Tuesday 31 December 2019

Wintersett 31.12.19

3 - 6 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly.
Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose 42 west at 08.48hrs + 80 west + 38 north west.  Ring-necked Duck 1 adult drake +  Snipe 7.
5 birds were ringed today:  Redwing 1.  Tree Sparrow 4.

The last bird of the decade ringed @Wintersett1 on the Pol... and it's an absolute belter :)  per @BeckyBailey
Tree Sparrow - last bird of the decade ringed  ACP Pol   RBailey

Wintersett Birds- 20 of the best from the last decade



Wintersett Birds   -   20 of the best from the last decade 
How many did you see?
1
Azorean Yellow-legged Gull
11.11.12  and  09.11.14
2
Great Reed Warbler
08.05.19 to 13.06.19
3
Penduline Tit
06.11.11
4
Alpine Swift
23.04.18
5
White-tailed Eagle
29.04.17
6
Black Stork
26.05.14
7
Little Auk
06.11.14
8
Coue’s Arctic Redpoll
26.11.18
9
Glossy Ibis
29.06.14 and 10.07.14
10
Taiga Bean Goose
30.01.12
11
American Wigeon
09.11.11 - 28.03.12
08.10.12 - 31.12.12
12
Lesser Scaup
02.05.13 – 10.05.13,
 21.05.13.  04.05.
15 – 17.05.15
13
Great Skua
06.09 13 and 15.10.13
14
Sabine’s Gull
21.09.17
15
Rough-legged Buzzard
26.09.12
16
Red-necked Phalarope
02.10.13
17  
Wryneck
02.09.10
18
Marsh Warbler
03.6.17 – 05.06.17
19
Yellow-browed Warbler
30.10.13 and 06.11.18
20
Greenland
White-fronted Goose
18.12.11 to 21.04.12
and 25.10.18

More 2019 Wintersett highlights:- We had some epic Visible Migration records:

More Wintersett  highlights:-   We had some epic Visible Migration records:

28.09.19   12,225 Meadow Pipits  

14.09.19   A Pomarine Skua was the 3rd record  08.10.19  (1st was  1989, 2nd was 1993)

17.10.19  A Landmark Meadow Pipit Day when the 30,000th  bird of the autumn flew through at 09.02hours

05.09.19  Carr the juvenile Osprey, sat.tagged  in Scotland by Roy Dennis, migrated through  at 07.35hrs.    Sadly, he was found dead on the south-east shore of Lalla Takerkoust 34 km south-west of Marrakesh in Morrocco  on 23rd September 2019.

The latest Swallow  passed through on 27th November 2019

Other Critters
Grass Snakes are widespread around the area.
2 Hornets were seen at Cold Hiendley Reservoir  
Odonata
20.05.19  A male Hairy Dragonfly  was in the north east corner of Wintersett Res. The first record for the area.
31.07.19  Small Red-eyed Damselfly finally established itself as a breeding species in the area.
Lepidoptera:
01.06.19  The moth Maiden’s Blush was the first record.
Coleoptera
03.06.19  A Thick-legged Flower Beetle was the 1st record for the area.

And finally:
The Wintersett Team  wish everyone
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR  and excellent birding in 2020

Wintersett Annual Round Up and Top Ten Birds 2019

Wintersett Annual Round Up 2019

Weather
January   Mostly cool and  cloudy with just 3 days of light frost.
February – Cloudy and cold for two weeks then unseasonally hot and sunny  for last two weeks.
March  was dry, cool and sunny with some cloudy days.   
April – Mostly hot and sunny, occasionally with a cooling breeze.  Heavy rain on the 27th,
May was rainy for the first two weeks then dry and sunny.
June had several rainy days during the first half of the month but was mostly hot and sunny with scattered cloud thereafter.
July was hot and dry until the final week  when there was some very welcome rain.
August was warm to hot  but cloudy with occasional drizzly showers which increased humidity.
September was mainly warm and dry with light winds, but some heavy rain during the last week.
October was cooler, with rain of varying intensity and an occasional light frost.
November was cold or frosty , dull and damp.
December was cool, cloudy and damp with a few sunny spells.

The Wintersett Area recorded 174 bird species for 2019!

The Top Ten Birds were:
  1. Great Reed Warbler  male from the 8th May to 13th June.  New for the list!
  2. Pomarine Skua  juvenile flew north 8th October.
  3. Ferruginous Duck  drake  15th, 17th and 19th May.
  4. Ring-necked Duck  drake occasional from 17th November to 31st December.
  5. Siberian Chiffchaff  1st to 14th January and 25th October.
  6. Water Pipit  3rd to 21st February and 4th November.
  7. Lapland Bunting 1 flew west  2nd November
  8. Ring Ouzel male 8th and 9th April
  9. Common Crane 4 flew north west 14th February
  10.  White-fronted Goose flew north west  30th November.

