Sprotbrough Flash Sightings

March highlights 2026

5 Common gull and 1 Northern lapwing were recorded on the 1st and a pair of Goosander was recorded on the 3rd along with a second Great crested grebe. The Grebe pair started displaying before mating and attempting to nest build. A male Merlin was noted flying South on the 20th while on the Flash, 2 Little egret and 2 Sand martin were reported. 2 Avocets circled before heading North on the 21st (the first record for the reserve) and a Great white egret was seen from the Kingfisher hide as it circled around before taking off. On the 26th a Barn swallow was noted at Sprotbrough Flash and a singing Willow warbler was recorded near Conisbrough viaduct at Fowlsyke Flash. Great crested grebes.

Kingfisher activity was mostly confined to the river where a Grey heron was observed with a large Pike and a pair of Grey wagtails were noted taking food back to their chicks near the lock. A pair of Mute swans, most likely last year’s pair from Newton farm, were seen mating. 2 Snipe were recorded at the Kingfisher hide and a second Willow warbler was heard near Tower cottages. A Cream crowned Marsh harrier was noted on the 29th followed by a sighting of a Woodcock at dusk on the 31st. Willow warbler.

On Cadeby Mile a Corn bunting was reported singing and was last recorded in the catchment area in 1994, Other sightings included 1f Stonechat, 10 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Reed bunting, 3 Red-legged partridge, 9 Lapwing, 4 Grey partridge and 1 male Merlin observed for several minutes chasing Skylark. At Fowlsyke Flash sightings included 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Green woodpecker, 4 Common buzzard and a singing Willow warbler the first of the season,  On the water 2 immature Mute swans were being chased off by an adult pair, several Greylag geese were on the adjacent field. Nuthatch.

A Domestic goose found its way onto the Flash and was promptly despatched by the resident Mute swans who have become territorial, the Mute swans also ejected all the Greylag geese and Canada geese for good measure. Several wetland bird counts recorded 2 Mute swans, 25 Greylag geese, 8 Canada geese, 18 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 12 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 21 Tufted duck, 12 Cormorant, 2 Great crested grebe, 4 Little grebe, 1 Water rail, 9 Moorhen, 24 Coot, 18 Black-headed gull, 1 Lesser black-backed gull, 1 Herring gull. Male Pochard.

At the Heron hide a pair of Common buzzard were observed on top of the Osprey stand. The male took off and returned shortly after with a Bank vole for female. Red kite, Peregrine falcon, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel was recorded during March along with a calling Tawny owl on the 16th. On the TPT Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Siskin, Goldcrest, Redwing, Bullfinch, Coal tit, Song thrush, Robin, Goldfinch, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Great tit, Blue tit and Nuthatch were recorded along with several pairs of Long-tailed tits observed nest building. Common buzzards.

March brought some patches of milder weather along with some sunny intervals. The Environment Agency cleared a dam which was blocking the outward flow of water from the Flash, the main cause of high water levels over the last few months. The maintenance work had an immediate effect with the levels dropping around 6 cm overnight before the return channel silted up and exit flow stopped. Water levels currently remain high and the issue has been reported to YWT. Female Reed bunting at the viewing screen.

A total of 84 individual bird species was recorded during March with 95 species recorded for the year to date including Starling, Feral pigeon, House sparrow, Collared dove and Wood pigeon along with a pair of Stock dove observed potentially nesting at the owl box from the Kingfisher hide. Stock dove.

The first Butterflies of the season were recorded in March and included Peacock, Comma and Brimstone. In Pot ridings woods, Early Purple Orchid shoots were noted along with patches of Bluebells and Sweet violets. Other sightings included Rabbit, Grey squirrel, Bank vole, Common toad and Pike.

Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Sweet violet, Flying Pike courtesy of © Andy Summers.

Sightings list here: Sightings list 2026

(YWT) Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve is located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A rich haven for a wide variety of Wildlife with diverse habitats comprising of Wetlands, Open water, Ancient woodlands, Plantation and Limestone grasslands in the heart of the Don Gorge Valley, along the river Don and forming part of the Trans Pennine trail (TPT).