Sprotbrough Flash Sightings

October highlights 2026.

A Great white egret and 2 Little egret were recorded at the flash on the 1st, and was the first of many sightings in October, with as many as 3 of each regularly noted. 22 Lapwing, 12 Swallow and 11 Skylark passed over while 6 Yellowhammer and 7 Grey partridge were seen in the fields. 4 Chiffchaff, Nuthatch and Blackcap were singing along the TPT and 4 Snipe and a female Wigeon were reported at the Kingfisher hide. Great white egret.

On the 2nd a (m) Stonechat, 7 Yellowhammer and 5 House martin were recorded along with Red kite, 2 Peregrine falcon, Green woodpecker and 2 Great spotted woodpecker while 5 Redwing, 9 Swallow and 48 Pink-feet passed over. On the 4th 2 Great white egret were joined on the flash by 3 Little egret and 4 Snipe were also recorded. Stonechat.

A Green sandpiper was recorded at the Heron hide on the 5th and on the 7th 8 Whooper swan passed over followed by 1 Siskin, 9 Golden plover and 189 Pink-feet. 1 Redshank, 1 Water rail, 3 Grey wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk and a Kingfisher were also recorded. Over on the top field Yellowhammer numbers peaked at 21 birds. Green sandpiper.

In Cadeby a male Merlin was noted on the 7th and 9th along with 4 Stonechat, 13 Grey partridge, 60 Starling, 80 Linnet, 6 Skylark and c75 Pied wagtail, the latter being hunted by a female Sparrowhawk. 30 Pink-feet passed over the flash while several Jay cached nuts and 8 Pheasant were in the tall grass opposite the Kingfisher hide. Sparrowhawk.

A Wetland bird count recorded 4a+7j Mute swan, 357 Pink-feet, 4 Greylag geese, 2 Canada geese, 1(f) Wigeon, 42 Gadwall, 32 Mallard, 12 Shoveler, 12 Teal, 8 Tufted duck, 20 Cormorant, 3 Little egret, 3 Great egret, 3 Grey heron, 8 Little grebe, 1 Great crested grebe, 1 Water rail, 16 Moorhen, 62 Coot, 9 Snipe, 42 BH gull and 1 Herring gull. Little egret.

On the 16th around 90 Pied wagtail were spotted on the field with 6 Grey partridge and on the 18th a male Bullfinch was perched on an overhead cable. 2 female Goosander were noted from the screen on the 20th and 15 Redwing passed over Levitt Hagg wood. On the 25th 17 Lapwing and 26 Red-legged partridge were noted on Cadeby mile. Goosander.

Common buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were regularly recorded during October with additional sightings of Merlin, Red kite and Peregrine falcon. A Tawny owl was recorded calling from the trees opposite the car park on the 21st and a Barn owl was observed hunting the fields on Cadeby lane at dusk on the evening of the 27th. Merlin.

Kingfisher activity continued throughout October with frequent sightings at the Heron hide. Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven and Magpie were also noted along with Wood Pigeon, Stock dove, Feral pigeon and Collared dove. A total of 84 individual bird species were recorded during the month with 121 birds recorded for the year to date. Kingfisher.

Other bird sightings: Blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Wren, Song thrush, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Robin, Goldfinch, House sparrow, Cetti's warbler, Treecreeper, Greenfinch, Meadow pipit, Chaffinch and Reed bunting. On the 13th and 28th a Red fox was recorded and on the 27th an Otter was observed on the flash. Fox.

Below: Otter © Colin Spruce, Terrapin © John Mackie. Full sightings list here: Sightings list 2026

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(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).