Saturday 31 December 2016

Carlton Marsh

Another pleasant mild day 10.4c. The Bittern showed well this afternoon for Mr Hibbert and me from the hide at 15.23hrs until 15.50hrs. Also present Kingfisher, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker, Willow Tit, Little Owl and 3 Water Rails. (1 seen close to the hide)
A Peacock butterfly and 20 Herald Moths were torpid out of sight of prying eyes, well almost.

Happy New Year to you all


Wintersett Annual Round Up 2016



Weather
January, February and March were mild.   April was cold and wet.  May had a few warm and sunny days, but was mainly cool and cloudy.  June was cold and cloudy.  July was wet and cloudy.  August was mostly warm with a few cloudy, wet spells.  September was warm and cloudy with some cool winds and showers.  October was mild overall.  November was generally mild and dry, with just two days of  heavy  rain and one day of snow on the 9th.  December started mild with just a handful of wet days, then in the last quarter, turned very cold and frosty with blue sky. The last day of the year was a mild 8 degrees, cloudy with a south westerly breeze.

The Wintersett Area recorded 166 bird species for 2016
The Top Ten Birds were: -
1. Kumlien's Gull – 3 birds, an adult, a 3rd W and a juvenile, in the Wintersett Reservoir Roost on 25th and 26th February
2. Long-tailed Skua 1 adult - 20th June
3. Hawfinch – 1 flew south 18th October
4. Firecrest – a male from 18th - 20th March and 1 ringed on 29th October
5. Great White Egret - 24th September, 14th and 15th October and 23rd
    November
6. Hen Harrier – a male on 5th May
7. Ring Ouzel - 2nd October
8. Raven - 10th April and 23rd August
9. Great Northern Diver - 17th November
10. Scaup – 9 on 29th October is the biggest flock recorded here.

Other highlights:-
3 Spectacular Gull Roosts.
On the 25th and 26th of February  9 species of Gull were recorded in the roosts. On the 27th February there were 10 species of Gull recorded.

The latest ever Spotted Flycatcher was seen on 6th October.

The refilled Sand Martin Box,with 24 holes, had 100% occupancy by 26th June. The earliest broods had fledged by then with 300 birds counted over Wintersett Reservoir.

Positive news for farmland birds with 400 Linnets on the Pol on 28th August - the largest number for decades,  and 700 Skylarks seen on Cold Hiendley Field is the highest number ever.

Glaring Omissions:  Smew,   Barnacle Goose,  Egyptian Goose,  Short-eared Owl, Ruddy Duck,  Little Tern,  Whinchat and Twite.

Other Critters
Numbers of insects were poor due to the cold and wet weather, however
a Red-eyed Damselfly at Wintersett Res on 9th June,  was new for the list.

Moth highlights:
There was a huge influx of Diamond-back Moths with 282 trapped on the 7th June.  A Scarce Silver Y was new for the Wintersett List.

Coleoptera:  A rare beetle Pyropterus nigroruber  was found  in Haw Park on 19th July

Herptiles: Grass Snake records have increased, with sightings at Royston Canal, Haw Park Wood, Moorhouse Lane Pond,  and on the road near Crofton.  

And finally:

The Wintersett Team  wish everyone
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR
and excellent birding in 2017

Wintersett 31.12.16

8 degrees with 7/8 cloud and a cool south westerly.
Anglers CP:  Canada X Greylag Hybrids 5  and Snipe 3.
Wintersett Res:  A Cetti's Warbler was singing in the boathouse reeds and another was on the west bank.
Cold Hiendley Res:  A ringed Black-headed Gull was photographed this morning. 

Midhope res. 31/12/16.

Not much to report but an enjoyable 90 minutes. Drake Goldeneye still at dam end, 8 Tufted Duck and 8 Teal well down compared to the last visit. 60 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Goldcrests, 1 GS Pecker. Nowt on the open moors.

Friday 30 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 30.12.16

4 - 9 degrees, with 0/8 cloud and a light south westerly. 
Anglers CP:  Wigeon 306,  Pochard 30 + 4 WRes. and Little Grebe 3 + 3 WRes. + 1 CHRes..
Pits Wood:  Nuthatch 1.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler  -  1m north west bank and  1 singing male west bank marsh.  Tawny Owl 1.
Haw Park Wood: Siskin 20,  Goldfinch 50.
Gull Roosts Notables: The  adult Caspian Gull with the black-tipped bill was in ACP at 16.05hrs.
2 x 1stW Yellow-legged Gulls were on WRes..
Totals:   Herring Gull                         2150    550 ACP + 1600 WRes.
               Great Black-backed Gull       205     105 ACP + 100 WRes.
               Lesser Black-backed Gull         3         1 ACP +     2 WRes.

Wintersett Ferret 30.12.16

Per Chris Swaine
Today as we were walking back to our cars at midday we were alerted, by Brian & Christine Lee, that a Ferret was on the Dam wall of Wintersett Res.

This was the same Ferret  seen by Steve Denny the night before, when it approached him during the Gull Roost  Noticing the ferret was silly tame it was presumed not to be used for hunting, rather an escaped pet. The Ferret looked thin so I decided I would take it home to feed it and try re-home it . (I did secretly want to keep it , subject to the managers… I mean … other half 's approval).

When I got the Ferret home, we (me & Stacey) gave it some ham and some water which it seemed to thoroughly enjoy.  Having 3 Budgies already it was clear I would be unable to keep her. We put the message out on social media and decided to try find a local Ferret rescue centre.  As it turned out there are only two in Yorkshire. One was in Huddersfield so I made contact and arranged to take it through. 

When we arrived we met Sara the owner who advised it was a 1 year old Female, who was currently in season (this can be problematic for female Ferrets as if they go into season and don’t breed they never come out of season, which eventually kills them). Sara set to work arranging a vets visit to have the ferret neutered.   She also found ticks on the ferret so she gave it tick treatment straight away. Sara said that we had saved its life as another night in the cold, with no food & no awareness of predators it  would certainly have got killed. 

The Ferret will now spend 21 days in a quarantine hutch and then join the rest of the 70 ferrets she has in their playpens.


 

Higham/Silkstone

Approx 55 Pink-footed Geese NW at about 1220 over Higham (additional to Wilthorpe birds).
Two Raven flying over Silkstone Golf Course towards Dodworth about 1330, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker same location and 10+ Goldcrest at Silkstone Sewage Works

Wilthorpe Marsh 30/12/16.

About 115 Pinkfeet w. at 12-12pm. Peregrine, 1pair on pylons with ad.fem. showing well in flight. 6 common Chiffchaffs and Green Sandpiper at sewage works. Fieldfare 15 [scarce now], Meadow Pipit 10. Oxbow pond still frozen with the birds on the nearby dyke viewable from the canal path - Pintail fem., drake Widgeon, 40 Moorhen and the imm. Mute Swan bearing red ring on left leg with white number and letter 438Y if anybody as any info on its origin. Cheers.

Thursday 29 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 29.12.16

Hoar frost,   - 4 to 2 degrees,  calm with clear sky.
Cold Hiendley Field: 500 Skylarks, including one pale bird,  were seen today, along with 45 Yellowhammers and 30 Reed Buntings.
Wintersett Res:  12 Grey partridge were in the area.   A Cetti's Warbler was on the north west bank and a singing male Cetti's was in the west bank marsh.   2 Willow Tit were in the south east corner.   490 Pink-footed Geese flew west in three skeins - 220 at 10.35hrs,  90 at 11.15hrs and 180 at 11.18hrs.    Shoveler 8,  Teal 6.
Anglers CP: A Ring-necked Parakeet flew over south east at 09.24hrs.   Dunlin 1. A Barn Owl was seen at 15.40hrs.  A Water Rail was seen  on the shallows and another was on the east bank WRes..
Gull Roosts: The adult Caspian Gull with the black-tipped bill was on Anglers CP at 15.40hrs.
Totals:  Great Black-backed Gull        200   -   100   ACP  +   100 WRes
             Herring Gull                          1600  -    500  ACP  + 1100 WRes
             Lesser Black-backed Gull          4   -        2  ACP  +       2 WRes

Steve Denny was befriended by a ferret when watching the WRes Roost from the concrete chamber.




