Sprotbrough flash a popular Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve (YWT) is located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Sprotbrough flash NR is a rich haven for a wide variety of wildlife with a diverse habitat comprising of Wetland, Open water, Woodland and Limestone meadow in the heart of the Don Gorge Valley on the Trans pennine trail (TPT) and along the river Don. Bittern flyby.
Since 1957 a total of 194 individual bird species have been recorded at Sprotbrough flash with a total of 114 individual bird species recorded during 2023. Catchment areas for recording purposes include Sprotbrough flash, Pot Ridings Wood, Meadow, Plantation, Trans pennine trail and the river Don. Adjacent areas where birds are known to travel into or through the catchment area are also included. Sprotbrough Flash (YWT).
January: A quiet winters morning is interrupted by the sound of Ring-necked parakeets near the Car park while along the TPT a family of Long-tailed tits steadily make their way through the trees on the Towpath. In Pot Ridings wood, Nuthatch, Coal tit, Treecreeper and Goldcrest are recorded close to the ancient Yews followed by sightings of several Redwing, Mistle thrush and Fieldfare in the fields and along the hedgerows. A flock of 50 Lesser redpoll are reported on the 6th followed by sightings of 14 Linnet and 2 Siskin while in a local garden an overwintering female Blackcap is joined by a male. An overwintering female Blackcap.
The resident male Mute swan continued chasing off his remaining 2 young hindered by freezing conditions as the juveniles took to the ice for a little respite. Greylag and Canada Geese arrived while 300 Pink-feet were recorded passing over. A wetland bird count recorded 4 Mute swans, 14 Mallard, 22 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 3 Grey heron, 3 Tufted duck, 2 Wigeon, 14 Cormorant, 9 Teal, 2 Snipe, 1 Little egret, 27 Black-headed gull, 9 Coot, 1 Goosander, 1 Water rail, 1 Little grebe, 2 Lapwing, 4 Moorhen A female Goosander.
Common buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were regularly recorded along with Tawny owl and Barn owl, the increase in recent Barn owl activity prompted YWT to replace the old box opposite the Kingfisher hide. Other site maintenance included clearing a coppiced area near the plantation by the Don Gorge volunteers and YWT who recycled cut willow to form a new woven fence. Hedge laying commenced on the TPT with over 150 Hawthorn saplings planted behind another woven fence. DGCG volunteers © Simon Dunn.
A total of 72 bird species was recorded in January including Kingfisher, Great spotted woodpecker, Skylark, Green woodpecker, Raven, Jackdaw, Wren, Carrion crow, Blackbird, Song thrush, Cetti’s warbler, Starling, Meadow pipit, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Pheasant, Chaffinch, Reed bunting, Goldfinch, Grey Wagtail, Pied wagtail, Blue tit, Great tit, Greenfinch Bullfinch, Jay, Robin, Collared dove, Dunnock, Wood pigeon and Magpie. Others: Fox, Mink, Grey squirrel, Bank vole and Rabbit. Fox © Stan Clarke and Mink.
February: A Cormorant in full breeding plumage dries his wings on a post opposite the Heron hide as male Gadwalls pursue the females. A Coot fight breaks out which disperses the amorous birds while the resident Cob turns his attention to Greylags and Canada geese after successfully seeing off his own remaining young. A Great spotted woodpecker starts to drum along the TPT followed by the first singing "Chiffchaff" while back at the flash a Great crested grebe has returned and is looking for a mate. Singing Chiffchaff .
Great white egret, Little egret, Grey heron, Snipe and Water rail were recorded from the Kingfisher hide and 35 Lapwing was observed passing over. A pair of Kingfisher were seen together near the screen while Lesser black-backed and Herring gull were reported at the quarry. A wetland bird count recorded 6 Mute swans, 4 Greylag geese, 11 Canada geese, 2 Wigeon, 52 Gadwall, 19 Tufted duck, 18 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 46 Coot, 2 Little grebe, 9 Cormorant 9 Moorhen, 1 Goosander, 14 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 3 Grey heron, 1 Little egret and 54 Black-headed gull. Common snipe at the Kingfisher hide.
