(YWT) Sprotbrough flash is a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a rich sanctuary for wildlife with diverse habitats comprising of wetland, ancient woodland, limestone meadow and open water in the heart of the Don gorge valley, on the (TPT) Trans Pennine Trail and alongside the river Don. Below: Green woodpecker on the TPT.
194 bird species have been recorded at Sprotbrough flash since 1957 with 115 species recorded during 2024. The catchment area for recording purposes comprises of Sprotbrough flash, Pot Ridings wood, Levitt Hagg wood, Limestone Meadow, Plantation, Trans Pennine Trail and river Don. Any areas where birds are known to travel into or through the catchment have also been included. Below: the primary Catchment area.
January
The year began with heavy rain, the Don burst its banks causing localised flooding along the TPT and roads were closed in Sprotbrough and Denaby. A wetland bird count recorded 50 Greylag geese, 12 Canada geese, 16 Cormorant, 4 Grey heron, 12 Shoveler, 6 Wigeon, 22 Mallard, 34 Tufted duck, 32 Gadwall, 36 Coot, 18 Moorhen, 8 Teal, 42 Black-headed gull, 1 Herring gull, 21 Common snipe, 3 Little grebe, 1 Water rail and a female Goosander. a Bittern was observed up a tree on the 18th and a juvenile Mute swan perished during a cold spell while the remaining 8 juveniles and 4 adults were all doing fine. Below: Bittern spotted up a tree.
A pair of Mandarin ducks were recorded on the 11th and 16th respectively while Jack snipe was recorded on the 14th. A Kingfisher was regularly observed on the river and on the flash where 2 male Pochard's were also recorded along with several Goosander at Sprotbrough falls. 300 Pink-footed geese in 3 skeins were reported passing over while a Lesser white-fronted goose (most likely an escapee) was reported at several local reserves with particularly good views at the allotment next to Broomhill flash. A single Great crested grebe arrived at the flash on the 31st and a Brambling was reported in a local garden. Below: male Mandarin duck.
Red-legged partridge, Grey partridge, Pheasant, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Magpie and Rook were all reported locally while a pair of Raven was recorded passing over Pot Ridings wood. Jay was spotted at the Heron hide along with sightings of Chaffinch, Robin, Dunnock, Great tit, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Treecreeper and Blackbird. At the Kingfisher hide Lesser redpoll, Linnet, Siskin, Great spotted woodpecker, Goldcrest, Wren, Reed bunting, Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Song thrush were recorded. Redwing, Fieldfare, Nuthatch, Mistle thrush, Greenfinch and Firecrest (unconfirmed) were noted on the TPT. Below: Lesser redpoll.
A Peregrine falcon was recorded on the 18th and 26th while a Red kite was reported on the 27th along with a sighting at High Melton where a Merlin had been reported on the 19th. Common buzzard were regularly recorded along with Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Ring-necked parakeet was heard in Levitt Hagg wood along with Green woodpecker and Tawny owl. A total of 80 bird species was recorded in January including Stock dove, Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon, Collared dove, House sparrow, Chiffchaff, Cetti's warbler, Blackcap, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail and Starling. Below: Ring-necked parakeet.
February
A drop in temperature brought snow on the 8th as water levels remained high and wader bays continued to be submerged. Waterfowl dispersed making a wetland bird count difficult. 12 Mute swan, 22 Canada geese, 36 Greylag geese, 18 Gadwall,14 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 12 Tufted duck, 2 Wigeon, 14 Cormorant, 6 Teal, 24 Coot, 9 Moorhen, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Water rail, 34 Black-headed gull, 2 Herring gull was recorded. The Mute swan's began chasing off their young and was spotted displaying as the juveniles took to the field. The single Great crested grebe was now joined by a mate while a female Goosander was recorded along with 3 Little grebe and 6 Common snipe. Below: trio of Common snipe.
