We hope you enjoy using this website and find it a useful resource which adds to your knowledge of the wildlife of Rawmarsh.

Recent Sightings

THURSDAY 8TH MAY 2008

New Stubbin - (18.15-19.45hrs) - The probable 'Greenland race' Wheatear was still showing well in the horse field (See Recent Photo's). The Garden Warbler was still singing and the Linnet flock has increased to 21 bird's. A couple of Dingy Skipper's were seen and a few spring wild flower's were found including Greatear Stitchwort, Ground Ivy, Meadow Vetchling and Bird's-foot-trefoil (See Recent Photo's).

WEDNESDAY 7TH MAY 2008

New Stubbin - (18.00-19.15hrs) - BIRD'S: - Mallard 1 over, Lapwing 4, BHGull 6 N, Green Woodpecker 1, Swift 10, Swallow 2, Wheatear 1m showing characteristic's of 'Greenland race' (See Recent Photo's), Chiffchaff 1, Common Whitethroat 1, GARDEN WARBLER 1 singing (first of the year), Linnet 15, Yellowhammer 3 singing. BUTTERFLIES:- Speckled Wood 1, Peacock 1, Orange Tip 1 , DINGY SKIPPER 1 (first of the year) (See Recent Photo's).

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 105

SATURDAY 3RD MAY 2008

Aldwarke SF - (07.50- 08.50hrs) - Cormorant 1 N, Heron 1 SW, Shelduck 1, Gadwall 8, Tufted Duck 7, Little Ringed Plover 1, Lapwing 6, Swift 5, Sand Martin 10, Yellow Wagtail 1. SEDGE WARBLER 1 singing, Grasshopper Warbler 1 'reeling', Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 2, Common Whitethtoat 3, Reed Bunting 2.

FRIDAY 2ND MAY 2008

Back Garden - (06.00-10.30hrs) - Heron 2 SW, Mallard 4 E, Kestrel 1 over, Sparrowhawk 2 seen, Curlew 1 NW 09.52hrs, Lapwing several, LBBGull 6 S, Herring Gull 4 N, Stock Dove 1 N, swift several, House Martin 1 N, swallow 2 N, Yellow Wagtail 1 N, Pied Wagtail 1 NW, Willow Warbler 1 singing 08.25hrs, Lesser Redpoll 1 N, Goldfinch 2 in area, TREE SPARROW 2 SW 07.26hrs, Yellowhammer 1 N. A total of 44 species were seen. Our first SPECKLED WOOD was around late afternoon along with Small White and Holly Blue.

Garden Bird Year List - 76

WEDNESDAY 30TH APRIL 2008

Back Garden - (06.45-08.15hrs) - Heron 1 SW, Mallard 3 SW, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Kestrel 1 over, Common Buzzard 1 E 07.21 hrs, BHGull 24 N, Swift 4 N, Pied Wagtail 2 N, Mistle Thrush 1 over, House Martin 1 N, Linnet 2 N, Goldfinch 1 E.

Parkgate Landfill Site - Mallard 6, Ringed Plover 3, Little Ringed Plover 1, LBBGull 1 N, Wheatear 2 (1m1f), Pied Wagtail 10, Linnet c20.

Aldwarke SF - (19.30-20.15hrs) - Canada Goose 1, Mute Swan 19 NE (20.05hrs), Shelduck 1 flew E (See Recent Photo's), Gadwall 9, Tufted Duck 13, Shovelar 2, Little Ringed Plover 1, Swift 2, Blackcap 1, Common Whitethroat 1.

SUNDAY 27TH APRIL 2008 Back Garden - (07.15-09.15hrs) - Managed to pick up a couple of year tick's in the 'gloom' this morning. Rather surprised to see a couple of JAY'S heading E overhead 08.50hrs, they normally occur in the autumn and a group of 6 COMMON SWIFTS were blogging around the area 08.45hrs. Not much else, just a single GBBGull NW 07.45hrs and an adult Herring Gull east 08.34hrs.

Aldwarke SF - (14.40-16.40hrs) - Best bird of the visit was our first local SHELDUCK of the year. It appeared to have been disturb off one of the lagoons and flew east 14.55 (See Recent Photo's). Otherwise the usual duck's present although it appear's that the Teal have departed. Good number's of hirundines were seen with around 40 Sand Martin's and 25 Swallow's counted in the area and 6 Swift's flew north. A Little Ringed Plover continues to parade, but wader's do appear to be thin on the ground this spring!. We also managed to find a further 3 new butterflies with ORANGE TIP, LARGE WHITE and HOLLY BLUE seen in the area.

