Saturday 31 May 2014

Pied Flycatcher

Yew Trees Lane, Ewden Valley - 1 male Pied Flycatcher.
per Alan Archer and team.

Wintersett 31.05.14

16°C,  cloudy start and flat calm.  Warm sunny spells from late morning.
Wintersett Res:   22 Common Scoter (20m + 2f).  Mick Hemingway Tweeted these great pics.      Grey Wagtail 1,  Mallard 5 fledged young + 3 s CHRes., 
Cold Hiendley Res: The Mute Swan has one cygnet.
Walton Hall: Great-crested Grebe 2 adults + 3 young.
Anglers CP:  Water Rail 1Shoveler 1m,  Common Tern 6,   Oystercatcher 3 young and Lapwing 2 young.   At least 13 pairs of Black-headed Gulls are nesting.  Interesting behaviour this afternoon when a male Gadwall mated with a female Tufted Duck despite being attacked by a male Tufted Duck!

ADWICK a.m.

Garganey 1 male; Avocet 5 (2 broods off 2 and 3); Shelduck 1.

Has Twitter stopped coming onto this site?

Friday 30 May 2014

Owls

1 Short-eared Owl at Waterfront Golf Course, seen from putting green next to clubhouse at 20.40. 1 Little Owl on way home on top of lamp post on Wombwell Lane.

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon Buzzard, Little Owl, and Water Rail calling. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were successful, the young fledged earlier in the week. The 7 Sedge Warblers I counted a couple of weeks ago have all moved on, so yet again it would appear that we don't have any breeding  pairs.
 
Tree Bee is common now and the first Emerald Damselflies are just emerging.
 
Cudworth Common (Les Corrall)
Cuckoo 2 singing males (1 accompanied by a calling female) Redshank 2 with 1 chick.
Bee Orchid is in flower here.
 
Symphony Warehouse
3 Redshanks, 6 Ringed Plover + 5 chicks

Dunford to Midhope

Dick Royd - 1 Cuckoo.
Lower Windleden Reservoir - 7 Greylag Geese, 1 Red Grouse, 13 (five pairs) Oystercatchers, 11 Lapwings,  1 Snipe 'chippering', three pairs of Curlew, two pairs of Common Sandpiper (one pair alarming), 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls NE and 1 male Wheatear carrying food.
Winscar Reservoir - 4 drake Tufted Ducks.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 1 Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Grey Wagtail.
Annat Royd Lane - 1+ Grey Partridge.
Langsett Reservoir - 33 Canada Geese (no young as yet!).
Upper Midhope - 1 Little Owl.
Midhope Reservoir - 1 Little Grebe + 1 young, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 singing Garden Warbler.

Wintersett 30.05.14

13°C,  8/8 cloud with a light easterly.
Anglers CP:  Black Tern still present for 3rd day.  Common Tern 4. 

Edderthorpe Friday a m

The Glossy Ibis is still on Houghton Wash and begins its fourth week in residence. Shelduck 6, Oystercatcher 1.

Thursday 29 May 2014

Old Moor Nocturnal Report - Thursday

Reedbeds - Bittern Booming.

Mere - Oystercatcher pair + 2 young.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 18, Wigeon 1 drake, Ringed Plover 3.

Wader Scrape - Shelduck 1, Garganey 1 drake, Avocet 5, LRP 1, Mediterranean Gull pair, Common Gull 2, Common Tern 5.

Goldie Fields - Barn Owl.

Wombwell Ings - Shelduck pair + young, Avocet 2, Cuckoo male, Barn Owl.

Wintersett 29.05.14

per Paul Meredith.  8/8, light easterly,  rain and murk 05.10hrs.
Anglers CP: The Black Tern was still present.

Edderthorpe, Thursday morning

Not a easy morning looking for birds here in the constant rain. No sign of the Glossy Ibis but there is a lot of flooding and long grass on Houghton so it could be hiding (a flock of Greylags disappeared in the long grass). The drake Garganey is still present as is the Pink-footed Goose. On Edderthorpe Flash a Hobby flew low over the water at 08.00 but there are very few birds on the Flash (lots of water though).

The Edge 29th May

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 1 Mute Swan, 47 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 2 Shelduck + 6y,  24 Mallard, 17 Tufted Duck, 15 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 4 Lapwing + 1y, 3 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Kingfisher, 40+ Swift, 30+ House Martin, c20 Swallow, 4 Skylark and  1 Chiffchaff.
Broomhill Flash late AM- The Black Necked Grebe spent most of its time chasing the 9 Little Grebe + 2 young. Also noted were 1 Mute Swan, 19 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 3 Gadwall, 2 Mallard and 2 Red Legged Partridge.
TPT-Singing males 5 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 1 Sedge Warbler.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 30 Tufted Duck, 26 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 1 Mallard and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 30+ Swift, c30 House Martin and c20 Sand Martin.
Black Necked Grebe- Broomhill Flash


Wednesday 28 May 2014

Wintersett + pm update 28.05.14

10°C,  dismal,  mostly rain with a cool. light northerly.
Anglers CP: A Lapwing with 3 chicks was on the shoreline in front of the hide.  The 3 juv Oystercatchers are looking good.  Common Sandpiper 1 and Common Tern 3. A Black Tern was on late afternoon.

Tuesday 27 May 2014

On the Tops

Windleden - 1 Snipe 'chippering'.
Winscar Reservoir - four pairs of Black-headed Gulls with 2+ young, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, three pairs of Oystercatcher (one with 2 chicks) and at least two pairs of Common Sandpiper..
Tinker Hill - two broods of Mallard on the moor with 12 well grown ducklings and 1 'chippering' Snipe..
Broadstone Reservoir - 1 Little Owl

Wintersett 27.05.14

11°C, cool, 8/8 cloud  but much drier than the forecast suggested, with a light northerly.
Wintersett Res:  3 Shelduck went north at 06.05hrs.  A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling on the west bank at 07.30hrs. Swift 1300 + 100 ACP.
Anglers CP: 3 Oystercatcher chicks were on the rocks  in front of the hide.  Common Tern 4.

The Edge 27th May

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan, 19 Canada Geese, 15 Greylag, 2 Shelduck + 6y, 15 Gadwall, 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Avocet, c20 Swift, c15 House Martin, 5 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting and 1 Sedge Warbler.
Skylark - Wombwell Ings



Broomhill Flash late AM - Highlight was a Black Necked Grebe. Also noted were 5 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe ( Busy trying to rebuild last week's flooded nest.), 1 Mute Swan, 53 Canada Geese, 19 Greylag, 20 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 1 Shoveler and 1 Pochard.
TPT- Singing males 3 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and 1 Chiffchaff.

Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 16 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 29 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Tern and 1 Jay.

Bolton Ings et al - Monday 26th May

Started out at 09.30 and sunny, dry weather for a change, clouded over later but rain held off until I got home. A quiet day with hardly any migrants apart from c200 Swifts, a Buzzard put on a fine display and 10 Whitethroats was a good count. Breeding wise I saw my first well grown Lapwing chick and first broods of Moorhen. Full List :- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 2+8y, 2+4y, Canada Goose 26(4 broods), Grey Lag Goose 9(2 broods), Great Crested Grebe 2+2y, Little Grebe 5, Mallard 10, Gadwall 9, Shoveler 2, Tufted Duck 65, Pochard 12, Coot 67+18 broods(35y), Moorhen 6+2 broods of 2, Lapwing 5+1y, Oystercatcher 1, Black Headed Gull 178, Common Gull 1, LBB Gull 1, Common Tern 1, Kestrel 2, Buzzard 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Sand Martin c30, Swift c200, Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 7, Blackcap 1, Whitethroat 10, Reed Warbler 5, Sedge Warbler 3.

