Saturday 31 October 2020

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. 31.10.20

 9 - 13 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a  south westerly breeze.

Anglers CP Vis.Mig:

Going south: Fieldfare 25.

Going east: Pink-footed Goose 140. 

Anglers CP: Little Grebe 6.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.  Herring Gull 153.   Teal 32 + 3 Botany Bay.

Wintersett Res: Goldeneye 17 + 5 ACP.

Carlton Marsh

This morning before the rain c200 Pink Feet flew north at 10.20hrs. On the wader scrape c100 BH Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 2 Herring Gulls, 6 Common Gulls and 3 Cormorants. Also present c20 Redwings, 6 Fieldfares and a singing Cetti's Warbler. (JP)

Friday 30 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

The scrape was disturbed this morning as the BMBC Rangers took the boat out to clear vegetation on the islands.

4 Herring Gulls and 125 BH Gulls were on the wader scrape with 6 Shovelers. Elsewhere 2 Cormorants, 4 more Shovelers, Kingfisher, 40 Redwings, Cetti's Warbler, Coal Tit, 20 House Sparrows and 30 Canada Geese flew SE.

A hybrid Mallard x Gadwall drake was almost certainly the one seen at Wintersett Reservoir on 25/10/20.

Hybrid Mallard (Dave Smith)

The mild weather of late produced a very late flowering Cowslip. (JP/CG/Dave Smith/K Bannister)

Cowslip CG

Wintersett + Vis.Mig 30.10.20 per Graham Speight

Anglers CP Vis.Mig.: per Graham Speight    

Totals: 2763 individuals, 20 (+1) species, 7:15 hours.

 One of the better days of a generally poor autumn.  Thrushes mainly started after about 09.00 and continued into early afternoon. A House Martin south was a surprise,  as was a male Stonechat. 

Going south: Fieldfare 1370  in larger flocks - 240, 190 and 110 were the largest.  Merlin 1.  A House Martin was a surprise!   Brambling 5.  Dunlin 1.  Herring Gull 50. Yellow-legged Gull 1. Lesser Black-backed Gull 240.  Skylark 5.  House Martin 1.  Song Thrush 1.  Mistle Thrush 5.  alba Wagtail Sp 7.  Meadow Pipit 2.  Chaffinch 18.  Brambling 5.  Linnet 3.  Goldfinch 9.  Siskin 9.  Reed Bunting 11.

Going west: Redwing 1023 in small flocks.

Going east: A male Stonechat  made its way eastwards along the lake edge reedbeds.  

Anglers CP:   Lesser Redpoll 210.  Black-necked Grebe 1.

https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/2936/20201030









Thursday 29 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

Herring Gull 1, Common Gull 7, BH Gull 50+, Cormorant 2, Redwing 20 and Fieldfare 4. 

(JP/K. Bannister)  

Wintersett + VisMig. 29.10.20

 12 - 14 degrees with 8/8 cloud.  Dull, with rain from mid morning to mid afternoon.

Anglers CP Vis Mig per @Fitzybirder

Going south: A Red Kite  at 09.25hrs.  Starling 25.  Fieldfare 215.  Redwing 160.  alba Wagtail sp. 1.  

Meadow Pipit 7.  Linnet 11.  Goldfinch 15. 

Going west: Golden Plover 4.  Chaffinch 10.  Lesser Redpoll 6. 

4 Stock Dove flew south west and a Reed Bunting flew north. 

Anglers CP: Lesser Redpoll  21.   A Cetti's Warbler was singing in the south west corner.

Wednesday 28 October 2020

Wintersett + Vis.Mig. 28.10.20

 8 - 12 degrees,  cool and cloudy start, brightening slowly, with a light south westerly.

Anglers CP Vis.Mig: per @grayspeight 06.50hrs - 10.00hrs.

Wood Pigeon 1900, Fieldfare 50,  Redwing 224,   Meadow Pipit 6,   ,   Goldfinch 79, Chaffinch 11,  Skylark 11,  Linnet 9, Siskin 3.  Reed Bunting 7, alba Wagtail 3.

Going east: Pink-footed Goose  1400 (in skeins of 350, 50, 170, 80, 50, 60, 150, 190, 250, 50)

Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1.  A Peregrine was on the cathedral. 

Wintersett Res:  Chiffchaff 1. 

Walton Hall Back Field:  Stonechat 1 on hedge.

Lepidoptera: A Comma was at the boathouse bench. 

Tuesday 27 October 2020

Wintersett - a few counts 27.10.20

Dull and damp,  8 - 11 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a  light south westerly  breeze.

