Saturday 28 February 2015

Edderthorpe, Saturday

A nice herd of 11 Whooper Swans were on the Flash first thing (and still present at Mid day), Shelduck 4 in the morning but a flock of 14 were seen in the afternoon, Wigeon 195, Shoveler 13, Gadwall 83, Pintail 2, Tufted 33, Pochard 12, Pink-footed Goose 1 with 14 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron 5, Little Egret 2, Oystercatcher 2, Lapwing 250, Redshank 1 and Common Buzzard 6.

Wintersett 28.02.15

6°C,  mild with 5/8 cloud and a light south westerly.
Anglers CP:  Great Crested Grebe 5 + 5 WRes, Mute Swan 5 juveniles, Cormorant 25,  Oystercatcher 5, Grey Wagtail 1, Green Woodpecker 1,  Meadow Pipit 5, Dunlin 1 and Jack Snipe 3.   Buzzard 1 + 2 displaying Cold Hiendley.  The first Curlew of Spring was on the rock wall this afternoon.
Wintersett Res Gull Roost: Caspian Gull 1 adult,  Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult (usual).  Herring Gull 420.  Great Black-backed Gull 15 and Lesser Black-backed Gull 14. 

                       Curlew                   ACP            SDenny

Carlton Marsh

Work is progressing in the marsh. This morning 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, Water Rail, c70 Fieldfare and a Weasel were on show.

Broomhill Flash & Wombwell Ings

Broomhill Flash mid am

8 Pochard, 6 Tufted, 2 LBB Gull, 2 Pair of Goldeneye displaying, 1 Little Grebe, 2 RL Partridge, 57 Wigeon, and 2 Buzzard & a Kestrel over Cathill

Wombwell Ings late am

6 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 11 Shelduck, 260 Wigeon, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan, 200 + Canadas, 2 Grey Lag

INGBIRCHWORTH AND SCOUT DYKE 28TH FEB

INGBIRCHWORTH; Yellowhammer 3, Coot 14, Tufted Duck 4, Little Grebe 4, Great Crested Grebe 3,Canada Geese 4, Moorhen 3, Mallard 37, Black Headed Gull 65,Common Gull 20, Oystercatcher 3 (1 being chased by Gulls and 2 copulating on the weir wall.)

SCOUT DYKE; Mallard 10, Coot 4, Cormorant 1, Great Crested Grebe 2 (courtship displaying), Willow Tit 1, Grey Wagtail 1, c 200 Cananda Geese in far feilds with one hybrid with white on face,No sign of White Fronted Geese at either site?

Also a Great Spotted Woodpecker on my Garden feeders in Springvale Penistone, first one in 16 years?

Friday 27 February 2015

Storrs Mill Wood

Buzzard 6, Nuthatch 2, Coal Tit 4, Goldcrest and Great Spot Woodpecker. (Chris Parkin)

Wintersett 27.02.15

5°C with 7/8 cloud at first and a cool south westerly,  some sunshine by late morning.
Anglers CP:  The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull and his mate the Lesser Black-backed Gull were on the raft this afternoon.  At least 15 Snipe were seen.  Cormorant 15,   Oystercatcher 2,  Skylark 1  and Teal  2 male.  
Walton Hall:  Little Grebe 1 and Great Crested Grebe 1.  (At present Grebes are rare in the Wintersett Area).

The Edge 27th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 2 Mute Swan, 116 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 11 Shelduck, 260+ Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 1m Goosander over, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 11 Coot, 12 Moorhen, 18 Lapwing, 122 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 1 singing Song Thrush, 7 Skylark, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Coal Tit and 4 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash late AM-Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 12 Canada Geese, 28+ Wigeon, 14 Gadwall, 13 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 2 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 5 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 260+ BH Gull, 6 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 4 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 13 Tufted Duck, 9 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 1m+1juv+2f Goldeneye, 2 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 45 Coot, 66 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull and 2 Herring Gull. An Oystercatcher investigating the islands on the east pool suggested it was a new arrival. Certainly been a dearth of waders so far this year. A female Stonechat was working its way between the east and west pools.

Edderthorpe Friday AM.

Pintail 2 (males), Oystercatcher 2, Little Egret 1,Pink-footed goose(with Graylags) Pochard 14, Goosander 1(male). Mute Swans 13. Also 5 Goosander ( 3 male, 2 female)+ 8 Pochard on Sash pond.

Thursday 26 February 2015

Carlton Marsh

Three new signs put up this morning by courtesy of Russ Boland Countryside and Parks Officer for BMBC

Dodworth Capitol Park industrial est. wasteland, 26/2/15.

No sign of any construction workers but one Jack Snipe which didn't go far and a pair of Mallards.

The Edge 26th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 2 Mute Swan, 121 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 12 Shelduck, 160+Wigeon, 18 Mallard, 10 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 2 Goosander, 2 Grey Heron, 12 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 59 BH Gull, 1 Song Thrush, 3 singing Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail and 5 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash late AM-Noted were 19 Canada Geese, 28 Wigeon, 11 Pochard, 9 Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Gadwall, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 5 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 24 Lapwing, 176+ BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Kestrel and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Bolton Ings early PM- On the Open water were 4 Mute Swan, 3 Greylag, 20 Pochard, 15 Tufted Duck, 15 Shoveler, 2m+3juv+2f Goldeneye, 2 Teal, 2 Goosander over, 2 Gadwall, 1 Mallard, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 46 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 111 BH Gull and 6 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Stonechat.

Elsecar

Elsecar Reservoir - 113 Mallards, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Moorhens and 23 Coots.

Wednesday 25 February 2015

Ringed Herring Gull revisits Yorkshire

Thanks for this  information  - per Andy Deighton  on Twitter

A 2nd W Herring Gull with the colour ring JX347
was at Attercliffe on 11th  February 2015.
It was ringed  in 2013 at Hornoya Varanger Norway.
It was seen Anglers/Wintersett  on 2nd March 2014.

Wintersett 25.02.15

6°C, very mild and sunny with scattered cloud and a light southerly.
Anglers CP:  Green Woodpecker 1 and Oystercatcher 4.  A Hare scampered across the reserve.
Wintersett Res: Goosander 3.
Thanks to Lynz Harston for the following photos.

Treecreeper           Haw Park Wood                LH
One of the pairs of Oystercatchers   ACP       LH

Cudworth Sewage Works

3 Chiffchaffs and 30 Pied Wagtails were seen there this morning. On the River Dearne to Storrs Mill were 4 Yellow Buntings, 3 Tufted Ducks  and 29 Lapwings. (Chris Parkin)

The Edge 25th Feb

Broomhill Flash mid AM-Noted were 106 Canada Geese, 34 Greylag, 58+ Wigeon, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 8 Mallard, 4 Teal, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 2 Cormorant, 3 Red Legged Partridge, 25 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 21 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 325 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 2 Meadow Pipit and 2 Reed Bunting.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 15 Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 2m+1juv+4f Goldeneye, 5 Mallard, 3 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 44 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 54 Lapwing over, 142 BH Gull, 6 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker and a pair of Stonechat.
TPT- 1 Buzzard flying north c11am, c16 Redpoll, 14 Redwing, 1 drumming Greater Spotted Woodpecker and 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker.
Wombwell Ings mid PM-Present were 79 Canada Geese, 13 Greylag, 12 Shelduck, 130+ Wigeon, 13 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 11 Mallard, 11 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 1m+1f Pintail, 3 Grey Heron, 5 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 171 BH Gull, 2 Lapwing, c10 Redwing, 1 singing Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit and 2 Pied Wagtail.

