Wintersett 28.02.19

7 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light northerly.
Wintersett Res: 3 singing male Cetti's Warbler - boathouse reeds,  north bank and west bank.  A male Chiffchaff was in the boathose reeds.  A Willow Tit was on the west bank.  Goosander 1 + 5 CHRes..
Anglers CP: A male Brambling visited the Pol Screen feeding area. 
Cold Hiendley Res: A Barn Owl was hunting.  A male Cetti's Warbler was singing in the NW corner.

Carlton Marsh

This was what the weather was like on this day last year. Overnight ground frost - 4.8c.with 1" of snow. Heavy showers throughout the day saw another inch of snow and a maximum temperature of - 2.2c and a biting easterly. By 23.00hrs the temperature had dropped to - 5.2c but the wind chill factor made it feel more like -10c. 

Reports today from Jim Plant/Keith Bannister, 130 Herring Gulls, 3 Common Gulls and 150+ BH Gulls on the wader scrape. Elsewhere c40 Redpolls, c60 Redwings and a Chiffchaff singing.

Howell Wood 

c25 Brambling, several Nuthatch, Redpoll and Siskin.

Ferrymoor Flash

5 Pochard

Symphony (ash plateau)

9 Ringed Plover

The Edge 28/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 202 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 10 Shelduck, 162 Wigeon, 15 Gadwall, 14 Shoveler, 13 Teal, 5 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 male Goosander, 9 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Sparrowhawk, 13 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 1 calling Ringed Plover over at 9.40am, 212 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 5+ Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit and 3 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 8 Canada Goose, 2 Greylag, 32 Teal, 27 Gadwall, 21 Tufted Duck, 6 Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 4 Shoveler, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 38 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 18 Lapwing, 202 BH Gull, 15 Herring Gull, 3 Common Gull and 2 LBB Gull.
 Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 19 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 12 Tufted Duck, 13 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 5 Teal, 4 Mallard, 3 female Goosander, 1m+2f Goldeneye, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 10 Cormorant, 135 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 79 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Wintersett + Pics 27.02.19

8 - 17 degrees with 0/8 cloud,  hot and sunny with a light westerly.
Anglers CP: Cormorant 37.  Little Grebe 3 + 1 WRes..  Pochard 122.  Shoveler 1 drake.  Teal 4. Snipe 1.  Water Rail 1 Pol feeders + 1 west bank WRes..  Siskin 1.   Curlew 1.  Green Woodpecker 1. 
 Wintersett Res: Goosander 4 + 1 CHRes..  A male Chiffchaff was singing in the ruin area.  4 male Cetti's Warblers were singing - north bank, east bank, west bank and boathouse reeds.
Haw Park Wood:  Crossbill 1 male - per https://twitter.com/SBillcliffe

                 Siskin                    Anglers CP          Martin Roper

    Male Crossbill                        HPWood  SBillcliffe

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were, Herring Gull 34, Common Gull 2, Little Egret, Little Grebe singing, Buzzard 2, Kingfisher 2, Treecreeper, Chiffchaff 2 (singing), Goldcrest 2 (1 singing), Redpoll 3 and Siskin 1, (Dave Smith/CG)

Butterflies out today male Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma 2.

The Edge 27/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 4 Mute Swan, 89 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 4 Shelduck, 171 Wigeon, 13 Pochard, 12 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 4 Goosander, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 12 Golden Plover over, 6 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 149 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 5+ Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail and 3 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 49 Canada Geese, 31 Gadwall, 29 Teal, 21 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 3 Cormorant, 36 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 13 Lapwing, 225 BH Gull, 2 Herring Gull and 2 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 19 Tufted Duck,10 Pochard, 9 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 1m+2f Goldeneye, 1f Goosander, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 152 Coot. 39 BH Gull, 1 Herring Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Wintersett 26.02.19

7 - 18 degrees with sun,  0/8 cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP: 3 Whooper Swans left north west at 08.30hrs.  Little Grebe 1 + 1 WRes..  A Linnet flew north. 
ACP Pol: A Water Rail was in the  ditch.  Jack Snipe 1.  Snipe 3.  A male  Cetti's Warbler was singing mid morning.   The screen bird feeding area is proving popular with photographers and visitors, with close up views of birds - no binoculars needed.
See Twitter account https://twitter.com/martinroper5462
 Cold Hiendley Res: Little Egret 1. Grey Wagtail 1.   Goosander 4 + 2 WRes.  teal 3 drakes.   100 Fieldfare and 10 Redwing were in the cover crop field.
Lepidoptera: A Peacock was flying ACP.

An atmospheric shot of 3 Whooper Swans   Wintersett Res.   SDenny

Carlton Marsh

This has to be the sunniest, warmest, driest February on record! Having said that 1998 was extremely warm and dry with a maximum in my Cudworth garden of 18c on 13th and 14th of February that year. Today's temperature equalled that at exactly at 18c.

30 moths were caught at Carlton last night they included Grey Shoulder Knot, March Moth, 21 Common Quaker, 4 Powdered Quaker and 2 Clouded Drab (Dave Smith).

