Tuesday 30 June 2020

Cudworth Common

Quiet for birds today. A walk round with Les Corrall this morning produced Buzzard, Kestrel, Garden Warbler, Coal Tit, 2 Stock Dove and Redshank alarming inside Symphony compound.

Butterflies included 95 Meadow Brown, 205 Ringlet and 35 Small Skipper. Day flying moths, Shaded Broad Bar, Cinnabar, Silver Y and 2 N. B. Five Spot Burnet Moths.

Wintersett 30.06.20

14 - 18 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Very little to report today.
Wintersett Res: Redshank 1.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 5. 

Monday 29 June 2020

Wintersett 29.06.20

Much cooler today. 14 - 16 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cool west, south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult. Arctic Tern 2. Common Tern 5.  A Curlew flew south west at 10.05hrs.   Mallard 4 large young.  Black-headed Gull 1 very small young.
Wintersett Res:  Tufted Duck 36.  Goldeneye 1 female.  A female Mandarin was in the north east corner at 16.15hrs.   500 Swifts were  feeding over this afternoon.
Coleoptera: A longhorn beetle,  Rutpela maculata,  found at Anglers CP, by Steve Denny,  on 27th June 2020 was a first for this part of the Wintersett Area.

Rutpela maculata     Anglers CP  27.06.20       SDenny

Sunday 28 June 2020

Cudworth Common

A late evening walk - Willow Tit calling at 'What 3 Words' Index.Home.Raft.
3 singing Garden Warblers, 2 Grey Partidge and Kestrel with prey.
Two nice plants of interest Marsh Woundwort and Agrimony.

 Marsh Woundwort
Agrimony

Low Moor 28/6/20.

Birds difficult to come by in shocking wind and showers. The highlight 4 Raven includes a scavenging group of 3. Sparrowhawk 1, C Buzzard 1, Kestrel 2. LBB Gull 2, still a few chipping and displaying Snipe, Oystercatcher 2. Meadow Pipit 6, RL Partridge 1 pair and surprisingly only 1 Swift.

Wintersett and another 1st for the area

Cooler today, 15 - 18 degrees with  8//8 cloud and a gusty south westerly wind.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: per @grayspeight and @StevieD131 Peregrine 1 over.
Going south: Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.  Swift 334.  Starling 157.   Sand Martin 7.  Teal 1.  Grey Wagtail 1.  Siskin 1.
Another 1st for the area! 
Pete Smith had a pleasant surprise when he returned to Anglers CP car park at lunchtime.  He saw a moth resting on the front grill of his car.  On closer inspection, he realised it was a much wanted Small Ranunculus, Hecatera dysodea.   A  new species for the Wintersett area and the 387th for the macro moth species list!

Small Ranunculus, Hecatera dysodea. 1st for Wintersett        ASmith

Saturday 27 June 2020

Wilthorpe Marsh 27/6/20.

Oxbow pond. - Green Sand 3, Oystercatcher 2, Parakeets 2, L Egret 2.

Carlton Marsh

10 Siskins, Little Egret and a displaying Meadow Pipit best for today.


Wintersett 27.06.20

15 - 19 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light south westerly.  A couple of short, very heavy downpours this afternoon.
Anglers CP: 2 Siskin flew south east. Teal 1.  Oystercatcher 6.  Mallard 7 very small young with the pale female + 8 very small young WRes.
Wintersett Res: Pochard 1 female.   Common Tern 5.
Odonata: A Southern Hawker was seen in Haw Park Wood.

26/6/20 Ewden Height + Moorland fringe

A late evening watch from 20.00 in warm weather with a soft southerly breeze.

Ewden Height highlight was a fine Hobby observed insect catching for a good 5 minutes before it drifted towards Bolsterstone. Also - 2 Buzzard, 4 Swift, Siskin, 10+ Curlew, 3 Snipe, 10+ Meadow Pipit (many food carrying), 2 Pied Wagtails south, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 LBBG, 5 Linnet, 3 BHG.

Later on at sites nearby -

Nightjar - 2 churring at separate sites, 3 seen in total with one particularly confiding bird regularly perching on a post on moorland.
Long-eared Owl - Adult seen hunting over moorland  around dusk with juveniles heard calling from 2 separate sites.
Hobby - flew low over fields at 21.45.
Curlew - party of 5 south at 21.45.
Woodcock - 2 roding at dusk

Friday 26 June 2020

Cudworth Common

A Willow Tit was calling at location nearer to Edderthorpe Flash this morning.

