Cudworth

 c150 Pink Feet Geese flew over Darfield road heading east at 11.20hrs.

Carlton Marsh Update 24/9/26

2 Tawny Owls called at dusk along with 3 Water Rails. 7 Starlings came in to roost.

Birds ringed included 2 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs and 5 Blackcaps.

                                             Goldcrest

 

Robin

                                                    Cetti's Warbler
   

Carlton Marsh

A Red Kite flew low over the northern meadow.

Butterflies included 7 Red Admiral, 12 Speckled Wood, 3 Common Blue and 2 Small Copper (Chris Parkin).

       The Truxor reed cutting machine hard at work (Melvyn White) 

 

Carlton Marsh

3 Shovelers were present this morning and an Egret species flew over in the distance (Keith Bannister).

At dusk this evening a Bittern came in from the south and alighted in a reed bed near the hide. After a few minutes it got up and began giving an aerial display, croaking as it circled the scrape at height, before leaving south. Normally this behaviour is only given by overwintering birds when they finally leave in March (Dave Standish).

This despite the reserve being disturbed by 2 Truxor machines removing excess reeds during the day!

Carlton Marsh 22/9/29 Update & Storrs Mill & Cudworth

A Curlew flew east mid morning and a steady stream of Skylarks were moving south, (JP).

A moth session with Chris Parkin produced 9 species of macro that included Lunar Underwing, Angle Shades, Barred Sallow, Old Lady and Black Rustic. Earlier a Noctule Bat was feeding over the scrape.

Storrs Mill to Ardsley Viaduct

2 Little Egrets, 2 Buzzards, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Grey Herons and 3 Mute Swans.

Butterflies included a male Brimstone, 5 Red Admiral, 3 Peacock, 2 Comma, 25 Speckled Wood, 2 Common Blue, 6 Small Copper,  and 30 unidentified White species (C. Parkin). 

 

Cudworth

2 Noctule Bats were feeding over Firth Avenue in the early evening in daylight and 2 Great Spot Woodpeckers were feeding on fat balls in Dave Standish's garden there. 

Carlton Marsh

 A Shelduck was on the wader scrape.

Also of note Little Egret south, Greenfinch, 3 Coal Tits, 2 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk. 

Carlton Marsh/Cudworth/ Littleworth Park-Monk Bretton

Carlton Marsh

The site will be disturbed during the next two weeks due to habitat management of the reed beds and the removal of invasive trees.

Despite the disturbance to the scrape, a Shoveler and the rest of the wildfowl and Swans didn't seem to mind too much. 2 Cetti's Warblers sang and the Coots were battling as usual.

The first Common Gull of the autumn was on the wader scrape with Black Headed Gulls and 10 Teal (CG).

 

Cudworth

A male Vapourer Moth was languishing on Chris Parkin's garden shed door this afternoon. 

 

Littleworth Park 

4 Pied Wagtails and 36 Magpies were of interest.

Butterflies included 4 Small Heath, 4 Common Blue, 3 Brown Argus, and 10 Small Copper  (C. Parkin). 

Cudworth 20/9/26

I have been catching moths for the past 42 years. During that time I have caught some fabulous looking species, but I never dared to dream I would ever catch a Clifden Nonpareil (Catocala fraxini). Thanks to the gift of a moth trap from Paul Thorpe via his cousin, the late Graham Guest.

  Clifden Nonpareil  

 

                                                    The Underside

Also in the trap was a late Swallow-tailed Moth, a Lesser Yellow Underwing, a Small Dusty Wave and 2 Box Tree moths. 

 

 Swallow-tailed Moth

Carlton Marsh

A Red Kite drifted west at 14.00hrs.

Butterflies included 5 Small Copper, 10 Speckled Wood and single Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Brown Argus (Chris Parkin).

Carlton Marsh

A Red Kite flew south around 10.45hrs (Dave Standish) and a Peregrine was resting on a chimney ladder at Ardagh Glassworks. 

Carlton Marsh was officially given the status of a 'Local Nature Reserve' 50 years ago in December 1976. So we decided to celebrate the event while the weather was still warm. The Mayor of Barnsley attended with Russ Boland and other council officials along with birders and naturalists who have been involved with the reserve down the years, for a photo shoot this morning. Eric Bennett, one of the three founding members came down from Leeds. Dave Smith travelled all the way down from Amble in Northumberland, and back, to join us. A big thank you to everyone who attended to mark this momentus occasion.