Newmillerdam - 29 December 2016

About 90% of the water was covered in ice, thick enough to withstand the numerous rocks, branches and sticks chucked on by the kids out for a Christmas walk.

Highlights today were a teal, a wigeon and a flock of siskin. I've visited the site 28 times in the last two years and all three were new site records for me.

Carrion crow, woodpigeon, starling, blackbird, jay, mistle thrush, blue tit, robin, great tit, dunnock, black-headed gull, magpie, goldcrest, bullfinch, wren, kingfisher, siskin, long-tailed tit, mallard, little grebe, teal, coot, nuthatch, mute swan, goldfinch, tufted duck, Canada goose, great-crested grebe, wigeon, moorhen, common gull.

Cudworth

It was a very cold night with air frost down to -3.5c, the coldest for quite a while. In the clear blue sky this morning c90 Pink Feet Geese flew NW over Newtown, Cudworth at 10.55hrs.

Wednesday 28 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 28.12.16

0 degrees with a hard frost, clear sky and a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res:  Grey Partridge 9.
Anglers CP:  The gulls were spooked tonight,  though  the adult Caspian with the black tipped bill came in at 16:00hrs.    52 Teal also present  per Steve Denny. 
(Mick Cunningham Tweeted - The adult Caspian Gull  sounds like the one I had at Blackmoorfoot last week.  It's not been seen there for a few days, including  this evening.) 
This Gull has been seen  regularly in the Wintersett Roost since 22.12.16.

Carlton Marsh

Overnight frost down -2c. Goldcrest, Water Rail, Cormorant, Little Owl and a Little Egret left south at 11.00hrs

Woolley Dam Mill Lane circ, Fleets, Wilthorpe Marsh 28/12/16.

Woolley Dam - Goosander fem. flying round, went e., Teal 4, G Heron 9, L Grebe 1, Cormarant. 1 male GS Pecker, 8 Fieldfare, 6 Goldfinch, Buzzard 1, Woodpigeon 300+. Fleets Dam - 5 Parakeets all shoeing off a Sparrowhawk then feeding on buds in tall poplar tree on s. bank. Also 7 C Gulls and 140 BH Gulls. Wilthorpe Marsh - 7 Chiffchaffs and Green Sand at sewage farm, Jack Snipe flushed off the marsh edge was thought to be new in. Oxbow pond area mostly frozen with the Pintail on the bank with 20 Teal and 9 Gadwall. Water Rail showed well preening with another 3 calling, Little Egret 1, Willow Tit 1.

Tuesday 27 December 2016

Worsbrough 27/12/16 (C.R.Dixon & G.Haywood)

A rather cold day, but thankful that the wind had dropped!

At least 9 GCGrebe were on the reservoir, with c.20 Siskin, 13 Bullfinch  and 2 Water Rail (including a very confiding individual) around the Country Park.

A Dipper was seen again on Warren Dike, Old Park Wood. On the ponds at Rockley were 7 Wigeon, 1m Teal and a Little Grebe. A decent record for the valley were 2 Raven flying west over Stainborough at 11:54.

A check along the river Dove later in the afternoon only produced a male Dipper, with no sign of the second bird.     

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 27.12.16

3 - 6 degrees with a light frost,  sunny with a cold, light, south westerly breeze.
Wintersett Res: A Little Egret flew over south east at 09.55hrs.  A Cetti's Warbler made its way along the west bank, showing well on two quite long flights.  A Grey Wagtail was on the spillway.  Wigeon 12.
Cold Hiendley Res: A Water Rail was calling in the corner by the ruin.
Cold Hiendley Field: A flock of 230 skylarks flew up very high as we approached CH village, but  dropped back in to the field eventually. 
Old Royston Flash: The Pink-footed Goose was still present.
Anglers CP Gull Roost:   Great Black-backed Gull 210,  Herring Gull 740 and Lesser Black-backed Gull 1.   A juvenile Peregrine flew over at 15.30hrs and a Woodcock flew over at dusk.
WRes. Gull Roost:  2 Yellow-legged Gulls were notables - an adult and a 1st W.  The Pink-footed Goose flew in to roost.

Broomhead Moor, Dukes Rd, Ewden valley circ. 27/12/16.

Highlight of the walk were the 200+ Bramblings in broomhead hall wood. A lot were showing well at the stone barn just down the road from the entrance to broomhead farm. Also here 2+ Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Siskin, Coal Tit, Raven and Kestrel. Nowt much up the broomhead moor fence, apart from Grouse just a single Bullfinch. Little on dukes rd. with 19 Redpoll over s.,Stock Dove 2, Meadow Pipit 1, Feral Pigeon 6. Ewden valley quiet with no bop just 3 Ravens and a distant flock of 100ish presumed Pinkfeet e.down the valley at 2-40pm. On return to the vehicle the Brambling flock were again at the stone barn but mobile and flushed by a squirrel.

Monday 26 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 26.12.16

5 - 6 degrees with a strong westerly.
Haw Park Wood:  3 Siskin
Anglers CP: A Woodcock flew over the car park at dusk.
Old Royston Flash: 1 Pink-footed Goose per Carl and Gary
Cold Hiendley Field:  Grey Partridge 6 and Skylark 100+ per Carl and Gary.
Poor gull roost ACP most flying to Top Res .  Probable adult Caspian Gull (with dark band near bill tip) from ACP towards Top Res 16.09hrs  per Jonathan Wasse (@JohnoGull)

Carlton Marsh

A Chiffchaff and a Willow Tit were with a Tit flock. Buzzard was airborne and 50 Herring Gulls flew south at 13.30hrs. Looking for food on a day that refuse tips are closed. 4 GBB Gulls headed north.

Wintersett, Wilthorpe, Worsbrough & Wind!!!

Myself and Gary Haywood had a decent day bird wise, despite the wind (and not from yesterday's sprouts!).

Wintersett - 100+ plus Skylark and at least 6 Grey Partridge in the fields at Cold Hiendley. Nearby, there was a single Pink-footed Goose at Old Royston Flash.

Wilthorpe Marsh - Dropped on Mr Green for his guided tour of the local birding hotspots. The sewage works held between 40-50 Pied Wagtail, although viewing is poor. Other birds included 4 Jack Snipe, 10+ Snipe, Water Rail, c.25 Teal, female Pintail (rare at this site), 3 Little Grebe, Green Sandpiper and 1 Chiffchaff. In other news ... a UFO sighting turned out to be Mr Green's hat flying south.

A dead Barn Owl was on the slip road along junction 38 (northbound) of the M1 where they merge, therefore an awkward place to check for rings!.

Worsbrough  - Called in at the res on the way home: 7 GCGrebe, 13 Coot, 2 male Tufted and Herring Gull.

Wilthorpe Marsh 26/12/16. S.Green, C.Dixon, G. Haywood.

Big team today but no new birds with a repeat of recent sightings but still good. - Jack Snipe 4, C Snipe 10, Rail 1 flushed. Green Sandpiper 1, Pintail 1 fem. Chiffchaff 1, Teal 20, Willow Tit 1, Buzzard 1.

Sunday 25 December 2016

Carlton Marsh - Christmas Bittern

A very mild 14c just 1c short of my record all time December high! Our resident Bittern showed from the hide briefly at 15.55hrs. (Dave Standish)

Wintersett Gull Roost 25.12.16

A very mild 10 degrees with a wild westerly wind,
WRes. Gull Roost:  There was an increase in big gulls with 260 Great Black-backeds, but no notables tonight. per Pete Smith

Langsett and Midhope res. circular 25/12/16.

Not many feathers but a great walk. Plenty people doing langsett res circ. but u can escape that and not see anybody going round midhope res. Langsett - Crossbill 1+ at thickwoods lane and a male showed well at the barns car park. Siskin 3, 6 Blackbirds together at the w end river bridge. Teal 19, Mallard 80+ Cormarant 1. Midhope - drake Goldeneye, an impressive 50+ Teal and 6 Goldcrests.

