Wintersett Annual Round Up and Top Ten Birds 2020

 The Wintersett Area 

recorded 169 bird species of bird in 2020,

 ( in a year affected by lockdowns due to COVID 19 Corona Virus)

 

However, it has been an excellent year for rares and scarcities with 2 new species for the list! 

 

 The Top Ten Birds were:

 

1. Franklin's Gull into Anglers CP roost 10th November. New for the area list!

 

2. Bee-eater - Wintersett Res. flew west south west 08th June.  New for the  area list

 

3.  Nightingale 1 singing briefly -  Cold Hiendley Res. -18th May.

4. Purple Heron - 1 over Disposal Point - 4th June.

5. Ferruginous Duck  a female on Anglers CP  - 19th and 20th January

6. Ring-necked Duck  - a drake on Anglers CP - 1st January

 

7. A singing Quail -  heard in the Car Park Field  16th May

 

8. Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 trapped and ringed Anglers CP 11th October, and 1  Anglers CP 15 - 19th November.    

9. Bearded Tit - 1 male Anglers CP - 22nd January

10. Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 on east bank Wintersett Res. 13th November

 

We also had 3 new Macro Moths for the area:

 

A Chocolate Tip on 21st May

 

A Small Ranunculus on 28th June

 

A Howarth's Minor on 15th August.  

 

The Wintersett Team  wish everyone

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR  and excellent birding in 2021!

 

Carlton Marsh

Linnet and GBB Gull over recent days gave us 73 species, a new December record, beating 71 in 1993!

All the water areas were just about frozen over after a moderate frost last night. Buzzard 3, Treecreeper, Coal Tit 2, Long-tailed Tit 3 groups totalled 22, Goldcrest 2, Water Rail 2.

Fox and Mink were seen again today.

Male Blackcap on Dave Smith's Carlton garden feeder

Wintersett + Gull Roost 31.12.20

A snow covered cold start,   -1  to 3 degrees with sunny spells and a light wind from the north west.

Anglers CP: Pink-footed Goose 1 + 12 over north west.    A Nuthatch was on the Pol feeders.

Wintersett Res.: Coot 387.   Cetti's Warbler 1 south west bank +1 on south bank CHRes..

Cold Hiendley SF: Green Sandpiper 1.  Chiffchaff 1. 

Anglers CP Gull Roost: 2 adult Caspian Gulls and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were notable tonight.

Carlton Marsh

This cold and frosty morning 80% of the wetland was iced over. 15 Herring Gulls, 2 GBB Gulls, 2 Common Gull, 2 Greylag Geese and 2 Canada Geese. 3 Coal Tits and a Water Rail were around the feeder with c10 Blue Tit and about the same number of Great Tit. Also of note Great Spot Woodpecker, Goldcrest and c50 Redwing (Dave Smith).

This afternoon 20 Redpoll feeding on Birch seeds, 1 Siskin, 13 Long-tailed Tit and 3 Water Rail called.

There were 2 close sightings of Fox and a Mink swam across the main scrape (CG/Dave Standish).

A view over the main scrape (DM Smith)

The wader scrape (D.M. Smith)

Wintersett + Gull Roost 30.12.20

0 - 3 degrees, mostly cloudy with a cool westerly breeze.

Anglers CP: 

Greylag Goose 282.  Canada Goose 165.  Pink-footed Goose 1.  

Wigeon 558 + 5 WRes.  Shoveler 12.  Pochard 24 + 8 WRes.. Teal 59.  Goldeneye 47.

Lapwing 140,  Snipe 32. 

Anglers CP Gull Roost:  

2 Yellow-legged Gulls and an adult Caspian Gull were notable. 

1400 Herring Gulls and  230 Great Black-backed Gulls were in tonight. 

Carlton Marsh

c70 Pink Feet flew west at 10.26hrs. The water surfaces were 50% frozen over with around 1 inch of snow. The highlights were 6 Bullfinch, 2 + 2 Greenfinch, single Redpoll, 75 Stock Dove, 24 Teal, Great Spot Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Treecreeper and 3 House Sparrow. Around the feeder 3 Coal Tit and Water Rail.(JP/CG/D.M. Smith)

Water Rail under the feeder (Dave Smith)

Wilthorpe Marsh 29/12/20.

