The only birds of note today were a Red Kite that drifted SE at 11.20hrs (Richard Laverack) and a juvenile Buzzrd that was habitually hovering as it searched for prey.
A contractor was on site today to dig out and slightly deepen the two ponds on the Western Meadow.
Another contractor renewed a rotten fence post and replaced to wooden 5 barred gates near the bird hide.
Today's birds included Cormorant, 6 Shoveler, 4 singing Cetti's Warblers, 3 Water Rails, Great Spot Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, 11 Longtailed Tits, Treecreeper, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Coal Tits, 3 + 10 Siskins and a Redpoll (the first since February).
A Tawny Owl sang at 13.00hrs and 18 Herring Gulls moved east.
2 pairs of Willow Emerald were occasionally buzzed by 2 Migrant Hawkers near the hide, and 2 male Vapourer moths were on the wing (CG).
A survey of the 3 meadows produced 2 male Common Blue and 13 Small Copper. Elsewhere, 3 Small White, Painted Lady, 5 Red Admirals and 14 Speckled Wood (Chris Parkin).
Our wildlife group were busy this morning mowing and strimming along the embankment, and cutting back the hedge on the path to Cudworth. Debris from the dike was also removed for disposal.
This morning c80 Pink Feet flew east at 09.13hrs and were quickly followed by c60 more the same way at 09.43hrs (R.J. Boland/JP).
Also of note a late Garden Warbler in the Southern Meadow, and 3 Cetti's Warblers sang (JP).
This evening on the scrape 7 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, Great Spot Woodpecker. The Bittern climbed the reeds at 19.15hrs and was observed for around 10 minutes (D. Standish/D. Richardson).
Today's highlights were 25 Teal, 3 Swallows west, 3 Cetti's Warblers, Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps. The Kingfisher sat on a post for more than 15 minutes allowing good photographic opportunities.
Insects included 6 Red Admiral, 30 Speckled Wood, 4 Common Blue, 22 Small Copper, c40 Common Darter, 2 Southern Hawker, 3 Migrant Hawker and 8 Willow Emerald (2 pairs mating). This is a new record maximum count (Chris Parkin).
This morning c20 Skylarks, a small group of Linnets and 4 Meadow Pipits were feeding in a stubble field to the east. 5 Buzzards soared overhead and a few Swallows and house Martins headed south (JP).
This afternoon saw the valley floor well flooded after yesterday's heavy rainfall. 9 Shoveler shared the scrape with our resident Mute Swan pair, 2 Dabchicks, Kingfisher and several Canada Geese.
3 Cetti's Warblers sang and a Water Rail called from the reed beds.
2 Goldcrests, a Coal Tit and a Siskin were roaming about with a large Tit flock along the embankment.
The Bittern showed briefly at dusk in the scrape reed bed (Dave Standish/Simon Cox).
A quick survey of the Western Meadow produced 10 Small Copper, single Meadow Brown and Brown Argus (CG).
This mornings highlights before the rain, Great Spotted Woodpecker, a singing Reed Warbler, Water Rail, 3 Cetti's warblers sang, Chiffchaff and Blackcaps called and several Skylarks were feeding in a nearby stubble field (JP). These were the first since June!
The photo below was taken from the hide last Friday 15/9/25.
The standout sightings over recent days were; Bittern photographed in the scrape reed bed at 19.20hrs on 16/9/25 (Helen Todd).
40+ Pink Feet Geese north then west at 10.00hrs on 18/9/25 (JP/D. Standish). These were the first since March.
Today 19/9/25 a Green Woodpecker was the first for this year! (Harold Heath/Clive Mitchell).
Storrs Mill Wood to Ardsley Viaduct - along the River Dearne
2 'Redhead' Goosanders, 2 Buzzards, 6 R.L. Partridge, 12 House Martins.
Butterflies included 18 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 6 Comma, 46 Speckled Wood, 19 Small Copper and a male Brimstone (Chris Parkin).
A calling Raven flew east over the wader scrape at 09.55hrs and c5 Siskins, and a Coal Tit were present (JP).
5 Cetti's Warblers sang and 360 Canada Geese were on the scrape with 8 Shovelers (CG).
315 Canada Geese, 4 Shovelers, a Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher were on the scrape, and 14 Teal were on the wader scrape this morning.
