  Meadow Pipit 118 south.  Siskin 39 south west. Lesser Redpoll 2 south.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult (Psycho).  Garganey 1 juvenile. Snipe 1.  Chiffchaff 1 + 1 WRes.. 
Moorhouse Lane Ponds  Hobby 2 juveniles
Lepidoptera: Small White 1.  Speckled Wood 6.  Small Copper 1.
Odonata:  Migrant Hawker 10.  Common Darter 5.  Ruddy Darter 2.  Common Blue Damselfly 1. 

                    Pink-footed Geese                  ACP  PMeredith

Wintersett Ringing Recovery - Becky Bailey

A Blackcap APB6430 ringed at Wintersett on 15/07/18

was controlled by Sandwich Bird Obs on 30/08/18

323km SE in 46 days - Moving out at speed! 

The Edge 27/09/2018

Wombell Ings - Present were 1 juvenile Shelduck, 47 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 91 Lapwing, 33 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 22 BH Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Yellowhammer.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 23 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 8 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 3 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 10 Snipe, 5 Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 1 Ruff and a female Wheatear.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3+2y Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 4 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 272 Coot, 8 BH Gull and 3 LBB Gull. Also present were 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 57 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Jay and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett + Vis.Mig 26.09.18

11 - 16 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a light south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP VisMig: 
A Great White Egret flew south at 07.40hrs.  (GW Egret is still a good bird here though,  with previous records only in 1994, 2006, 2013 and 3 in 2016
Pink-footed Goose  212 west  ( 4 skeins - 38, 112, 53 19)  +  a skein of 8  south east.  Goosander 1 present , then left west.   Grey Heron 3 west.  Snipe 4 west.   Jay 5 east.  Starling 7 west.  Yellowhammer 1 west.
Going south:  Swallow 33.    House Martin   Stock Dove 3.  Meadow Pipit 7.  Siskin 15.
Anglers CP: The juvenile Garganey still present. Little Egret 1. Hobby 1. A Red Kite was over Haw Park. A Water Rail was in the SE corner.  Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull was around the shallows and rafts. Pochard 23.  Teal 16. 
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.

                                Great White Egret migrating south over ACP   PMeredith

The Edge 26/09/2018

Wombwell Ings -  Present were 1 Mute Swan, 57 Teal, 7 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 65 Lapwing, 20+ Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover , 1 Ruff, 47 BH Gull, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Linnet and 3 Yellowhammer.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 27 Shoveler, 25 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 3 Wigeon, 4 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Little Grebe, 2 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 24 Lapwing, 12 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 1 Ruff, 30+ House Martin, 26+ Linnet and 4 Yellowhammer.
Bolton Ings - It's surprising how often a good bird drops in just as we are leaving. Today it was a Hobby which we would have missed if D. Waddington had not put us on to it. Hunting for dragonflies, it put on a show of aerial prowess for ten minutes from 12.57pm. On the open water were 4+2y Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 5 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Pochard, 21 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 256 Coot, 34 BH Gull, 17 LBB Gull, 2 Common Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 2 Great White Egret and 1 Little Egret on the west pool(seen mid AM by I. Martin), 1cc Marsh Harrier, 35 Lapwing and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Carlton Marsh

The highlights of today were 4 Siskin, c50 Linnet, 2 Goldcrests, Little Egret and 27 Pink Feet Geese high west at 08.12hrs. They were followed by 60 east at 08.55hrs and 60 more east at 10.15hrs. A Cetti's Warbler was singing and Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were ringed. A colour-ringed Willow Tit was re-trapped, Red right leg, black left leg

2 Red Admiral were feeding on Buddleja and a Speckled Wood was flitting around the trees.

Fungi included Shaggy Ink Cap, Smooth Ink Cap, Earth Ball and Red Cracked Bolete.

South Kirkby Reclaimed Tip (24th September)
(Chris Parkin)
Canada Goose c150 on the lake. Butterflies included 25 Small Copper, Red Admiral, 2 Comma and 10 Common Blue.

Storrs Mill Wood/Ardsley Viaduct Area (yesterday 25th September)
(Chris Parkin)
2 Buzzards were airborne and a pair of Mute Swans were on the River Dearne.
It has obviously been a great year for Small Copper butterflies with 35 counted. Also of note 20 Red Admiral, 34 Comma, 1 Peacock, 13 Lesser Treble Bar and 3 Silver Y moths.

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. + Gull Roosts 25.09.18

6 - 13 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1.  Curlew 2 flew in from north east at 10.20hrs. House Martin 2.  Pink-footed Goose 1 and Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Anglers CP VisMig: Pink-footed Goose 40 SW + 35 NE.  A juvenile Gannet flew WNW at 09.45hrs..  Ringed Plover 1.  Green Sandpiper 1 north west.  Peregrine 1 juvenile 11.16hrs.   Jay 2high north.  Skylark 5 east.  Swallow 52 south.  Alba Wag SP. 9 south.  Meadow Pipit 41.  Linnet 9 south and Siskin 16 south..  35 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 18.30hrs..
51 Birds were Ringed, highlights were 3 Blackcap.  5 Chiffchaff.  1 Goldcrest. 4 Reed Bunting and 27 Goldfinch.
Gull Roosts:                                      WRes.        ACP
Lesser Black-backed Gull   479           231            248
Yellow-legged Gull                7                4                3
Herring Gull                         13                3              10
Great Black-bcked Gull         7                1                6
Common Gull                        3
Black-headed Gull           2000

