Carlton Marsh

2 Snipe and Little Egret on the wader scrape. Cormorant, 2 Whooper Swans on the main scrape with a Yellow-bellied Slider. (K. Bannister/JP)

A Dark Swordgrass moth was caught in Carlton on the 29th-30th July.

Dave Smith

Wilthorpe Marsh 31/7/22.

Quiet and expected to remain the same until autumn. Grey Partridge 1 pair flushed, Little Owl 1, C Snipe 1 flushed. August a good month here for C Snipe build ups. L Egret 1, Lapwing 6 down and a Water Rail showing. Still singing were 2 Reed Warblers and 2 Yellowhammers.

Wintersett + Bittern 31.07.2022

Wintersett Res:

Goldeneye  2 females.   

Common Scoter 1 1st summer male,  which then flew to CHRes.

An adult Yellow legged Gull flew over north.

Anglers CP: 

An eclipse drake Wigeon was on the Country Park.  Plenty of juvenile Common  Terns, but a migrating Bittern going west 09:00 was a surprise & presumably a dispersing bird.  per @StevieD.

Common Sandpiper 3.  Redshank 1. 

Pochard 6 flew over, then left north east,  + 2 on ACP + 2 CHRes.. 

Going west from Anglers CP:

A Bittern  at 09.00hrs.   An adult Arctic Tern at 10.10hrs.   2 Shoveler. 

                               Vis. mig.  Bittern West ACP  09.00hrs  PMeredith

Lepidoptera:

Holly Blue 1 Wintersett Res..

Wintersett + Ringing 30.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

A Curlew flew over.  Barn Owl 1.  

Flying south:  A Green Sandpiper,  then 2 Yellow Wagtails.  

50 birds were ringed today, after a delayed start due to rain. 

Highlights were: 

4 Willow Warbler,  9 Chiffchaff,  7 Blackcap,  1 Garden Warbler,  3 Whitethroat, 

1 Sedge Warbler,   11 Reed Warbler,  2 Tree Sparrow and 6 House Sparrow.  

Ewden valley 29/7/22.

Started pretty dismal with drizzle early aft. but soon brightened. WT Eagle flew in from Cut Gate area and landed on White Carr ridge. Not seen in flight again despite been mobbed by every bird in the area. RT Hen Harrier 1, CC Marsh Harrier 1 possibly 2, C Buzzard c 6, Hobby 1 imm. hawking insects over White Carr a few times, presumed same from previous visits. Merlin 1 briefly mobbing, Kestrel 6+. Raven 1pair, male Redstart calling and showed a few times in the lodge bracken. Family party of c4 Stonechats at the s bends, Meadow Pipits really thinned out, c 6.

Carlton Marsh

Today's sightings included Treecreeper, Kingfisher, Cormorant, Little Egret, 2 Snipe and 2 Buzzard (L & A Corrall).

Also 7 LBB Gull, Tufted Ducks with 9 and 11 young. 3 male Banded Demoiselles were chasing a female and hoverfly Sphaerophoria scripta. (Chris Parkin)

News came from Kane Brides of a Coot seen here. This bird was BTO ringed GV71369 as an adult at Westport Lake, Longport, Stoke, Staffordshire Grid ref SJ8550 on 24/9/19. 

The metal ring was read again there on 28/12/19 and 25/11/20. A white darvic ring JX6 was fitted to it there on 5/8/21 and it was seen again there on 21/9/21 and 27/10/21. 

It was seen then with 2 young at Carlton Marsh from at least 13/6/22 and is still here raising young.

Coot (Dave Standish)

Wintersett 29.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Common Sandpiper 4.   Wigeon 1 male.  Little Grebe 1 male.  

Wintersett Res:

Tufted Ducklings: 2 small WRes.  and 2 small + 1 fledged young CHRes.  

Pochard 7. A Barn Owl was on the east bank.  Common Tern 22.  Goldeneye 1 female.

Great Crested Grebe 28 + 5 CHRes.. + 4 ACP.    A Yellow Wagtail  flew over.

Mute Swan  46 + 3 CHRes. + 6 ACP.

Wintersett + Osprey + Insects 28.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Wigeon 1 male.   Common Sandpiper 1.  Grey Wagtail 1. 

 Steve Denny was entertained by this early morning Barn Owl.

https://twitter.com/StevieD131/status/1552587889162190848

Botany Bay:

Kingfisher 2.  