An evening visit onto Old Moor saw 3 Mediterranean Gulls on the Wader Scrape, an adult and a second summer paired and a 1st summer. Also on the Wader Scrape were Avocet 7, drake Garganey, Common Gull and Common Tern 7 (7 had also flown North this morning). On the Reedbeds the Bittern was booming with a second bird seen in flight. On the Main Marsh were a drake Wigeon and 18 Mute Swans. On the Field Pools were a brood (2) of Redshank and at least 3 broods of Lapwings. A brood of 2 Oystercatcher chicks were on the Mere and earlier in the day a Hobby and 3 Buzzards had been seen. Finally a Grasshopper Warbler was singing on the Gypsy Marsh.

Edderthorpe, Tuesday morning

Houghton;- the Glossy Ibis and a drake Garganey are still in residence on here. Edderthorpe;- lots of water and a couple of fishermen. Very few birds! A Grasshopper Warbler was singing here yesterday afternoon.

Monday 26 May 2014

Wintersett Black Stork pics. 26.05.14

All by Paul Meredith.




Wintersett gets a 'biggy'...

In more ways than one. Whilst vis-migging from the hill a BLACK STORK was picked up circling over Haw Park at 09.55. It was joined by a couple of local Common Buzzards 'seeing it off' and dropped down over the Top Res. A quick run to the road overlooking the Res and it was relocated circling over Cold Hiendley Res slowly drifting eastward. Another phone call got Pete and Angie Smiths onto it as it circled directly above them and then began gliding east towards where the three of us (Fitzy, Dan n me)were viewing. giving Paul the chance to rattle off 120 photos of it (well mostly of sky but some got the stork). More Common Buzzards got up to harrass it over Botany before it glided off eastwards at 10.15 having been on view for 20 minutes. It was relocated over Southfield Res a hour and 15 mins later, then over Goole and Thorne Moors as it headed into Lincs. This is only the second modern day record for Barnsley, the first also flying over Wintersett. Photos will follow when Fitz gets time to sort them (could be a while). So - what of the long-necked dot over Langsett yesterday that could only have been a Common Crane?

Edderthorpe, Monday

The Glossy Ibis is still on Houghton Wash but getting more elusive each day as the grass grows higher and it 'disappears' for long spells. Shelduck 5, Shoveler 5 and 2 Willow Tits are the only other news.

Sunday 25 May 2014

Edderthorpe, Sunday

Houghton Wash The Glossy Ibis is still present here. Some visitors are failing to find the bird as it feeds in the long grass, it favours the far end of the marsh feeding amongst the Mallard and Gadwall. One drake Garganey is still here and a Pink-footed Goose has joined the Greylag/Canada Goose flock. Edderthorpe Flash has even more water now and fewer birds. A single Ringed Plover and a few Redshank.

Wintersett 25.05.14

Late post due to successful jaunt for Little Bittern at Elton Res and then Nosterfield for Broad-billed Sandpiper.
Hardly anything to report from here.
Wintersett Res: Kingfisher 1.
Anglers CP: Common Tern 6 and  Water Rail 1.  The 3 Oystercatcher chicks have moved from the island onto the shore.

Low Moor 25/05/14

Steady day with a very frustrating end ...

Seen today were c8 common buzzards, a merlin, a kestrel, c26 crosssbills and the usual snipe, lapwings, curlews.

At 16:50 approx a very large, single, distant bird drifted over Pike Lowe in the direction of Langsett. The bird was viewed through my scope and there was nothing at all to suggest that this was just a grey heron as the head shape and size were all wrong. It was seen to be 'all legs and neck' and was flying with its' neck outstretched.  The bird was seen passing over Pike Lowe and it then traveled further right before circling over the moor getting lower and lower as if it was looking for a suitable place to land. I lost the bird to the dark background of the moor but it did look as thought it was intending to keep heading downwards. I can only suggest a crane as the views certainly weren't good enough to be able to give a better identification that that.


Langsett

Langsett Banks - 1 Wood Warbler still singing
per Mick Cunningham

Saturday 24 May 2014

Wintersett Update 24.05.14

Per Graham Speight this afternoon:
2 Arctic Terns on Top Res early afternoon and 7 Common Terns. A Redshank on CP, Cuckoo over CP and 1500 Swifts feeding during the afternoon rain.
Per Paul Meredith this evening
Anglers CP:  A first summer Med Gull was in front of hide 18.05 to 18.15 hrs.


Edderthorpe, Saturday morning

On Houghton Wash;- the Glossy Ibis is still present, as is just one drake Garganey. Shelduck 5 and a Greenshank moved between here and Edderthorpe flash. On the Flash;- up to 9 Redshank, 1 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plovers (there were 17 Ringed on the Flash yesterday afternoon), 12 Mute Swan, a Common Gull, a Kingfisher and a Yellow Wagtail.

Wintersett 24.05.14

11°C,  overcast with persistent rain from mid morning.  Not a great deal to report
Anglers CP: The three young Oystercatchers are being fed with leatherjackets.  Common Tern 3 + 3 WRes. Greylag Goose 3 and  Mallard 5 large young. 3 Shelduck flew south west at 10.12hrs.

Friday 23 May 2014

Wintersett 23.05.14

12°C, cold,  rainy and grey early morning.
Steve Denny had an Arctic Tern early doors.   Rest of team jaunted to warm and sunny Flamborough for Bee-eaters, Honey Buzzard and Red-backed Shrike.

Edderthorpe, Friday morning

The Glossy Ibis remains on Houghton Wash and has been joined by two drake Garganey. Most of the following duck are also feeding on Houghton which is obviously rich in food;- Shelduck 5, Gadwall 107 and Mallard 156. Most waders are on what little bit of mud remains on Edderthorpe;- Redshank 10, Common Sand 1, Ringed Plover 1, Dunlin 5.

Thursday 22 May 2014

The Edge 22nd May

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2  Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 15 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck + 6 young,19 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard, 2m+1f Shoveler, 1 drake Garganey, 8 Lapwing + 1y, 4 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 4 Skylark and 2 Bullfinch. Extras from an  early PM visit were 2 Mute Swan + 6 cygnets, 1 Greenshank and 1 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash late AM-  Noted were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 39 Canada Geese, 18 Greylag, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 26 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 2m+1f Shoveler, and 2 drake Pochard.
TPT-Singing males 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 37 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 2 Mallard. 1 Shoveler, 3 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also noted were 1 Cormorant, 11 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag + 6y,  1 Kestrel and 60+ Swift.

Wet Wintersett 22.05.14

14°C,  rain until late morning with a cool northerly. 
Anglers CP: Common Tern 2 + 2 WRes + 2 flew through.  Swift 400,  Cormorant 2 and  Sand Martin 2.
2 broods of Mallard ducklings 3vs + 10s.   All 3  Oystercatcher young off raft and on island. 

Now't up 'ere either

Elsecar Reservoir - 1 drake Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - new broods of 8+13+7 ducklings (brings the total this year to 98 so far), 9 Tufted Ducks, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 1 singing Garden Warbler.
Whitley Edge - amazingly 1 half grown Lapwing chick has survived the hordes of corvids here (so far) and 1 Little Owl (my first in this area this year)..