Low Moor/Midhope 31/12/19, G and J Wasse, S Green.

Mist and cloud clearing during the afternoon. Pinkfeet 80 nw and more heard only this aft. Raven 2, Crossbill 1, Siskin total 31 but a distant flock of c 100 was thought to be this species. Goldfinch 15, Fieldfare 60, Redwing 12, GS Pecker 1, Jay 4. Common Gull 1 ad lingered at midhope res before going to langsett. Poor end to the year for raptors with nothing apart from a Sparrowhawk in the feeding station bush.

Monday 30 December 2019

Carlton Marsh

A Woodcock was flushed by a dog this morning (per K. Bannister).

Carrs Lane, Low Cudworth
About 10 Red-legged Partridges flew into a garden near Ziggy's, 2 perched on the bungalow roof.

Wintersett 30.12.19

7 - 8 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Anglers CP: Shoveler 10.  A Redpoll flew over south.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the north west corner.   A Water Rail was in the west bank marsh. 

Sunday 29 December 2019

Barnsley Bird Study Group Meeting

THURSDAY 2nd JANUARY 2020, 7.15pm at the Old Moor RSPB visitor centre.

Speaker is JOHN T. REILLY on 'NEW GUINEA: evolution of paradise'
the last time we hosted John he left everyone in the room questioning themselves on just how much they really knew about birds. This talk will be thought-provoking and will feature some of the most colourful and extraordinary birds on the planet. Should be special.

All welcome, £2.50 entrance charge includes interval drink.

Carlton Marsh

6 Cormorants flew north this morning and 1 adult south later. (Rod Heeley) 14 Tufted Ducks a Kingfisher were present. 13 Stock Doves were feeding on arable land and a Willow Tit called. Buzzard and Sparrowhawk were hunting and a G.S. Woodpecker called.

As dusk approached 3 Water Rails called along with 2 Tawny Owls. Earlier our resident female Mute Swan took flight from the wader scrape and came down in the next field only to be killed, almost immediately by a Fox. ZZ6976 had frequented the marsh from at least 2012, she was ringed as juvenile female at Doncaster on 4/3/2009.  (CG/Dave Standish)

Wintersett + Gull Roost 29.12.19

7 - 9 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly.
Anglers CP: Redwing 40.   Grey Heron 5.  Snipe 4.
Wintersett Res:  2 male Cetti's Warblers - boathouse reeds and NE corner.  50 Fieldfare were in the Ruin field + 30 ACP + 34 flew south west.  Kingfisher 1.  A Water Rail was in the SE corner.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: An adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only notable tonight.

Moorland news 29/12/19. J and G Wasse, S Green.

Ewden valley- Peregrine, C Buzzard 2, Raven 6. Lapwing c175 n., Golden Plover 6 n and another 5 down. Fieldfare c 150, Linnet 12. Low Moor/ Midhope- Crossbill 6, Raven 3, 85 Fieldfare, Redwing 15, 4 Mistle Thrush, 6 Greylag, 1 C Buzzard.

Saturday 28 December 2019

Wintersett + Gull Roost 28.12.19

7 - 9 degrees, sunny with a light southerly.
Anglers CP: The drake Ring-necked Duck was with the Pochard flock,  off the east bank all day.  Pintail 1 male + 1 female.  Pochard 176.  Little Grebe 5 + 4 WRes..  Shoveler 7.  Goosander 32 at dusk.
Anglers CP Pol: A Water Rail was under feeders and  11 Yellowhammer were counted.  
Wintersett Res:  2 singing male Cetti's Warblers - boathouse reeds and south east area + another male calling on the south bank of Cold Hiendley Res.  500 Wood Pigeon were in the ruin field.  80 Pink-footed Geese flew over west from Havercroft 12.34hrs. 
Cold Hiendley SF: Meadow Pipit 18 + 12 west bankCHRes..  Grey Wagtail 2.  Pied Wagtail 10.  Reed Bunting 10.  Goldcrest 1.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Lesser Black-backed Gull 5.  Great Black-backed Gull 94.  Psycho the adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only notable.