Saturday 24 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 24.12.16

5 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP:  Pochard 24.   Teal 32 throughout the area
Wintersett Res:  Water Rail 1 boathouse reeds.
WRes. Gull Roost:  A 1st W Caspian Gull was in at 15.45hrs. (Different bird to last night)  An adult Caspian Gull was in at 16.15hrs. 

Carlton Marsh

Willow Tit, Buzzard, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Water Rail & Little Egret.

Wilthorpe Marsh 24/12/16.

Windy but drier with a few raptors. A Peregrine stooped at a pigeon but failed and flew off towards Darton. Also 3 C. Buzzards, Sprawk and Kes. 3 possibly 4 Chiffchaffs included 2 commons showing well. 3 Jack Snipe were flushed from a marsh which usually holds just the one. Not much on the oxbow which was flushed by fishermen but the Green Sandpiper showed well here briefly. Also 16+ LT Tits, 5 Goldcrests.

Friday 23 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 23.12.16

5 degrees with 4/8 cloud and strong south westerly wind.  Rain from early afternoon.
Anglers CP:  Canada Goose 224.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost: 2 Caspian  Gulls were seen - an adult and a 1st winter.

Wilthorpe Marsh 23/12/16.

3 Chiffchaffs in the sewage farm area but mobile. A paler one seen briefly was possibly a tristis and will be looked for again. Also Green Sandpiper here. Nearby 3 Jacks and 8 Common Snipe central marsh, Redwings down in number but still about 100 and 1 Willow Tit. Poor on the oxbow pond, just 10 Teal and 1 imm Mute Swan.

Thursday 22 December 2016

To Langsett & Back 22/12/16

Langsett - 22 Teal were on the reservoir, a female Stonechat was at North America and at least 3 Crossbill were feeding nearby. There was a flock of c.60(+) Redpoll (including 6 Mealy Redpoll) in the birches along Thickwoods Lane (SE section of the res). I only managed to get a good look at a third of the flock before they were flushed out of view by another walker. A better look at this flock may yield a decent count of 'Mealies'!.

Worsbrough - 6 Wigeon at Rockley (Rockley ponds have been more productive for wildfowl than the reservoir in recent years!). Two Dipper were along the river Dove (Worsbrough Dale), with one bird constantly singing. Great Crested Grebes have dropped unusually low to only 4 on the reservoir (24 present on the same date in Nov). A flock of 70 Jackdaw flew south and a Crossbill was heard calling heading west at 15:50. The Grey Wagtail roost contained 8 birds tonight. At least 7 Water Rail have been recorded in the Worsbrough area this winter with only 2 tonight.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 22.12.16

3 - 5 degrees,  sunny with a  light frost,  0/8 cloud but increasing to midday.
Wintersett Res:  Chiffchaff 1 south west corner.  Cetti's Warbler 1 m boathouse reeds.
Anglers CP:  Teal 37 and Shoveler 7 + 4 WRes..
Anglers CP Gull Roost:  An adult Caspian Gull and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull were notables.  23 Goosander were in at dusk and a Barn Owl flew over the Pol.
Of interest:  3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were in Pugneys roost - per Mick Hemingway

Wednesday 21 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 21.12.16

Winter Solstice.   5 - 6 degrees, sunny with 4/8 cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP: A female Brambling was near the  feeders in the car park.  3 Shelduck were new in.   Teal 18. 
Cold Hiendley: A Tawny Owl was calling late afternoon.
Wintersett Res. Gull Roost:   2 notables today - A 1st W Yellow-legged Gull  and an adult Caspian Gull were in.  The Hampole Gulls came in very late. 

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 20.12.16

3 - 5 degrees with 3/8 cloud  and a  southerly breeze.
Wintersett Res:  Chiffchaff 1 heard on west bank.
Moorhouse Lane:  A Water Rail ran across road between swamps at the junction of Moorhouse Lane this morning - per Chris Swaine.
Anglers CP Gull Roost : An adult Caspian Gull,  in from 15.15hrs, was the only notable this afternoon.

Athersley Memorial Lake

After two blank days one goosander today plus kingfisher.

Monday 19 December 2016

Wintersett 19.12.16

5 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light south easterly.
Wintersett Res: A Chiffchaff was heard on the west bank.
7,200 Corvids left the Ruin field to roost in Haw Park at 16:30 -  per Steve Denny. NB - the Ruin field is the one next to the track leading to the west bank. The Ruin refers to what's left of the pumping station.  
Disposal point: Green Woodpecker  1,  Grey Partridge  2,  Redwing 30,  Yellowhammer  2 - per Chris Swaine.

Carlton Marsh

A late walk round in the dank overcast conditions provided 2 Water Rails, Buzzard, Tawny Owl, Willow Tit and a wintering Chiffchaff.

Barnsley Bird Records

I wish to announce that I will now be collating bird records for the Barnsley recording area. If anyone has records dating between 2014 to the current year, could you please send them to ornithecocarl@gmail.com , or if you prefer an alternative way to submit records, please contact me.

Preferably, could all records be submitted in species order (systematic list) with records including any relevant and noteworthy counts (no need to submit 3 Great Tits on someone's nuts etc!). A report of some sort will be produced, but this depends upon how soon records are submitted.

I'm sure that anyone reading this blog recognises how fantastic the Barnsley recording area is and it would be a shame to lose any data of the important bird populations we have in the borough. The area also has a long history of recording, with some of the pioneer birdwatchers still birding to this day. I think it's essential that we now keep up with past efforts of recording and report writing, especially at a time when conservation is important as ever.

Many thanks,

Carl Dixon

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 4 Greylag Geese; (1 Bar-headed Goose); 1 Grey Goose x Canada Goose; 408 Canada Geese; 2 Teal; 62 Mallards; 1 drake Goosander; 10 Tufted Ducks; 1 Cormorant; 4 Little Grebes; 1 Moorhen; 5 Coots; 5 Lapwings; 400+ Black-headed Gulls; c50 Common Gulls; 3 Woodpigeons; 1 Collared Dove; 1 Kestrel; 4 Magpies; 2 Jackdaws; 12 Carrion Crows; 1 Goldcrest; 17 Blue Tits; 10 Great Tits; 4 Willow Tits; 1 Treecreeper; 3 Wrens; c400 Starlings; 18 Blackbirds; 27 Fieldfares; 1 Mistle Thrush; 9 Robins; 1 Pied Wagtail; 5 Chaffinches; c15 Bramblings; 5 Bullfinches; 5 Goldfinches, and 2 Reed Buntings.

Sunday 18 December 2016

Carlton Marsh

The best birds today were; Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch c40, Yellow Bunting 17, Kingfisher 2 and Bittern seen from hide at 12.22hrs.

Dave Standish saw it again on the scrape at 16.09hrs as it flew further into the marsh. 6 Snipe left at dusk.

Edderthorpe & Houghton WeBS December

Highlights and joint totals from both wetlands;-
Greylag Goose 188, Pink-footed Goose 1, Canada Goose 75, Mallard 340, Teal 320, Wigeon 174, Gadwall 64, Shoveler 33, Pochard 17, Cormorant 8, Grey Heron 9, Little Egret 2, Lapwing 205.

And from Ferry Moor (Sash pond);-
Mallard 107, Teal 31, Goosander 7,

Wintersett 18.12.16

5 - 6 degrees with 8/8 and a light westerly.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler  2 - west bank and boathouse reeds.
Anglers CP:  Barn Owl 1.
Stubbs Wood: A Crossbill was calling this morning.
Walton Hall Lake: The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull (Psycho) was eating a fish on the cormorant roost island.  

Wilthorpe Marsh 18/12/16.

Steady with - 100ish Pinkfeet w at 11-50am, total of 32 Common Snipe and 3 Jacks flushed from central marsh. Sewage farm checked with 60 Pied Wagtails and 15 Meadow Pipits were the only pipits. Oxbow lake had fem. Pintail and drake Wigeon. Also in the area, 120 Woodpigeon, 2 GS Peckers, 2 ad. Common Gulls down, 1 Redpoll.