Wintersett Res:

Black-necked Grebe 2.  Little Grebe 1 juvenile.  Cormorant 3 + 2 ACP.

Common Tern 22.  

Late news!!  An OSPREY flew south over Wintersett Res at 17.05hrs - Steve Denny

It was seen later over @RSPB_OldMoor at 17:25 then headed east towards Adwick! Per @SBOmad

Insects:

A Red-eyed Damselfly  male  and  2 Small Red-eyed Damselfly males,  

were on Botany Bay. 

Several Long-winged Coneheads were seen at Anglers CP. 

                                             Photos by Pete Smith  28.07.2022

Littleworth Park - Monk Bretton

The vegetation was set on fire during the hot weather but despite the scorched ground 18 species of butterfly were recorded. A second brood Dingy Skipper, 3 Brown Argus, 5 Holly Blue, 5 Small Copper, 34 Common Blue, 5 Small Heath, 6 Comma, 345 Gatekeeper and 307 Meadow Brown. Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker were also present. (Chris Parkin).

Carlton Marsh
c75 Swallows came in to roost this evening (CG)

Wintersett + Insects 27.07.2022

 Wintersett Res:

Black-necked Grebe 1 adult + 1 juvenile.  A Greenshank flew over. 

Common Tern 16.  Pochard 6 + 2 CHRes..  

Mute Swan 3 small young in north east corner.

Anglers CP:

Common Sandpiper 2.   Snipe 1. 

Odonata

Emperor 1 female.  Red-eyed Damselfly 3 males. 

Small Red-eyed Damslefly 1 male  at Botany Bay.

A Black-tailed Skimmer was on the north bank WRes..

Lepidoptera Botany Bay:

Holly Blue 1.

Reptilia:

The Red-eared Terrapin and the Yellow-bellied Slider  were in the north east corner.

Broomhill Flash Great White Egret 27.07.2022

Here are a  couple of photos  of the Great White Egret 

at Broomhill Flash today,

 taken by Ron Marshall.

Wintersett Ringing 26.07.2022

Anglers CP:  

81 birds were ringed today.

Highlights were: 11 Willow Warbler,  24 Chiffchaff,    4 Blackcap,   

8 Garden Warbler,  5 Whitethroat, 10 Reed Warblers, 7 Goldfinch,  

2 Song Thrush and a Magpie.

Wintersett Res:

13 Greenfinch were in the north east corner.  

Black-necked Grebe 2. 

Lepidoptera:

               A Brown Argus on the Pol  was new for the year. ASmith.

Odonata: 

2 Southern Hawkers were on the Disposal Point  + another was near the railway bridge.

Wintersett 25.07.2022

 Wintersett Res:

Black-necked Grebe 1 adult + 1 juvenile.  

Anglers CP:

Mistle Thrush 14 flew over.  Common Sandpiper 2.  Wigeon 1 male.

Greylag Goose 162.  Tufted Ducklings  6 very small.

Lepidoptera ACP:

Common Blue 1 .  Small Copper 1.  Small Skipper 1.

Odonata:

Migrant Hawker 1 ACP.

Diptera:

                   Cheilosia illustrata, seen at Wintersett Res. today by  Georgie W-S.

Carlton Marsh

4 Egrets were on the wader. scrape all day (L. & A. Corrall et al). 6 Dabchick included 2 young and the juvenile Buzzard was airborne. Both Whooper Swans are fine, feeding on the scrape. Female Tufted Ducks have 3 and 10 young.

Insects included 2 Brown Hawker, 1f Southern Hawker, 1m Emperor, 1 Holly Blue and 3 Gatekeeper. 

Low Moor/Midhope 25/7/22.

Couple of hours this aft. Peregrine 1 fem., C Buzzard 1, Kestrel 3. Raven 4, group of 3 and a single. LBB Gull 3, Siskin 2.

Wintersett 24.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Common Sandpiper 2.   Wigeon 1 male.   Common Tern  16  (10 were juveniles).

Swift 172 south west:

Cold Hiendley Res: 

Tufted Ducklings:  2 small +1 medium.   Mallard Duckling: 1 medium.

Gadwall Ducklings: 5 medium  + 1 medium young.   Pochard 2 males.  

Wintersett Res:

Black-necked Grebe:  1 adult in summer plumage + 1 juvenile.