On local fields Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Pheasant, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Magpie, Skylark and Starling was spotted with over 1800 Linnet in a mixed flock of finches on Set-aside land along Cadeby mile. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Common buzzard were regularly recorded during the month along with a pair of Peregrine falcon reported locally. Tawny owl called from Pot Ridings wood and Barn owl was recorded near the screen, Ring-necked parakeet was noted on the TPT. Grey Partridge and Red-legged Partridge.
78 individual bird species was recorded in February with a total of 80 recorded for the year to date including Green woodpecker, Raven, Collared dove, Long-tailed tit, House sparrow, Robin, Blackcap, Cetti’s warbler, Grey wagtail, Pied wagtail, Reed bunting, Wood pigeon, Stock dove, Rock dove, Blue tit, Coal tit, Great tit, Wren, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Dunnock, Song thrush, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Siskin, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Goldcrest, Fieldfare, Redwing and Mistle thrush. Other sightings: American mink, Bank vole, Stoat, Grey squirrel and Rabbit. Stoat and Bank vole © Jo Banks
March: The single Great crested grebe was joined by a mate and the pair soon began displaying followed by an attempt at nest building which was later abandoned after briefly being occupied by a female Goosander. A second pair arrived and started displaying before straying too close to nesting Coots causing a noisy fracas at the Heron hide. Water rail was recorded from both the hides while Snipe and an Oystercatcher was noted from the Kingfisher hide. Great crested grebes displaying.
A wetland bird count recorded 7 Canada geese, 4 Greylag, 1 Grey heron, 42 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 5 Shoveler, 32 Coot, 10 Mallard, 24 Tufted duck, 2 Lapwing, 15 Cormorant, 1 Little egret, 1 Little grebe, 1 Goosander, 5 Mute swan, 2 Wigeon, 4 Great crested grebe, 12 Teal, 1 Water rail, 5 Moorhen, 6 Snipe, 1 Herring gull and 147 Black-headed gull. 2 Great white egret was recorded along with 50 Whooper swans spotted passing over followed by a Common crane, a first for the flash. Red kite was reported passing through Sprotbrough and a pair of Common shelduck was noted at the quarry. One of two Great white egret.
Barn swallow was recorded from the Heron hide followed by Sand martin and a pair of Stonechat's noted at the Kingfisher hide. Along Cadeby mile 2 Yellowhammer, 1 Northern wheatear, 5 Lapwing, 2 Skylark and 3 Reed buntings was reported. The ringing lanes were cleared and on the 21st a Cetti's warbler was trapped which had been previously ringed by Ken Pearson in 2019 this is a possible longevity record for the district. An Iberian Chiffchaff heard at the sluice gate remained unconfirmed. Stonechat and the 2019 ringed Cetti's.
A total of 88 individual bird species was recorded during March with a total of 91 species for the year to date including: Green woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Ring-necked parakeet, Pheasant, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Starling, Magpie, Raven, Carrion crow, Feral pigeon, Coal tit, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Stock dove, Goldcrest, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Nuthatch, Rook, Treecreeper, House sparrow, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Common buzzard, Tawny owl, Barn owl, Peregrine falcon, Song thrush, Meadow pipit, Fieldfare, Redwing, Kingfisher, Jay, Mistle thrush, Blackbird, Grey wagtail and Pied wagtail. Other sightings: American mink, Bank vole, Rabbit, Grey squirrel, Comma butterfly, Brimstone butterfly, Figwort weevil, Bluebells, Wood primrose Wood violet and Anemone. Brimstone, Figwort weevil © Catherine Dainty and Comma.
April: And bird activity increased during the month with the arrival of Willow warbler, Sedge warbler, Reed warbler and Whitethroat's joining the sedentary Cetti's warbler's and ever increasing number of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Along Garden Lane several Yellowhammer were reported and on Cadeby mile 9 Skylark was observed along with 3 Yellow wagtail. Grey partridge, Pheasant and Red-legged partridge was spotted locally while sightings of Barn swallow and House martin continued along with increased numbers of Sand martin. At the end of the month the first Common swift was recorded. Newly arrived Reed warbler.