Today at the reserve, an Oystercatcher alighted briefly before heading south at 11.30hrs (Jim Plant).

A 'Kettle' of 9 Buzzards in the air was a new record for this site (Keith Bannister). They gradually drifted north towards Royston.

This afternoon there were 78 Herring Gulls, 240 B.H.Gulls  and 4 Common Gulls  on the wader scrape. A Goldcrest was singing in the car park, 10 Reed Buntings were singing from the reed beds and a charm of c70 Goldfinches were calling and singing very excitedly.

At dusk 20 Redwings came in to roost and male and female Tawny Owls called as a Pipistrelle emerged, the first this year. (Dave Smith/Dave Standish/Rod Heeley)

Meanwhile in the Dearne Valley (Cudworth to|Storrs Mill Wood) birds included 2 Buzzards, 2 Grey Wagtails, 17 Pied Wagtails, Treecreeper and 8 Redwings.

5 male Brimstone, 3 Peacock, 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 4 Comma were all enjoying the sunshine (Chris Parkin).

The Edge 26/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 4 Mute Swan, 78 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag, 9 Shelduck, 174 Wigeon, 18 Pochard, 9 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 8 Teal, 6m+2f Goosander, 7 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron,  6 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 13 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 162 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull.
Brickworks Pond - K. Fisher noted 2 Goosander, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Jay, 1 singing Chiffchaff and 2 Redpoll.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 69 Canada Geese, 29 Gadwall, 22 Teal, 13 Tufted Duck, 6 Wigeon, 5 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 42 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel,  9 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 238 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 6 Mute Swan, 13 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 5 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 female Goosander, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebe, 8 Cormorant, 153 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 69 BH Gull, 2 Herring Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting and 3 Brimstone butterflies.

Dearne Valley Park - Hoyle Mill

On the river Dearne - drake Goosander and Grey Wagtail.

16 butterflies included 2 male Brimstone, 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Comma and 1 Peacock
(Chris Parkin).

Wintersett 25.02.19

5 - 15 degrees with a foggy start, clearing by mid morning.  Then sunny and warm with a light southerly.
Anglers CP: 4 Whooper Swans flew over + 6  were on WRes. - 3 were immatures.
Wintersett Res: Goosander 4.  Shoveler 1 drake.
Cold Hiendley SF: A newly arrived (no ring) Chiffchaff was singing and a 2nd ringed bird was seen.  A 100 Fieldfares were in the cover crop  field, off the west bank - per Steve Denny.
Haw Park Wood: At least 4 Crossbills were seen - per Steve Denny.
Lepidoptera:  A Comma was seen north west area WRes..
 

           Whooper Swans                   Wintersett Reservoir     SDenny

 Whooper Swan                  Wintersett Reservoir   SDenny

The Edge 25/02/2018

Wombwell Ings - Visibility improved from about 50 metres to 100 metres whilst I was on the Ings. Through the fog I could pick out 13 Canada Geese, 23 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 3 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 12 Lapwing, 50 BH Gull, 4 Skylark, 3 Mistle Thrush and 2 Song Thrush. On the R. Dearne were 2 Mallard, 2 Gadwall and 1 Kingfisher.
Bolton Ings - Took a wait of 30 minutes in the Cormorant Hide before the fog cleared and revealed on the open water 2 Mute Swan, 18 Tufted Duck, 14 Pochard, 10 Mallard, 9 Gadwall, 3 Goosander, 3 Goldeneye, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 8 Cormorant, 175 Coot, 48 BH Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 2 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 4 Canada Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay and 2 Bullfinch.
Broomhill Flash - ( pp. J. Seeviour ) Noted were 9 Whooper Swan, 28 Gadwall, 26 Teal, 25 Tufted Duck, 7 Mallard, 7 Shoveler, 6 Wigeon, 5 Pochard, 2 Cormorant, 42 Coot, 5 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull.

Weekend update, 24/2/19. J Lunn, S Green.

Wilthorpe Marsh, - Water Pipits up to 5, Meadow Pipit 72, L Egret 1, Green Sand 1. Singing birds included Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Reed Bunting. c 10 Lapwings down on territory with some displaying. 3 Curlew back on territory just w of Kexbrough, c 60 Lapwing in fields just e of Barnby hall Cawthorne and c 100 BH Gulls.

Wintersett 24.02.19

7 - 10 degrees,  cold with mist from  08.30hrs  and a light southerly,
Anglers CP: A Water Rail was seen near the Pol feeders + 2 south east corner WRes.. Whooper Swan 4.  Grey Heron 4.  Goosander 1.  Snipe 2.  Oystercatcher 4.
HawPark Lane:   Common Toad 1 deceased. 
11 birds were ringed HPWood including 6 Long-tailed Tit,  1 Treecreeper and 2 Goldcrest.
N.B.  Car Parking Charges start tomorrow at Anglers CP - 09.00. to 18.00hrs.  Haw Park Lane has been adorned with  double yellow lines.  

