Recent Bird Sightings

March 2008 - July 2008

Thanks to everyone who has submitted records over the last few months.  Please note it’s still not too late to hand in your 2007 records or even to make an early start on submitting your bird records for 2008.  The following records cover March ‘08 to July ‘08 and are largely unchecked.

(RVCP = Rother Valley CP, TCP = Thrybergh CP)

 

Great Crested Grebe: A single at Silverwood Pit Top on 31^st March was a site first [GF].

 

Black-necked Grebe: A single was at Thybergh CP on 13^th April [MS, PL].  On 18^th April, 2 appeared at Silverwood Pit Top, with 3 here on 20^th and 21^st and a single remaining to 24^th. 

 

Grey Heron: At RVCP 40 were present on 8^th March [KT, ST].

 

Spoonbill: 2 flew north over RVCP on 22^nd June on their way to Old Moor.  One of these birds then flew back south over RVCP the next day [SBSG], leaving a single at Old Moor which remained into July.  The only previous record since the Society’s formation in 1974 was of 2 which passed through Thrybergh CP on 17^th June 1996.

 

Whooper Swan: On 15^th March, 41 were present on the main lake at RVCP [SBSG] and a flock of 85 flew over Roche Abbey.  This was presumably the same flock which landed at Potteric Carr [SK58B].  On 16^th March, 59 were reported from Firsby Res [DW].  In March, 2 adults flew north west at Thrybergh CP on 16^th [TCPBL].  A single at Ulley CP briefly on 16^th March [DMB] had been seen a couple of minutes earlier passing over Treeton Dyke [RJC].  Also on 16^th, 72 flew north west over Roche Abbey [SK58B].  On 29^th March a single was at RVCP [SBSG].  In April, 2 circled Ulley CP on 29^th before leaving south [GF].

 

Pink-footed Goose: A feral bird was at Thrybergh CP during March and remained into June [TCPBL].  At RVCP on 6^th April, 2 were present [KRG].  On 11^th April 80 flew west over Axle Lane [SK58B].

 

Egyptian Goose: A pair at RVCP was seen with 6 goslings on 23^rd March, the first breeding record for Rotherham [SBSG].

 

Shelduck: A pair was at Silverwood Pit Top in March, April and May [GF].  These same birds were seen at various sites including Thrybergh CP and Tip.  It is thought that these birds are breeding somewhere in the area.  The resident bird remained at RVCP. A pair was at Thurcroft Pit Top on 17^th May [SK58B].

 

Mandarin: A male was at Harthill Res on 24^th-25^th March [AP] with a pair here on 20^th April [SBSG]. A drake was at Thrybergh Tip on 4^th May [SBSG].

 

American Wigeon: A male was found at Meadowgate Lake, RVCP on the evening of 23^rd April where it remained until 1^st May.  The first ever Rotherham record.

 

Garganey: A male was found at Treeton Dyke on 5^th May [MNR].

 

Red-crested Pochard: A male was at RVCP on 21^st April.

 

Ferruginous Duck:  The female found at Brown Baileys during Feb continued to commute between here and Langold Lake and was still present at Brown Baileys on 7^th May [SK58B]

 

Scaup: The female remained at Ulley CP until 12^th April [DMB et al]. What was presumably the same bird appeared at RVCP on 9^th March [SBSG].

 

Common Scoter: A pair was at Thrybergh CP on 29^th May [TCPBL].

 

Ruddy Duck: A male at Silverwood Pit Top on 14^th April was a site first [GF].

 

Honey Buzzard: A female flew north east over Firbeck on 17^th May [SK58B].

 

Red Kite: A single was observed for 5 minutes as it passed south over Kings Wood on 13^th March [SM]. A single passed north east over Moorgate on 31^st May [SBSG].  On 9^th June a single passed east over North Anston Pit Top [SK58B].

 

Marsh Harrier: A female was at North Anston Pit Top on 29^th July [SK58B].