2 pairs of ringed Mute swans and 2 juvenile interlopers joined the resident Mute swan pair with both of the ringed females soon observed nesting. A pair of Canada geese near the screen was seen with goslings on their nest while 2 Lesser black-backed gulls started nesting in the Tern raft displacing a flock basking Cormorants. A wetland bird count recorded 8 Mute swans, 14 Gadwall, 16 Mallard, 17 Coot, 14 Greylag geese, 9 Teal, 7 Canada geese, 2 Shoveler, 8 Tufted duck, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Great crested grebe, 3 Little grebe, 4 Moorhen, 1 Water rail, 24 Black-headed gull, 2 Lesser black-backed gull and 7 Cormorant. Other sightings during April included Snipe, drake Pochard, Herring gull and 6 Lapwing. Lesser black-backed gulls in the Tern raft.
A Green woodpecker was calling from the meadow and Great spotted woodpecker was noted at the car park with Ring-necked parakeet seen heading towards Levitt Hagg wood. Raven was recorded above Pot Ridings wood and several Jay were spotted on Nursery Lane. Carrion crow, Jackdaw and Magpie were also recorded. Kingfisher activity remained low-key as sightings were mainly confined to the river with an occasional flyby at both the hides. Water rail was spotted at the Kingfisher hide. Green woodpecker and Ring-necked parakeet.
Red kite was recorded during the month along with 4 Common buzzard seen displaying over the Plantation while Kestrel and Sparrowhawk sightings continued to be frequent. Close by a pair of Peregrine falcons was reported. On the 17th a Marsh harrier was observed at the flash and a Tawny owl was heard calling along the TPT between the screen and Kingfisher hide. There were no further Barn owl activity recorded during the month with the last report on the 16th. Marsh harrier and Red kite.
A total of 80 individual bird species was recorded during April with 96 species recorded for the year to date. Including: Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Feral pigeon, Stock dove, Goldcrest, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Wren, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Dunnock, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Mistle thrush, Song thrush, Starling, Reed bunting, Meadow pipit, House sparrow, Grey wagtail, Nuthatch and Pied wagtail. Other sightings: Bank vole, Rabbit, Hare, Terrapin, Common darter, Peacock, Orange tip, Speckled wood, Large white, Early purple orchid. Speckled wood and Early purple orchid © Steve Smithurst.
May: And Sedge warbler is holding territory near the screen while at the Kingfisher hide a Roe deer is noted
at the edge of the water feeding on abundant soft new shoots, the Deer, a heavily pregnant female has timed the arrival of her young through embryonic diapause to take advantage of the Spring bounty. On the river a Terrapin basks on a tree stump, on the flash a Grass snake passes the Heron hide disturbing several Canada geese. A Whitethroat with a full beak flits along the hedgerow on the middle path and on the 9th a Garden warbler is trapped and ringed by Paul Shawcroft followed by a brief Bittern sighting. Common whitethroat.
Common terns arrived back and were recorded on the flash throughout the month, at the Kingfisher hide a female Lesser black-backed gull was sat on eggs in the Tern raft while the male was standing guard repelling any unwanted attention from Black-headed gulls and Cormorants. Lapwings started patrolling the margins of the field nest protecting and began to hassle a Sparrowhawk before swooping on a Little egret meanwhile the Great crested grebes nested perilously close to the LBB gulls and were sat on 5 eggs. Northern lapwing.
On the 9th a ringed Mute swan and his female successfully hatched 7 Cygnets while the resident male Mute swan stayed at the far South end of the flash with his female who was still nesting. A 2cy Mute swan was also present. A wetland bird count recorded 14 Greylag geese and 5 Gosling, 8 Canada geese and 10 Gosling, 14 Mallard and 17 Duckling, 9 Coot and 3 Chicks, 4 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 4 Tufted duck, 2 Grey heron, 2 Shoveler, 2 Little egret, 8 Lapwing, 4 Moorhen, 1 Water rail 4 Cormorant, 2 Little grebe, 2 Common snipe, 14 Black-headed gull and 2 Lesser black-backed gull. At the quarry a pair of Common shelduck were reported along with Little ringed plover and Herring gulls. Mute swan with Cygnets and Great crested grebe nest.
Common buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine falcon were regularly recorded while a male Marsh harrier was noted quartering over a nearby field and a Tawny owl was calling from the meadow. A Barn owl
was reported near the screen along with sightings of Common swift, Barn swallow and House martin while Sand martin was recorded each visit. Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Magpie and Jay were frequently spotted and a Raven was recorded as it passed above Pot Ridings wood. Robin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Chaffinch, Common whitethroat, Dunnock, Wren and Great tit were noted carrying food while Reed warbler, Sedge warbler and Cetti’s warbler were observed holding territory. Barn owl near the screen © Paul Peters.