Per Graham Speight

Shoveler 86   Gadwall 255   Wigeon 365   Goldeneye 25   

Black-necked Grebe 1   Little Grebe 27   Snipe 20.

Wintersett Ringing Recovery Reed Warbler ATJ3579 - Becky Bailey

Wintersett Ringing Recovery per Becky Bailey

 Reed Warbler ATJ3579 was ringed at Wintersett  

by Archie as 1st year bird on 26/07/20, 

and was retrapped by ringers 

in Cabanot, Gironde,  France on 25/08/20. 

A move of 995km S in 30 days!

Image

Monday 26 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the juvenile male Peregrine found in a garden on Fish Dam Lane, Monk Bretton in July was deliberately poisoned with the highly toxic Bendiocarb. The bird was one of 4 raised at the nearby Ardagh Glassworks in 2020. Thanks to Karen and Ian Pickard, Peter Rawson and Ian Fletcher for all their efforts to save this bird.

The bird died soon after this photograph was taken.



Wintersett Ringing Controls - Lesser Redpolls per Becky Bailey.

Wintersett Ringing Controls per Becky Bailey  

 On 18/10/20, we controlled 2 adult male Lesser Redpolls

at Wintersett, Anglers CP. 

AVA7013 was ringed 13/11/17 at Bodenham Lakes, Herefordshire

 whilst S456891 was ringed 13/10/16 at Cannock Chase, Staffs. 

That's moves of 184km and 102km respectively (both NNE).


Image

Wintersett 26.10.20

 7 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and some heavy rain this morning.  6/8 cloud this afternoon with a strong westerly wind.

Anglers CP this afternoon.: 

Black-necked Grebe 1.   Cliff Gorman saw  6 Whooper Swans and 10 redhead Goosanders, of which 7 left over Anglers pub in village at 14.40hrs. 


Sunday 25 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

 Today's best Little Egret, Buzzard, Cetti's warbler, 7 Common Gulls and 5 Grey Partridge. (JP/D. Standish)

3 Speckled Wood, 2 Comma and 2 Small Copper. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett + VisMig 25.10.20

7 - 12 degrees  with sun, thin, high cloud, increasing early afternoon,  and a light westerly breeze.

Anglers CP: Caspian Gull  1 1stW.  Little Grebe 1.  

Anglers CP Vis.Mig:  

Going south SE:  Linnet 6.  Siskin 3 SE. 

Going north east: Greylag Goose 6. 

Going east: Pink-footed Goose 65 at 09.23hrs.  + 50. 

Wintersett Res + Pits Wood:  Garganey 1 juvenile male in north east corner. A Water Rail and a male Mallard X Gadwall hybrid,  paired with a female Gadwall, were in the south west corner.     Chiffchaff 1 north east bank + 1 Pits Wood. Nuthatch 2 Pits Wood.

Botany Bay: Kingfisher 1.  

Odonata: Common Darter 1 canal flash. Migrant Hawker 2 boathouse reeds.

Lepidoptera: A Small White was in the Ruin area, Cold Hiendley Res..
 

                  Mallard X Gadwall hybrid,  paired with a female Gadwall. ASmith

                                Mallard X Gadwall hybrid male WRes. 25.10.20 ASmith

Wilthorpe Marsh 25/10/20, C Dixon, J Lunn, P Middleton, S Green.

2, possibly 4 Water Pipits, 28 Meadow Pipits, 2 Cettis, c 200 Pinkfeet e. W Rail 7, 2 G Peckers, 2 Willow Tit on canal. 5 L Grebes, 10 Teal.

Saturday 24 October 2020

Wintersett + VisMig 24.10.20

 6 - 11 degrees with  8/8 cloud and a gentle breeze from the south, south west.

Anglers CP + VisMig: 

Teal 28 + 2 WRes.  Mute Swan 35 + 4 WRes + 15 CHRes.  Black-necked Grebe 1.  Cormorant 8. 

Going south west:  Fieldfare 81.  Redwing 110.  Goosander 2 + 1 redhead ACP.

Wintersett Res: The juvenile, male Garganey and a Chiffchaff were in the north east corner. 

Little Grebe 14 + 6 ACP. 

HarePark/Walton Hall Field: A male Stonechat was on and around the rotting bales in the top right hand corner field, beyond the gate that leads to Walton Hall.

Walton Hall Lake: Psycho the adult Yellow-legged Gull was on an island. 

Friday 23 October 2020

Wintersett + Ringing+ Vis.Mig 23.10.20

 8 -14 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light southerly.

Anglers CP VisMig: Per Gray Speight and Steve Denny.  