A couple of the drake Ring-necked Duck    Anglers CP     Alex Aylward
 Alex Aylward    Twitter  @AlexGlendinning
Water Rail   Pol Feeders  Anglers CP       Alex Aylward

Carlton Marsh

A lovely, mild sunny day with K. Bannister, C. Parkin and R. Laverack. Today's highlights were 11 Greylags and 20 Canada Geese SE at 08.30hrs. Late morning 2 LBB Gull adults, 3 Common Gulls and a drake Wigeon were on the wader scrape. Also of note 6 Bullfinch, Coal Tit and 12 Longtailed Tit

Friday 27 December 2019

Wintersett 27.12.19

6 degrees with 8/8 cloud, dull and damp with a light southerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  A Water Rail was in the Pol ditch + 1 in west bank marsh WRes..
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 2 males - boathouse reeds + west bank marsh     80 Pink-footed Geese flew west.

Thursday 26 December 2019

Wintersett 26.12.19

5 - 6 degrees,  dull and damp with a light north easterly.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 2 males - south east corner and Boathouse reeds.  Great Crested Grebe 20 + 10 CHREs.  + 5 ACP.   Goosander 25. 
Anglers CP: Shoveler 6.  Little Grebe 4 + 1 WRes..  Goldeneye 44 + 42 WRes.+ 14 CHRes..   Teal 28. 16 Redwing flew west. Lesser Redpoll 1. 
Cold Hiendley Res: Gadwall 60 + 40 WRes. + 2 ACP.   

Wintersett 25.12.19

5 - 6 degrees,  dull and damp with a light north easterly.
Anglers CP: Green Woodpecker 1.  Siskin 1 on Pol.  Lesser Redpoll 1.  Snipe 4.
Wintersett Res: Pink-footed Goose 150 west.  A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.

Wednesday 25 December 2019

Low Moor/Midhope 25/12/19. J Wasse, S Green.

Steady couple of hours late morning. Crossbill total 6 in two groups of three with the second three all females towards langsett. Raven 3, Fieldfare c100, Siskin 2, Lapwing 36, GBB Gull 5, Jay 4, Nuthatch 1, Mistle Thrush 1, C Buzzard 1.

Storrs Mill Wood

Merry Christmas everybody.
c100 Pink Feet west over Storrs Mill this morning at 0.930hrs (Dave Standish)

Tuesday 24 December 2019

Wintersett 24.12.19

5 - 7 degrees,  sunny start with a north westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: 39 Chaffinch and 7 Yellowhammers were in the car park field.  A Water Rail was around the Pol feeders.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.  Cormorant 16 + 6 ACP.

Carlton Marsh

A drake Goosander on Bleachcroft Farm pond this morning was only the second record for this year! (Keith Bannister)

This afternoon Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Cormorant, 8 Tufted Ducks, 30 Gadwall, 33 Teal were displaying until a Fox arrived on the scene and 2 Water Rails called at dusk. A GBB Gull flew south.

A dog Fox was barking in the northern meadow at dusk

Fleets Dam / Wilthorpe Marsh 24/12/19.

Fleets- Parakeets heard mostly in trees in between fleets and smithies pond. 1 seen in flight. Also c30 Goldfinch, 2 ad. Common Gull, 2 GC Grebe. Wilthorpe - very steady, 2 Water Pipit and an influx of 4 Treecreepers in the sewage farm area.

Monday 23 December 2019

Wintersett 23.12.19

5 -7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light  southwesterly. 
Moorhouse Lane Pond Field:  Meadow Pipit 50.  Redwing 50.  Pied Wagtail 22.  

Silkstone wagonway area. 23/12/19.

No sign of any Dipper but Grey Wag and a few Pied on the sewage farm. Also Little Owl, GS Pecker, 5 Siskin, c50 Fieldfare, c50 Redwing, 3 C Buzzard, Kestrel, 3 Herring Gull w.

Sunday 22 December 2019

Wintersett + Gull Roost 22.12.19

6 degrees with 8/8 cloud, dull and damp with a light south easterly.
Anglers CP: Goldeneye 60.  Teal 32.  Shoveler 4.  Lapwing 180,
Wintersett Res: A Cetti's Warbler was singing in the boathouse reeds.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  A 1stW Caspian Gull and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls (inc. Psycho) were the only notables tonight.

Wilthorpe Marsh 22/12/19. R Boland, G Haywood, M Linnington, S Green.

2 possibly 3 Water Pipit, 2 Green Sand, 2 Chiffchaff with one singing. 5 Shelduck w., 12 C Snipe, L Egret 1, Willow Tit , W Rail 4, G and GS Peckers. Very quiet at Low Moor/Midhope late aft. with Raven and Mistle Thrush the best. Peregrine in town yesterday over Morrison’s car park and towards Gateway plaza in the morning.