Garden Bird Year List - 75

Rawmarsh area Bird Year List - 103

SATURDAY 26TH APRIL 2008

A superb day's birding. Spent the first 4 hour's of the day cycling and walking around the Rawmarsh and Aldwarke area attempting to beat our current day list record (55 species). We did manage to see a remarkable 70 species, a new record and 4 year tick's!.

New Stubbin - (05.15-05.35hrs) - Just a short visit to check for any Wheatear's but no joy. 15 species seen including fly-over Common Gull and Green Woodpecker. Good Start!

Birch Wood - (05-40-06.00hrs) - Added 22 species with Tawny Owl, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker the highlight's. (Day List 37)

Collier Brook - (06.10-06.30hrs) - Pretty good birding with 3 year tick's picked up , COMMON SWIFT, LESSER WHITETHROAT and a superb fly-over WHIMBREL. Just scanning the sky when I heard the distinctive 'seven whistle' call and picked the bird up as it flew north-west. 7 species in total added. (Day List 44)

Sandhill Marsh - (06.35-07.00hrs) - Very quiet here with 7 species added which included Reed Bunting and Lapwing. (Day List 51)

Aldwarke SF - ( 07.15-08.15hrs) - Good old Aldwarke! Once again this small area produced some of the morning's best birding with another 14 species added to the list. A singing GRASSHOPPER WARBLER was my first record for the site and other good bird's seen were Yellow and Grey Wagtail's, Siskin, Little Grebe and LRPplover. (Day List 65)

Parkgate Landfill Site - (08.30-08.50hrs) - A couple of Ringed Plover's were seen and 2 LBBGull's flew south (Day List 67)

New Stubbin - (09.05-09.30hrs) - A Common Buzzard flew W (Day List 68)

Birch Wood - (20-00-21.15hrs) - A woodcock put on a good performance again with 3 'fly-past's' over the wood and a couple of Grey Partridge were seen in the field. (Day List 70)

THURSDAY 24TH APRIL 2008

New Stubbin, Rawmarsh - (16.00-17.30hrs) - Good to see the old pit site 'comming into it's best' this afternoon with lot's of bird life noticeable compared to last week. A singing COMMON WHITETHROAT was a welcome year tick. Other sighting's:- Grey Heron 1 SW, Mallard 1 S, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Kestrel 1 over, Lapwing 5, BHGull 33 N, LBBGull 2 N, Swallow 3 N, Sand Martin 1 N, Blackcap 3 (See Recent Photo's), Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 3, Long-Tailed Tit 2, Bullfinch 1, Linnet 1 pr, Yellowhammer 3. A couple of Snakeshead Fritillaries were still showing well (See Recent Photo's).

WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL 2008

Back Garden - Pretty good bird-wise today, high on quality, low on quantity with a couple of year tick's and a lot more insect activity at last!. We started with a singing WILLOW WARBLER in the trees 08.21hrs which didn't stop long. Got back from school late afternoon and picked up a couple of calling DUNLIN flying north 16.45hrs and a Common Tern south 17.16hrs. Ran the moth trap overnight and had an EARLY GREY and GARDEN CARPET new for the year. Daniel spotted a Pied Shield Bug in the garden. (See Recent Photo's)

Garden Bird Year List - 73

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 97

TUESDAY 22ND APRIL 2008 - Back Garden - Pretty good bird wise today with 3 garden year tick's. The first was a singing BLACKCAP, briefly in the trees 06.55-06.57hrs and then a late afternoon 'sky watch' revealed a couple of HOUSE MARTIN'S north 15.57hrs and a COMMON TERN north 16.03hrs. Other interesting sighting's:- Cormorant 2 NE. Heron 1 SW, Kestrel 1 over, Lapwing 1 E, LBBGull 1 N, BHGull 16 N, Swallow 2 N, Sand martin 4 N, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Pied Wagtail 1 N, Siskin 2 N, Linnet 5 N, Yellowhammer 1 N.

