2 Bitterns (1 booming) + 2 Water Rails at Reedbeds, Old Moor late-aft (Jeff Wragg).
Belated news from Broomhead gull roost yesterday: Adult Caspian + Yellow-legged Gull (Roy Twigg).
If anybody intends to purchase the Breeding Birds of the Sheffield area (Bird Atlas) I can get them passed on to me and thus a substantial saving on postage.
Monday, 3 February 2014
The Edge 3rd Feb
Broomhill Flash mid AM- Present were 1 Cormorant, 2a+4j Mute Swan, 22 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 31 Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, 12 Teal, 2f Goldeneye, 2 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 65 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 37 Lapwing and 1 Kestrel.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Noted were 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4a+4j Mute Swan, 26 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag, 13 Pochard, 12 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 3m+3f Goldeneye, 3 Wigeon, 1m+1f Goosander, 165+ BH Gull, 7 Common Gull, 39 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Trans-Pennine Trail- 2 Jay and 1 Gt Spotted Woodpecker.
Wombwell Ings mid PM- Present were 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 3a+1j Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Shelduck, 224+ Wigeon, 45+ Teal, 25+ Mallard, 2m+3f Goosander, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 71 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 7 Grey Partridge, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Noted were 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4a+4j Mute Swan, 26 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag, 13 Pochard, 12 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 3m+3f Goldeneye, 3 Wigeon, 1m+1f Goosander, 165+ BH Gull, 7 Common Gull, 39 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Trans-Pennine Trail- 2 Jay and 1 Gt Spotted Woodpecker.
Wombwell Ings mid PM- Present were 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 3a+1j Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Shelduck, 224+ Wigeon, 45+ Teal, 25+ Mallard, 2m+3f Goosander, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 71 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 7 Grey Partridge, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Toolbars
Broomhead Reservoir - 6 (4 males & 2 females) Two-barred Crossbills and c15 Common Crossbills.
BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP Presents.....
Thursday 6th February, 7.15 pm at the Old Moor visitor centre
Mike Richardson on with his Wildlife Miscellany, expect some stunning photography and taproom banter delivered in Mikes unique way!
All welcome, £2.50 on the door, interval drinks included.
Mike Richardson on with his Wildlife Miscellany, expect some stunning photography and taproom banter delivered in Mikes unique way!
All welcome, £2.50 on the door, interval drinks included.
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Bolton Ings et al - Sunday 2nd February
A lovely day this morning, 7c at 8 o'clock when I started out, clear blue skies but a strong south westerly. Fairly quiet, the "resident' Buzzard still present on the fence posts, 3 pairs of Goldeneye and a Goldcrest in riverside trees. Full list :- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 9, Canada Goose 31, Grey Lag Goose 115, Cormorant 4, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 3, Mallard 12, Teal 20, Gadwall 40, Wigeon 14, Shoveler 12, Tufted Duck 26, Pochard 20, Goldeneye 6, Goosander 2, Coot 165, Moorhen 10, Lapwing 43, Black Headed Gull 355, Common Gull 11, LBB Gull 1, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Jay 2, Goldcrest 1.
Had a walk onto the Reedbeds at Old Moor late afternoon and had a very good couple of hours. I was hoping to hear the Bittern booming and right on cue he started at 4.45, I looked in the direction of the "booms" and picked him up on the edge of the reeds. Fantastic views and even saw him booming, after 30 minutes out in the open he flew into thicker reeds and out of view. He carried on booming and I counted 10 "booms" until 5.45 when I left. Although the booming was impressive I would say he isn't quite up to full volume yet compared to the last 2 years.
As I was walking onto the Reedbeds at 3.45 a Woodcock flew from the trees at the side of the road onto the themed area. A Water Rail was seen and heard in front of the hide, a Dunlin flew round with a Lapwing flock and as I was leaving a Green Sandpiper flew over.
Had a walk onto the Reedbeds at Old Moor late afternoon and had a very good couple of hours. I was hoping to hear the Bittern booming and right on cue he started at 4.45, I looked in the direction of the "booms" and picked him up on the edge of the reeds. Fantastic views and even saw him booming, after 30 minutes out in the open he flew into thicker reeds and out of view. He carried on booming and I counted 10 "booms" until 5.45 when I left. Although the booming was impressive I would say he isn't quite up to full volume yet compared to the last 2 years.