Wintersett 26.06.20

Hot and humid,  20 degrees, with 8/8 but decreasing cloud and a light south westerly. a couple of short, but heavy downpours, midday and late afternoon.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: Curlew 1 over.
Going north: Little Egret 1 at 05.15hrs.
Going south: Green Sandpiper 1 flew over SW at 09.35hrs.  Crossbill 1 + 2  and 12 in HPWood. Swift 24.  Sand Martin 11. Siskin 10.
Going west: Starling 48.
Anglers CP:  Shoveler 3 and were later on WRes..
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female. 
Haw Park Wood: Siskin 20. 
Lepidoptera:  White-letter Hairstreak 3 Haw Park Lane.
Overnight moth trapping highlights Lilac Beauty 1.  Scarce Footman 1.  Dark Sword-grass 1.  Beautiful Hook-tip 12. 

Thursday 25 June 2020

Wintersett 25.06.20

17 - 22 degrees hot and sunny with a light easterly.
Anglers CP Vis.Mig: 
Going south: Cuckoo 1 adult.   Golden Plover 1. Siskin 1.
Anglers CP: Ringed Plover 1 over.  Pochard 9.
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female.  Willow Tit 1 SW corner (unringed).  Mallard 3 fledged young + 1 small young.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 6.
Overnight moth trapping highlights: Pine Hawk-moth 1.  Lime Hawk-moth 1.  Clay Triple Lines.  Beautiful Hook-Tip.  Plain Wave.
Amphibian: Newt eft 1.

A young newt is called an eft. This one was on the footpath at ACP this morning.    ASmith

Carlton Marsh - 24th June 2020

Yesterday at the marsh, 2 Garden Warblers singing and a Willow Tit calling south of the wader scrape. A small Jack Pike was seen in the dike with 4 or 5 Chub about 1ft long. The Terrapin was in the main scrape again along with 2 male Emperor dragonflies and a female ovipositing.

The main preoccupation last night though was moths. Harry Beaumont joined Chris Parkin and I for a late night session (always at 2 metres apart). We ran 3 MV light traps in perfect conditions, the minimum, temperature was 17c, but that was at 2am. 45 macro species were identified that included Green Silver Lines, Poplar Grey, Grey Arches, Varied Coronet, Eyed and 3 Elephant Hawk moths, Barred Yellow and lots more. Green Silver Lines, Varied Coronet and Dark Spectacle were all new. The Poplar Grey was only our second record, the first way back in 1994. Grey Arches was our third record and the first since 1992.
While all this was going on a Reed Warbler continued to sing into the night until at least 1.30am and Male and Female Tawny Owl were also calling.

 Green Silver Lines
 Grey Arches
 Poplar Grey
 Eyed hawk Moth
 Varied Coronet
Kingfisher (Juv) from yesterday afternoon (CG)

Dave Smith caught his first ever Small Argent and Sable last night in his moth trap.

24/06/2020 - Wharncliffe Heath NR

Highlights from a pre-dusk walk around the reserve included 4 Crossbill and a Tree Pipit

After sunset produced my best ever night for Nightjar on the reserve. Activity including churring, calling and wing clapping was almost continuous for a solid hour. With a coordinated effort between myself and the other observer, Dave Buttle, it is thought to involve a minimum of 8 birds, including at least 6 males and 2 females. 5 Woodcock and 2 Tawny Owl were also recorded.

Wednesday 24 June 2020

Staincross 24/6/20.

Red Kite south over Moorland Crescent 12-25pm.

Wintersett 24.06.20

Very hot and sunny, up to 27 degrees,  with blue sky and a very light south easterly.
Haw Park Wood: A Red Kite flew over Haw Park Wood at 08.50hrs and was seen over Anglers CP car park at 12.30hrs.
Cold Hiendley: Starling 60. 
Anglers CP: Herring Gull 12.
Moorhouse Lane Pond: Little Grebe young 2 + 1.
Odonata: Common Darter 1 teneral at MLPond.
Lepidoptera:White-letter Hairstreak 2 Botany Farm.  Small Skipper 10 Moorhouse Lane Pond.
Reptile: 2 Grass Snakes were in the area.

Midhopestones 23/6/20.

9-30 to 10-30pm. Nightjar c 6, similar thing with Woodcock c 6, difficult to count. LE Owl hunting regular with 2 calling young. Stonechat Male.

Tuesday 23 June 2020

Cudworth Common

This mornings exercise with Les Corrall. 2 Garden Warblers were singing from the wooded hillside and Willow Tit and a Coal Tit family were among a Tit flock. 

11 species of butterfly included 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 28 Small Tortoiseshell, 46 Small Skipper, 59 Meadow Brown and 77 Ringlet.
2 male Emperor, Brown Hawker and 2 male Black-tailed Skimmer were flying over the flashes. An early Narrow-borderd 5 Spot Burnet Moth was resting on Knapweed.