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. 24.09.18

A very cold 6 - 12 degrees with 1/8 high cloud and a very cold north westerly wind.
Anglers CP Vi.Mig: A Red Kite flew north at 07.55hrs.  45 Pink-footed Goose went east at 08.55hrs.  .  A Green Sandpiper flew west at 09.07hrs.  Sparrowhawk 2 south west + 4 present.  Siskin 12 south.   Jay 9 flew high north east.  Meadow pipit 108 south. 
Anglers CP:  Dunlin 1.  Little Egret 1.  Water Rail 1.  Garganey 1.  Common Buzzard 11.  5 Whooper Swans came in late afternoon.
Wintersett Res: A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was on at dawn.   Grey Partridge 17. Pintail 3 + 1 ACP.   Hobby 1.  A Kingfisher was on Botany. 
Lepidoptera: Small White 1.  Comma 1.  Red Admiral 1.  Small Copper 1. Speckled Wood 4.
Odonata: Common Darter 1.  Migrant Hawker 1.

                               Whooper Swans    ACP         PMeredith

The Edge 24/09/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 28 Canada Geese, 54 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron,  63 Lapwing, 15 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, 43 BH Gull, 1 Swallow, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 16 Linnet and 1 Yellowhammer.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 21 Canada Geese, 13 Shoveler, 12 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 1 Mallard, 10 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 14 Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 11 BH Gull, 3 Swallow and c30 Goldfinch.
Bolton Ings - Highlights were a Great White Egret on the left hand island, a Marsh Harrier hunting over the right island just after 12 noon, a female Stonechat feeding along the hedge in front of the hide and the 15 Black Tailed Godwit that dropped in at 12.20pm. On the open water were 3+2y Mute Swan, 15 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose, 36 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 236 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 33 BH Gull, 11 LBB Gull, 1 Herring Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 30 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Buzzard, 22 Lapwing and 1 Grey Wagtail.
TPT - With CB radio help we were able to pick up a Spotted Redshank and a Grey Phalarope on Wath Ings.

Atlas of Breeding Birds in the Barnsley Area

The first atlas of breeding birds for the Barnsley Bird Study Group recording area (560 km²), and the most comprehensive and detailed account of breeding birds in the Barnsley area ever produced. Full colour maps of breeding distribution and abundance for 130 species, estimates of local breeding populations for the Barnsley recording area, analysis of local breeding status and conservation for each species. This is a landmark publication in Barnsley ornithology and provides a fascinating insight into the breeding birds of the area. 

Published by Barnsley Bird Study Group and available from 30th September 2018. 

Limited edition of 200 copies only, 344 pages, full colour, paperback, £35.00 per copy. 

OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH at OLD MOOR RSPB 

Dearne Valley, Old Moor Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S73 0YF 

SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2018 from 9.30am to 4.30pm 

Barnsley Bird Study Group has funded publication of the atlas through sponsorship and fundraising which continued throughout the atlas project. Due to increases in the cost of publication over recent years, since the original costs were given, costs which have been outside the control of the authors and the bird study group, the cost per book has unfortunately had to increase accordingly.

 Sponsors who originally paid £20.00 to sponsor a species and have their name in the book on their chosen species page, will only be asked for an additional £15.00 per copy to help cover costs and will be offered copies first. To anyone who has not sponsored a species in the book, the cost will be £35.00 per copy. Postage & packing per book is £5.00.

 Demand is expected to be high, therefore to reserve a copy please contact, David Pearce (dmp.waxwings@btinternet.com), Peter Middleton (BBSG Secretary – pmiddleton630@btinternet.com) or Graham Speight (BBSG Chairman – grahamspeight@uwclub.net). Please make cheques payable to Barnsley Bird Study Group, cash payments will also be accepted. Thank you for supporting Barnsley Bird Study Group.

Low Moor/Midhope 23/9/18. G and J Wasse,D Simmonite,J Hindley,S Green.

Highlight was a pair of Merlin harassing the Ravens over pike lowe for lengthy periods. 25 Pinkfeet w. with 60 w. earlier over broomhead moor. Sparrowhawk 2+, C Buzzard 5+, Kestrel 5+. Raven 6+, Mistle Thrush 7, Meadow Pipit 6, Redpoll 1, Siskin 1.

Carlton Marsh

c125 Canada Geese were on the scrape with 5 Shoveler, 16 Lapwing and a Cormorant. A Water rail flew past the hide. 70 Pink Feet flew over and were seen over Cudworth Common at 10.10hrs (Jim Plant/Rod Heeley). A mixed group of c150 birds on the fields were mainly Meadow Pipits. 3 Swallows flew south and 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Coal Tits and 2 Willow Tits were with a group of Long-tailed Tits.

Butterflies today were Green Veined White 2 mating, Small White, Comma and 4 Speckled Wood.

A Fox was on the prowl again.

