Sprotbrough flash sightings

Sightings for March 2025.

The month began with an early morning stroll along the stretch of Trans Pennine Trail at Sprotbrough flash where we recorded singing Song thrush, Nuthatch and Chiffchaff along with views of Blackcap, Dunnock, Wren, Great tit, Blue tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Long-tailed tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow and Blackbird. A Kingfisher passed by on the river while a pair of Mallard waddled down the path. Mallard.

On the 7th a Kingfisher was spotted fishing from a reed at Kingfisher hide and 2 Cetti’s warbler were vocal. A pair of Reed bunting busily plucked the head of a reedmace and on the water a pair of Great crested grebe were observed displaying. Other sightings included male and female Goosander, Canada geese, Mute swans, Cormorant, Teal, Gadwall, Black-headed gull, Water rail, Coot and Common snipe flushed by a Moorhen. Tufted duck and Greylag geese were recorded at the Heron hide and A Common buzzard was noted on the Osprey stand. 8 Pheasants were in the field and in the reedbed a Little grebe was heard calling. Red kite was recorded as it flew over the hide heading towards Pot Ridings wood. Kingfisher.

Wetland bird counts conducted during the month recorded 4 Mute swans (2 on the flash 2 on the river), 19 Whooper swan (heading NW on the 8th), 60 Pink-footed geese (heading NW on the 7th), 38 Greylag geese, 14 Canada geese, 18 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 24 Mallard, 4m+1f Pochard, 20 Tufted duck, 4m+3f Goosander (1 pair observed mating on the 12th), 16 Cormorant, 1 Little egret, 4 Grey heron, 1 Water rail, 5 moorhen, 18 Coot, 1 Little grebe, 2 Great crested grebe, 4 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 32 B.H gull and 1 Herring gull. G.C. Grebe.

A foggy cold start on the morning of the 10th (around 3°C). On the canal a pair of Goosander was recorded along with 2 Grey wagtail and a Kingfisher. Over at the screen a Weasel foraged in the undergrowth while at the Kingfisher hide a Water rail was briefly spotted but remained elusive. A Common buzzard was observed on the opposite post having a toad for breakfast and on the water a further 2 males and 1 female Goosander were also present along with a male Pochard. Over at the Heron hide a party of 4 Otters swam into the reeds being harassed by several Black-headed gulls before disappearing out of view. Presumably the family unit of 3 juveniles and an adult female seen on several occasions before. On the TPT at least 8 singing Chiffchaff's was heard along with a pair of Bullfinch and a Green woodpecker. Otter.

Grey Partridge and Red-legged partridge was recorded locally during the month along with several sightings of Northern lapwing Skylark, Stonechat, Linnet, and Meadow pipit. At Newton farm the set-aside was now almost dry with 2 Jack snipe and 3 Common snipe reported. A Kestrel perched in a tree at the Heron hide as a Sparrowhawk passed overhead and a Stoat was seen crossing the path. On Cadeby mile a Marsh Harrier was reported and on Nursery lane a Woodcock was recorded on the 15th. Raven, Jay, Ring-necked parakeet, Peregrine falcon, Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon and Collared dove were also recorded along with a pair of Stock dove observed in the Owl box at the Kingfisher hide a number of times. Northern Lapwing.

A total of 80 individual bird species was recorded during March with 92 species recorded for the year to date Other birds noted included Yellowhammer, Pied wagtail, Sand martin, Goldcrest, Greenfinch, Treecreeper, Goldfinch, Coal tit, Great spotted woodpecker, Starling, House sparrow, Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle thrush, Oystercatcher and sadly a Tawny owl which was reported dead in the Canal on the 31st. Common buzzard.

Other sightings included: Red fox, American mink, Grey squirrel, Rabbit, Bank vole, Stoat, Weasel, 4 Otter, Common toad, Common frog, European mole, Grass snake, Common carp and Pipistrelle bat. Over at the pond Frog spawn was present. Peacock, Brimstone and Comma butterflies were also noted along with Dog violet, Ransom, Bluebell, Lesser celandine, Rosehip, Primrose, Turkey tail, Lumpy bracket, and Lungwort.  

Image credits: Comma and Peacock © Andy Summers, Brimstone © Colin Spruce, Lumpy bracket and Turkey tail © Dave Martin, Dog violet, Primrose and Bluebells © Marie Cosgrove.

Next report April 2025.

Sightings list 2024