Symphony Factory Compound
There was no sign of the Oystercatchers, but they may have been disturbed by workmen. Or perhaps they have made their way to Edderthorpe Flash with the chicks?
At least 2 Ringed Plovers and Redshank. 1 bird flew over to the Ash Plateau and was alarming as if young nearby. This bird is wearing a BTO ring on its left leg!

Monday 22 June 2020

22/6/20 Ewden Height

A late evening visit 19.15 - 20.30, with a strong southerly breeze, produced:

9 Linnet, 4 Goldfinch, 3 singing Willow Warbler, 10+ Curlew, m+f Kestrel, Siskin, 4 Swift, 6 Pied Wagtail south (1+5), Swallow, Buzzard, Lapwing east.

Earlier at Wortley a group of 10+ finches over were probably Crossbill.

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon' wildlife included 3 Peregrines sat on the Ardagh Glass chimneys + 1 that flew over the reserve. A Tawny Owl found by Tony Harding was perched in a Sycamore looking down on us quite unconcerned by the path.
At least 8 Reed Buntings were singing along with Chiffchaff and Coal Tit. 3 Lapwings, 4 Herring Gulls & 1 LBB Gull were on the wader scrape.
Butterflies included 1 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 6 Ringlet, 2 Small Skipper and 1 Large Skipper.

 Tawny Owl (Dave Smith)
 Tony Harding
Peregrine (Tony Harding)

Storrs Mill Wood to Ardsley Viaduct 
Treecreeper, Kingfisher, 252 Small Tortoiseshell mainly feeding on Thistles, 7 Red Admiral, a new brood of 6 Comma and a Green Oak Tortrix moth. An Emperor dragonfly, 2 Brown Hawker and c30 Banded Demoiselle were on the wing. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 22.06.20

17 - 22 degrees sunny, clouded over in afternoon, with a south westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res:  5 Curlew flew west.  Pochard 8.  Common Sandpiper 1.
Cold Hiendley Res: Grey Wagtail 2 on spillway.
Anglers CP:  Shoveler 3.  The 2 young Oystercatchers are flying!
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 10.  Siskin 6. 

Sunday 21 June 2020

Wintersett 21.06.20

15 - 20 degrees with sun and 4/8 cloud and a westerlybreeze.
Anglers CP: 10 Crossbill flew over, high south at 09.45hrs.  Little Ringed Plover 1.  Lapwing 55. Oystercatcher 6. + 2 large/fledged young. 
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female.  Great Crested Grebe 10 + 6 ACP + 2 CHRes..   Mute Swan 4 young. 
Odonata: Red-eyed Damselfly 2m Botany Bay.  

Saturday 20 June 2020

Low Moor 20/6/20.

2 to 5pm. Heavy downpour at 3-50pm, otherwise breezy and warm with good light. Hobby 1 twice, second time showed quite well but lost to view over Midhope res. Merlin 1, presumed Male, looked small. Sparrowhawk 1, C Buzzard 5. Chipping and displaying Snipe still impressive with 10+. Chaffinch nest found in hawthorn full of chicks. Swift c15 blogging and Swallows and House Martins showing well down collecting mud. Flock of 9 Crossbills over towards Langsett.

20/06/2020 - Wharncliffe Wood

A fairly quiet late afternoon, with the highlight being 15 Crossbills in two groups of 10 and 5 (seem to be an increasing number being reported in the area). Also seen were 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap and 2 Garden Warbler

Wintersett + Crossbills 20.06.20

16 - 20 degrees, warm with sun and 4/8 scattered cloud and a light southerly breeze.
Wintersett Res: Swifts were carrying food balls to feed young early this morning.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 1 adult + 2 well grown young + 5 flew in from the west at 10.55hrs..
153 Swift flew south in 2 hours per @Fitzybirder   Willow Tit 1.  
Haw Park Wood:  
Siskin 1.  A flock of around 40 Crossbills around the larches in the picnic bench area this morning, and coming down to drink in the puddles.  
Here's a video  from Chris Swaine  
https://twitter.com/CroftonBirder/status/1274277043820277760 
 
This was WOW! moment for visiting birder/photographer Nick Bristow
See more    https://twitter.com/nickbris56/status/1274297755209523200
107 birds were ringed  at Wintersett this morning - per @BeckyBailey101
Highlights were:  22 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler,  3 Whitethroat,  3 Sedge Warbler,  8 Reed Warbler,  1 Willow Tit,  38 Chiffchaff,  5 Willow Warbler,  3 Treecreeper,  2 Song Thrush and 3 Blackbirds.
Odonata: A Brown Hawker was on the west bank WRes. 

Cudworth Common

Ferrymoor Flash
There are still 2 pairs of Pochard and a pair of Great Crested Grebes (1 sitting bird).