Saturday 21 December 2019

Carlton Marsh

This morning the Mute Swans had reduced to 3 from 7. 25 Teal, 1 adult GBB Gull, 11 Herring Gulls and 1 Common Gull were on the wader scrape. A Water Rail called near the ringing rides, a Grey Wagtail flew north and a Buzzard was present. (CG)

The wildfowl were alarmed by a Fox.

This afternoon 2 Great Spot Woodpeckers, 6 Tufted Duck, Cormorant and 2 Redwings. A Tawny Owl called at dusk and 3 adult GBB Gulls flew south (Dave Smith).

Wintersett + Gull Roost 21.12.19

5 - 7 degrees with sun and a light south easterly.
Wintersett Res: Ctii's Warbler 2 males - north bank and west bank marsh.  Goosander 27.  A Siskin flew over. 
Cold Hiendley SF: Meadow Pipit 15.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  Caspian Gull 1 adult.    Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult - Psycho.  Lesser BLack-backed Gull 1.  Great Black-backed Gull 230.

Friday 20 December 2019

Wintersett 20.12.19

5 - 7 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light south westerly.  Another quiet day.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 2 males - boathouse reeds and west bank marsh. 
Anglers CP: Snipe 2. 

Wilthorpe Marsh 20/12/19. S Green and recently J Lunn.

Water Pipit 3, Green Sand 1, flock c 300 Woodpigeon, Goosander 4 e and 6 w towards Bretton. Goldcrest 3.

Thursday 19 December 2019

Wintersett 19.12.19

7 - 9 degrees with 7/8 cloud and a strengthening southerly breeze.  Another quiet day.
Anglers CP: No sign of the drake Ring-necked Duck today.  60 Pink-footed Goose flew west at 10.15hrs.    Pochard 194 + 12 WRes. + 15 CHRes..  Wigeon 10.    Little Grebe 3.

Carlton Marsh

Skeins of Pink Feet were moving through the area again today. I saw c200 heading north at 09.31hrs and what must have been another large group, on timings, flew NW at 09.42hrs. A photo taken by Rod Heeley shows c179. Then at around 12.30hrs c120 flew west (CG)

Present were 20 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, Water Rail, Siskin, Redpoll, 21 Herring and 6 Common Gulls.

Oyster fungi is thriving on a dead Rowan tree.

Wednesday 18 December 2019

Wintersett 18.12.19

6 - 9 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a south easterly breeze.  Another quiet day.
Anglers CP: The drake Ring necked Duck still present but sleeping. Showed close in the south east corner, then moved up to the north east corner.   Shoveler 8.

Tuesday 17 December 2019

Wintersett + Ringing + Gull Roost

2 - 5 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: 230 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 09.55hrs.   The drake Ring-necked Duck was infront of the hide.  Shoveler 6 + 3 WRes..   A Water Rail was under the Pol feeders.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.
Gull Roost AnglersCP:  Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the small raft at 15.55hrs, the only bird of note tonight.
11 Birds were ringed by Archie at WRes:  10 Redwing and 1 Robin.

         Drake Ring-necked Duck      ACP       ASmith

Carlton Marsh

Pink Feet were on the move today - 60 flew west at 08.30hrs (per K. Bannister) and c50 flew NW at 08.52hrs (CG).
c120 Pink-feet flying SW over Greenmoor 9:30am

Monday 16 December 2019

Wintersett Gull Roost 16.12.19

3 - 5 degrees, with a cool southerly breeze.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: An adult Yellow-legged Gull ws the only notable tonight.

NB: Some of the figures on the blog for yesterday  have been updated and ammended after late reports were received.

Sunday 15 December 2019

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 15.12.19

3 - 5 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light cold westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res:  60 Fieldfare flew south.  A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.
Cold HiendleyRes + SF:  Grey Wagtail 2 + 1 at CHSF.   11 Redwing at CHSF.
Gull Roost: Great Black-backed Gull 250.ACP + 7 WRes.    Lesser Black-backed Gull 6 ACP.  Herring Gull 850 ACP + 550 WRes.   Common Gull 200 ACP + 400 WRes.  Black-headed Gull 9000 ACP + 5700 WRes.  Yellow-leggd Gull 1 adult ACP + 1 adult WRes..

Wintersett WeBS December 2019

Here are the December 2019  WeBS totals for the Wintersett Area.

