Wet n' windy

Not surprisingly not much news from the Old Moor area today in adverse weather conditions. Three Goldeneye were at Broomhill Flash this morning whilst reports from Old Moor included a healthy count of c500 Wigeon and 200 Gadwall.

gull roost update

The second-winter Med' Gull again roosted at Broomhead Res last night. Plenty of Crossbills were also seen in the area. Also, there was an unconfirmed report of a Great Grey Shrike recently somewhere along Ewden Beck between the green bridge and the hairpin bend.

ADWICK ON DEARNE WASHLANDS

News from a site which is not normally covered by most Barnsley birders but is in the recording area and was covered during the recent breeding bird survey. RSPB are currently working on the management of this potentially excellent area. Ken Foundation reports for today - Not many species this morning, but lots of birds especially buntings. Common Buzzard 2, Grey Partridge 5, Corn Bunting 3 (1 singing), Reed Bunting c50, Yellow Bunting c40, Linnet c100, Goldfinch 40, Greenfinch 8, Bullfinch 2, Skylark 11, Tree Sparrow 2, Kingfisher 1, Fieldfare ,80, Redwing 20.

Gulls galore

Broomhead Res
The gull roost here pre-dawn held 270 GBBGulls which is a big surprise considering Sheffield birders have been saying how poor it is (or maybe that is a poor count to them). Crossbills were also conspicuous with 5 sightings of 11 birds in the first hour. A mixed flock of 100 Siskins (mainly) and a few Lesser Redpolls also here but the Moor tops were bitterly cold.
Wintersett Res
The gulls here tonight;- GBBGull 359, LBBGull 3, Herring Gull 908, Common Gull 2000, and Black-headed Gull 8000.

Once Bittern...........

A single Bittern, which as far as I know had not been seen all day at Old Moor, roosted on the Reedbeds as per usual. It appeared to fly in from the reeds in front of the Bittern hide............

The Great Grey Shrike at Jebb Lane was still showing mid-afternoon.

White-Fronted Goose Royd Moor Res

still a juv on the water at Royd Moor today. This at least is a genuine goose sighting, unlike a lot of the dodgy stuff pumped out by pager services whose 'news' is about as reliable as the News of the World's!

Happy New Year!

Monday 2nd January

More Hall Filter Station
1 male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in a mixed tit flock.

More Hall Reservoir
4 Cormorants and 3 drake Goosanders.

More has Beans?

News on the pager of of a Bean Goose at Wintersett but I just spoke to one of the regulars who is on site currently and all they can find is a Pink-foot, so you can guess what he's thinking. He may be a sceptic, but I doubt it! Meanwhile, year listers (oops, sorry!) will be pleased to know both the American Wigeon (below) and 'Greenland White-front' are still present.

Drake American Wigeon, Anglers CP - Chris Harris. Still there today for the year listers!

pink-less

Morning visit to Old Moor, clear and sunny yet surprisingly not a Pink-foot skein by mid-day. At least the raptors were up, Peregrine (taking a Moorhen), Buzzard and a couple of Sparrowhawks. Otherwise, pretty much the norm, the best being the Cetti's heard calling at the Reedbeds.

Meanwhile, the Great Grey Shrike remains off Jebb Lane and the immature White-front is still with Greylags this morning on the west side of Royd Moor Reservoir.

WINTERSETT RES - NEW YEARS DAY

A good start to the year with lingering rarities American Wigeon and 'Greenland' White-front still present. 71 Goosanders in the evening was a good count as were 250 GBBGulls and 850 Herring Gulls. A 'Mealy' Redpoll was amongst a small flock of Lesser Redpolls and a Barn Owl left its box in Wintersett village at dusk.
EDDERTHORPE FLASH
3 Shelduck and 5 Goosanders were the few things of note.