Symphony Factory Compound
At least 4 adult Ringed Plover and 1 pair of Oystercatcher with very definitely 2 young on the Grimethorpe side of the roadway. A pair of Redshanks were also present.

On the Common
Coal Tit singing, 1 Siskin and 5 Ringlet butterflies.
Flowering plants included Common Spotted Orchid, Bee Orchid and Fox & cubs.
 Common Spotted Orchid
 Bee Orchid


20/6/20 Midhope Res + Low Moor

An early afternoon visit produced:

Tufted Duck - female with 6 ducklings + 3 adult males; Little Grebe - 4+ adults and 4 juvs (2 well grown + 2 separate and much younger); Teal - heard; Siskin 5+; Crossbill 5+; Willow Warbler 10+ incl juvs; Chiffchaff 4; Blackcap 1; Greylag Goose 74 incl juvs; Oystercatcher 3 (left Midhope Res and flew towards Langsett Res calling before one returned); Curlew 5+; Snipe 1 display; Coal Tit and Long Tailed Tit juvs in a mixed group.

Hobby at Greenmoor

Hobby flew over Greenmoor at 11:00 am heading N towards Thurgoland

Friday 19 June 2020

Wintersett 19.06.20

14 - 18 degrees with 6/8 but increasing cloud and and a light south westerly.  Short shower mid morning
Anglers CP: 5 Curlew flew over.  Little Ringed Plover 1.  Redshank 1.
Wintersett Res: Gadwall 14.  Goldeneye 1 female.  
Cold Hiendley Res: Mute Swan 4 young + 3 new young. 
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 40.

Thursday 18 June 2020

Chevet & Newmillerdam- An interesting past.

Chevet & Newmillerdam- An interesting past.

 

Last week I walked from Newmillerdam to Wintersett (Wakefield) , through Chevet. Chevet and Newmillerdam are on the fringe of the Barnsley bird recording area and a very under watched area. Chevet park (grounds of Chevet Hall) which included Newmillerdam has a significant history when it comes to natural history and having walked through the area it inspired me to write a few notes on the area.


Map of Chevet Park


 

Chevet hall stood at the pinnacle of Chevet park. Chevet hall was a stately home built in 1529 for Sir John Neville (Sheriff of Yorkshire), who was eventually executed by Henry VIII. The home was demolished in 1960 due to mining subsistence. 


Chevet Hall
Chevet Hall 


 

The Park had many different habitats from parkland to woodland, farmland and a lake (Newmillerdam) which was one of only a few waterbodies in Wakefield at the time. 


Newmillerdam -early 1900's


 

Mr Roebuck commented that Wild Boars were plentiful at Chevet Park during a talk at Wakefield Naturalists on the historic mammals of Yorkshire on 20th April 1881. Chevet Park was also one of the last places to see Red Squirrel in the district. 

 

The first mention of birds was in 1526 at the marriage feast of Sir John Neville’s first daughter, the feast contained Cranes, Herons, Snipe, Bittern, Quail, Larks, Dotterel and Bustards. In 1528 household records show 12 Spoonbills cost 1s a piece , 10 Bitterns 13s 4d. 

Later in 1530 at his second daughters marriage included Peacocks, Cranes and Bitterns

 

Other historic Bird Records noted by William Talbot during the 1800’s included Long eared Owl, Barn Owl, Blackcap, Crossbills (Shot) , Cormorant, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Scaup & Goosander. Notable birds recorded included Bitterns shot by LMS Pilkington Bart of Chevet Hall in 1845, followed by one shot by Mr W Hall (Superintendent of the Police) on 3rd January 1870. 3 Waxwings were shot in winter 1855 and one was stuffed by W Talbot. In 1858 a Red- Necked Grebe was shot at Newmillerdam, a Slavonian Grebe was also recorded (and shot) but no dates were given. Most notably a Honey Buzzard was shot by the gamekeeper Mr Mellow in September 1858 and sent to Talbot for preserving, and was given to LMS Pilkington Bart of Chevet Hall. 

 

Chevet and Newmillerdam has remained seriously under watched for many years. However there is some interesting records in the past 100 years. The oldest modern day record is of a Water Rail on 27th October 1946, with one also in 28th December 1946. A Pied Flycatcher was noted on 16 April 1947 and it is likely to have bred in the area as there were records regularly in subsequent years. Spotted flycatchers regularly bred here, as did Lesser spotted woodpeckers. 