Water Pipit 2, C Snipe 13 together a top count. 1 brief singing Cetti's, 2 L Egret, 2 Redpoll.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 29.12.20

A good covering of SNOW this morning,  with sun, 4/8 cloud and a cold westerly breeze.

Anglers CP:   

A Nuthatch was on the car park feeders.  A Skylark flew over.  Snipe 5.  Lapwing 215

Canada Goose 169.   Greylag Goose 237.  Pink-footed Goose 1.  

Shoveler 28 + 4 WRes. + 1 CHRes.. Little Grebe 3. 

Anglers CP Gull Roost: 

4 Yellow-legged Gulls were notable  - 3 adults and a 2nd Winter.   Great Black-bakced Gull 200.

Wilthorpe Marsh 28/12/20.

Late afternoon Pinkfoot movement here with probably more than 500 birds going west. 3-30pm c 70, 4-15pm c 250, 4-18pm c 120. Plus Water Pipit 2, 2 C Snipe, 1 Rail, 1 L Egret.

Carlton Marsh

It was very quiet this morning in the mist. The best we could come with was Buzzard, Kestrel, Greenfinch, 2 Coal Tit, a good view of a Willow Tit, 3 Linnet, a few Fieldfare, c30 Redwing, 20 Blackbird, Snipe and 5 Herring Gull SE (JP/ D. Lomas/CG)

Wintersett + Gull Roost 28.12.20

 1 - 3 degrees with a foggy start,  and a light north westerly. 

Wintersett Res: Several flocks of Pink-footed Geese were heard moving north west.

Anglers CP:  

A Nuthatch was showing well at the feeding station on the left hand side of the path that leads to the lake, 

Anglers CP Gull Roost:

An adult Caspian Gull and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were notable.   Common Gull 500. 

Wilthorpe Marsh 27/12/20

Very windy this morning with no sign of any Pipits. Jack Snipe 2, Green Sand 1, c 200 BH Gulls down, Kingfisher 1.

Carlton Marsh

This morning Chiffchaff, 8 Linnets, Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest, 30 Redwings, 6 Fieldfare, 4 Lapwings and 20 Teal (JP)

A dark looking Redwing in Dave Smith's Carlton garden, Icelandic race?

Wintersett 27.12.20

 2 - 4 degrees with 6/8, but increasing cloud, and a light breeze from the south west. 

Anglers CP:  Pochard 20 + 7 WRes.  Snipe 16.  

Wintersett Res. A Water Rail was on the north bank.  50 Lesser Redpoll and a Willow Tit were in the Willow Wood. 

Cold Hiendley SF: Chiffchaff  2 + 1 Willow Wood WRes.  

Cold Hiendley Res.: Great Crested Grebe 7 + 5 WRes. + 2 ACP.

Wilthorpe Marsh 26/12/20.

Water Pipit 3, probably 4. C Snipe 1, c 200 Woodpigeon, 200 + mixed Fieldfare/Redwing, Redpoll 6.

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape 1 Little Egret, 11 Common Gulls, 7 Herring Gulls, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Cormorant. (JP/CG)

A Mottled Umber alighted on my Cudworth patio window last night! (CG)

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 26.12.20

 3 - 5 degrees  with 8/8 cloud and a cool west, south westerly breeze.

Anglers CP: 

Pintail 8 (3m + 5f).  Cormorant 14 + 5 WRes..  Snipe 10.  

Wintersett Res: 

Willow Tit  1 west bank.  Little Grebe 12.  Nuthatch 1 Pits Wood + 1 Anglers CP car park. 

Anglers CP Gull Roost: 

2 Yellow-legged Gulls - an adult  and a 1st winter were notable tonight. 

Wintersett Res. Gull Roost:

An adult Yellow-legged Gull and 70 Great Black backed Gulls were notable tonight. 

Carlton

A male Blackcap came to the feeder in Dave Smith's garden (no colour rings). Is it the same bird that came last year around this time?

Wilthorpe Marsh 25/12/20.

