Wintersett Res, Gull Roost 29.02.2024

Wintersett Reservoir.

Steve Denny had a 1st winter and a 2nd winter Mediterranean  Gull 

in Wintersett Res. roost tonight.

Low Moor/Midhope 29/2/24.

Very steady 3 hours in good light but cold. Lapwing 20+, Curlew c 15, Snipe 2 chipping, Oystercatcher 2. Fieldfare c40 down, Linnet 11 still on wires on Midhope lane, Siskin 3, Woodpigeon 80+ down. Raven 1, C Buzzard 5, Kestrel 2.

Carlton Marsh

4 pairs of Tufted Duck, 27 Canada Geese, 2 Water Rails, 8 Redwings, Siskin and 3 singing Goldcrests were the highlights for today (K. Bannister/CG/L. & A. Corrall)

Wintersett + Gull Roost 28.02.2024

 Wintersett Res.

A Water Rail was in the boathouse reeds.

Wigeon 15.  Gadwall 8.  

+  Gull Roost:

322 Herring Gulls were in the roost tonight  - Steve Denny. 

Anglers CP:

The 1st W drake Scaup still present.

Carlton Marsh

 A Little Egret and a Grey Wagtail were present yesterday (26th) (K. Bannister).

Today (27th) 15 Fieldfares, 6 Redwings, 1m Goldcrest, 6 Chaffinch ((DM Smith).

Cudworth Common
Little Egret, Buzzard and 1 Redpoll.

Ferrymoor Flash

1 drake Pochard, 1 'Redhead' Goosander, 10 Common Gulls and Buzzard (CG)

Wintersett 27.02.2024

 Anglers CP:

The 1st winter male Scaup was the only bird of note this morning!

Low Moor/Midhope 26/2/24.

Waders the main highlights here with an impressive 81 Curlew flying in to land. Lapwing total c70, 1 displaying Snipe, group of 4 Golden Plover thru, Oystercatcher 2 + very noisy on the dam wall. Raven 3, C Buzzard 6, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 2.

Wintersett 26.02.2024

Anglers CP:

Going west:  60 Pink-footed Geese 

1st Winter male Scaup still present.

Wintersett  Res:

A male Chiffchaff singing on west bank clump.

3 male Cetti's Warblers - north east bank,  south east corner, south west corner.

Siskin 10 south east corner.   Pochard 22.

Wintersett 25.02.2024

Anglers CP: 

Scaup 1 x 1st Winter male.   Green Woodpecker 1.  Little Grebe 1.

Cetti's Warbler 1 male east bank ACP + 1 male in boathouse reeds WRes..

Goldeneye 161 (54 males) - 110 WRes.  + 41 ACP + 10 CHRes.

Great Crested Grebe 15 - 4 WRes. + 5 ACP + 6 CHRes..

Pochard 16 -  13 WRes. + 3 ACP.  Shelduck 1 WRes.  

Going west:  

3 Skeins of Pink-footed Geese -  32 + 80 + 55 this morning.  

Pete Smith

Going north west:

2 Skeins of Pink-footed Geese  151 + 70.  Steve Denny.

Carlton Marsh

The highlight this morning was c50 Pink Feet high in the sunshine heading west at 12.03hrs.

Also of note Grey Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, 25 Teal, 30 Canada Geese, 22 Greylags and 8 Yellow Buntings.

2 Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell were flying in the sunshine (C. Parkin/CG).

Wintersett 24.02.2024

Anglers CP: 

Goosander 9.  Little Grebe 1.  Scaup 1 first winter male.   Siskin 4.

85 Fieldfare were in the Pol Field - next to car park this morning. 

Wintersett Res:

A Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail were in the boathouse reeds.

A Treecreeper was in the Willow Wood.

Wintersett 23.02.2024

Anglers CP:

Scaup 1 1st Winter male.   Shoveler 1 male + 1 female.

Snipe 29.    A Raven flew over the CP fields at 10.40hrs.