A total of 84 individual bird species was recorded during May with a total of 100 species for the year to date.
Including: Kingfisher, Ring-necked Parakeet, Pheasant, Red-legged partridge, Grey partridge, Great spotted woodpecker, Green woodpecker, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Reed bunting, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Starling, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Stock dove, Feral pigeon, Bullfinch, Skylark, Linnet, House sparrow, Meadow pipit, Grey wagtail, Pied wagtail, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, Blackbird. A juvenile Robin was also recorded on the TPT. Other sightings: Grey squirrel, Roe deer, Wood mouse, Bank vole, Rabbit, Hare, Fox, Terrapin, Grass snake and a large Carp was also spotted in the river Don.
Pregnant Roe deer © Michael John Adams, basking Terrapin © Colin Spruce and posing Hare © Jane Wigley.
Dragonflies: Common blue damselfly, Common darter, Banded demoiselle, Migrant hawker and Emperor.
Butterflies: Comma, Peacock, Speckled wood, Brimstone, Common blue, Red admiral, Small tortoiseshell, Small white, Large white, Green veined white and Holly blue. Others: Green lacewing, Short-nosed weevil,
Fire coloured beetle, Tetragnatha extensa, Birds-foot trefoil, Bugleherb and Hairy rock cress last record 1984
Common blue butterfly, Hairy rock cress last recorded in 1984 © Jim Horsfall and Holly blue butterfly.
June: Wild Orchids started to flourish adding a much welcome splash of colour to the reserve, soon followed by an explosion of Butterflies, Dragonflies and other Invertebrates. Common Terns were regularly recorded fishing while Lapwing chicks continued to be protected by vigilant parents. Several Green woodpecker were noted foraging on the Limestone meadow as Common buzzard circled over the Plantation, meanwhile back at the flash 3 juvenile Kingfishers were observed perched on the same branch. Common terns fishing.
The resident pair of Mute swan's lost their dominance with the arrival in spring of 2 ringed males and their females resulting in all 3 pairs of Swans nesting and raising Cygnets The dominant male now is ringed Y730 and together with his female Y654 became the first pair to nest and have 7 Cygnets, usually located between the Screen and Heron hide. The old resident pair followed suit and had 4 Cygnets before losing 2 young and now are down to 2 Cygnets which are usually found between the Heron hide and Southern end of the flash. The 3rd pair Y413 and his female Y793 nested in the nearside reedbed between both hides before emerging with a single Cygnet and remained central between the two hides before they sadly lost their only youngster.
Breeding activity: Y730 + 7 Cygnets, Resident female + 4 Cygnets (© Emma Batterley) and Y413 + 1 Cygnet.
A wetland bird count recorded 7 Mute swans + 10 Cygnets, 4 Greylag geese + 9 Goslings, 6 Canada geese + 13 Goslings, 6 Gadwall, 14 Mallard, 4 Tufted duck, 6 Cormorant, 1 Water rail, 8 Lapwing, 4 Moorhen, 2
Little grebe, 6 Coot, 5 Little egret and 4 Grey heron. On the 14th a pair of Great crested grebe left their nest and was observed with 4 chicks. Canada goslings, Great crested grebe chicks, Little grebe and Lapwing chick.
Mallard ducklings continued to be recorded throughout the month along with Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing and Little grebe chicks. Black-headed gulls were present while in the Tern raft a pair of Lesser black-backed gulls also had 2 Chicks. Over at the quarry several Herring gull were reported while on the flash Arctic tern was noted and an Oystercatcher dropped in. Arctic tern © Andy Summers, Oystercatcher © George Varley.
A Common quail was reported on Cadeby mile along with Yellowhammer, Skylark and Yellow wagtail. Sand
martin continued to be seen in good numbers throughout the month on the flash and at their local nest site. Common swift, Barn swallow and House martin were noted along with Juvenile Blackcaps, Cetti’s warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed warbler, Sedge warbler, Common whitethroat, Willow warbler, Linnet, Meadow pipit and Mistle thrush. Common buzzard was regularly recorded along with Kestrel, Sparrowhawk while a local pair of Peregrine falcons were regularly reported nearby. On the 8th the first Hobby was recorded hawking over nearby fields and Tawny owl was regularly heard calling from Pot Ridings wood. Ring-necked parakeet was spotted along with an unconfirmed sighting of an Osprey heading over the river seen from fishing peg No9.