Walton Hall WeBS December 2016

Here are the totals for Walton Hall WeBS 18.12.16

Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult,   Mute Swan  2,   Canada Goose 35,   Cormorant 16,   Coot 75,  Moorhen 5,   Great Crested Grebe 2,   Little Grebe 1,   Mallard 5,   Tufted Duck 167,    Pochard 3,  Grey Heron  1.

Wintersett WeBS December 2016

These are the WeBS totals for the Wintersett area 17.12.16

Mute Swan 6,   Canada Goose 124,   Greylag Goose 116,   Cormorant 16,   Coot 378,   Moorhen 27,   Great Crested Grebe 23,   Little Grebe 10,   Mallard 27,   Wigeon 167,   Teal 13,   Shoveler 6,   Gadwall 30,   Tufted Duck 167,   Pochard 20,   Goldeneye 53,   Goosander 14,   Grey Heron 5,   Water Rail 2,   Kingfisher 1,   Lapwing 110.

Saturday 17 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 17.12.16

3 - 5 degrees, frosty start,  clear sky, sun and a light south westerly.
Cold Hiendley Field:  Skylark 700.   Yellowhammer 18.   Reed Bunting 25.
Haw Park Wood:  Siskin 3
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was heard in the boathouse reeds.    Chiffchaff 1.
Birds ringed today:- Archie caught a first year female, Green Woodpecker at WRes. - the first for many years.   At ACP 4 Lesser Redpoll,  1 Chaffinch and  2 Redwing were ringed and a Mealy Redpoll,  ringed on the 11.12.16,  was retrapped.
Both Gull Roosts were watched this afternoon:
Notables were 2 adult Caspian Gulls and a 1st W Yellow-legged Gull all on WRes.
Totals were:   Great Black-backed        63        (30 ACP   +   33 WRes.)
                       Lesser Black-backed        8         ( 5 ACP    +     3 WRes.)
                       Herring                       1610     (730  ACP   +  880 WRes.)
                       Common                     1600  WRes.
                       Black-headed Gull    10000  WRes.

Green Woodpecker 1stY female  WRes    BBailey

 Fabulous  Fieldfare        CHRes       CSwaine

Athersley Memorial Lake

Today 2 Goosander, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk

Friday 16 December 2016

Carlton Marsh - 40 Years Old Today

When I was a boy my father took me to a place locally known as Carlton swamps, but little did I know that I would record the wildlife on it one day. I started to record what I saw when I was 25 in 1972. Along came Keith Bannister in 1974 followed by Eric Bennett in 1975. We met with Dennis Roberts at the Amenities & Recreation Department of BMBC and asked him to make the site a nature reserve to protect the wildlife from shooting pressures. Hundreds of Swallows were being disturbed from roosting. As I was the recorder, Mr. Roberts asked what I would like to call the fledgling nature reserve and the rest is history as they say.  
Keith And I invited Phil Wordsworth to come and ring birds at the site in 1976, he said 'It is the best single net ringing ride I have ever encountered.' In January 1977, he caught and ringed a Great Grey Shrike followed soon after by Yorkshire's first ever Dartford Warbler in March 1977. What a sensation that caused, it was described by Mike Pysden, as 'The bird of the century' at a meeting of Barnsley Bird Study Group.
In 1976 there was only a small area of open water full of Soft Rush, Bulrush and Reed Canary Grass growing in the rich silt deposits. It wasn't until later that we introduced the first plants of Common Reed, which led to the colonisation of Reed Warbler and rare visits from Bearded Tit. Two out of the 4  that were caught in December 1982 were already ringed and were traced back to Ousefleet Goole.
The first phase of a scrape was completed in 1980, which had the affect of attracting more wildfowl and Waders.
One of the most exciting ringing recoveries goes back to 1986, when a Sedge Warbler, ringed here in August 1986 by Dave Smith, was found by a German ringer from Frankfurt in an Eleonora's Falcon nest as a prey item on Lanzarotte a month later. It was the first recovery of a British ringed Sedge Warbler on the Canary Islands.
An Icterine Warbler found its way into Dave Smith's net in September 1988 two weeks after a Yellow Browed Warbler teased us both by sitting on top of the net, the one that got away.
Still owned by BMBC, Russ Boland from the Parks and Countryside Department works alongside our wildlife group volunteers to manage the site  with the limited resources. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust came in as a partner last year led by Pete Wall. In 2014 Pete had already helped create new habitat for wildfowl opening up overgrown reed beds, and 106 section money was secured from BMBC for Russ to create a new wader scrape on one of the Meadows.
Annual Natural History Reports written by members of the group have been published by BMBC every year since 1976 and include all aspects of wildlife. I look forward to what the future brings and thank all our past and present observers for their invaluable contribution.

Photos by Russell  J. Boland
Founding members of Carlton Marsh, Keith Bannister, Cliff Gorman & Eric M. Bennett
(we still have hair)

 Some of Carlton Marsh Wildlife Group from left Rod Heeley, John D. Coldwell, Richard Laverack, Dave Tattershall, Chris Parkin, Ralph Hibbert & Keith Bannister.

Today's highlights were 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, c20 Gadwall, 26 Teal, 3 Cormorant, 2 Kingfisher, 4 Water Rail, Green Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Goldcrest, 2 Jay, 50+ Redwing, 4 Lapwing, Song Thrush singing, Dabchick, Bittern flew across the scrape at 15.25hrs. Little Egret roosted and Tawny Owl called at dusk.

Dave Standish showed me the International Space Station as it hurtled over us in a clear blue sky at 16.40hrs.

Wintersett 16.12.16

6 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud until late morning, then sunny with a light south westerly.
Wintersett Res:  3 Whooper Swan flew south west at 11.50hrs.   2 Cetti's Warbler were singing - boathouse reeds and west bank.    2 Water Rail were heard - west bank and also a Chiffchaff.

Thursday 15 December 2016

Wintersett 15.12.16

8 degrees,  dank with 8/8 cloud and a cold south easterly breeze.
Anglers CP: A flock of around 150 Redpoll was seen this morning.  Little Grebe 5 + 3 WRes..
Wintersett Res: Water Rail 2 west bank.   A flock of 300  Feral Pigeon was in the south west field.

The Edge 15/12/16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 241 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 71 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 17 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 1 Goosander, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Moorhen, 219 Golden Plover, 41 Lapwing, 4 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 50+ Redwing, 7 Reed Bunting and 1 Yellowhammer.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 50+ Teal, 43 Wigeon, 16 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 45 Cormorant, 4 Moorhen, 110+ Lapwing, 72 BH Gull and 1 Common Gull.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 41 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 3m+2f Goosander, 2m+2f Goldeneye, 3 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 164 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 20 Common Gull and 11 BH Gull. Also present were 1 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Jay.

Wednesday 14 December 2016

Carlton Marsh

Bittern flew across the scrape at 14.01hrs. Our voluntary working group spent the morning coppicing in the car park plantation.

Wintersett + Micro Moth - 2nd for Yorkshire 14.12.16

6 - 9 degrees, mild  with a light southerly.
Wintersett Res: Shoveler 6 + 4 ACP,  A male Cetti's Warbler was singing in the boathouse reeds and a Chiffchaff was in the same area.
Micro Moth:
Harry Beaumont confirmed that a micro moth, trapped by Pete Smith at Haw Park Wood on the 19th July 2016,  was a  Spatalistis  bifasciana.   The first recorded for VC63 and only the 2nd record for Yorkshire.

The Edge 14/12/16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 93 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 113 Wigeon, 47 Teal, 28 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 2 Goosander, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Moorhen, 211 Golden Plover, 55 Lapwing, 6 Skylark, 80+ Redwing, 1 Kingfisher and 3 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 86 Canada Geese, 64 Teal, 42 Wigeon, 16 Tufted Duck, 15+ Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10+ Snipe,76 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull and 80+ Redwing.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 41 Tufted Duck, 10 Goosander, 6 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 183 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 25 Common Gull and 7 BH Gull. Also present were 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jay and 2 Stonechat.

Athersley Memorial Lake

After a few weeks of just two Goosander today there were four again.  Also Kingfisher again.