 

Hen Harrier: The ‘ringtail’ was last seen at Langold Lake on 4^th April [SK58B].  On 12^th April a ‘ringtail’ flew north over Lingodell [SK58B].

 

Common Buzzard: Now widespread in Rotherham.  Records included 2 in March over Listerdale Wood [GF].  On 9^th March, 16 were counted from Kings Wood Corner, Roche Abbey [SK58B].  On 14^th March, 4 were over Woodsetts [SK58B].  On 6^th April, 4 were seen over Hawks Wood [SK58B].  On 14^th April, 4 were at Ulley CP [GF].  In May up to 5 were at Thrybergh CP [TCPBL].

 

Osprey: A single flew north at Thrybergh CP on 8^th April [TCPBL].  In April, singles passed through RVCP on 6^th and 27^th [SBSG].  On 3^rd May, a single flew north over Kings Wood with another the same day at Sandbeck [SK58B].  On 24^th May, a single flew north at Thrybergh CP [TCPBL].

 

Merlin: Single females were at Axle Lane on 14^th March and 16^th April [SK58B].  On 18^th March a single was at Cliffe Road, Brampton [DS]

 

Hobby: A single left south east from Silverwood Pit Top on 21^st April [GF] with another south east here on 29^th April [GF].  Also in April singles were at Axle Lane on 26^th [SK58B] Thrybergh CP on 28^th [TCPBL] and Dinnington Marsh on 29^th [SK58B].  In May singles were at Ulley CP on 1^st [DW] at Silverwood Pit Top on 7^th [GF] and North Anston Pit Top on 24^th [SK58B].  In SK58 at least one pair has nested [SK58B].  In July a single was seen to catch a Swift on Moorgate on 5^th and a single was at Kiveton Park on 16^th [SBSG].

 

Peregrine: A single flew over South Anston on 6^th March [MC per SK58B].  A single flew west at Ulley CP on 8^th March [DMB].  In April singles were at North Anston Pit Top on 6^th [SK58B], RVCP on 19^th [KRG] and at Axle Lane on 27^th [SK58B].  At Thrybergh CP, a single was present on 8^th [TCPBL].

 

Quail: A single was calling from Rackford Lane, North Anston from 1^st-7^th June [SK58B].  A single at Ulley CP on 2^nd July [KT, ST] was a site first.

 

Water Rail: The over-wintering bird at Thrybergh CP remained until 11^th April [TCPBL].  Also in April a single was calling at Firsby Res on 9^th [PL, SM]. A single was heard calling at Bolehill Flash on 18^th May [RJC].

 

Common Crane: There was an excellent record of 2 flying north over RVCP at 18.25 on 18^th April, with the same birds seen over Brinsworth at 18.45 [SBSG].  They had relocated the next morning, just outside the area at Wombwell Ings.  On 24^th July there was an interesting record of a flock of 37 which passed high WSW over Brampton Bierlow at 13.44 (subject to acceptance by YNU) [DS]. The only previously accepted record was of 2 which passed over Sandbeck Park on 18^th April 1999, amazingly nearly 10 years to the day.

Oystercatchers at Ulley CP © John Jackson 

 

Oystercatcher: At RVCP, 2 were present on 8^th March [KT, ST].  A single was at Thrybergh CP on 29^th March [TCPBL].  On 30^th March a single was at Orgreave [RJC].  In April at Thrybergh CP, singles were present on 5^th and 6^th with 2 here on 3^rd [TCPBL].  On 12^th April a single was at Ulley CP [DMB].  A single was at Thrybergh CP on 19^th May [TCPBL].  Also in May, 4 were at Ulley CP on 20^th [GF] with 6 here on 1^st June [DMB].  At Hoober Hall, a single was present on 25 May, with a pair here on 22^nd June [PL].

 

Ringed Plover: A single at Ulley CP on 12^th April was surprisingly a site first [DMB].

 

Avocet: At RVCP on 19^th April, 2 flew north west at 06.25 [KRG].

 

Golden Plover: A late bird was at Silverwood Pit Top on 28^th May [GF].