A peregrine falcon was noted from the Kingfisher hide on the 12th and on the 25th a Red kite was reported over Sprotbrough park. On the 9th a dead Sparrowhawk was found on Nursery lane after being struck by a passing car while on the 26th another was observed at the Kingfisher hide with a fresh kill, the unfortunate victim was a Long-tailed tit. Common buzzard and Kestrel was regularly recorded along with a Tawny owl heard in Levitt Hagg wood. Little owl was reported on Spring lane and Ring-necked parakeet was recorded over Levitt Hagg wood and around Sprotbrough lock. Below: Sparrowhawk.
As the month progressed Reed bunting's and Cetti's warbler called from the reedbed while Song thrush and Redwing were vocal on the TPT. Goldfinch and Siskin were noted on Alder and Bullfinch was recorded on Blackthorn now in bloom. Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Blue tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Jay, Treecreeper, Robin, Great spotted woodpecker, Wren and Brambling was recorded at the Heron hide while Skylark, Linnet and Meadow pipit were reported along Cadeby mile. Below: male Brambling at the feeders.
Green woodpecker, Pheasant, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Raven and Starling was recorded along with 24 Lapwing which passed over on the 24th and a Woodcock flushed in Pot Ridings wood. Kingfisher's were observed paired up on the 14th and were noted at a potential nest site. 78 bird species were recorded in February with a total of 85 bird species noted for the year to date including Wood pigeon, Stock dove, Collared dove, House sparrow, Nuthatch, Feral pigeon, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Grey wagtail and Pied wagtail. Below: Grey partridge on nearby fields.
March
Spring arrived with clear signs of breeding behavior as Canada and Greylag geese numbers increased and the dominant Cob continued to expel juveniles after mating with the female, culminating in 2 of the youngsters being removed by Yorkshire Swan Rescue Hospital after several prolonged attacks by the adult. Chiffchaff's started singing and were joined by Blackcap's while above the Heron hide a single Sand martin was recorded on the 23rd followed by 8 more on the 29th. Common buzzard sat in the trees in Pot Ridings wood while at the Kingfisher hide several Snipe were flushed by a Sparrowhawk. Kestrel, Tawny owl, Peregrine falcon and Red kite was also recorded during the month. Below: Sand martin.
More Swans arrived looking to breed with 3 pairs now on the flash, Y730 + Y654 ringed pair, Y413 + Y793 ringed pair and 2 old residents with their 2 juveniles. A wetland bird count also recorded 24 Greylag geese, 36 Canada geese, 7 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 9 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 14 Tufted duck, 2 Great crested grebe, 14 Coot, 2 Little grebe, 14 Cormorant, 4 Moorhen, 1 Grey heron, 4 Common snipe, 18 Black-headed gull, 4 Little egret, 1 Goosander, 1 Lapwing, 1 Pochard and 1 Pink footed goose noted in a field on the 14th. Kingfisher activity was sporadic while Grey wagtail and Pied wagtail was regularly noted. Below: Pink-foot in the field.
Opposite the hides the newly ploughed field enabled sightings of Mistle thrush, Carrion crow, Herring gull, Red-legged partridge, Pheasant and Jackdaw while over at the quarry Lesser black-backed gull was recorded.
At the Heron hide a male Brambling was observed along with 3 Jay and a pair of Great spotted woodpecker.
Green woodpecker, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Coal tit, Great tit, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Robin, Wren, Reed bunting, Blackbird and Dunnock was also seen. At the viewing screen 2 Cetti's warbler were regularly recorded and at the Kingfisher hide a Water rail was calling. Below: Great spotted woodpecker.
16 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap were recorded on the TPT with Song thrush, Redwing, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Greenfinch and Siskin also being noted, along Cadeby mile 5 Grey partridge, 3 Skylark, 5 Linnet and 2 Meadow pipit were reported. 79 bird species was recorded in March with a total of 88 species spotted for the year to date including Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon, Collared dove, House sparrow, Starling, Fieldfare and Stock dove. Below: Chiffchaff numbers were increasing along the TPT.