Edderthorpe, soggy Thursday

Congratulations to Paul Hudson who got todays weather forecast spot on, and very interesting it looks too. Hasn't yet delivered the migrants to Edderthorpe though where a couple of Ringed Plovers seem the only things new in. The Glossy Ibis is still seeming happy on Houghton Wash this morning.

Wednesday 21 May 2014

Carlton Marsh

A ringing session this evening produced amongst others 4 new Reed Warblers (3 males 1 female) a male Lesser Whitethroat and a retrapped male Chiffchaff. An Oystercatcher flew south and 5 Greylags came in with the Canada Geese at dusk, just as 2 Noctule Bats took to the sky.

The Edge 21st May

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 16 Greylag, 14 Canada Geese, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 2 Shelduck + 6y, 20 Tufted Duck, 17 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, 2 male Shoveler, 1 male Garganey, 8 Lapwing + 1y, 4 Redshank, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, c15 House Martin still collecting mud, 1 Wheatear and 2 Sedge Warbler.
Warbler Way-Singing males included 10 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 3+ Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Wabler , 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush and 1 booming Bittern. A close encounter with a Barn Owl was the highlight . Watched it flying low over the bushes in front of me. Concentrating so much on hunting, it was only 20feet when  it noticed me. Almost stalling in flight, it was able to make a rapid exit over the bushes.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 43 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 7 Mallard and 6 Pochard. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 7 Greylag, 6 Canada Geese, 4 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel and 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

Harden

Sandridge Moss, Harden - 1 Hobby.

Also 2 Red Kites WSW over Harden on 19th May.

per Mick Cunningham

Broomhead, More Hall & Blackcaps

Broomhead Reservoir - 5+ Mallards, 1 Cormorant, a pair of Coot, a family party of 12 Long-tailed Tits and 18+ singing Blackcaps.
More Hall Reservoir -1 drake Mandarin Duck, c40 Mallards and 14+ singing Blackcaps.

Wintersett 21.05.14

20°C,  hot and sunny all morning with a very light westerly.
Anglers CP:  The Oystercatchers have 3 young.   Mallard broods  11 + 4 small/medium.  Canada Goslings 14.  Common Tern 4.  4 pair of Black-headed Gulls are breeding. (2 islands + 2 rafts).
Wintersett Res: A newly fledged Blackcap was the earliest ever recorded.  Willow Tit 1.  A pair of Great Crested Grebe have at least 2 young.
Of interest: A Dingy Skipper was on the east bank WRes.
A 20cm grey/brown Soft-shelled  Turtle was basking in the shallow water off the north bank of WintersettRes this morning.  It was well camouflaged against the mud.  It was probably an unwanted pet and could have been here since the Ninja Turtle craze in the 1990s.   
 

Edderthorpe, Wednesday morning

Another excellent mornings birding here - whats going on? On Houghton Wash the Glossy Ibis remains in residence and is joined by a drake Garganey this morning. At Edderthorpe a adult SHAG flew through southwards following the valley at 06.30. The green tint to its glossy plumage shining brightly in the morning sun. Presumably this is a first for Edderthorpe, the last seen at Old Moor (Wath as it was then) was way back in 1973. This species wasn't even on the radar for this time of year (although similar to last summers Gannet at Old Moor) and will give the 'Wath doubters' (you know who you are) some mileage! Also here;- Greenshank 1, Redshank 8, Ringed Plover 12, Dunlin 1, Oystercatcher 1, Shelduck 7.

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Old Moor Nocturnal Report - Tuesday

Reedbeds - Bittern booming.

Mere - Black Tern 1, not seen after heavy shower.

Green Lane - singing Lesser Whitethroat.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 25, Wigeon 1 drake, Little Egret 1, Barn Owl 1.

Wader Scrape - Shelduck 2, Garganey 1 drake, LRP 2, Ringed Plover 3 (11 seen earlier by the pre-nocturnal team), Avocet 6, Sanderling 2, Common Tern 8.

Earlier in the day a Marsh Harrier was seen at Wath Ings.

Adwick

This morning there were 2 drake Garganey, 4 Avocet, 2 Little Ringed Plover and at least 2 Sedge Warblers and 2 Reed Warblers. ( Les Corrall)

The Edge 20th May

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Spent an hour trying to find the Greenshank mentioned in J.Hewitt's tweet. Finally relocated it and was just about  to retweet its continued presence when J.Seeviour comes on the radio from Broomhill hide " Is that Greenshank still on Wombwell cos we've just seen one fly eastwards towards Old Moor?" A check showed 'There it was gone'. Birds, don't you just love 'em. Other birds that didn't stay long were 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Little Ringed Plover and a flyover Cuckoo(10.05am). The well behaved birds for viewing purposes included 1 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 16 Canada Geese, 15 Greylag, 1 Pink Footed Goose, 4 Shelduck + 6y, 8 Lapwing + 1y, 4 Redshank, 1 Avocet, 4 Skylark, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Reed Bunting,2 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Song Thrush.
TPT- Singing males 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and 2 Blackcap.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 6 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan + 3 cygnets, 47 Tufted Duck, 13 Gadwall, 7 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 6 Canada Geese + 6y, 5 Greylag, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Jay, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Reed Warbler.

Wintersett 20.05.14

Up to 19°C,  with 8/8 cloud.
Anglers CP: A Black Tern was present early this morning.  Common Tern 2,  Oystercatcher 4,  Redhank 1 N,  Water Rail 1 and Cormorant 1 + 1 CHRes..
Wintersett Res: Kingfisher 1.

Edderthorpe, Tuesday morning

The Glossy Ibis is on Houghton Wash this morning first thing. Shelduck 2, Gadwall 63 and the first brood of Redshank (3) on Houghton. On Edderthorpe;- Little Egret 1, Avocet 1, Oystercatcher 1, Ringed Plover 10, LRP 1, Dunlin 1 and Kingfisher 1. More seriously, it seems some cretin(s) have taken to dumping shot, dead birds by the layby. Five bags of Wood Pigeons, crows and Jackdaws appeared by the burger van site a few days ago and another three bags overnight. With the number (3 or 4 carcases per bag) involved these are clearly from an organised shoot, not just local yobs and make a bit of a mockery of the shooting fraternities claim to be true conservationists. Killing large numbers of birds in the breeding season (and then dumping them where food is sold) is a strange way to claim to be conservation based! Whats that about 'action speaking louder than words?' The incidents have been reported to Barnsley Council.

Monday 19 May 2014

Old Moor Tonight - Monday 19th May

Reedbeds - Bittern booming.

Main Marsh - Mute Swan 25, Wigeon 1 drake, Little Egret 1, Oystercatcher 7, LRP 1, Barn Owl 1.

Green Lane - singing Lesser Whitethroat.

Wader Scrape - Shelduck 2, Garganey 1 drake, LRP 3, Avocet 3, Common Tern 8.

A bit more from the Little Don

To add to Martin's post myself and Mark Linnington had an excellent few hours up here today.
In the general LDV/Mickleden Edge area we had three pairs of Stonechats, three singing male Redstarts, two Crossbills, 7 Wheatear, two recently fledged Dippers, 5 Ring Ousel and, best of all, a Hobby trying to blitz swallows over Hordron Farm at 10.55 hrs.