Wild Goose Chase

Scout Dike Reservoir - 3 White-fronted Geese (then into a field to SW of Royd Moor Res, before returning to a field S of Scout Dike Res.), 180 Canada Geese, 9 Mallards, 3 Cormorants (left W). 1 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Moorhen, 18 Coots, 10+ Black-headed Gulls, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Pied wagtail.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Pink-footed Geese, 86 Greylag Geese, 129 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag x Canada Goose, 32 Mallards, 5 Tufted Ducks, 1 Moorhen, 12 Coots, 150+ Black-headed Gulls, 8 Common Gulls and c100 Fieldfares (onto Ingbichworth Common.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 55 Greylag Geese, 6 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, 3 (2 drakes) Goldeneye, 2 Goosanders, 2 Little Grebes, 30+ Black-headed Gulls and 1 Curlew W.
Langsett Reservoir - 32 Canada Geese.

All geese tend be wander between these three reservoirs. If you are looking for the White-fronts then Scout Dike Res (fields to the N and S and on the water) is your best bet but if absent try Royd Moor Res (the fields between Royd Moor Farm and the field with the sheep in).

Tuesday 24 February 2015

Wintersett 24.02.15

4°C, cloudy with a couple of showers and a cool westerly this morning.
Wintersett Res:  Greylag Goose 30 and Goosander 10.
Anglers CP:  The Willow Tit visited the feeding station in the car park.
WRes. Boathouse: Work at the side of the slipway has taken out the section of hedge where the Penduline Tits were first sighted on 06.11.2011. 



Carlton Marsh

Today saw the return of Paul Bicken to fit sluices from the new scrape to the dike.

Today's sightings included Kestrel, Sparrowhawk (2) Buzzard and a male Peregrine south at 15.55hrs. Also of note were Kingfisher, Water Rail, Little Grebe (2) Gadwall 16, Tufted Duck 7, Fieldfare 25, Willow Tit (3) and Tawny Owl.

For some reason the comment box is putting the comment I make, on twice?

The Edge 24th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 4 Mute Swan, 156 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 141+ Wigeon, 14 Teal, 6 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 1m+1f Pintail, 1m Goosander, 9 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Lapwing, 82 BH Gull, 9 Common Gull, 7 Skylark and 1 Song Thrush.
Broomhill Flash late AM-Noted Were 16 Canada Geese, 39 Wigeon, 10 Tufted Duck, 8 Teal, 3 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 19 Coot, 6 Moorhen, 18 Lapwing, 250+ BH Gull, 5 Common Gull and 1 Kestrel.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 6 Mute Swan, 26 Shoveler, 11 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 4m+2juv+4f Goldeneye, 5 Mallard, 3 Teal, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 41 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 26 BH Gull and 9 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1female Stonechat.

Frenchie

Just received the following ringing recoveries.

Gadwall
FB11707  1J    25-07-10  Broomhill Flash
               shot   06-12-14  Barnsley. 8kms WNW (probably locally)

Reed Warbler
Paris         3     29-08-11  Poine d'Offoy 50.10'N 1.29'N, Cayeux-sur-Mer
6708214                           (Somme) France.
                 v     05-06-14  Carlton Marsh. 430 km NNW 1011 days.

Monday 23 February 2015

Wintersett 23.02.15

3°C,  dry with sunny spells and a moderate westerly.
Another very quiet day here.  A stroll up to Walton Hall revealed Psycho, the adult Yellow-legged Gull cruising around the lake.  A flock of around 80 Fieldfare were in a field on Haw Park Lane.  A Willow Tit is being seen daily at the feeding station in Anglers CP car park.

The Edge 23rd Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2 Mute Swan, 139 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 110+ Wigeon, 13 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 5 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 1m Goosander, 7 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 3 Grey Heron, 101 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Buzzard, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail and 3 Reed Bunting.
 Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 16 Canada Geese, 60+ Wigeon, 12 Tufted Duck, 2m+2f Goldeneye, 4 Pochard, 4 Teal, 2 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Cormorant, 13 Coot, 8 Moorhen, 250+ BH Gull, 5 Common Gull and 1 Kestrel.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 25 Shoveler, 9 Pochard, 7 Tufted Duck, 2m+1juvm+3f Goldeneye, 5 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 29 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Cormorant, 68 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret over, 6 Canada Geese and 2 Green Woodpecker.
Mick Turton had a Red Kite flying west over Bolton west end(c12.15am) and a pair of Stonechat.

Sunday 22 February 2015

Bolton Ings et al - Sunday 22nd February

Started out this morning at 08.00, had to scrape ice off windscreen, 2c and only got to 4c when I returned. Had a good start with Great Spotted Woodpecker in Broomhill Park and 12 Shelduck on Wombwell Ings from the old road. A Buzzard was up early and later 3 drifted over to Old Moor, soon after (another?) 4 were up over Bolton tip with 2 displaying and dropping down onto the fence posts between the 2 pools. Also displaying today were 4 pairs of Great Crested Grebes, a couple of Little Egrets were flying about and Goldeneye were down to 8. A Redshank was on the river. Full list :- Grey Heron 2, Little Egret 2, Mute Swan 10, Canada Goose 9, Grey Lag Goose 5, Cormorant 2, Great Crested Grebe 8, Little Grebe 4, Mallard 43, Teal 6, Gadwall 62, Shoveler 16, Pochard 15, Tufted Duck 32, Goldeneye 8 (1 male, 2 imm males, 5 females), Coot 68, Moorhen 5, Redshank 1, Black Headed Gull 82, Common Gull 15, Herring Gull 1, Buzzard 4, Kestrel 4, Sparrowhawk 1, Green Woodpecker.

Later I visited Old Moor for the roost, in the Willows were 5 Cormorants and 4 Little Egrets, 43 Goosander were roosing on the Wader Scrape. A further 26 Cormorants departed for Denaby, 2 Oystercatchers were on the Wader Scrape and a single Shelduck was on the Willow Pool.

Yesterday morning I called in at Old Moor to see the returning adult male Mediterranean Gull on Island 1 on the Mere. This bird has returned for its 6th year with us, it has never attracted a mate so maybe this year that will change. It was still present today.

Wintersett 22.02.15

4°C, dry with 8/8 cloud and a very cold westerly.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 5,  Shoveler 1 male.   Teal 7 + a male and a female on WRes.  Willow Tit 1.
Wintersett Res: Little Grebe 2,  Water Rail 1 and Redwing 9.

Edderthorpe, Sunday morning

A wildfowl count at Edderthorpe Flash and Houghton Washlands produced;- Shelduck 12, Mallard 100, Pintail 2, Wigeon 165, Shoveler 19, Gadwall 70, Teal 140, Tufted 27, Pochard 14, Little Egret 2, Grey Heron 4, Coot 46, Oystercatcher 2, Lapwing 155, Common Snipe 10. Many of the dabbling ducks were on Houghton (and even more were after Edderthorpe was flushed by a dog walker). Cudworth Common/Ferrymoor had;- Wigeon 7, Shoveler 1, Teal 7, Goosander 2, Grey Partridge 2, Lapwing 25, Ringed Plover 8, Linnet 20.

