Pink- feet were once again heard over the Don valley with a skein of around 120 birds observed passing over the flash on the 19th of September. Increasing weed cover became a welcome addition to the Duck diet and somewhat of a hinderance for the Kingfisher's who had to be selective on places to catch fish. On the 21st a Great white egret was noted from the Kingfisher hide, the first sighting of 2024 while the presence of a Red kite seen in the wider Sprotbrough area included a sighting of the bird from the viewing screen on the 6th.
Above: Red kite.
Wetland bird counts conducted during the month recorded 6 Mute swans (3 on the flash and 3 on the river) 120 Pink-footed geese (over), 16 Greylag geese (including the 3 very pale birds), 2 Canada geese, 34 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 90 Mallard, 1 Shoveler (female), 3 Tufted duck, 16 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great white egret, 3 Grey heron, 2 Little grebe, 2 Great crested grebe (presumably 1 returning adult and 1 Juvenile), 1 Water rail, 6 Moorhen, 12 Coot, 28 Black-headed gull and 2 Herring gull.
Above: Pink-footed geese.
Grey wagtail was recorded on a number of occasions at Sprotbrough falls and at the lock while Pied wagtail was observed on the flash. On the 18th a Common buzzard was noted taking a Wood pigeon in the farmers field and 5 more circled over Pot Ridings wood. Kestrel and Hobby were observed hawking dragonflies over the corner field before the Hobby headed towards Levitt Hagg where 2 juvenile Sparrowhawk were spotted. A Raven ‘cronked’ noisily as it passed above the Heron hide and a Kingfisher perched briefly before heading further down the flash. Peregrine falcon was recorded on the 9th and Tawny owl was reported on the 10th.
Above: Common buzzard with Wood pigeon and Hobby.
At the Kingfisher hide a Great white egret was observed with a large fish while around the reserve sightings of Common whitethroat, Willow warbler, Reed warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sand martin, House martin and Barn swallow began petering off as the month progressed. Cetti’s warbler continued to be regularly seen along with common woodland birds including Great tit, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Treecreeper, Robin, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Blackbird and Bullfinch. On the 28th a Stonechat was recorded in the field hedgerow, this was the first sighting this year.
Above: Great white egret
Kingfisher sightings remained frequent throughout the month with male and female birds regularly noted. A total of 74 individual bird species was recorded in September with a total of 112 bird species recorded for the year to date and included Pheasant, Grey partridge, Red-legged partridge, Starling, Wood pigeon, Rock dove, Stock dove, Collared dove, House sparrow, Song Thrush, Reed bunting, Carrion crow, Great spotted woodpecker, Ring-necked parakeet, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw and Green woodpecker.
Above: female Kingfisher.
Other sightings included Roe deer, American mink, Grey squirrel, Bank vole and Rabbit while clearance of the paths to the hides by YWT and Don Gorge Volunteers revealed two Harvest mice nests, both were used and empty but showed evidence of breeding. Brown hawker, Southern hawker, Migrant hawker, Common darter, Common damselfly, Small white, Large white, Red admiral and Comma were also recorded. Along the TPT wild hops (Humulus Lupulus) was also noted climbing through the bramble hedgerow.
Above: Harvest mouse nest © YWT, Brown Hawker © Andy Summers, Wild hops (Humulus Lupulus)
Next report October 2024.
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