Below are some of the photographs taken by my daughter Claire Griffiths. 

 

Nether Cudworth

A male Lady Amhirst's Pheasant was found in Birk Ings Wood (locally known as the 'Little Wood') which is opposite Ring Farm police stables. (per Geoff Miller) As you might expect it was very approachable calling its head off.

 

Carlton Marsh

A male Shelduck was still on the wader scrape at 07.27hrs (K. Bannister).

c100 Black Headed Gulls, c6 Skylarks and a Buzzard were in a stubble field and a Yellow Wagtail headed south. 

Of interest up to 80 House Sparrows were in a field on nearby Royston Road (JP). 

Carlton Marsh

 A male Shelduck was on the wader scrape this afternoon (K. Bannister).

Carlton Marsh

11/9/26

20 birds were ringed that included 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps and a male Goldcrest (CG).

 

                                    Goldcrest (male)

3 Water Rails called, 30 Swallows roosted in the reed beds, and 2 Cetti's Warblers sang (D. Standish).

A Humming Bird Hawk moth visited Chris Parkin's garden on 11/9/26

12/9/26 

3 Shovelers were on the wader scrape with 6 Lapwings (K. Bannister).

 

2 Clouded Yellows (the first time this has happened since the year 2000), and 5 Small Coppers were feeding on Devil's Bit Scabious (CG).

 

Clouded Yellow 

A Swift flew over the main scrape at dusk (Dave Standish) 

 

Fungi included Brown Roll Rim, Weeping Widow, a Brittle stem species and an Oyster bracket fungus (CG).

                         Weeping Widow (Lacrymaria lacrymabunda|).

                                                      Pluerotus pulmonarius

Carlton Marsh

A Grey Wagtail and a Water Rail frequented the scrape with c40 Canada Geese.

The wader scrape held 6 Lapwings and 12 teal.

c150 Pink Feet Geese flew east over the bakery and then the reserve at 10.55hrs (Dave Standish/JP).

Our wildlife group were busy mowing and strimming in the car park area after temporarily repairing the access gate to the scrape. 

Carlton Marsh

A Wheatear was found on a ploughed field to the east (JP).

Butterflies included 10 Painted Lady, 2 Small Heath, 2 Comma, 6 Red Admiral, 4 Common Blue, 13 Small Copper (all on the southern meadow) and a Clouded Yellow on Devil's Bit Scabious (Chris Parkin).

Carlton Marsh

I am reliably informed that the fire service left the site at 17.00hrs today, so the road should now be open to traffic. 

Now for the BMBC Rangers to repair the damaged gate locks etc.

Carlton Marsh Monday 7th September

The Tawny Owls in the car park were very vocal this evening objecting to all the noise the huge pump was making as it took water out of the scrape.

c40 Swallows came in to roost at dusk. 

7 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 7 Chiffchaffs were ringed.

Carlton Marsh

As most of you will know there was a huge fire in one of the scrapyards on Boulder Bridge Lane last night. 10 fire engines were in attendance and were still dampening down this afternoon, They extracted water from the main scrape to put out the fire and are continuing to do so. I believe the road is closed so it is probably advisable not to drive here for a couple of days until the fireman have finished there work.

The horses in the meadows are not affected, but the water quality in the dike is affected with thick oil in the scrapyard complex, which is being attended to by the environment agency.

Meanwhile, a Greenshank, 9 Teal, 3 Shovelers and 6 Lapwings were on the wader scrape. 

Also present single Painted Lady and Red Admiral. 

Carlton Marsh & Storrs Mill

The level in the wader scrape has increased dramatically over recent days, but there is a shallow area on the periphery.

A Greenshank spent the day there with 6 Teal and 4 Lapwings. 2 juvenile Buzzards called from the same area and a Peregrine Falcon flew from Cudworth Park towards Bleachcroft Farm (JP).

Also of interest Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler.

Insects included 1m Ruddy Darter, 5 Common Darter, several Migrant Hawker, and 3 Willow Emeralds (CG).

Storrs Mill to Ardsley Viaduct via River Dearne 

Buzzard, 5 Grey Heron, 55 Mallard and 35 Goldfinches.  