Garden Bird Year List - 71

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 96

MONDAY 21ST APRIL 2008 - Back Garden - VIS-MIG (16.30-19.30hrs) - Heron 1 SW, Kestrel 1 over, Sparrowhawk 1 over, BHGull 32 N, LBBGull 2 S & 5 E, Stock Dove 1 S, Sand Martin 1 N, Swallow 1 N, Pied Wagtail 1 N, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Goldfinch 3 N.

New Stubbin - 2 Wheatear's in the horse field 18.30hrs ( Steve Underwood)

SUNDAY 20TH APRIL 2008 - Back Garden - Just popped outside and heard the distinctive call of a YELLOW WAGTAIL overhead 16.52hrs and managed to pick the bird up as it flew north.

Garden Bird Year List - 68

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 95

THURSDAY 17TH APRIL 2008

New Stubbin - (06.45-07.30hrs) - Cormorant 1 NW, Grey Heron 1 SW, Mallard 2 E, Golden Plover 16 N, Green Woodpecker 1 heard, Wheatear 1 female.

Parkgate Landfill Site - (16.00-16.15hrs) - Grey Heron 1 over, Lapwing 4, Ringed Plover 2, Pied Wagtail 4, Linnet 21.

Aldwarke SF - ( 16.30-17.10hrs) - Gadwall 9, Teal 2, Tufted Duck 5, Pheasant 1, Little Ringed Plover 1, Green Sandpiper 1 flushed, BHGull 33, Chiffchaff 1.

WEDNESDAY 16TH APRIL 2008 - New Stubbin Horse Field - (18.30-18.555hrs) - Picked out 3 Wheatear's (2m1f) in the gloom along with 5 Pied Wagtail's. Not much else!

MONDAY 14TH APRIL 2008 - New Stubbin - (16.30-17.15hrs) - Still a couple of male Wheatear's showing well in the horse field along with 6 Mistle Thrush, 3 Pied Wagtail's, 10 Meadow Pipit's and a handful of Skylark's and Starling's. The pair of Lapwing's continue to harass the local corvid's and a kestrel and Pheasant were also blogging around. Looking forward to seeing a few Yellow & White Wag's in the field in the next couple of week's and it would be nice for something like a Hoopoe to drop in.We can but dream!

SUNDAY 13TH APRIL 2008 - New Stubbin -(17.00-18.00hrs) - A couple of male Wheatear's in the horse field were the highlight along with a fly-over Sparrowhawk and Cormorant. However, we couldn't have looked very well because Steve called in to say he had 4 Wheatear's in the same horse field 18.45hrs.

SATURDAY 12TH APRIL 2008 - Opportunity for an 'assault' on our Rawmarsh day list record which stand's currently at 53.

Birch wood - (06.25-06.55hrs) - 23 species picked up in our first location. Best bird was our first BLACKCAP of the year.

Sandhill Marsh - (07.05-07.40hrs) - Added another 19 species to our day list here. Pretty quiet really with just a pair of Mute Swan's, a Green Woodpecker, singing Willow Warbler and Yellowhammer the highlight's. (Day list 42)

Aldwarke SF (08.00-08.30hrs) - Hoping for a couple of wader's and really pleased that we had our first LITTLE RINGED PLOVER of 2008 (See Recent Photo's). The wildfowl were a bit disapointing with just a handful of Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, and a pair of Teal and Snovelar. Still managed to add a further 9 species with a Sand Martin and a Grey Wagtail also found. (Day list 51)

Parkgate Landfill Site - (08.35-08.45hrs) - The pair of Ringed Plover's were showing well. (Day list 52)

Back Garden - (09.00 - 10.15hrs) - A quick search of the skies revealed a Common Buzzard north along with a couple of fly-over LBBGull's and Meadow Pipit's. (Day list 55)

A really enjoyable few hour's local birding with a new local area day list total (55). Just goes to show what variety of birdlife can be found locally when you know where to look!. We hope to repeat the exercise in May and hopefully will be able to spend a few more hour's 'in the field'.

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 94

FRIDAY 11TH APRIL 2008 - Back Garden - (07.00-08.20hrs) - The best bird was our first SWALLOW of the year, a single north 08.15hrs. Otherwise still pretty quiet with the highlight's:- Cormorant 1 NE, Grey Heron 1 SW, Mallard 5 NE, Sparrowhawk 1 over, LBBGull 3 N, BHGull 10 N, Sand Martin 1 N, Pied Wagtail 2 N, Fieldfare 5 W, Mistle Thrush 2 over, Linnet 3 N.