As I was walking onto the Reedbeds at 3.45 a Woodcock flew from the trees at the side of the road onto the themed area. A Water Rail was seen and heard in front of the hide, a Dunlin flew round with a Lapwing flock and as I was leaving a Green Sandpiper flew over.
Wintersett Gulls 02.02.14
It was an interesting gull roost today with the adult Kumlien's Gull in at 17.10hrs at Anglers CP. Earlier, a juvenile Glaucous Gull flew in to ACP at 14.15hrs but left north at 14.40hrs. Presumably the same bird, was picked up at 17.30 hrs, flying in from the west, to Wintersett Res. roost .
The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull came in to ACP at 16.50hrs and a further adult Yellow-legged Gull was in WRes roost.
Another interesting gull was present on ACP from 14.00 to 1450 hrs, when it flew off NW, before returning at 15.40hrs until dark . It was a very pale 1st W bird, with traces of a secondary bar and tail bar and slightly darker primaries, giving the general impression of being a white-winger. However, it is thought to be a leucistic 1st W Herring Gull.
Other Counts. Herring Gull 1323 (920 ACP + 403 WRes)
Great Black-backed 208 (103 ACP + 105 WRes)
Common Gull 2300 (WRes)
Goosander 49 (ACP)
The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull came in to ACP at 16.50hrs and a further adult Yellow-legged Gull was in WRes roost.
Another interesting gull was present on ACP from 14.00 to 1450 hrs, when it flew off NW, before returning at 15.40hrs until dark . It was a very pale 1st W bird, with traces of a secondary bar and tail bar and slightly darker primaries, giving the general impression of being a white-winger. However, it is thought to be a leucistic 1st W Herring Gull.
Other Counts. Herring Gull 1323 (920 ACP + 403 WRes)
Great Black-backed 208 (103 ACP + 105 WRes)
Common Gull 2300 (WRes)
Goosander 49 (ACP)
A Bitternews
A few bits in for today: The Bittern was booming at the Reedbeds. Also Water Rail, Woodcock and Dunlin. At least four Goldeneye were on the Mere this morning and the Brambling remains by the Car Park feeders.
.jpg) |
| The male Bittern captured on the remote camera at the Reedbeds recently. Notice that the lores are getting quite pale now as the breeding season approaches. |
Castle Dam and area 02/02/14
Sightings from the area this afternoon:
Wigeon 17
Black-headed Gull 40+
Common Gull 1
Fieldfare c.50 overhead
Tree Sparrow 2
Sparrowhawk 1
Wigeon 17
Black-headed Gull 40+
Common Gull 1
Fieldfare c.50 overhead
Tree Sparrow 2
Sparrowhawk 1
Broomhill Flash
Here are todays sightings for Broomhill Flash c.o Dave Bamforth.
Lapwing 20,
Snipe 1.
Teal 16,
Wigeon 46,
Gadwall 52,
Goldeneye 2,
Tufted Duck 6,
Mallard 4,
Pochard 1,
Shelduck 1,
Common Gull 1,
Cormorant 2.
Red-legged Partridge 12.
Kestrel 1.
Lapwing 20,
Snipe 1.
Teal 16,
Wigeon 46,
Gadwall 52,
Goldeneye 2,
Tufted Duck 6,
Mallard 4,
Pochard 1,
Shelduck 1,
Common Gull 1,
Cormorant 2.
Red-legged Partridge 12.
Kestrel 1.
Carlton Marsh
Little Owl again this morning along with 2 Sparrowhawks, c100 Fieldfares and 2 Siskins. (Rod Heeley)
The stubble-field to the east of the reserve to the human eye looks bereft of anything edible, but throughout the winter months this field has sustained varying numbers of larks and buntings. Today it was estimated that 100 Skylarks and a similar number of Yellowhammers were feeding there. (Jim Plant) They move away in the middle of the afternoon to roost at an unknown destination. Yellowhammers have been known to roost in stands of Hawthorn on the reserve, but one can only assume that Skylarks roost on nearby pastoral land. In the days when Meadow Pipit and Corn Bunting were more abundant, Keith Bannister and I once found a roost of around 200 of both species roosting in rough grass on the reserve in early March.
