Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape this morning Avocet at 06.30hrs (Neil Lunn), Common Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatchers, and a pair of Shovelers (Keith Bannister).

A little later Snipe, 3 LBB Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, and this year's first Little ringed Plover (JP).

A Goldcrest sang and towards mid-day 3 Swallows were feeding over the main scrape, and a Red Kite drifted over the Car park (Phil Bulpin).

This afternoon the Common Sand and Avocet were still in situ and an additional Oystercatcher came in and was quickly chased off leaving the original 2 to mate (CG).

                                   Kestrel (Phil Bulpin)

                                   Red Kite (Phil Bulpin)

Dearne Valley Park

Grey Wagtail, 14 Greylag Geese, Mute Swan pair, the female on a nest. 2 Pairs of Moorhen had 2 + 3 young.

Also 3 Holly Blue, 30 Peacock, 1m Brimstone, 14m Orange-tip and loads of Frog tadpoles (Chris Parkin).

Carlton Marsh

A Common Sandpiper was on the wader scrape this morning with an Oystercatcher. 3 Whitethroats sang (JP).

A 'Cream Crown' Marsh Harrier quartered over the reed beds in the marsh for about 30 minutes (Phil Bulpin).

Around mid-day Kingfisher, 2 Treecreepers and a Great Spot Woodpecker.

Insects included 27 Peacock, 2 Comma, 13 Speckled Wood, 1m Brimstone, 29m Orange-tip,  4 Small White, 2 Gren Veined White and a Squash Bug (Chris Parkin).

                                   All photos by Phil Bulpin

Low Cudworth

A drake Mandarin was on Cudworth dike at Ring Farm (CG) 

Carlton Marsh

A Whitethroat was singing this morning (JP), and a Common Sandpiper called in to the main scrape this evening (Dave Standish).

Carlton Marsh

2 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Grebes and 5 Teal were on the wader scrape this morning. 

A Tawny Owl sang from  a stand of Hawthorns mid-morning.

This evening 12 Swallows were feeding on the scrape just before a very heavy shower (S. Cox/M. Littlewood).

A Mink dived into the Western Meadow Pond for dead dead Rabbit which was chased by a Canada goose into nearby scrub. (Simon Cox).

The male of a pair of Mute Swans that spent a week here in February and again in March was wearing a red Darvic ring. Tony Devoy photographed the ring number Y686. 

Swan Rescue confirmed it was ringed as an adult male in August 2010 at Rossington, Doncaster.  

Photographs by Simon Cox) 

                                                    Carder Bee 

                                      Mink with Rabbit

Littleworth Park

A male Wheatear was the highlight of this visit (Chris Parkin).

 

Carlton Marsh

8 singing Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, 10 Skylarks, 3 Linnets, 3 Yellow Buntings Greylag Goose with 1 young (Andrew Corrall)

Also 2 Foxes.

               Female Blackcap & Pheasants (Clive Mitchell)

                            Small Tortoiseshell (Jim Finnerty)

Cudworth Common 

Male Wheatear (CG).

Carlton Marsh

Today's sightings included Little Egret, a Mallard with 4 new very small young and 2 Swallows on the wader scrape.

New in today 2 singing Willow Warblers and a very early Reed Warbler singing sporadically in the reed beds out from Ralph Hibbert's seat. 

A pair of Sparrowhawks were displaying over the scrape. (S. Cox/CG)

Our wildlife group were busy this morning sectioning off part of the embankment to help wild flowers recolonise. Hopefully Yellow Rattle, Marjoram, Birds Foot Trefoil, Agrimony etc will return. The shade from the trees saw their demise.

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape this morning 4 Lapwings, Oystercatcher, 2 Little Grebes, a Kingfisher and 2 Red-legged Partridges (S. Cox/A Corrall).

This afternoon/evening Grey Partridge and Little Egret.  

Butterflies included 21m Orange-tips, 8m Brimstone, 2 Comma, 43 peacock, Holly Blue, 5 Speckled Wood and 6 S. Tortoiseshell (C. Parkin).

My first ringing session with P.B. Wordsworth began here in the spring of 1976, so this is my 50th year of ringing at Carlton Marsh. It was quality rather than quantity with a Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Redpoll, and 2 Cettis Warblers. One of the latter was ringed as a juvenile male on 23rd of October 2023 in the same net ride (CG)

                               Adult male Cetti's Warbler

                                        Lesser Redpoll
 

Storrs Mill to Ardsley Viaduct

Following the River Dearne - Little Egret, 2 Buzzards, 2 Lapwings, 2 Grey Wagtails, 6 Sand Martins (nesting in the bank), 1 House Martin, 2 Red - legged Partridges and a Mallard nest with 11 eggs.