Wintersett 23.02.19

9 - 13 degrees sunny start with 0/8 cloud, increasing during afternoon, and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP:  Shoveler 2.  A Ringed Plover flew south at 15.15hrs.   Wigeon 354.  Goldeneye 65 + 38 WRes. + 7 CHRes..  Pochard 136.  Oystercatcher 4.  Nuthatch 1 on Woodland Walk.
Wintersett Res: 2  singing Cetti's Warblers - boathouse reeds and west bank.  Great Crested Grebe 14  + 5 CHRes.  +  2 ACP.  
Cold Hiendley Res: Cormorant 3.  Goosander 7.  Teal 2. 
Haw Park Wood: Siskin 4.  Crossbill - a total of 11 birds were seen for 30 mins from 12:45 near picnic bench on the long straight path.  Brambling 3.

          Female Crossbill          Haw Park Wood      SDenny

 Male and  Female Crossbill          Haw Park Wood      SDenny

  Mal Crossbill          Haw Park Wood     MHemingway

Common Buzzard  over Haw Park Wood   MHemingway

Wintersett + Gull Roost 22.02.19

A very warm 9 - 14 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light southerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Shelduck 1.  Barnacle Goose 1.  Cormorant 20.  Pochard 132.  
Wintersett Res: Goosander 7 + 1 CHRes.   3 singing male Cetti's Warblers - north bank,  west bank and boathouse reeds.   Red-legged Partridge 3.  An unusual sighting was a Noctule Bat hunting insects over ruin area at 11.50hrs in bright sunshine!  
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  Good numbers of Herring Gull in tonight,  with 1260 counted. Great Black-backed Gull  63..   Lesser Black-backed Gull 2.

             Barnacle Goose                    ACP  SDenny

Carlton Marsh

Today's amazingly warm sunny day was very close to my all time record for February at 17.5c (garden) just .5c short. 

On the wader scrape 40 Herring Gulls, 21 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag Geese and a Fox. Elsewhere Goldcrest 2 singing, Siskin, 2 Song Thrush singing, Buzzard and GS Woodpecker 'drumming'. (DM Smith).

Butterflies on the wing were 7 Comma, 2 Peacock and 2 male Brimstone (Chris Parkin) 

I saw my first 'White', either Green Veined or Small White, it didn't land (CG).

Cudworth Common
5 Skylarks, 12 Meadow Pipits, Redshank and 4 Brown Hares in Symphony.

Edderthorpe Flash
2 drake Pintails and a Brimstone butterfly. (Les Corrall & Ralph Hibbert)

Last week Cudworth birder, Richard Laverack found a leg of a dead bird on the shore line at South Gare. The black leg had no feet, but it did bear a white darvic ring with the black letters HND. This bird was traced with the help of Kane Brides and below is the information from the BTO.

Ringing Scheme: London Ring Number: 1494000 Species of bird: Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)

This bird was ringed by Isle Of May Bird Observatory as age nestling, sex unknown on 22-Jul-2018 time unknown at Isle of May, Fife, UK

OS Map reference NT6599 accuracy 0, - co-ordinates 56deg 10min N -2deg -33min W accuracy 0.

Colour Marks left below knee WN(HND)
  

It was found on 14-Feb-2019 time unknown at South Gare, Redcar, Redcar & Cleveland, UK

OS Map reference NZ5527 accuracy 0, - co-ordinates 54deg 37min N -1deg -8min W accuracy 0.

Finding condition: Dead, no Information about How Long

Finding circumstances: Leg & Ring Only Found

Extra Information: CR only found.
It was found 207 days after it was ringed, 195 km from the ringing site, direction SSE.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 21.02.19

A very warm  and sunny 10 - 13 degrees with a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res: The 1stW Dark-bellied Brent Goose was on the north bank.    18 Pink-footed Goose  flew west at 11.30hrs. 
Cold Hiendley SF: Water Pipit 1.
Haw Park Wood:   Crossbill 2 +.  
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 5.  Snipe 13.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: Lots of big gulls were roosting tonight, but the highlight was the 1stW  Mediterranean Gull at 17.15hrs.
The Pol Feeding Station,  just after the entrance to ACP,  has become very busy,  with very close views of Yellowhammers,  Reed Buntings,  Tree Sparrows,  and today the first Coal Tit!

                    Female  Crossbill              HPWood              AlexAylward

Wintersett 20.02.19

7 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Dark bellied Brent Goose 1 1stW.  Siskin 1 Pol + 2 HPWood.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 9.  Mealy Redpoll 1.Brambling 1.
Cold Hiendley SF: Water Pipit 1.
Cold Hiendley Res: Willow Tit 1.

 Dark-bellied Brent Goose        WRes  16.02.19      CSwaine

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape this morning 100+ BH Gulls, 70+ Herring Gulls and 3 Cormorants. Nearby were 10 Redpolls, 2 Siskins, GS woodpecker and a Willow Tit. (Jim Plant).

I don't know if you saw Tony Wetherhill's tweet last week (16th) from near Royston, he ringed a female Marsh Tit (61mm wing), still a very rare bird in Barnsley. It's no more than 3/4 of a mile north of our reserve and it's not yet on the list.