April
Morning mist gave way to bright sunshine along the TPT as the increased birdsong brought the flash to life. 20 singing Chiffchaff and 8 Blackcap were joined by 8 Willow warbler and 5 Cetti's warbler for the morning chorus along with Song thrush, Goldcrest, Bullfinch and a Great spotted woodpecker drumming up a tree. A Green woodpecker "Yaffled" while at the Kingfisher hide a pair of Stock dove began residing in the newly replaced Owl box. Barn swallow and House martin were noted joining the growing number of Sand martin while Yellowhammer and Brambling were reported locally. Below: Willow warbler.
At the Heron hide the 3 male Mute swan's began a territorial dispute while the females watched on. Over at Fowlsyke another pair of Mute swan's were already nesting. Wetland bird counts recorded 8 Mute swan, 34 Greylag geese, 36 Canada geese, 6 Cormorant, 8 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 9 Mallard, 14 Tufted duck, 1f Goosander, 1 Grey heron, 2 Great crested grebe, 4 Black-headed gull, 1 Common snipe, 6 Coot, 1 Little grebe, 1 Little egret, 3 Moorhen and a Water rail, Kingfisher sightings were confined to the river. 9 Greylag goslings and 4 Mallard ducklings were also recorded on the 25th. Below: 2 Greylag goslings.
Several Common buzzard circled over the Plantation and a Sparrowhawk was observed perched in the trees.
Red kite was reported on the 8th and Peregrine falcon was recorded on the 11th along with a female Kestrel. Ring-necked parakeet was noted near Sprotbrough lock and a Tawny owl called from the Boat Inn car park.
On the 26th several Reed warbler and a Sedge warbler were recorded in the reedbed and in Pot ridings wood A Mistle thrush posed briefly before flying off. Along the TPT Lesser whitethroat was recorded at the sluice gate and on the flash Great crested grebes were noted displaying before mating. Below: Lesser whitethroat.
76 individual bird species was recorded in April with a total of 95 bird species recorded for the year to date,
sightings included Feral pigeon, House sparrow, Starling, Blue tit, Coal tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Pheasant, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Linnet, Pied wagtail, Dunnock, Jay, Reed bunting, Carrion crow, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Jackdaw, Raven, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Magpie,
Greenfinch, Nuthatch and Grey wagtail. Below: Greenfinch.
May
Sand martin, House martin and Barn swallow were joined by Common swift with 40 reported on the 14th from Conisbrough viaduct. At the flash a pair of Common terns were observed catching fish while Greylag and Canada geese, intolerant of each other at the beginning of the breeding season now started gathering in groups. Coot's were showing restraint as ducklings passed close to their chicks meanwhile at the Kingfisher hide a pair of Great crested grebes were observed nest building and shortly after were sitting on eggs. On the 18th it was reported that a pair of Raven's had fledged 4 young and on the 20th a Rook was recorded along with regular sightings of Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay and Carrion crow. Below: Common tern at the Heron hide.
A wetland bid count recorded 8 Mute swans comprising of 6 adults and 2 juveniles no evidence of breeding, 22 Greylag geese with 17 goslings, 8 Canada geese with 10 goslings, 2 Great crested grebe currently on eggs, 8 Mallard with 19 ducklings, 12 Coots with 5 Chicks, 4 Moorhen, 6 Cormorant, 2 Gadwall, 2 Tufted duck, 2 Grey heron, 1 Little grebe, 1 Water rail, 4 Black-headed gull, 2 Common tern, 1 Herring gull, 1 Common sandpiper and 2 Lapwing. On the 5th an Oystercatcher passed over. Cetti’s warbler, Common whitethroat, Reed warbler, Sedge warbler and Lesser whitethroat was also recorded. Below: nesting Great crested grebe's.