 

Insects included 3 Painted Lady, 10 Red Admiral, 3 Comma, 36 Speckled Wood, 8 Common Blue, 9 Brown Argus, 7 Small Copper, 1 Humming Bird Hawk Moth and a Hornet (C. Parkin)

 

                 Humming bird Hawk Moth (Chris Parkin)

Carlton Marsh

The highlights of the past week from 28th of August to September 3rd.

28th August  

A Cream Crown Marsh Harrier flow low over the reeds south at 20.14hrs (D. Standish). 

 

30th August

Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher and 6 Buzzards. Insects included a Clouded Yellow, 16 Painted Lady, 6 Meadow Brown, 5 Brown Argus, 7 Small Copper and lots of Migrant Hawkers (C. Parkin).

Also Little Egret, 2 Greenshanks & 1 Shoveler (K. Bannister).

 

September 

1st Cream Crown Marsh Harrier north over fields harassed by a Buzzard (JP).

2nd Greenshank (JP).

3rd Greenshank (J. Finch) and a Sandwich Tern called as it flew over the east fields at 09.50hrs (JP). 

                                   Greenshank (John Finch)

Littleworth Park Monk Bretton

September 1st 

Clouded Yellow, 12 Brown Argus, 12 Common Blue, 9 Small Copper and 30 Goldfinches (C. Parkin). 

 

Carlton Marsh

2 Green Sandpipers were on the wader scrape this morning (John Finch). And a Grey Wagtail was on the dike (K. Bannister).

                                  Green Sandpipers (J. Finch)

Carlton Marsh

This morning Little Egret, 3 Water Rail (D. Standish) Also 2 Greenshank (wader scrape) K. Bannister.

This evening 10 House Martins, c40 Swallows, 90 Canada Geese (D. Standish).

15 Blackcaps, 3 Reed Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs were ringed (CG). 

Littleworth Park

22 Meadow Brown, 31 Common Blue, 19 Small Heath, 4 Brown Argus, 6 Small Copper (C. Parkin).. 

Carlton Marsh

90 Canada Geese and Kingfisher. 8 Herring Gulls flew south.

Insects included 2 Brown Hawker, 2 Ruddy Darter, 1 Willow Emerald, 1f Small Red-eyed Damselfly, 5 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Copper, 2 Painted Lady.

                                         Willow Emerald

               Devil's Bit Scabious thriving in the Northern Meadow

Carlton Marsh

A Little Egret was on the wader scrape this morning (J. Finch) and a Bittern flew over the reedbeds in the main scrape this evening at 19.30hrs (Dave Standish).

Storrs Mill to Ardsley Viaduct

2 Buzzards, 1 Cormorant.

 

4 Painted Lady, 12 Red Admiral, 83 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Heath, very good numbers of Common Blue, 16 and 13 Brown Argus, and 12 Small Copper (C. Parkin).

Carlton Marsh & South Kirkby

Carlton Marsh

The wader scrape held 2 Greenshanks, 3 Lapwings, 8 Teal and 10+ Gadwall. 

 

on the mains scrape the resident Mute Swans were accompanied by an adult Little Grebe, Grey Heron Kingfisher, c20 Gadwall, Cetti's Warbler, 2 juvenile Buzzards and a Whitethroat.

 

A migrating Redshank called as it flew over the east fields (JP). 

 

Insects included single Peacock and Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, Brown & Southern Hawker, 2m Ruddy Darter, and 2 Willow Emerald in tandem (CG).

 

South Kirkby Industrial Park

29 Small Heath, 35 Common Blue, 13 Brown Argus, and 8 Small Copper (C. Parkin).

 

Carlton Marsh Insects 21/8/26

Carlton Marsh

10 Painted Lady, 1 Comma (2nd brood), 13 Small Heath, 3 Common Blue, 3 Brown Argus, 3 Small Copper, 10 Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria), 2 Silver Y & 1 Yellow Shell Moth.

Carlton 4 & 5 Colliery Site

4 Painted Lady, 4 Red Admiral and a Clouded Yellow on Buddlea (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh

3 Greenshanks were on the wader scrape all day and were joined by a Green Sandpiper this evening, along with 6 Teal (K. Bannister/J. Finch).

A Red-legged Partridge sang nearby, c50 Canada Geese and 30 Mallards were feeding in a stubble field and 12 Swallows came into roost (CG).