If anyone's interested I've just set up a new sketching/drawing blog which I aim to update every week. Please feel free to comment or just have a laugh at my expense!
Try the following:
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks

Carlton Marsh

Bird wise pretty much the same. Dragonflies included Broad Bodied Chaser, (male and female) 4 Spot Chaser, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

The Edge 19th May

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 26 Greylag, 8 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck + 6 young, 34 Mallard, 26 Tufted Duck, 22 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 7 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Kestrel, 1 Red Legged Partridge,  4 Skylark, 4 Reed Bunting, and 2 Linnet.
 A mid PM revisit added 1 Pink Footed Goose, 1 Black Tailed Godwit and c15 House Martin collecting mud for nest building.
 Broomhill Flash mid AM-Highlight was a Barn Owl at the entrance to the nest box at the top of Clegg's Meadow. Also noted were 4 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan, 22 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 1m Pochard, 1m Shoveler, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Tern(over east at 9.45am), 1 Kestrel and 1 Red Legged Partridge.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-  On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 31 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 2 LBB Gull,and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 4 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Kingfisher.
TPT-Present were 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap. 3 Whitethroat and 3 Chiffchaff.

Wintersett 19.05.14

22°C,  Hot and sunny all day.  Light easterly.
Anglers CP: A  Black Tern has been here all day.  Common Tern 4.
Butterfly:  A Holly Blue was flying at the top of ACP hill.

Little Don Valley

Delmont Grange -  Spotted Flycatcher and 5 House Sparrows (first here)
Fox Clough - 2 singing Mistle Thrushes and 1 singing Redstart.
Hordron Bank - two pairs of Lapwing with young and a pair of Wheatear.
Upper Hordron a pair of Stock Dove and a pair of Wheatear.
Little Don Valley - Mallards with broods of 6 + 6 ducklings, a pair of Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoos, two pairs of Stock Doves (at Hordron), 2 Ravens, 25+ singing Willow Warblers, three pairs of Dipper - also independent young, four pairs of Ring Ouzel (with adults carrying food at three sites), 2 singing Spotted Flycatchers, 6 singing Redstarts, two pairs of Stonechat (one with 3 fledged young), 2  (1 male) Greenland Wheatears (at Hordron), 1 singing Pied Flycatcher,  and just one pair of Grey Wagtail.
Langsett Reservoir - 18 Canada Geese + 6 goslings, 1 drake Teal, 7 Mallards, a pair Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes and 4 Common Sandpipers..

Mammals
1 Roe Deer, 1 Mountain Hare, 2 Brown Hares and Rabbits (lots of).

Butterflies
40+ Green Hairstreaks, 5+ Small Whites, c50 Green-veined Whites and 2 Speckled Woods.

ADWICK a.m.

Only 1 male Garganey seen; Avocet 12; Ringed Plover 2.  No sign of the Potteric bird I went down specifically to look for...

Edderthorpe Additions

Glossy Ibis still at Edderthorpe Flash this morning 10am, + 11 Shelduck, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 1 Buzzard and yesterday 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Edderthorpe, Monday morning

The Glossy Ibis is on Edderthorpe Flash early doors as is a Little Egret. The only new-in birds are a Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plover.

Sunday 18 May 2014

Bolton Ings et al - 18th May

Got back last night from a weeks holiday in Benidorm, brought the weather back with me and was on Bolton this morning at 09.30. Very quiet migrant wise on WeBS count day although 90 Tufted Duck was a good count. Both pairs of Mute Swans now have cygnets, 8 and 4, and a pair of Great Crested Grebes had 2 chicks. Also noted 2 Kingfishers both with food for young. Full list:- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 2+8y, 2+4y, Canada Goose 19+6y, Grey Lag Goose 18+8y, Great Crested Grebe 5+2y, Little Grebe 7, Mallard 12, Gadwall 14, Shoveler 2, Tufted Duck 90, Pochard 16, Coot 57+9 pairs+19y, Moorhen 4, Lapwing 9, Oystercatcher 3, Black Headed Gull 232, LBB Gull 1, Common Tern 1, Kestrel 2, Buzzard 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Grey Wagtail 2, Kingfisher 2, Sand Martin c20, Swift c150, Willow Warbler 7, Chiffchaff 10, Whitethroat 6, Blackcap 3, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Sedge Warbler 6.

Onto Old Moor this evening where the highlight was 4 drake Garganeys, 2 were on the Wader Scrape and another 2 flew round and dropped on the Willow Pool. A Bittern was booming from the Reedbeds, a Lesser Whitethroat was singing on Green Lane, 25 Mute Swans on the Main Marsh, a Little Egret  in full breeding plumage with long plumes was roosting in the Willows. On the Wader Scrape were 2 Shelduck, 2 LRP's, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Black Tailed Godwit and 8 Common Terns.

On Wombwell Ings were 3 Avocets, LRP and Common Sandpiper and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing outside the Old Moor Tavern.

Earlier at Old Moor a first summer Med Gull with no rings was seen in front of the Mere Hide.

Wintersett WeBS count for May 2014

Great Crested Grebe 26,  Mute Swan 8,  Canada Goose 22,  Greylag 1,  Cormorant 1,  Coot 74, Moorhen 10,  Mallard 44,  Gadwall 7,  Tufted Duck 28.

Wintersett 18.05.14

Sorry - Late post due to successfully twitching Spotted Sandpipier at Potteric Carr and Red-necked Phalarope at North Cave this afternoon.
21°C, sunny and warm today with a light southerly.
Anglers CP: A drake Common Scoter was showing close to the hide.  Common Sandpiper 1,  Common Tern 5.  2 broods of Greylag Goslings  4+6. 
Odonata: A 4 Spot Chaser was on Walton Golf course scrubland and the first of the year Blue-tailed Damselfly was seen at Cold Hiendley Res..
All photos by Paul Meredith.

Drake Common Scoter

Drake Common Scoter

The dove from above.
Stock Doves are noticeable around the area.

Low Moor 18/05/14

A very 'steady' day today ..

Results were :  Kestrel 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Common Buzzard 1, Red kite 1 which drifted over Midhope Res at around 2:30 and headed off in the general direction of Broomhead, Raven 3, Oystercatcher 1, Common Crossbill c30 and then the usual good numbers of Snipe, Lapwing and Curlew ... 

Edderthorpe Sunday

National wildfowl counting day again. The highlights include;- Glossy Ibis started the morning on Edderthorpe before moving to Houghton at about 09.00. It's pleasing to get this species on the list of waterbirds counted today during the national counts. Little Egret 1, Greylag Goose 38, Shelduck 2, Mallard 97, Gadwall 80, Shoveler 4, Pochard 1, Redshank 6, Ringed Plover 5, LRP 2, Cudworth Common and Ferrymoor; Greylag Goose 4 with 2 broods of young, Gadwall 12, Redshank 10 with at least 2 broods of young, Ringed Plover 6, Little Grebe 4, Grey Partridge 1, Kingfisher 2

Saturday 17 May 2014

Carlton Marsh

A late evening walk round produced 6 singing Reed Warblers, Cuckoo, and a Water Rail calling. Later 4 Noctule Bats were out hunting from 21.05hrs in good light.

Wintersett Streak 17.05.14

21°C,  very hot and sunny all day with a light south westerly.
Anglers CP:  Common Tern 4.
CHRes: Cormorant 1. 
Stubbs Wood: Green Woodpecker 1m.
Disposal Point: Cuckoo 1m
Lepidoptera: Highlight of the day was a sighting of a GREEN  HAIRSTREAK, Callophrys rubi,  a species that hasn't been recorded here for 17 years.    11 Dingy Skippers,  1 Small Copper  and a Small Yellow Underwing moth were  other notables.  All photos by Paul Meredith.