Tawny owl called from the Boat Inn car park, Red kite was noted at the viaduct and Ring-tailed Hen harrier was reported over Scabba wood on the 4th. A Marsh harrier was observed above the corner field on the 11th and on the 12th an Osprey arrived at Denaby Ings and was also reported heading towards High melton and Sprotbrough. Common buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and a pair of Peregrine falcon's were regularly seen. Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Coal tit, Great spotted woodpecker, Great tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Reed bunting, Blue tit, Robin, Wren, Long-tailed tit and Willow warbler were all noted carrying food. Yellow wagtail and Yellowhammer were reported nearby. Below: Tawny owl.
A total of 82 bird species was recorded during May with 104 noted for the year to date including Blackbird, Red-legged partridge, Grey partridge, Pheasant, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Starling, Stock dove, Skylark, Greenfinch, House sparrow, Treecreeper, Feral pigeon, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Meadow pipit, Mistle thrush, Song thrush, Green woodpecker and Kingfisher. Below: Linnet.
June
Kingfisher activity increased on the flash with both adults and juveniles recorded together then on the 22nd the adult male was noted fervently chasing off juveniles from the territory in preparation for another brood. On the 28th he was observed carrying fish in a delivery position while several juveniles were seen perched on the railings around the sluice gate. Other sightings were reported at Rainbow bridge and Sprotbrough falls. Reed warbler, Sedge warbler, Reed bunting and Cetti’s warbler were recorded singing from the Phragmites while Common whitethroat was recorded singing on the middle path near the corner field. Willow warbler, Garden warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were also recorded singing on the TPT path. Below: Kingfisher.
Mute swans didn't breed on the flash this year and two juveniles from last year are still present. On the 22nd a pair of Swans was observed on the river with two very small cygnets and were probably the pair which had nested at Fowlsyke, the male was ringed (Y332). A pair of Great crested grebe's hatched 4 chicks but are now down to 2 through predation, the surviving young are growing fast helped by a constant supply of small fish from the adults. Wetland bird counts recorded 6 Mute swan, 19 Greylag geese, 14 Canada geese, 7 Gadwall, 32 Mallard, 4 Tufted duck, 4 Cormorant, 1 Little egret, 3 Grey heron, 1 Little grebe, 2 Great crested grebe, 8 Coot, 6 Moorhen, 4 Black-headed gull, 2 Common tern and 1c Water rail. Below: Cygnets on the river Don.
A Little owl was reported on Spring lane and a Tawny owl was recorded near the Boat Inn car park. On the 1st a Barn owl was reported heading towards Newton Ings and on Cadeby mile on the 16th Yellow wagtail, Linnet, Skylark and Yellowhammer were reported. Red kite was recorded several times while Sparrowhawk, Common buzzard and Kestrel were regularly recorded. On the 22nd a Hobby was spotted passing through, Ring-necked parakeet was reported in a garden and Great spotted woodpecker was recorded along the TPT. A Green woodpecker was noted in the meadow and a pair of Peregrine falcon's was reported to have fledged 3 young while the Osprey at Denaby Ings was seen in the area of the river Dearne/Don. Below: Hobby.
Common swift, Barn swallow, House martin and Sand martin were regularly recorded while Butterflies and Bees were making the most of the flowers in bloom. 80 bird species was recorded in June with a total of 107 species noted for the year to date including Stock dove, Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon, Collared dove, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Starling, Raven, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Goldcrest, Grey wagtail, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, Blackbird, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Linnet, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Yellow wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Grey partridge Bullfinch, Jay, Red-legged partridge, Pied wagtail and Pheasant. Below: Long-tailed tit.
July
Wetland bird counts remained challenging in July with many ducks still in eclipse and the lack of dry wader bays dispersing birds to the periphery of the flash among the reedbed. As the month progressed water levels started to recede and the wader bays began to re-appear making sightings a little easier. Wetland bird counts recorded 34 Greylag geese (including several pale almost white birds not part of this year’s breeding group), 11 Canada geese, 8 Mute swans (1 pair and 2 cygnets on the river), 38 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 42 Mallard, 2 Tufted duck, 6 Cormorant, 4 Grey heron, 27 Black-headed gull, 1 Water rail, 2 Little egret, 1 Little grebe, 2 Great
crested grebe (with 2 juveniles), 7 Moorhen and 12 Coot. On the 20th a Common sandpiper was recorded, on the 26th a Bittern was noted and on the 31st a Little ringed plover was seen. Below: Common sandpiper.