Common swift, Sand martin, House martin and Barn swallow.
A total of 80 individual bird species was recorded during June with 105 species recorded for the year to date.
Other sightings included Rock dove, Stock dove, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Blue tit, Great tit,
Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Dunnock, Wren, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Skylark, Reed bunting, Robin, Song thrush, Treecreeper, Meadow pipit, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Pheasants, Great spotted woodpecker, Raven, Magpie, Jay, Carrion crow, Goldfinch and Jackdaw. Other sightings: Roe deer, Bank vole, American mink, Mole, Pike, Perch, 6 spot burnet, Pale Tussock, Dingy skipper, Ringlet, Meadow brown, 4 Spot chaser, Common damselfly, Broad bodied chaser, Brown hawker, Alder leaf beetle, Pond skater, Bee orchid, Pyramidal orchid, Great spotted orchid, Bladder campion, Red campion, Hazel nuts. Bee orchid, Common spotted and Pyramidal orchid © Marie Cosgrove.
July: An Otter was reported on the flash and was observed from both hides before disappearing out of view with another sighting reported a week later further up the river by two walkers, the Otter had caught a fish. Footprints and tail drag marking were seen on the riverbank before being spotted again at on the flash at the end of the month. Along the TPT Great spotted woodpecker was recorded while over in Pot Ridings wood, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Coal tit were spotted along with Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Jackdaw, Jay, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Raven and Carrion crow. Otter © Steve Smithurst
6 Mute swans were recorded along with 9 Cygnets, Canada geese was noted with 15 juveniles, Greylag geese with 9 juveniles. Little egret was observed along with Grey heron, the Great crested grebes now had 3 young while Little grebe sightings continued. The Lesser black-backed gulls left the flash with their one remaining chick. Other Waterfowl recorded during the month included Cormorant, Mallard, Gadwall + 9 Ducklings, Tufted duck, Teal, Coot, Moorhen and 2 Common sandpiper spotted along with several pairs of Lapwing and their juveniles. Lesser black-backed gull chick and Common sandpiper.
At Fowlsyke flash a Hobby was observed hawking from the viaduct while nearby a pair of Peregrine falcons successfully fledged two of their chicks. Sparrowhawk, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Tawny owl and Barn owl was reported along with Ring-necked parakeet observed feeding in a Cherry tree. At Sprotbrough lock both Pied wagtail and Grey wagtail were regularly recorded. A male Mandarin duck in eclipse was recorded while on the 29th an Egyptian goose dropped on the flash. Egyptian goose © George Varley
On the 11th the Don Gorge Community Group volunteers and YWT cleared around both hides and screen area and not long after Water rail and Kingfisher sightings became much more frequent. Volunteers also cut back overhanging branches and cleared pathways along the TPT and on the middle path. At the Kingfisher hide YWT working with craftsmen increased the opening size of several viewing windows, re-felted the roof and replaced fascias and sills. Ringing stopped with 72 birds ringed during 5 sessions between 21/03 - 25/08 and of the 20 individual species ringed the most prevalent were Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Details of the 2023 ringing sessions carried out by Paul Shawcroft and Ken Pearson can be found in the bottom Appendix.
Maintenance work by YWT at the Kingfisher hide.
A total of 80 individual bird species was recorded during July with 109 species recorded for the year to date. Along the TPT Blackbird, Song thrush and juvenile Goldcrest were noted along with Robin and Dunnock
while down on the flash, Reed bunting, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Sedge warbler, Cetti’s warbler, Starling, Wren and Reed warbler were recorded along with sightings of Swift, Barn swallow, House martin and Sand Martin. On surrounding farmland sightings of Skylark, Greenfinch, Meadow pipit, Linnet, Pheasant Red-legged partridge and Grey partridge was also recorded. Sedge warbler.
Other sightings: White letter hairstreak, Silver washed fritillary, Gatekeeper, Marbled white, False oil beetle, Oak bush Cricket, Black-tailed skimmer, Twayblade, Bank vole, Roe deer, American mink, Rabbit, Otter, Squirrel, Grass snake and Fox. White letter hairstreak © Dave Carroll and Marbled white.