Very mobile 2 Water Pipits, Stonechat 1 pair, C Snipe 1, L Grebe 6, Linnet 14.

Anglers CP Gull Roost 25.12.20

Wintersett Res.: Goosander 7.   A Cetti's Warbler was in the south west corner. 

ACP Gull Roost:  Pete Smith had a nice Christmas present of a juvenile Iceland Gull in at 16.05hrs and an adult Yellow-legged Gull in tonight.   Lesser Black-backed Gull 2.

Low Moor/Midhope 24/12/20. J Wasse, G Lax, S Green.

Very steady and bitter cold with a sprinkling of snow this aft before clearing quickly. Skein of c 150 Pinkfeet w at 3-50pm. Crossbills scarce recently so 3 today welcome. Raven 3, Greylag c70 n in two skeins, Fieldfare c 100. Peregrine 1, Sparrowhawk 2, C Buzzard 4, Kestrel 2. Hunting Barn Owl on return home at South Lane between Hoylandswaine and Cawthorne.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 24.12.20

 3 - 5 degrees,  0/8 cloud to start, then cloud building with light showers late morning  and a light westerly veering northerly.

Anglers CP: Snipe 22.  Goosander 13.  Goldeneye 45.

Wintersett Res.: Little Grebe 12.  Woodcock 1 west bank. 

Canal flash field:   Chaffinch 60 + 4 Cold Hiendley SF.   Yellowhammer 20 + 20 Cold Hiendley SF. 

Anglers CP Gull Roost:  An adult Mediterranean Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were notables tonight.

 

Wintersett 23.12.20

5 degrees, dull and rainy all day. 

Wintersett Res: A Willow Tit and a Chiffchaff on the west bank were the only notables.

Notton Park Wood lockdown survey 2020

Counts done with 3 visits, 2 in late April and 1 in early May. Singing males and birds on territories were roosting Tawny Owl, Chiffchaff 8, Blackcap 23, on the woodland edge 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Goldcrest 5, Wren 25 and the species with the most singing males Robin with 33. Blackbird 14, Mistle Thrush 3, Song Thrush 2, Great Tit 7, Blue Tit 9. Treecreeper 7, Nuthatch 7, GS Pecker 5. Woodpigeon 10, Chaffinch 8, Bullfinch 1. Carrion Crow 3, Pheasant 1, Buzzard 1 pair.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights included 2 Water Rail, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Great Spot Woodpecker, Fieldfare, c100 Redwing, 60 Goldfinch, 2 Redpoll, Siskin, 3 Goldcrest, singing Cetti's Warbler, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk (JP, L.& A. Corrall/D.M. Smith/CG)

Wintersett + Gull Roost 22.12.20

 4 - 6 degrees with  /8 cloud and a light south easterly.

Wintersett Res: A singing male Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail were on the north bank.

Anglers CP: Barn Owl 1.

Anglers CP Gull Roost: Caspian Gull 1 adult,  Yellow-legged Gull 2 adults,  Mediterranean Gull 1 adult,  Herring Gull 750,  Great Blackbacked Gull 144,   Lesser Black-backed Gull  4.

Wilthorpe Marsh 22/12/20.

Pinkfeet 81 w at 2-50pm. Water Pipit 2, elusive, flew to sewage farm. Meadow Pipit 20, Stonechat 3, L Egret 1, Green and GS Peckers.

Wilthorpe Marsh 21/12/20.

Late aft. Peregrine male presumed same bird from recent winters. Waders scarce in mild weather so anything a bonus with Green Sandpiper flushed from ditch flew to sf. C Snipe 2 flushed.

Silkstone wagonway 21/12/20.

Again no sign of any Dippers but Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail from the stream bridge. Woodpigeon c 200, GS Pecker 1, Little Owl 1 in its favourite oak.

Low Moor/Midhope 20/12/20. G and J Wasse, SGreen.

Very steady and very cold. Peregrine 1, C Buzzard 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1. Raven 5, Lapwing 35 w, Fieldfare 21.

Wintersett 19.12.20 and 20.12.20

 Wintersett  19.12.20

8 - 10 degrees with sun and a light south westerly.  Cloud increasing in the afternoon.