Little Grebe  1 adult.   

Lepidoptera:

A Ringlet was  in Haw Park Wood.

Carlton Marsh

 An adult Common Tern was ob the scrape at 16.26hrs. (Dave Standish)

Woolley

40 House Martins were feeding. 17 species of butterfly included 6 Red Admiral, 12 Comma, 326 Gatekeeper, 1 Brown Argus and 2 Small Copper. (Chris Parkin)

Wilthorpe Marsh 23/7/22.

Quiet, with few notables. Raven 1 showed well soaring and calling with it or another flying off lower down towards Higham. Little Owl 1 ad., Parakeet 1 heard only. Chub showing well at a few places on the river feeding off the surface. Tree Bee woodpecker hole nest very active.

Wintersett + Ringing 23.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Common Sandpiper 3.  Common Tern 4 juveniles.  

172 Swifts flew south west.   Hobby 1 1st summer.

Mediterranean Gull 1 juvenile.

Wintersett Res:

The Black-necked Grebe in summer plumage is still present. 

https://twitter.com/StevieD131/status/1550771908446232577/photo/1

88 birds were ringed at Wintersett this morning:

Highlights were:   

16 Willow Warbler,  17 Chiffchaff,  15 Blackcap,  1 Garden Warbler,   

2 Whitethroat,  10 Reed Warbler,  4 Sedge Warbler,  2 Linnet,  2 Reed Bunting, 

1 Swallow and 1 Kingfisher.

                          Kingfisher   Wintersett Res.  23.07.2022   RBailey

                                   

  Reed warbler S396640 was retrapped today at Wintersett,

  having been originally ringed on 02/09/16 by Archie.

 as a first year bird.  It hasn't been caught in the intervening 6 years!!

Carlton Marsh

 A Little Egret was present along with a calling Water Rail and a juvenile Tawny Owl (JP).

Juvenile Tawny Owl (Karen Pickard)

July Highflyer (Dave Smith's Carlton garden)

The Phoenix (Dave Smith)

Wintersett + Moths 22.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Common Sandpiper 1.  

Wintersett Res:

Common Tern 6 + 3 ACP.   Pochard 2 + 3 CHRes..  Tufted Duck 4 small young.

The adult Black-necked Grebe still present.

Overnight Moth Trapping  at Anglers CP   

 

revealed a  cracking  BORDERED STRAW!

 

Only the 2nd site record, with the previous one being on  

 

20th August 1996!

 

Bordered Straw 2nd record  ACP  Pete Smith 

 

 

 

A Pine Hawk-moth was also trapped overnight  ACP  Pete Smith

 

Cudworth Common

Little Egret, Juvenile Buzzard, Green Woodpecker and 22 Gatekeeper butterflies despite the cloudy conditions.

Ferrymoor Flash

1 Oystercatcher south 2 north later, Kingfisher and Mute Swans with 1 cygnet.

Wintersett + Ringing 21.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

2 Redshank were on the shallows.  A Curlew called as it flew over.

Ringing: per Pete Smith

A damp start delayed ringing until 09.00hrs.

45 birds were  ringed today: 

Highlights were:   

6 Chiffchaff.  7 Willow Warbler,  13 Blackcap,   6 Garden Warbler,  

1 Whitethroat,  1 Lesser Whitethroat, and 1 Reed Warbler.

Carlton Marsh

 A Green Sandpiper paid a brief visit to the wader scrape this evening. 

A juvenile cuckoo was found dead near the hide (Dave Standish). Mrs Tufted Duck still has 11 ducklings on the scrape and a Kingfisher was whizzing around.

2 male Southern Hawkers were patrolling the embankment.

Cuckoo

Another First for Wintersett!

Pete Smith was attending to a moth trap and found a new beetle for the area. 18.07.2022

Many thanks to Mike Denton who confirmed this beetle as Nicrophorus vespillo

 

 

                                      Nicrophorus vespillo   Pete Smith

 Mike Denton reported the main  ID features:

The distinct inward curve of the hind tibiae can be clearly seen on the photograph. 

Although there should be a fringe of brown hair along the front of the thorax, this has been rubbed off. 

You will be pleased to know that this is yet another new species for the Wintersett area!

Wintersett 20.07.2022

Anglers CP:

Common Sandpiper 2   Wigeon 1 male.  