Wintersett +VisMig 23.09.18

7 - 13 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a very cold north westerly wind. Sunny spells from late morning.
Anglers CP:  Shelduck 1 juvenile.  Little Egret 1.  Dunlin 1. Redshank 1 flew in at 10.07hrs.   Canada Goose 322.  Sand Martin 1.  Chiffchaff 3 + 2 Haw Park + 2 CHRes..  Goosander 1.  The Garganey was back on the shallows after an absence of 3 days.  Teal 6.  Pochard 11 + 1 WRes..
Wintersett Res: Caspian Gull 1 1st W early morning.  Reed Warbler 1.  Hobby 1 over east bank. Cetti's Warbler 1 boathouse reeds + 1 north bank CHRes.  Willow Tit 1 south east corner..
Cold Hiendley Res.: Barn Owl 1.  Goldeneye 1 female.  Tufted Duck 122 + 30 WRes. + 80 ACP.  Shoveler 17 + 7 WRes. + 30 ACP. 
Anglers CP Vis.Mig:  Much quieter than yesterday. An OSPREY flew south at 09.05hrs (the third in 3 weeks).  A Red Kite flew west at 11.53hrs.   Pink-footed Goose 10 small skeins, high and distant totalling 314.   (45, 19, 8, 80 west.  28, 35,13 south.  20, 16 east. 50 south west).  Golden Plover 4 west.  A flock of 9 Bullfinch flew west. Siskin 10 south west,   
Going south: Meadow Pipit 577.  House Martin 33.  Swallow 83.
Odonata: Migrant Hawker 4.  Common Darter 1.  Brown Hawker 1.
Lepidoptera: Speckled Wood 4.  Small White 1.  Red Admiral 1.  Comma 1.  Green-veined White 1. 

                                 Osprey                                    ACP   CSwaine

                                       Osprey                                            ACP  PMeredith

                           Garganey                                        ACP  SDenny

Ewden valley 22/9/18. G and J Wasse, D Simmonite, S Green.

Cold breeze and slow birding until well into the afternoon. Peregrine 3 together and at times down, 1 ad. 2 imm. Merlin 1, Red Kite 1,C Buzzard 4, Kestrel 6. Raven 5, Meadow Pipit total seen 1657, Redpoll flock 20, Siskin total 12, Mistle Thrush 6. Stonechat 3 includes 2 males, Swallow 65, House Martin c 100, LBB Gull 1 imm s., 140 Grey Geese nw.,presumed Pinkfeet.

Wintersett - a big vis-mig day

Westerly wind, cloudy all day.
The day belonged to a terrific vis-mig session overlooking the CP lake. Birds were moving from first light and most of them were Meadow Pipits, heading southwards in a broad front to the west and east of the lake (which is normal). Fortunately we were in position on the hill early and counting started at 7am. By 8am we had counted over 2000 birds and just a half hour later we were up to 5000 and new records were being made (the previous best count was of 4735 in September 2011). The 10,000th bird passed at 10.45am after which passage tailed off a bit but we stayed counting until 2.05pm by which time we had a grand total of 11,169.  To put this fantastic passage into some context - this is the sixth highest count of migrant Meadow Pipits in the UK during the last ten years, only two sites in the whole of the country have counted more - Spurn Point on 4 occasions and Christchurch (Dorset) just once.
A single Tree Pipit and a single Rock Pipit went over us calling, clearly part of the same movement.
Other species seen heading southwards included;-
Common Buzzard 4, Peregrine 1, Kestrel 1, Pink-footed Goose 13, Golden Plover 23, Great Spotted Woodpecker 8, Skylark 26, Alba Wagtail 23, Grey Wagtail 1, House Martin 251, Swallow 169, Chaffinch 42, Goldfinch 46, Siskin 104.

The Juvenile Black Tern is still on the CP lake and it was joined by an adult Little Gull mid morning which remained all day. Shoveler 61, Goosander 2, Little Egret 1, Dunlin 1, Sand Martin 20.

Ringing;- a total of 71 birds were ringed including;- Blackcap 8, Reed Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 6, Goldcrest 5, Meadow Pipit 2, Chaffinch 20, Reed Bunting 6.

Carlton Marsh

This morning 225 Canada Geese were on the main scrape. Meadow Pipits were heading south and a Mink was photographed in front of the hide.

North American Mink (Richard Laverack)

This evening another Cetti's Warbler was ringed, this time a male.  A group of 12 Meadow Pipits were followed by two singles moving south. 3 Water Rails were calling and 3 Swallows and a few Yellow Buntings came in to roost.

A Fox was found dead on the bypass. (Rod Heeley)

Carlton Marsh

More than an inch of overnight rain flooded the valley floor. 10 House Martins were feeding over the scrape, 34 Canada Geese were on the wader scrape with 2 Shoveler, c30 Gadwall and an adult Common Gull.

A Red Kite circled over Carrs Lane, Low Cudworth at 09.52hrs before drifting NW over the Newtown Estate in the direction of Carlton Marsh. Alas nobody there to see it. (Richard Laverack)

A Red Underwing was found alive and well after Storm Bronagh, in Geoff Miller's garden in Upper Cudworth.

Wintersett 21.09.18

7 - 15 degrees with 8/8 cloud,  intermittent showers and a strong westerly
Anglers CP:  Black Tern 1.  Common Tern 1 immature.   Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult + 1 juvenile.  A Pintail,  a Common Sandpiper and a Dunlin were in.  Wigeon 50.  Little Egret 1.  Sand Martin 2. 

  Yellow-legged Gull juvenile      ACP SDenny

                        Yellow-legged Gull  adult        ACP SDenny

                                          Dunlin                   ACP   SDenny

                                           Pintail              ACP   SDenny

Low Moor/Midhope 21/9/18.

Cool and very windy with dry spells fewer as the afternoon went on . Peregrine  was mobbed by a  Merlin over barnside moor, C Buzzard 2 , Kestrel 2. Raven 1 pair, single calling Golden Plover  south, 3 redhead Goosander through south, Meadow Pipit total 52 going south. Siskin 6, Mistle Thrush 7, Starling 50, mostly attracted by the feeding station. On the res. Little Grebe 7, Tufted Duck 6.

Carlton Marsh

On the scrape before it was disturbed for desilting-reed removal, 190 Canada Geese, 6 Greylags, 4 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck and Kingfisher. A Grey Wagtail flew south, Buzzard was hunting and 2 Sparrowhawk were displaying.