Highlights were 3620 Wood Pigeon.  168 Fieldfare.  729 Redwing

Full Counts  https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/1100/20201023

Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 2.  Chiffchaff  2 were on the Pol.  Goosander 1, Lesser Redpoll 70,  Goldfinch 30.

112 birds were ringed: Chiffchaff 1.  Goldcrest 1.  Long-tailed Tit 1.  Robing 1.  Coal Tit 1.  Bullfinch 1.  Blackcap 1.  Goldfinch 3.  Lesser Redpoll 83.  Redwing 19. 




























































































Thursday 22 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights Cetti's Warbler, 2 Siskin, 11 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, Sparrowhawk with prey, Kestrel, Water Rail, 26 Shoveler, 61 Gadwall, 3 Jay.

Verdigris Agaric (Dave Smith)

South Kirkby 
Brown Shrike (Johnny Brown's Pond) Stonechat 1m 1f, 4 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood (Chris Parkin)


Wilthorpe Marsh 22/10/20

Very steady. Highlights, Water Pipit 1, Cettis 1, Willow Tit 1 showing well perched in the sun. L Egret 1, Meadow Pipit 6.

Wintersett 22.10.20

 7 - 11 degrees, sunny with 4/8 cloud and a moderate south westerly wind.

Anglers CP:   Greylag Goose 89 (including the leucistic bird).  Black-necked Grebe 3.  Goosander 1 redhead.  47 Whooper Swans were in this afternoon and left  before dusk.+ 5 more on Wintersett Res were a family party of 2 adults & 3 juveniles that left southeast at 16:05.

Wintersett Res:  Shoveler 61 + 1 CHRes..  A Water Rail was in the west bank marsh.  The juvenile Garganey and a Chiffchaff were in the north east corner.  

Lepidoptera: Comma 1 on ivy at Pits Wood. 

Johnny Brown's Common. South Kirkby: The Brown Shrike still present today.



Whooper Swan  family (2 adults + 3 juveniles0) Wintersett Res. Steve Denny 

Brown Shrike  JB's Common South Kirkby   Brian Lee

Wednesday 21 October 2020

Wintersett 21st October 2020

 A mild 10 - 14 degrees with 7/8 cloud and a light south westerly.

Anglers CP + VisMig: Pink-footed Goose  105 east,  Pintail 1 over, left south.  Fieldfare 5 south west. Whooper Swan 1 adult. Goldeneye 17, Black-necked Grebe 3, Caspian Gull 1 adult,  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.  Snipe 32.  Teal 18.  Chiffchaff 1 on Pol. 

Wintersett Res: Garganey 1 juvenile male,   Goldeneye 12 + 2 ACP + 1 CHRes.. A male Blackcap was in  the ruin area.

Johnny Brown's Common. South Kirkby: The Brown Shrike still present today.

 

Carlton Marsh

Yesterday (Monday 20th) Birds included at least 1 Cetti's Warbler possibly 2 males singing. (Dave Standish) 3 Lesser Redpolls, 1 siskin and 2 Goldcrests. (JP)

A Vapourer moth was flying in the afternoon sunshine. (CG) 

As it was so mild, Chris Parkin and I set up the MV light to catch some moths. 11 species were identified, Large Wainscot, The Brick, 2 Barred Sallow, 3 Red Line Carpet, 2 Straw Dot, Black Rustic, The Chestnut, Common Marbled Carpet, 4 Red Green Carpet, 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character and 3 Autumnal Moth sp.

The micro moth Acleris ermagana was one of three species identified, but two Ichneumon wasps were more difficult. One is probably Amblyteles armatorius and the other Ophion obscuratus.

Barred Sallow
Large Wainscot
The Brick
Acleris ermagana 
Amblyteles armatorius.
Ophion obscuratus. Any thoughts on this one or the other one Oycera?

Today Buzzard, Little Egret and Cetti's sang again. A Willow Tit called and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was active. (KB JP)


Wilthorpe Marsh 21/10/20.

YB Warbler heard only on path east of hill end farm. J Snipe 2, C Snipe 10, Parakeet 6, L Egret 1. Skylark 6 e., Siskin 2, Goldcrest 3, Green Pecker 1. Linnet flock c 100, much reduced, possibly affected after muck spreading?

Tuesday 20 October 2020

Wintersett 20.10.20

 14 - 17 degrees, mild, but  wet underfoot, with 3/8 cloud and a light southerly breeze.

Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 1.  A Green Sandpiper was on the shallows. Snipe 2. 

Wintersett Res: Teal 15 + 3 ACP.  Chiffchaff 1 north east bank + 1 male Pol ACP.  A Water Rail was heard on the north bank.  The juvenile, male Garganey was in the weed in the north east corner. 