Green  Hairstreak














Dingy Skipper
Small Copper
Small Yellow Underwing

Edderthorpe, Saturday morning

The Glossy Ibis was on Houghton Wash first thing (before moving to Adwick late morning). On Edderthorpe;- Little Egret 1, Shelduck 2, Shoveler 3, Ringed Plover 5, Oystercatcher 1, LRP 1, Curlew 1 thro, Redshank 6, and a Kingfisher.

Friday 16 May 2014

Last Minute Sarni's

I was just about to leave Old Moor tonight when I heard a Sandwich Tern calling. It called a few more times and I picked it up coming in over the Wader Scrape, it flew around for a while then land briefly with the Common Tern's. It then flew over Mere before returning to the Wader Scrape where it landed on the left hand island next to a second bird. Both birds then flew westwards over the Mere at 19.03. 
Other birds in the area tonight included - Mute Swan 28 Main Marsh, 2 + 4 young Wader Scrape, Shelduck 4 + 6 young Wombwell Ings, 1 Wigeon (male) Main Marsh,  1 Black Necked Grebe Mere, 1 'Booming' Bittern Old Moor, 1 Little Egret Main Marsh, 4 Avocet & 1 Black tailed Godwit Wombwell Ings, 1 Polish ringed first summer Med Gull Mere & 5+ Common Tern Wader Scrape.

Edderthorpe Flash

13.00hrs Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, female Grass Snake, 7 Dingy Skippers, 1 Small Heath, 1 Mother Shipton Moth and 1 Banded Demoiselle.

Ardsley Viaduct
Kingfisher, Buzzard, 3 Sand Martins over the river, 5 male Brimstone and 1 Banded Demoiselle.
(Les Corrall)

Cudworth Common this evening
Cuckoo 1 singing male, Green Woodpecker 'yaffling,' 3 pairs of Redshank, Mute Swan still 'sitting,' loads of Lapwing chicks and Skylarks singing and at least 2 Meadow Pipits 'displaying,'

Symphony
6 Brown Hares and more Lapwing chicks

Wintersett 16.05.14

20°C, Hot and sunny all day.   
The only birds of note this morning were 4 Common Terns on Anglers CP.
Also Whinchat reported at CH Res this afternoon.

The Edge 16th May

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mute Swan, 25 Greylag, 20 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck + brood of 8, 32 Gadwall, 25 Mallard, 21 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 8 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 4 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Linnet and 1 Song Thrush. Jackdaw numbers have increased, with up to 15 birds stalking through the grass looking for unattended or weak young.
Bolton Ings-On the open water were, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan + 7 cygnets, 7 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 29 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 8 Mallard and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Bullfinch.
TPT- Singing males 5 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat and 3 Willow Warbler.

ADWICK a.m.

Garganey 3 (2 males); Avocet 10; yellow Wagtail 2+. Otherwise quiet.

Ingbirchworth & Midhope

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - a further two recently hatched broods of 13+9  Mallards gives a total so far of 70 ducklings from seven broods. A very high average of 10 duckling per brood. Also present were:- 34 Mallards (minus the ducklings), 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Moorhens and 10 Coots (+ five active nests but no young yet).
Midhope Reservoir - Mallard + 2 ducklings, two pairs of Little Grebes and 1 Hobby.

Edderthorpe, Friday morning

The Glossy Ibis is still on Houghton Wash early morning. On Edderthorpe;- Shelduck 5, Ringed Plover 5, LRP 1, Little Egret 1, Kingfisher 1.

Thursday 15 May 2014

OLD MOOR - Reedbeds

Just in case anyone is not viewing the news on twitter, there will be no access to the Reedbeds at Old Moor as of tomorrow due to breeding Bitterns. However, the area can be viewed from the newly sited (Bittern) hide.

Wintersett 15.05.14

17°C,  hot and sunny until late afternoon.
Anglers CP: Green Woodpecker 1 m,  Cormorant 3Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult. 
Wintersett Res: Yellow Wagtail 2 m + 1 fCommon Tern 4 ( then moved to ACP).  Mallard with 4 s young.  Willow Tit 1.
Insect: A Dingy Skipper was on the east bank WRes..

Low Moor 15/05/14

Today's results were:

Common Buzzard 4, Peregrine 2, Kestrel 1, Sparowhawk 1, Hobby 1, Raven 1, Cuckoo 1 and a healthy flock of c70 Crossbills over the trees beside Midhope Res .. Good numbers of Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe, Mipits as per normal ..

Little Owl - Top Lane, Broomhill Flash

Photos from early this week. Courtesy of John 'The Dogs' Seeviour.



The Edge 15th May

Wombwell Ings mid AM-  Present were 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 13 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 5 Shelduck, 28 Gadwall, 14 Mallard, 11 Tufted Duck, 5 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 9 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 2 Kestrel, 1 female Yellow Wagtail, 5 Linnet, 4 Skylark and 1 Sedge Warbler.  A mid PM revisit added 1 more Avocet(total 3), 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Red Legged Partridge.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 8 Little Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 27 Canada Geese + 11 young, 14 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Owl on top lane, 2 Grey Partridge and 2 Red Legged Partridge.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan + 7 cygnets, 11 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag + 4 goslings, 23 Tufted Duck, 6m+4f Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 3 Mallard, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull .Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Lapwing, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Sedge Warbler.
Grey Heron - Five Arches on R.Dearne

Grey Wagtail - Five Arches

TPT- Singing males included 5 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warbler.

Delmont Grange to Upper Hordron 15-5-14.

Red Kite 1, Peregrine 2 possibly 4, one chasing a pigeon briefly, Buzzard 6, Kestrel 1, Raven 4, Ring Ouzel probably 6 with 4 together briefly on stone wall, Woodcock 1 flushed from side of track, 10 House Martins through, 1 fem. Wheatear, 1 chipping Snipe behind dog and partridge pub.

ADWICK a.m.

Wood Sandpiper seen 8.10 am (Ken F), could not be refound. 

Ringed Plover 5; Garganey 3 (2 males); Avocet 6 - washed out pair having another go in same spot; Buzzard 1; lots of Lapwing chicks = 3 Redshank chicks.

Edderthorpe, Thursday morning..

The Glossy Ibis started the day on Houghton Wash before moving onto Edderthorpe Flash around 09.30ish. Shelduck 4, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Dunlin 7, Ringed Plover 6 plus the first brood of 3 young, Common Tern 1. Meadow Pipits seem to be in higher numbers this year;- 23 territories on Park Springs Tip compared with 18 last year - hopefully a sign autumn vis-miggers are in for a treat.

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Wintersett 14.05.14

15°C,  warm and sunny all day with a very light westerly.
Anglers CP: Stock Dove 42 in fields.  Mallard broods  12 s + 5 vs + 7m (WRes) 
Disposal Point: Cuckoo 1m.
Stubbs Wood: Green Woodpecker 1.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 4 and Ringed Plover 1.
Insects:  The first Dingy Skippers were seen. 4 on the Pol and 1 Disposal Point.  Large Red Damsel Fly 1 Pol.   Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis 1 Pol.    14-spotted Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) 1 Pol + 1 ACP
14-spotted Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata)    AS
Wasp Beetle  Clytus arietis                               AS
                     Dingy Skipper                             AS

The Edge 14th May

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 7 Greylag, 12 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 24 Gadwall, 24 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 9 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 1 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 26Canada Geese+brood of 11, 23 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher and 2 Kestrel. A Little Owl was showing well on the Top Lane.
Bolton Ings early PM- On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan + brood of 7 cygnets, 29 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 7 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag, 5 LBB Gull, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Bullfinch and 1 Sedge Warbler.
TPT- Singing males included 6 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap and 4 Willow Warbler.