The one that Ad
am Hutt found on Warbler Way last year (a male) was ringed by Vivien Hartwell, as you probably know.

Looking at the area where this one was caught, it is ideal for this and


Willow Tit. Tony has already colour ringed 2 Willow Tits here this month.

Since the Loco sheds closed in 1970 and the refuse tip in 1993, woodland that was planted on the old tip has matured into a really wild wet woodland with loads of scrub. It's unrecognisable from the days when Edwin Blunt and I used to ring there in the late 1970's.

Tony colour ringed Red and grey there last week then I saw it on Saturday and it was singing.

Back at Carlton Marsh a very brief glimpse of a colour ringed bird, near the wader scrape on Monday, looked like this bird. With this in mind Tony and I spent 4 hours yesterday trying to catch in that area. Although two birds were calling from around the net, they didn't visit the feeder and they didn't react to the tape lure, so we failed to entice one. The local population of Blue Tits and Great Tits readily came for the food, but Willow Tits showed once again how smart they are and how hard they can be to catch.

Wintersett Ringing Recovery - 20.02.19

 Per Becky Bailey
A female reed bunting ANA6644 was ringed at Winterett on 23/09/17.  495 days later on 31/01/19, she was caught in Lostock, Cheshire by South Manchester Ringing Group.

Wintersett Ringing Recovery 30.01.19

Per Becky Bailey
A juvenile reed warbler APB6389 was ringed at Wintersett on 7/7/18 and 60 days later on 5/9/18 was recaptured, weighing 2.7g more, at Lagoa de Santo Andre, Setúbal, Portugal - 1817km away!

Wintersett + Gull Roost + Pics 19.02.18

7 -9 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cold south westerly wind.
 Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: per SDenny Herring Gull 214.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 6.  Goldeneye 57.
Anglers CP: Little Grebe  2.  Teal 2.  Gadwall 6.  Green Woodpecker 1.  Oystercatcher 4.  A Curlew flew west at 08.05hrs + 2 in fields.
Wintersett Res: The Dark-belied Brent Goose was on the north bank.
Haw Park Wood:  Brambling 1. Mealy Redpoll 1.  14 Crossbills today in Haw Park but too high for decent pics, one bird (3rd pic) showing whitish wing bars present in about 1 in a 1000  - per MHemingway.

Crossbill male                          HPWood        MHemingway

Crossbill male         HPWood   MHemingway

    

Crossbill  showing whitish wingbars         HPWood       MHemingway

Wilthorpe Marsh 19/2/19.

Water Pipit 1, Meadow Pipit 12, Oystercatcher 1 pair on territory. RN Parakeets heard only on Sunday, tinkers pond area.

Wintersett 18.02.19

7 - 9 degrees with 4/8 cloud and cool south westerly.
Anglers CP: Rook 70.  Dark-bellied Brent Goose 1,  then seen on north bank WRes.  A Water Rail was under the Pol feeding area early afternoon.
ACP Gull Roost: A 1st W Mediterranean Gull was in the roost tonight.
Wintersett Res:  A male Cetti's Warbler was singing in the boathouse reeds. 
Haw Park Wood: At least 3 Crossbills today - 2 male + 1 female

Female  Crossbill    Haw Park Wood      Mel Rowell

 Crossbill male      Haw Park Wood           SDenny

Wintersett WeBS February 2019

Here are the WeBs totals for the Wintersett Area  February 2019.

Mute Swan 8   Canada Goose 30   Dark-bellied Brent Goose 1 1stW    Cormorant 23   Great Crested Grebe 14.   Little Grebe 2.  Coot 127.  Moorhen 11.  Water Rail 1   Mallard 57   Teal 4   Wigeon 358   Gadwall 9   Tufted Duck 148  Pochard 136    Goldeneye 120  Goosander 20    Lapwing 230   Oystercatcher 4   Grey Heron 4.

Edderthorpe, Sunday

The national WeBS (wildfowl) counts produced the following highlights on the Flash (there was very little on Houghton Washlands where poachers had been on the previous night and smashed gates and fences);-
Greylag Goose 183, Shelduck 18, Pintail 1 drake, Shoveler 43, Gadwall 53, Wigeon 171, Teal just 107, Smew 1 redhead, Little Egret 2, Grey Heron 12, Oystercatcher 2, Lapwing 216.

The highlight from Ferry Moor/Cudworth Common is 5 Ringed Plover.

Wintersett 17.02.19

A warm and sunny 7 - 12 degrees, with a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res: The Brent Goose still present on the north bank.  A Cetti's Warbler was rattling in the south east corner.
Cold Hiendley SF: Water Pipit still present + 2 Grey Wagtails.
Haw Park Wood: Treecreeper 2.  Siskin 25+.  Redpoll 20 +.  A male Brambling  and a Nuthatch were near Fox Well. 
Anglers CP fields:  Curlew 2.  Golden Plover 6.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights included a Red Kite heading south at 11.20hrs (Dave Richardson). On the wader scrape 70 Herring Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 110 BH Gulls and Little Egret. Elsewhere Buzzard, Siskin, Redpoll, 2 Jays, 2 Goldcrests (1 singing) 5 singing Reed Buntings and Kingfisher.