August: On the Limestone meadow Silver-washed fritillaries were recorded on Brambles and 6 Spot burnets were observed mating in the long grass, juvenile Green woodpeckers were active with up to 4 regularly noted with the adults while down by the screen a Grass snake was recorded. At the viaduct an Osprey was reported passing through meanwhile at the flash a Hobby was observed perching on a branch before taking flight and hawking for dragonflies over the corner field. Hobby.
Canada geese moved on with their young and Greylag geese soon followed, 3 Pairs of Mute swans remained with a total of 9 Cygnets while on the river a 2cy Mute swan was also noted. A wetland bird count recorded 7 Mute swans, 42 Gadwall, 4 Canada geese, 4 Teal, 32 Mallard, 2 Tufted duck, 4 Cormorant, 1 Little grebe, 5 Great crested grebe, 1 Water rail, 7 Moorhen, 14 Coot, 2 Lapwing, 3 Grey heron and 16 Black-headed gull Other sightings included Little Egret, Common tern, Green sandpiper, Common sandpiper and after a few flying lessons for the juveniles the Great crested grebes also left. Humbug flying lessons © Colin Spruce.
Along Garden lane a flock of 20 Barn swallow including several juveniles gathered on overhead utility wires while Sparrowhawk chicks was heard from 2 nests at the flash. Common buzzard juveniles were noted along Nursery lane and Kestrel was regularly recorded. A Peregrine falcon was spotted with a juvenile and the pair was observed again over Levitt Hagg a few days later. At the viaduct a Hobby was reported and is thought to have nested nearby. An Osprey was also reported as it passed over the viaduct. A Barn owl was reported close to the screen and Tawny owl was heard calling in Pot Ridings wood on several occasions. Kingfisher activity increased during the month and a Water rail was spotted.Tawny owl.
A total of 73 individual bird species was recorded during August with a total 109 species for the year to date. Including: Red-legged partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Magpie, Feral pigeon, Stock dove, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Great spotted woodpecker, Jay, Goldcrest, Blue tit, Nuthatch, Great tit, Dunnock, Long-tailed tit, Robin, Treecreeper, Starling, Wren, Blackbird, Song thrush, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Bullfinch, Coal tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Reed bunting, Sand martin, House martin, Swift, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow warbler, Cetti's warbler and Reed warbler while in a freshly cut and rolled field 3 Northern wheatear were reported on the 30th. Northern Wheatear.
Other sightings: Roesel’s bush cricket was reported by © George Varley and a Median wasp was recorded on the TPT along with Hornet mimic hoverfly. Several Silver washed fritillary were seen in the meadow with a pair of mating 6 Spot burnet. Cuckoo pint was seen around the woods an on the middle path.
September: An inclement start to the month brought out a Water rail near the Heron hide while at the side of the Kingfisher hide a Mink was seen and a Kingfisher was spotted hovering above a patch of open water. Up at the Limestone meadow the rain had grounded 3 Spotted flycatchers reported sat in a Silver birch tree.
At the Kingfisher hide an immature Sparrowhawk chased a Jay followed by a Wood pigeon, Peregrine falcon was recorded over the fish pass and Raven was recorded along with Ring-necked parakeet. Hobby was noted again at the viaduct while on the 27th a Marsh harrier was recorded on the flash. Spotted Flycatcher.
Weather conditions improved promoting sightings of Chiffchaff, Reed warbler, Willow warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Cetti’s warblers along with sightings of Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch Goldfinch, Jay, Great tit, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Robin, Dunnock, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Blackbird, Wren, Reed bunting, Song thrush and Nuthatch. Meadow pipit and Skylark was reported on a nearby field while Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green woodpecker was recorded in the meadow. Skylark and Meadow pipit.
A wetland bird count recorded 46 Mallard, 24 Gadwall, 8 Cormorant, 1 Tufted duck 7 Teal, 14 Moorhen, 9 Coot, 1 Water rail, 3 Grey heron, 2 Little egret, 2 Little grebe, 2 Kingfisher, 15 Mute swan, 60 Black-headed gull, 3 Pochard, 1 Canada goose, 1 Green sandpiper and 5 Shoveler. A total of 380 Pink footed geese passed over during the month. Great white egret and Lapwing were recorded along with a Whooper swan who was ejected by Mute swans on the flash. Whooper swan interloper ejected by the Mute swans © Colin Spruce.
