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.
Also in the trap was a late Swallow-tailed Moth, a Lesser Yellow Underwing, a Small Dusty Wave and 2 Box Tree moths.
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).
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.
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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.
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).
A Humming Bird Hawk moth visited Chris Parkin's garden on 11/9/26
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
The highlights of the past week from 28th of August to September 3rd.
2 Green Sandpipers were on the wader scrape this morning (John Finch). And a Grey Wagtail was on the dike (K. Bannister).
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).
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.
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).
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.
