The day started at Broomhill Flash which is managed by the Garganey trust, at 7am, Broomhill was quiet, the highlight being a Marsh Harrier trying to make a meal out of a Teal, which narrowly escaped thanks to a nearby bush, other birds noted were Oystercatcher, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, and Mallard.
We moved on then to Wombwell Ings, which is the next field over from Broomhill Flash, all part of the Dearne Valley complex, target here for the day was Water Pipit, which was a no show, Redshank, and Skylarks were very notable, along with Reed Buntings, wildfowl here were Canada Goose, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Cormorant.
We then moved on to Warbler Way, where there were more Chiffchaff, but we also picked up new birds for the year, Willow Warbler and a male Blackcap, we also found Buzzard and Sparrowhawk.
On then to RSPB Old Moor, target bird here was Garganey, and again a no show bird, however there were plenty to see, Little Egret, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Pintail, Tufted Duck, plenty of Cetti’s Warblers were giving out there explosive songs, a few of the birds even gave excellent views. A new bird for the year was a Common Sandpiper, which we found from the East Pool Hide. The best place for me today was at the Tree Sparrow Farm were there were plenty of birds to see and photograph, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Brambling, Great Tit and Blue Tit.
Our last site for the day was RSPB St Aidan’s on the reports of another Gargeney, and once again no show, despite extensive searching. Our highlights at here were, the Black necked Grebes, Bearded Tit, an in flight Bittern, Willow Warblers, Blackcap and a single Sand Martin.
Broomhill Bird List ; Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Coot, Gadwall, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Lesser Black backed Gull, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon (18)
Wombwell Ings Bird List ; Blackcap, Black Headed Gull, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Chiffchaff, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Lapwing, Lesser Black backed Gull, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Long tailed Tit, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Robin, Shoveler, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Willow Warbler, Wren (31)
RSPB Old Moor Bird List : Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Brambling, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Sandpiper, Coot, Cormorant, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Lesser Black backed Gull, Lesser Redpoll, Little Egret, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pintail, Redshank, Robin, Shelduck, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon (34)
RSPB Old Moor Butterflies ; Brimstone, Comma, Peacock
St Aidan’s Bird List ; Bearded Tit, Bittern, Blackcap, Black headed Gull, Black necked Grebe, Canada Goose, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coot, Cormorant, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Lesser Black backed Gull, Little Grebe, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pochard, Redshank, Robin, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Teal, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon (32)
Lesser Redpoll
Brambling
Huddsbirder 