Wintersett Res:

Pochard 12.   

Wintersett 22.02.2024

 Anglers CP:

The 1st Winter Scaup still present.   Shelduck 1.

Wintersett Res:

12 Pochard were on today.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 21.02.2024

 Anglers CP:

The  1st Winter  male Scaup still present. 

Little Grebe 1.      Goosander 1 female.

This morning,  Friends of Haw Park Wood  removed trees from the edge of the Pol ditch.

Wintersett Gull Roost:  Steve Denny

This fine 1st winter Caspian Gull was in the Top Res roost at Wintersett,  along with 1st winter Mediterranean Gull.

Low Moor/Midhope 20/2/24.

Afternoon visit ended by rain just before 3pm. Curlew 75 down. Chipping Snipe presumed 1 heard twice. Presumed rt Hen Harrier briefy annoyingly lost to view over Barnside Moor with a similar sighting here around the 16th.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were Water Rail, Kingfisher, 25 Canada Geese, 2 Cormorants, 2 Lapwings, 6 Fieldfares and 3 Redwings (Les & Andrew Corrall/Keith Bannister).

Littleworth Park
A Red Admiral was flying and there were loads of Frogs and spawn (Chris Parkin).

Wintersett 19.02.2024

Anglers CP: 

Siskin 14.    Scaup 1 - 1st Winter male.

Cold Hiendley Res:

Goosander 5.

Wintersett Res: 

Great Crested Grebe 12 + 1 CHRes..   Grey Wagtail 1.  

A MINK! was reported in the south west corner. 😟

Carlton Marsh

A drake Goosander was on Bleachcroft Farm pond this afternoon. Elsewhere 27 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Water Rails (1 flew across the reedbeds), and 2 Tawny Owls were sat 1ft apart in an Ivy clad tree before dusk, using a nightscope. (CG/Dave Standish)

Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes)

Ardsley Viaduct

2 Peacock butterflies were flying in the mid-day sunshine (Chris Parkin)

Low Moor/Midhope 18/2/24.

Observers, G and J Wasse, S Green. Weekend roundup with Merlin fem. today showed well on stone wall. C Buzzard 8+, Kestrel 2. Raven 3, Curlew c 40, Lapwing c 65, Oystercatcher 6. Woodpigeon c 40, Meadow Pipit c 15, Fieldfare 7 w, Stock Dove 9. Linnet flock c 40, Siskin 5, Redpoll 1, Nuthatch 1 in village.

Wintersett February 17th 2024

Anglers CP:  - Pete Smith

Scaup 1 1stW male.   Cormorant 12.   

Pink-footed Goose  166 going west in 3 skeins.

Teal 44.   Wigeon 136.   Snipe 9.   

Wintersett Res. - Steve Denny

The dominant adult male Mute Swan on the Wintersett Res.,  

was found dead last week, leaving this territory available. 

Ringing data shows that it was at least 20 years old, 

having been ringed as an adult in February 2007 at Pugneys Country Park. 

Carlton Marsh

Most wild birds are responding to the warm weather just like us. Canada and Greylag geese are staking out breeding territories; 30 Canada and 14 Greylags were present along with 26 Teal and 2 drake Goosanders.

Also of note today our first butterfly of the year, a Small Tortoiseshell on Blackthorn, and Coltsfoot and Daffodil are in flower. (All sightings from Chris Parkin).

Velvet Shank fungi is growing on an Owler Tree (CG).

Carlton Marsh

Today's sightings included 3 Cormorants, 3 Common Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 1 Lesser B B Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, and 4 Water Rails called.

Also present 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Goldcrests (2+1) and a singing Mistle Thrush (L. & A. Corrall/K. Bannister).

A mink was seen briefly on the Northern Meadow (S. Grove).

Wintersett + Anglers CP 15.02.2024

Wintersett Res:

A male Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail were in the west bank marsh.

Anglers CP:

The 1st Winter male Scaup still present. 