ADWICK a.m.

Avocet washed out on little island. Carried eggs to bank, where a Coot scoffed em!!!

Ringed Plover 3;  Common Tern 1; Garganey 2 males; buzzard 2.

5 egrets flew E, but v. distant, looked like Little.

Wednesday morning bits...

Houghton Wash;- the Glossy Ibis is still on here early morning (J Clarkson). An early morning stroll around some of the Moors revealed;- Winscar;-at least 5 sitting Black-headed Gulls with one feeding young,Common Sand 5, Oystercatcher, Cuckoo 1, Hepworth Pipes/Carlecotes; LRP, Oystercatcher, 2 singing Tree Pipits. Broadstones/Whitley Common; a Whimbrel went over calling

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Wintersett 13.05.14

8 -13°C,  showers first thing, then warm and sunny, with a light north westerly. Thunder and heavy shower mid afternoon.
Anglers CP: The drake  Garganey is still present.  2 Whimbrel flew north at 09.45hrs.  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult.  
Wintersett Res: Arctic Tern 1,  Common Tern 7, Tufted Duck 7 + 28 CHRes.,  Sedge Warbler 2m, Sand Martin 4 and Kingfisher 1.

Houghton Wash 13 May

Mid morning, Glossy Ibis still, Edderthorpe Flash Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher and 2 Shelduck.

Monday 12 May 2014

Wintersett 33 years Blockbuster

10°C up to 13°C by midday,  warm but with a cooling north easterly this afternoon. 
Highlight of the morning was a HOODED CROW  that flew west over Haw Park Lane  at 12.15hrs. It is 33 years since one went on the year list!!
Anglers CP: The male Garganey was still present this morning, but it was flighty.   A Red Kite circled slowly east  at 09.45 hrs before leaving west. Common Tern 4 and Common Sandpiper 1. A Whimbrel flew north at 15.35hrs. 
Wintersett Res: Arctic Tern 1,  Yellow Wagtail 1m and Buzzard 1,  Sedge Warbler 3m  ( 2 WRes, 1 MHLPonds).
Botany Bay: Kingfisher 2.
Stubbs Wood:  Green Woodpecker 1m.
Haw Park Wood:  Tawny Owl 1 + 1 fledged young.
Odonata: The 1st Common Blue Damselfly of the year was on the north bank of Wintersett Res..
All photos by Paul Meredith.

Flighty  Garganey               ACP

Watchful Tawny Owl                        HPW

               High flying Kite                        ACP

The Edge 12th May

Broomhill Flash late AM- A late start due to an airport pick-up at 1.45 am. Highlight was a Barn Owl looking out of one of the boxes on the edge of Clegg's Meadow. Also noted were 4 Little Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 10 Canada Geese, 24 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Mallard + 5 ducklings, 1 Shoveler, 1f Pochard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 2 Common Tern  and 1 singing Garden Warbler.
Wombwell Ings early/mid PM-On telling a visiting birder that the Glossy Ibis had left the ings at c12.20pm, gone to Old Moor and was then  seen leaving towards Adwick  at c1.25pm,  he replied that he had just seen it on the side pool, There it was in plain sight. Egg on faces for the 'ever watchful !!!' Whitey and Seev. It was still present when we left at c3.15pm. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan, 11 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 23 Gadwall, 21 Mallard, 16 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 1 Garganey, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 1 Kestrel, 1 White Wagtail and 1 Kingfisher.

Edderthorpe, Monday morning

Highlights from this mornings visit;- The Glossy Ibis was still on Houghton until 09.00ish at least. Also on here; Ringed Plover 4, Shelduck 2. On Edderthorpe;- Dunlin 8, Ringed Plover 2, LRP 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Shelduck 2.

Sunday 11 May 2014

Carlton Marsh

Quiet now as many species are breeding, the highlights today were Buzzard, Little Owl, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails and a newly emerged brood of 4 Canada Geese.

Rabbit Ings



Ray Dye

Edderthorpe, Sunday highlights

Sightings from John Clarkson. The Glossy Ibis was still on Houghton during the morning before touring the Dearne Valley to Wombwell Ings and Adwick and then returning to Houghton mid afternoon. Little Egret 1, Oystercatcher 2, LRP 2, Ringed Plover 4, Dunlin 11, Greenshank 1, Redshank 16, Swift 250.

Wintersett 11.05.14

10°C,  sunny spells and showers, with a gusty westerly.
 Wintersett Res:  A male Garganey was a nice addition to the year list this morning.  It moved onto Botany Bay and was still there mid afternoon.  Arctic Tern 2,  Common Tern 4,  Kingfisher 2 and Yellow Wagtail 3 m,
Haw Park Wood:  Goldcrest 1m and Siskin 1
Anglers CP: Shoveler 1m,  Dunlin 1,  Sand Martin1 and Water Rail 1.
Fledglings in the area: 2 Tawny Owls,  Long-tailed Tits  and  Tree Sparrows.

Drake Garganey               PMeredith

Houghton Washland

Glossy Ibis here to 3.30 at least.

Adwick mid afternoon

Glossy Ibis 1 in at 14.00, left north at 14.40, Garganey 3, (2 drakes), Dunlin 1, Oystercatcher 1.

Saturday 10 May 2014

Wintersett 10.05.14

9°C,  very wet underfoot but no rain from 09.00hrs to midday then heavy showers.  Moderate westerly.
Wintersett Res: An Arctic Tern with an all black bill was here this morning and moved to ACP this afternoon. Yellow Wagtail 1m,  Sedge Warbler 1 m  and Kingfisher 2.
Cold Hiendley Res: Mallard with 8 small young.
Haw Park Wood: Goldcrest 1m.
Anglers CP:  Common Tern  4,  Greylag Goose 10 and Grey Heron 1.  The adult Yellow-legged Gull put in a brief appearance this afternoon along with and adult and a 2nd Summer Lessser Black-backed Gull.

Houghton

Glossy ibis still present left at 9.00 am .
Other stuff yellow wagtails 2 kingfisher , ,redshank

Friday 9 May 2014

The Edge 9th May

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan, 7 Canada Geese, 12 Greylag, 22 Gadwall, 13 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, c15 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Avocet, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Red Legged Partridge, c50 Swift, 20+ Swallow, c20 House Martin, 5+ Sand Martin, 5 Skylark, and 1 Whitethroat,  The early PM revisit added 1 drake Garganey, 2 Shelduck, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Song Thrush and 4 Linnet.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 4 Little Grebe, 10 Canada Geese, 17 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 2 LBB Gull, 1 Arctic Tern through west at 10.20am, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Red Legged Partridge and 1 Kestrel.
TPT- Singing males included 4 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 4 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 8 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag + brood of 7 goslings, 24 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 1 LBB Gull and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Bullfinch.

Wintersett 09.05.14

 12°C,  showers, drizzle, rain on and off all morning, with a gusty westerly.  Bright and sunny by mid afternoon.
Wintersett Res:Sand Martin 2, Arctic Tern 2 at 14.30hrs  + 1 ACP,  Curlew 2.
Anglers CP: Common Sandpiper 3,  Common Tern 2  and  Greylag Goose 28.  Cormorant 2 + 2 West
Swift 270 in the area.