(Rod Heeley)

The view from the hide had become obscured, its much better now thanks to the expertise of Dan Bichan and his machine.

During the heavy rain of this afternoon, Geoff Miller was kept fully entertained by a Great Spotted Woodpecker in his garden. It frequented his apple tree for 90 minutes.

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. 20.09.18

 16 - 19 degrees with scattered cloud and a strong south westerly. Very heavy rain from mid afternoon.
Wintersett Res: Vis.Mig.: 
Going south: Meadow Pipit 1458.  Skylark 3.  Linnet 6.   Siskin 10.
Wintersett Res:  Hobby 1.  Cetti's Warbler 2.  Water Rail  1. 
Anglers CP: Black Tern 1 juvenile.  A soaked Wheatear was on the south bank.

 Wheatear        ACP     SDenny

Wintersett + Gull Roost 19.09.18

14 - 18 degrees, warm with 6/8 cloud and a moderate south westerly wind.
Anglers CP: The Garganey and the  Black Tern were still present at 16:50.   Dunlin  1.  Siskin 3 flew south.  
Wintersett Res:  2 Willow Tits were on the west bank.  A late lesser Whitethroat was on the ruin.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  Yellow-legged Gull  2 1stW + 5 adults.
Cold Hiendley Res: A Grey Wagtail was on the Sewage Farm.

Wilthorpe Marsh 19/9/18. + Fleets.

Oxbow pond area continues to look good for crakes and rails. Late aft. visit had 2, but possibly 4 Green Sands, 3 L Egrets, 3 W Rails, 8 Teal, 6 Stock Doves. Fleets, nowt much here with no sign of any parrots with early morning still probably the best time. 1 GC Grebe.

Carlton Marsh

Today still a large number of Canada Geese (220) on the main scrape with 7 Greylags, 14 Shoveler, Kingfisher and Little Egret. There was a steady passage of Swallows throughout the morning and 6 LBB gulls and 1 Herring Gull flew south from the wader scrape. 

Insects included

Green Veined White 3, Speckled Wood 12, Small Copper 15, Painted Lady 1, Red Admiral 7, Brown Argus 1, Comma 4 and Small Tortoiseshell 2. 

Day flying moths were Vapourer Moth 2, Lesser Treble Bar 4 and Silver Y.

Migrant and Southern Hawker were on the wing in the warm sunshine (Chris Parkin).

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 18.09.18

A warm 15 - 18 degrees with scattered cloud and a moderate south westerly.
Reports taken from Twitter  - per SDenny,  CSwaine and DLangston.
Anglers CP: Black Tern & Garganey still present . Also Dunlin,    61 Wigeon,   61 Great Crested Grebe.  A Common Sandpiper and  the Little Egret were in earlier.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: The 1st W Caspian Gull  was in with 6 Yellow-legged Gulls and 150 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 
Anglers CP Gull Roost: 220 Lesser Blackbacked Gulls,  8 Yellow-legged Gulls, 11 Herring Gulls  and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls
Botany Paddock: Willow Tit 1.  

Carlton Marsh

There were 250 Canada Geese on the main scrape today along with 6 Greylags and at least 6 Shovelers. Also of note Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, Kingfisher, 1 Siskin and Cetti's Warbler singing.

Wintersett 17.09.18

17 - 21 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a moderate south westerly.
Anglers CP: The juvenile Black Tern was in until 09.45hrs but could not be located later, or on WRes..   The Garganey is still present on the shallows.  2 Snipe flew west.  Little Grebe 4.
Wintersett Res: A flock of 80 House Martin drifted through south.
Odonata west bank WRes.:  Southern Hawker 1.  Brown Hawker 1.
Lepidoptera: A small Copper west bank WRes.  A Comma on ACP.

            Souther Hawker            WRes  ASmith

Carlton Marsh

On the main scrape today 245 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 11 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Kingfisher, 2 Water Rail, Little Egret, 4 Swallows, 2 LBB. Gulls + 4 west, Snipe, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk.


A Lancaster bomber flew over the Wader Scrape and over Cudworth at 15.20hrs

Wintersett, Sunday 16th September

A much stronger south-westerly wind than yesterday although the predicted rain failed to materialise.

The Black Tern remains on the CP as does the Garganey on the shallows. An influx of Great Crested Grebes onto the park lake with 65 on here and a further 13 on the res. Cormorants are also clearly finding the feeding good with 67 present.
Two juvenile Hobbies were clearly liking the windy conditions and were on view for much of the day, particularly around the Top Res.

Vis-mig - the whole morning was spent counting south bound migrants although it was slow going much of the time;- Pink-footed Goose 20 flew west, Ringed Plover 1, Dunlin 2 singles, Common Snipe 8 west, Swift 1, Wheatear 1, Meadow Pipit 112, House Martin 875, Sand Martin 2, Swallow 34, Starling 99.

Low Moor / Midhope 16/9/18.

Still raining here at 4pm so only midhope res. news. = 106 LBB Gulls down, L.Grebe 6, Teal 3, Tufted Duck 3, C Buzzard 2.

Carlton Marsh

This evening 192 Canada Geese and 6 Greylag Geese were on the main scrape before they moved to the wader scrape. Also present 12 Shoveler, 5 Little Grebe, 14 Teal, Little Egret, 2 Kingfisher, Water Rail, Snipe, Green Woodpecker, 18 Lapwing, 36 Jackdaw, 20 Linnet and Sparrowhawk hunting at dusk.
2 Foxes were hunting at 18.36hrs.