 

Dunlin: A single was at Thrybergh CP on 15^th March [TCPBL].  On 13^th April, 2 at Parkgate left north west [PL].  In April at Silverwood Pit Top, a single was present on 28^th with 2 here the next day [GF].  A single was at Thrybergh CP on 27^th April [TCPBL].  On 20^th July a single was at Thrybergh CP [PL].

 

Jack Snipe: A single was in the Candlelight Field, Parkgate on 9^th March [SBSG].  At Silverwood Pit Top, singles were present on 17^th and 24^th March with 2 here on 10^th April [GF].

 

Woodcock: A single was flushed in Silver Wood on 1^st March [GF] and a single was roding at Scholes Coppice on 20^th April [PL].

 

Whimbrel: A single was at Thrybergh CP on 24^th April.  A single was at Thrybergh CP on 2^nd May [TCPBL].

 

Greenshank: A single flew north at RVCP on 19^th April [KRG].

 

Green Sandpiper: A single was at Ulley CP on 4^th March [MAS], with presumably the same bird at Blue Mans Bower on 25^th March [JD, CD et al].  On 15^th March a single was at North Anston Pit Top [SK58B]. On 30^th March, 2 were at Thurcroft Pit Top [SK58B].  In April, singles were at North Anston Pit Top on 3^rd [SK58B], at Ulley CP on 8^th and 17^th April [GF, DMB] and at Thurcroft Pit Top on 26^th.  On 19^th June a single flew south over Silverwood Pit Top [GF].  In July, at Aldwarke SF, 6 were present on 13^th with 5 still here on 27^th [PL].  A single was at Catcliffe Flash on 28^th and 30^th July [RJC, DW].

 

Wood Sandpiper: A single was seen briefly at North Anston Pit Top before leaving north on 7^th May [SK58B].  This is the first record since July 2004 when 1-2 birds were at RVCP.

 

Arctic Skua: A single dark phase adult passed north east over RVCP on 15^th June [RG, KRG].  This is the first record since 2001 when there were a couple of sightings at Thrybergh CP.

 

Little Gull: A single was at Treeton Dyke on 28^th March [RJC].

 

Kittiwake: A single flew north at Thrybergh CP on 19^th March [TCPBL].  On 21^st March an adult was at RVCP [SBSG] with another here on 23^rd March [SBSG].

 

Common Tern: Up to 11 adults were present at Thrybergh CP, where 3 breeding pairs produced 5 young [TCPBL].

 

Black Tern:  A single was at Thrybergh CP on 9^th May [TCPBL].

Turtle Dove: In April singles were at North Anston Pit Top on 29^th and 30^th [SK58B].  A single was at Thrybergh Tip on 12^th May [TCPBL].  At Ulley CP, 2 were singing on 31^st May [DMB], with a single holding territory here throughout the breeding season [DMB].

 

Cuckoo: In April singles were at Thrybergh CP on 24^th and 26^th [TCPBL].  At Thurcroft Marsh a single was present on 26^th and 29^th April [SK58B]. On 27^th a single flew west over Silverwood Pit Top [GF] and a single was at Dinnington Marsh [SK58B]. In May a single was at Thrybergh CP on 15^th [TCPBL] and a single was at Dinnington Marsh on 22^nd [SK58B]. In July, singles were at Ulley CP on 19^th [DMB] and at Silverwood Pit Top on 25^th [GF].

 

Barn Owl: A single was reported from Brampton on 6^th March [SK58B].  A single was at Thrybergh CP on 9^th March [TCPBL].  On 23^rd March singles were at North Anston Pit Top and Langold Pit Top [SK58B].  A single was at Woodsetts on 2^nd April [DH].  Also in April a single was at Thrybergh CP on 12^th and 22^nd [TCPBL].  In May a single flew over Sheffield Road, South Anston on 18^th May [SK58B].  At least one pair bred in SK58 in specially erected nest boxes [SK58B].

 

Long-eared Owl: On 6^th March, 2 sites in SK58 contained a single bird and 3 respectively [SK58B].  On 16^th May, birds were present at 2 sites in SK58 [SK58B].