80 Linnets were feeding on a ploughed field north of the reserve and red over grey Willow Tit was singing from woodland between the reserve and Rabbit Ings.

Wintersett 16.02.19

A warm 8 - 12 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Disposal Point:  Nuthatch 1.  Green Woodpecker 1.
Wintersett Res:  A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was on the north bank.
Cold Hiendley SF: per Mick Hemingway  Water Pipit 1.
Haw Park Wood: Siskins,  Lesser Redpolls and a single Crossbill in Haw Park.

Brent Goose         Wintersett Res.     PMeredith

               Crossbill       Haw Park Wood         MHemingway

Whooper Swans at Winscar Res. by Ron Marshall 16.02.19

Wintersett 15.02.19

A slight covering of frost first thing soon melted, then up to10 degrees with 0/8 cloud and a light south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  The Water Rail was showing well under the Pol Screen Feeding Station at 08.30hrs.   An Oystercatcher was on an island  near the Sand Martin Box.   4 Snipe were feeding in the reserve.  

Carlton Marsh

The warmest day of the year so far (16c) tempted overwintering butterflies to emerge. 2 male Brimstones, 2 Small Tortoiseshells and a Peacock were basking in the sunshine (Chris Parkin).

Wintersett 14.02.19

Up to a very warm 16 degrees,  with a little scattered cloud and a light south westerly.
Per Steve Denny
Wintersett Res:  Just under 500 Wigeon & 100 Pochard today.  
Cold Hiendley SF:  Water Pipit & Chiffchaff still.   
Anglers CP:  The Water Rail showed well under the Pol feeders 
Haw Park Wood: The juvenile Common Buzzard that lives around the dam wall  area was sitting in a tree.    The day topped off with  4 Cranes that flew over north west at dusk (17:40).

Water Rail       Pol feeding station        SDenny

Juvenile Common Buzzard          HPWood             SDenny

The Edge 15/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 246 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 157 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 6 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 28 Lapwing, 254 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 5+ Skylark and 1 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 66 Canada Geese, 39 Wigeon, 34 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 6 Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 1male Goldeneye, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 1 Moorhen, 40 Coot, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 54 Lapwing, 173 BH Gull, 7+ Herring Gull, 2 Common Gull and 1 LBB  Gull .
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 8 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 1m+3f Goosander, 2m+2f Goldeneye, 2 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Cormorant, 248 Coot, 13 BH Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 2 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 roosting Barn Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch  1 Reed Bunting and 1 Weasel.

Silkstone Wagonway / Wilthorpe Marsh. 14/2/19.

Silkstone wagonway. - Couple of interesting records were 28 Pinkfeet w at 10-45am and a Common Snipe down feeding in a field which was seen flying in low. Good numbers of Plovers over the road in the usual field e of barnby hall with c 300 Lapwing and c 300 Golden Plovers down. Wilthorpe Marsh west,- Water Pipit 1, Meadow Pipit 40. Sewage farm had 3 Chiffchaffs with 1 singing, Willow Tit 1 and fem Goosander on river.

The Edge 14/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1 Mute Swan, c200 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 1 Shelduck, 163 Wigeon, 12 Mallard, 6 Teal, 3 male Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 58 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 109 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 5+ Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Reed Bunting and 2 Yellowhammer.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 3 Mute Swan, 36 Canada Geese, 49 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 15 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 3 Cormorant, 39 Coot, 1 Buzzard, 25 Lapwing, 117 BH Gull, 3 Herring Gull, 2 Common Gull and 3 Mistle Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2+1 juv Mute Swan, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 7 Pochard, 3f Goosander, 3 Gadwall, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 8 Cormorant, 235 Coot, 44 BH Gull and 3 Herring Gull. Also present were 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 singing Song Thrush and 3m+1f Reed Bunting.

Wintersett 13.02.19

A mild 8 degrees with 8/8 but decreasing cloud.Sunny and warm  from mid morning with a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 2.
Cold Hiendley SF:  Water Pipit still present.  Reed Bunting 11.

The Edge 13/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, c250 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 133 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 13 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 3m Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 60+ Golden Plover, c50 Lapwing, 166 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull and 3+ Skylark.
Broomhill Flash - Noted Were 2 Mute Swan, 63 Canada Geese, 29 Teal, 27 Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 1 male Goldeneye, 1 Shoveler. 3 Cormorant, 37 Coot, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Lapwing, c200 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull and 1 LBB Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 15 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 4 female Goosander, 2 Mallard, a pair of Goldeneye, 8 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 296 Coot, 78 BH Gull, 8 Common Gull and  6 Herring Gull. Also present were 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker and c60 Lapwing over east at 11.55am.

The Edge 12/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - 50% ice-cover. Present were 2 Mute Swan, 272 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 136 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 7 Mallard, 3m+1f Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 107 Lapwing, 25 Golden Plover, 166 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 3+ Skylark and 1 Yellowhammer..
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 45 Canada Geese, 38 Gadwall, 37 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 36 Coot, 11 Lapwing, 305 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 4 Skylark and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4+2 juv Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 12 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 7 Pochard, 1m+3f Goosander, 2 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 307 Coot, 2 Herring Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 1 Reed Bunting.