Tuesday 13 December 2016

The Edge 13/12/16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 237 Canada Geese,143 Wigeon, 43 Teal, 21 Mallard, 7 Shoveler, 1 male Goosander, 3 Moorhen, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 77 Golden Plover, 56 Lapwing, 100+ Redwing, 20+ Fieldfare, 3 Yellowhammer and 1 Reed Bunting.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 51 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Cormorant, 4 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 83 Lapwing, 10+ Snipe, 110+ BH Gull and 1 LBB Gull.
TPT - A Song Thrush was singing near the entrance gates to Old Moor RSPB. Also 4+ Redpoll, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting and 30+ Goldfinch.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 39 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 7 Pochard, 4m+3f Goosander, 3m+3f Goldeneye, 4 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 168 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 19 Common Gull and 7 BH Gull.

Cudworth

45 Pink Feet Geese flew west over Cudworth heading towards Carlton Marsh at 10.05hrs. (Russ Boland)

Fleets Dam / Wilthorpe Marsh 13/12/16.

Colourful birds at a very dark fleets late morning were 4 Parakeets at the car park end briefly joined by a Green Woodpecker. 16 Goldfinch south bank. Brief visit to wilthorpe marsh had Green Sandpiper and Chiffchaff at the sewage farm + 2 Jack and 16 Common Snipe, 100+ Redwing, Little Owl heard only.

Lundwood Sewage Works Area

An afternoon's mosey around the works with Pete Wall, Geoff Carr and Jeff Lunn, looking at the exiting new habitat improvements undertaken by YWT. Of note: 2 Cormorant, 84 Mallard, 28 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Common Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.100 BHG's, 1 Common Gull, 7 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Little Egret east at 15.00 hrs, 20 Stock Doves, 11 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, c.50 Pied Wags and 4 Grey Wags.
Cheers
Russ

Wintersett 13.12.16

6 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud,  grey and damp with a very light southerly.
Anglers CP:  A RAVEN  flew north east at 09.55hrs  per Chris Swaine.
Wintersett Res:  Water  Rail 2 - north bank and boathouse reeds.

Monday 12 December 2016

Carlton Marsh

Conditions for seeing were difficult this morning as the fog rolled in briefly. Notables were 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Water Rail, Goldcrest, 15 Long-tailed Tit, Kingfisher, 2 Cormorant and c75 Redwing. Song Thrush was in full song again.

Gunthwaite Dam 12.12.16

Ron Marshall in  reflective mood with Water Rail,  at Gunthwaite Dam this morning.



Sunday 11 December 2016

Low Moor 11/12/16. D Simmonite, S Green.

Quieter than quiet with - Buzzard 1, Kestrel 2, Raven 4, Crossbill 4, Golden Plover 10 s. over pike lowe. RL Partridge 3, Siskin 1, Grey Wagtail 1. On midhope res. drake Goldeneye , 9 Teal.

Wintersett + Gull Roost 11.12.16

5 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a cool, moderate westerly.
Anglers CP: Redpoll 70.  Pochard 30 + 1 WRes.  Little Grebe 5.
Birds ringed today included  1Siskin ,  6 Lesser Redpoll and  2 Mealy Redpoll including one Becky ringed, a 1st year male bird with a massive wingspan of 80.5mm!  Usual wingspan being 73 - 78mm.
Disposal Point: A Red Kite drifted west at 09.55hrs,  and then was seen blogging around Botany Hill area at 10.50hrs. 
Moorhouse Lane Pond: Green Woodpecker 1,  Grey Partridge 8.
Wintersett  Res: 2 Shelduck were in this morning but then transferred to ACP.  A female Pintail flew over.    Buzzard 3.
Wintersett Village: A weasel was by the pond.
Wintersett Res Gull Roost :  Notables  - Yellow-legged Gull 1 adult at 14.55hrs.  Mediterranean Gull 1adult at 15.55hrs.  Caspian Gull 1adult at 16.15hrs.  Leucistic Black-headed Gull 1 adult.     
Also Herring Gull  810,   Great Black-backed Gull 67,   Lesser Black-backed Gull  8,   Black-headed Gull 13,000.   Many big gulls were coming in at dark. 

1stY male Mealy Redpoll with 80.5mm wing length
ringed by Becky Bailey   ACP        

Cudworth

2 Little Egrets flew over Barnsley Road towards the Park and Carlton Marsh at 09.00hrs (Chris Parkin) They arrived at the marsh soon after. (Dave Standish) 2 Buzzards were airborne.

Saturday 10 December 2016

Langsett / Midhope reservoirs 9/12/16

Crossbills present at both res's but more often heard than seen. 6 seen at langsett with a singing male at the Christmas tree on thickwoods lane. + 10 Siskin, Goldcrest 5, Redpoll 2. Midhope res had a similar number of Crossbills + 60 Fieldfare, 60 Redwing, Siskin 6 and 2 Brambling heard on midhope lane.

Wilthorpe Marsh 10/12/16.

Productive in the sewage farm area this aft. with Merlin, C Buzzard, Sprawk and Kestrel. 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Willow Tit. A small bat, thought to be a pip, was busy flying round feeding before being attacked and chased off by a Magpie. Nearby a Jack Snipe showed well down to a few feet with another flushed. 6 C Snipe, Green and GS Woodpeckers.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 10.12.16

8 degrees,  calm with 8/8 cloud.
Wintersett Res: Archie ringed 2 Mealy Redpoll and 12 Lesser Redpoll this morning.  A Chiffchaff,  a Water Rail and a singing Cetti's Warbler  were in the boathouse reed area.
Anglers CP Roost: Plenty of large gulls came in, but no notables were seen so a quick dash to Wintersett Res at dusk,  revealed a huge roost with  20,000 Black-headed Gulls and many big gulls, with lots arriving from Hampole Tip when it was too dark to for identification.

Mealy Redpoll ringed by Archie      WRes     CSwaine    

Carlton Marsh

Another mild day with light winds. Present today were; Goldcrest, Willow Tit, Goldfinch c45, Fieldfare 35, Redwing c75, Kingfisher, Gadwall 25, Cormorant, Water Rail, Song Thrush singing, Chiffchaff and Little Egret 1 north at 10.41hrs.

17 Herald Moths were languishing under a rail bridge.

Friday 9 December 2016

Wintersett 09.12.2016

A very warm 11 - 14 degrees, with  4/8 scattered cloud and a south westerly breeze.
Anglers CP Vis. Mig:  A surprising movement of thrushes going south this morning.   55 Fieldfare  and  1265 Redwing  from 09.15 - 11.00hrs.  An adult Mediterranean Gull flew  over the fields at 10.37hrs.    9 Snipe were on the Pol.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1m boathouse reeds and Little Grebe 3.   

The Edge 09/12/16

Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 26 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 19 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 7 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 20 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 43 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, c200 Redwing and c50 Fieldfare.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 17 Tufted Duck, 12 Goosander, 9 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 2m+1f Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 167 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 42 BH Gull and 27 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 189 Canada Geese; 3 Wigeon; 61 Mallards (+ 1 aberrant drake perhaps a Mallard x Shoveler?); 22 Tufted Ducks (up from 5); 1 Pheasant; 3 Little Grebes; 1 female Sparrowhawk (hunting Fieldfares); 1 Common Buzzard; 2 Moorhens; 5 Coots; 1500+ Black-headed Gulls (large increase); 13 Common Gulls; 1 Herring Gull; 22 Woodpigeons; 1 Magpie; 33 Jackdaws; 11 Carrion Crows; 21 Blue Tits; 4 Great Tits; 1 Willow Tit; 10 Long-tailed Tits; 400+ Starlings; 6 Blackbirds; 40+ Fieldfares; 13 Redwings; 1 Mistle Thrush; 4 Robins; 1 Dunnock; c180 Bramblings (back with a bang!); 7 Chaffinches, and 2 Bullfinches.

Thursday 8 December 2016

Wintersett 08.12.16

6 - 10 degrees with overnight rain continuing until 10.30hrs, then dry with a light south westerly.
Anglers CP: A KNOT flew off west at 14.15hrs.  Redwing 30 south,  Cormorant 40. 
Wintersett Res: A male Cetti's Warbler was in the south east corner.