PitsWood: Blackcap 1 female. 

Lepidoptera: A Comma was on ivy at Pits Wood.

Johnny Brown's Common. South Kirkby: The Brown Shrike still present today.

BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP

 It will probably come as no surprise to anyone but this winters BBSG meetings normally held at Old Moor RSPB on the first Thursday of each month, November to March are all CANCELLED.

The covid 19 epidemic and government guidance means that groups currently cannot meet up and this is likely to get worse in the coming months.

Stay safe and hopefully we will be able to regroup November 2021 !!!


Monday 19 October 2020

Wintersett + Gull Roost 19.10.20

13 - 17 degrees, sunny with 3/8 cloud and a light westerly breeze.

Anglers CP:  Brambling 2 west.   Black-necked Grebe 3.  Little Grebe 7.   

Wintersett Res: The juvenile male Garganey in the north east corner.  

Anglers CP Gull Roost:  An adult Mediterranean Gull,  a 1st Winter  Caspian Gull  and  5 Yellow-legged Gulls were in this evening.  Goosander 1 redhead.

Johnny Brown's Common South Kirkby -  The Brown Shrike still present.

Mediterranean Gull adult   Anglers CP   SDenny

                            Black-necked Grebe  Anglers CP SDenny

Wilthorpe Marsh 19/10/20.

Very quiet with no sign of yesterdays mobile YB Warbler. J Snipe 1, C Snipe 2, Cettis 1, with this species assumed to be a winter visitor with none heard in spring or summer. Linnet 300+, 1 Parakeet, 1 Green Pecker.

Sunday 18 October 2020

Wintersett WeBS count for October 2020

Wintersett WeBS count for October 2020

Mute Swan 56   Whooper Swan 1   Greylag Goose 60   Canada Goose 34   Cormorant 7   Great Crested Grebe 22   Black-necked Grebe 2   Little Grebe 6   Water Rail 1   Coot 884   Moorhen 24  Mallard 62   Teal 18   Garganey 1 juvenile male   Shoveler 69   Wigeon 372   Gadwall 227   Tufted Duck 333   Pochard 94   Goldeneye 10.   Grey Heron 10   Lapwing 250   Snipe 6   Kingfisher 2.

Carlton Marsh

It looks as though Cetti's is here to stay, it was singing from the scrape this morning. In addition to the usual stuff, 2 Herring and 10 Common Gulls on the wader scrape. (JP)

The late Ralph Hibbert's funeral service with be at Ardsley Crematorium on Tuesday 3rd November at 10.50am.

Wintersett + Ringing 18.10.20 + MEGA - Brown Shrike at Johnny Brown's Common South Kirkby

 8 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud with a light southerly breeze.

120 birds were ringed today. per @BeckyBailey101

Highlights of  3 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 male Blackcap,  2 Coal Tit, 88 Lesser Redpoll, 14 Redwing & 1 Blackbird.

Anglers CP: Chiffchaff 3.  A Whooper Swan flew in.  Siskin 8.  Black-necked Grebe 2. A Grey Plover flew over NW at 15.25hrs.

Wintersett Res: 

Swallow 1.  The juvenile male Garganey was in the north east corner. 

Just for the record   -   Johnny Brown's Common, South Kirkby

 Paddy Martin  @bigpaddymartin  and  Paul Jackson  @pauloleveller found a BROWN SHRIKE this morning. They had brief views then went it out of sight. They tried finding it for a few hours without joy.  It was refound  by Rob Hunton  @rdh_rob 

Saturday 17 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

Quiet today birdwise 21 Shoveler, 2 Tufted, 2 Cormorant, 4 adult Common Gulls, Water Rail, 2 Goldcrests, 4 Jays, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail. (JP/Dave Smith/CG)

A Fox was hunting the wader scrape.      Fungi included:

Crepidotus variabilis (CG)
Tricholoma atrosquamosum (CG)
Earth Star (Geastrum trilplex) (CG)


Wintersett 17.10.20

10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a north easterly breeze.

Wintersett Res:  The immature male Garganey still present - per Peter Garrity.  

Anglers CP: A Stonechat and a Red Kite were in the back fields - per Chris Swaine.  Dunlin 1.  Black-necked Grebe 1.  36 Whooper Swans flew east at 09.00hrs.

 

Immature male Garganey Wintersett Res.. P Garrity 

 
Stonechat    ACP  back field    C Swaine

17/10/20 Low Moor, Upper Midhope

07.45 - 09.45. An attempted vis-mig session at Ewden Height was abandoned due to thick fog so I moved spots to a lower level under the cloud cover. The area was alive with winter thrushes and passing Chaffinch’s and Starlings. 

