Sprotbrough Flash Sightings

February2026.

Heavy rainfall brought localised flooding and Pastures road was closed at YWT Denaby Ings while high levels of water on the Flash dispersed the majority of Wetland birds. Over on the Canal near the lock the water was calm attracting 4 male and 3 female Goosander and a pair of Kingfisher. Greylag geese and Canada geese took to the surrounding fields while a handful of Mallard, Tufted duck, Gadwall, Coot, Moorhen, Little grebe, Teal and Cormorant toughed it out on the Flash. A Pair of Goosander.

On the 3rd it was bitterly cold and with the help of a thermal scope we looked for Woodcock in Pot Ridings Wood. Most sightings turned out to be Rabbit, Bank vole and Grey squirrel, however we managed to locate a skulking Bittern in the reedbed from the middle path opposite the Kingfisher hide. The Bittern was subsequently reported on the 7th and 9th. A pair of Sparrowhawk's were observed passing over the Plantation on the 3rd and 7th and a male was spotted at the Boat Inn on the 19th. Common buzzard and Kestrel were regularly noted while a Marsh harrier was reported at the flash on the 16th and 20th. On the 25th a pair of Peregrine falcon passed overhead. Marsh harrier (stock).

A pair of Goosander were regularly recorded throughout the month along the Don, on the Canal at the lock and on the Flash, including a sighting on the 19th of the pair mating. Pochard was recorded on the 16th and 20th and a Single Great crested grebe returned on the 26th. Wetland bird counts conducted during the month recorded 2 Mute swan, c1000 Pink-footed geese (over), 35 Greylag geese, 8 Canada geese, 34 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 16 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 34 Tufted duck, 7 Goosander, 14 Cormorant, 1 Bittern, 4 Grey heron, 1 Water rail, 2 Little grebe, 1 Great crested grebe, 14 Moorhen, 32 Coot, 1 Lapwing, 5 Common snipe, 40 BH gull and 2 Herring gull. Bittern (stock).

14 Siskin were recorded on the 9th and 26th and a single Redpoll was recorded on the 27th. Great spotted woodpecker and Green woodpecker were heard calling from Levitt Hagg wood. Song thrush, Blackbird and Redwing were regularly noted on the TPT. Locally c14 Red-legged partridge was reported followed by a sighting of 4 Grey partridge along Cadeby road. Kingfisher activity continued throughout the month with numerous sightings on the Flash, along the river and on the Canal. Several Cetti’s warbler were regularly heard calling from both hides and at the sluice gates. Grey partridge.

At the lock Grey wagtail was recorded while at the viewing screen both Moorhen and Coot were noted with nesting material. At the Kingfisher hide a single Lapwing was spotted on the 26th and Stock doves were seen on the Owl box. Early morning birdsong on the TPT included Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon, Collared dove, House sparrow, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Robin, Goldcrest, Starling and Wren. Northern lapwing.

72 bird species was recorded during February with 83 birds recorded for the year to date, other sightings in the Sprotbrough Flash catchment area included Pheasant, Magpie, Jay, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Mistle thrush, Rook, Reed bunting, Greenfinch, Linnet and Raven. On the 13th an Otter was observed at the Heron hide, it surfaced twice before disappearing and was seen later that day from the Kingfisher hide. On the 25th the Otter was spotted again from the Heron hide. Otter (stock).

At the Kingfisher hide repairs are still ongoing by YWT and Don Gorge Volunteers, replacement panels have been erected around the access door at the side of the hide and the roof has been repaired, Willow fencing is also being constructed. Other sightings included Snowdrops and some very interesting Fungi, Scarlet Elf cup, Oysterling, Blushing bracket and Turkey tail. Snowdrops and Turkey tail.

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).