Carlton Marsh

Last night albeit very wet produced the warmest December night I have recorded, the temperature didn't fall below 11.8c. With a high of 13.5c it was very mild during today. Birds seen today included 2 Buzzards soaring over the marsh, 2 Kingfishers, c100 Redwings, Goldcrest, Fieldfare, Cormorant, Willow Tit and 21 Jackdaws north. c350 Wood Pigeons came in to roost, Tawny Owl sang from his usual roost and Barn Owl was hunting from 16.37hrs. 
I wonder if our Bittern is commuting. When it's not seen here I have noticed that one has been seen at Bolton Ings and when its here there haven't been any sightings reported on the blog at Bolton, or is it just coincidence?

The Edge 08/12/16

Broomhill Flash - Started here rather than getting soaked in the very heavy rain trudging onto Wombwell Ings. Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 22 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 7 Teal, 5 Cormorant, 4 Moorhen, 48 Lapwing, 4+ Snipe, 19 BH Gull and c120 Redwing.
Wombwell Ings - By 9.30am the rain had stopped and the light improved so off to the ings. Present were 220+ Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 123 Wigeon, 83 Teal, 27 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 1 Goosander, 3 Grey Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Moorhen, 11 Lapwing, 28 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull,  c50 Redwing and 4 Reed Bunting.
TPT - 1 Sparrowhawk, 7+ Redpoll, 1 Bullfinch and 1 Goldcrest(in a flock of 5+Long Tailed Tits).
Bolton Ings - Highlight was the Bittern flying west along the reedbeds on the northern shore at 11.35am. On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 23 Tufted Duck, 7m+2f Goosander, 7 Mallard, 2m+2f Goldeneye, 3 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 171 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 5 BH Gull and 10 Common Gull. Also present were 3 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant and 2 Sparrowhawk.

Wednesday 7 December 2016

Wintersett 07.12.16

An exceptionally warm  6 - 14 degrees and cloudy this morning,  sunny this afternoon with a light to moderate south westerly.
Anglers CP:  A Curlew flew west at 15.23hrs.
Haw Park Wood: Redpoll 30,  Siskin 15,  Nuthatch 1 and Treecreeper 3.

                            Treecreeper        HPW                CSwaine

The Edge 07/12/16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 1 Mute Swan, 225 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 128 Wigeon, 28 Teal, 6 Mallard,4 Tufted Duck, 2 Goosander, 2 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Moorhen, 54 Golden Plover, 6 Lapwing, 21 BH Gull,1 Common Gull and 50+ Redwing.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 3 Mute Swan, 34 Wigeon, 20 Shoveler, 15 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 1 Goosander, 9 Cormorant, 7 Moorhen, 6 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 56 BH Gull, 1 Herring Gull and 120+ Redwing.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 17 Tufted Duck, 14 Mallard, 3m+2f Goosander, 4m+1f Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 151 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 22 Common Gull and 16 BH Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard and 7 Long Tailed Tit.

Tuesday 6 December 2016

Wintersett 06.12.16

0 - 5 degrees, with 8/8 cloud and a very light south westerly. 
Anglers CP:  A Brambling flew over the car park at 09.20hrs.   Teal 56 + 3 CHRes..
Wintersett Res:  Pochard 14.   Shoveler 8 + 2 CHRes..  A Water Rail and a Chiffchaff were in the boathouse reeds.

Carlton Marsh

The Bittern flew across the scrape today at 12 noon. (Ralph Hibbert/Les Corrall)

Sunday 4 December 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roost 04.12.16

5 degrees, calm with  sun and 5/8 cloud.
Cold Hiendley Field - The amazing Skylark feeding flock is up to 650 today, probably more too. Also Yellowhammer 35, Grey Part 4 per GJS.   (This is the huge field from Cold Hiendley towards Old Royston . There is a footpath down the middle from  Ryhill Pits Lane down to Cold Hiendley Common Lane/Church Lane . Please park with due regard for residents and other traffic.)
Haw Park Wood: Siskin 36 + 11 ACP.
Anglers CP: Redpoll 100+,  Mealy Redpoll 2,  Little Grebe 5,  Teal 49,  Wigeon 8 and Woodcock 2.
ACP Gull Roost:  The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was in at 15.25hrs but left later and flew to WRes.  An adult CASPIAN GULL was seen at 15.55hrs.  Another  adult Yellow-legged Gull was in at 16.10hrs..
Wintersett Res: Wigeon 8.   A Harvest mouse nest was found on the north east bank.

                  Harvest Mouse nest    WRes.       ASmith
Lynz Harston paid his first visit for a long time and this little beauty dropped on the gate near the hide.
                 Kestrel         ACP   LHarston

Ewden, 4/12/16.

Noon to 4pm. Very cold but plenty of sun giving top views looking towards Margery hill. Raptors few all singles - ad. Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, C Buzzard, Kestrel. Raven 1 pair seen twice, Woodpigeon flock of 60 n., Fieldfare 200 up the beck late aft. presumably to roost. Good for Brambling with about 60 up the beck valley with 2 showing well and 30 + at the entrance to broomhead farm in mixed finch flock + Nuthatch. Redpoll 1 over.

Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were Kingfisher 2, Water Rail 2 (1 seen) Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Bittern. As seen from the hide it flew at reed top height across the scrape at 14.01hrs onto one of the islands out of sight. It emerged about 10 minutes later before finally disappearing into its favourite reed bed.
Apologies for the poor quality (CG)

Saturday 3 December 2016

Carlton Marsh

Good numbers of thrushes included c150 Redwing. Also present Cormorant, 5 Shoveler, Green Woodpecker, 14 Skylarks and 3 Goldcrests. A Fox was hunting around the wader scrape during the afternoon.

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 03.12.16

6 degrees with 8/8 and a light easterly.
Anglers CP:  Pink-footed Goose 35 west at 08.10hrs + 49 west at 10.08 hrs.  Teal 45.  Little Grebe 4.   Snipe 12.   Goldeneye 18.  Goosander 26 at dusk.
Birds ringed today included:  1 Snipe,  6 Redwing and 1 Lesser Redpoll.
Wintersett:  Little Owl 1.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1m boathouse reeds.
Haw Park Wood:  Siskin 15,  CROSSBILL 2 females. 
Haw Park Lane:  Green Woodpecker 1.
Cold Hiendley Field: A fantastic flock of  550  SKYLARK.  Yellowhammer 35 and Grey Partridge 4.
Gull Roosts Notables:   An adult Yellow-legged Gull  was in at 14.40hrs  and the usual YL adult at 15,50hrs.  A further adult YL Gull was on WRes..
Roost Totals:  Herring Gull                             1570    (760 ACP  + 810 WRes)
                         Great Blackbacked Gull               50    (  40 ACP  +   10 WRes)
                         Lesser Black-backed Gull            23     (    3 ACP  +   20 WRes)

               Snipe    - ringed ACP           RHL

 
 Record shots of the 2 female Crossbills   HPW   CSwaine

Friday 2 December 2016

Wintersett 02.12.16

6 degrees, calm  with 8/8 cloud.  Still quiet.
Anglers CP:  Greylag Goose 121,  Teal 32,  Shoveler 2 + 4 WRes.,  Little Grebe 3 and Siskin 2.

The Edge 02/12/16

Wombwell Ings -Present were 202 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 78 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 13 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 1 male Goosander, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Moorhen, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 119 Golden Plover, 7 Lapwing, 4 BH Gull, c50 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush and 3 Pied Wagtail.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 45 Shoveler, 30+ Wigeon, 24 Teal, 17 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Cormorant, 7 Golden Plover, 78 BH Gull, 8 Common Gull, c200 Redwing and c50 Fieldfare.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 78 Wigeon, 13 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 3 Goosander, 1m+2f Pintail, 2 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 161 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 15 BH Gull and 17 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Redshank, 2 Jay and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Thursday 1 December 2016

Wintersett 01.12.16

A mild 10 degrees with 5/8 cloud and a light north westerly.  Another quiet day.
Anglers CP:   Wigeon 228,  Teal 20,  Shoveler 3 and Little Grebe 1.