Fieldfare - c300-500 hard to estimate numbers due to large groups roaming the area.
Redwing - c200-300
Blackbird - c20 suspected to be of migrant origin 
Pink-footed Geese - 18 low ENE at 07.50
Brambling - 3 NW (1+2)
Chaffinch- c120 NW
Starling - c350 NW
Snipe - 4 ENE (1+3)
Skylark - 4 south, 1 returned

+ Reed Bunting, Grey Wagtail south, 12 Siskin, 7 Lesser Redpoll, Kestrel, 3 Crossbill, 2 Buzzard, 2 Raven, 2 Jay

Friday 16 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

This morning 2 Willow Tits, a singing Cetti's Warbler, 3 Water Rails and 3 Common Gulls (1 noticeably smaller with shorter bill and more streaking on head and breast). (JP/D. Standish)

This afternoon Goldcrest, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 3 Jays, 50 Fieldfares north and 5 Redwings west.

A Migrant Hawker was flying. 

Fungi on show included Candlesnuff, loads of Sulphur Tuft and up to 6 Earth Stars.(Dave Smith)

Wintersett 16.10.20

 A cool 8 - 12 degrees with 6/8 cloud and a light north easterly.

Wintersett Res: The juvenile Garganey still in the north east corner and a Ring-necked Parakeet flew over west (Keith Horne) 

Anglers CP: A Black-tailed Godwit and a Dunlin were feeding in  the SW corner.  Black-necked Grebe 3. (Steve Denny)

Haw Park Wood:  Pink-footed Goose 150 north east in 4 skeins over 5 Ways, HPWood. at 11.30hrs. (AS, SG).   

Wilthorpe Marsh 16/10/20.

Very steady. Highlights, - Jack Snipe 1, C Snipe 4, L Egret 2. Parakeet 4, Linnet c 300 on wires, 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 2 Skylarks s . Green Pecker 1, L Grebe 3 on the oxbow, presumed the first of the year.

Thursday 15 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

This morning saw the return of Cetti's Warbler after an absence of 2 years. A male sang briefly before first light and subsequently more strongly from 3 different locations in the marsh up until 09.00hrs. Male and female Tawny Owl also called before dawn. Water Rails called from 3 sites and 6 Redpoll and a Siskin were roaming around. Redwings moving west included 2+20+20+5. (CG)

Meanwhile (JP) was on the top field on the east side of the reserve and saw c100 Fieldfare and c200 Redwing moving north. 10 Skylarks and 6 Meadow Pipits were down on the field of stubble.

On his way home (JP) found a Tree Sparrow in a hedegerow on the Royston Road, Cudworth allotments. This is scarce bird in these parts, the last record for nearby Carlton Marsh was on 25/9/10.


Wintersett + VisMig + Gull Roost 15.10.20

Wintersett VisMig - per Gray Speight

 Going north west:  A Hawfinch, calling continuously. 

Going east: Whooper Swan 7.  Pink-footed Goose 200 in 3 skeins. 

Going west:  Redwing 2089.  Fieldfare 375.  Starling 945.   Brambling 7.   Chaffinch 70. 

Going south east: 2 Great Egrets came in to Wintersett Res. at 12.50,hrs. They landed in theWillow Wood tree tops before leaving to south east at 13.00. 

Going south: Goosander 1.  Swallow 6 

Going north:  Heron 1. 

Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 3.  Pintail 1 drake.  Goldeneye 7 + 4 WRes.. 

Wintersett Res: The juvenile Garganey still in NE corner and a Kingfisher.   per Steve Denny.

Anglers CP Gull Roost: per Steve Denny  

 Lesser Black-backed Gull 667.  Herring Gull 150.  Great Black-backed Gull 18. Yellow-legged Gull 7. 

Insect: A European Hornet was seen near the cafe.

Juvenile Garganey, north east corner Wintersett Res. SDenny
 
Kingfisher Video per Steve Denny 

Wednesday 14 October 2020

Low Moor/Midhope 14/10/20, J Wasse, S Green.

Good light and mainly dry apart from one heavy downpour. Both accipiters with Goshawk and 2 Sparrowhawks. Male Merlin chasing, 1/2 Peregrine, 5+ C Buzzards, 3+ Kestrel. Plenty Thrushes with estimates of 1000 Fieldfares and 500 Redwings, couple of Song Thrushs and 3 Blackbirds. Crossbill 10/15 with some showing well in conifer tops. Raven scarce, just 1 w. Brambling 3 down briefly with a fem showing well. Siskin 11, flock of c30 Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail down.