Willow Tit Survey Progress

Thanks to everyone putting Willow Tit records onto this blog - much appreciated.
Early days yet but now got 14 territories in the Dearne NIA and another 6 in the rest of the BBSG recording area. Sightings (and hearings) should get better throughout the next month when the weather warms up.

Scout Dike & Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Common - 2 Oystercatchers.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Pink-footed Geese, 58 Greylag Geese, 267 Canada Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 38 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, a pair Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Oystercatcher, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 40+ Common Gulls and 2 Herring Gulls.
Scout Dike Reservoir - 3 White-fronted Geese (but not after 12:00hrs) - looked like Europeans to me but opinions differ (photos on Huddersfield website if anybody wants to comment), 4 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada x Greylag Goose, 224 Canada Geese, 8 Mallards, 2 Goosanders, 2 Great Crested Grebes,  1 Kestrel, 1+ Moorhens, 10 Coots and 20+ Linnets.
Midhope Reservoir - 1 drake Goldeneye.

INGBIRCHWORTH 21/2/15

Yellowhammer 1, Canada Geece 65, Coot 11, Mallard 38, Little Grebe 3, Great Crested Grebe 2, Moorhen 2,  and a mixed bunch of c50 Black Headed and Common Gulls.

Saturday 21 February 2015

Wintersett + Gulls 21.02.14


1°C,  cold with clear skies and a light westerly.
Anglers CP Roost:  Gull numbers are gradually declining, but there was still a reasonable number of big gulls this afternoon, but not a single notable to report. 
NB Rufforth Gulls didn't play ball  this morning,  but stuck to the tip.   per @TimsBirding.  This afternoon a Caspian Gull was reported on @BirdGuides and later @jonathanfarooqi  had an adult Iceland Gull, scared back towards the tip by a Peregrine, and a 2nd W Iceland Gull.

Silkstone and Scout Dike

After my routine visit to Old Moor this morning my curiosity (and nose!) led me to Silkstone Sewage Farm. An half-decent count of 36 pied wags on the filter beds and two buzzards over were by far the most notable things. Re the wags, I aim to take a look here a bit more often come spring for an alba.
Curiosity much more than optimism then led me to Scout Dike, particularly when I noticed lots of geese in surrounding fields. Whilst scanning through the canadas and geylags on the north bank I came across one, then another two White-fronted Geese. Excellent! My first 'tick' here in three years and my (I think) 143rd species (mad or sad?) Not that I visit the site much nowadays - disturbance and development have put pay to that. Debate continues about their racial ID. I understand Nick Mallinson aims to post some pics on the Hudds site. Hope they stick around anyway.
Also of note, c.300 Canada geese, 55 Greylags and 2 Goosander.
That's it 'till this time next year!
Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

Friday 20 February 2015

Wintersett 20.02.15

4°C,  cold but dry with sunny spells and a light south westerly. 
Wintersett Res:  Goosander 9,  Yellowhammer 1,  Cetti's Warbler 1.  Teal 3 + 1 ACP.
NB: Rufforth:  AMERICAN HERRING GULL 1 possible juvenile at midday Between the airfield and road. per @MickgCunningham
Swinsty Roost:  C15000 Bhg/common gulls.  Only 6 herring and nothing of note.  per @andyjowett
American Wigeon back on Normanton Lake per BirdGuides

Rufforth Gulls  - per @Jonnybirder  19.02.15

Moorland news 20/2/15.

Ewden - Peregrine 1 fem. probably a pair, one lost to view, Stonechat 1 summer plumaged male, 1 Common Buzzard. Too windy and cold here so off to Low Moor/Midhope- no sign of the Shrike but 3 Curlews dropped in at 3pm. They flew off e calling at 3-45pm + 2 Golden Plover flew w over pike lowe, Common Buzzard 5 together, Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 2. Good numbers of thrushes but all mixed flocks so hard to count. Whitley Common - Starlings thought to be 1000+ at the farm, 600 Golden Plover, 120 Lapwing.

Elsecar & Ingbirchworth

Elsecar Reservoir - 80+ Mallards, 1 drake Tufted Duck, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Common Buzzard, 13 Moorhens, 23 Coots, and c120 Black-headed Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 138 Canada Geese (nowt different in w' 'em), 28 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, 4 Moorhen, 11 Coots. c30 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Common Gulls.
Millhouse Green - 23 Pink-footed Geese E.

The Edge 20th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2 Mute Swan, 79 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 274 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 9 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 4 Grey Heron, 69 BH Gull, 1 Lapwing, 1 Buzzard, 3 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit and 3 Reed Bunting. Noted at the feeding area on Highgate were 1 Song Thrush, 1 Coal Tit and 1 Willow Tit. On the topside of Broomhill Park D.Waddington had 1 Treecreeper, 2 Willow Tit, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff amongst a tit flock.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 4 Mute Swan, 99 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 56 Wigeon, 11 Tufted Duck, 10 Teal, 6 Mallard, 6 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Cormorant, 11 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 65 Lapwing, c250 BH Gull and 4 Common Gull.
TPT- c10 Redpoll and 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 5 Mute Swan, 10 Canada Geese, 21 Tufted Duck, 15 Pochard, 12 Shoveler, 7 Goldeneye, 3 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 45 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 92 BH Gull and 4 Common Gull. Also present were 10 Greylag, 2 Grey Heron,and a pair of Stonechat.
This morning, one of the Environment Agency workers doing 'Habitat Management' on Wombwell Ings , stated that the hide was going to be moved, placed on stilts and accessed by a walkway. Being 'out of the loop' for 4 months, could somebody enlighten me, and possibly many other birdwatchers, on these proposals.

Willow Tits

Pair of Willow Tits in tall ferns at the side of Cudworth sewage works Thursday at 12:00,also 1Chiffchaff on back fence of sewage works.

Thursday 19 February 2015

Bretton +, 19/2/15.

Green Sandpiper 1, Lapwing 2 down, Common Gull 2, GS Woodpecker 2. Woodpeckers hard to come by this week with none at Woolley yesterday but better at Wilthorpe Marsh with 2 Greens and a male GS., + a pair of WILLOW TITS at grid ref.SE 338087.

The Edge 19th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Present were 3 Mute Swan, 89 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 120+ Wigeon, 11 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 9 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Coot, 8 Moorhen, 61 BH Gull, 4 Common Gull, 8 Lapwing, a short-staying Curlew(10 mins), 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Skylark and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 3 Mute Swan, 53 Canada Geese, 62 Wigeon, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 6 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Goldeneye, 4 Cormorant, 13 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 240+ BH Gull, 1 juv Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 2 Red Legged Partridge.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 5 Mute Swan, 25 Shoveler, 24Tufted Duck, 15 Pochard, 9 Mallard, 3m+2imm m+5f  Goldeneye, 5 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5+ Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 45 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 48 BH Gull and 10 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Canada Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Stonechat.