Goosander 1 male + 1 female.   Teal 29.

Oystercatcher 3.

Carlton Marsh

A Little Egret was present first thing this morning (K. Bannister). 

This afternoon 18 Canada Geese, Grey Wagtail, 2 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk. 

3 Mistle Thrush and 50 Fieldfare were on a ploughed field and a delightful Water Rail swam across the reed beds opposite Ralph's seat (CG).

Wintersett + Moths + Gull Roost 14.02.2024

Moths on  Anglers CP  Security Lights:

Dotted Border 2.   March Moth 1.  Pale Brindled Beauty 1.

Cold Hiendley Res:

Goosander 5.

Wintersett Res: West Bank Marsh:

Cetti's Warbler 1 male.   Water Rail 2.

The Wintersett Res. roost had:

 

350 Herring Gulls,  a single Great Black-backed Gull and

 

a Yellow-Legged Gull,   9 Lesser Black-backed  Gulls 

 

and  8000 Black Headed Gulls.   

 

Also a first winter Mediterranean Gull. @Barnsleybsg .

 

Darvic ringed Black-headed Gulls,  

on Anglers CP shallows this morning, 

originated from  Cumbria and Denmark!

Wintersett 13.02.2024

 Anglers CP:

A Tree Sparrow was on the Pol feeders.

The 1stW male Scaup still present.

Wintersett Res:

Shoveler  6.

Carlton Marsh

Today's sightings were all from various times this morning. 26 Teal, Little Egret, 8 Greylag, 14 Canada Geese included the resident Canada x Greylag, The Cob Mute Swan was showing aggression to the Canada Geese, hopefully a sign they might breed this year.

2 Buzzard, Kestrel (with prey) and Sparrowhawk put in an appearance. Amongst the finches 6 Siskin and 1 Redpoll. 

3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were very vocal  one of which was 'drumming' in the car park.

1 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 6 Skylark and 3 Mistle Thrush were on the fields, and a Song Thrush and a Reed Bunting were singing.

A Weasel on the embankment is a scarcity nowadays (S Grove/L & A Corrall/CG).

Ardsley Viaduct
3 Buzzards were in the air together, along with 80 Lapwing. Also of note 5 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Greenfinch and 12 singing Robins (C. Parkin).

Wintersett + Gull Roost - Steve Denny 12.02.2024

Anglers CP:

Scaup 1 1stW drake.   Oystercatcher 3 + 2 Walton Hall.

Steve Denny had  2 colour ringed Black-headed Gulls on the shallows this morning. One ringed in Cumbria 2021,  and the other from a Danish scheme.

Wintersett Res: Steve Denny

A male Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail  were in the west bank marsh.

The Wintersett roost  had 350 Herring Gulls,  a single Great Black-backed  Gull and a   Yellow-legged Gull,  9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 8000 Black-headed Gulls.  Also a first winter Mediterranean Gull.

@Barnsleybsg : 

Darvic ringed Black headed Gulls on the shallows this morning 

originated from  Cumbria & Denmark!

Carlton Marsh & Ferrymoor Flash

Carlton Marsh 
10 Tufted Duck, 20 Canada and 6 Greylags, Cormorant, 22 Teal, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Cetti's Warbler. 3 Buzzard were in the air, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were calling, 6 Fieldfare were on a wheat field and a Grey Wagtail flew in (D. Standish/C. Parkin).

Cudworth Common
23 Canada and 10 Greylag, 17 Mallard, 3 drake Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 3 Mute Swan, 10 drake Goosander + 1 Redhead (a record at this site for me) (CG).

Wilthorpe Marsh 11/2/24.

Very steady with the marshy areas left un disturbed. Male Stonechat the best with Skylark 2, Goldcrest 4, Green Pecker showing, Cetti's 1.

Low Moor/ Midhope 11/2/24.

Observers, G Wasse, S Green. Very quiet few hours. Hunting Barn Owl from 5-09pm, Curlew 2 dropped in out of sight in the Range moor area. Linnet flock heard only, C Buzzard 1 pair, Kestrel 1, Siskin 2.