Carlton Marsh

This morning 32 Teal, 50+ Gadwall, 20 Shoveler, 3 Common Gull, 1 Fieldfare with 20 Redwing and 1 Collared Dove east was only the 4th record this year.(JP)

Late morning 60 Greylags high NW at 11.05hrs were folowed by 50 more west at 11.20hrs. (R.J. Boland)

This afternoon 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small White and 3 Small Copper butterflies. (Chris Parkin)  

Dave Smith discovered several Earth Stars (Geastrum triplex) on the disused railway embankment, which is new for the reserve. (That's one I never expected here). He also found our annual Shaggy Pholiota (Pholoita squarrosa) in the car park.



This evening 25 Greylags flew SE at 17.10hrs (CG) 

Before dusk 2 Buzzards, 50 Redwing, 15 Starlings and Great Spot Woodpecker. 2 Snipe left the wader scrape west  to feed elsewhere. A Fox was hunting the wader scrape and a Pippistrelle was out and about. (Dave Standish)


Wintersett 14.10.20

  8 - 13 degrees sunny, with 4/8 cloud, and a light north easterly.

Sightings per Steve Denny.

Anglers CP: Rock Pipit 1.   3 Black-necked Grebes still present. Fieldfare 1.

Wintersett Res:  Chiffchaff 1.   The ducks flushed to CHRes!

Cold Hiendley Res: Goldeneye 7. TuftedDuck 380 + 10 WRes.

Botany Bay:  Brambling 1.

Lepidoptera: Comma 1 in the Willow Wood WRes.


Tuesday 13 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

 A Barn Owl was hunting at the back of the wader scrape at dusk. (Dave Standish)

c50 Fieldfares flew west over the Newtown estate in Cudworth at 14.25hrs. (CG)

Wintersett 13.10.20

 9 - 12 degrees,  with 8/8 dull cloud and a cool north easterly. Rain from late morning to mid afternoon. 

Wintersett Res: The juvenile Garganey still in the northeast corner.  A Brambling was on the north bank.

Anglers CP:  At least 2 Black-necked Grebes still present and our first Fieldfare seen on the east bank.  
per Steve Denny.

Cold Hiendley Res:
4 Grey Wagtail. , 4 Redwings, and a  skein of Pink-footed geese in the distance. per Alex Aylward.

Monday 12 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

Our mate Ralph Hibbert died this morning! He tested positive for Covid 19 recently and appeared to be reasonably well, but this morning he had a little fall and may have had a blood clot on his brain? He was 81. Ralph was a bloody good naturalist, his passion was identifying and counting butterflies in the locale. He was a pretty good botanist too. About 20 years ago he became one of our wildlife group helping with the management of the reserve. We shall miss his cheeky chappy antics and friendship. Here are few photographs from happier times.  

Ralph's got the chair with a group of Barnsley Nats. you might know.
Ralph and Keith Bannister with the lovely Pat Jobling, her daughter in law, Dave Smith and Geoff Miller in the backgrouund
Ralph with Chris Parkin
From left, CG, Les Corrall and Ralph on an open day
Dark Green Fritillary Ralph and Les found on 27/7/10
It was somewhat damaged by the time I got to see it a couple of days later.
One of the last things Ralph did was to write his early memories of WW2 for a free local magazine called Chewin T' Cud. It also goes out to ex pats around the world and part 2 is in the next edition. 

It was quiet today on the reserve 21 Shoveler, Water Rail, 1 Redpoll, Great Spot Woodpecker, Kingfisher, 12 Pied Wagtail and 30 Magpie. 

A very late Brown Hawker equalled the latest ever of 12/10/08.

Clouded Agaric and Jew's Ear was amongst the fungi found.

Wintersett Ringing Recovery per Becky Bailey

Reed Warbler ATJ3857 

was ringed at Wintersett  on 22/07/20

 and 20 days later was retrapped by ringers

 at Buckland Marsh, Oxfordshire - a move of 214km South.

 Image

Wintersett + VisMig. + Gull Roosts 12.10.20

 7 - 10 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light, cool westerly.

Haw Park Wood Corvid Roost:  100 Jackdaws and 200 Rooks/Crows left at 07.00hrs. per Steve Denny

Anglers CP VisMigAll going west:  Redwing 331.  Starling 151(including a flock of 100).   Brambling  1 at 07.25hrs.  Skylark 7.  Chaffinch 6.  Goosander 7 at dusk.

Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 3.  Little Grebe 5.  Shelduck 1.  Goldeneye 1.  Chiffchaff 1. An immature Peregrine flew over the Pol Fields/Haw Park.  

Wintersett Res: Yellow-legged Gull  1 adult on buoy.  Kingfisher 1. The juvenile Garganey still in the NE corner.