Also a Bank Vole, 1 Holly Blue, 59 Peacock, 8 Comma, 7 S. Tortoiseshell, 3 Speckled Wood, 17m 1f Brimstone, Orange-tip 23m 1f and 9 White species (Chris. Parkin).

Carlton Marsh

On the wader scrape 5 Teal, Canada and Greylag geese, 2 Little Grebes and an Oystercatcher.

Elsewhere Kingfisher, 6 singing Blackcaps, 2 Yellow Buntings, 3 Mistle Thrushes, single Red-legged Partridge and Redpoll. 

Insects include 2 Dark edged Bee Fly, single Comma, Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell (A. Corrall/M. Littlewood/CG).

                                   Dark-edged Bee Fly (CG)

A Holly Blue was flying in Les Corrall's Low Cudworth garden.

 

Woolley Tip

2 Buzzards, and 2 Grey Partridges.

 

31 Peacocks, 3 Speckled Wood and 4 Orange-tips. 

Also a very early Blue-tailed Damselfly (C. Parkin).

 

                                 Blue-tailed Damselfly (C. Parkin)
 

Carlton Marsh

The first brood of Mallard (12) were on the wader scrape with 5 Teal, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Herring Gulls and a Little Grebe. An Oystercatcher flew south.

5 Cetti's Warbler sang and a Greenfinch called (JP/CG).

Carlton Marsh

Yesterday's Sedge Warbler sang briefly this morning. 11 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, and 4 Mistle Thrushes also sang. 

2 Snipe, 2 Teal and a Fox were on the wader scrape (R. Laverack/C. Parkin/CG). 

Also 2 Smooth Newts and 4 Dark edged Be Fly.

Several St. George's Mushroom were fruiting and Broom and Bluebell were in flower. 

                                     St George's Mushroom

Carlton Marsh

2 Egrets were on the wader scrape this morning, but the find of the day was a Sedge Warbler singing from the Whin pool. This bird has equalled the earliest ever of 3rd April 1999! (Andrew Corrall)

Littleworth Park - Monk Bretton

8 Smooth Newts, 2 of them in the mating ritual. The male deposited a sperm packet on the pond floor before guiding the female over it to pick it up with her cloaca (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh

3 Blackcaps were singing, 3 Buzzards were airborne before the female alighted and was mated twice within 10 minutes.

2 Little Egrets and 2 pairs of Little Grebes, one bird collecting nest material, on the wader scrape.

A Grey Partridge on a tilled field is not easy to find these days.

A male Orange-tip was the first this year. Also present at least 6 Peacocks and 2 Small Tortoiseshells (contributors JP/A Corrall/R. Laverack/J Finch/CG).

       Marsh Marigold reintroduced to the northen meadow pond (R.J. Boland).

Dearne Valley Park - Hoyle Mill

2 Grey Wagtails were the only birds of note.

 

Butterflies included 53 Peacock, 7 Small Tort. 16 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood, 3m Brimstone and 2 Orange-tips.

The first Bluebells and Yellow Archangel were in flower (Chris Parkin).

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were Little egret, 30 Herring Gulls, Water Rail, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 12 Skylarks, 3 Yellow Buntings and a male Blackcap (A Corrall/JP/R. Laverack).

               Twin Spot Quaker my Cudworth garden (CG)
 

Carlton Marsh

Today's best were Little Egret, Wheatear, 26 Carrion Cows and a Common Scotor that had relocated to the main scrape from Bleachcroft Farm Pond (K. Bannister/ JP/A. Corrall).

With the weather warming there were plenty of insects on show including an early Speckled Wood butterfly, single Small Tortoiseshell, Green Veined and Small White, 34 Peacock, 8 Comma, 8m Brimstone, 13 Dark-edged Bee Fly (a new record maximum), and a Tawny Ming Bee.

Also of note 3 Smooth Newts and the scarce Morel fungi, which has not been seen here since 1996 (Chris Parkin)!

                                    Speckled Wood (C. Parkin)

                                     Common Morel (C. Parkin)

                                   Common Scotor (CG)

Carlton Marsh

Evidence of migration today saw a female Common Scotor on Bleachcroft Farm Pond from at least 14.25hrs (CG et al) to 17.50hrs. before it left north (R. Laverack/H. Heath/C. Mitchell). This was first for 37 years!

A Swallow flashed through this afternoon followed by 2 Sand Martins, and a male Wheatear was on a recently tilled field (CG/K. Bannister).