Another quiet day.  

Wintersett Res.: Shoveler 42.  A Chiffchaff in the north east corner and Siskin  1 flew over.

 

 Wintersett 20.12.20

5 - 8 degrees with 3/8, but increasing cloud, and a light south westerly.

Anglers CP:  Pintail 3 south.   The male Stonechat is still in the north west field.

Walton Hall: Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.

Cold Hiendley Sewage Works: Chiffchaff 5.  Grey Wagtail 3.  Green Sandpiper 1. 

Cudworth Common

Green Woodpecker, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Kestrels.

Ferrymoor Ash Plataeu

9 Snipe.

Ferrymoor Flash

120 + Canada Geese, 12 Greylags, 4 Tufted Duck, 1m Pochard, 2m Shoveler, 1 Cormorant and 1m Goosander.

Carlton Marsh

 This mornings best birds were Little Egret, 20 Teal, 12 Greylags, 50 Redwing and a Woodcock (JP)

Carlton Marsh

This morning Little Egret, Great Spot Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler, 12 Common Gulls, Kestrel and Buzzard. (CG/Richard Laverack)

JP is back after his encounter with Covid 19 and Pnuemonia - well done Jim! He saw 10 Meadow Pipits, 20 Skylarks and a Snipe over a stubble field on the east bank, they were all new to the December list.

Carlton Marsh

 2 Water Rail, Little Egret and 40 + 80 Canada geese south (Dave Smith). 

Wintersett 18.12.20

 Mild,  10- 12 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a moderate south westerly.

Wintersett Res:  

 A male Cetti's Warbler  and a Water Rail were on the north bank.  Shoveler 29 + 60 Anglers CP.

Wilthorpe Marsh 18/12/20. J Lunn, S Green.

Still a good few hawthorn berries left attracting the thrushs with c 200 Redwing and c 150 Fieldfare. Water Pipit 1, Meadow Pipit 31, 2 C Snipe, 1 L Egret. 1 Stonechat, 2 Kingfisher, c 3 Redpoll more often heard than seen. 17 Teal and 6 L Grebes on oxbow pond.

Wintersett Area Maps

 Hi all, 

I created some maps of the Wintersett recording area in August, but since then I have been asked for them a few times and it’s always a hassle to refind them on my phone. 

So here they are for future reference, they should be easier for people to search on here. 

Thanks 

Chris 

OLD MOOR 17-12-2020 - Wood Sandpiper

 Wood Sandpiper video from yesterday

Carlton Marsh

This mornings sightings included 2 Little Egrets, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Buzzards, Kingfisher, singing Coal Tit and Cetti's Warbler and c30 Fieldfares (K. Bannister/L&A Corrall/D. Lomas)

Wintersett 17.12.20

 Mild - 8 - 10 degrees, sunny with a light southerly breeze.

Anglers CP: Pochard 33 + 9 WRes..

Wintersett Res: 2 Willow Tit  west bank.   Cetti's Warbler  1 male west bank +  1 east bank + 2 calling birds on south bank CHRes..  Water Rail 2 west bank.   Chiffchaff 1 west bank + 4 Cold Hiendley SF..  Little Grebe 15.  Goosander 16.  Lesser Redpoll 20.  A Nuthatch was in the Willow Wood.

OLD MOOR - 17-12-2020

 Wood Sandpiper

A few pictures from this morning - also 2 x Green Sandpiper and a Cetti's singing.

Wintersett 16.12.20

5 - 9 degrees cloudy with rain and a moderate southerly breeze. 

Anglers CP: Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.   Shoveler 54 + 33 WRes.. Teal 37.  Cormorant 11 + 3 WRes..  Linnet 1.

Wintersett Res: Redwing 100 + Fieldfare 100 on the east bank.  Little Grebe 9 + 4 ACP.  

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights 2 Grey Wagtails, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 50 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 4 Shoveler and 20 Teal. (Dave Smith/Les Corrall)

Andrew Corrall saw a Mink near the sluice on the main scrape.