Wintersett 11.02.2024

Anglers CP:

Shelduck 2.   Oystercatcher 4 (1 pair + 1 + 1).

Teal 13.   Scaup 1 male 1st Winter.

Wintersett Res: 

Pochard 23 + 1 CHRes..   Goosander 4.   

Great Crested Grebe 2.  

Haw Park Lane:

Fieldfare 200. 

Wintersett 10.02.2024

Anglers CP: Pete Smith

The 1st W male Scaup still here.  Goosander 2 redheads.

Pintail 2 males + 2 females.   

A Skein of 30 Pink-footed Geese flew over west.

2 calling Ravens flew over west at 11.12hrs. 

Mammals:

A Pygmy Shrew + 5 Wood Mice were seen this morning, when clearing nest boxes. 

Graham Speight sightings:

A skein of 11 PF Geese flew north west. 

Shoveler 3 Cold Hiendley + 1 Anglers CP. 

Wintersett Res:  

Goldeneye 108 (45 drakes)   + 10 (2drakes) CHRes..  + 42 (16 drakes) ACP

= 160 including 63 adult drakes!

Great Crested Grebe 6 CH + 4 ACP.

Cold Hiendley Fields:

Grey Partridge 2.   Skylark 150.   Meadow Pipit 55.   Linnet 2.

20 Redpoll  in Willow Wood.

Wilthorpe Marsh 9/2/24.

Jack Snipe 2, Common Snipe 4, Oystercatcher 1, Grey Partridge 2. Gadwall 11, Fieldfare total c 32, Meadow Pipit flock c15, Siskin 4 showing well. Bullfinch 2, Goldcrest 4, Peregrine 1 at the end on pylon just n of the sewage farm.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 09.02.2024

Anglers CP:

A male Cetti's Warbler was on the east bank, 

another male Cetti's Warbler was in the west bank marsh.

Green Woodpecker 1.

The 1st winter drake Scaup on the Country Park lake   

is progressing nicely into adult plumage.  Photos by Steve Denny.

    

Gull Roost - Graham Speight 

Not the best Gull roost in drizzle -

Great Black-backed Gull 1.  Lesser Black-backed Gull 6

Herring Gull 400 -  still coming in as I left.

Better are 2 Grey Partridge in Cold Hiendley Field (at Corn Bunt corner),

and 300 Skylarks in the usual field behind village.                                     

Wintersett 08.02.2024

Anglers CP:

A Merlin flew over east.  (SD, KD)   The 1stW male Scaup still here.

Goosander 1 redhead.   Oystercatcher 2.   Cormorant 12.

80 Skylarks flew over east!

Wintersett Res:

3 Shelduck were on this morning. 

Silkstone wagonway area 7/2/24.

Great start with 250 + Pinkfeet w over the parking area at 11-15 am. Raven 1 blogging and calling and down briefly on a pylon near Low Mill farm. Fieldfare 60 +, 2 calling Little Owls, GS Pecker 1, C Buzzard 4.

Wintersett + Roost 07.02.2024

Wintersett  Res:

Teal 2.   70 Pink-footed Geese flew over west.

A male Cetti's Warbler was in the west bank marsh.

Roost:

An adult Kittiwake was in the roost tonight. - Steve Denny.

Wintersett 06.02.2024

 Anglers CP:

The 1st Winter male Scaup still present.  Cormorant 12.    

Cold Hiendley Res:

Goosander 1 male + 1 female.

Haw Park Wood: 

A flock of 30 Siskin was seen this morning.  

Wintersett Res.  Gull Roost:

The only white winger in the roost tonight was this adult Mediterranean Gull,

along with 1st winter Mediterranean Gull 

and the 1st winter Caspian Gull that was on the shallows yesterday.  

 

 Photos taken by Steve Denny.