Wednesday 30 November 2016

Wintersett 30.11.2016

5 - 6 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light westerly. A very quiet day without any new birds in.
Anglers CP:  Wigeon 241  and Shoveler 5 + 2 CHRes +  1 WRes..

The Edge 30/11/16

Wombwell Ings - 100% ice cover of the main flash meant there were few birds to count. Present were 2 Mute Swan over, 15 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 3 Moorhen, 25 Lapwing, 56 BH Gull and c40 Redwing.
Broomhill Flash - About 80% ice cover. Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 55+ Shoveler, 45 Wigeon, 13 Gadwall, 12 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 2 Pochard, 5 Cormorant, 4 Moorhen, 50+ Golden Plover, 40+ Lapwing, 7+ Snipe, 123 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Red Legged Partridge and 1 Kingfisher.
Bolton Ings - About 66% ice cover. On the small area of open water were 2 Mute Swan, c70 Mallard, 57 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 10 Pochard, 8 Goosander, 2 Teal, 2 female Goldeneye, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 212 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 28 BH Gull and 12 Common Gull. Also present were 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Song Thrush and 3 Bullfinch.

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Moorlands + 29/11/16.

Broomhead Moor, dukes rd., ewden, circular. Very cold with bright sunshine for this classic walk. Shame the birding wasn't as good with not much seen. Smoke from heather burning spoiling the views in the ewden valley. 1+ Brambling were in the elusive Chaffinch flock at the Mortimer road entrance gate + Nuthatch. Woodcock flushed off and a Stonechat on broomhead moor. On to midhope/low moor which had very poor visibility due to the sun and smoke from heather burning. 17 Teal on the res. On to ingbirchworth with some of the Brambling flock showing well. All the geese were too far away in fields above the nw corner of the res.

Wintersett + Gull Roost. 29.11.16

A very cold and  frosty  -2  to 4 degrees.  mostly calm with clear blue sky.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1m west bank.  Chiffchaff 1 boathouse area.  Shoveler 3.
Anglers CP:  50 Pink-footed Geese were in the fields.   2 Barn Owls were seen - 16.00hrs and 16.07hrs.   Teal 37.  Woodcock 1.
ACP Gull Roost: The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only notable in the roost tonight.

The Edge 29/11/2016

Bolton Ings - Highlight was the Bittern that flew along the north side of the eastern pool at 11.37am. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag, 50 Tufted Duck, 25 Mallard, 12 Teal, 6 Pochard, 4 male Goosander, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 female Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 141 Coot, 26 BH Gull and 16 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 48 Lapwing, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Jay, c150 Redwing, 20+ Fieldfare, 1 Greenfinch and 6 Bullfinch.
Broomhill Flash - per J. Seeviour  Noted were 2 Mute Swan, 76 Greylag, 60+ Teal, 55+ Shoveler, 50+ Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 25 Mallard, 10+ Tufted Duck, 8+ Cormorant, 3 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 200+Redwing and 20+ Fieldfare.

BARNSLEY BIRD STUDY GROUP

Thursday 1st December 2016, 7.15 pm at the Old Moor visitor centre

Mike Pilsworth with an illustrated talk on 'A Year at Blacktoft Sands'

All welcome. £2.50 cover charge includes interval drink.

Monday 28 November 2016

Fleets Dam 28/11/16.

3 Parakeets at the asda end of the dam this morning. For people that might not know, you can walk to the dam from the asda car park as well as the smithies lane entrance.

The Edge 28/11/2016

Wombwell Ings - Present were 2 Mute Swan, 235 Canada Geese, skein of c40 Greylag NW at 8.40am, 101 Wigeon, 46 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Moorhen, 19 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 83 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull and 100+ Redwing. K. Fisher had a Kingfisher and c20 Fieldfare along the R.Dove and a Jack Snipe on the Corner Pond.
Broomhill Flash - Noted were 2+3y Whooper Swan which came in at 8.20 and left east at 8.40am. Also present were 2 Mute Swan, 60+ Shoveler, c50 Teal, 45 Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 38 BH Gull and 4 Snipe.
TPT - 1 Goldcrest and 1 Little Egret.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 4 Mute Swan, 66 Tufted Duck, 9 Goosander, 8 Pochard, 6 Mallard, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 126 Coot, 71 BH Gull and 13 Common Gull. Also present were 5 Grey Heron, 4 Cormorant, 2 Green Woodpecker and 2 Jay.

Wintersett 28.11.16

1 - 4 degrees,  with 6/8 cloud and a cool, light south easterly.
Anglers CP:  Siskin 4,  Shoveler 4 and Teal 19.   Canada X Greylag Goose hybrids 5.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1 m boathouse reeds.  Chiffchaff 1 south east corner.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - full list - 2 Pink-footed Geese; 174 Greylag Geese; 403 Canada Geese; 74 Mallards; 1 Tufted Duck; 2 Cormorants; 4 Little Grebes; 2 Moorhens; 5 Coots; 800+ Black-headed Gulls; 104 Common Gulls; 3 Herring Gulls; 12 Woodpigeons; 1 Kingfisher; 3 Magpies; 1 Jay; 2 Jackdaws; 16 Carrion Crows; 16 Blue Tits; 17 Great Tits; 1 Coal Tit; 3 Willow Tits; 2 Wrens; 4 Starlings; 10 Blackbirds; 7 Fieldfares; 1 Song Thrush; 3 Redwings; 12 Robins; 1 Dunnock; 80+ Bramblings; c20 Chaffinches, and 1 Reed Bunting.

Canada Geese at Ingbirchworth

Two colour ringed Canada Geese seen at Ingbirchworth Reservoir (Annat Royd Lane) yesterday 27th November had both ringed at Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria on 29th June 2014.

BAZN adult male 29/06/2014 Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria.
                  vv        27/112016  Ingbirchworth Reservoir. 123 kms SE. 2 yrs 151 days.

CAFK adult female 29/05/2014 Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria.
                  vv           27/11/2016 Ingbirchworth Reservoir. 123 km SE 2 yrs 151 days

Carlton Marsh

Bittern sunning itself at the southern end of the marsh as seen from the disused rail embankment from 13.44hrs (Rod Heeley)

This record shot was taken by a phone camera
Rod Heeley

Sunday 27 November 2016

Wintersett + Gull Roosts 27.11.16

4 - 7 degrees with 7/8 cloud that cleared to 2/8 towards mid morning. Sunshine  to mid afternoon and a light north easterly.
Anglers CP:  Grey Wagtail 1 + 1 CHRes..
Birds ringed this morning included:  5 Redwing,  19 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Mealy Redpoll  (see Becky's photos below)
Wintersett Res: An adult Mediterranean Gull was in at 09.40hrs. 
Cold Hiendley Field:  Skylark 400 + 76 NW.   Stock Dove 65
Haw Park Wood:  Siskin 14.
Both Gull Roosts were watched today.
Notables: A 1stW Caspian Gull was on WRes at 15.15hrs.  The usual adult Yellow-legged Gull was on ACP and another adult YL Gull was on Wres.
Totals:  Herring Gull                         970  (670 ACP + 300 WRes)
              Great Black-backed Gull       70  (60 ACP + 10 WRes)
              Lesser Black-backed Gull      13  (6 ACP + 7 WRes)

Mealy Redpoll 1st year male ringed today  RHL
                                               

Low Moor 27/11/16 .

Mostly dry with spells of sunshine but a cold north east wind. Steady birding with a good number of species but few raptors. List - C Buzzard 4, Kestrel 2, Sparrowhawk 1. Pinkfeet 32+west, Raven 6 a 4+2, Crossbill 6 included a pair showing well, Siskin 19, Redpoll 5, Bullfinch 5, Redwing 9, Fieldfare 5, singing Mistle Thrush. Snipe 1, GS Pecker 1.