A total of 75 individual bird species were recorded during September with 112 recorded for the year to date. Including: Water rail, Carrion crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Pheasant, Red-legged partridge, Grey partridge, Grey wagtail, Pied wagtail, Collared dove, Stock dove, Feral pigeon, House sparrow, House martin, Sand martin, Barn swallow and Starling. Other sightings: Migrant hawker, Southern hawker and Common Darter, Small white, Speckled wood and Red admiral. Rabbits were recorded and a Weasel was observed crossing the TPT followed by a number of sightings of Bank vole. Weasel.
October: Falling leaves began littering the path along the TPT as skeins of Pink-feet continued passing over, Redwing and Fieldfare returned in numbers as several Mistle thrush sat on overhead cables and Jays cached Acorns in preparation for the coming months ahead. A pair of Canada geese dropped onto the flash and in a nearby field 250 Greylag geese were gathering as a steady passage of 30 Barn swallow was reported heading over Sprotbrough. Fieldfare.
A wetland bird count recorded 15 Mute swans (6 adult + 9 juvenile), 36 Gadwall, 28 Mallard, 5 Little grebe, 4 Shoveler, 14 Black-headed gull, 8 Teal, 8 Tufted duck, 1 Wigeon, 12 Cormorant, 1 Water rail, 9 Moorhen, 3 Grey heron, 1 Little egret, 1 Great white egret, 4 Snipe, 12 Coot and 4 Lapwing. Over on Newton Ings 13 Common snipe, 1 Jack snipe, 59 Jackdaw, 1 Common buzzard and 12 Rook were reported and back at the flash a Bittern sighting was reported but remained unconfirmed. Jack snipe
After several days of very heavy rain a major incident was declared in South Yorkshire on the 20th as the river
Don burst its banks and Sprotbrough once again was flooded, livestock had to be evacuated by boat as water
levels remained high and roads were closed. Access to the flash became possible if not a little precarious a few days later due to silt along the path. The Boat Inn is currently closed until further notice and sandbags block the entrance to the path, access the TPT down the steps at the car park or small track at the Tower Cottages.
Sprotbrough flash flooding © Andy Summers.
A total of 70 individual bird species was recorded in October with 112 species recorded for the year to date.
Including: Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine falcon, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Pheasant, Carrion crow, Magpie, Green woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Tawny owl, Treecreeper, Coal tit, Nuthatch, Siskin, Greenfinch, Goldcrest, Song thrush, Cetti’s warbler, Reed bunting, Raven, Feral pigeon, Stock dove, Collared dove, Starling, Wood pigeon, Blue tit, Great tit, Wren, Reed bunting, House sparrow, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Long-tailed tit, Bullfinch and Chaffinch. A species of Ichneumon Wasp was also recorded at the Kingfisher hide. Peregrine falcon.
November: Temperatures plummeted and the threat of snow began to loom as ice covered most of the flash. Water levels remained very high with wader bays, spits and Tern rail still underwater. At the Kingfisher hide a flock of Goldfinch and Siskin were noted feeding on the seeds from Alder cones while on the 19th several Lesser redpoll was reported. On the 21st a pair of Blackcap were noted in the Willow while sunshine on the 25th brought out a pair of Chiffchaff observed in a tree near the entrance to the hide. on the TPT Fieldfare and Redwing was recorded along with 6 Goldcrest. Siskin and Lesser redpoll.
The 7 juvenile Swans belonging to the dominant ringed pair began flying during the month, the 2 juveniles from the resident pair still had a way to go and kept their distance down at the Heron hide. A second ringed pair was still around and were seen chasing and attacking 1 of the 7 juveniles. A wetland bird count recorded 15 Mute swans, 14 Cormorant, 8 Teal, 2 Grey heron, 2 Wigeon, 10 Tufted duck, 3 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 29 Gadwall, 14 Mallard, 16 Moorhen, 24 Coot, 1 Water rail, 4 Black-headed gull, 40 Greylag geese, 2 Snipe, 2 Little grebe, 1 Little egret and 1 Kingfisher while Pink-footed geese sightings continued. Pink footed goose.