Wintersett Res:

Black-necked Grebe 1 adult in summer plumage.  

Goldeneye 1 female. 

Haw Park Wood:

The Fire Service have been present all day.   

https://twitter.com/SBillcliffe/status/154975324224607027

Carlton Marsh

 A 'Redhead' Goosander was on the wader scrape (Dave Standish). My garden thermometer peaked at 41.1c.or 105.8f.

A few moths from Dave Smith's Carlton garden last night.

Dusky Sallow

Sycamore

The Miller

Early Thorn

Wintersett WeBS for July 2022

 Here are the Wintersett WeBs counts for July 2022:

Mute Swan 54   Canada Goose 141   Greylag Goose 59  

Cormorant 1   Coot 152   Moorhen 16   

Great Crested Grebe 20    Little Grebe 1    Black-necked Grebe 1

Mallard 52   Gadwall 11   Tufted Duck 154   Pochard 7  Goldeneye 2  Wigeon 1   

Grey Heron 5  Common Tern 4  Redshank 2  Common Sandpiper 1  

Lapwing 60.

Wintersett + Insects + Record breaking Temperature 19.07.2022

A Record breaking temperature of  39 degrees centigrade this afternoon!!

Wintersett Res:

Oystercatcher 1.  Black-necked Grebe 1.   Goldeneye 1 female.

Kingfisher 1 + 1 at Cafe Pond  ACP. 

Anglers CP:

Common Sandpiper 2.  Grey Wagtail 1.

Odonata:

A male Lesser Emperor was off the south bank of Anglers CP at 11.00hrs.. 

Moth trapping over the last 2 nights produced:

Barred Hook-tip 1.   Brown-veined Wainscot 2.   

Bordered Beauty 3.  Gold Spangle 1.

Maiden's Blush 1.   Scarce Silver-lines 2.   

Muslin Footman 1.  Pine Hawk-moth 1. 

Sycamore 2.   Oak Nycteoline 1.  

Beautiful Carpet 1.   Clay Triple-lines 2.  

Buff Footman 1.  Dingy Shell 1.   Gothic 1.   

Small Yellow Wave 2.   Coronet 2.  Slender Brindle 2

in addition to many other species!

                               

          Brown-veined Wainscot  Anglers CP.  18.07.2022  Pete Smith  

                        

                   Barred Hook-tip  Anglers CP 18.07.2022  Pete Smith

                       

                   Bordered Beauty   Anglers CP 18.07.2022   Pete Smith

Wilthorpe Marsh 17/7/22.

As expected very steady. Juv Little Owl 1, L Egret 2, 10 Lapwing down. The weather bringing fish to the top with a shoal of 7 Chub showing well. 2 Stoats with 1 dragging a young Pigeon kill away.

Ewden valley 18/7/22. D Nichols, S Green.

Breezy with shade at the lodge but still too hot for the birds with Buzzards nowhere to be seen. Pair of Red Kites the only larger raptors with Kestrels the most numerous with 6+. Hobbys 3+ with a juv/imm hawking White Carr, Peregrine 1. Golden Plover 2, Stonechat 6, Swift c 6, Meadow Pipit c 20. Stoat 1 on track briefly.

Wintersett - Hottest Day 18.07.2022

The hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures over 30 degrees centigrade by late afternoon!

Anglers CP:

Oystercatcher 1. Green Sandpiper 1.  Common Sandpiper 1.  

Little Ringed Plover 1.  Lapwing 36.  Hobby 1.

Common Tern 2 adults, each with a juvenile.

Tufted Duck 1 very small young. 

Wintersett Res:

Black-necked Grebe 1 in summer plumage.

Lepidoptera at ACP:

Small Skipper 2.  Brimstone 1 male. 

Wintersett + Ringing + Insects 17.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Common Tern 3 adults + 2 juveniles flew south.

2 Red Kites flew low, north at 08.48hrs.  Tufted Duck 1 female with 7 small young. 

Wintersett Res:

Black-necked Grebe 1 adult.

Ringing:

89 birds were ringed at Wintersett Res this morning.

Highlights were:

31 Chiffchaff,   6 Willow Warbler,   11 Blackcap,  8 Reed Warbler,  

5 Sedge Warbler,  2 juvenile male Cetti's Warbler,   1 Goldcrest,

1 Treecreeper and  4 Reed Bunting.

Insects:

Rutpela maculata 1 ACP hill + 2 Willow Wood WRes.. 