 

The 1950’s saw some interesting records , 2 Dippers were seen on 5th November 1950,  a Jack Snipe was seen on 16th January 1951, followed by a Green Sandpiper from 10th April until 17th April 1951. A Common Scoter was on the Lake on 14 July 1951. In 1953 a total of 800 Skylarks were on snow covered ground at Chevet on 15th January , later that year a roost of 4000 Jackdaws were seen as they left early morning on 29th November 1953. Later in 1956 , 100 Bramblings were seen in Chevet Woods on 27th January 1956, followed by several thousand Greenfinch on 29th January 1956. A ‘would be’ mega was seen on 29th April 1956 as a Common Buzzard flew over. In 1958 a Merlin was seen on 19th April.

 

In the 1960’s records were once again few and far between, the only notable bird was a Common Nightingale on 6th May 1963.

 

The 1970s saw another few interesting birds a Scaup stayed from 11th April until 11th September 1971. A flock of Common Eider at Wintersett saw 3 of the birds move to Newmillerdam between 5th – 26th December 1971. In 1972 a drake Red Crested Pochard was present on 20th May. A Little Tern stayed for 4 days between 20th– 24th August 1972, a notable flock of 80 Brambling roosted on 29th November 1972. In 1975 Pochard bred at Newmillerdam and in 1977, 2 pairs of Gadwall were introduced to Newmillerdam by South Yorkshire Wildfowl Association , 1 pair bred and raised 4 young. On 31st May 1977 a drake Ring necked duck was present, and with others at Fairburn and Tophilllow it suggests there was an influx. 

 

The 1980’s and 1990’s have seen a barren period for records. During the 80’s only a Tree Pipit in 1982, a Mandarin Duck in 1984 were notable and in 90’s the 1991 Wood Warbler on 17th April was the only notable sighting.


Newmillerdam 2020


 

At present the area is very rarely watched, but with a good range of habitats and a significant size lake it would make an excellent patch for a keen birder.  Over the Lake there was the usual array of water birds as well as a number of Sand Martins (4) which I suspect are nesting in the Dam walls, I also noticed Swifts feeding over the treetops, I guess most of these will be from nearby colonies such as Kettlethorpe. Swallows (2) were seen and Nuthatches heard (3). Leaving the Woods towards Wintersett you follow a footpath along Bleakley Dike which is a stream that runs from Cold Hiendley reservoir to Newmillerdam. Along the field edges near the Dike the Habitat is superb scrub hosting Whitethroats , Yellowhammers , Reed Buntings, Lesser Whitethroats , Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers , Garden Warblers , Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. The footpath will bring you to Chevet Water Treatment Plant, again excellent habitat with all 3 wagtails feeding. The treatment plant it surrounded by scrub but is easy to walk around and view from, and looks excellent for migrants and wintering rarities. As you follow Bleakley Dike to the east you eventually reach Chevet Lane and the edge of the Wintersett recording area. 


Chevet water treatment plant



Bleakley Dike



Bleakley Dike




Bleakley Dike



Chris Swaine 

18/6/2020

Wintersett 18.06.20

13 - 17 degrees with 8/8 cloud and rain until mid afternoon.
 Anglers CP: Little Ringed Plover 1.  Canada Goose 77 + 15 young.   Greylag Goose 30.  Oystercatcher 6 adults + 2 young.

Wilthorpe Marsh 18/6/20.

Plenty happening at the oxbow pond with surprises. Black Tailed Godwit 2 and a surprise Green Sandpiper. Also here Oystercatcher , GS Pecker, L Egret 3, Parakeet 2.

Wednesday 17 June 2020

Carlton Marsh

The best bits of today 70 Herring and 7 LBB Gulls, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Dabchick, Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat & Garden Warbler singing. 2 Collared Doves in the car park is unusual for this site.
3 Peregrines have semi-fledged at Ardagh Glassworks. (JP)
Bee Orchid (Alan Jones)
Cudworth Common (with Les Corrall)
Lapwings have quite a few young, Redshanks have probably got young and Ringed Plover have 3 new young from a second brood safely tucked away in the Symphony factory compound.
Butterflies included 10 Meadow Brown, 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small Skipper and 1 Ringlet.

Ferrymoor Flash
There was no sign of the breeding Oystercatchers or their 2 chicks and no sign of the Great Crested Grebe chick, but as it was on the nest another clutch may have been laid. Canada Geese totalled 30 and Greylags c40. 2 pairs of Pochard were also present and a Pied wagtail was taking food into a nest.

Woolley (Yesterday 16/6/20)
14 species of butterfly included a late Peacock, 2 Red Admiral, 22 Small Tortoiseshell, and 10 Marbled White. It looks like a good year so far for Small Tortoiseshell. 3 Blackneck moths were flushed in the process. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 17.06.20


15 - 20 degrees,  warm with high cloud, hot sunny spells and a light easterly.
Anglers CP: Shelduck 1.  Grey Wagtail 2 juvenile. Little Ringed Plover 1.
Haw Park Wood: Siskin 1.   40 Crossbills were in the woodyard area around midday. 
see https://twitter.com/SBillcliffe/status/1273250418936725506
Overnight moth trapping produced far fewer than yesterday.   Orange Footman and Beautiful Hook-tip were the highlights.
Lepidoptera:  Steve Denny took these at Moorhouse Lane Ponds.