Wednesday 18 February 2015

Wintersett 18.02.15

A very mild 11°C with sunny spells and a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res:  Grey Wagtail 1,  Willow Tit 1,  Water Rail 1 and Cetti's Warbler 1 male.
Anglers CP:  Oystercatcher 5 and  Green Woodpecker 1.
ACP and WRes Roosts:  There were no notable gulls to be found tonight.
NB:Rufforth had Ad Kumliens, Ad Glauc, 3cy Iceland and 2 Caspian (4cy+2cy).
NB Just for the archive because we're not sure if this site is watched regularly.  Here's the American Wigeon found by Rob Hobson at Normanton Lake on 16.02.15 . Photo per M Dillingham.  It was flushed back to Swillington Ings by JCB drainage work late this morning.
American Wigeon  Normanton Lake    MDillingham

The Edge 18th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2 Mute Swan, 109 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 140+ Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 5 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 1f Goosander, 12 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron, 32 Lapwing, 222 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Skylark, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Bullfinch.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Highlight was the pair of Mandarin Ducks which were spotted by J.Seeviour at 12.05pm. The plumage of both male and female was pristine. However, they flew off eastwards at 12.07pm before Seev could phonescope the glorious looking birds. Also present were 5 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 25 Tufted Duck, 17 Pochard, 12 Shoveler,  2m+1imm m+ 4f Goldeneye, 6 Mallard, 2m+1f Goosander, 2 Teal, 3+ Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 74 BH Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1f Stonechat.

Tuesday 17 February 2015

REDPOLL @HOME

While in my shed this afternoon (Roebuck Street, Wombwell) making some cables up for a project, I happened to look up and saw a single Redpoll come into my feeders with Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch and various tits. By the time i'd finished making my cables up their were 4 different Redpoll at the feeder and possibly more in the bushes at the back of my shed. Here's a couple of photos taken through my shed window. Excuse the quality taken through my dirty shed windows (mental note must clean windows!).




The Edge 17th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2 Mute Swan, 24 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 76 Wigeon, 19 Gadwall, 15 Teal, 8 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 6 Lapwing, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 6+ Skylark, 2 Reed Bunting and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 150+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 47 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 2 Red Legged Partridge, 2 Cormorant, 35 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 56 Lapwing, 250+ BH Gull and 2 Common Gull. A Little Owl was in the bushes on the top lane(J.Thompson)
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 26 Shoveler, 26 Tufted Duck, 2m+2 imm m+6f Goldeneye, 6 Mallard, 3 Teal, 1 Cormorant, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, and 36 Coot. Also present were 2 Canada Geese, 1 Kestrel and 1 Stonechat. Mid AM - K.Foundation also had 2 Goosander, 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe and 1 Snipe.

Winscar - Ingbirchworth - Midhope

Winscar Reservoir - five pairs Canada Geese, 99 Mallards, 20+ Black-headed Gulls and 1 Common Gull.
Broadstone Reservoir - 4 Mallards, 2 Oystercatchers, 26 Golden Plovers, c300 Black-headed Gulls (mainly NNW), 10+ Common Gulls, c50 Fieldfares and 20+ Redwings.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 28 Canada Geese, 38 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, a pair of Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Moorhens, 12 Coots, 700+ Black-headed Gulls and 100+ Common Gulls with most (both species) moving off W/N.
Langsett Reservoir - 6 Canada Geese and 2 Mallards.
Upper Midhope -1 Great Grey Shrike.
Midhope Reservoir - 16 Teal, 6 Mallards, 1 drake Goldeneye, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Common Buzzard.

Mammals - 1 dead Mountain Hare at the side of the road at Windleden Edge and 1 Weasel at Ingbirchworth Res. (the latter additional to the dodgy-looking bloke with the Cocker Spaniel).

Monday 16 February 2015

Wintersett 16.02.15

6°C and dry with 8/8 cloud and a light north westerly. 
Anglers CP:   A new Oystercatcher was soon chased away from the shallows by the 2 resident pairs.  Shoveler 2 male and 2 female, Teal 8 and Green Woodpecker 1
Wintersett Res: Willow Tit 1 and Cetti's Warbler 1.
Wintersett Res Roost: The juvenile Iceland Gull was the only notable today.

Low Moor/Midhope 16/2/15.

A much better showing from the GG Shrike today and I assume everybody that came saw it. + Raven 3, Common Buzzard 2, Sparrowhawk 2, Kestrel 2, Golden Plover 80, Lapwing 35. Very big flock of Lapwings thought to be 400+ looking n. in the hartcliff hill area.

the Edge 16th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2 Mute San, 107 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 9 Shelduck, 137 Wigeon, 21 Teal, 15 Mallard, 11 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 2m+2f Goosander, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 4 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 148 BH Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Common Gull, 4 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush and 2 Reed Bunting.
Broom hill Flash late AM- Noted were 3 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag over, 1 Shelduck, 27 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 5Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall,  11 Teal, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 181 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 3 Cormorant, 31 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 52 Lapwing and 1 Kestrel.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- On the open water were 6 Mute Swan, 26 Tufted Duck, 16 Pochard, 11 Mallard, 11 Gadwall, 9 Goldeneye, 6 Shoveler, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 45 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 74 BH Gull and 7 Common Gull. Also present were 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Sunday 15 February 2015

Dearne Valley Weekender

On Saturday morning I arrived at the Wader Scrape hide at Old Moor at 06.50, 3 Little Egrets left the roost between 07.29 and 07.37 and 4 Cormorants also left the roost. There were 35 Goosanders on the Wader Scrape and a further 8 on the Mere as well as 6 Goldeneye. A Barn Owl was hunting on the Reedbeds and on the Main Marsh was a Shelduck, a drake Pintail and 8 Snipe. A Great Crested Grebe was on the Reedbeds and 29 Cormorants had gathered on the Mere.

Following breakfast in the cafe at Old Moor I had a walk along the TPT to Bolton Ings, quiet on the TPT only bird of note was a Green Woodpecker. On Bolton Eastern Pool from the hide were 15 Goldeneye (4 drakes, 3 imm drakes & 8 females), 25 Pochard, 37 Tufted Duck, Goosander 2, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Little Grebe.

Later on I visited the Reedbeds where the only notables were 2 Water Rail, however I could see 4 Little Egrets and 12 Cormorants roosting in the willows and 6 Shelduck on the Wader Scrape.

This morning I set out onto Bolton Ings at 08.00 am, the weather seemed mild but was very misty. Highlights today were 3 Little Egrets on the Western Pool as well as the pair of Stonechats. Goldeneye on the Eastern Pool had increased to 17 and 49 Common Gulls had gathered. Full List :- Grey Heron 2, Little Egret 3, Mute Swan 11, Canada Goose 16, Cormorant 2, Great Crested Grebe 3, Little Grebe 3, Mallard 16, Teal 3, Gadwall 49, Shoveler 10, Pochard 22, Tufted Duck 40, Goldeneye 17 (4 drakes, 2 imm drakes, 11 females), Coot 76, Moorhen 3, Black Headed Gull 187, Common Gull 49, Stonechat pair, Skylark 5 over, Lesser Redpoll 3.

