Invasion update

Waxwings Monday: 125 + at Hemmingfield this morning. Then came across another small flock of 7 near the mini roundabout that links Lymesway to Elsecar Road. Finally, at least 26 were still on Springwood Road, Hoyland early afternoon. Some of Chris Harris's photos of the latter flock below.

Gunthwaite Dam

Gunthwaite Dam - both Water Rail and Green Sandpiper still present yesterday (02/02/12) per Dave Pennington

Water Rail at Gunthwaite Dam. photo Dave Pennington

From SBSG website

The gull roost at Broomhead Reservoir produced - c120 Great Black-backed Gulls, c300 Herring Gulls, c50 Common Gulls, 1300+ Black-headed Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gullds. Also present - 20 Tufted Ducks and 2 Teal.
More Hall Reservoir - 1 drake Mandarin Duck, 1 Teal and 3 Cormorants.

Wintersett Pics 02.12.12

Denis  and his mates came over from Donny and took photos of some of  the Wintersett goodies on Saturday.   Thank you - they are much appreciated.

Long-tailed Duck    D.Matthewman

Smew     D.Matthewman

Smew        D.Matthewman

Smew           D. Matthewman

Smew     D. Matthewman

Bittern-a-gallery

A couple of Bittern shots from the Reedbeds today:

Bittern - Jim Thompson

Bittern - Jeff Wragg

Rabbit Ings

Hola. There were 4 Short Eared Owls flying today (Mick Birkinshaw, Dave Standish)

Bolton Ings - 2nd December

Yet another glorious Sunday morning, clear blue skies, little wind but cold -1c at 9am when I started out. Lots of ice about, the western pool about 90% frozen and only 24 Coot and 22 Mallard on the open water. The eastern pool about 75% frozen but that meant all the wildfowl were out of the reeds and on the open water and easier to count. The highlights have been posted so straight on with the full list:- Grey Heron 2, Little Egret 1, Mute Swan 8, Whooper Swan 3 east @ 10.25, Canada Goose 2, Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 4, Mallard 47, Teal 28, Gadwall 73, Shoveler 13, Shelduck 1, Tufted Duck 15, Pochard 60, Goldeneye 2, Goosander 3, Coot 251, Moorhen 10, Redshank 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Snipe 3, Black Headed Gull 59, Common Gull 9, Herring Gull 5 north, Kestrel 1, Jay 1, Green Woodpecker 3, Grey Wagtail 1, Fieldfare 5, Redwing c50.
Had a couple of hours later on Old moor mainly on the reedbeds but a quick look on mere produced 16 Goosander (pre roost), 1 Goldeneye and 2 Redshank on the ice. A Goldcrest and a Kingfisher from field pool west and 2 Bitterns and at least 4 Water Rails on the reedbeds.

ADWICK WASHLANDS

Fieldfare c 150, Little Egret 1, Kingfisher 2, Lapwing 2, Snipe 1, Redwing 28, Sparrowhawk 1 (female) ,Skylark 10, Mallard 6, Grey Heron 2, Black H Gull 80, Herring Gull 6 Grey Wagtail 2,

BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP

The monthly meet is this coming Thursday 6th December at 07.15 at the Old Moor visitor centre (everything as usual). The speaker is the legendery Mike Richardson who in his usual manner with his usual high quality photographs will be entertaining us with his travels during the past 12 months.
All welcome, entrance fee of £2.50 with interval drinks.

Wintersett

Most of the wildfowl remain in their chosen sites;- Egyptian Geese 3, American Wigeon 1 drake CP with 230 Wigeon, Smew 1 drake TR, Scaup all 4 still present, Long-tailed Duck female on CP, Counts include;- Pochard 152, Goosander 28. A redshank was around and a Green Sand flew south in the morning. Seven Crossbills were in haw park and Waxwings - 2 on the CP in the morning and 6 flew north in the afternoon.
And finally gulls- the movement in the morning of Herring gulls was mirrored in the evening roost;- Herring 380, GBBG 18, LBBG 6, Yellow-legged Gull 1 first-winter, Common Gull 2010.