Also present 2 Swallows, 3 Cetti's Warblers, Great Spot Woodpecker and a Goldcrest (CG).
A butterfly survey on all three of our wildflower meadows produced yet another phenomenal record count of 66 Small Copper! Most of them feeding on Hoary Ragwort.
Also of note 7 Common Blue, 2 Brown Argus, and 3 Meadow Brown. 2 Red Admiral were feeding on a nearby Buddliea (Chris Parkin).
This mornings highlight's were; c150 Canada Geese, 25 Greylag Geese, 6 Shoveler, 3 Cetti's Warbler, several Swallows, 6 Siskin (the first this year!), and 6 Linnet (K. Bannister/JP).
This evening c20 Swallows came into roost, at least 3 Tawny Owls and 3 Water Rails called.
The Bittern was scoped from 18.22hrs just inside the reed bed opposite Elaine's seat in the scrape. It stayed there preening until dusk and at no time did it climb up the reeds as expected (D. Standish/CG).
A juvenile Buzzard circled the scrape calling, Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit, Great Spot Woodpecker and the large Canada Goose flock of 100+ was on the scrape with at least 2 Shoveler.
This evening Water Rail called, and the Bittern climbed the reeds in the scrape at 19.30hrs before flying towards the hide reed beds (Dave Standish).
The scrapes were again awash with Canada Geese and Greylag Geese. 2 Water Rails called at dusk but there was no sign of the Bittern. However, there have been reports of it being seen in front of the reed beds last Thursday and Sunday (Gemma Shearing).
5 Blackcaps a Reed Warbler and a Yellow Bunting were ringed (CG).
The wildfowl count included 105 Canada Geese, 14 Greylag Geese, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Dabchick, 5 Shoveler and 2 Cetti's Warbler.
In addition 3 Swallows headed south and a Kingfisher was present (CG).
Insects on our 3 meadows included 61 Small Copper (A new record count, most of which were on the Western Meadow)), 12 Red Admiral, 3 Painted Lady, 1 Comma, 25 Speckled Wood, 6 Meadow Brown, 3 Brown Argus, 8 Common Blue and 5 Large White.
Also of note Antler Moth and Silver Y moth (Chris Parkin).
A Red Kite was seen over Low Cudworth at 13.00hrs (Les Corrall) and what must have been the same bird was seen at 15.00hrs nearby going south over the top ring of Birkwood Avenue, Darfield Cudworth (CG).
A Bittern flew in from the main marsh at 19.53hrs and alighted in a stand of Typha in the scrape, and 2 Tawny Owl called (Dave Standish).
Butterflies included 18 Red Admiral, 19 Comma, 65 Speckled Wood, 1 Meadow Brown, 31 Small Copper, 1 Common Blue.
Also 1 European Hornet and 2 Ruddy Darter (C. Parkin).
The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust were on site today removing regenerating Willow scrub from the large pond on the Western Meadow.
Unfortunately we haven't managed to secure a cattle grazier due to unforseen circumstances.
130 Canada Geese and a few Greylags were on the wader scrape before flying to the main scrape, where 2 Shoveler and c10 Teal were amongst the Mallard and Gadwall. A Little Grebe was still present as was Kingfisher and 2 singing Cetti's Warblers.
Migrant Hawker and Common Darter were flying near the hide.
The geese are building up now, there were 300 + Canada and 18 Greylags (JP).
This afternoon Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, Great Spot Woodpecker, Kingfisher, 6 LBB Gulls and 1 Herring Gull west and 2 Hobby south at 16.08hrs (CG).
The Grey Phalarope was back at Edderthorpe Flash today (per Dave Waddington).
This mornings highlights were; Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and a probable Marsh/Willow Tit with a small Tit flock, it didn't call (JP).
A video posted on Barnsley Council's facebook site showed a Grey Phalarope on a shallow part of the Barnsley Canal on the Royston section by Paul Smith (per R. J. Boland).
Passage was evident when a Greenshank, on the wader scrape, left south at 07.50hrs, and a Garden Warbler was the first since the spring migration (JP).
Moths caught last night included Dusky Thorn, Square Spot Rustic, Old lady and Copper Underwing (CG).