New Stubbin - (19.00-20.15hrs) - A couple of singing WILLOW WARBLER'S and a a fly-over HOUSE MARTIN were the highlight's of a pleasant evening walk.

Garden Bird Year List - 67

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 92

Hoping to have a go at beating our local area day list record (53) tomorrow. Will keep you posted!

WEDNESDAY 9TH APRIL 2008 - Back Garden - (16.00-18.30hrs) - A couple of decent 'fly-over's late afternoon. A single male Reed Bunting flew low west 16.17hrs and our second Curlew of the year flew NW 16.40hrs.

Garden Bird Year List - 66

TUESDAY 8TH APRIL 2008 - Back Garden - (06.45-08.15hrs) - Cormorant 1 SW, Grey Heron 2 SW, Kestrel 1 over, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Golden Plover 15 NW, LBBGull 6 NW, BHGUll 23 N, Stock Dove 2 W, Pied Wagtail 2 N, Meadow Pipit 8 N, Linnet 7 N, Goldfinch 7 N.

MONDAY 7TH APRIL 2008 - New Stubbin - (16.00-17.15hrs) - Grey Heron 1 N, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Kestrel 1, Lapwing 21 counted, LBBGUll 3 N, Stock Dove 2, Wood Pigeon 85 E, Wheatear 1 fem in horse field, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Tit 1, Yellowhammer 3.

FRIDAY 4TH APRIL 2008 - Back Garden - MOTH TRAP:- Just one new year tick this morning, a DOUBLE-STRIPED PUG ( See Recent Photo's).BIRD'S:- Heron 1 NE, Kestrel 1 over, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Pheasant 1 heard in the area, Lapwing 1 N, Fieldfare 4 W, Meadow Pipit 32 N, Goldfinch 4 N.

THURSDAY 3RD APRIL 2008

Back Garden - Moth Trap - SMALL QUAKER & Hebrew Character (Moth List 10). Very poor vis-mig this morning but thing's did 'hot up' a little this afternoon with a group of 5 Common Buzzard's over the house 15.20hrs and they were joined by a couple of Sparrowhawk's.

High Street Cemetery - Heron 1 E, Pheasant 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Chiffchaff 1, Bullfinch 2. A small clump of Primroses were found (See Recent Photo's).

New Stubbin - Pond Dipping - Daniel and Sarah spent over an hour attempting to catch some 'pond life'. Pretty good with the highlight's being a Darter dragonfly nymph, a couple of Water Boatman and a Water Measurer (See Recent Photo's)

Aldwarke SF - Canada Geese 3, Gadwall 14, Teal 6, Shovelar 1m, Tufted Duck 8, Pheasant 1, Lapwing 6, Chiffchaff 1

WEDNESDAY 2ND APRIL 2008

Back Garden - VIS-MIG - Very quiet this morning with very little movement. The only noteworthy sighting was our first local BRAMBLING of 2008, just one calling bird flying NE 07.15. Otherwise just the usual Cormorant's , Heron's and Kestrel's over (See Recent Photo's). Managed to finally get a photo of one of our garden pond frog's. (See Recent Photo's)

Monkwood - A Tawny owl was heard 19.45hrs

Birch Wood/Roman Ridge - (19.50-20.40hrs) - Decided to have a go at picking up a local 'roding' Woodcock as the evening was calm and mild. We walked into the wood and staight away heard the distinctive call of a KINGFISHER which then flashed passed down the brook. A great start!. Whilst waiting for the Woodcock to show we were treated to a superb aerial display by a couple of Pipestelle bat's and a larger individual which was probably a Noctule. Finally, at 20.15 a WOODCOCK came into view over the trees and managed a couple of circiut's before disappearing.

Garden Bird Year List - 65

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 89

TUESDAY 1ST APRIL 2008

Back Garden - (07.15-10.15) - Cormorant 2 SW, Heron 1 SW, Mallard 3 SW, Kestrel 1 over, Merlin 1 NE 10.00hrs, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Stock Dove 1 E, Skylark 1 S, Meadow Pipit 24 N, Song Thrush 1 N, Fieldfare 110 E, Redwing 7 E, Yellowhammer 3 N.