Mute Swan 44   Canada Goose 44  Greylag 95   Cormorant 22   Great Crested Grebe 27  Little Grebe 5  Coot 686   Moorhen 18   Mallard 58    Teal 42    Shoveler 32  Wigeon 188    Gadwall 109   Tufted Duck 223   Pochard 207   Goldeneye 73   Goosander 24   Grey Heron 3  Lapwing 80     Snipe 4

Wintersett Walton Hall WebS December 2019

Here are the December 2019  WeBS totals for Walton Hall Lake

Mute Swan 5   Canada Goose 43  Greylag Goose 3   Cormorant 7 (including 1 adult in breeding plumage)    Little Grebe 3  Coot 59   Moorhen 7    Mallard 28  Wigeon 1   Gadwall 25  Tufted Duck 7  Pochard 3   Goosander 1  Grey Heron 1
Also  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult  (Psycho).

Wilthorpe Marsh 15/12/19.

Very steady. 1+ Water Pipit, 1 Jack Snipe, the best.

Carlton Marsh

Wildfowl today included 7 Mute Swan, Drake Shoveler, 15 Teal, 16 Gadwall, Cormorant, 4 Canada Geese and 4 Tufted Duck. Also present Water Rail, 5 Redwing, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, 2 Great Spot Woodpecker and Goldcrest

Mammals included Fox and a fresh dead Common Shrew.

Saturday 14 December 2019

Wintersett Catch Up 9th -13th December

It's been pretty quiet here this week with mild, but dull and damp weather.
Anglers CP: 20 Cormorants and 3 Snipe on  Monday.  A Water Rail was seen under the Pol Feeders on Wednesday.  7 Siskin on Friday.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail were in the west bank marsh on Wednesday.  The Water Rail was heard on Friday and the male Cetti's Warbler  was heard on Thursday and Friday.
Cold Hiendley Res:
A juvenile Peregrine flew over on Friday.
Of interest:  The drake Ring-necked Duck still at Johnny Brown's Common, South Kirkby per @bigpaddymartin on the 9th and reported by @pauloleveller on the 11th.

Wednesday 11 December 2019

Wilthorpe Marsh 11/12/19.

Water Pipit 2 possibly 3. C Snipe 7 with one being chased by the male Peregrine. Green Sand in the sf again but gets flushed sometimes. Goldcrest 3/4, L Egret 1.

Tuesday 10 December 2019

Silkstone s.f. / Wilthorpe Marsh. 10/12/19.

Silkstone sewage farm.- Dipper showing well from footbridge over stream. c 40 Siskin here in alders and more on the wagonway giving a total of around 50 birds. Also a few bands of LT Tits around the s.f. totalling about 25. 6 Bullfinch in nearby hawthorn. - Wilthorpe, Water Pipit 1, 1/2 Peregrine.

Monday 9 December 2019

Ewden valley, Dukes road circ. 9/12/19.

Still a great walk but not many birds. Started well on arrival with a male Brambling near the entrance to broomhead hall. Stonechat 2 at the shooting lodge. Not a deal else with 2 Ravens, 3 C Buzzard, Kestrel, 3 Bullfinch.

Sunday 8 December 2019

Wilthorpe Marsh 8/12/19. C Dixon, G Haywood, S Green, + Bretton.

Wilthorpe, - Plenty happening with Water Pipit, 2 Chiffchaff, c 15 C Snipe, Green Sand 1, Peregrine male. Quick jaunt around Bretton was steady, but the lower lake always looks good for a rarer duck or grebe. 13 Goosander the best on here. Woodland species elusive with 1 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper.

Wintersett 08.12.19

5 - 8 degrees, dull and damp, with 6/8 cloud and a south westerly breeze.  Quiet again. 
Wintersett Res: A male  Cetti's Warbler and a Treecreeper in the boathouse area.
Cold Hiendley Res: 3 Siskin near the spillway. 

Saturday 7 December 2019

Wintersett + Ringing + Gull Roost 07.12.19

8 - 11 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.   A quiet day.
Anglers CP: 5 small flocks of Redwing moving SW - 165 in total.   32 Chaffinch were feeding in the Pol field. 
21 birds were ringed by @BeckyBailey101  at ACP this morning.  Redwing 18.  Treecreeper 1.  Bullfinch 1.  Blue Tit 1. 
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost per @StevieD131  Just one notable - a 1stW Yellow-legged Gull.  Herring Gull 800.

Friday 6 December 2019

Wintersett 06.12.19

9 - 11 degrees,  sunny with variable cloud and a strengthening westerly.
Anglers CP: Greylag Goose 54.  Teal 61 + 2 WRes..  Pochard 155 +  38 WRes..
Wintersett Res: Wigeon 20 + 2 CHRes..  Cetti's Warbler 1 north bank.
Cold Hiendley Res: Water Rail 1 south bank.