Mortimer Road, Dukes Road, Ewden valley circ. 11/2/19.

As expected at this time of year, not many birds but a great walk and always hope of a surprise. Small groups of Brambling were showing well down the entrance track to broomhead hall, about 30. Plenty of noise from Nuthatch and Coal Tit in the woods here. 2 Peregrines showed a few times in the shooting lodge area, one with raggy primaries. Party of 4 Ravens, 1 C Buzzard and a small flock of Siskin near stone circle.

Carlton Marsh

Birds are reacting to the mild conditions, a Magpie was seen repairing its nest, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Coal Tit and Dunnock were all singing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was 'drumming'. 

A Common Gull and 56 Herring Gulls were on the wader scrape and 6 Redpolls, 2 Siskins and a Willow Tit were in that area. As dusk approached a male Tawny showed briefly near the hide and then began to sing.

A pair of Foxes were very vocal and appeared to be trying to mate.

Wintersett 11.02.19

3 - 8 degrees with sun, blue sky and  a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Pochard 62 + 4 WRes + 3 CHRes..   Wigeon 409.  Little Grebe 1.  Oystercatcher 1.
Walton Hall: Pink-footed Goose 2.
 Wintersett Res: Barnacle Goose 1 with Canada Goose,  and then on Anglers CP.  A Cetti's Warbler was in the west bank marsh.
Cold Hiendley SF: Water Pipit 1.
Haw Park Wood:  Woodcock 5   

The Edge 11/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - Present were 4 Mute Swan, 254 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 123 Wigeon, 6m+4f Goosander, 8 Mallard, 8 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 1 male Goldeneye, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Moorhen, 5 Coot, 1 Peregrine, c85 Lapwing, c25 Golden Plover, c120 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Skylark, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Stonechat and 3 Meadow Pipit.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 73 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 42 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, 11 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 6 Cormorant, 42 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 1 Sparrowhawk, 124 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 10 Pochard, 3m+4f Goosander, 2 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Cormorant, 305 Coot, 11 Herring Gull, 2 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Reed Bunting.

Wilthorpe Marsh pm., Silkstone wagonway / Cawthorne am.

Wilthorpe Marsh, - New in was an Oystercatcher and c 300 BH Gulls mostly down and preening in the sun with some on the sewage farm which also had a colybita Chiffchaff and a Willow Tit. Wintering birds still present, 2 Water Pipits, 30 Meadow Pipits, Green Sand 1 and J Snipe 1. Silkstone wagonway had Dipper showing well on dyke rear of sewage farm, c 300 Woodpigeon, 3 C Buzzards together over hugset wood. The usual fields e of barnby hall had c 100 Lapwing and c 25 Golden Plover down + 3 RL Partridge. Distant low gliding raptor towards silkstone was thought to have been a Red Kite but no further sign.

Wintersett 10.02.19

5 - 7 degrees with 3/8 cloud and a light  north westerly wind.
Anglers CP:  The Barnacle Goose is still with the Canada Goose flock.
Cold Hiendley Res: A mixed flock of circa 50 Fieldfare andRedwing in the bottom field towards the road.
Cold Hiendley SF: Water Pipit 1.   Grey Wagtail 1. 

Carlton Marsh

Today's best birds were 6 Redpolls, 8 Siskins, Willow Tit, 2 Coal Tits, 25 Lapwings and 45 Jackdaws.

PLEASE NOTE: PARKING CHARGES AT ANGLERS CP FROM MONDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2019

Please note that Parking charges will be introduced at Anglers CP on Monday 11th February 2019.

Charging hours:  09.00 - 18.00hrs every day. 

Charges:  Up to 2 hours £1.00
                Up to 4 hours £2.00
                Over 4 hours  £3.00

Vehicles shall not be left in the parking place for more than 24 hours on any one occasion.

Wintersett 09.02.19

5 - 8 degrees,  dull and damp, with 8/8 cloud this morning and a strong westerly wind.  Some sun and blue sky in the afternoon.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 1.
Cold Hiendley SF: Water Pipit still present.  Chiffchaff 1.  Merlin 1 over late morning, seen later on telegraph post briefly, Station Road, Ryhill
Wintersett Res: Little Grebe 2.

Wintersett 08.02.19

4 - 7 degrees, dull and dreary with 8/8 cloud and a couple of light showers
Anglers CP: The first  Oystercatcher of spring  returned this morning.  The Banacle Goose flew in with the Canada Geese mid morning.  The 1stW Mediterranean Gull was in, along with a summer sinensis Cormorant .
Cold Hiendley Res SF: The Water Pipit still present.