I visited the Wader Scrape later for the roost and was rewarded with 4 Little Egrets, 14 Cormorants, 48 Goosanders and 5 Goldeneye. Also present were 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Redshank, 2 Snipe and the first 2 Oystercatchers of the year on the Wader Scrape. Oystercatcher is the 100th species to be recorded in the Old Moor Area this year. Earlier a Bittern was seen in flight on the Reedbeds.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 15.02.15


6°C and dry with 8/8 cloud and a light south westerly.  
A walk with the Friends of Haw Park Wood this morming saw 59 species of birds in the area and a further 4 species were seen/heard this afternoon. 
Cold Hiendley Res: The drake and redhead Smew were present until 11.05hrs when they flew on to Wintersett Res where they stayed until 15.00hrs. They returned to CHRes later.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 1 male, Teal 1, Water Rail 2  and Willow Tit 1 + 1 ACP.  Goldeneye 50 + 31 ACP.
Wintersett Village: Little Owl 1
Anglers CP: Green Woodpecker 1.  5 Shelduck dropped in briefly and left 12.25hrs,  and another was on the shallows at 16.00hrs.  
Both Gull Roosts were watched today.  A new 2nd W Iceland Gull was picked up first on WRes and then at ACP where it stayed until last thing, when it flew back to WRes. 
Also  Herring Gull 1750 (1600 WRes + 150 ACP).  Lesser Black-backed Gull 10.  Great Black-backed Gull 10.
NB Rufforth Airfield had an adult Iceland Gull at 13.40hrs and an adult Kumlien's Gull at 15.10hrs. per @YorkBirding

Sunday 15/2/15.

Low Moor/Midhope- no sign of shrike early aft. Very misty so anything was a bonus. Early signs of spring here with a flock of 40 Lapwings, both Mistle and Song Thrush's singing, a pair of Ravens showed well, Bullfinch 4. Woolley Dyke- very quiet, Common Buzzard 4, Redwing 185 down, WILLOW TIT 1 at grid ref SE 338 133. Wilthorpe Marsh- Mild, thin on snipe with just 1 Jack and 1 Common, 1 calling Water Rail, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Goldcrests, WILLOW TIT 1 at grid ref. SE 333 O88.

Broomhill Flash 15th February

Oystercatcher 1 (10.15 am western end), Pochard 6, Tufted Duck 16, Coot 43, Lesser black-backed Gull 2, Wigeon 2, Teal 7, Shoveler 1, Cormorant 1, Common Gull 2.

Edderthorpe, Sunday morning

A few counts from early morning include;- Shelduck 4, Pintail 2, Shoveler 12, Gadwall 26, Wigeon 141, Pochard 25, Tufted 18, Goosander 3, Goldeneye 1, Teal 110, Lapwing 145, Golden Plover 20, Common Snipe 22.

Cudworth Common

A Buzzard was calling and 11 Skylarks were present. (6 singing) A drake Shoveler, several Tufted Duck and Gadwall were all disturbed by 5 Quad bikes. Mr. Bannister reported them to the police.

7 Pochard were diving on the Sash pond with Tufted Duck.

Geoff Miller had 5 Reed Buntings visit his garden feeders.

In the afternoon Chris Parkin and I went to Penistone to see the Rail Tours Special' heading over the viaduct to Huddersfield at 14.40hrs. Hauling the train, Mr. Seevior, were 2 LMS 4-6-0 Black 5's, a wonderful sight to behold.

From there we went Midhope to see the Great Grey Shrike. It was pointed out to us straight away as we drove up Back Lane and some cracking views were obtained. A few minutes earlier a Red Kite had flown east at 15.00hrs. (Bob Dickinson)

Saturday 14 February 2015

Carlton Marsh

2 Water Rails called and 16 Snipe left the roost at dusk. A Pipistrelle bat was abroad taking advantage of the milder conditions.

Wintersett +Gull Roosts 14.02.15

5°C with 8/8 cloud and a light but cold easterly.
Cold Hiendley Res:   SMEW 2 a drake and a redhead.
Anglers CP: Cormorant 16,  Lapwing 211 and Wigeon 336.  A WILLOW TIT visited the feeding station in the car park.
There were plenty of  gulls in Anglers CP Roost this afternoon,  but just two notables - the juvenile Iceland Gull a5 15.55hrs and an adult Iceland Gull at 15.58hrs.
NB Rufforth  had an adult Caspian Gull, 2 adult Glaucous  Gulls and a 2nd W Iceland Gull  per @SBOmad
River Don, Salmon Pastures: Iceland Gull - 1 - second-winter in flight around waste plant c. 300m downstream from Norfolk bridge ; Iceland Gull - 1 - 2w on roof viewed from Effingham Rd late am but flew S at 11:55. per http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recent-news 

Broomhill Flash 14th Feb

Shelduck 1,
Coot 38,
Tufted Duck 5,
Cormorant 2,
Pochard 5+,
Red-legged Partridge 11,
Goldeneye ♂&♀.

Friday 13 February 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 13.02.15

The gulls split onto Wintersett Res and Anglers CP tonight.  They were unsettled and were flying around in the wind, then flushed by a helicopter.  The juvenile Iceland Gull was the only notable, picked up flying in at 15.38hrs at ACP.    Also both pairs of Oystercatcher are now present on territories they have held in previous years. 
NB Rufforth - No sign of American Herring Gull, but 3 Iceland Gulls and 1 Glaucous Gull were in a field off the airstrip early afternoon.  The Kumlien's Gull  was there at 12.40hrs per @YorkBirding
Here are some pics of AHG at Rufforth yesterday per @TimsBirding,  more at



The Edge 13th Feb

Wombwell Ings- Walking  along the path to the hide I scanned the side pool and my first impression was 8 Barnacle Geese. Disappointment followed when a closer view revealed that 4 of the birds were hybrids( possibly with a domestic goose). Even the 4 birds that had the jizz of a Barnacle Goose  didn't seem quite right , particularly the too clean white appearance of the flanks and belly. Checking fieldguides and photos on the Internet show quite obvious barring on the flanks. As a result , I regard all eight birds as hybrids.The logbook at Broomhill Flash records these birds as flying north-west at 11.15am.
Also present were 3 Mute Swan, 137 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, 1 Egyptian Goose(flew west at c9.30am), 152 Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, 12 Teal, 10 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler, 2 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 113 BH Gull, 6 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 5 Mute Swan, 15 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 20 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Goldeneye(4 male+2 juv male+4 female), 4 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 46 Coot, 7 Moorhen, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 23 Lapwing, 45 BH Gull and 13 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 17 Long Tailed Tit and 1 Redpoll.
Broomhill Flash early PM-Noted were 151 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 25+ Wigeon, 10 Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Cormorant, 38 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 200+ BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 6 Lapwing and 1 Grey Wagtail,