Anglers CP/ Wintersett Res. Gull Roosts 

Lesser Blackbacked Gull  428  ACP & 30 WRes. ,

Great Black-backed Gull 13 on ACP,   Yellow-legged Gull 3 adults  ACP.

 
 Juvenile Garganey   WRes.  SDenny

Wilthorpe Marsh 12/10/20.

Calling Raven 1 s., Stonechat 1 Ist-w., Linnet 500+ and c 100 Goldfinch in and around stubble field. C Snipe 9, Redpoll 9 through s.

Sunday 11 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

 Grey Wagtail, 80 Redwings flew west and 5 Buzzards were in the air this morning. (K. Bannister/JP)

Cudworth Common 
A Willow Tit called from a hedgerow on the top path. (CG)
 
Littleworth Park - Monk Bretton 
Single Small Copper and Small White were seen here today. (C. Parkin)

Moorland news 11/10/20. G and J Wasse, S Green.

Ewden valley. Cold in north westerlys but good light with plenty Thrush movement. Mostly going s were c 1320 Redwings, c 1010 Fieldfare, Skylark c45. Raptors,- rt Hen Harrier 1, Peregrine 2/3 includes 1 ad down and 1 imm. C Buzzard c 6, Kestrel c 6. Raven 20 +, Stonechat group of 5, Swallow party of 7 s, Meadow Pipit 28. Siskin 2 and 1 Crossbill over at entrance gate. Low Moor/Midhope - Crossbill 16 showing well in conifer tops at res., flock 20 Siskin, Sparrowhawk 2.

Wintersett + Ringing + VisMig 11.10.20

 7 - 11 degrees with 7/8 cloud and a cool north westerly wind.

Anglers CP VisMig:  800 Redwing flew west.  Brambling 1 south.  Hardly any coverage this morning so numbers nowhere near other sites.

Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 2.  6 Whooper Swans dropped on, from a great height, at 07.55hrs.. Shelduck 1 . 

Wintersett Res: The juvenile Garganey still in north east corner.  28 Pintail flew from here onto Anglers CP

Cold Hiendley SF:  Green Sandpiper 1.  Kingfisher 1. 

58 birds were ringed at Anglers CP:

Star of the show  was a Yellow-browed Warber at 09.00hrs It showed briefly from the viewing screen at the feeding area at 11.50hrs.   A 2nd year  male Sparrowhawk earlier was knocked into 2nd place!

Other ringing highlights were 30 Lesser Redpoll,  20 Redwing,  1 Chiffchaff and 1 Goldcrest.

Yellow-browed Warbler  Anglers CP  11.10.20 

Above image @BeckyBailey

Below image @Croftonbirder


 
                                           2nd year male Sparrowhawk  Anglers CP  RBailey

Saturday 10 October 2020

Wintersett 10.10.20

 Cool,  8 - 10 degrees with 7/8 cloud and a north westerly breeze.

Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 2.  Greylag Goose 8.  14 Crossbill south at 08.51hrs.  Goosander 1 redhead.

Wintersett Res: Shelduck 1 - then moved to Anglers CP.   A juvenile Garganey was feeding on weed off the north east bank.  Chiffchaff 1 in Willow wood + 1 south east corner +  1 ACP.

Moths: Large Wainscott 1.

Juvenile Garganey   WRes.     SDenny 

Follow link for Video of Garganey feeding voraciously to build up energy for its long flight south.

https://twitter.com/StevieD131/status/1314950043695280129


Friday 9 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

c75 Pink Feet Geese east at 10.54hrs were followed by another c100 east at 11.45hrs. 2 adult Common Gulls were on the wader scrape and 25 Shovelers were dispersed in various parts of the reserve.

Wintersett + VisMig 09.10.20

 7 - 11 degrees with  varying cloud and a westerly breeze. 

Anglers CP Vis.Mig. Highlights:   

Going south east: Whooper Swan 5, 

Going east:  Pink-footed Goose 137 in 3 skeins  

Going south: Skylark 75,  Crossbill 13 in 2 flocks,   Swallow 4,  House Martin 1. 

Going west:  Merlin 1 west. 

Anglers CP: Red-breasted Merganser 2 eclipse drakes.  Black-necked Grebe 3.  Siskin 1.  Lapwing 400 in the back fields.  6 Canada X Greylag hybrids dropped in.  

Wintersett Res: The Cream Crowned Marsh Harrier  along the east bank WRes. at 07.25hrs.  It was seen hunting over the boathouse reeds at 11.20hrs.  Chiffchaff 1 west bank.Goldeneye 4 females. 