Winter Moth has appeared on patio windows in Cudworth & Carlton in recent days. (CG Dave Smith)

Moorlands 15/12/20.

Sunshine with very good light but extremely steady on birds. Ewden valley.- 1 hour spent at the shooting lodge with 1 male Stonechat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Mistle Thrush. 2 Ravens, 2 C Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. Plenty Red Grouse about. Low Moor/Midhope.- Raven 2 looked to be going to roost at midhope res. C Buzzard 1, Kestrel 1, Redpoll 5, Fieldfare 4.

Wintersett 15.12.20

 6 - 8 degrees with sun, 2/8 cloud and a light southerly.

Wintersett Res:  

Kingfisher 1.  Willow Tit 1 west bank clump and Water Rail 1 north bank  

An adult Kittiwake was on at 14.20hrs  for 5 minutes,  then drifted off north.

Athersley Memorial Lake

 Now two Goosander

Wintersett 13th and 14th December 2020

Sunday 13.12.20

4 - 6 degrees.  Cold and dull with 8/8 cloud and rain. 

Anglers CP:  10 Snipe.

 

Monday 14.12.20  

Milder today. 7 - 9 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light southerly.

Anglers CP: Shoveler 38.  Little Grebe 5.  

Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds.  Kingfisher 1.  Chiffchaff 1 west bank + 1 at ruin.  Water Rail 2 in west bank marsh. Siskin 1 south.  Willow Tit 1 west bank clump.

 

Carlton Marsh

Little Egret, 2 Cormorants, 20 Redwing, Coal Tit, singing Cetti's Warbler and 2 Common Gull best here today. (Richard Laverack)

Bretton cp 13/12/20.

GS Pecker 1, Nuthatch 4. Surprisingly few water birds, assumed down to the mild weather. Shoveler an exception with c 30. Goosander 6, GC Grebe 5, Tufted Duck 20, Coot 10. Teal 8, Pochard 2, Mute Swan 1 ad. No sign of any Gadwall.

Wintersett WeBS December 2020

 Here are  the Wintersett WeBS counts for December 2020:

Mute Swan 66   Canada Goose 41   Greylag Goose 174   Cormorant 13   Coot 929   Moorhen 28   Water Rail 4   Great Crested Grebe 10   Little Grebe 15   Mallard 99   Gadwall 313   Shoveler 68   Wigeon 477   Teal 49   Tufted Duck 282  Pochard 35   Goldeneye 87   Goosander 22   Grey Heron 4   Lapwing 70  Snipe 1 Kingfisher 1. 

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 12.12.20

5 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a westerly breeze.

Wintersett Res: 

Cetti's Warbler 3 males - west bank bench + boathouse reeds + ruin area.

Chiffchaff 2 - north bank + 1 Moorhouse Lane Pond.  

Anglers CP: Grey Wagtail 1.  

Pink-footed Geese moving -  85 north east  + 80 east ACP  and 59 north east  WRes. 

Moorhouse Lane Pond: Redpoll 250 

Gull Roosts Wintersett Res. + Anglers CP:

Notables: Caspian Gull 1 1stW  WRes. and Mediterranean Gull 1 adult ACP.  

Herring Gull 960 WRes. +  262 ACP.    Great Black-backed Gull  46 WRes. +  73 ACP.

Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 WRes. + 4 ACP.  Black-headed Gull 10,000 WRes.

Carlton Marsh

Today's list began with a 'new in' drake Wigeon on the wader scrape. It was accompanied by 2 Cormorants, 3 Common and 5 Herring Gulls. Elsewhere Cetti's Warbler, 1 Fieldfare, c70 Redwings and 90 Canada Geese east at 10.40hrs. (K. Bannister/CG)

(CG)

Sophie Pinder and her Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Volunteers did a great job of resurfacing around the picnic tables in the car park with woodchip yesterday. This is in addition to the rest of the paths they have resurfaced with crushed road chippings.

Wintersett 11.12.20

7 - 8 degrees,  dull and damp with 8/8 cloud and a very light south easterly.  The fog rolled in late morning, cleared by mid afternoon,  then rolled in late afternoon.