Carlton Marsh

Today's roll call 15 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag, Cetti's Warbler, 5 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Siskin and 15 Robin singing ( L. & A. Corrall/R. Laverack/CG)

An escaped Harris Hawk with jesses was seen at the wader scrape (K. Bannister).

Bullace in flower (CG)

Upland news 5/2/24.

Low Moor - This aft. very steady and spoilt by drizzle. 2 Curlew over appeared to land on Midhope moor. Raven 2, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 1. Scout Dyke Res circ. - Wigeon 3, Tufted Duck 3, singing were a Skylark and a Little Grebe. No sign of any Willow Tit.

Wintersett + Gulls 05.02.2024

Anglers CP:  

The 1st Winter Scaup  still present - Pete Smith 

 

A 1st winter Caspian Gull was on the shallows this morning! 

-  Steve Denny

Wintersett Res:

 Another windy evening,  another adult Iceland Gull 

 

in the Top Res roost!  - Steve Denny

Carlton Marsh

On a walk around this morning 20 Teal, 12 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag, 4 Tufted Duck, Heron, Cormorant, 2 Buzzard and a flock of c80 mixed thrushes.

(Stephen Grove) 

Woolley Dam 4/2/24.

Mobile Yellow Bunting flock c 35. Woodpigeon c 500 in the area, Grey Heron 12, Teal 5.

Wintersett 04.02.2024

Anglers CP:

The 1st W male Scaup still present.   Oystercatcher 2.   

Cormorant 10.   A Pink-footed Goose was in the shallows.  

3 Woodcock flew over at dusk. 

Carlton Marsh

Waterfowl this morning included 7 Tufted Duck, 29 Teal and 3 drake Goosanders (Bleachcroft Farm Pond), 16 Greylag, 10 Canada geese, 2 Water Rail and 1 LBB Gull.

3 Song Thrush and 2 Mistle Thrush sang. Also present 10 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare, c40 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, Goldcrest. 

The first Scarlet Elf Cup fungi of the year.

Wintersett 03.02.2024

 Anglers CP:

An adult  Herring Gull  - with a Yellow ring Y541 on left leg,

- and a metal  ring on right leg,  was seen this morning.    

Oystercatcher 3.   The 1st W male Scaup  still present.

Green Woodpecker 1.   Siskin 6.    

A 1st W Caspian Gull flew onto the rocks in the shallows.

4 Black-tailed Godwits were in the shallows, then left east  at 10.47 hrs.

Cudworth & Carlton Marsh

As is often the case when its sunny and the temperature peaks at around 12c or more at this time of year, overwintering butterflies are tempted out of hibernation. At around mid-day, a male Brimstone was flying in Les Corrall's Low Cudworth garden, and just a stones throw away, a Peacock butterfly was seen in Richard Laverack's Field Drive garden.

Meanwhile at Carlton Marsh 26 Teal and 9 Tufted Ducks were the only notable ducks present. 6 Siskins and a female Greenfinch were worthy of a mention (Chris Parkin). 

Wintersett + Roost 02.02.2024

Anglers CP: 

In the roost at dawn:  

6 Great Black-backed Gulls.  

1 adult Yellow-legged Gull.    

1 Black-headed Gull.

Anglers CP: 

Goosander 6.   Pintail 1 drake. 

Wigeon 345 + 20 WRes.  

Teal 28.  Oystercatcher 2.   Scaup 1 male.

Wintersett Res.

Pochard 16 + 3 Anglers CP.    Little Grebe 2.

Wintersett Roost: - Steve Denny

550 Herring Gulls in tonight.   2 Shelduck flew south west at 16.55hrs.

Wintersett 01.02.2024

Anglers CP:

The 1st W drake Scaup still present.  Teal 40.   

Oystercatcher 2 - one from each pair.  - Steve Denny.

Wintersett Res:

A Water Rail and a male Cetti's Warbler were in the west bank marsh.

A Green Woodpecker flew over the west bank.   95 Rooks flew over.  - Pete Smith.