High Street Cemetery - Chiffchaff 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Bullfinch 2, Goldfinch 21. Counted 4 Comma's and 1 Peacock and rather surprised to see Bluebell's so early (See Recent Photo's)

MONDAY 31ST MARCH 2008

Back Garden - (07.00-09.15hrs) - BIRD'S:- Cormorant 6 SW, Heron 1 SW, Lapwing 1 S, Stock Dove 1 N, Wood Pigeon 24 N, Fieldfare 12 S, Pied Wagtail 4 N, Meadow Pipit 24 N, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Goldcrest 1 briefly 07.05hrs, Yellowhammer 4 N. MOTHS:- HEBREW CHARACTER 1 in trap (See Recent Photo's)

New Stubbin - (18.00-19.00hrs) - WHEATEAR 1m briefly in horse field (See Recent Photograph's).

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 86

Rawmarsh Area Moth Year List - 9

SUNDAY 30TH MARCH 2008

Back Garden - BIRDS:- Cormorant 1 SW, Heron 1 NE, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Kestrel 2 over, Lapwing 3 N, Common Gull 2 S, Meadow Pipit 24 N, Sand Martin 2 N, Pied Wagtail 1 N, Goldfinch 8 N. BUTTERFLIES:- PEACOCK 1, Comma 1, SMALL TORTOISHELL 1 (See Recent Photo's).

Aldwarke SF - Mute Swan 2, Canada Geese 2, Gadwall 12, Shovelar 2, Tufted Duck 5, Coot 6, Lapwing 8

New Stubbin - Sand Martin 3 N, Redwing 2, Fieldfare 1, Chiffchaff 1. Comma 1 (See Recent Photo's)

Butterfly Year List - 3

SATURDAY 29TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - (06.15-09.15hrs) - VIS-MIG - Exceeded thursday's record Meadow Pipit passage today with 132 counted moving north overhead. Not much else though!. Cormorant 3 SW, Heron 1 SW, Mallard 2 E, Kestrel 2 over, Sparrowhawk 2 displaying, Lapwing 3 N, Golden Plover 18N, LBBGull 18 N, Wood Pigeon 32 N, Stock Dove 1 N, Pied Wagtail 1 N, Starling 7 E, Linnet 5 N, Goldfinch 3 N. Looking forward to a period of settled spring weather promised for the middle of next week!

THURSDAY 27TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - (06.15-09.30hrs) - VIS-MIG - Another decent session today with a couple of year tick's, a bit of a raptor passage and a record spring passage of Meadow Pipit's. Full List:- Cormorant 2 SW, Grey Heron 6 N & 2 SW, MUTE SWAN 1 SW 07.02hrs, Sparrowhawk 2 displaying, Common Buzzard 1 N 09.25hrs, MERLIN 1 NW 09.12hrs. Really good views as it came over from the south and drifted NW, Lapwing 24 W, LBBGull 14 NW, Stock Dove 1 N, Wood Pigeon 75 N, Meadow Pipit 67 N (largest group 6), Skylark 1 N, Pied Wagtail 1 N.

New Stubbin - (10.00-11.30hrs) - Common Buzzard 5 drifted over from Wentworth 10.30hrs and put on a superb display, Kestrel 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Meadow Pipit 27 in the horse field (influx?), Mistle Thrush 2, Chiffchaff 2, Bullfinch 2,, Linnet 2.

Garden Bird Year List - 64

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 85

WEDNESDAY 26TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - (06.15-07.15 & 14.50-15.50hrs) - Pretty good vis-mig today with a year tick and a marked return passage of Starling's. Full List:- Cormorant 1 SW, Heron 1 SW, Mallard 3 SW, Kestrel 1 over, Lapwing 12 E, Golden Plover 18 S, LBBGull 4 N, GBBGull 1 N, Wood Pigeon 120 E, Meadow Pipit 10 N, Starling 420 NE in 50 mins between 14.55-15.45 ( 2 groups of 180 & 170 along with a few smaller groups), LESSER REDPOLL 2 N, Goldfinch 2 N, Yellowhammer 1 N.

New Stubbin - Kestrel 1, Grey Partridge 1pr, Red-legged Partridge 2 prs, Pheasant 2, Lapwing 5 prs, Common Snipe 2 flushed, Stock Dove 2, Green Woodpecker 1, CHIFFCHAFF 2 singing.

Parkgate Landfill Site - Ringed Plover 4 (See Recent Photo's), Lapwing 2 prs, Pied Wagtail 16, Meadow Pipit 6, Linnet 4, Goldfinch 4.