Wintersett Ringing 15.09.18

77 Birds were ringed today.  Highlights were: 12 Chiffchaff.  2 Willow warblers.  6 Blackcap.  1 Reed Warbler.  11 Goldfinch.  15 Meadow Pipit.  3 Goldcrest.

          Juvenile Black Tern   (BOCshot)          ACP   KDenny

Wintersett, Saturday 15th Sept

South-west wind dropping off in afternoon, cloudy with 'murk' in morning,

Top Res- remnants from last nights gull roost were still present at dawn, Great Black-backed Gull 2 adults, Caspian Gull 1 juvenile, Yellow-legged Gull at least 5 adults and 3 juveniles.
A juvenile Black Tern relocated to the CP about nineish where it remained for the remainder of the day.
Country Park - the high congregation of Cormorants remain with at least 76 present. The regular Little Egret came in during the afternoon, Shoveler 13, Lapwing 180, Common Sandpiper 1, Water Rail 1, Hobby 1.

Vis-mig - one of the better days of recent years with a good movement from early morning to midday. An Osprey went south-west over Haw Park at 10.40, a Marsh Harrier south at 13.25. three skeins of Pink-footed Geese (first of the autumn) totaled 105, 4 Ringed Plovers south and a total of 23 Golden Plovers went west. However, the main movers were a local favourite (many vis-miggers favourite) - Meadow Pipits - a total of 2264 flew south, almost all before midday. This is our fifth ever highest count since regular counts began in 2011, but still some way behind the record of 4735 in September 2011. Hirundines were also moving with 523 House Martins (plus 120 feeding), 54 Swallows and 3 Sand Martins.

Ringing - a few warblers were caught, the best being a Willow Warbler.

Ewden valley 15/9/18.

Very changeable weather with summer still hanging on at times but mostly cloudy. Cold and dark at times but stayed dry. Very steady for birds again with a juv. Ring Ouzel near the s bends. Steady for raptors with Peregrine, Sparrowhawk 2, C Buzzard 4, Kestrel 6. Raven 6, small flock of 5 calling Golden Plover went south. Meadow Pipit total 152 mostly going south, Goldfinch flock 30, Siskin 1 over.

Wintersett 14.09.18

13 - 17 degrees with sun and scattered cloud and a moderate westerly.
Anglers CP: Dunlin 2.  Garganey 1 juvenile.  Teal 12.  Wigeon 21.   Cormorant 69.  Sand Martin 1.    Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female.   Mallard 43   Hobby 1.
Lepidoptera: Green-veined White 2  north east WRes.

Wintersett 13.09.18

13 - 16 degrees with scattered cloud and a moderate south westerly.
Anglers CP: Garganey 1 juvenile.  Snipe 1.  A Dunlin flew over at 08.55hrs.
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female.  Hobby 1 juvenile.  Shoveler 18.  Teal 9.  Flocks of 6 + 2 Jays flew south.
24 Birds were ringed, including: 1 Chiffchaff.  8 Blackcap.  2 Reed Warbler.  6 Reed Bunting.

Atlas of Breeding Birds in the Barnsley Area

The first atlas of breeding birds for the Barnsley Bird Study Group recording area (560 km²), and the most comprehensive and detailed account of breeding birds in the Barnsley area ever produced. Full colour maps of breeding distribution and abundance for 130 species, estimates of local breeding populations for the Barnsley recording area, analysis of local breeding status and conservation for each species. This is a landmark publication in Barnsley ornithology and provides a fascinating insight into the breeding birds of the area. 

Published by Barnsley Bird Study Group and available from 30th September 2018. 

Limited edition of 200 copies only, 344 pages, full colour, paperback, £35.00 per copy. 

OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH at OLD MOOR RSPB 

Dearne Valley, Old Moor Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S73 0YF 

SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2018 from 9.30am to 4.30pm 

Barnsley Bird Study Group has funded publication of the atlas through sponsorship and fundraising which continued throughout the atlas project. Due to increases in the cost of publication over recent years, since the original costs were given, costs which have been outside the control of the authors and the bird study group, the cost per book has unfortunately had to increase accordingly.

 Sponsors who originally paid £20.00 to sponsor a species and have their name in the book on their chosen species page, will only be asked for an additional £15.00 per copy to help cover costs and will be offered copies first. To anyone who has not sponsored a species in the book, the cost will be £35.00 per copy. Postage & packing per book is £5.00.

 Demand is expected to be high, therefore to reserve a copy please contact, David Pearce (dmp.waxwings@btinternet.com), Peter Middleton (BBSG Secretary – pmiddleton630@btinternet.com) or Graham Speight (BBSG Chairman – grahamspeight@uwclub.net). Please make cheques payable to Barnsley Bird Study Group, cash payments will also be accepted. Thank you for supporting Barnsley Bird Study Group.

Carlton Marsh

News came this morning that Carlton Marsh had been awarded Platinum in the 2018 Yorkshire in Bloom 'Open Spaces category, again. Well done to our small dedicated band of volunteers and other partners Yorkshire Wildlife Trust volunteers.

Tonight Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, Willow Tit and Cetti's Warbler. The latter, a female, was ringed along with a Yellow Bunting.

Cetti's Warbler (CG)

South Kirkby Tip

There were 4 dead cygnets on the lake with just one adult nearby.