Carlton Marsh

Today's sightings included 2 Little Egrets, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Teal and at least 2 pairs of Canada Geese are on nests.

6 Chiffchaffs and a Mistle Thrush were singing.

The fist Wood Anemones are in flower. 

Carlton Marsh

A Peregrine Falcon was bathing and didn't readily fly away on approach.

A Sparrowhawk had a few tail feathers missing.

Also present with the Goose flock, 2 Little Grebes, 9 pairs of Gadwall and a Cormorant. 

Insects included 2 Dark-edged Bee Fly and a Great Diving Beetle.

Not forgetting 4 Smooth Newts (Chris Parkin).  

Carlton Marsh

Today's sighting included a single Redpoll, L.B.B.Gull, 2 Little Grebes, 3 singing Chiffchaffs and 3 Cetti's Warblers (L & Corrall).

Also Little Egret and Coat Tit. Our new pair of Mutes Swans gave an elaborate courtship display again before mating.

2 Small White butterflies were flying in Chris Parkin's Barnsley Road, Cudworth garden. 

         Cormorant with a nice Roach (Clive Mitchell) library picture

Carlton Marsh Monday 23/3/26

 A Red Kite over the east fields alighted in a tree at the side of the road at 11.20hrs.

Also present Red-legged Partridge, 2 Lapwings, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Tufted Ducks, Cormorant, Little Grebe (R. Laverack).

The new pair of Mute Swans were seen to mate on the scrape (R. & L. Frost/P. Rawson)  

Carlton Marsh

The sheep were taken off the Western Meadow this afternoon by the grazier.

Little Egret 3 (2 north), Cormorant, 2 Buzzards (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh Saturday 21/3/26

The wildfowl counts today included 10 Greylags, 28 Canada Geese, Water Rail, Kingfisher, 2 Mute Swans, 9 Teal, Little Egret, Little Grebe, drake Goosander, 2 Avocets, Lapwing and 3 Black Swans.

Also of note Great Spotted Woodpecker 'drumming, 3 Cetti's Warblers, Siskin, 5 Buzzards (R. Laverack/K. Bannister/G. Miller/CG).

Insects on show were 7 Comma, 3 Small Tortoiseshell and a Great Diving Beetle (C. Parkin). 

 

Cetti's Warbler (Helen Todd)

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights on the scrapes included 3 Mute Swans (1 Cygnet), Little Egret, Snipe and Oystercatcher (JP).

Also present Coal Tit and 2 Buzzard. 

Our wildlife group were busy this morning clearing the steps to the embankment, and dead hedging from recently cut down trees (CMWG). 

Carlton Marsh

In perfect flying conditions c100 Whooper Swans flew north at 08.26hrs on the their return migration (Neil Lunn). 

They were seen moments earlier over Edderthorpe Flash in the Dearne valley, and later going over the Wintersett Lakes (Alan Stonier).

Carlton Marsh

BMBC Rangers were on site this morning to put some new signage up. They also felled a large Willow that was obscuring views over the Western Meadow from the Midland Pond viewpoint.

 

Before 

After 

With spring - like conditions insects responded with 3m Brimstone 7 Peacocks and an Orange Underwing Moth that alighted to feed, presumably on minerals in the soil (CG).

 

Orange Underwing Moth (CG)
 

Dearne Valley Park - Hoyle Mill

 47 Peacock, 12 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Comma and a Dark edged Bee Fly (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh

As spring is just around the corner and time for wild flowers to grow, I have asked the grazier to take the sheep off the Western Meadow for now. He will be taking them home on Saturday.

Today's sightings on and around the scrapes included 3 Little Grebes, 20 Canada Geese, 7 Greylags, 1 Little Egret, 2 Water Rails, 2 Cormorants and 3 Cetti's Warblers.

Also present 6 Chiffchaffs, 25 singing Robins, 2 Siskins, 1 Redpoll, 3 Linnets (first since last autumn), 6 Yellowhammers, Great Spot Woodpecker, 3 Starlings and 28 Jackdaws (K. Bannister/CG). 

Carlton Marsh

The only sightings today were from Keith Bannister on his walk round this morning. Apart from the usual wildfowl 3 Skylark were singing, and 8 Redwings, 1 Red-legged Partridge and a female Yellow Bunting were seen in a nearby horse pasture.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights with Richard Laverack were 2 Red Kites at 11.20hrs, 1 left south, the other was still floating around over our heads at 12.20hrs. 