Garden Bird Year List - 62

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 84

SATURDAY 22ND MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - On and off outside all day today sheltering from the flippin wind and snow. Managed a bit of 'vis-migging'during the clear spells and picked up our 3rd decent fly-over wader of the last few day's when a RINGED PLOVER flew N 09.21hrs. Not much else:- Heron 2 SW, Cormorant 1 SW, Common Gull 1 N, LBBGull 2 N, Fieldfare 130 NE 17.23hrs. A WHITE-SHOULDERED HOUSE MOTH was spotted in the dining room.

GARDEN BIRD YEAR LIST 61

RAWMARSH AREA MOTH YEAR LIST - 8

FRIDAY 21ST MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - (06.15-09.15hrs) - An early start with bright, clear skies and a blustery wind. Pretty disapointing really with very little movement noted.The only highlight was our first local fly-over CURLEW of 2008, a single NW 07.03hrs. The best of the rest :- Cormorant 2 SW, Mallard 3 SW, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Kestrel 1 over, Meadow Pipit 6 N, Redwing 2 N, Pied Wagtail 2 N, Linnet 2 N, Yellowhammer 1 NW. Look's pretty dire for tomorrow but a NE wind this time of year can bring 'interesting' thing's inland such as Kittiwake, Little Gull and maybe an early Sandwich Tern.

Garden Bird Year List - 60

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 83

THURSDAY 20TH MARCH 2008 - Aldwarke SF - (16.00-17.00) - Heron 2, Cormorant 1 NE, Gadwall 10, teal 6, Mute Swan 1, Lapwing 6, RINGED PLOVER 1 briefly, flew E, Green Sandpiper 2 flushed, BHG 30, LBBGull 1, Stock Dove 2, Mistle Thrush 1, Pied Wagtail 3, Reed Bunting 1.

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year list - 82

WEDNESDAY 19TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - A group of 5 TEAL (3m2f) NE 08.21hrs were a 'first' for the garden. Other sightings today included:- Cormorant 1 SW, Heron 1 NE, Greylag Goose 1 NW 07.45hrs, Common Buzzard 1 N 13.10hrs, Lapwing 1 W, Golden Plover 6 SW 17.15hrs, Redwing 6 W, Stock Dove 2 W, Meadow Pipit 6 NW, Pied Wagtail 2 NW, Yellowhammer 1 NE.

Garden Bird Year List - 59

MONDAY 17TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - A two-tick day! First, a calling OYSTERCATCHER flew NE 08.07hrs and a couple of minutes later an early SAND MARTIN 'zipped' through low over the house, heading north. Also, a Heron and Cormorant both headed for Wentworth Lakes and 10 LBBGUll's flew N.

Garden Bird Year List - 58

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 81

SATURDAY 15TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden Moth Trap - A Yellow Horned was our first ever record for the garden (See Recent Photo's). (Moth List 7)

New Stubbin - Thought I would check for any early Wheatear's or White Wag's but no joy this time. Full List:- Heron 1 SW, Pheasant 2, Lapwing 4 prs, Stock Dove 4, Green Woodpecker 1, Mistle Thrush 2, Fieldfare 2, Pied Wagtail 5, Skylark 5, Meadow Pipit 10, Skylark 6+, Linnet 2, Goldfinch 2, Yellowhammer 6.

FRIDAY 14TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - Cormorant 1 SW, Lapwing 1 N, Linnet 4 NW, Goldfinch 3 NW, Siskin 2 N. A TAWNY OWL was heard calling from the trees 22.30hrs.

Garden Bird year List - 56

THURSDAY 13TH MARCH 2008 - Aldwarke SF - (16.10-17.10hrs) - Cormorant 1 N, Grey Heron 5, Teal 10, Shovelar 8, Gadwall 10, Tufted Duck 11, Kestrel 1, Lapwing 10, JACK SNIPE 1 flushed at last from the usual marshy area behind the candlelight factory, BHGull 79, Stock Dove 19, Grey Wagtail 1, Pied Wagtail 2, Meadow Pipit 2, Linnet 2.

Rawmarsh Area Bird year List - 79

TUESDAY 11TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - Cormorant 1 SW, Heron 1 W, Kestrel 1 over, Lapwing 6 E, Common Gull 1 fW S, GBBGull 1 S, Stock Dove 1 W, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Fieldfare 5 W.