On the 30th a Spotted flycatcher was recorded at the screen along with Wren, Great tit, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Chiffchaff, Reed warbler, Blackcap and Goldfinch. In Levitt Hagg wood a Nuthatch called and a Green woodpecker was "Yaffling". On the TPT Great spotted woodpecker and a Song thrush were recorded while juvenile Common buzzards called and several adults circled above. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were recorded regularly and a juvenile Peregrine falcon was noted on the 20th. Several Ring-necked parakeet was spotted in a local garden and a Tawny owl was heard calling. Over on spring Lane a Little owl continued to be reported while on Cadeby mile a Red kite was spotted. A Hobby was recorded at the Kingfisher hide on the 10th and an Osprey was at Denaby and has been noted off and on since 12th May. Below: Juvenile Peregrine falcon.
Increased Kingfisher activity continued on the flash with 3 more juveniles frequently recorded fishing from the front of the Heron hide, most likely a 2nd or 3rd brood. On the 17th a young Common tern was being fed by an adult on the spit, the birds had bred elsewhere, Pied and Grey wagtail were also recorded. Over at Cadeby, Yellow wagtail, Yellowhammer and Skylark were spotted. Grey partridge, Pheasant and Red-legged partridge was recorded locally while Common swift, House martin, Sand martin and Barn swallow was still present along with Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Magpie and Jay. On the 28th a Raven was recorded passing over the Heron hide before heading towards Pot Ridings wood. Below: Raven.
On the middle path Common whitethroat was recorded in 2 separate territories and along the TPT, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch Greenfinch, Willow warbler and Coal tit were spotted. 80 individual bird species was recorded during July with a total of 108 species recorded for the year to date. Other sightings included Feral pigeon, Stock dove, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Cetti’s warbler, House sparrow, Reed bunting, Bullfinch, Blackbird, Starling and Linnet. Below: Common whitethroat.
August
The Summer holiday season brought additional activities on the river increasing the footfall along the TPT. Working tirelessly in the background the Don gorge volunteer group and YWT carried out essential habitat maintenance up in the Limestone meadow, at Sprotbrough pond, along the pathways and down at both the hides and viewing screen, thank you guys. A juvenile Sparrowhawk was heard over in Levitt Hagg wood and a Kestrel was spotted on the Pear tree at Tower cottages, sightings of Common buzzard were frequent at the Plantation. A Peregrine falcon was recorded on the 12th and a Tawny owl was heard on the 14th. Little owl, and Barn owl were both reported locally along with an Osprey still at Denaby Ings. Below: Common buzzard.
Waterfowl became easier to distinguish with males showing new plumage and wetland bird counts recorded 6 Mute swan, 36 Greylag geese, 8 Canada geese, 16 Cormorant, 4 Grey heron, 1 Little egret, 34 Gadwall, 56 Mallard, 2 Tufted duck, 1 Little grebe, 4 Great crested grebe, 2 Water rail (calling), 5 Moorhen and 12 Coot. 2 Green sandpiper were recorded from the Heron hide on the 10th and 25 Lapwing was spotted down river on the 17th. On the 18th Common sandpiper was observed over at Sprotbrough falls along with a family of Grey wagtails and a Grey heron was spotted with a good sized Barbel. Canada geese and Great crested grebe left the flash as the month progressed along with Greylag geese which were reported over at the quarry. One pair of Greylags remained on the flash, one of the birds has a damaged wing. Below: Green sandpiper.