Fieldfares enjoying the mild conditions
Cudworth Sewage Works
25 Pied Wagtails were feeding on and around the sprinklers and a Treecreeper was amongst a Tit flock in Larches. A buzzard and 25 Fieldfares were seen near Storrs Mill.(Chris Parkin)
Wintersett 02.02.14
2°C, blue skies, brisk, cold, south westerly.
Wintersett Res: Nuthatch and 2 Willow Tits in Pits Wood. Grey Heron 3+ 1 CHRes. Kingfisher 1.
Little Owl 1, Santingley field.
Anglers CP: Greylag Goose 57, Cormorant 32 and Shoveler 12.
Wintersett Res: Nuthatch and 2 Willow Tits in Pits Wood. Grey Heron 3+ 1 CHRes. Kingfisher 1.
Little Owl 1, Santingley field.
Anglers CP: Greylag Goose 57, Cormorant 32 and Shoveler 12.
Ingbirchworth Area
Fullshaw - 1 Kestrel, 1 Skylark and 400+ Starlings.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 1 Moorhen and 60+ Black-headed Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Common - c2000 Starlings and 200+ Fieldfares.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Pink-footed Geese, 118 Greylag Geese, 1 Greylag x Canada Goose, 228 Canada Geese, 41 Mallards, 11 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Coots, c100 Black-headed Gulls and 16 Common Gulls.
Whitwell Moor - 1 immature/female Stonechat.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 1 Moorhen and 60+ Black-headed Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Common - c2000 Starlings and 200+ Fieldfares.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Pink-footed Geese, 118 Greylag Geese, 1 Greylag x Canada Goose, 228 Canada Geese, 41 Mallards, 11 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Coots, c100 Black-headed Gulls and 16 Common Gulls.
Whitwell Moor - 1 immature/female Stonechat.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Castle Dam
Castle Dam - 13 Wigeon, 1 Teal. 1 Grey Heron, 1 male Sparrowhawk,12 Coots, c100 Black-headed Gulls, 220+ Starlings and 117 Fieldfare.
per Brian Penistone.
per Brian Penistone.
Broomhill Flash
Today's sightings included:-
Shelduck 1,
Mute Swan 7,
Pochard 2,
Goldeneye 1♀,
Goosander 1♂.
Red-legged Partridge 9.
Shelduck 1,
Mute Swan 7,
Pochard 2,
Goldeneye 1♀,
Goosander 1♂.
Red-legged Partridge 9.
Wintersett Gull update 01.02.14
The adult Kumlien's Gull was in the roost on Wintersett Res from 16.10hrs until dark. 320 Black-backed Gulls were also present.
Carlton Marsh
A walk round this morning saw 2 Little Owls (1 on either end of lorry chassis) Buzzard attacking a Magpie, it didn't kill it! Sparrowhawk, Redpoll, 2 Siskin (male singing) 15 Grey Partridge, Jay and 2 Willow Tits.
Wintersett 01.02.14
2°C, but windscreen needed de-icing. Blue skies with a cold, gusty southerly.
Anglers CP: 2 adult Whooper Swans on the lake were probably those seen at Pugneys earlier.
Haw Park Wood: A flock of 21 Common Crossbills were in the woodyard area. Buzzard 1 + 2 ACP.
Anglers CP: 2 adult Whooper Swans on the lake were probably those seen at Pugneys earlier.
Haw Park Wood: A flock of 21 Common Crossbills were in the woodyard area. Buzzard 1 + 2 ACP.
Friday, 31 January 2014
Wombwell Ings
A cold wind making it very uncomfortable on the ings this morning. These are the result of a short visit at about 10:30.
Kingfisher flushed from one of its usual fishing spots near the kissing gate
Canada Geese c150
Wigeon 78
Teal 35
Goosander 2 m & 1 fm
Shelduck 2
Pied Wagtail 1
Grey Partridge 5 flushed from Broomhill side of the dike as I left the Ings
Steve
Kingfisher flushed from one of its usual fishing spots near the kissing gate
Canada Geese c150
Wigeon 78
Teal 35
Goosander 2 m & 1 fm
Shelduck 2
Pied Wagtail 1
Grey Partridge 5 flushed from Broomhill side of the dike as I left the Ings
Steve
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