Lesser Scaup at Ingbirchworth yesterday.

A couple of more photos of yesterdays drake Lesser Scaup. These were not available yesterday. 





Photos by Dave Pennington. 

Hands Up Time

For those of you who queried the identification of the drake Greater Scaup seen at Ingbirchworth Reservoir yesterday you were right to do so. It is in fact a Lesser Scaup. - that's the good news. The bad news is that it has gone. A good search here and at Royd Moor Reservoir and Scout Dike Reservoir revealed nothing this morning.

Lesser Scaup at Ingbirchworth




Three photos of the immature drake Lesser Scaup at Ingbirchworth Reservoir taken by Dave Pennington.

Thursday 8 May 2014

Cudworth

A swift was grounded yesterday somewhat wet and bedraggled and taken to Geoff Miller by some local kids, happily after two hours Geoff managed to get the bird airborne again. Well done Geoff.

Does any one know what this bird is, It was taken on Rabbit Ings on 6/5/14 by Jim Plant's daughter.
 

LESSER SCAUP

Elsecar Reservoir - 60+ Mallards, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Common Terns, 4+ Moorhens, 10+ Coots and 2 singing Blackcaps.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 3 Greylag Geese, 24 Mallards, 5 (4 drakes) Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Lesser Scaup, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Moorhens,14 Coots and 1 Common Sandpiper.
Midhope Reservoir - 8 Greylag Geese, 1 drake Teal, 3 Mallards and a pair of Moorhen

Mammals
Royd Moor Hill - 1 young Weasel over the road.
Barnside - 1 Brown Hare.

Edderthorpe, Glorious Thursday morning...

The title is a reference to the birds not the weather... Walked on to Houghton Washland around sixish as usual and was confronted with a sight I thought had passed by - The Glossy Ibis. Feeding away merrily on the recently flooded water area (well done the RSPB and Pete Wall), it then got up and flew over the old banking to Edderthorpe. I rushed around to Edderthorpe but no signs until picking it up again at 07.15 in flight heading over to Houghton and I've just had a text (07.50) telling its still on Houghton. Magic!! On Edderthorpe are;- Little Egret 1, Garganey 1 drake, Ringed Plover 1, LRP 2, Dunlin 5, Common Sandpiper 1

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Wintersett 07.05.14

10°C  cloudy with some sunny spells,  light shower at midday.  Not a lot happening today.
Anglers CP: Common Sandpiper 1,  Shoveler 1m and 1f,  Cormorant 2
Wintersett Res: Sand Martin 2
Cold Hiendley Res: Common Tern 2.

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The Edge 7th May

Wombwell Ings- Present were 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 12 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 24 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Duck, 15 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 1 male Garganey, 15+ Lapwing, 11 Dunlin, 7 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Skylark, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting  and 2 Linnet.
Bolton Ings- On the open water were 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 33 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 7 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 12 Greylag, 8 Canada Geese, 1 Buzzard, 80+ Swift, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Kingfisher.
TPT- Singing males included 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler and 1 Song Thrush.
Broomhill Flash - (per Mick Rushton) Noted were 2 Little Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 21 Canada Geese, 13 Greylag, 14 Tufted Duck, 3 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Kestrel, 3 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Grey Partridge, c50 Swift, c12 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin and 2 House Martin.

Adwick mid morning

A few extras to add, Shelduck 5, Garganey 1 pair, LRP 5, Ringed Plover 2, Redshank at least 2 pair wth  young, Wheatear 2, Yellow Wagtail 3/4 pair, Linnet c30.

Adwick+Old Moor 7 May.

Adwick, Wheatear, 2 Garganey, 6 Avocet,1 Common Sandpiper. Old Moor late morning Bar-tailed Godwits still there.

Edderthorpe, Wednesday morning

An even earlier start than usual this morning, 05.15 (and it would have been earlier had there not been a heavy shower at 4.00) to search for Water Rails - only managed to find one. The drake Garganey is still here, Shelduck 1, Little Egret 1, LRP 2, Snipe 1, Tawny Owl 1, Sedge Warblers are now up to 4 singing males, Garden Warbler 1 new in and a shower around 7.00 dropped a flock of 25 Sand Martins.

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Edderthorpe

Nothing to add to Graham Speight earlier post tho PM went into Storrs mill wood, on river dearne is a second year very dead mute swan with an orange ring, sorry couldn't get the ring number and no easy access without getting soaked or worse! Lundwood viaduct area, Buzzard 1,grey partridge 1 sky lark 1,yellow hammer 1,Great spotted pecker 1
  • Old Moor - Tuesday Evening

    Had an evening visit to Old Moor where the main highlight was 2 Bar Tailed Godwits on the Wader Scrape. Also on the Wader Scrape were 5 Common Terns and a Dunlin. The Bittern was booming throughout and on the Main Marsh were 2 LRP'S, a Snipe and 22 Mute Swans. Earlier in the day 2 first summer Mediterranean Gulls were seen.

    Bolton Ings et al - Bank Holiday Monday

    For the second day running I started on Wombwell ings where the Glossy Ibis was still present on the first pool. Also on this pool was a drake Garganey, 2 Avocets and 2 LRP's. The Pink Footed Goose was still in the back field.

    Next stop was my usual jaunt onto Bolton Ings although I varied my route to do a full circuit of the Ings to count the warblers and anything else I could find. The open water was very quiet although 2 Avocets and a Common Tern had a fly round. The main interest today was the warblers and I heard exactly 100 singing males of 6 species. Full List :- Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 6, Canada Goose 17, Grey Lag Goose 10 + 3 broods, Great Crested Grebe 3, Little Grebe 11, Mallard 16 + 2 broods, Gadwall 6, Shoveler 3, Tufted Duck 58, Pochard 11, Coot 84, Moorhen 8, Lapwing 4. Oystercatcher 4, Avocet 2, Black Headed Gull 310, Common Gull 2, LBB Gull 3, Common Tern 1, Sparrowhawk 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Jay 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Kingfisher 1, Sand Martin c20, Swift c50, Willow Warbler 36, Chiffchaff 14, Blackcap 20, Whitethroat 19, Sedge Warbler 8, Reed Warbler 2.

    Carlton Marsh

    This morning 8 Canada geese and 2 Greylags were being harassed by the resident Mute Swans. Also present were 12 Swifts, a family of Long-tailed Tits, Cuckoo and 2 Grey Wagtails. Singing warblers included 11 Whitethroats, 5 Reed Warblers and 7 Sedge Warblers.



    Garganey Wombwell Ings




    The Edge 6th May

    Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 17 Gadwall, 11 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard, 2male + 1female Garganey, 1 Shoveler, 4 Redshank, 4 Avocet, 3 Dunlin, 2 Grey Partridge, 6 Skylark, 2 Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff. A mid PM visit added, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 more Avocet,1 Buzzard and 1 female Wheatear.
    Broomhill Flash late AM-Noted were 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 24 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag,  16 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 2 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 40+ Swift, 1 female Wheatear, 2 Reed Warbler and 1 Sedge Warbler. Little Owlwas again showing on Top Lane(J.Seeviour).
    Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Warbler Way should be sponsored by Ronseal (Does what it says on the tin). Singing males included 13 Whitethroat,  12 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Grasshopper Warbler. Also vying for attention were 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Buzzard,1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo and 1 booming Bittern (from Old Moor). On the open water were 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 36 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 5 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Large Red Damselfly and 1 Banded Demoiselle .