Old Moor Reedbeds - New Years Day

Paid a late afternoon visit to the Old Moor Reedbeds for Bittern and was rewarded with 2 birds. First one flew in at 4.05 and landed in tall reeds to left of Bittern Hide. Second one flew in from Reedbed Hide direction at 4.25 and flew around for about 5 minutes before dropping into reeds to left of Reedbed Hide. This is the first time I have seen a Bittern behave like this, could it be a new bird? Also seen was 1 Water Rail with several more heard, 12 Shoveler from Reedbed Hide and a few Goosanders flying over to roost on the Mere.

Bolton Ings - New Years Day

An early morning visit produced the following:- Grey Heron 5, Mute Swan 13, Canada Goose 33, Grey Lag Goose 2, Cormorant 8, Mallard 24, Gadwall 22, Teal 7, Shoveler 20, Pochard 7, Tufted Duck 34, Goosander 13, Goldeneye 2 females, Coot 248, Moorhen 13, Buzzard 1, Sparrowhawk 2+, Kestrel 1, Lapwing 169, Green Sandpiper 2, Black Headed Gull 180, Common Gull 46, LBB Gull 1, Herring Gull 1, Green Woodpecker 2. Highlights being a Buzzard over early on before rain set in and 7 sightings of Sparrowhawk including 2 together and 1 catching a Blackbird. With other observers seeing Peregrine and Merlin today a good start to the year with 5 species of raptor. Finally a Fox was a road casualty in the layby on the Dearne Valley Parkway.

Recent photos from the Ingbirchworth Area

The following excellent photos were all taken by Huddersfield birder Nick Mallinson who has been kind enough to share them with us - Thanks Nick.

This immature White-fronted Goose was photographed at Royd Moor on 27th December. It is thought it could possibly be one of two juveniles that were first seen at Ingbirchworth several weeks ago. Note that the bird is beginning to develop a white blaze.

The Snow Bunting below was photographed in very wet conditions in a sheep field at Spicer House Lane near Ingbirchworth on 26th November 2011. No doubt a few Barnsley birders will be drooling over this!

Shrike continues to perform

The Great Grey Shrike off Jebb Lane - both photos Ron Marshall

The Great Grey Shrike was still showing mid-afternoon off Jebb Lane. A single Jack Snipe remains at Wilthorpe Marsh.

Sunday 1st January

Broomhead Reservoir
2 drake Goosanders, 121 Mallard, 4 Teal, c200 Siskins and c20 Lesser Redpolls (the latter two species in larches in the SW corner)

Old Moor

A morning visit revealed a mass of waterfowl particularly on the Mere with at least 385 Wigeon, 360 Teal, 200 Gadwall, 51 Greylags and a couple each of Shelduck and Goldeneye. No wonder the Peregrine continued to make frequent raids. A Buzzard was over Bolton Ings, but far more interesting was a Merlin seen at both Broomhill and Old Moor.

Two Bitterns were seen at the Reedbeds tonight when at least six Water Rails were calling. The Cetti's Warbler was not reported today but was apparently seen on friday.

BBSG 2011 Records

Can birders please get their 2011 records to me as soon as possible. You can email them to me at cawthrow@aol.com. Please use the species order that is in the latest report, that is starting with Mute Swan and finishing with Buntings. Thanks. The 2010 report is nearly done (probably some time in January).

1st January 2012
The Shrike was showing well today just by the pond. It appeared to catch a shrew. Can all Barnsley birders try and get their 2010 records to me as soon as possible please, you can email them to me at cawthrow@aol.com . Please use the order as in the last report, that is starting with Mute Swan and finishing with Buntings. The people who have compiled the latest BOU order may know about DNA (National Dyslexia Association) but they obviously do not understand evolution or how it works - how can Vireos and Yank Warblers be two of the most distant families with Shrikes, Orioles and Crows (and most other passerines) between them?

Photos!!

if anyone has any photos they would like me to use in the Weekender Nature column, please send them to monogyna@yahoo.com and I will try to use them.

And we're off!

Great Grey Shrike still near Haigh, off Jebb Lane beside Green Acre Pond this morning.