Sprotbrough Flash Sightings

August highlights 2026.

The month was dominated by Kingfisher activity increasing footfall at the reserve as visitors returned to catch a glimpse of a confiding young female. Red kite and Spoonbill were both recorded passing through and several Common snipe returned along with Northern lapwing. 24 Grey partridge were reported on Cadeby mile and an Osprey was spotted catching fish from the Heron hide. Great white egret dropped in twice and Little egret became a regular sighting as hot and dry conditions continued to reduce water levels. Kingfisher.

A juvenile Great crested grebe remained on the flash during the month as sightings of Little grebes increased and an a pair of Little grebes were noted with 2 chicks on the 7th. A pair of Mute swans from Fowlsyke flash were spotted on the river with 7 cygnets while the ringed pair (Y793 and Y413) stayed on Sprotbrough flash throughout the month. A Common tern was recorded fishing on the 4th and a Lesser black-backed gull was noted harassing waterfowl. On the 25th the Gull was observed dispatching an unfortunate Little grebe chick leaving the adults pair with one remaining chick. Juvenile Little grebe.

A wetland bird count conducted on the 4th recorded 2 Mute swan, 11 Canada geese, 22 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 19 Mallard + 6 ducklings, 1 Northern shoveler, 2 Tufted duck, 8 Cormorant, 4 Grey heron, 1 Little grebe, 1 Great crested grebe, 1c Water rail, 16 Moorhen, 18 Coot, 1 Northern lapwing, 1 Common tern, 4 Black-headed gull and 3 Kingfisher. Two Spoonbills passed over the river near the Boat inn on the 14th and a Great white egret was recorded on the 19th and 24th while Little egret sightings egret sightings were frequent and up to 3 Common snipe were also recorded from the Heron hide. Great white egret.

2  juveniles and an adult Kingfisher were observed in a territorial dispute at the side of the heron hide on the 4th before they took off down the Flash, later one of the juveniles, a female, emerged relatively unscathed, since then the young bird has been a frequent visitor at the heron hide, Other Kingfisher activity continued along the river and at the Kingfisher hide where the young female was recorded hovering and an adult female was noted fishing and perching on the 28th before carrying off the fish in a delivery position, speculating the possibility of a late summer brood. hovering female Kingfisher.

Reed bunting, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Blackcap, Cetti’s warbler and Reed warbler were all recorded in August and a Garden warbler was recorded along the TPT near the Heron hide on the 19th. On the 28th a pair of Bullfinch were recorded opposite Tower cottages along with a Goldcrest near to the viewing screen. Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit and Long-tailed tit were also noted along with Blackbird, Starling, House sparrow, Grey wagtail, Song thrush, Robin, Skylark, Wren and Dunnock. Garden warbler.

A Red kite was recorded over the reserve on the 7th, a Hobby was recorded on the 19th and a Sparrowhawk was recorded on the 22nd while Common buzzard was recorded during most visits. On the 23rd an Osprey was reported passing over and on the 24th the Osprey was observed catching fish from the Heron hide before taking off after being pursued by a Common buzzard. A Kestrel was recorded several times, a Tawny owl was noted on the 14th, and Little owl on the 16th, along Spring lane. Osprey © Colin Spruce.

A total of 74 individual bird species was recorded during August with 117 bird species recorded for the year to date including:  Raven, Jay, Sand martin, House Martin, Barn swallow, Swift, Great spotted woodpecker, Green woodpecker, Carrion crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Red-legged partridge, Grey partridge, Wood pigeon, Pheasant, Collared dove, Feral pigeon and Stock dove. Other sightings: Grey squirrel, Bank vole, Roe deer.  

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Above: Kestrel, Stock dove, Common snipe, Grey heron, Common tern and Little egret.

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).