First 2019 returning Oystercatcher    ACP  ASmith

1stW Mediterranean Gull   ACP  SDenny

        Barnacle Goose                ACP   SDenny

Cormorant - summer sinensis          ACP   SDenny

The Edge 07/02/2019

Wombwell Ings -Present were 2 Mute Swan, c300 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 78 Wigeon, 8m+10f Goosander, 8 Mallard, 8 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 6 Moorhen, 5 Coot, 76 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 6 Skylark and 2 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 5 Canada Geese, 23 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 11 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 1m+4f Goosander, 4 Shoveler, 1 male Goldeneye, 3 Cormorant, 29 Coot, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 91 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 3 Herring Gull, c20 Redwing and 15+ Fieldfare.

Wintersett 07.02.19

4 degrees,  cold, grey,  dull, and  drizzly with a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  Teal 28.   A Whooper Swan flew west at 09.50hrs1st W Mediterranean Gull on rock wall from 15.30hrs.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.  Shoveler 3.

Carlton Marsh

This mornings sightings included 50+ Herring Gulls, 25 Lapwings, 2 Shovelers, 2 Coal Tits, 9 Bullfinches, 2 Great Spot Woodpeckers, 4 Siskins, 1 Willow Tit, 3 Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit.
(Keith Bannister/Jim Plant)
This afternoon produced a Buzzard, Kingfisher, 5 Yellowhammers in to roost, Tawny Owl and a Woodcock at 17.23hrs (Dave Smith).

Wintersett 06.02.19

3 - 6 degrees, sunny with 2/8 cloud and a light southerly breeze.
Cold Hiendley SF: Water Pipit 1.  Chiffchaff 1.  Grey Wagtail 1.
Anglers CP: A Water Rail was under the Pol Screen feeder and a Tawny Owl was in the area - per Paul Thorp.

Midhope res. circular 5/2/19.

Crossbills the highlight with a pair showing well with the male singing and the female collecting sheeps wool off a fence for nest building. Another 2 pairs in the area and a flock of 9 flew towards langsett. On the res., male Goldeneye in se corner, 21 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck.

Wintersett 05.02.19

1 - 6 degrees with a light frost,  sunny  and 2/8 scattered cloud with a light southerly breeze.
Anglers CP: A Water Rail was under the  Pol screen feeders this morning.  80 Pink-footed Goose flew over west at 09.35hrs + 1 on country park.  The Barnacle Goose was still with Greylag Geese
Cold Hiendley SF: The Water Pipit was still present this morning.  (a patch tick for me!) 

             Barnacle Goose                             ACP        ASmith                    

Red Kite at Cawthorne by Ron Marshall 2nd February 2019

Red Kite at Cawthorne  2nd February 2019  taken by Ron Marshall.

Wintersett Catch Up 20.01.19 - 04.02.19

Back from Thailand with Wild Wings led by Mark Andrews.  Saw loads of fantastic birds including
 2 + 3 Spoon-billed Sandpipers (one of which had a yellow + a white flag) 

20.01.19  Here are the January 2019  WeBS totals for the Wintersett Area.
Mute Swan 8,  Canada Goose 17,   Greylag Goose 2,   Cormorant 18,  Coot 106,  Moorhen 9,  
Great Crested Grebe 23,   Little Grebe 5,   Mallard 56,   Teal 30,   Wigeon 423,   Gadwall 22,   
Shoveler 3,   Tufted Duck 138,  Pochard 43,   Goldeneye 64,  Goosander 27,  Grey Heron 8,   
Lapwing 120, Snipe 7.

Highlights:    
20th January: First birds ringed of 2019 - a Lesser and a Common (mealy) redpoll at ACP  (photo @BeckyBailey101)   + 1 Disp.Point.


11 Whooper Swan flew south east.  An adult Kumlien's Gull was on ACP 10.30 - 10.40hrs, then in roost at 16.45hrs.   A 1stW Mediterranean Gull was in ACP roost 15.40hrs +  a 2ndW Mediterranean Gull was in at  16.40hrs

21st January: An adult Kumlien's Gull roosted on WRes. at 16.25hrs.  A Red Kite flew over Rough Botton Plantation.

22nd January:  A Jack Snipe was on the Pol ACP.

23rd January: A redhead Smew was on ACP.  The adult Kumlien's  Gull was in at 16.15hrs

24th January: The redhead Smew was on WRes.  A 1stW Mediterranean Gull was in ACP roost at 15.50hrs. A juvenile Iceland Gull dropped in to WRes. roost to bathe 16.05 - 16.15,  then flew north towards ACP - per Jonathan Scragg.

26th January:  See post per GJS on main blog.

27th January:  1st W Mediterranean Gull + adult Kumlien's Gull were in CP roost.

28th January: A juvenile Peregrine was at Cold Hiendley, hunting Golden Plovers.

29th January:  500 Pink-footed Geese flew west in 4 flocks.
 
1st February:  2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and a  juvenile Iceland gull were in the ACP Roost.