Anglers CP:  A Chiffchaff  (ringed individual),  was in vegetation on the edge of the water, in front of the hide.   Whooper Swan 20.

Wintersett Res: An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on buoy number 9.  Kingfisher 1. 

Water Rail 1 west bank + 1 north bank CHRes..  Cetti's Warbler 1 south west bank + 1 east bank.

Cold Hiendley Res. Canal Flash field: Chaffinch 70.  Yellowhammer 15.  Meadow Pipit 6.

Carlton Marsh

So busy I forgot to mention the most important bit about our mate, Ralph Hibbert's new Memorial seat, which has been lovingly provided by his family. It has been fitted with a special plaque with a dedication. The bench replaced an old seat overlooking the marsh, where we spent time putting the world to rights. Ralph was a much valued and regular contributor to this blog with his bird and butterfly sightings over the past 20 years. He is already missed, but at least there is something tangible to remember him by. Thanks for the memories 'owd cock'. From us all at Carlton Marsh.

Russ Boland

 

Carlton Marsh

We were busy on the Western Meadow cutting scrub around the big pond so not much time for birding. However we did see a Siskin flyover and 6 Grey Partridge were skulking in the Northern Meadow. The drake Pochard was with 2 Tufted Duck. 

This afternoon 2 Shoveler, 32 Mallard, 21 Teal, Water Rail and Coal Tit

Earlier c100 Pink Feet flew west over Lea Lane, Royston at 10.00hrs (Dave Smith). 

Wintersett + Gull Roost 10.12.12

 4 - 6 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly. 

Wintersett Res:  

Pink-footed Goose 80 west + 57 west.  Whooper Swan 12  north west.  Willow Tit 1 west bank clump.  Chiffchaff 1 west bank + 1 north east bank.  Water Rail  1 north bank + 1 west bank.  Pochard 14. Cetti's Warbler 3 - north bank, south west bank + east bank.   47 Skylarks south of Botany Bay. 

Anglers CP + Gull Roost: 

Caspian  Gull 2 adults,  Yellow-legged Gull 2 adults,   Mediterranean Gull 1 adult,   Great Black-backed Gull  250,   Lesser Black-backed Gull 4,  Herring Gull 1700.    Greylag Goose 220.  per Gray Speight

Wilthorpe Marsh 10/12/20.

Pinkfeet c 200 w at surprisingly the same time as yesterdays, about 11-15am. Stonechat 3 with a pair and a single fem. Pipits, all very mobile, 2 Water and 13 Meadow.

Carlton Marsh

The best thing that happened today as far as I am concerned was seeing Sophie Pinder and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust with their grass cutting machine mowing the meadow! A sight for sore eyes., We have been gradually cutting invasive Hawthorn, Birch and Willow over the last two winters in readiness for this day.

The Western Meadow

Birdlife this morning included 1 drake Pochard, 2 Shoveler, Water Rail, 2 Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, 2 Coal Tits, 3 Goldcrest, 4 L. Redpoll, Willow Tit, Great Spot Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 3 Song Thrush amongst a notable influx of Redwing and blackbird. (Richard Laverack/CG)

This afternoon 38 Pink Feet Geese flew west at 13.42hrs, 15 Fieldfare, c70 Redwing, c25 Blackbird, 15 Long-tailed Tit 15. (Dave Smith) 

Wintersett - Anglers CP Gull Roost 09.12.20

 4 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly.

Anglers CP Gull Roost: A 1stW Caspian Gull and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were notable this evening. per Steve Denny. 

Wilthorpe Marsh 9/12/20.

3 Water Pipits very mobile, flew to sewage farm. c 40 Pinkfeet w at 11-16am. Stonechat 1 fem., Linnet c75 seen.

Lockdown Survey Hugset Wood 2020

 This may be of interest to some people who are familiar with the area or not, but this year during Covid-19 lockdown I did a complete survey of all species in Hugset Wood, Higham and one of my regular haunts. Strangely, the last full survey was in 1985 and since then some species populations have remained just about the same while others have changed dramatically. The highlights are as follows. In 1985 there were 254 all species territories and now 252 which is remarkably close but three Turtle Dove territories, 12 Tree Pipit, 9 Whitethroat and 12 Yellowhammer which all disappeared by the early 90s. 1985, four Willow Tit territories now one, Garden Warbler 12 but now down to two and Willow Warbler 39 now one! Incomers are Buzzard two and Nuthatch two. Big changes upwards are Chiffchaff 4 in 1985 and now 27 and Blackcap 12 and now 28. 