Agapanthia villosoiridescens 1 on Dam Wall, WRes..

Carlton Marsh

A butterfly count today produced 15 species that included 4 Red Admiral, 14 Peacock, 12 S. Tortoiseshell, 13 Comma, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 16 Speckled Wood, 125 Meadow Brown, 72 Ringlet, 112 Gatekeeper, 8 Large Skipper, 58 Small Skipper, 1 Holly Blue and 19 Large White (Chris Parkin).  

Broomhead Hall, Ewden Heights 11/7/22

I thought you might like to see a small sample of the 61 macro moths moths caught earlier in the week there. 

Polar Hawk Moth

Scarce Silver Y

Coronet

Pine Hawk Moth

Green Arches

Northern Eggar

Carlton Marsh

The adult Med Gull was on the wader scrape from 07.30hrs (JP/ K. Bannister) and was still there until 10.32hrs, but had left by mid-day. An adult Common Gull was the first since March.

Storrs Mill Bridge to Ardsley Viaduct  on the River Dearne
Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, Green Woodpecker and buzzard.

17 species of butterfly included 33 Purple Hairstreak, 4 Holly Blue, 3 Small Copper, 6 Red Admiral, 12 Peacock, 62 S. Tortoiseshell, 45 Large White and 41 Comma. Also Ruby-tailed Wasp and Roesel's Bush Cricket (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett + Insects 16.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

2 Redshank were in the shallows.  Common Sandpiper 1. 

Wigeon 1 male.  Oystercatcher 2.

Wintersett Res:

Grey Heron 3.   Pochard 5.  Little Grebe 1.  

Goldeneye 1 female + 1 female on Anglers CP

Lepidoptera at Anglers CP.

Essex Skipper 1.   Small Skipper 2.  Ringlet 1. 

A pheromone lure, that has been in Pete Smith's freezer for 13 years!!, 

 attracted a Six-belted Clearwing Moth within five minutes!! 

Six-belted Clearwing moth  Anglers CP 16.07.2022  Pete Smith

Coleoptera:

Rutpela Maculata 1.  

Odonata:

A Southern Hawker was found dead on Botany Road. 

A Ruddy Darter was in the north east corner WRes. 

Reptiles:  

A Red-eared Terrapin  and a Yellow-bellied Slider were basking  in the north east corner. 

Carlton Marsh

 An adult Med Gull was on the wader scrape at 08.40hrs (JP). Kingfisher and Cetti's called and 6 Mistle Thrush were on a nearby pasture (K. Bannister).

This evening Little Grebe with 2 very small young and 17 LBB Gulls.

2 Purple Hairstreak were flying around the top of an Oak.

An Humming Bird Hawk Moth was in Les Corrall's Low Cudworth garden on Tuesday 12th.

Wintersett + Ringing 15.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

A Dunlin was on the shallows  this morning.

82 Birds were ringed today:  Pete Smith

Highlights were:

13 Willow Warbler,  16 Chiffchaff,  7 Blackcap,  9 Garden Warbler, 

3 Whitethroat,   a juvenile Cetti's Warbler,  17 Goldfinch,  1 Reed Bunting,  

1 Linnet,  and a juvenile Willow Tit!

15/7/22 Underbank and Midhope Res

Midhope Res - juv Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, 6 juv Lapwing, 4 House Martin, 4 Swift, 4 Tufted Duck, 6 ad Little Grebe, 2 Buzzard

Underbank Res - ad Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper

Ewden valley 14/7/22.

Cool at times in a shocking nw wind. Very good day for falcons but not much else. Hobby, thought to be 3 with 2 together at times. Peregrine 1, with it or another later. Merlin 1 bombing a few times, Kestrels 6 +. Red Kite 2, C Buzzard 1 very scarce. Raven 1 pair, Stonechat 1 imm, Swift 3. Brown Hare 2 at stone circle end of valley and a Mole here on the track briefly.

Wintersett 14.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

 An adult Mediterranean Gull flew north at 08.37hrs.  

3 Black-tailed Godwits, in summer plumage, were on the shallows 

A Common Sandpiper dropped in this morning,

Wigeon 1 male.   Canada X Greylag Goose 1.