                                   Green Sandpiper (John Finch)

                                    Greenshanks (John Finch)

Carlton Marsh

4 Greenshanks (the highest number since 1998 when there were 5), 1 Little Egret and 2 Kingfishers were on the wader scrape at 09.20hrs (K. Bannister et al). 

A total of 44 Gadwall were also present (C. Parkin).

Carlton Marsh

 The highlights of today were 2 Greenshanks and a Snipe on the wader scrape (K. Bannister).

Littleworth Park - Monk Bretton

Despite the cloud cover butterflies included 1 Painted Lady, 36 Meadow Brown, 19 Small Heath, 21 Common Blue, 17 Brown Argus and 8 Small Copper + 1 silver Y moth (Chris Parkin).

Carlton Marsh

4 Red Underwings, 1 Old Lady and 10 Copper Underwings were taken on sugar bait last night (CG) 

                                                              Red Underwing

 This morning 2 Snipe and a Greenshank were on the wader scrape at 09.41hrs (John Finch)

 

Snipe (J. Finch)

Greenshank (J. Finch)

It left east at 10.00hrs (JP).

 

 Butterflies included 15 Painted Lady, 14 Red Admiral, 9 Speckled Wood, 6 Small Copper,8 Small Heath, 19 Common Blue,3 Brown Argus, 20 Meadow Brown. Also Ruddy Darter and

Willow Emerald on the dike (Chris Parkin). 

 

Carlton Marsh

The Greenshank spent its third day on the wader scrape with 2 Snipe and a Lapwing. If it doesn't rain soon it's in danger of drying up (John Finch).

Also present Coal Tit and Kingfisher.

The first Willow Emerald of the year was on the dike near the hide with 1m &1f Small Red-eyed Damselfly (CG).

 

 Greenshank (J. Finch)

 

2 Snipe (J.Finch)
 

Carlton Marsh

A Common Tern visited the scrape this morning and the Greenshank from yesterday was still on the wader scrape (N. Lunn/J. Finch).

                                        Common Tern (J. Finch)

                                               Greenshank (J. Finch).

Carlton Marsh Monday 10/8/26

c30 Swallows came in to roost, 3 Swift flew through before dusk, A juv. Tawny Owl called. Also Great Spot Woodpecker, Water Rail called.

                                     Garden Warbler (CG)

Tuesday 11/8/26

A Greenshank was on the wader scrape most of the day (K.Bannister/J. Finch). 

 

The BMBC Rangers cut back the vegetation on the island in the scrape.It didn't bother the resident Mute Swans and Canada and Greylag flock. 

Still present on the dike 2 female Small Red-eyed Damselflies, several Blue-tailed, Emerald, Emperor and Brown Hawker as well as male Ruddy Darters.

                                   BMBC Rangers (R. J. Boland)
 

                                 Greenshank (John Finch)

                                        Ruddy Darter male (CG)

Carlton Marsh

2 juvenile Buzzards and at least 2 juvenile Sparrowhawks were calling.

A Little Grebe, 12 Greylags and 20 Canada Geese were on the scrape with 20 + Gadwall and 2 Mute Swans.

Butterflies included a Clouded Yellow feeding on Devil's Bit Scabious (CG), 10 Painted Lady, 12 Red Admiral, 62 Meadow Brown, 16 Gatekeeper, 9 Speckled Wood, 5 Small Heath, 36 Common Blue, 7 Small Copper, and 1 Brown Argus.

1 male and a female Small Red-eyed Damselfly (the female ovipositing), c10m 1f Ruddy Darter, 2m Emperor and 1 Migrant Hawker (C. Parkin).

                               Clouded Yellow (CG)
 

Carlton Marsh & Cudworth

Our wildlife group was busy cutting back regenerating scrub this morning.

A pair of Little Grebes have at least 1 very very small young that was almost gobbled up by a Black Headed Gull, it just managed to dive to safety. 4 Teal and c40 Gadwall were amongst the wildfowl present.

Cudworth's old rail station site 

A Humming Bird Hawk Moth was found grounded here. We don't often see them resting like this (Chris Parkin).

 

                       Humming Bird Hawk Moth (C. Parkin)

Carlton Marsh & Thurlstone & Cudworth

 Mixed flock of 50 Canad and Greylag on scrape, Kingfisher. A Snipe was on the wader scrape at 07.18hrs (Neil Lunn).

2m & 1f Small Red-eyed Damsel on the dike (CG).

