New in today a singing Chiffchaff, and a Redshank on the wader scrape (D. Standish). Also of note 2 Treecreepers (K. Bannister).
Towards dusk the Bittern flew in from the back of the main scrape to its favourite reed bed in front of the 1st bench at 17.55hrs (Dave Standish).
Dearne Valley Park
Butterflies were the main feature with 1 male Brimstone, 3 Comma, 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock.
Loads of Frogs were mating in Littleworth Park at Monk Bretton (Chris Parkin)
Anglers CP:
Snipe 12. Oystercatcher 3. Goosander 3 redheads.
Wintersett Res:
Cetti's Warbler 1m north bank, 1m east bank, 1m boathouse reeds and 1 west bank clump.
A lovely morning again produced 79 Herring Gulls and 150 BH Gulls (Wader scrape) and 2 Cormorants (main scrape). 2 blackbirds and a Coal Tit were singing (R. Laverack/CG).
c200 Pink Feet NW over Low Cudworth at 11.15hrs somehow avoided the reserve and a Siskin was in Les Corrall's garden.
This afternoon saw a Redhead Goosander on the main scrape along with Kingfisher.
Towards dusk the Bittern started to move around in the reed bed in front of the 1st bench on the embankment, before climbing up the reeds in the fading light. This one is very shy and difficult to see.
Then a Barn Owl flew from the car park area to the Western Meadow at 17.58hrs. This was followed by a female Tawny calling as a male left its regular roost to feed. At least 6 Snipe (2+2+2) left west as it got dark (D. Standish/DM Smith/CG).
Anglers CP:
Curlew 1 over. Pink-footed Goose 105 north west.
Lepidoptera: The first butterfly of the year was a female Brimstone at Anglers CP this morning.
Anglers CP: Shoveler 4m + 1 f. Dunlin 2 on shallows.
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the boathouse reeds. A Water Rail was in the west bank marsh. Goosander 2 red heads.
This morning 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Common Gull, Kingfisher, 7 Greylag, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Redpoll, Coal Tit (L & A Corrall).
This afternoon at dusk Pipistrelle Bat and Bittern from the 1st seat overlooking main scrape (D. Standish).
No sign of Bittern tonight, but a Tawny Owl showed well. Today's highlights were Treecreeper, 2 Kingfisher, Cetti's singing, 21 Herring Gulls, and a 'Redhead' Goosander came in at 15.45hrs our first of 2021. (R. Laverack/D. Standish)
Anglers CP: Greylag Goose 127. Lapwing 60. Snipe 16.
Wintersett Res:
Goldeneye 147 (81 + 53 Anglers CP + 13 CHRes)
Pochard 15 (5 + 2 ACP + 8 CHRes)
Great Crested Grebe 9 (5 + 4 CHRes)
Woodcock 1 over
Cold Hiendley Res: Goosander 1 male west.
Cold Hiendley SF: Chiffchaff 4. Cetti's Warbler 1 male.
Today's best birds were Kingfisher, 26 Herring Gulls, 26 Canada Geese, 5 Greylags, 3 Cormorants and 4 Song Thushes singing. A pair of Stock Doves were flight displaying (I can't say as I have seen that very often).
Then at dusk Dave Standish saw a Bittern in the reedbeds looking down from the first seat on the embankment. Our first since July 2018.
The first Crocus were in flower in a barmy 16c.
Very quiet today!
Wintersett Res: 20 Redwing were on the north east bank. A Water Rail was in the west bank marsh.
Still really quiet here. 11 Fieldfares south, Kingfisher, c20 Canada Geese c15 Greylags, 8 Tufted Ducks and 4 singing Song Thrushes.
Anglers CP: Snipe 16.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1m west bank marsh. Teal 2. Red-legged Partridge 2.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: A 1stW Caspian Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were notable tonight. Herring Gull 470. Lesser Black-backed Gull 6. Great Black-backed Gull 4. Goldeneye 66.
Lepidoptera: A Dotted Border was on the green building in ACP car park.
An Oystercatcher flew over yesterday (JP).
Today a male Shelduck flew south from the wader scrape at 07.58hrs, our first for the year (K. Bannister).
This afternoon a Dabchick was new in and a Willow Tit was singing from the back of the Whin pool. Also Kingfisher and Cormorant (DM Smith/CG).
Anglers CP:
Snipe 9. Oystercatcher 3. Shoveler 8.
Pink-footed Goose 160 south at 10.37hrs.
Goldeneye 57 ACP, 12 CHRes. + 69 WRes.. Wigeon 219 + 2 WRes..