Wintersett Res: 

A Tufted Duck, with 5 very small young,  moved them over the dam wall to Cold Hiendley Res.

Goldeneye 2 females.

Midhope res. 13/7/22.

Hagg bridge - Family party of Spotted Flycatchers this aft, 2 juv Grey Wagtail, c 5 Siskin.

Wintersett + Insects 13.07.2022

Anglers CP:

Wigeon 1 male.  Oystercatcher 1.  

Cold Hiendley Res:

Pochard 2 males in wing moult.  

Shoveler 1 young.  Gadwall 1 large young.

Mallard young - 2 small/medium + 2 large.

Lepidoptera:

A Holly Blue was in the Willow Wood.   A Ringlet was in Haw Park Wood.

A Small Tortoiseshell was on the west bank WRes.

Odonata:

A Southern Hawker was in Haw Park Wood.

Wintersett 12.07.2022

 Wintersett Res:

Goldeneye 2 females.   The Oystercatcher family of 2 adults + 1 young.  

Common Tern 6.  Cormorant 2.  

The remains of a Banded Demoiselle were on the path in the south west corner.

Anglers CP:

Wigeon 1 male.  Little Ringed Plover 1 juvenile.  

Botany Bay:

Greenfinch 3.  

Odonata:

Four-spotted Chaser 1 WRes.

Lepidoptera:

A Ringlet was on the north bank WRes.  

Photos

 

Photos to go with previous post.

 

Spot Fly success

 Family party of half a dozen spot fly, maybe even 2 families in private garden west of town.  Successful nesting in this garden every year for at least last ten years.

Wintersett 11.07.2022

Anglers CP:

Oystercatcher 1.  Common Sandpiper 2.  Grey Wagtail 1.  Wigeon 1 male.

Mallard Young - 3 + 1 small/medium off north bank.

Wintersett Village:

Little Owl 1.

Lepidoptera:

 Small Skipper 1.  Ringlet 1.  Purple Hairstreak 1. Brimstone 1 male.

Carlton Marsh

The 2 Whooper Swans are still present. 2 Little Egrets were also on the scrape and a Coal Tit sang. Only 1 Common tern was reported today.

c6 Emperor and at least 2 Brown Hawker dragonflies were flying in front of the hide. 

The Willow Tit 'Back from the Brink' display board was vandalised last night.

Four of the 6 Common Terns that visited last week (JP)

Ewden valley 10/7/22.

Surprisingly poor with few birds. Best was a juv Cuckoo showing well. Raven 2, Stonechat 4, C Buzzard 1, Kestrel c 6 with 4 together, 2 singing Reed Buntings still. Curlews thin now with just 1 heard.

Wintersett + Insects + Ringing

Anglers CP:

A male Lesser Whitethroat was singing near the main hide.

Lepidoptera:

3 Purple Hairstreaks were seen on oaks on Anglers CP back path. (The first for this part of the area!)

Drinker Moth 1 at Disposal Point.

Odonata:

A male Ruddy Darter was flying over the railway pond on the Disposal Point.

Of 100 Blue Damselflies checked at the railway pond - 20 were Azure Damselflies.

Common Darter 2 males. 

72 new birds were ringed at Wintersett this morning:

Highlights were: 

17 Chiffchaff,  2 Willow Warbler,  2 Treecreeper,  6 Blackcap,  1 Garden Warbler, 

14 Reed Warbler,  8 Sedge Warbler,  2 juvenile Cetti's Warrble (male and female), 

2 Reed Bunting and 1 Goldfinch.

South Kirkby Industrial estate

The highlights today were Grey Wagtail, 2 Mistle Thrush. 1 Purple Hairstreak, 364 Gatekeeper, 3 Marbled White, 3female Brimstone and  3 Blackneck moths (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett + Lesser Emperor 09.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Cormorant 2.  Wigeon 1 male.   A Curlew flew in to the shallows. 

A male Lesser Whitethroat was on the Pol. 

Lepidoptera:

Large Skipper 1.  

Odonata:

A male Lesser Emperor was seen from the north bank WRes..

2 male Red-eyed Damselflies and a Four-spotted Chaser were seen at Botany Bay. 

Reptiles

Long term residents, the Red-eared Terrapin and the Yellow-bellied Slider, 

were seen basking in the sun in the north east corner, WRes. this morning.