Thursday 5 December 2019

Carlton Marsh

Our wildlife group was hard at work this morning removing large stands of Willow from what was the disputed land. This large area now belongs to Barnsley Council and is at last part of the nature reserve. It will take all of this winter to remove all the scrub to return it to a wild flower meadow.

Birds today included 4 Mute Swans, a single drake Shoveler, 21 Herring Gulls, 6 Common Gulls, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Redwings, 2 Coal Tits, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Siskins.

Wintersett 05.12.19

7 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: 80 Redwing flew over west.  Cormorant 15 + 7 WRes..  Teal 51.
Wintersett Res: Kingfisher 1.  Canada Goose 56 + 5 WRes..  Little Grebe 3.
Cold Hiendley Res: Grey Wagtail 1.

Wednesday 4 December 2019

Wintersett - Ringed Black-headed Gull Recovery 04.12.19

per @StevieD131.  
Just had recovery details of this BH Gull seen at Wintersett  in 2014 & 2016. 
It was rung in Copenhagen in March 1997 when at least 3 yrs old.
It was last reported in Denmark in 2017 making it at least 23 years old. 
Photo @CroftonBirder

. Image

Wintersett 04.12.19

5 - 7 degrees with 0/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: The drake Ring-necked Duck still present around the rock wall.  Teal 78.  Snipe 6.
Haw Park Wood:  Siskin 2.  Nuthatch 1.
26 Birds were ringed ACP: 19 Redwing.  7 Goldfinch.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Adult Caspian Gull  and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls per @StevieD131

Cudworth

A Red Admiral was enjoying the sunshine just after mid-day, it alighted on a window sill in Birkwood Avenue. (Christine Stonier)

Edderthorpe Ings - fly new to UK

A small black and yellow fly in the family Agromyzidae that I found at Edderthorpe in June 2013
(and incorrectly named Liriomyza equiseti) has been re-identified by the National Recorder as Liriomyza virgula Frey, a species new to Britain.

Tuesday 3 December 2019

Wintersett + Ringing 03.12.19

4 - 7 degrees with 1/8 scattered cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Little Grebe 4 + 1 WRes..
Wintersett Res: 2 singing male Cetti's Warblers - boathouse reeds and NW bank.  15 Redwing flew west.
30 birds were ringed by Archie this morning:  Highlights were 28 Redwing and a feisty,female Sparrowhawk.

If looks could kill.....      Female Sparrowhawk    Wintersett Res.   ASmith

Ingbirchworth 03-12-2019

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (albifrons)


Initially in fields off Spicer House Lane - I saw 3 at least in with Greylag flock, however other birders mentioned 5. Shortly after, three birds landed on Ingbirchworth Res with two Greylags (one hybrid type) took on water briefly and left back towards same fields.













Monday 2 December 2019

Wintersett 02.12.19

2 - 5 degrees with 2/8 cloud and a light westerly.
Anglers CP: The drake Ring-necked Duck was in front of the hide.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult. 
Winterset Res: Lesser Redpoll 1.  A juvenile Peregrine flew over  attacking Wood Pigeons.  Kingfisher 1.
Lepidoptera: A Peacock was seen on the west bank!

Cudworth Common

7 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 15 Lapwing, 1 Meadow Pipit.

Sash Pond
3 drake Goosander, 6 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, Grey Wagtail and 2 Goldcrest.

A Brown Rat dived into the beck pretending to be a Water Vole. Oh to see one again would be good!

Carlton Marsh
21 Herald moths and 5 Peacock butterflies are roosting under a bridge despite recent pointing and a foot of water underneath (Chris Parkin)

Sunday 1 December 2019

Wilthorpe Marsh / Low Moor, Midhope 1/12/19. Bretton 28/11/19.

Wilthorpe Marsh. - Water Pipit, J Snipe, 5 C Snipe, 3 Goldcrest, pair of Willow Tits on canal. Low Moor / Midhope 2-15 to 4pm. Steady, highlights 2 Peregrines w, 3 Ravens, 5 Siskin, imm Mute Swan n at 3-40 presumed same bird from langsett. Bretton cp 28/11/19, - very wet afternoon with counts of low lake, 5 Goosander, GC Grebe 11, Tufted Duck 21, Coot 30, Shoveler 2, Pochard 3, Mute Swan 2. Upper lake - Mute Swan 5, Coot 32, Tufted Duck 20, Gadwall 32, Wigeon 9, Teal 2, L Grebe 2.