These mirror the National changes with some species but the habitat has changed over time.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 08.12.20

 5 - 7 degrees with  8/8 cloud and a light south westerly. 

Anglers CP: Siskin 1  + 1 over WRes..  Golden Plover 20 over.

Wintersett Res: Water Rail 1 boathouse reeds + 2  west bank marsh.  Cetti's warbler 1 boathouse reeds.  Kingfisher 1.   Whooper Swan 5 flew north west at 10.23hrs.  Pink-footed Goose 11 flew north west.  Shoveler 50 + 9 ACP.  Chiffchaff 3.

 Wintersett Res. Gull Roost- Herring Gull  1300,   Great Black-backed Gull  200.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 07.12.20

 3 - 6 degrees, partly cloudy and a gentle south westerly breeze.

 Wintersett Res: 3 Cetti's Warblers - a male on north bank + calling birds on west bank and in south west corner.   A Chiffchaff was on the west bank + 2 at Cold Hiendley Sewage Farm.   4 Water Rails - 1 north bank + 3 west bank.  Kingfisher 1.  Goosander 16. 

Anglers CP Gull Roost:  A 1st winter and an adult Caspian Gull in tonight,  along with with  a 1st winter and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.  

Carlton Marsh

On the scrapes 56 Gadwall, 52 Mallard, 3 Cormorant, 2 Shoveler, Kingfisher and drake Pochard. Elsewhere 4 Redpoll, c20 Redwing, 14 Fieldfare, Great Spot Woodpecker and 2 Treecreepers in the car park. (K. Bannister/C. Parkin/CG).

Athersley Memorial Lake

 Red-head goosander on fishing lake today for 6th day.

Wintersett + Gull Roost + Winter Feeders 06.12.20

 3 - 5 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly.

Anglers CP:  Pink-footed Goose: 33 south, 135 north east and 28 north west.   Wigeon 380   Teal 52   Shoveler 13   Pintail 1 female   Great Crested Grebe 5   Little Grebe 5.  A Kingfisher was showing again in front of the main hide.  A pair of Stonechat were in the north west field.

Wintersett Res: Wigeon 103,  Shoveler 42,  Teal 3,  Goosander 15,  Great Crested Grebe 13 and Little Grebe 1. 

Cold Hiendley Res SF: Chiffchaff 1.

ACP Gull Roost: A 1st winter Caspian Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were notables in the roost tonight. 

Anglers CP north west field:  Winter feeders were filled up this morning by @CroftonBirder

The rain yesterday, made the task was more challenging  because the field has been deep ploughed!  

 

   Chris Swaine @CroftonBirder and  @PeteSmith1254 

 filling one of the winter feeders   06.12.20

Wilthorpe Marsh 6/12/20.

2 Water Pipits, Pinkfeet c100 nw at 11-16 am. Peregrine on pylons, Mute Swan 1 ad thro'w, Redpoll 5, L Egret 1.

Low Moor/Midhope 5/12/20.

Low cloud and mist started to clear at 2pm. Rt Hen Harrier 1, C Buzzard 1, Raven 2, Redpoll 2.

Wilthorpe Marsh 5/12/20.

Water Pipit 1/2, Stonechat 1, Goosander 1 redhead on river. C Snipe 1, Linnet flock c40, Goldfinch c 30, Meadow Pipit 2, Kingfisher 2 showing well.

Wintersett + Ringing 05.12.20

3 - 6 degrees with sun, 4/8 cloud and a light north westerly.

10 Birds were ringed this morning -  Slow going! per @BeckyBailey

6 Lesser Redpoll,   2 Blue Tit,  1 Chaffinch,  1 Redwing. 

Anglers CP:  Little Egret 1.  Teal 53.  Cormorant 22.  PF Goose 38 west.  Kingfisher 1.  Snipe 11.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult. 