Also 4 Buzzards riding the thermals, Grey Wagtail (the first this year), 3 Cetti's Warblers,  single Redpoll and Siskin, 30+ Canada geese, 6 Greylags, 14 Teal and a Tawny Owl called.

3 Redwings were in Wigleys horse pasture at first light (Keith Bannister).

Insects on show at mid-day were 2 Peacock, 6 Comma, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and an early Dark-edged Bee Fly (Chris Parkin).

                                              Primroses 

Carlton Marsh

The following photographs of Little Egret, Mistle Thrush & Wren were kindly supplied by Harold Heath & Clive Mitchell. 

Carlton Marsh

On the scrapes today 14 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, Dabchick, Little Egret, 35 Canada Geese, 11 Greylags.

Also present Treecreeper, c10 Siskins, Redpoll, 2 singing Mistle Thush, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 singing Cetti's Warbler, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards (R. Laverack)

A low flying calling Raven south at 14.32hrs returned 3 minutes later and flew west (CG). 

 

Carlton Marsh

The highlights of this mornings walk were 1 Singing Chiffchaff, 15 Redwings, c20 Redpolls, c25 Siskins, Peregrine Falcon (JP) and a calling Raven north at 12.25hrs (R. Laverack/K. Bannister/CG).

Carlton Marsh

10 Fieldfares were in a nearby hedgerow with 2 beautiful male Yellow Buntings (K. Bannister)

                         Bullace in full bloom on the embankment

 

 Primroses near the school pond

                                 Kingfisher near the scrape (Harold Heath)

Carlton Marsh

Sightings today included 3 Snipe (2 wader scrape), 30 Canada Geese, 4 Greylags, 2 Siskins, Redpoll, 2 Kingfishers, Dabchick, Great Spot Woodpecker, 25 Jackdaws and 2 Buzzards (Harold Heath/Clive Mitchell/John Finch/CG).

Also Peacock butterfly. The following photos were all taken by Clive Mitchell.

                                   Common Buzzard

                                                 Adult Cormorant

Dearne Valley Park 

2 Grey Wagtails, and butterflies, a male Brimstone, 2 Peacocks, and a Comma (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh

This morning 15 Redwings were feeding in Wigley's horse pasture (K. Bannister).

2 pairs of Shoveler (Whin Pool), c10 Tufted Ducks, 30 Canada Geese, 8 Greylags, Kingfisher, 

Lapwing south, 2 Buzzards, male Bullfinch and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. (S. Cox/H. Hearth/C. Mitchell/P. Bulpin).

This afternoon Redpoll, 2 Siskins, Blackbirds feeding on Ivy berries, 2 Little Grebes still in winter plumage (wader scrape), Snipe, 2 water Rails and 2 Cetti's Warbles called, and 2 pairs of Red -legged Partridges were on fields nearby (CG).

 Male Reed Bunting feeding in newly laid Dead hedge (H.Heath/C. Mitchell)

                         Male Great Spotted Woodpecker (Phil Bulpin)

                        Female Great Spotted Woodpecker (PB)

 

This is what we don't want to see! 3 people took it upon themselves to go into the Western Meadow. They said they didn't know it was a nature reserve. The only way they can access this meadow is by climbing the gates that say, 'No Access to The Public Conservation Area.

The only people allowed in the meadow are the sheep/cattle grazier, BMBC Rangers, Our Rangers and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust on management or survey work. 

Thanks to Harold Heath and Clive Mitchell for removing them! 

 

Carlton Marsh

This morning 3 Snipe, 12 Teal, 18 Tufted Ducks, 35 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag Geese,Water Rail, 2 Cetti's Warblers, Cormorant and Little Egret.

Also 2 Great Spot Woodpeckers, 5 Siskin, and a Red Kite south (JP/ R. Laverack/S. Cox/R. Frost).  

                                   Little Egret (Simon Cox)

Carlton Marsh

20 Redwings were feeding in a nearby pasture, Cormorant, Tufted Duck Canada Geese and Greylag Geese.

                                       Gadwall (S. Cox)

 Low Cudworth

                   Oak Beauty came to my garden MV lamp (CG).

Carlton Marsh

Today's sightings included 48 Canada geese, Water Rail, 3 singing Cetti's warblers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 LBB Gulls and 3 Great Spot Woodpeckers chasing each other in courtship, and drumming (C. Parkin/CG).

Carlton Marsh

A Redshank on the wader scrape was new in today (JP).

3 Chiffchaffs were feeding together in the same tree (S. Cox).

 

Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) Terry Smith

 

Chiffchaff (Simon Cox)