Ring-necked parakeet sightings were a little further afield after being absent from the local garden for several weeks while the last known sighting of Common tern was on the 7th. Black-headed gull were noted on each visit while Barn swallow, Sand martin, House martin and Common swift were spotted on several occasions. Blackcap, Willow warbler, Cetti’s warbler, Common whitethroat and Reed warbler sightings were less often towards the end of the month. Magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, and Jay were regularly recorded while Raven and Rook was recorded on the 3rd. On the 20th a juvenile Cuckoo was reported tangled in fruit netting in a local garden, the bird was unharmed and remained for a day or two before leaving. Below: Reed Warbler.
80 bird species were recorded during August with a total of 110 species noted for the year to date including Goldcrest, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Robin, Dunnock, Skylark, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed bunting, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Pheasant, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, Pied wagtail, Wren, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Feral pigeon, Stock dove, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Starling, Blackbird, House sparrow and Spotted flycatcher. Below: Spotted flycatcher.
September
An increase in duckweed became a welcome addition to the diet of the resident waterfowl but something of a hinderance for Kingfishers with fewer areas of open water available to fish. A wetland bird count recorded 6 Mute swan, 16 Greylag geese, 2 Canada geese, 34 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 90 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 3 Tufted duck, 16 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great white egret, 3 Grey heron, 2 Little grebe, 1(c) Water rail, 6 Moorhen, 12 Coot, 28 Black-headed gull and 2 Herring gull. A skein of 120 Pink-feet were recorded on the 19th and on the 21st a Great white egret was reported at the Kingfisher hide. An adult Great crested grebe returned with a juvenile and was most likely the pair who had recently left. Below: Great white egret.
A Common buzzard took a Wood pigeon opposite the Heron hide on the 18th while a Kestrel and a Hobby was observed hawking above the corner field before the Hobby took off towards Levitt Hagg wood where 2 juvenile Sparrowhawk was recorded. A Raven passed above the Kingfisher hide and a Red kite was reported from the viewing screen on the 6th. On the 9th a Peregrine falcon was recorded from across the river and on the 10th a Tawny owl was observed in Pot Ridings wood. Migratory birds were on the move once again and sightings of Common whitethroat, Willow warbler, Reed warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sand martin, Barn swallow and House martin became a little more infrequent. Below: Red kite.
Cetti’s warbler, Great tit, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Treecreeper, Dunnock, Robin, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Wren, Blackbird and Bullfinch were recorded regularly and on the 28th a Stonechat was reported in the field hedgerow. Grey wagtail was regularly noted at Sprotbrough falls while Pied wagtail was recorded on the flash. 74 bird species was recorded in September with a total of 112 spotted for the year to date including Pheasant, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon, Stock dove, House sparrow, Song Thrush, Reed bunting, Carrion crow, Great spotted woodpecker, Jay, Ring-necked parakeet, Magpie, Jackdaw, Starling and Green woodpecker. Below: Stonechat.
October
Wigeon and Common snipe were both recorded this month joining a growing population of wetland birds. Autumn colours dominated the landscape along the TPT where a small number of Redwing were observed. Blackbirds were noted on the berries and a Song thrush was seen breaking a snail shell after foraging through the leaf litter. Several Jays cached acorns while a female Tawny owl began calling near to the Kingfisher hide. A Great spotted woodpecker was recorded as it temporarily perched on overhead utility cables while on the flash 2 male Mute swans had a territorial dispute on the 29th ending in a rotational display with Y413/Y793 appearing to be the dominant pair. Below: Wigeon.
Wetland bird counts recorded 100 Pink-feet, 40 Greylag geese, 30 Canada geese, 3 Wigeon, 70 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 44 Mallard, 14 Shoveler, 16 Tufted duck, 14 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey heron, 5 Little grebe, 1 Great crested grebe juvenile, 8 Moorhen, 20 Coot, 7 Common snipe, 60 Black-headed gull, 2 Herring gull, 6 Mute swan and 1 Great white egret. On the 4th 200+ Greylag geese were noted on arable land in Cadeby. Kingfisher activity continued throughout the month and a Water rail was regularly heard calling at both the hides and the screen. Red-legged partridge, Grey partridge and Pheasant were seen locally. Below: Water rail.