Butterflies included an amazing number of 24 Small Copper and 3 Painted Lady (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett + Vis.Mig + Gull Roosts + Ringing 12.09.18

 12 - 16 degrees with sun, scattered cloud and a light westerly.
Anglers CP: Hobby 1. Garganey 1,  Common Sandpiper 1,  Sand Martin 10,   House Martin  200,  Swallow 150, Little Egret 1.  Tufted Duck 178,  Pochard 5,  Teal 1.  Cormorant 50.
A total of 69 birds were ringed: Highlights were: Chiffchaff 18.  Blackcap 14.  Meadow Pipit 9,  Goldfinch 10,  Goldcrest 1.  A Whitethroat was retrapped.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: 08:00-12:00.    
Going south:  Meadow Pipit 501.   Yellow Wagtail 2.    alba Wagtail  2.  Siskin 3.
Ringed Plover 1 left SW.  2 Black-tailed Godwits flew SW
Gull Roosts : 380 Lesser Blackbacked Gulls roosted, (90 on WRes.  290 on ACP.)  The first calendar year Caspian Gull was on Top Res again.
Lepidoptera: A Small Copper was on the Pol.

The Edge 12/09/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 36 Canada Geese, 45 Teal, 12 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 32 Lapwing, 6 Ruff, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 29 BH Gull, 6 Pied Wagtail, 5+ Yellow Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting and 1 Yellowhammer.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 127 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 39 Mallard, 21 Tufted Duck, 18 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 1 Garganey, 17 Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 31 Coot, 8 Moorhen, 21 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 5 BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 11.09.18

13 - 16 degrees with scattered cloud and a moderate westerly.
Anglers CP: The juvenile Garganey and the Little Egret still present.
Wintersett Res:  Goldeneye 1 female.   2 juvenile Hobbies showed off their flying skills in the wind.
Teal 6 + 2 CHRes..
Wintersett Res.Gull Roost: A first winter Caspian Gull was in the  roost tonight, but rather distant.
Lepidoptera WRes: A Small Copper was on the NE bank and a Small White was on the west bank.

1stW  Caspian Gull      WRes. Roost      11.09.18     SDenny

Carlton Marsh

The only reports received were of 3 Shovelers, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Water Rails and Buzzard.

Another photo of the dark Grey Heron 1/9/18 (Rob Lindley)

Tyers Hall Farm-Darfield
3 Buzzards (1 juv.) and c20 Meadow Pipits on a rape field.

Storrs Mill Wood
A Nuthatch was seen in a stand of mature Oaks. (CG)

Beech Avenue, Upper Cudworth
A Nuthatch called and was seen this afternoon in this urban fringe garden. It was a first for my garden, I have waited 30 years for this bird. (Geoff Miller)

The Edge 11/09/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 31 Canada Geese, 49 Teal, 21 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 24 Lapwing, 12 Snipe, 5 Ruff, 1 Ringed Plover, 17 BH Gull, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet and 3 Reed Bunting. K.Fisher also had 1 Hobby (over at 8.50am), 1 Black Tailed Godwit, c10 Mistle Thrush and 1 Yellowhammer. A flock of 10+ Black Tailed Godwits and 5+ Ringed Plover was seen late morning by a visiting birdwatcher.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 78 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 147 Mallard, 21 Tufted Duck, 20 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 1 Garganey, 15 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 6 Red Legged Partridge, 31 Coot, 6 Moorhen, 8 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 2 LBB Gull, 1 Kingfisher and 6 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 136 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 28 Mallard, 18 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 5 Little Grebe, 3+2y Great Crested Grebe, 22 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 208 Coot, 1+2y Moorhen and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 11 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Grey Wagtail and 1 Pied Wagtail.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 10.09.18

14 - 16 degrees with scattered cloud and a south westerly wind.
Anglers CP: Meadow Pipits 31 south.  Garganey 1.   Goosander 2  ,  Grey Wagtail 3
Wintersett Res: Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull was on buoy number 9. The Little Egret was near the boathouse.
WRes.Gull Roost:  Lesser Black-backed Gull 372,   Yellow-Legged Gull 4,  Herring Gull 4,  Great Black-backed Gull 1 immature  and  Black-headed Gull 1500.

Psycho the adult  Yellow-legged Gull       WRes.    SDenny

                                   Little Egret                       WRes.   SDenny

Hobbys over Haw Park Wood by Paul Evans 09.09.18

Too good to leave on Twitter!

Carlton Marsh

Ringing today provided 4 Blackcaps, 4 Reed Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs and a late Willow Warbler.
Present were Mallard 64, Shoveler 3, Water Rail 2, Kingfisher 2, Meadow Pipit 2, Grey Wagtail and Willow Tit 2.

The Edge 10/09/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 3 Mute Swan, 118 Canada Geese, 42 Teal, 12 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 38 Lapwing, 14 Snipe, 5 Ruff, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 48 BH Gull, 6+ Pied Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipit and 2 Yellowhammer.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 26 Canada Geese, 22 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 146 Mallard, 21 Teal, 18 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 1 Garganey, 15 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 6 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 27 Coot, 12 Moorhen, 8 Lapwing, 2 Kingfisher, 6+ Pied Wagtail and 4 Yellow Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 1 Mute Swan, 43 Greylag, 31 Canada Geese, 27 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 6 Little Grebe, 3+3y Great Crested Grebe, 35 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 237 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 4 BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Buzzard, 19 Lapwing and 3 Chiffchaff.

Wintersett WeBS September 2018

Here are the September 2018  WeBS totals for the Wintersett Area.

Mute Swan 27   Canada Goose 121   Greylag Goose 26   Cormorant 44   Coot  440    Moorhen  22     Mallard 119   Gadwall 85   Wigeon 20  Pochard 13   Tufted Duck 283    Shoveler 59   Goldeneye 1f   Teal 21  Great Crested Grebe 52    Little Grebe 8   Garganey 1.      