Saturday 26 November 2016

A Little Egret and a Fox were seen on the wader scrape at 07.43hrs. (Keith Bannister) Then at 12.45hrs Bittern was seen only yards away, in front of the hide, before it disappeared into the left hand reed bed. (Dave Standish)

Wintersett Flocks + Gull Roost 26.11.16

3 - 7 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a very light northerly.
Quantity was the name of the game this morning and Cold Hiendley Field was the place to be.  We watched a spectacular, flying flock of 400 Skylarks This equals the highest ever number of grounded birds, which were  recorded on 29th November 1980.   300 Feral Pigeon - the biggest flock  recorded here. (They weren't generally recorded in the past).   Also 23 Yellowhammer.  10 Meadow Pipit and 4 Grey Partridge.
Botany Bay: Kingfisher.
Anglers CP:   1 Mealy Redpoll.    120 Redpoll .   Pink-footed Goose 82 flew over west at 14.45hrs.
Anglers CP Gull Roost: The first, and quite early in the year,  2nd W Iceland Gull  was in at 15.20hrs.   At 15.25hrs the fog rolled in and put paid to any further sightings.

Friday 25 November 2016

Carlton Marsh

Approximately 300 Pink Feet Geese flew NW over Low Cudworth at 14.05hrs. (Richard Laverack)

A Bittern was seen at 15.44hrs alighting in the southern part of the marsh. (Ian & Karen Pickard) This is the first sighting of it since November 7th!

Chris Parkin sought out the usual known wintering sites for Herald Moth, there were 6 languishing near Ardsley Viaduct and a dead Barn Owl at Ardsley's disused railway tunnel.

Returning to Carlton Marsh
There were 18 Herald Moths under a nearby bridge and Buzzard, Cormorant and 17 Teal were present. (CP)



Bretton Lakes

A good day around Bretton Lakes with 68 PF Geese west at 1000, Peregrine, several Nuthatch, 4 Kingfisher, c50 Siskin and c30 Brambling.
Also, nearly forgot - 2 Black-backed Jackal howling near the bridge between both lakes (so Mr Tyke watch out!!) This is part of an exhibition and on a time lapse or triggered by people crossing the bye-pass dike bridge? Should keep the nearby Badgers on their toes.
Image below of what its about and presumably the foreign bird calls are around the chapel area but worrying/interesting if the recordings are more widespread.
Should get a few new species for 2017 and the Bird Race.

The Edge 25/11/2016

Wombwell Ings - Present were 212 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag,  68 Teal, 64 Wigeon, 3 Goosander, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 7 Moorhen, 139 Golden Plover, 51 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, c100 Redwing, 2 Pied Wagtail and 1 Bullfinch.
Broomhill Flash - Two skeins of Pink Footed Geese through west at 8.35 and 9.40am. Also noted were 3 Mute Swan, 60+ Shoveler, 40+ Teal, 30+ Gadwall, 30+ Wigeon, 15+ Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 5 Red Legged Partridge, 7 Cormorant, 4 Moorhen and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Bolton Ings - On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 19 Mallard, 17 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Teal, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 122 Coot and 15 Common Gull. Also present were 1 Kestrel, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker and 5 Jay.

Ingbirchworth

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - late afternoon - full list - 1 Pink-footed Goose; 183 Greylag Geese; 488 Canada Geese; 1 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall; 55 Mallards; 3 Tufted Ducks; 1 Pheasant; 1 Cormorant; 2 Little Grebes; 2 Moorhens; 7 Coots; c30 Black-headed Gulls; 2 Common Gulls; 5 Woodpigeons; 1 Green Woodpecker; 4 Magpies; 2 Jackdaws; 7 Carrion Crows; 1 Raven E; 6 Blue Tits; 3 Great Tits; 1 Coal Tit; 3 Long-tailed Tits; 1 Wren; 16 Starlings; 3 Blackbirds; 1 Mistle Thrush; 3 Robins; 60+ Bramblings; c40 Chaffinches, 2 Bullfinches, and 13 Goldfinches.

Ingbirchworth / Low Moor 25/11/16.

Ingbirchworth - Plenty of geese either side of annat royd lane this aft. Canada's difficult to count but thought to be pushing 500 and Greylags about 200 with what was thought to be a Pinkfoot among them but lost to view. Low Moor - Crossbill 4 with a singing male at midhope res., otherwise quiet with the sun a problem for viewing - Peregrine 1, Sparrowhawk 2, Snipe 5, Siskin 12, 8 Teal on res.

Wintersett 25.11.16

5 - 8 degrees with 8/8 cloud this morning and a light north easterly.
Wintersett Res: Cetti's Warbler 2  and Water Rail 2 - one of each in boathouse reeds + SE corner. 
Anglers CP: Siskin 2,  Fieldfare 12.
Cold Hiendley Fields: Yellow Hammer 8.   Skylark 250 - the biggest flock seen here for many years.
Of interest: An adult Slavonian Grebe was new in on Pugneys boating lake today.

Thursday 24 November 2016

Low Moor 24/11/16

1-10pm to 3-50pm. Better light but fewer birds than yesterday. - Crossbill 7 [2-3-2]. 2 fem and 1 male giving good scope views. + Peregrine 1, Sparrowhawk 2, C Buzzard 5, Kestrel 1, scarce, the only one in 2 days. Raven 1, Fieldfare 60, Bullfinch 5, GS Pecker 1.

The Edge 24/11/16

Wombwell Ings - Present were 3 Mute Swan,164 Canada Geese, 82 Teal, 81 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2m+1f Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Moorhen, 20+ Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 69 BH Gull and 50+ Redwing.
Broomhill Flash - Prior to my visit 12 Whooper Swan passed over east at 8.55am, 35 Pink Footed Geese passed over west at 8.35 am and a Peregrine was seen. Also present were 3 Mute Swan, 60+ Shoveler, 30+ Teal, 15 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 10+ Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 6 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 5+ Snipe and 2 BH Gull.
Bolton Ings - Highlight was the Great White Egret which dropped into the western end of the main pool. On the open water were 2 Mute Swan, 79 Gadwall, 22 Wigeon, 16 Tufted Duck, 8 Mallard, 6 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 2m+1f Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 135 Coot, 1 Moorhen and 16 Common Gull. Also present were 6 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay and 200+ Redwing (Seen in groups of 10 to 20 along Warbler Way by K. Foundation)

Wintersett 24.11.16

3 - 6 degrees with 8/8 cloud and a light north easterly.
Anglers CP:  Common Scoter 2 f/imms + 1 juv WRes..  Siskin 2.   Green Woodpecker 1. Canada X Greylag Goose  hybrids 5.   
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 2 - boathouse reeds + east bankKingfisher 1.  Water Rail 1 boathouse reeds.   Chiffchaff 1 in the Willow Wood.

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Wilthorpe Marsh / Midhope Low Moor, 23/11/16.

Wilthorpe - A small flood in a field just n. of the sewage farm had Green Sandpiper, Little Egret and 8 BH Gulls. Nearby bushes had Chiffchaff and Goldcrest. An imm. Peregrine went through the sewage farm and seen again further down the river + G and GS Woodpeckers. Adult Water Rail showed well and flock of 60 Goldfinchs. Midhope / Low Moor this aft started and ended with low cloud and poor light but the couple of hours inbetween were productive with a Goshawk seen twice, 2 Sparrowhawks, C Buzzard 2, 100 Pinkfeet flew w at 2-00pm, Raven 1 pair, Snipe 3 flying around in almost display mode. Only about 20 Fieldfare in nearby hawthorn with Goldcrest, 7 LT Tits and 4 Redpolls. At and on the res. were 11 Teal, 1 Crossbill and 7 Redpolls. The Low Moor corner Robin was as friendly as ever perching on my scope and fighting itself in my wing mirrors.

Carlton Marsh


Our volunteer rangers were cutting regenerating scrub and treating it in the southern meadow this morning so there was a fair bit of disturbance to the wader scrape. However, this afternoon 31 Lapwing flew east, Buzzard, Grey Wagtail, Little Egret and 8 Snipe left at dusk. (Dave Standish)

Wintersett 23.11.16

4 - 6 degrees with 4/8 cloud and a light north easterly.
Anglers CP:  A Great White Egret flew over south at 12.35hrs.  Water Rail 1 + 1 WRes.
Ringing highlights toady were:- 16 Lesser Redpoll,  12 Goldfinch and 5 Redwing.
Wintersett Res:  Cetti's Warbler 1 m  boathouse reeds.
Pits Wood: Nuthatch 1.