Thursday 12 February 2015

Old Moor Sofa

Up to today 99 species have been recorded in the Old Moor Area, in January 97 species were seen, the full list as follows :- Mute Swan (1), Whooper Swan (2), Pink Footed Goose (3), Grey Lag Goose (4), Canada Goose (5), Shelduck (6), Wigeon (7), Gadwall (8), Teal (9), Mallard (10), Pintail (11), Shoveler (12), Pochard (13), Tufted Duck (14), Goldeneye (15), Goosander (16), Red Legged Partridge (17), Grey Partridge (18), Pheasant (19), Cormorant (20), Bittern (21), Little Egret (22), Grey Heron (23), Little Grebe (24), Great Crested Grebe (25), Sparrowhawk (26), Buzzard (27), Kestrel (28), Peregrine (29), Water Rail (30), Moorhen (31), Coot (32), Golden Plover (33), Lapwing (34), Ringed Plover (35), Curlew (36), Dunlin (37), Green Sandpiper (38), Redshank (39), Jack Snipe (40), Snipe (41), Woodcock (42), Black Headed Gull (43), Mediterranean Gull (44), Common Gull (45), LBB Gull (46), Herring Gull (47), GBB Gull (48), Stock Dove (49), Woodpigeon (50), Collared Dove  (51), Barn Owl (52), Little Owl (53), Tawny Owl (54), Kingfisher (55), Green Woodpecker (56), Great Spotted Woodpecker (57), Magpie (58), Jay (59), Jackdaw (60), Rook (61), Carrion Crow (62), Goldcrest (63), Blue Tit (64), Great Tit (65), Coal Tit (66), Willow Tit (67), Skylark (68), Long Tailed Tit (69), Chiffchaff (70), Blackcap (71), Nuthatch (72), Treecreeper (73), Wren (74), Starling (75), Blackbird (76), Fieldfare (77), Song Thrush (78), Redwing (79), Mistle Thrush (80), Robin (81), Stonechat (82), Dunnock (83), House Sparrow (84), Tree Sparrow (85), Grey Wagtail (86), Pied Wagtail (87), Meadow Pipit (88), Chaffinch (89), Brambling (90), Greenfinch (91), Goldfinch (92), Linnet (93), Lesser Redpoll (94), Bullfinch (95), Yellowhammer (96), Reed Bunting (97).

Since the end of January just 2 species have been added, Egyptian Goose (98) and Merlin (99). Therefore the next species to be recorded will be the 100th for the year, I predicted Oystercatcher three weeks ago and we still haven't seen one.

I will keep the running total up to date on twitter with a summary at the end of each month. For comparison some other inland sites totals to date are:- Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire (107), Lound, Nottinghamshire (105) and Upton Warren Worcestershire (89).

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 12.02.15

The gulls all roosted on Anglers CP tonight:  The juvenile Iceland Gull was first picked up over Kinsley at 15.30hrs and was in the roost at 15.34 hrs. A 1st W Yellow-legged Gull was in at 17.05hrs.   Also Herring Gull 800,  Great Black-backed Gull 20 and Lesser Black-backed Gull 9.
NB:  Attercliffe has a 2nd W Iceland Gull still present this morning. per@andydeigh
2ndW Iceland Gull   Attercliffe 
NB  Probable Adult Kumliens Gull  Bar Lane roost, Knaresbrough per @andyjowett
Rufforth Tip: Adult  Kumlien's Gull   per @ YorkBirding  - for more pics of this bird see 7th February post on http://birdingdad.blogspot.co.uk/

Kumlien's Gull   Rufforth Tip   12.02.15

The Edge 12th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Present were 2 Mute Swan, 118 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 180+ Wigeon, 21 Teal, 16 Gadwall, 13 Mallard, 10 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 8 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Lapwing, 160+ BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 2 Skylark and 1 Pied Wagtail. In Broomhill Park were 8 Redwing, 1 singing Mistle Thrush and 1 Treecreeper.
Broomhill Flash late AM-Noted were 53 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 34 Wigeon, 8 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 2 Teal, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Cormorant, 60+ Lapwing, 188 BH Gull and 6 Common Gull.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- 2 Willow Tit were seen in the bushes close to the layby on the Old Moor RSPB entrance road. On the TPT good views were had of Greater Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker and a Song Thrush.. On the open water of the Ings were 5 Mute Swan, 24 Tufted Duck, 14 Pochard, 14 Mallard, 3 adult male+1 juv male+5 female Goldeneye, 6 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 33 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 94 BH Gull, 14 Common Gull and 2 LBB Gull. Also noted were 6 Canada Geese, 2 Grey Heron and 1 Cormorant.

Gunthwaite area. 12/2/15, 11am to 1-15pm.

No sign of any lesser peckers but 36 Teal on pond, Nuthatch 3, GS Woodpecker 2, Tawny Owl 1, good numbers of titmice, Great, Blue, Coal and Long Tailed.

Wednesday 11 February 2015

Langsett Gulls

Tried the roost with Mick Cunningham this evening. 15:20 to 17:05 hrs. Cold and overcast with a W/SW breeze.
Decent numbers but only three species: 2500+ Bhg's; c.230 Common Gulls and a single Lesser Black-back. Tawny owl also calling from north bank.
Cheers
Russ

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 11.02.15

Anglers CP Gull Roost  had a juvenile Iceland Gull at 16.30hrs and 2 x Yellow-legged Gulls - a 2nd W at 15.35 hrs and an adult at 16.55 hrs.

NBPugneys had aCaspian Gull, first for a while, an aggressive near-adult. Also the 3rd WYellow-legged Gull.  per @jonnybirder
Rufforth Tip: Juvenile Kumlien's Gull in fields next to Rufforth Airfield then flew to tip 12:05 per  See back of the camera shot below  per @TimsBirding

Gunthwaite & Ingbirchworth Areas

Castle Dam, Penistone - 48 Canada Geese, 2 drake Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Moorhens and 23 Coots.
Gadding Moor, Gunthwaite - 8 Red-legged Partridges (+ 1 Chukar).
Gunthwaite Dam - 28 Teal, 38 Mallards, 4 Moorhens, 3 Coots, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (at Gunthwaite Spa) and 300+ Jackdaws.
Carr Lane, Gunthwaite - 2 Common Buzzards (over Roncliffe Wood), c30 Blackbirds and 15+ House Sparrows,
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 2 Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 41 Mallards, 9 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 2 Moorhens, 9 Coots, 1 Golden Plover, 100+ Black-headed Gulls with most leaving W and 11 Common Gulls.
Ingbirchworth Common - 100's Black-head Gulls W, 40+ Fieldfares and 1 Redwing.
Royd Moor Reservoir - 2 Cormorants.
Langsett FS - 1 drake Goldeneye.
Midhope Reservoir - 12 Teal, 4 Mallards, 3 Tufted Duck and 1 Little Grebe.
Midhopestones - 5 Moorhens by the River Little Don.

The Edge 11th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Main flash ice-free. Present were 3 Mute Swan, 179 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 150+ Wigeon, 14 Mallard, 14 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 2m+2f Goosander, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 124 BH Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Redwing, 2 Skylark and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash late AM- Noted were 2 Mute Swan +2 over, 8 Canada Geese, 36+ Wigeon, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 1 Cormorant, 35 Coot, 39 Lapwing, 226 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull and 1 Grey Wagtail. The Little Owl was on the fenceposts near the eastern owl box early AM.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-Present were 2 Mute Swan, 21 Tufted Duck, 16 Pochard, 15 Mallard, 23 Gadwall, 4m+8f Goldeneye, 7 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 29 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 72 BH Gull, 14 Common Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker and 1 Kingfisher.

Willow Tits

I am completing a Willow Tits Survey of the Dearne NIA again this year for the Dearne Green Heart initiative to find how many territories/pairs within this area. The methodology is to record any birds from mid-February to the end of March before the leaves area out and they are easier to see. Use a song/call if you have one on your phone.They will already have their territories now and will be moving around their area. Recorders are covering their sites but any records from all areas are welcome.
I will be covering all the disused railways, canals and other likely habitats.
At the same time I will be logging records from the whole of the BBSG recording area to compare with the Atlas work so beyond the above early spring period I need records through the rest of the year.

Put all records onto this blog and I will move these onto a spreadsheet.