Thurlstone

 23 Wall Brown, 2 Pained Lady, 2 Holly Blue and 3 Small Copper (C. Parkin). 

 

Upper Cudworth

Another Humming Bird Hawk Moth and a Painted Lady were feeding on Geoff Miller's Buddlea this evening, This Hawk moth has been seen regularly in Les Corrall's Low Cudworth garden over recent weeks. 

 

Also in Low Cudworth recently an infestation of Box Tree Moth larvae in Chris Parkin Jnr's garden.

                               Box Tree Moth larvae (C. Parkin junior)
 

 

Carlton Marsh

A Green Sandpiper was on the wader scrape at 07.33hrs (K. Bannister).

Also 2 Goldcrest, 6 Red-legged Partridge (3 juvs), 2 Buzzard,  Little Grebe.

4 Ruddy Darter, 6 Common Darter, 3 Common Blue and Nursery Web Spider (L & Corrall). 

In the evening 2 Water Rail called, c75 Swallows roosted and 7 Swifts Flew west.

10 Purple Hairstreaks were flying around the tops of Oak (CG). 

Carlton Marsh

A snipe was on the wader scrape early this morning (K. Bannister)

Also present at least 3 juv. Sparrowhawks calling, Juv. Buzzard, 2 Greylags, 11 Canada Geese, and 3 Lapwing.

A butterfly survey produced 2 Comma, 13 Gatekeeper, 5 Green Veined White, 3 Red Admiral, 16 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Ringlet, 1 Painted Lady, c30 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath, 1 Brown Argus and 1 Small Copper.

3 Small Red-eyed Damselflies (1m 2f), and 2m Ruddy Darter (CG/C/ Parkin).  

 

Littleworth Park - Monk Bretton

Butterflies encountered today were, Clouded Yellow, 6 Painted Lady, 231 Meadow Brown, 43 Small Heath, 102 Common Blue, 2 Holly Blue, 17 Brown Argus and 18 Small Copper (Chris Parkin).

 

 Clouded Yellow (C. Parkin)

Carlton Marsh

Wednesday 29/7/26

2 Little Egrets, Green Woodpecker (first this year), 2 LBB Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 4 Lapwings, Kingfisher, and 2 Tawny Owls called at dusk (Neil Lunn//JP/CG).

 

A moth session produced 25 species of macro that included 19 Copper Underwing, Maiden's Blush, which is new to the list, 2 Red Underwings on sugar, Twin Spotted Wainscot, Old lady and 2 Sallow Kitten (Chris Parkin/CG)

 

                                    Maiden's Blush (CG)
 

                                   Twin Spotted Wainscot (CG)

 

Carlton Marsh

Monday 27/7/26 

12 Swallows, 2 Water Rail,  Goldcrest, Common Tern 1 adult 1 juvenile, Teal Tufted Duck still with 7 young, 1 Swift and the Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) (L & A Corrall/CG).

 

Tuesday 28/7/26 

Grey Wagtail.

Insects included 18 species of butterfly 10 Painted Lady, 12 Red Admiral, 178 Meadow Brown, 1 Large Skipper, 48 Common Blue, 2 Holly Blue, 7 Brown Argus, and 15 Small Copper.

Also 2male Small Red - eyed Damselflies, 1 in tandem with a female and 12 Emperor (Chris Parkin). 

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were 2 Common Terns (1 juv being fed) from 07.10hrs until mid-day. They chased off a Herring Gull and a LBB Gull, but they were continually harassed by a Black Headed Gull all morning. 

                                Adult Common Tern (J. Finch)

                               Juvenile Common Tern (CG).

A Dunlin still in summer plumage was on the wader scrape at 07.30hrs but that was chased off by a Black Headed Gull (Keith Bannister/John Finch).

Also present 3 Lapwings, Kingfisher and a juv. Sparrowhawk was calling. (CG)

A common Sandpiper was on the wader scrape this evening (Dave Standish).

Insects included the first proof of breeding of Small Red-eyed Damselfly when a female was seen on the dike ovipositing in tandem with a male. 2 Ruddy Darter males, Southern Hawker, 

7 Gatekeeper, 7 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 7 Common Blue, and c50 Meadow Brown. 

 

                       male & female Small Red-eyed Damselflies (CG)

Cudworth

A Humming Bird Hawk Moth was feeding in Chris Parkin's Barnsley Road garden.