 

Short-eared Owl: A single was still at Silverwood Pit Top on 9^th March [GF].  Also in March a single was North Anston Pit Top on 3^rd March remained until 13^th April [SK58B].  A single was reported from Dinnington Marsh on 26^th April and 4^th May [SK58B].

 

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: Singles were in Listerdale Wood on 5^th April and 3^rd May [GF].

 

Woodlark: A single passed over Langold Lake on 2^nd March [MC per SK58B]. On 9^th March a single was at Pit House West [SBSG].  On 15^th March a single passed over North Anston Pit Top [SK58B].  On 27^th March a pair was near Langold Lake [SK58B].  Another single was at RVCP on 23^rd March [SBSG].

 

Rock Pipit: In March singles were at Cortonwood Lake on 6^th [DS] and at RVCP on 23^rd [SBSG].

 

Yellow Wagtail: In April, 15 were at Silverwood Pit Top on 14^th [GF] and 11 were at Thrybergh CP on 17^th [MAS].

 

Pied Wagtail: On 23^rd March, 90 were at RVCP [SBSG], with 42 at Thrybergh CP the same day [TCPBL].

 

White Wagtail: In March 4 were at RVCP on 21^st with 3 on 23^rd [SBSG].

 

Black Redstart: A singing first summer male was at Firsby Res on 15^th April [DW].  This is the first record since 1999 when a single was at Treeton in May.

 

Whinchat: In May singles were at Axle Lane on 4^th [SK58B] and at Silverwood Pit Top on 9^th [GF].

 

Stonechat: Up to 4 were still present at Silverwood Pit Top in early March [GF].  Also in March singles were at Thrybergh CP on 4 dates to 21^st [TCPBL], with 3 at both Ulley CP [DMB] and Pit House West on 9^th [SBSG].  Singles were at Ulley CP on a further 3 dates in March [GF].  A pair was at North Anston Pit Top on 3^rd March [SK58B].  A female was at Ulley CP on 1^st April [GF].

 

Wheatear: A single at North Anston Pit Top on 21^st March was the first reported [SK58B] followed by singles at Silverwood Pit Top on 23^rd, 26^th and 31^st March [GF].  During April further singles were at Silverwood Pit Top [GF], Cortonwood [DS], North Anston Pit Top [SK58B], Orgreave [RJC] and Kiveton Pit Top [SK58B].  On 26^th April, 4 were at Thurcroft Pit Top [SK58B] and 2 were at Pit House West [MNR].  In May at Silverwood Pit Top singles were present on several dates to 17^th [GF].  On 3^rd a male was at Kiveton Pit Top [SK58B].  On 8^th July an early returning bird was at Ulley CP [GF].

 

Fieldfare: There was an un-seasonal bird at Kiveton Pit Top on 27^th July [SK58B].

 

Firecrest: A single was found at Roche Abbey on 15^th March [SK58B].

 

Spotted Flycatcher: This is now a very scarce bird in Rotherham.  A single was recorded in Long Thwaite Wood on 18^th May and a pair was found feeding young in Lindrick Dale on 15^th June [SK58B].

 

Woodchat Shrike: One of the rarest ever finds in Rotherham was the discovery of a first summer male in horse paddocks on Rackford Lane, North Anston on the afternoon of 5^th May. It was seen in the same area as the Great Grey Shrike by the same observer.  The bird was still present at dusk, but could not be re-located the next day [SK58B]. A first record for Rotherham.

 

Great Grey Shrike: A single was found along Rackford Lane, North Anston on 3^rd April [SK58B].  This is the first record since a single was at Axle Lane during December 1999-January 2000.

 

Tree Sparrow: Good numbers remained at Thrybergh CP with 60 on 1^st March [TCPBL].

 

Siskin: A single which flew east at Thrybergh CP on 29^th June was an early record.  In July, a single flew south at Ulley CP [MAS] and 20 were at Treeton Dyke on 27^th [SBSG].