Emperor Dragonfly drying      MLPond   SDenny
Large Skipper       MLPond     SDenny
       Ringlet          MLPond      SDenny

Tuesday 16 June 2020

Wintersett 16.06.20

14 - 20 degrees, hot and sunny with a light easterly breeze.
Anglers CP: Little Ringed Plover 1.    Black-headed Gull 2 migrant juveniles.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 35    Siskin 1.
Wintersett Res: Common Scoter 2m. Goldeneye 1f.  Grey Wagtail 1.  Sedge Warbler 1 juvenile west bank.
Overnight moth trapping produced: Orange Footman, Dark Sword-grass (a migrant),  Grey Arches,  Brown Rustic,  Beautiful Hook-tip,  Marbled White Spot, Eyed Hawk-moth and plenty of Elephant Hawk-moths.

       Orange Footman  Eilema sororcula  ACP    ASmith
Coleoptera: A Necrodes littoralis was in the moth trap this morning,  also known as the "shore sexton beetle," is a common silphid beetle that visits and breeds on large vertebrate cadavers.(Linnaeus, 1758).  This is only the 2nd record for the Wintersett Area! Thank you to Mike Denton for confirming it.

Necrodes littoralis   Anglers CP  ASmith

Midhopestones. 15/6/20.

9-30 to 10-30pm. Nightjar 4,Woodcock 4, LE Owl ad. + 1 calling chick. Displaying Snipe 1, Stonechat 1, party of 9 Curlew over.

Monday 15 June 2020

Carlton Marsh

40 Herring Gulls, Dabchick and Kingfisher were on the waders scrape this afternoon.

The Terrapin was in the main scrape along with Kingfisher, a pair of Dabchick and a male Broad-bodied Chaser. 

Cudworth
A pair of Red-legged Partridges produced at least 8 young from a clutch of 14, 2 eggs were addled and 1 chick was dead. (Les Corrall's garden).

South Kirkby Reclamation
Butterflies included 3 Marbled White, 10 Ringlet, a female Brimstone ovipositing, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Red Admiral, 102 Meadow Brown, 12 Silver Y and a Mother Shipton Moth. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 15.06.20

15 - 22 degrees, sunny, hot and humid this morning, with a very light easterly.
Anglers CP: Redshank 1.  Little Ringed Plover 3.  Oystercatcher 4 adults + 2 young + 4 adults CHSF.  Mallard young 3 l/fl + 1 s/m  + 4 s/m.  Greylag Goose 30.
Wintersett Res: Willow Tit 1 west bank.
Odonata: Red-eyed Damslefly 1m Botany Bay + 1m NE WRes..
Lepidoptera: A Treble Lines was the only notable in the moth trap overnight.

 Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica    ACP  ASmith

Sunday 14 June 2020

Ewden valley 14/6/20.

The valley coming into summer splendour now with shades of green with purple heather and rhododendrons. Dark clouds with rain at 2pm but otherwise dry. Hobby 1/2 hawking insects, Red Kite 1, C Buzzard 5, Kestrel 1. Raven 2, LBB Gull party of 10, Golden Plover 4 with 2 down on stone wall. Cuckoo 4 with 3 calling males and a calling female. 1 chipping Snipe, pair of Ring Ouzel, Stonechat total of 9 includes 4 juvs. Meadow Pipit c 45, Swift c 15, Linnet c 20, Siskin 1.

Saturday 13 June 2020

Low Moor 13/6/20.

Nowt special but very pleasant in the warmth. c 6 Snipe displaying and showing well, 5 Oystercatchers, c25 Curlew includes 2 small chicks. C Buzzard 7, Kestrel 1, Skylark 2, Meadow Pipit 2, Siskin 2, RL Partridge 1 pair, 10 Swifts.

Carlton Marsh

The highlights today Buzzard, Grey Wagtail, Little Egret, Lesser Whitethroat and 2 juv. Kingfishers.

A Red-eared Terrapin was swimming in the scrape.

Chris Parkin had our first Red Admiral of the year along with 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 54 Meadow Brown, 5 Common Blue, 1 Small Skipper, 7 Large Skipper, 1 Mother Shipton, 1 Silver Y and a fresh dead Common Shrew.

Cudworth Bridges
52 Small Tortoiseshell feeding on Spur Valerian.