Wintersett + Ringing 01.12.19

1 - 4 degrees with 0/8 cloud and a light north westerly.
Wintersett Res:  A little confusion here when a drake Ring-necked Duck was found off the north bank at 09.40, by Steve Denny.   One had been reported at Johnny Brown's Common South Kirkby  at 08.15 this morning.  Could there be two in the district?  @bigpaddymartin cleared up the confusion by revisiting JB's Common and reporting no sign of Ring-necked Duck.   Yachts out on  WRes. pushed the Ring-necked Duck onto Cold Hiendley Res. by 11.12hrs.(CS,AS)   It was still present at 15.30hrs.(PS)   5 Cetti's Warbler males - north bank,  north east bank,  2 singing south east bank + 1 south bank CHRes..  Kingfisher 2. 
Anglers CP: Jack Snipe 1.  Woodcock 1.  Shoveler 22 + 5 WRes..  Pochard 174.  Little Grebe 2 + 2 Wres.  Cormorant 17 + 3 WRes.  Wigeon 185 + 2 WRes..  Teal 43.
Cold Hiendley Res: A Woodcock and a Water Rail on the south bank.
Haw Park Lane:  A Barn Owl was hunting at dawn, then over ACP at Dusk.
14 birds were ringed this morning Anglers CP:  Highlights  were 11 Redwing and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Ring-necked Duck     CHRes  PMeredith @Fitzybirder

Carlton Marsh

c150 Pink Feet Geese flew NW at 08.40hrs (Keith Bannister).

A pair of Shoveler and 20 Teal were present along with 14 Herring Gulls and 6 Common Gulls. A Siskin flew over and a Willow Tit and 3 Goldcrests were calling. A Tawny Owl sang briefly from its regular roost at 15.07hrs.and at dusk 3 Water Rails called.

A Fox was also on the prowl.

Barnsley Bird Study Group

Next Thursday 5th December - 7.15pm - Old Moor
 Linda and I will be giving a presentation on 'The Magic of the Isles of Scilly'.
There will be some moths, some butterflies, resident birds, many rarities, 27 MEGA sightings and the excitement of waking up each morning not knowing what's going to be around.

Saturday 30 November 2019

Wintersett + Gull Roost 30.11.19

Frosty start, 1 - 4 degrees  with sun and a light cool north easterly.
Anglers CP: An adult White-fronted Goose flew over low north west  towards the back field at 08.20hrs.  Pink-footed Goose 130 NW at 09.37hrs. + 60 east at 10.50hrs over WRes..  The adult drake Ring-necked Duck flew in at 15.55hrs with 2 female Tufted Ducks. Shoveler 20.  Wigeon 80. A Barn Owl was flying over at dusk.
Wintersett Res: 7 Whooper Swans (3 juveniles) flew in at 10.08hrs, then left north west.
60 Redwings were on the east bank.  A drake Mandarin was under bushes in the north east corner near the water in flow. 
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 1.  Great Black-backed Gull 132.  Herring Gull 700.
18 Birds were ringed WRes. 15 Redwings were the highlight.

Drake Mandarin Duck   WRes      SDenny
Drake Ring-necked Duck   Anglers CP    SDenny

Friday 29 November 2019

Wintersett 29.11.19

Frosty start, 0/8 cloud, sunny with a light,  cool northerly.
Anglers CP: Teal 41.  Snipe 3.  Pochard 175 + 29 WRes..   100 Pink-footed Geese flew east at 09.50hrs.  Siskin 2 + 1 WRes..  Snipe 4. 
Wintersett Village: Barn Owl 2.
Wintersett Res: 3 Cetti's Warblers - north bank, south west corner and north west corner.
There was no sign of the 4 Barnacle Geese today, after the first clear night since their arrival, on the 22nd November.  That was the day when there was a small influx of 35 Russian White-fronted Geese and 10 Barnacle Geese from Holland, to the east coast at Spurn -  and indicates that our birds were of wild origin.  Their wary behaviour throughout their stay also supports this. 

Wintersett 28.11.19

Cold and misty start,  with rain in the afternoon.
Wintersett Res:  Barnacle Goose 4.
Anglers CP: Lapwing 300.


Wednesday 27 November 2019

Wilthorpe Marsh 27/11/19.

Steady with the wintering Water Pipit and Green Sand. C Snipe 6, L Egret 2, Goldcrest 4.

Wintersett - Latest Swallow! 27.11.19

7 - 9 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light north westerly.
Wintersett Res: Amazing - A juvenile Swallow flew north along the east bank at 11.20hrs, the latest ever here!   A male Cetti's Warbler was on the north bank.  Barnacle Goose 4.  Canada Goose 82.  Goosander 20.
Anglers CP: Teal 43.