Cetti's warblers remained active at both the hides during the month and on the 4th a female Sparrowhawk was recorded heading across the flash while several Common buzzard was recorded each visit. On the 18th
Peregrine falcon was recorded from the TPT and on the 29th a Kestrel was observed at the plantation along with Stock dove, Collared dove and Wood pigeon. On Cadeby mile Goldfinch and Linnet were reported in flocks. A Chiffchaff was singing at the Kingfisher hide and on 29th a male Blackcap was recorded through the left hand window of the hide. A Siskin was reported in a local garden. Below: Siskin.
A total of 72 individual bird species was recorded in October with 112 species recorded for the year to date Including Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Raven, Carrion crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Feral pigeon,
Starling, House sparrow, Great tit, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed bunting, Pied wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Grey wagtail and Bullfinch. Below: Goldcrest.
November
Temperatures dropped bringing snow and ice as some waterfowl headed for the river while others populated several small patches of open water on the flash. A Water rail was spotted at the front of the Kingfisher hide while on the opposite side a Jack snipe was observed in a group of Common snipe before being flushed by a pair of Black-headed gulls. Several wetland bird counts recorded 150 Pink-feet, 24 Greylag geese, 16 Canada geese, 6 Mute swan, 3 Wigeon, 42 Gadwall, 37 Mallard, 11 Shoveler, 7 Tufted duck, 14 Cormorant, 6 Little grebe, 2 Water rail, 6 Moorhen, 24 Coot, 14 Teal, 9 Common snipe, 1 Jack snipe, 120 Black-headed gull, 34 Herring gull, 1 Common gull and 4 Grey heron. Below: Jack snipe.
An overwintering Chiffchaff was spotted at the Kingfisher hide along with both male and female Blackcap, Siskin was recorded in Alder at the side of the hide with a flock of Goldfinch and Bullfinch were spotted on the TPT while Great spotted woodpecker, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Magpie, Long-tailed tit, Great tit, Blue tit and Jay were all observed at the Heron hide feeding station. On the 11th a Marsh harrier was spotted at the flash and Peregrine falcon was noted over Levitt hagg wood, Red kite was reported nearby and a Tawny owl was observed at the edge of Pot Ridings wood on the 13th. Below: Marsh harrier.
5 Ring-necked parakeet were noted at Sprotbrough lock while Common buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were recorded frequently during the month. Green woodpecker was recorded along with Raven on the 10th.
A Kingfisher was regularly observed in the trees along the river near the entrance to the screen where Cetti’s
warbler was frequently heard calling. Opposite the screen 7 Snipe were seen in the edge of the reedbed while Skylark, Jackdaw, Starling, Grey partridge and Stonechat were noted on Cadeby mile. Below: Cetti's warbler.
A total of 74 individual bird species was recorded during November with 113 recorded for the year to date.
This included: Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Carrion crow, Feral pigeon, Stock dove, House sparrow,
Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Redwing, Fieldfare, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, Greenfinch, Reed bunting, Pied wagtail, Wren, Grey wagtail, Pheasant and Red-legged partridge. Below: Redwing on berries.
December
Storm Darragh arrived and gale force wind brought a tree down along the path. The river Don soon became torrential while on the flash, calmer waters had attracted an Otter. The Otter was observed from the Heron hide on the 7th, Kingfisher hide on the 8th and back at the Heron hide on the 31st and each time managed to flush the waterfowl before retreating back to the river. A female Kingfisher was recorded fishing from the branches of a Willow tree which was sheltered from the wind and on the 26th a Water rail was spotted with a sizable fish. A male Pochard was noted from the 28th and was still present as the year ended. Below: Otter.
