Sprotbrough Flash Sightings

August Sightings On the 5th a mixed flock of 50 Swift, Swallow and Martins was observed hawking above the field at Tower cottages. On the 10th 90 Swallows were spotted feeding and perching on overhead cables. By the 13th there were around 200 in the valley and by the 15th these numbers had increased to +500 all on nearby power lines which suddenly erupted and left en masse. On the 23rd another gathering of around 300 Swallows and Martins was recorded during the mid-afternoon, feeding and perching on the overhead utility lines along with 8 Common swift observed hawking over the fields. Barn Swallows.

A pair of Mute swans (Y914/Y888) remained on the flash with their 2 Cygnets which are growing fast while along the canal, river and at the falls sightings of several Mute swans continued throughout the month, these are most likely the pair which had 4 Cygnets at Newton farm earlier in the season. A pair of Moorhens had 4 Chicks late in the month and was noted from the Kingfisher hide while over at the Heron hide a second pair already had 4 young and both pairs are successfully managing to keep their broods safe. Wetland bird counts conducted during the month recorded 6a+2j Mute swans, 18 Gadwall, 22 Mallard, 2 Tufted duck, 4 Little grebe, 1 Great crested grebe, 2 Water rail, 7a+8j Moorhen, 9 Coot, 1 Common snipe, 6 Cormorant, 1 Little egret, 6 Grey heron, 2 Common tern and 4 Black-headed gull. Mute swans.

Common buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were recorded during the month while on the 4th 2 Peregrine falcon were observed passing over the river. On the 9th a Red kite was reported and on the 10th a Tawny owl was heard calling. 2 Ring-necked parakeet were reported on the 12th in Levitt Hagg wood along with Green woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker was recorded along the TPT. Raven was noted on the 14th and Jay, Jackdaw, Magpie and Carrion crow were regularly recorded during the month. Red kite.

Kingfisher activity increased along the river Don with reports from fishermen of multiple sightings while at the flash 2 juveniles were often seen passing by the Kingfisher hide and recorded perched at the Heron hide. Water rails were observed with juvenile sub-adults at both hides prompting speculation of at least 2 actively breeding pairs. Kingfisher and Water rail.

Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed warbler, Cetti’s warbler and Willow warbler were recorded in August along with Reed bunting, Bullfinch, Nuthatch, Song thrush, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Linnet, Goldfinch, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Great tit, Blue tit, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail and on the 10th Yellow wagtail was noted at the Kingfisher hide. On the 2nd a single Crossbill was reported heading North east and on the 23rd 2 Yellowhammer were reported in a local garden. Blackcap.

A total of 73 Individual bird species was spotted in August with 113 recorded for the year to date including Red-legged and Grey partridge, Pheasant, Starling, House sparrow, Rock dove, Stock dove, Collared dove and Wood pigeon. Other sightings included female Roe deer with a youngster, Grey squirrel, Rabbit, Bank vole and a Grey mink found dead on Boat ln on the 25th, presumably run over. White letter hairstreak was added to the Butterfly list and Migrant hawker was added to the Dragonflies. Roe Deer © Colin Spruce.  

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 August 2025, full sightings list here: Sightings list 2025