Wintersett 13.06.20 and 14.06.20

 Saturday 13.06.20

Anglers CP: Little Ringed Plover 2.  Oystercatcher 4 adults and 2 young.
Wintersett Res:  Mallard  1s/m young.  A Water Rail was in the west bank marsh.  A Juvenile Blackcap was in the south west corner.  Goldeneye 1 female.
Walton Hall: Whitethroat 2 juveniles.  Mallard 6 VS young.


Sunday 14.06.20:

Anglers CP: Lapwing 58.  Redshank 1. 
Wintersett Res: Mallard 1 vs young. 
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 3.  Siskin 2. 
Mammal: A Weasel was in the ACP field.
Reptile: 3 Grass Snakes were in the area
Grass Snake juvenile      RBailey
Adult Grass Snake  RBailey
 Ecdysis occurs at least once during the active season. As the outer skin wears and the snake grows, the new skin forms underneath the old, including the eye scales which may turn a milky blue/white colour at this time — referred to as being 'in blue'. The blue-white colour comes from an oily secretion between the old and new skins; the snake's coloration will also look dull, as though the animal is dusty. This process affects the eyesight of the snakes and they do not move or hunt during this time; they are also, in common with most other snakes, more aggressive. The outer skin is eventually sloughed in one piece (inside-out) and normal movement activity is resumed.

Adult Grass Snake 'in blue'    RBailey

Friday 12 June 2020

Wintersett Area Annual Report 2019

The 2019WintersettArea Bird and Wildlife Report out now! 
92 pages (yes really), and still only £5 (£7 with post & packing)! 
Cover adorned with amazing Great Reed Warbler photo by @GarrityPete .  
DM  @StevieD131 for post details whilst Anglers Visitor Centre is closed.
Image

Wintersett 12.06.20

Cool and dull with heavy rain this morning.
Anglers CP: Little Ringed Plover 2.  Little Grebe 1.
Haw Park Wood: 20 Crossbills reported at 09.00hrs.
Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 1 female.
Amphibians: Toadlets were leaving the boathouse reeds. 
  

Thursday 11 June 2020

Carlton Marsh

Little change today on the bird front, Grey Wagtail feeding young, a pair of Dabchick, 20 Herring and 9 LBB Gulls.
c200 Peacock larvae were languishing on Stinging Nettle and Yellow Ants were on parade.(Chris Parkin)
 Peacock larvae taken with phone camera (CG)
Yellow Ant (CG)

Recent moths caught in Carlton by Dave Smith included Shoulder Striped Wainscot, Vines Rustic and Peppered Moth.
Peppered Moth

Wintersett 11.06.20

A cool 8 - 11 degrees,  with 8/8 cloud,  and  rain from midday.

Wintersett Res: Common Tern 11 + 3 ACP.  Mallard young 1 small  + 1 small CHRes..  Cormorant 1.  Goldeneye 1.  Sand Martin 35.  A Hobby flew over the west bank.
Anglers CP: Little Ringed Plover 2.
Haw Park Wood: 20 Crossbills were around the central area near the picnic bench which is on the west to east path with the blue squares. 
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Haw Park Wood. 

Wednesday 10 June 2020

A Whole Lot of Rosy

This image was taken in a garden to the south of Barnsley yesterday. It has been seen daily from 8th to 10th June.
The householder does not wish to share the locality, fearing an invasion on their privacy.
Although the image lacks clarity, it appears to me that it may be a different bird to that at Cudworth last week.

Carlton Marsh

13 LBB & 25 Herring Gulls on the wader scrape this afternoon. 
In addition to the most common warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Garden Warbler were singing and a displaying Meadow Pipit, over recent days, is the first probable breeding for 5 years. A Moorhen is sitting 7 eggs and the micro moth, Nemophora degeerella was found on the embankment.

Wintersett 10.06.20

11 - 13 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cold easterly breeze.
Anglers CP: Little Grebe 1.  Little Ringed Plover 2.  Greylag Goose 20.
Wintersett Res: Swallow 4 fledged young. Goldeneye 1 female.  Mallard 4 very smallyoung + 2 small young CHRes.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 20.
Fungi in Pits Wood:  Two interesting species were found by https://twitter.com/Fhickenbottom

Eyelash fungus (Scutellinia sp.) at Pits Wood 08.06.20
  A microscope is needed to attempt to identify the species.


Yellow brain fungus (Tremella mesenterica)  Pits Wood 08.06.20

Tuesday 9 June 2020

Cudworth Common

A walk over the common this morning with Mr. Corrall provided Buzzard and Kestrel.

Insects included 6 Large Skipper, 9 Meadow Brown, 3 Common Blue, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Small Heath, 2 Cinnabar and a Yellow Shell moth. A Scorpion fly on a bramble leaf looked like Panorpa communis.

