Sprotbrough Flash Sightings

December sightings.

Geese returned to the Flash during December with c230 Greylags and 6 Canada geese recorded on the field with 50 Pink feet geese recorded passing over on the 13th. The resident pair of Mute swans are known to be aggressive and was generally tolerant of the en-masse arrival of geese until a new pair of Mute swans dropped in on the 19th. The pair which hadn't been seen previously on the Flash prompted a swift response from the resident pair who immediately ejected the interlopers. Increased water levels were enough to move on a good number of waterfowl as Wigeon, Teal and Mallard numbers dropped while Tufted duck numbers started to pick up along with Northern shoveler, a male Goosander was joined by a female on the 12th. Goosander.

Wetland bird counts recorded 4 Mute swans, 4 Grey heron, 150 Greylag geese, 6 Canada geese, 50 Pink-feet 14 Cormorant, 6 Shoveler, 12 Tufted duck, 68 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 28 Mallard, 32 Coot, 1 Water rail 12 Moorhen, 5 Little grebe, 1 Common snipe, 40 Black headed gull, 5 Herring gull and 1 pair Goosanders. (8Y22) and his mate evicted by the resident pair - not recorded on the Flash before.

Pheasant, Grey partridge and Red-legged partridge were reported locally along with Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay and Raven on the 19th. There were no reports of Green woodpecker or Ring-necked parakeet although Great spotted woodpecker was noted on the 22nd. Feral pigeon, Wood pigeon and Collared dove were recorded along with sightings of several Stock dove on the Owl box at the Kingfisher hide. 50 Lapwing passed over, sightings of Common snipe were scarce and Water rail was mainly heard from the reedbed with an occasional sighting. Kingfisher activity was mainly on the river, and sightings were fleeting. Kingfisher.

Redwing continued to dominate the TPT with additional sightings of Fieldfare, Mistle thrush, Song thrush Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest Bullfinch, Dunnock, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackcap, Long-tailed tit, Wren, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, House sparrow, Treecreeper, Linnet, Goldfinch, Redpoll, Coal tit, Nuthatch Starling and Siskin. Cetti’s warbler was noted at the Kingfisher hide several times with at least 2 other calling on the reserve, Grey and Pied wagtail was recorded and Reed bunting was recorded on the 26th. Fieldfare.

A cream crowned Marsh harrier was reported flying out from the reedbeds at the Kingfisher hide on the 19th of December while Common buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine falcon and Tawny owl were also noted during the month. An Otter was observed fishing on the flash from the Heron hide on the 12^th. The Otter was observed returning to the reedbed with its catch on a number occasions before leaving an hour or so later. Bank vole and Grey squirrel was also recorded. 72 individual bird species was recorded in December with 118 species recorded for the year to date. 

Above: Marsh harrier and Below: Otter.

YWT Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve is located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A rich haven for a wide variety of Wildlife with a diverse habitat comprising of Wetland, Open water, Woodland, Plantation and Grassland in the heart of the Don Gorge valley along the river Don and Trans Pennine trail (TPT). Next report December 2025, sightings list here: Sightings list 2025