For information at least 40 Willow Tit territories were found in the Dearne NIA and the whole of the BBSG recording area had 81 (from the Atlas).
Thanks if you can help.

Tuesday 10 February 2015

Wintersett - Gull Roosts 10.02.15

Anglers CP + Roost:  3 Oystercatchers.    Iceland Gull 1 juvenile at 17.20hrs.   2 Yellow-legged Gulls - adult at 17.00hrs and a 1st W at 17.25hrs. 
NB: Orgreave had a 2nd W Caspian Gull in a small roost. per @BirdPieman

Wilthorpe Marsh 10/2/15 +.

Jack Snipe 3, Common Snipe 10, Stonechat 1 fem., Goosander 1 pair on river, hopefully last years breeding pair, Lapwing 7 down, Common Buzzard 2, Goldcrest 2, 1 singing Bullfinch, 1 yaffling Green Woodpecker. Bretton yesterday, very quiet, - Goosander 16, GC Grebe 2, Mute Swann 6, Teal 33, Tufted Duck 15, Gadwall 7, Wigeon 3, Little Grebe 4,. Very quiet at Woolley Dyke, no peckers but Willow Tit, Goldcrest.

Carlton Marsh

This afternoon 4 Water Rails were calling from their respective winter territories.

Towards dusk 3 Goosander (1m 2f) arrived at 16.22hrs just as a Tawny Owl called. Also present were Little Grebe and Little Owl. (Dave Standish)

The Edge 10th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM-Cold and misty with main flash 95 % ice-covered. Present were 2 Mute Swan, 155 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 5 Shelduck, 70+ Wigeon, 18 Shoveler, 15+ Teal, 9 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 8 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 2 Grey Heron, 63 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail and 13 Redwing over.
Broomhill Flash late AM-c60-70% ice-cover. The Egyptian Goose, seen mid AM, had just disappeared into the mist as I walked into hide. I did manage to see 1 Shelduck, 58 Wigeon, 29 Teal, 18 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 46 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 150+ BH Gull and 7 Common Gull.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-Very misty at first but slowly visibility improved. c95% ice-cover. On the little bit of open water were 2 Mute Swan, 21 Pochard, 11 Mallard, 11 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 4f Goldeneye, 2 Shoveler, 15 Coot and 1 Great Crested Grebe. On the ice were 65 BH Gull and 23 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant over, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Redwing and 3 Bullfinch.

Monday 9 February 2015

Carlton Marsh

19 Yellow Bunting, 2 Redpoll, Kingfisher, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Buzzard and 2 Tufted Duck on the new scrape. Dandelion and the first Coltsfoot are in flower.

Cudworth (old station site)
4 Buzzard (Chris Parkin) and tonight my first moth of the year in the garden, a male Dotted Border

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 09.02.15

4°C  with sunshine, blue sky and a cool westerly breeze.  Anglers CP and CHRes were ice free.  WRes was 50% frozen but slowly opening up this morning.
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 2,  Cetti's 1 and Willow Tit 1.  180 Pink-footed Geese  flew NW at 11.35hrs  and another 70 flew NW at 14.30hrs.
Walton Hall: A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag Geese.
Haw Park Wood: Siskin 3.  
Anglers CP: There is now a pair of Oystercatcher on territiory at the northern end of the shallows. 
Anglers CP Gull Roost held lots of  large gulls tonight , but many came in late and no notables were seen.
NB Pugneys Roost had a 3rdW Yellow-legged Gull per @jonnybirder
Broomhill Roost had 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls per @ roy twigg
Broomhill Flash had an adult Mediterranean Gull late afternoon per @Barnsleybsg
Orgreave Roost had 2 x 2ndW Caspian Gulls  per @BirdPieman
Atterclife - Norfolk Bridge had a 2nd W Iceland Gull at 09.00hrs  per http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recent-news

The Edge 9th Feb

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Main pool ice-free. Present were 2 Mute Swan, 207 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 67+ Wigeon, 11 Shoveler, 11 Teal, 5 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant over, 2 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 3 Grey Heron, 19 Lapwing, 108 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull, 1 calling Green Woodpecker, 3 singing Skylark (Spring is coming!!!), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash late AM-  Main flash ice-free. A Peregrine passed through at 10.05 causing excitement amongst the gulls. Also noted were 1 Shelduck, 81 Wigeon, 28 Teal, 15 Gadwall, 14 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 33 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 76 Lapwing, 291 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 2 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM- Eastern pool 80% ice-free. On the open water were 3 Mute Swan, 18 Shoveler, 11 Teal, 10 Pochard, 10 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 6 Goldeneye(1m,1juv m,4f), 15 Coot, 68 BH Gull, 22 Common Gull and 1 LBB Gull. Also present were 8 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant over, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker and a pair of Stonechat.

Cudworth sewerage works

4 Chiffchaff in brambles on back fence at Cudworth sewerage works 10.30am.

Sunday 8 February 2015

Kite 'n Gulls

A good start to the day with a Red Kite slowly flying W over Woodland Drive at 09.00 just as I was leaving for Old Moor. A frustrating end, though. Spent the last couple of hours at Langsett Res. with Mick Cunningham and Nick Mallinson in what started off as decent conditions for the roost. A bird I thought was a first winter Med Gull appeared to drop in at about 16.30 hrs but quickly disappeared as misty, blustery conditions suddenly set in. I had to let this go but it was a decent roost with c.2000 Bhg's, 20 Herrings and single Lesser and Great-Black backs. I aim to try again in the week.

The new scrape at Carlton Marsh is looking good. Not quite finished yet but two major objectives have been set. The first is for myself and the Carlton Martians to find the site's first Temminck's Stint and secondly to deter any dog walkers off the southern meadow. I feel the former will be the easier of the two!
Cheers
Russ
http://shapesthatsometimesfly.blogspot.co.uk/

Carlton Marsh

The best of todays wildlife included Little Owl, Buzzard, 4 Red-legged Partridge, Redpoll, 2 Willow Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Little Grebe and c170 Pink Feet Geese. A Fox was asleep on the scrape bank and a Pipistrelle Bat flew over the hide at 16.00hrs.
 
The new scrape has potential (more on this next week from Russ Boland)
 
Cudworth Sewage Works following the Dearne to Storrs Mill
Pied Wagtail c50, Buzzard 3, Goldcrest 4, Grey Wagtail 3, Little Grebe 2, Teal 2, Heron 2 and Grey Partridge 5.
(Chris Parkin)

Dearne Valley WeBS Counts

Old Moor including Manvers Lake
Grey Heron 2, Little Egret 4, Great Crested Grebe 3, Little Grebe 2, Cormorant 10, Mute Swan 6, Canada Goose 28, Pink Footed Goose c90, Mallard 73, Gadwall 107, Teal 181, Shoveler 25, Wigeon 617, Pochard 50, Tufted Duck 47, Goldeneye 1, Coot 128, Moorhen only 13!!!!, Lapwing 58, Snipe 27, Black Headed Gull 277, Common Gull 15, GBB Gull 1, LBB Gull 4, Herring Gull 14.

Broomhill Flash
Shelduck 1, Pochard 25, Teal 45, Wigeon 62.

Wombwell Ings
Shoveler 14, Teal 46, Snipe 2.

Gypsy Marsh 
Snipe 5.