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. 09.09.18

14 - 19 degrees with scattered cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: An Osprey flew over  Haw Park Lane Wood at 08.05hrs.  A Grey Plover flew SW at 08.45hrs.  A Buzzard flew south at 11.20hrs.  4 Black-tailed Godwit went south at 11.54hrs.   A Siskin flew over + 3 west.
Cold Hiendley Res: Goldeneye 1 female.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1.  Sand Martin 1.  A Hobby flew over. Garganey 1.
Odonata: A Brown Hawker and 4 Common Darters were on Botany.

                           Garganey                ACP   SDenny

 Grey Plover                     ACP  PMeredith

Wilthorpe Marsh / Low Moor, Midhope 9/9/18.

Very steady at both sites. Wilthorpe oxbow pond this morning, - 2 Green Sand, 6 C Snipe, 1 L Egret, 2 W Rails, 8 Teal, Kingfisher 2, C Buzzard 3. Low Moor, - Red Kite 1, C Buzzard 6+, Kestrel 4, Raven 1, Mistle Thrush 20. Meadow Pipit 6, Siskin 2, 100+ House Martin.

Carlton Marsh

Wildfowl Counts

Mute Swan 2, Greylag 6, Grey Heron 2, Mallard 40, Gadwall 45,Teal 21, Shoveler 9, Coot 28, Moorhen 10, Little Grebe 5, Little Egret 1, Water Rail 2, Lapwing 13, Black Headed Gull 19, Kingfisher 2 and Grey Wagtail 1. 

Also of note a singing Cetti's Warbler and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers-together. Just after we left 3 Black-tailed Godwits arrived on the wader scrape at c13.00hrs (Dave Standish)

Insects included Vapourer Moth, Green Veined White and Migrant Hawker.

Wintersett 08.09.18

12 - 15 degrees with 8/8 cloud, light rain from mid morning until early evening, with a light south westerly.
Cold Hiendley Res: Garganey 1.  Goldeneye 1 f.
Wintersett Res: Pintail 1.  A Dunlin flew over 11.05hrs.  Cetti's Warbler 1m west bank.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1.  Sand Martin 8.  Yellow Wagtail 2.  Cormorant 37.  Teal 19 + 3 WRes..
Mammal: A Stoat was on the north bank CHRes..

Carlton Marsh

5 Shoveler (4 on the wader scrape) were feeding in the shallows with a single Snipe and 18 Teal. At least 2 Kingfishers were on the main marsh.

Insects noted by Chris Parkin were; 8 Speckled Wood, 4 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 4 Comma, 4 Brown Argus, 1 Small Heath, 4 Large White and 9 Small Copper.

Bloodvein, Vapourer and Silver Y Moth

Southern Hawker 2, Ruddy Darter 2 and Common Darter ,    

Chris's Garganey and Hobby Photos at Wintersett 07.09.18

 

    Garganey         CHRes  CSwaine

 

 

                          Hobby             Disposal Point    CSwaine

 

 

 

Wintersett 07.09.18

12 - 16 degrees, sunny with a westerly breeze.
Cold Hiendley Res: Steve Denny found a Garganey in the weed and algae this morning.  Little Grebe 3.
Anglers CP: Grey Partridge 13.   House Martin 200.  Sand Martin 1.  A Peregrine flew SW at 09.50hrs.. 
Disposal Point: Green Woodpecker 1.

                                          Garganey                      CHRes.        SDenny

The Edge 07092018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 23 Greylag, 35 Teal, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 31 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Ruff, 25 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 female Wheatear, 6 Pied Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Bunting and 2 Yellowhammer.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 3+4y Mute Swan, c500 Canada Geese, 39 Greylag, 1 juvenile Shelduck, 310 Mallard, 21 Tufted Duck, 19 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 1 Garganey, 28 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 15 Coot, 8 Moorhen, 15 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 1 Greenshank,  5+ Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail and 1 Linnet.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 1+2y Mute Swan, 28 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose, 21 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal, 5 Little Grebe, 4+3y Great Crested Grebe, 8 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 245 Coot, 3y Moorhen and 3 BH Gull. Also present were 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Dipper.

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape today Shoveler, 12 Teal, Little Egret, 4 Little Grebes, 61 BH Gulls, 2 adult LBB Gulls, 1 adult Herring Gull and 13 Lapwings.

Also of note Coal Tit and Cetti's Warbler singing south of the 1st seat. 4 Siskins were our first this autumn.

A late Swift flew north over my Cudworth home this afternoon at 15.45hrs.

The Edge 06/09/2018

Wombwell Ings - Present were 41 Canada Geese, 32 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel,  24 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 24 BH Gull, 10+ Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 30+ Goldfinch, 2 Yellowhammer and 2 Reed Bunting. Failed to connect with the Spotted Flycatcher, seen early morning, in the hawthorns alongside the R. Dearne.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+4y Mute Swan, 500+ Canada Geese, 31 Greylag, 175+ Mallard, 17 Tufted Duck, 8 Teal, 7 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 1 Garganey, 33 Little Grebe, 6 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 22 Coot, 7 Moorhen, 23 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 2 Kingfisher and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+2y Mute Swan, 75 Mallard, 45 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 5 Pochard, 3 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 7 Little Grebe, 3+5y Great Crested Grebe, 192 Coot, 1+1y Moorhen and 11 BH Gull. Also present were 6 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 11 Lapwing and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett 06.09.2018

13 - 17 degrees , sunny with cloud increasing to mid morning with a light north westerly breeze.  Drizzly shower from 11.00 - 12.00hrs.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 1.  Whitethroat 1 west bank.  Cetti's Warbler 1 male - Ruin area.   Siskin 1 flew north.
Cold Hiendley Res: Wigeon 6.  Shoveler 6 + 6 WRes..
46 + 17 birds were ringed: Blackcap 22.  Lesser Whitethroat 1.  Reed Warbler 9.  Sedge Warbler 1.  Chiffchaff 14.  Willow Warbler 3.