 

Twite: On 22^nd April a single was reported from Axle Lane [SK58B].

 

Common ‘Mealy’ Redpoll: A single was found in a flock of 80 Lesser Redpoll at Pit House West on 9^th March [SBSG].

 

Crossbill: In June, a small national influx occurred with 2 over Cortonwood on 24^th [per Birdguides] and 11 flew low south west over Aldwarke On 29^th [PL].  On 27^th July, 3 were at Treeton Dyke [SBSG].

 

Hawfinch: On 9^th and 22^nd March, 2 were in Kings Wood, Roche Abbey [SK58B].  There was an interesting report of a single visiting a garden on Hollins Lane, Ravenfield from 5^th-7^th April [RB].  Could a small population exist in this part of Rotherham? At Kings Wood, Roche Abbey a single was heard on 17^th May [SK58B]

 

Corn Bunting: On 14^th March, 4 were at Axle Lane. A single was at Grange Farm, Loscar Common on 5^th May [SK58B], with 2 singing on Loscar Common on 17^th May [SBSG]. On 18^th June a single was singing at Harthill [SBSG]. In July, 2 pairs were feeding young on Axle Lane [SK58B].

 

First Dates for Migrants

(Chiffchaff & Blackcap not included)

 

  8 March Sand Martin, RVCP

15 March Little Ringed Plover, Cortonwood Lake

21 March Wheatear, North Anston Pit Top

24 March Willow Warbler. Firsby Res

  1 April Swallow – Thrybergh CP.

  3 April Common Sandpiper, Ulley CP

  6 April House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Osprey –

             RVCP

  7 April Sedge Warbler – Thrybergh CP

14 April Whitethroat, Eastwood Canal, Lesser

             Whitethroat, Thrybergh CP

15 April Common Tern Thrybergh CP

21 April Hobby, Silverwood Pit Top

24 April Cuckoo, Thrybergh CP, Swift, RVCP

26 April Reed Warbler, Pit House W

28 April Grasshopper Warbler, RVCP

29 April Turtle Dove, North Anston Pit Top

3 May   Garden Warbler, Thrybergh CP

4 May   Whinchat, Axle Lane

15 May Spotted Flycatcher, Long Thwaite Wood

 

List of contributors

R. Adams, W. Adams, R, Bromley, K Bartlett, P Brown, D.M. Bye, B. Chambers, P. Chambers, M. Clay, R.J. Croxton, R. Davies, C Dye, J Dye, G Featherstone, D. Howard, J. Jackson, T. Kettle, P. Leonard, S. Mitchie, A. O’Neill, A. Page, M.N. Reeder, G. Shentall, I Shentall, M.A. Smethurst, D, Stables, J. Thickitt, A.P. Thompson, K Tupholme, S Tupholme, H. Vilkaitis, D. Warburton, P. Wheway, S White, L. Wilde, D.Williams, D. Woodriff, P. Wragg, A, Ziemacki, Thrybergh CP Bird Log [TCPBL], Sheffield Bird Study Group [SBSG], SK58 Birders [SK58B].

 

How to record birds

 

The RDOS has a bird recording programme and we always want more records from the recording area.

 

All records that are received are entered onto a database at the RMBC Biological Records Centre where they are available to the centre’s users. These records are used to produce the RDOS Annual Bird Report.

 

How do you submit a bird record?

 

When you go out birding take a note book and write down what you see noting the DATE, LOCATION, SPECIES as well as any other information such as how many, direction of flight, behaviour etc.

 

Include your name and address

 

It doesn’t have to be a rare or unusual bird. ALL species are of interest.

 

Some rare species may require a field description; a full list of these can be found in the annual report or ask the recorder.

 

Never assume that someone else will submit a record

Records can then be submitted in the following ways to the RDOS recorder Duncan Bye or any of the committee.

 

Write your sightings down on a piece of paper

 

Use an RDOS recording form; these are available from Duncan Bye either in paper form or via email.

 

Maps of sites can be produced to aid more accurate recording.