Edderthorpe Flash

Shoveler 27, Wigeon 42, Teal 255(highest count this winter), Mallard 285, Tufted 31, Goldeneye 1, Goosander 3, Whooper Swan 1 south-east. Noticeable movement of Herring Gulls - 80 flew north.

More Waxwings

Stocksbridge - 22 Waxwings at Green Farm Hamlet this pm.

Old Moor Sunday

Old Moor: Two Bitterns showing from Bittern Hide this morning and two left the Reedbeds and flew down the River Dearne at 16.02. Also four Water Rails calling. Other birds at Old Moor included a Merlin through and ten Waxwings at the entrance gate. Around 400 Teal were counted in the area

Bolton Ings (Barnsley Blade): Little Egret, 3 Whoopers east @ 10.25, Shelduck, 73 Gadwall, 60 Pochard, 3 Goosanders, 2 Goldeneye, Redshank, Green Sand.

A flock of 21 Skylarks were in stubble at Broomhill, a Grey Wagtail at Wombwell SF and a GS Woodpecker in the Canyon as well as c70 Redwing, 30 Fieldfare and 10 Chaffinch.

BOHEMIAN'S, STILL WITH US.

Late afternoon, 80+ Waxwing's in the tree's near the Albion Public House at Hemingfield.

Wintersett 02.12.12

Hard frost, sunny, light wind.
Wintersett Res: Male SMEW  to 11.00 then flew to Anglers when boats came out. Green Sandpiper 1 south at 09.48hrs ,  Redshank 1 over at 11.06hrs,  Herring Gull 100 N,   Water Rail 3,    Egyptian  Goose 3, 
Anglers CP: Female Long-tailed Duck,  Drake American Wigeon, Teal 37 + 9 WRes.,
4 Scaup still in the area.  1 ACP and 3 W Res. 
Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 3 near the entrance.
Cold Hiendley Res: Tufted Duck 221.

Old Moor area update

Dave Waddington reports;- Bittern 2 reedbeds during the day, Goosander 21, Shelduck 1 Bh, Gadwall 314, Goldeneye 6 Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl Broomhill, Green Sand 1 and Redshank 2 Broomhill, Waxwing 2 near visitor centre, Brambling 4 in crop field by centre.

Upland waters

Castle Dam - 31 Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Moorhen, 10 Coots and c120 Black-headed Gulls.
Scout Dike Reservoir - 32 Canada Geese, 28 Mallards, 12 Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Goldeneye, 2 Cormoranrs, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Moorhens, 13 Coots, 1 Willow Tit , 7+ Long-tailed Tits and 1 Nuthatch.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 227 Canada Geese, 36 Mallards, 9 Wigeons, 8 Tufted Ducks, 1 Liitle Grebe and 11 Coots.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 1 Cormorant.
Midhope Reservoir - 7 Mallards.

Gunthwaite Dam

Gunthwaite Dam - 1 Water Rail and 1 Green Sandpiper per HBW website.

Wintersett Smew 01.12.12

Wintersett Res:  New in today - A male SMEW  moulting out of eclipse, giving  brilliant views from dam wall.
Other goodies still here:
AnglersCP:  American Wigeon,  Long-tailed Duck ,  4 Scaup -  1 ACP,  2 WRes,  1 Botany and  3 Eygptian Geese.    Also Canada Geese 275  + 1 albinistic.   Greylag 79.
Cold Hiendley Res: Common  Scoter 1 female/immature. 

Hello/Welcome Back?       Smew   Kev Deny

Smew                                        Kev Denny

Smew -still  chestnut on head.               Kev Denny

sat sofa

Old Moor: 300+ Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, Shelduck, 2 Redshank, Brambling.

Broomhill Flash: 2 Goldeneye, c70 Fieldfare..

Hemmingfield: c50 Waxwings.