Supplementary feeding commenced at both hides and began to attract a variety of birds including Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Treecreeper, Reed bunting, Jay Goldfinch and Great spotted woodpecker. Sparrowhawk was recorded at the Kingfisher hide along with a single Redwing in the Willow, other visitors included Mallard, Moorhen, Grey squirrel and Bank vole. On the 13th a Peregrine falcon was recorded as it passed over the hide and 2 Kestrels were noted on the meadow with another up at the quarry along with a pair of passing Raven. Single Redwing.
Several Rook were reported among a sizable flock of Jackdaw and Carrion crow while the recently cultivated fields attracted a large number of Herring gull and Black-headed gull along with a single Lesser black-backed gull. Flocks of Starlings, Linnet and Meadow pipit were also recorded while at Sprotbrough Ings 6 Shoveler, 8 Grey partridge, 21 Snipe, 3 Common gull, 2 Common buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey wagtail, 2 Siskin and 4 Reed bunting were noted. A Kingfisher was regularly recorded at the Kingfisher hide with 2 Mink seen at the side of the hide. On the 14th a Water rail was spotted in front of the hide with Common snipe recorded on the opposite side of the flash. Rook, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Common buzzard.
A total of 75 individual bird species was recorded in November with 112 species noted for the year to date. Including: Coal tit, Nuthatch, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, Green woodpecker, Tawny owl, Pheasant, Red-legged partridge, Grey partridge, Lapwing, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Pied wagtail, House sparrow, Stock dove, Feral pigeon, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Wren, Magpie and Cetti’s warbler. Other sightings: American mink and Rabbit were also noted. Mistle thrush.
December: Began with a cold snap, the flash was covered in a blanket of ice with a few patches of open water and levels remained very high. A female hawking Marsh harrier flushed 10 Common snipe from the reedbed while a kingfisher took to fishing under the willow at the Kingfisher hide and was seen perched on a branch with an enormous fish. 6 Little grebe was seen from the Screen while 40 Greylag geese and a pair of Canada geese were sharing the field with the dominant pair of Swans and their 7 juveniles. Kingfisher © Ian Unwin.
On the 5th a Great white egret was recorded from the viewing screen while on the 15th a female Goosander arrived and was regularly observed feeding at the side of the Kingfisher hide. A wetland bird count recorded 13 Mute swan, 40 Greylag geese, 2 Canada geese, 1 Goosander, 42 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 58 Black- headed gull, 2 Wigeon, 32 Tufted duck, 27 Coot, 13 Moorhen, 7 Little grebe, 2 Water rail, 1 Kingfisher, 19 Cormorant and 1 Grey heron. 2 Waxwings were reported on the 6th in a Rowan tree on Sprotbrough road and a Bittern was recorded on the 7th in Phragmites opposite the Kingfisher hide. A Sparrowhawk perched briefly at the side of the hide and was no doubt attracted by the increased bird activity from supplementary winter feeding. 10 Snipe © Colin Spruce, Goosander © Ian Unwin, Bittern and Waxwing (stock images).
In the field opposite Tower cottages a Jay was observed burying acorns while over on Newton Ings 40 pink feet, 1 Jack snipe, 5 Common snipe, 1 water rail, 1 little grebe and 39 coot were reported. Winter feeding at the Heron hide became busy with sightings of Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Blue tit, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Jay, Treecreeper and Great spotted woodpecker. 2 Goldcrest were spotted in the Yew, Grey squirrel and Bank vole were also regularly noted. Jay and Great spotted woodpecker at the bird table.
On the TPT 3 female and 1 male Bullfinch was noted along with 5 Siskin, 8 Goldfinch and a male Blackcap while 2 Common buzzards circled overhead and a Water rail dashed across the front of the Kingfisher hide. A total of 69 individual bird species was recorded in December with a total of 114 species noted for the year to date including: Wren, Redwing, Song thrush, Magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Feral pigeon, Stock dove, Collared dove, Wood Pigeon, House sparrow, Starling, Green woodpecker, Tawny owl, Kestrel, Red-legged partridge, Pheasant, Grey partridge, Cetti’s warbler, Chiffchaff, Grey wagtail, Pied wagtail, Greenfinch and Ring-necked parakeet. Water rail.
Appendix
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