    Much of the same

    Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 22 Mallards + 9 new ducklings. 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Coots (including five sitting) and 1 Common Sandpiper.
    Midhope Reservoir - 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Mallards, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Hobby.

    Low Moor / Midhope, 6-5-14.

    Early afternoon, Peregrine 1, Buzzard 3, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Raven 3, Crossbill 30+, small numbers showing regular in conifer tops, Oystercatcher 1, 1 drumming GS Woodpecker, Redpoll 5, Siskin 4, Swift 2, LBB Gull 2.

    Wintersett Marauder Back! 06.05.14

    8° - 14°C, scattered cloud, sunny and warm with a light south westerly.
    Anglers CP: The Yellow-legged Gull and the Lesser Black-backed Gull, last seen 14 days ago,  flew in with a 2nd summer LBB Gull this afternoon. The YL Gull caused mayhem on the shallows before picking up a Canada Goose egg  and tucking into it on the shoreline.
    Also - Common Sandpiper 2,  Little Ringed Plover and Teal 1m.
    Wintersett Res: Grasshopper Warbler 1 m.
    Broods around the area: Mallard  16 + 9 very small, 11 +  8small  and 9 medium,  Coot 3 vs young   Canadas 6 + 2 + 4 + 5.

    Edderthorpe pm

    1.00pm til 2.15
    Garganey still showing well.As come further into middle so getting good views.Also present Ringed Plover 2, Redshank 2, Dunlin 1,Oystercatcher 1, Shelduck 3.Common Buzzard 2. Plenty of Swifts.
    Peregrine got everything up as I was leaving.

    Edderthorpe, Tuesday morning

    The drake Garganey is still present - usually feeding on the Flash close to the river floodbank straight opposite the parking layby (unless it's been flushed), Shelduck 3, Teal 5, Shoveler 4, Ringed Plover 3, LRP 1, Dunlin 1, Oystercatcher 1, Sedge Warbler 2 singing males.

    Monday 5 May 2014

    Adwick

    After calling in at Wombwell Ings again to witness the Ibis take flight and hover briefly, before alighting again, we called at Adwick to see the Garganey pair. Seen from a distance they conveniently disappeared from sight as we moved round. However, we did see a drake Teal, Wheatear, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Swifts, 2 pairs of Avocets and 2 Little Ringed Plovers. The site has great potential for the future thanks to the work of the DVGH Partnership.

    Midhope and Broomhead Moor

    Midhope
    2 Ravens, plenty of Meadow Pipits, Snipe, Lapwing and Curlew, 6 Greylag Geese. 1 Kestrel was the only bird of prey seen here.


    Butterflies- Quite a few Green-Veined Whites


    Broomhead
    A couple of hours at the shooting lodge provided more birds of prey with 2 Buzzards, 1 Peregrine and 1 Red Kite. Also seen were a male Ring Ouzel, 2 more Ravens, Willow Warbler and plenty more Mipits. A cuckoo was calling in Ewden Valley.


    Butterflies- Another Green-Veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and my first ever Green Hairstreak

    Edderthorpe, May Day Monday

    Spent all morning around the Flash hoping you-know-what might pay a visit (and mapping breeding birds), before heading to Wombwell Ings late morning to see the refered to Glossy Ibis again. And whilst watching the ibis it decided to leave at about 12.30 flying high to the north and probably directly over Edderthorpe (it would certainly have been viewable from there had anyone been there to see it). Alas there was no sign at Edderthorpe when I got back there about 15 minutes later, presumably it carried on heading northwards to make the day of the next lucky person who discovers it. Highlights from Edderthorpe include;- a cracking drake Garganey showing well, Shelduck 2, Oystercatcher 1, Ringed Plover 3, LRP 2, Swift 90, Willow Tit- a pair, Sedge Warbler 2 singing males.

    Wintersett 05.05.14

    10°C and rising at 09.00hrs,  sunny and warm all day.  Hordes of visitors around, but unfortunately the Glossy Ibis failed to reach here after leaving north from Wombwell Ings at 12.30hrs.
    Wintersett Res: A Whimbrel went north at 06.30hrs. Common Tern 3.  4 male Sedge Warblers were in this area this morning. There was a Mallard brood of 8 small ducklings and a Kingfisher was seen.
    A Cuckoo was heard at Cold Hiendley and at least one was in the ACP area.
    Anglers CP: Little Ringed Plover 2.  A Whimbrel went south at 12.16hrs.
    Haw Park Wood: Crossbill 1.
    Tree Sparrows:  The first chicks were ringed today from nestboxes.  Broods were good with large and healthy young.  A total of 42 were ringed from 9 boxes.  It looks like being a good early season for the first broods.

    The Edge 5th May

    Wombwell Ings mid AM- Glossy Ibis showed well until 8.10am but went into hiding when disturbed by a dogwalker. Relocated it about 9am and was able to make a few birders journeys worthwhile. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 7 Mute Swan, 12 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 1 Garganey, 24 Tufted Duck, 22 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 10+ Lapwing and 3young, 6 Redshank, 3 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Wheatear, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 5 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Chiffchaff.
     Bolton Ings late AM- No sign of the Black Necked Grebes which have not been seen since Friday. On the open water were 1 Cormorant, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 29 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 2 Mallard and 1 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Grey Heron, 9 Greylag, 8 Canada Geese, 1 Oystercatcher,2 Grey Wagtail and 1 Kingfisher.
    TPT- Singing males included 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat and 3 Chiffchaff.

    Sunday 4 May 2014

    Glossy Ibis

    My usual Sunday routine was pleasantly interrupted this morning with a text from Dave Waddington at 06.10 - "Glossy Ibis, Wombwell Ings". As I hadn't seen it yesterday 20 minutes later I was watching the Ibis on the first pool on Wombwell, thanks for the text Dave. During the rest of the day I spent many hours on Wombwell watching the Ibis and had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

    A Whimbrel dropped in early on before departing to Edderthorpe, a Pink Footed Goose was in the back field and a Yellow Wagtail flew over. Skylarks were singing and Redshanks, Lapwings and Snipes were on the pool with the Ibis. After a while the Ibis flew to near the corner pond so I carried onto the hide, here were 3 LRP's, a Dunlin, more Lapwings and Redshanks and a couple of Shelduck flew in.

    I left for some breakfast and returned in the afternoon. The Ibis put on a fine display in front of the hide, Dunlin had increased to 2 and 5 Avocets were on the main pool. Skylarks were still singing and a Yellow Wagtail was calling. Had a walk onto the corner pond where a couple of Sedge Warblers were singing.

    After another break I returned in the evening, the Ibis was now back on the first pool at first but then flew onto the main pool. I went to the hide where there was a White Wagtail with the Pied's and 4 Oystercatchers flew in. I hoped to establish where the Ibis was roosting and at 20.55 it flew off strongly towards Old Moor, presumably to roost and probably the Willow Pool where the Egrets roost in the Autumn. The Ings were alive with waders calling, Lapwings, Redshanks, Avocets, LRP's, Oystercatchers and Snipe drumming and chipping. As I walked off at 21.30 Skylarks were still singing.

    From the Old Moor Tavern I could hear the Bittern booming from Old Moor and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing. Another Grasshopper Warbler was singing from Little Broomhill.

    Other news from today - Old Moor, drake Garganey and first summer Med Gull. Adwick, Hobby, Garganey 3 (2 drakes), Avocet 8, Snipe 2, Lapwing 106 + 17 broods, Redshank 14, LRP 6.

    A great day, more of the same tomorrow please.