Wintersett Res.: Cetti's Warbler 1 male at boathouse,   1 west bank clump,  + 1 CHRes..  

Redpoll 60 around boathouse. 

Cold Hiendley SF: Green Sandpiper 1.  Chiffchaff 2 + 1 Haw Park Lane.

Carlton Marsh

A drake Pochard on the scrape was new in today. Also present a singing Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, male and female Kestrel, male Sparowhawk, 12 Redwing 4 Redpoll, 4 Bullfinch, 7 Stock Dove and a calling Willow Tit. (JP/Richard Laverack)

This afternoon 4 Peacock butterflies and 24 Herald moths were found hibernating. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 04.12.20

 Just for the record!  Dull, damp and cold , with 8/8 cloud,  snow and sleet all morning.

Wintersett 03.12.20

 3 - 5 degrees, 8/8 dull cloud. Damp with light drizzle at 11.00hrs and a very ligh north easterly.

 Anglers CP: Highlight this morning was a Red Kite circling over Wintersett Village at 11.05hrs, before leaving south west.  Shoveler 6,  Pochard 8 and  Little Grebe. 

ACP - North west field: The male and female Stonechat still present.

Wintersett Res: 2 Water Rails were in the boathouse reeds.  Goosander 15.  Cormorant 4 + 4 ACP + 1 CHRes..

Cudworth Common

This afternoon's walk saw 7 Siskins with 1 Redpoll, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Snipe, 1 Goldcrest and 60 Greylags south.

Ferrymoor Flash (Sash Pond)  

140 Canada Geese, 5 Greylags, 2 Wigeon, 4 Tufted Duck and 17 Shovelers, mostly drakes. 

Wintersett + Gull Roost: 02.12.20

 3 - 7 degrees with 6/8,  but increasing cloud, and a light westerly 

Anglers CP:  A Merlin flew over at 11.40hrs.  3 adult Whooper Swans flew in.  Mute Swan 47 + 4 WRes. + 11 CHRes..  Shelduck 1.  A Woodcock was seen at dusk. 

Wintersett Res: Goosander 17.   Shoveler 42. Pochard 27.   Siskin 3 south.  Water Rail  1 west bank + 1 northbank. Little Grebe 9. Greylag Goose 126. Canada Goose 34.  Lesser Redpoll 60    Treecreeper 2 in south east corner.  A Chiffchaff was in the north east corner.  

Disposal Point: Lesser Redpoll 70.  

Anglers CP Gull Roost: Numbers are increasing.  Herring Gull 728.  Great Black-backed Gull 176,  

Goosander 28,  Goldeneye 42.

Carlton Marsh

Our wildlife group smashed the November record of 75 bird species set in 1993. Grey Partridge and a Whooper Swan yesterday took the monthly total to 77. Well done everybody.

Today was nice, but quiet. Our resident Buzzards were in the air, 2  Redpolls, 1 Treecreeper, 10 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Water Rails, Kingfisher, 12 Lapwings and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were reported. (Dave Smith)

Wintersett + Gull Roost 01.12.20

4 - 7  degrees with 1/8 cloud and a light westerly.

Wintersett Res: A 1stW Caspian Gull was in at dawn  (black bill),   Shoveler 29  + 2 Anglers CP.  Goosander 13.  Cormorant 12.  Kingfisher 1.  

Cold Hiendley Res. SF: Green Sandpiper 1.  Chiffchaff 4 (2 unringed) +  1 north west bank WRes + 1 Walton Hall.

A Water Rail was in the boathouse reeds.  

Haw Park Wood: 3 Nuthatch were around Blue Bridge area. 

Anglers CP: Snipe 10.   20 Linnet and a male and a female Stonechat were in north west field  + 1 female Stonechat WRes. dam wall.  

Anglers CP Gull Roost: 137 Great Blackbacked Gulls in tonight, with 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls  and a 1st winter Caspian Gull. 

Fungi -Haw Park Wood  - Francis Hickenbottom

https://twitter.com/Fhickenbottom/status/1333797544778862594