Tuesday 26 November 2019

Wintersett Ringing Recovery - Blackcap

A Blackcap ADJ4764 was ringed as a juvenile 
on 23/08/19 on Pol at Anglers CP by @BeckyBailey101  
It was recovered on 7/10/19 as a 1st year male
 by Rye Bay Ringing Group at Icklesham. 
334km in 45 days, and an increase of 3.7g! 

 Image

Wintersett 26.11.19

7 - 8 degrees, dull and damp again with a  southerly breeze.
Wintersett Res: The 4 Barnacle Geese still present.   A male Cetti's Warbler was in the north west corner.
Cold Hiendley Res: Kingfisher 1.
Of interest:  The drake Ring-necked duck still present at Johnny Browns Common, South Kirkby see  @birderpete  for pics.   https://twitter.com/birderpete/status/1199357734002581505. 

Monday 25 November 2019

Wintersett 25.11.19

7 - 9 degrees, dull, damp with drizzle late morning and a light south easterly.
Wintersett Res: The 4 Barnacle Geese were still with the Canada Geese.  2 male Cetti's Warblers were heard - boathouse reeds and north west bank.  Little Grebe 3.

Sunday 24 November 2019

Wilthorpe Marsh 24/11/19.

Water Pipit 1/2, J Snipe 1, C Snipe 10, L Egret 1, Goldcrest 3.

Wintersett + Ringing 24.11.19

7 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud, dull and damp all day.
Anglers CP: A Water Rail was in the Pol ditch.  21 Pink-footed Geese flew east at 12.05hrs.
Wintersett Res: 4 Barnacle Geese flew on at 14.00hrs.  Cetti's Warbler 1 boathouse + 1 west bank.
Cold Hiendley SF: Meadow pipit 10.
10 birds were ringed:  Highlights were 5 Redwing and 3 House Sparrows.

Saturday 23 November 2019

Wintersett 23.11.19

6 - 8 degrees with rain for most of the day and a cold, light easterly.
Anglers CP: Teal 37.  Snipe 8.
4 Barnacle Geese are still in the area.

Friday 22 November 2019

Carlton Marsh

A somewhat belated ringing recovery came through today to Dave Smith. You will see that this is an understatement as this Sedge Warbler was ringed at LLangorse Lake, Powys, Wales at 06.20hrs on 19th August 2004. Its wing was measured at 68mm with a weight of 10.7gramms. It was controlled at Carlton Marsh as a male by Dave Smith on 29th July 2006, 709 days from ringing 221kms NE.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 22.11.19

6 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud,  dull and damp with a cold south easterly breeze. 
Wintersett Res: Goosander 17.  Shoveler 11.  A Water Rail was calling in the south east corner.  Cormorant 12.  Barnacle Goose 4.  Lesser Redpoll 1.
Anglers CP: Wigeon 76.  Teal 37.
Anglers CP Gull Roost per @StevieD131
Great Black-backed Gull 142.  Herring Gull 460.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 2.
Of interest: The Ring-necked Duck is still present at Johnny Brown's Common, South Kirkby.

Thursday 21 November 2019

Carlton Marsh

This morning our group were busy removing scrub from viewpoints on the disused railway embankment. A little earlier Little Egret, 20 Teal and 20 Herring Gulls were on the wader scrape with others arriving as I left. The only birds of note were 3 Fieldfares and 2 Siskins.

While Keith was looking for black bags to put litter in, he found a mouse in the metal dustbin in the hide. When Ralph Hibbert and I looked later we emptied it and found 5 Wood Mice in there. You have never seen such healthy mice, they were obviously thriving on the wild bird seed I store in there and must have been in there for weeks/months. The rubber lid was still on so they must have sneaked in between the rim of the bin and the rubber lid. They were released nearby, but I wouldn't be surprised if they soon come back!

Wintersett 21.11.19

3 - 5 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cold south easterly breeze.
Old Royston Flash: A Short-eared Owl was seen at 07.30hrs.
Anglers CP VisMig :  280 Pink-footed Geese flew west early morning.
Anglers CP: Teal 37.  Golden Plover 32 over.
Wintersett Res: Kingfisher 1.  A Cetti's Warbler on the north bank + 1 on south bank CHRes.+  1 male singing in the boathouse reeds.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult. 
Of interest:  The Ring-necked Duck still present at Johnny Brown's Common South Kirkby 14.04hrs per @BirdGuides