2nd February: An unringed Barnacle Goose was with the Canada Geese ACP.
Great Crested Grebe   21 WRes  +  5 ACP.       Little Grebe   8 WRes + 3 ACP
Goldeneye 30 WRes + 32 ACP.    Wigeon  20 WRes + 600 ACP.
Pink-footed Goose 3 ACP.   Goosander 23 WRes.   Woodcock 1 west bank WRes..
The adult Kumlien's Gull  was videoed by @BarryByatt,  on WRes at 16.35hrs
https://twitter.com/BarryByatt/status/1092455105776046081

3rd February:  Mallard 40 ACP + 10 WRes..  Tufted Duck 72 ACP + 66 WRes..  Little Grebe 3 ACP + 9 WRes..  Pink-footed Goose 3 ACP.  Canada Goose 287.   Barnacle Goose 1 ACP.   Pochard 81 ACP + 10 WRes..  Great Crested Grebe 2 ACP + 29 WRes.  Gadwall 13 ACP + 25 WRes..  
A Chiffcaff and a Water Pipit at CHSF.  Willow Tit 1 south bank CHRes..   Herring Gull 1450 WRes..  Lesser Black-backed Gull 6 WRes..

                                 Water Pipit             CHSF          PMeredith    03.02.19

4th February: Barnacle Goose 1 ACP.  Pink-footed Goose 2 ACP.   A Chiffchaff and a Water Pipit at CHSF.  A Cetti's Warbler south bank CHRes. Lesser Black-backed Gull 7 WRes..

     Water Pipit                        CHSF        MHemingway   04.02.19

            Chiffchaff                        CHSF        MHemingway   04.02.19

Wilthorpe Marsh 4/2/19.

Late aft. Pretty much the winter quo with 2, probably 3 Water Pipits, 50 Meadow Pipits, Jack Snipe flushed off marsh edge. Green Sand flushed off s.f. by maintenance men, L Egret 1, singing Cettis sang once from central reeds along with a calling Willow Tit here.

The Edge 04/02/2019

Wombwell Ings - 98% ice-covered. Present were 4 Mute Swan, 194 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 11 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Cormorant, 7 Moorhen, 84 Lapwing, 30+ Golden Plover, 88+ BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Mistle Thrush and 2 Reed Bunting. On the R. Dearne, near the bridge, were 3m+1f Goosander.
Broomhill Flash -  40% ice-covered. Noted were 100+ Canada Geese, 107 Wigeon, 38 Teal, 33 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 7 Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 8 Cormorant, 33 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Lapwing, 202 BH Gull, 10 Common Gull, 7 Herring Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Mistle Thrush.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 5+3juv Mute Swan, 11 Greylag, 10 Canada Geese, 11 Pochard, 6 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 1f Goosander, 1 Teal, 11 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 399 Coot, 15 Herring Gull, 7 Common Gull, 3 LBB Gull and 2 BH Gull.

Ewden valley, dukes road, mortimer road circ., Midhope res., 3/2/19.

Stunning views of the ewden valley in bright sunshine with a light covering of snow in the morning. Best bird here was a male Crossbill over calling towards broomhead. Pair of Ravens, 3 C Buzzards, Kestrel and GS Pecker the only birds on the walk. Male Goldeneye on midhope res. and a pair of Crossbills here. Heavy cloud cover and drizzle by 2-30pm.

BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP

THURSDAY 7th FEBRUARY at OLD MOOR VISITOR CENTRE, 7.15 pm

Francis Hickenbottom with an illuminating talk on' Wakefield Peregrines'.
Learn about this majestic raptor which has been nesting on Wakefield Cathedral for a number of years now. When they arrived, their requirements for breeding and probably most interesting of all - their various prey.

All welcome, £2.50 entrance fee includes interval drink.

Carlton Marsh

Not much here, just one report from Jim Plant of Buzzard, c60 Herring Gulls, 26 Gadwall, 29 Lapwing south, 1 Willow Tit and a Fox on his daily hunt.

Cudworth
A small Falcon with jesses on alighted on a farm building at killey Grieve (near where the Dards pub was) this morning (Richard Laverack). It looked like a Merlin? 

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape 114 Herring Gulls, 6 Common Gulls, 1 GBB Gull, 90 BH Gulls and 1 Little Egret + 1 north from the main scrape.

Elsewhere 10 Redpolls, 4 Siskins, 6 Bullfinches feeding on Birch seed, 4 Redwings, 15 Long-tailed Tits and Song Thrush singing. Reports came from R. Laverack/D.M. Smith/CG.

Cudworth

The cold weather is starting to bite now. 20 Fieldfares came to my garden this morning and c125 were feeding in a field on Storrs Mill Lane.

Wilthorpe marsh west 1/2/19.

Late aft. 3 Water Pipits, 27 Meadow Pipits, 3 Jack Snipe, 30 Fieldfare stripping hawthorn berries, 12 Lapwing down hopefully will be staying for the summer. Pair of Goosander showing well on river.

Barnsley Ringing Group

It is with some regret that I have decided to retire as secretary of the Barnsley Ringing Group - a position I have held since January 1979 (a period of forty years).
Additionally I will no longer be holding a Ringing Licence, a decision I have not taken lightly.
A greater lack of mobility over the last couple of years has led to the erecting of mist-nets and climbing ladders (to nest-boxes) a painful and sometimes an almost impossible task.
Birding will continue as usual.
Martin Wells
1st February 2019.