Several wetland bird counts recorded 9 Mute swan (5 over), 8 Canada geese, 3 Greylag geese, 3 Grey heron, 22 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 14 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 6 Tufted duck, 2f Goosander, 14 Cormorant, 2 Little egret, 3c Water rail, 5 Little grebe, 8 Moorhen, 32 Coot, 9 Common snipe, 70 Black-headed gull and 2 Herring gull. On the 9th a Great white egret was reported on the flash and 30 Lapwing were noted passing over fish pass. 6 Whooper swans also passed through on the 8th and 16th while at Newton Ings Jack snipe, Woodcock and meadow pipit were reported on the 15th and 30 Linnet spotted on the 30th. Below: Female Goosander.
Supplementary winter feeding from the Heron hide continued to attract a number of birds which included Long-tailed tit, Great tit, Blue tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Moorhen, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin, Jay, Great spotted woodpecker and Treecreeper along with the attention of a male Sparrowhawk recorded at the feeding station on several occasions. At the Kingfisher hide a pair of Blackcap were regularly observed along with Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Wren and Song thrush. 2 Chiffchaff and a Cetti’s warbler were also noted while on the 5th a Siskin was spotted. Reed bunting, Redwing, Green woodpecker, Ring-necked parakeet, Mistle thrush, Linnet and Fieldfare sightings were scarce. Below: male Blackcap at the Kingfisher hide.
Grey partridge, Pheasant and Red-legged partridge were noted locally along with sightings of Carrion crow and Jackdaw. On the 19th a pair of Raven flew over Levitt Hagg wood and on the 14th a Marsh harrier was observed before disappearing over Pot Ridings wood. Common buzzard and Kestrel was regularly recorded during the month along with Peregrine falcon seen passing through on the 9th and Tawny owl on the 12th. A total of 78 bird species was recorded in December with 115 species recorded for the year to date including Stock dove, Feral pigeon, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, House sparrow, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Grey wagtail, Pied wagtail, Starling, Red kite and Greenfinch. Below: Kestrel.
Other sightings
Bank vole, Grey squirrel, American mink, Rabbit, Wood mouse, Mole, Weasel, Pygmy shrew, Fox, Roe deer, Hare, Stoat, Frog, Otter, Pike, Carp, Perch, Eel, Roach Rudd and Barbel. 2 Harvest mice nests were spotted clearing both hides at the flash with a further 9 nests discovered at Fowlsyke flash during a survey conducted by the Doncaster Naturalist Society on the 30th. See the mouse hunt report here. Harvest mouse survey 2024
Butterflies
Brimstone, Peacock, Comma, Small tortoiseshell, Orange tip, Holly blue, Green veined white, Small white, Meadow brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, 6 Spot burnet, Red admiral, Large white and Silver washed fritillary. Below: Silver washed fritillary.
Dragonflies
Common blue damselfly, Banded demoiselle, Common darter, Ruddy darter, Emperor, Migrant hawker, Brown hawker and Southern hawker. Below: Emperor dragonfly.
Other invertebrates
Bumble bee, Bee fly, Hover fly, Honey bee, Carder bee, Drone fly, Ladybird, Fire coloured beetle, Dance fly, False oil beetle, Silver stretch spider, Nursery web spider, Scorpion fly, Flesh fly, Asian hornet (was reported) Common green grasshopper, Gall wasp Larvae and Below: White banded grass moth © Andy Summers.
Orchids
Early purple orchid, Twayblade, Common spotted orchid, Pyramidal orchid, Bee orchid, Bird's nest orchid and Fragrant orchid. Below: Bee orchid.
Other plants
Snowdrops, Scarlet elf cup, Daffodil, Wood anemone, Sweet violet, Primrose, Bluebell, Greater stitchwort, Wild garlic, Herb robert, Cow slip, Wood sanicle, Red campion, Bird's-foot trefoil, Wild strawberry, Hops, Selfheal, Autumn gentian, Himalayan balsam and Stinking hellebore. Below: Snowdrops.
