The early morning mist gave way to sunshine on the TPT as frenetic bird-song brought Sprotbrough to life, around the flash we recorded 20+ singing Chiffchaff and 8 Blackcap including a handsome displaying male. 8 Willow warbler was recorded as they joined in the dawn chorus with their familiar descending tones along with 5 noisy Cetti's warbler, 2 Song thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Pied wagtail, a pair of Bullfinch and 2 drumming Great spotted woodpecker. 2 Green woodpeckers 'yaffled' nearby while over at the Kingfisher hide a pair of Stock dove began to reside in the recently replaced owl box. Below: Green woodpecker.
Swallow and House martin joined the growing number of Sand martin hawking over the fields and the flash while around the reserve Wren, Robin and Long-tailed tit nests was discovered. In Pot ridings wood a Green woodpecker was observed excavating a potential new nest hole. A Yellowhammer was recorded locally along with Brambling, Pheasant, Grey partridge and Red-legged partridge while on Cadeby mile Skylark, Meadow pipit and Linnet was reported, at the viaduct there was an influx of Willow warbler. Below: Willow warbler.
At the Heron hide the 3 Mute Cob's were having a territorial dispute while 2 of the 3 Pen's looked on from safe distance, the old resident female was absent and is most likely nesting while at Fowlsyke flash the pair of Mute swans there, were clearly nesting. A wetland bird count conducted during April recorded 34 Greylag geese, 36 Canada geese, 8 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 9 Mallard, 14 Tufted duck, 1f Goosander, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey heron, 1 Little grebe, 2 Great crested grebe, 3 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 4 Black-headed gull, 1 Snipe, 1 Little egret and a Water rail. Kingfisher activity was minimal with a few sightings on the river. By the end of the month 9 Greylag goslings and 4+ Mallard ducklings were recorded. Below: Greylags with goslings.
Common buzzard circled overhead and Sparrowhawk was observed regularly, including one perched in the trees at the plantation. A Red kite was reported on the 8th while Peregrine falcon was recorded on the 11th along with a sighting of a female Kestrel. Ring-necked parakeets were noted close to Sprotbrough lock and a Tawny owl was recorded as it called from the Boat Inn car park. Below: Sparrowhawk.
On the 26th several Reed warbler and a Sedge warbler were recorded in the reedbed spotted from the middle path while in Pot ridings wood a Mistle thrush posed briefly for a photo. Along the TPT a Song thrush was observed smashing a snail on the towpath while a Lesser whitethroat was recorded in trees at the sluice gate. A Willow warbler was also recorded which has been ringed. On the flash 2 pairs of Great crested grebes were now present and displaying before 1 pair was observed mating. Below: Mistle thrush.
A total of 76 individual bird species was recorded during the month with 95 species recorded for the year to date, sightings included Feral pigeon, House sparrow, Starling, Blue tit, Coal tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, Wood pigeon, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Reed bunting, Carrion crow, Collared dove, Jackdaw, Raven, Jay, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Magpie, Grey wagtail.
Other sightings: Stoat, Bank vole, American mink, Grey squirrel and Fox.
Butterflies: Small tortoiseshell, Holly blue, Peacock, Orange tip and Comma.
Insects: Carder bee, Ladybird and Drone fly.
Flowers: Early purple orchid, Bluebells, Wild garlic, Greater stitchwort.
Below: Orange tip and Small tortoiseshell, Early purple orchid and Greater stitchwort © Martyn Kellett.
Next report May 2024.
Sprotbrough flash a popular Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve (YWT) is located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Sprotbrough flash NR is a rich haven for a wide variety of wildlife with a diverse habitat comprising of Wetland, Open water, Woodland and Limestone meadow in the heart of the Don Gorge Valley on the Trans pennine trail (TPT) and along the river Don.
Monthly reports and sightings lists by year:
Yearly round-up reports:
Site map and reserve access points:
Posters and information:
Official YWT link: Sprotbrough Flash | YWT