 Panorpa communis

Symphony
Tucked away in the safety of the factory compound a pair of Redshanks and several Lapwings. We saw pairs with 3 & 4 chicks and there were at least 4 Ringed Plover adults. 

Littleworth - Monk Bretton
All 3 Skipper species today included an early Small Skipper and 2 late Dingy Skipper. A good number of 12 Small Tortoiseshell, 42 Meadow Brown, 37 Small Heath, 2 Yellow Shell and a Common Yellow Conch (Agapeta hamana). ( Chris Parkin)
  

Wintersett 09.06.20

12 - 15 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: Little Ringed Plover 4.  Little Grebe 2 adults.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 22.  
Cold Hiendley Res: Nuthatch 1 adult + 1 fledged young on the north bank.
Wintersett Res: 7 (6+1) Grey Herons flew east.  Goldeneye 1 female.
Mallard:  1 small young off NE bank + 8 small young on the canal.
Lepidoptera: A Ringlet was on the east bank WRes..

9/6/20 Wharncliffe Chase (south) + wood/farmland fringe

6.30-8am initially dull but brightening with little breeze.

Fine views of a female Sparrowhawk which flew in front of my car for a good 10 seconds as I drove to the Chase. A Cuckoo called very briefly first thing but no more. 2 Crossbill called as they flew towards the woods and a Stonechat pair were food carrying. A decent group of c200 Starling were well scanned through without any sign of their pink eastern cousins.

c30 House Sparrow, Cuckoo, 4 Goldfinch, Swallow, 5 Lapwing, 5 Linnet, 5 Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit, 4 Stonechat (pair with food plus separate m/f), 15+ Skylark, fem Sparrowhawk, 2+ Siskin, 3 Stock Dove (song/display), Blackcap, 3 male Reed Bunting, Snipe (brief call/drumming), Kestrel, 5+ Mistle Thrush incl. juvs, 2 Crossbill, Curlew, c200 Starling incl.several juvs.

Monday 8 June 2020

Carlton Marsh

Last night I counted 9 singing Song Thrushes (6 on the reserve and 3 on the branch line to Ardagh Glassworks) and a singing Water Rail in Glyceria on the wader scrape (a new site for it).

3 Foxes (1 single and 2 together) barking and screaming at dusk.

New in this morning drake Pochard, and a Cuckoo was singing. (K. Bannister) In addition this afternoon Buzzard, male Grey Wagtail, 9 LBB and 20 Herring Gulls.

Wintersett and a midday MEGA!! 08.06.20

A cool 7 - 12 degrees with  6/8 cloud and a cool north, north easterly breeze.
Wintersett Res: A Bee -eater flew west at 12.0 5hrs, leaving to the WSW over Cold Hiendley Res. Common Tern 8.  Goldeneye 1 female.   Herring Gull 4.  A Hobby with prey circled. over.
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 3. 
Anglers CP: A Black-tailed Godwit was on the shallows early morning. Little Ringed Plover 2.  Pochard 1m.  Little Grebe 1.
Mammals: 2 young Weasels were on ACP this evening.

BEE -EATER  FINDER'S ACCOUNTJUNE 8TH 2020
June is usually a quiet month, particularly inland, as birds have their heads down breeding and migration is at a very low level.  Birding daily can get very repetitive for days on end, although if you do find something it can be an absolute belter!  Today was again a fairly quiet day and the only birds of note were a Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Crossbills, all of which I missed.  Walking back to the car park at 12.05hrs along the dam wall, heading for lunch, I heard a distant call which I thought to myself sounded like a Bee eater. I continued walking and listening and heard nothing,  I looked up and saw a bird flying west, quite close about 200 feet up.  I raised my binoculars and immediately shouted, "F...ing BEE-EATER!"  This alerted Ange to the bird, before it disappeared behind the large sycamore trees.  We ran to the track behind the trees and watched its undulating flight as it left to the west south west over Cold Hiendley Reservoir.   Fist pumps followed in celebration of a cracking new bird for the Wintersett List.  Interestingly, one turned up in Cheshire around 90 minutes later.  Same bird?

Peter Smith 

Sunday 7 June 2020

Wintersett 07.06.20

A drizzly start,  7 - 11 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cold north easterly breeze.
Anglers CP: A Lesser Whitethroat was in the CP field.  Yellow Wagtail 1 + 1 CHRes..
Wintersett Res: Chris Swaine photgraphed an aberrant Common Swift today.


Reptile: Malcolm Oxlade photgraphed this Gecko at Wintersett Res. today.  Steve Denny said:"My guess would be that this is a Leopard Gecko Eublepharis macularius, an imported pet that has either escaped or been released. Native to Afghanistan, Iraq & Iran.


Leopard Gecko Eublepharis macularius  WRes.. Malcolm Oxlade  07.06.20