Wintersett Res.Insects: A European Hornet was by the boathouse bench.  Comma 1.  Migrant Hawker 2 over boathouse reeds + 1 SW corner + 1 west bank.

Red-breasted Merganser  - 2 eclipse drakes - Anglers CP  SDenny

Thursday 8 October 2020

8/10/20 Woolley Golf Course

3 House Martin south at 15.45

Tawny Owl calling often and seen flying in daylight across the fairway at 16.15

3 Buzzards, 3 Meadow Pipits over SW, 4 Redwing


Low Moor/ Midhope 8/10/20.

Merlin 1, Sparrowhawk 1, C Buzzard 3, Kestrel 5+. Raven 8, Crossbill 6, Meadow Pipit 250+ in the area. Redpoll 16, Siskin 4, Skylark 1, GS Pecker 1, Redwing 20. Going s House Martin 5, Swallow c40.

Wintersett + Afternoon Updates! 08.10.20

 Heavy rain until 10.00hrs, then dry, with long sunny spells  and a light, north westerly breeze. 

Anglers CP: Whooper Swan 1 adult.  Black-necked Grebe 1.  Little Grebe 7  + 5  CHRes. + 9 WRes.. Wigeon 151 + 38 CHRes. + 23 WRes..  Teal 20 + 8 WRes.  Dunlin 1.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.  Snipe 3.

Cold Hiendley Res: Swallow 2. Kingfisher 1.  

Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 1 calling on the middle path.

Wintersett Res: Steve Denny was watching a European Hornet - Vespa crabro,  near the boathouse bench. At 15.38hrs he saw  a Cream-crowned Marsh Harrier hunting around the Res.  It flew aound Cold Hiendley Res, before returning and dropping into the boathouse reeds. It flew out from there at 16.20 hrs and flushed, and nearly caught,  a juvenile Garganey from a weed mat on the Res. - a new bird fot the year list!  The Marsh Harrier  continued to hunt over the north bank reeds  and the Garganey returned to the weed mat and continued feeding.  Shoveler 44 + 15 ACP + 6 CHRes..  Goldeneye 4 females. Cormorant 5.  Chiffchaff 1. Pintail 1.  Kingfisher 1.  Reed Warbler 1 in boathouse reeds.  A Water Rail was in the west bank marsh.

 
Garganey    WRes.   SDenny    08.10.20
 

Wednesday 7 October 2020

Anglers CP + VisMig 07.10.20

 11 - 15 degrees with 5/8 cloud and a light south westerly breeze.

Anglers CP VisMig: 

Going south east: Whooper Swan 20 -  9  of which dropped in at 0840hrs and left south east at 09.15hrs.  .

Going east: Pink-footed Goose 245.

Going south west:  Redwing 17.

Going south: Skylark 124,  Meadow Pipit 338, Alba Wagtail 33,  Swallow 17 and  Snipe 4.

Anglers CP:  Black-necked Grebe 3. Cormorant 5+ 4 WRes.. 

Wintersett Res: A male Blackcap was at the boathouse bench.  Chiffchaff 1. Kingfisher 2. 

Odonata: Migrant Hawker 2 boathouse reeds WRes + 1 ACP. 

Lepidoptera: A Red Admiral and a Comma were on the boathouse reeds WRes.. 


 

Tuesday 6 October 2020

Carlton Marsh

Today 2 Redwings north, 2 Chiffchaffs singing, 1 Little Egret, 1 Common Gull, 2 Goldcrests, 35 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 6 Jays, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. (Dave Smith)

A Fox was hunting the wader scrape.

Wintersett 06.10.20

11 - 15 degrees, dull, with rain all morning. Dry and brighter from 14.00hrs., with a light westerly wind.

Anglers CP: Black-necked Grebe 3 still present.  Pintail 7.  Teal 26.  Chiffchaff 1 + 1 WRes. .

Wintersett Res: Crossbill 5 flew over south west at 11.05hrs.. Goldeneye 4 females. Little Grebe 9.


Wilthorpe Marsh 6/10/20.

Oxbow pond area, 300+ Linnets in stubble field n of river. 6 Parrakeets, 1 fem Wigeon, c 40 Teal. In the valley, 1 Jack Snipe, 8 Common Snipe, 4 Rails, c 45 Meadow Pipits.

Monday 5 October 2020

Wintersett Fungi 05.10.20 - Francis Hickenbottom

Aniseed funnel (Clitocybe odora) at Haw Park, near the notice board. As the name suggests, it has a sweet smell. 


 
 
 
Rhopographus filicinus on a bracken stem in Haw Park.
 

 
 
Horesehair parachute (Gymnopus androsaceus) on a decaying grass stem at Haw Park