RDOS Winter Garden Bird Survey October 2007 - March 2008

 

Thanks to all those who took the time to take part in the Winter Garden Bird Survey, either for the first time or to those who continue to support this popular survey.

This year 41 completed surveys were returned, which represents a slight increase on the previous year.  The table below shows participation of the last 5 years.

 

 

The tables below show the range of surveyed gardens and

the number of species commonly recorded.

 

 

 

This year John Martin at Sheepcote Road, Brecks managed to beat off the competition and record the highest number of species, with 31 species visiting his garden.  John’s garden produced several excellent species with highlights including Blackcap, Fieldfare, Willow Tit, Kestrel, Redwing, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Black headed Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Just below John on 28 species another John, John Ward whose highlights included Blackcap, Bullfinch, Fieldfare and Yellowhammer.

 

In all, 52 species (49 last winter) were recorded in all the gardens with Coot the only new species. This was recorded in a garden at Woodsetts in late December.  Since we began publishing the results of the survey back in 1990-91 (when just 7 gardens took part) a total of 71 species have now been recorded in the surveyed gardens.

 

Although the sample size means that care needs taken when assessing the results and reaching specific conclusions, the number of gardens taking part has stabilized around the 40-50 mark since 1999 making comparisons easier. 

 

The survey does produce significant results and indicates species trends.

 

After “no shows” last year, Jay, Mallard, Treecreeper, Bullfinch and Siskin all made reappearances during the survey.

 

The first column by each species refers to the number of gardens each one was recorded in.

 

Of all the species Blackbird, Blue Tit, Robin and Collared Dove were recorded in all the survey gardens, while House Sparrow and Starling were present in all but one.

 

In the survey as a whole Blackbird continues to be our commonest garden bird.  The top 10 species showed changes with Great Tit recovering from last year’s 20% decrease in occurrences to replace Magpie and become the 9^th commonest bird.  Some of the species have changed position, with House Sparrow dropping from 2^nd to 4^th most common bird.  Last year virtually all the species showed a decrease in their frequency of occurrence, this was reversed with many species recovering from last winter’s drop.

 

The most significant increases were for Robin (up 16%), Great Tit (up 13%), Coal Tit (up 11%), Starling (up 10%), Woodpigeon (up 9% to its biggest ever survey total), Chaffinch, Wren, Goldfinch, Song Thrush and Tree Sparrow (all up 6%).  These increases have gone some way to make up for last year’s decreases. As well as Great Tit, Coal Tit had dropped 20% with Wren down 15%, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Mistle Thrush all down 10%, Robin, Magpie, Sparrowhawk, Song Thrush and Carrion Crow down 8% and Dunnock and Woodpigeon down 6%. Bucking the upward trend was House Sparrow (down 5%), Goldfinch and Sparrowhawk (down 4%).  We shall have to see if this fluctuating pattern is maintained next winter. 

 

In previous surveys Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Goldfinch and Woodpigeon records have tended to peak towards the end of the survey and this was once again the case.

 

Coal Tit records returned back to their peak at the beginning of the survey, rather than the end of the survey as witnessed last winter.

 

Of the winter visitors Siskin made a welcome return to the survey, but along with Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling and Lesser Redpoll they continue to be scarce.  Blackcap again decreased slightly this winter, while Chiffchaff remains scarce.

 

Of interest were those single gardens who managed to record Coot, Stock Dove, Linnet, Chiffchaff, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Redpoll, Lesser Black backed Gull, Mallard and Brambling.  Other interesting records were the two gardens with Black headed Gull, Grey Wagtail and Jay

 

The highest number of species was recorded during the 02-08 March period when a total of 37 species were recorded.  The survey showed that March was the best month with all the weeks producing over 34 or more species.

Enclosed with this copy of CHAT is the new Winter Garden Bird Survey Form.  Remember even our ‘common’ birds are of interest as it is these species which often indicate population changes on a wider front.

 

All those who participated this time please do so again and those of you who have never taken part please have a go this year. If you know anyone who might want to take part in the survey why not give them a copy.