Carlton Marsh

Last night's moths session produced 36 species of macro and 11 species of  micro moths. They included Elephant, Poplar and Lime Hawk Moths, Poplar Grey, V Pug, Engrailed and Beautiful Golden Y.

Lime Hawk Moth

2 Noctule and a few Pipistrelle were flying over the scrape at dusk. At least 2 Tawny Owl juvs. were calling. (C. Parkin/CG).

Kingfisher (Trevor Naylor)

Little Egret (Trevor Naylor)

Littleworth Park-Monk Bretton

A Red Kite flew NE at 11.40hrs. A butterfly count provided 5 Comma, 479 Meadow Brown, 177 Ringlet, 68 Gatekeeper and 108 Small Skipper. Moths included hundreds of Burnet moths, The Clay, Dingy Footman and a 6 Belted Clearwing! (Chris Parkin).

Wintersett + MINK + Insects 08.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Wigeon 1 male.  Lesser Whitethroat 1 male.  Greylag Goose 52.

Wintersett Res:

Oystercatcher 3.   Mallard 48 +  1 medium/large young on Botany Bay.

Grey Wagtail 1.  

Cold Hiendley Res: 

Pochard 1 male. 

Mustelid: 

A MINK was on the water's edge, west bank WRes..  

Lepidoptera:

A  Holly Blue was seen at ACP.

A Small Skipper was on the east bank WRes..

A Small Tortoiseshell was on the north bank WRes. 

A Large Skipper was on Botany Bay.

Odonata:

A Four-spotted Chaser was on Botany Bay. 

Coleoptera:

A male Odemera nobilis, (swollen-thighed beetle), was on the north bank WRes.

Wintersett 07.07.2022

 Anglers CP:

Oystercatcher 4.  Wigeon 1 drake.

Odonata over Anglers CP

A male Lesser Emperor,  6 Emperors,  a Four-spotted Chaser  and a Black-tailed Skimmer were seen in and around the south west corner.

Lepidoptera:

2 Purple Hairstreak were seen over trees at Pits Wood.

Carlton Marsh

The two Whooper Swans and an adult Common Tern were joined by 3 more Common Terns arriving from the north. Only one remained at mid-day. Little Egret and Kingfisher were also on the scrape with a Yellow-bellied Slider hauled out on one of the islands. 

This evening a Red Kite flew over Cherry Tree Close heading towards the reserve at 18.40hrs (Steve Grove)

A Southern Hawker was patrolling part of the embankment and 2 Brown Hawkers were competing with Emperor Dragonflies on the scrape. 2 Purple Hairstreak butterflies were typically flying around the top of an Oak tree, and without counting, the Western Meadow was really busy with Ringlets and Meadow Browns, not forgetting 1 Comma and an abundance of 'White' species.

Photographs supplied by Richard Laverack

Little Grebe

Kingfisher 

Whooper Swan

Emperor Dragonfly (Trevor Raynor)

Storrs Mill Bridge on the Dearne to Ardsley Viaduct

1 Essex Skipper, 9 Red Admiral, 57 Small Tortoiseshell, 35 Comma, 1 Holly Blue, 13 Gatekeeper, 24 Large White (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 06.07.2022

Anglers CP:

Wigeon 1 male.  Cormorant 1. 

Mallard young 3 large +  1 small/medium .

Wintersett Res: 

Common Tern 13 + 3 ACP.   Goldeneye 2 females.  

Oystercatcher 3.  Grey Wagtail 1.  Little Grebe 1 adult.   

Tufted Duck young: 1 very small + 1 small and  3 small young in north east corner WRes..

Cold Hiendley Res:

Grey Heron 4 + 2 WRes. 

Odonata:

Just one male Red-eyed Damselfly on a Water Lily at Botany Bay.

Carlton Marsh

One Common Tern was joined by 2 more on the scrape late morning. None were present later in the day. Elsewhere 6 Starlings flew over and 13 LBB Gulls were on the wader scrape. This evening 2 juvenile Tawny Owls were seen high in the canopy (R. Laverack/CG/L & A Corrall /JP/D. Standish).

Brown Hawker & 3 Emperor were hawking for insects.

Photos by Richard Laverack

Common Tern

Grass Snake

Tufted Duck

Dearne Valley Park-Hoyle Mill
9 Greylags were on the fishing lake. Butterflies included 31 Comma, 19 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Red Admiral (Chris Parkin).