Adwick
Wigeon 45, Teal 40, Gadwall 15, Shelduck 2.

Edderthorpe 
Grey Heron 1, Mute Swan 7, Shelduck 4, Pintail 2 drakes, Gadwall 4, Shoveler 31, Teal 16, Mallard 33, Tufted Duck 18, Pochard 12, Coot 42, Lapwing 203. As with all our waters there are only 2 small areas of open water at Edderthorpe.

Many Thanks to all counters today, hard work in the current weather conditions.

Dearne Valley Weekender

I arrived at Old Moor at 07.20 on Saturday morning, 4 Little Egrets left the roost between 07.25 & 07.45 and 40+ Goosanders were on the Wader Scrape before quickly departing. On the Mere were a pair of Goldeneye and a Great Crested Grebe, a Barn Owl was hunting on the Reedbeds.

After breakfast in the Old Moor Cafe I had a walk onto Bolton Ings, from the hide the Eastern Pool was 90% frozen over. On the small area of open water were 8 Goldeneye (1 drake, 1 imm drake and 6 females), 19 Common Gulls were stood on the ice and the pair of Stonechats were in the reeds.

Later on I visited the Reedbeds hoping to see/hear Bittern, no luck with the Bittern but did see 1 Water Rail and hear a further 2, in the Willows on the Willow Pool I could see 1 Cormorant and 2 Little Egrets.

This morning I arrived late on Bolton Ings (11.00 am) for the WeBS count, more ice than yesterday with a very small area of open water on the Eastern Pool, had a walk to the Western Pool which was about 80% ice. Highlights were few today with the icy conditions, only 2 Goldeneye and Shoveler down to just 2. Not surprisingly no Grebes and only 1 Pochard. At 13.15 I was alerted to c90 Pink Footed Geese flying North West. Full list :- Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 8, Pink Footed Goose c90, Cormorant 1, Mallard 55, Teal 24, Gadwall 26, Shoveler 2, Pochard 1, Tufted Duck 10, Goldeneye pair, Coot 52, Moorhen 1, Snipe 5, Black Headed Gull 242, Common Gull 29, Kestrel 1, Sparrowhawk 2, Green Woodpecker 2.

Back at Old Moor and sat in the sun on the cafe balcony having a cuppa with the "boys", 2 Buzzards were up over Bolton Tip and another 1 passed overhead.

Later on 46 Goosanders roosted on the Wader Scrape/Mere, 4 Cormorants and 1 Little Egret were in the Willows and 2 Barn Owls were hunting. A noticeable increase in Black Headed Gulls today and they have started their early spring routine of departing down river (to Lakeside?) rather than heading towards Wintersett.


Wintersett + Gull Roost 08.02.15

3°C, cold with sunshine and blue sky and a light north westerly.  Slightly more open water in the area this morning but still 60 - 70% ice.  The NW breeze helped Anglers CP to start opening up by late afternoon.
Wintersett Res: Willow Tit 1 and Water Rail 1.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 1 and Pink-footed Goose 1 over.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: In complete contrast to last night's spectacular, the roost here was a total waste of time this evening, with very few big gulls coming in and no notables at all!
NB An adult Iceland Gull was at at Poolsbrook CP at 12:30 on main lake per ‏@Linacreblogger
A 2ndW Iceland Gull  was at Orgreave but left NW per @andydeigh
Late news from the York Area yesterday -  An adult  Kumlien's Gull was in a field next to Knapton Lane per@BirdingDad
 
Embedded image permalink
Adult   Kumlien's Gull         @BirdingDad

Saturday 7 February 2015

Latvian Gull Visits Broomhill

Details Below:-
Black-headed gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus with metal ring: Latvia Riga S 2706 + yellow leg ring K689.

PLR     Sex     Age   Date            State       Place                                      

K689             pull       18-Jun-13    LAT     Sātiņu-Sesiles karjers
Region        Coordinates 
Saldus       56°38'22''N; 22°25'34''E
Observer/s                                      Habitat
Dmitrijs Boiko, Artūrs Laubergs    gravel-pit

PLR    Sex   Age    Date                 State      Place                          
K689                      23-Jan-15         UK        Broomhill Flash       
Region                     Coordinates
South Yorkshire      53°31'00''N; 01°21'35''W
Observer/s                      Habitat
David John Bamforth     lake

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 07.02.15

3°C, cool and dry with scattered cloud and a very light north westerly.  Ice today: ACP 60%, WRes 99%, CHRes. 99%.
Anglers CP: The first Oystercatcher was back on territory this morning, a day later than last year.   Redwing 4 + 10 HPLane,  Grey Wagtail 1 + 1 CHRes.,  Little Grebe 1,  Great Crested Grebe 9,   Grey Partridge 8.  Pink-footed Goose 51 flew NW at 12.12hrs.  A male Merlin flew W at 16.15hrs
Haw Park Wood: Fieldfare 115,  Redpoll 3 and Siskin 8.
Anglers CP Gull Roost had a big number of gulls with lots standing on the ice.   The notables were as follows: a juvenile Iceland Gull at 15.30hrs.  A juvenile Glaucous Gull flew in at 16.45hrs, (looked like last month's bird, possibly returning from Poolsbrook?).  A 4th W Caspian Gull was in at 17.00hrs,  a 1st W Yellow-legged Gull was in at 17.12hrs and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull  flew in, late as usual,  at 17.27hrs..
NB: An adultYellow-legged gull on the ice at Orgreave  per @BirdPieman
An adult Iceland Gull at Poolsbrook CP per http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recent-news

Wintersett February WeBS count 07.02.15

WeBS totals for the Wintersett area today were: -
Coot 162,   Moorhen 15,   Mallard 49,   Goldeneye 69,   Mute Swan 8,   Water Rail 1,   Shoveler 1,   Wigeon 414,   Gadwall 21,   Goosander 30,   Pochard 41,   Tufted Duck 107,   Canada Goose 67,   Teal 16,   Cormorant 3,   Grey Heron 4,   Lapwing 212  and Snipe 30.

Friday 6 February 2015

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 06.02.15

-1°C,  very cold and calm with sunshine and  blue sky. Much of the area was frozen today.  Wintersett Res. 99%,  Anglers CP 98%,  Cold Hiendley Res. 99% and smaller waters completely frozen.
Wintersett Res: Willow Tit 1 and Water Rail 2.
Anglers CP:  110 Pink-footed Geese flew north west at 09.40hrs.  This winter's highest number of 75 Goldeneye was recorded  today.  Also: -

Area totals
Total
ACP
WRes
CHRes
Goldeneye
75
39
36

Great Crested Grebe
10
 6
4

Little Grebe
1
1


Teal
38
38


Tufted Duck
152
54
96
2
Pochard
54
36
18

Gadwall
19
8
6
5
Shoveler
3

2m  1f

Mallard
57

43
14

Anglers CP Gull Roost had lots of gulls on the ice, and many more were flying over from Wintersett Res at dark.  The only notable today was the juvenile Iceland Gull at 15.47hrs.
NB Poolsbrook CP  had an adult Iceland Gull f on the ice from early afternoon.  per @andydeigh
Pugneys had low numbers of gulls today. per @jonnybirder
Orgreave had good numbers but no notables tonight   per @BirdPieman
Bar Lane. Knaresborough roost was disappointing.  per @andyjowett