PHILIP B WORDSWORTH (PBW)

Today we learned the sad news of the death of an icon of the Barnsley birding scene. Anyone with an interest in the birds of the Barnsley area during the 1970s and 80s will have come across Phil Wordsworth. He was the 'face' of the local birders and the 'first call' for anyone with an interest in birds. Along with Dave Standring he helped formed Barnsley Bird Study Group, co-wrote the first modern checklist and helped establish the local annual bird reports. However, it was public relations that Phil excelled at; he was the bird groups first chairman and secretary and with him at the helm he was usually the first contact for anyone starting birding in the 1970s. His enthusiastic and infectious nature coupled with his mischievous wit and comments, as well as an eye to detail made him a natural 'leader' and a good friend.

He co-ordinated bird ringing in the Barnsley area and all the areas ringers were trained by Phil. His big love was catching Swifts, not an easy task but great fun as it involves quickly lifting a mist net on poles in front of a flying Swift before the bird has time to change direction! Eye - hand co-ordination are everything and most of the young birders of the time were more than keen to give a hand. What could have been a British birding historical moment happened whilst catching Swifts at Wath Ings (now Old Moor) in the early 1970s - he caught a pale sandy Swift, allegedly just after a great Saharan dust storm, thought it looked 'odd' and let it go - potentially Britain's first ever Pallid Swift!

He was instrumental in the setting up of Wath Ings as a nature reserve and without his enthusiastic input it is unlikely the superb Old Moor reserve would be as it is today.

Another lifelong memory to many will be his distinctive mode of transport - a Bedford motor-caravan. He used to fill it with birders and ferry them around the area, or if you were lucky Spurn or the Solway, or especially lucky the Camargue!

And he wasn't named Wordsworth by accident - his poems about the local birding scene such as  'Hewitt's Lament', 'Mick the Tick' and many others always brought a tear to the eye (in a humorous way) and some even made print in the nationwide birding magazines.

For much of his life Phil lived in Kensington Road, Barnsley but after marrying Barbara he moved to Bell Bank View at Worsbrough where he could make daily visits to a site he loved - Worsbrough Res.
He moved to a nursing home in Sheffield in 2012/13 after being diagnosed with dementia, a condition which deteriorated his life rapidly and he passed away on 13th March 2017 aged 83.
After moving to the home all contact was lost with local birders and Phil's family until a bit of detective work by Dave Pearce led him to Sheffield town hall register office and we learned of the belated sad news.

Many will have their own memories of Phil, but one thing is for sure, we all owe him a lot!!!

Wintersett 05.09.18

13 - 16 degrees with 7/8 cloud and a light north westerly.
Anglers CP: Little Egret 1.  Black Tern 1 juvenile.  6 Pintail flew in.  Shoveler 75.  Wigeon 21.  Mallard 190.  Pochard 11.  Lapwing 170. 

Wintersett Res: Common Tern 3. 

ACP Vis.Mig: A slow morning!!  Meadow Pipit 13 south.
38 Birds were ringed: Highlights were - Sparrowhawk 1.  Chiffchaff 17.  Willow Warbler 1.  Blackcap 3.  Reed Warbler 1.  Goldfinch 8. 

Carlton Marsh

Shattered to hear of the passing of P.B. Wordsworth. As it turns out he must have died almost exactly one year before D.J. Standring. 

For me Phil was Mr. Birds (of Barnsley). He inspired a whole generation to watch and record birds. He was a leading light in setting up the recording system and running BBSG along with others. He liked his cheese and wine parties too.

Phil has played an immense part in my life and Keith Bannister's. He encouraged us to make Carlton Marsh a nature reserve in 1976 and was Chairman of the first committee of 18 members.

He started ringing here in 1975 and then he trained Keith and I to be ringers along with Geoff Carr and others. I will never forget 1977/78 when he used to bring his camper van onto the disused railway bank so that we had a base for processing hundreds of Swallows and Sand Martins as they came into the reedbeds to roost. We joined by Pete Smith, Ed Blunt, Martin Wells and Mike Pysden.

My second child was due in April 1977, so Phil said it might be a good idea to call it Sylvia if its a girl or John Dartford if its a boy. He said this after the Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) turned up. He was over the moon to have caught it for ringing. In the end we called our daughter, Claire!

Now qualified as C ringer in the late 1970's, I assisted Phil a couple of times at Wath Ings catching Corn Buntings and then he helped me to catch them at New Monckton, which is now known as Rabbit Ings. He continued to visit us at Carlton Marsh and to see how the ringing was going, but we didn't see him a great deal after he started taxi driving and then got married, to a lovely lady I might add. 

We shall be forever grateful to a great man, who  guided us the right way. R.I.P. Phil.

Keith just recalled to me the time when he and Phil went on a winter trip to Chew Valley Lake. While they were there they were told about a Wallcreeper in the Cheddar Gorge. Phil was never a 'tick hunter', as he called it, but he and Keith and young Peter Senior did go and see it. Apparently it spent two winters there. Keith also went on other trips, to Wales and the Solway Firth, with Phil in the Bedford van. 

Not much change on the reserve today. 37 Canada Geese flew west this evening. This is one of the reasons why.

Photograph by Richard Laverack