SUNDAY 9TH MARCH 2008

Back Garden - Due to the relatively calm and clear conditions this morning I decided to spend most of the morning birding from our back garden. Managed to see or hear a respectable 39 species. Highlight's: Cormorant 2 SW, Grey Heron 1 SW, Mallard 3 E, kestrel 1 over, Common Buzzard 1 drifted E (See Recent Photo's), Lapwing 15 SW, Golden Plover 37 N, BHGull 36 N, LBBGull 6 N, Herring Gull 2 S, GBBGull 2 W, Stock Dove 2 W, Wood Pigeon 45 N, Pied Wagtail 6 N, Meadow Pipit 4 N, Song Thrush 1 N, Long-tailed Tit 2 briefly, Chaffinch 10 N, Goldfinch 4 N. Daniel spotted our first butterfly of the year, a COMMA that flew through the garden 12.47hrs. We also have our first frog spawn in the pond.

Garden Bird Year List - 55 (Revised - Forgot to add Song Thrush & Bullfinch)

Rawmarsh Butterfly Year List - 1

SATURDAY 8THMARCH 2008 - Back Garden - The best bird of the day was a GOLDCREST, first picked up by Daniel calling in the conifer's 14.30hrs and seen on a couple of occasions before departing.Full List:- Cormorant 1 SW, Grey Heron 2 SW, Kestrel 1 over, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Lapwing 21 SE, LBBGull 1 NW, GBBGUll 1 NW, Herring Gull 4 NW, Stock Dove 1 W, Skylark 2 NW. A large spider found in the porch has been identified as a Garden Spider (See Recent Photo's).

Garden Bird Year List - 53

Aldwarke SF - (07.30-08.45hrs) - Plenty to see today! Grey Heron 2, Cormorant 1 W, Mute Swan 2, canada Goose 3, Teal 5, Gadwall 2, Shovelar 1m, Tufted Duck 7 (see Recent Photo's), Mallard 20, Lapwing 12, Skylark 2, Reed Bunting 2.

THURSDAY 6TH MARCH 2008 - High Street Cemetery - (16.15-17.15hrs) - Opportunity for just a quick visit. Full list:- Stock Dove 2, Green Woodpecker 1 (See Recent Photo's), Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Mistle Thrush 3, Song Thrush 2, Willow Tit 2, Long-tailed Tit 4, Bullfinch 2.

Back Garden Moth Trap - Ran the 125MV for 4 hour's during the evening and picked up a couple of year tick's, a Common Quaker (See Recent Photo's) and Brown House-Moth. (Moth Year List 6)

WEDNESDAY 5TH MARCH 2008- Back Garden - (07.00-08.25hrs & 16.00-17.30hrs) - A really good day today! The highlight was our first WHOOPER SWAN's for the Rawmarsh area, a group of 3 that flew NE high over the garden 07.47hrs. Superb bird's and really disappointed that I didn't have chance to get a photo. Full list: Cormorant 1 SW, Common Buzzard 1 drifted N 16.25hrs, Kestrel 1 over, Sparrowhawk 1 N, Lapwing 3 SE, GBBGull 5 NW, LBBGull 3 NW, Stock Dove 9 W, Green Woodpecker 1 flew into the trees on Haugh Road 16.40hrs and then flew back to Stubbin 16.43hrs, Meadow Pipit 4 NW, Pied Wagtail 4 NW, Jackdaw 2 E, Siskin 3 W, Goldfinch 3 SW. Hoping that spring migration has finally 'sprung'.

Garden Bird Year List - 52

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 78

TUESDAY 4TH MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - (07.00-08.20hrs) - Just a couple of highlight's! 6 Greylag Geese flew SW 07.45hrs and a Grey Heron drifted E.

MONDAY 3RD MARCH 2008 - Back Garden - (07.00-08.25hrs) - Not much opportunity for local birding over the weekend, what with the strong wind's and visit's to relation's. So glad to be able to get some back garden birding in nice and early now before school. Today's sighting's:- Cormorant 2 NE, Lapwing 1 E, Stock Dove 2 W, Meadow Pipit 1 NW, Fieldfare 7 E, Goldfinch 3 SW, Siskin 1 E. Daniel found a micro moth MOMPHA SUBISTREGGELLA in his bedroom (Moth Year List 4).

FRIDAY 29TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - A MARCH MOTH was found inside the sun lounge this morning(Moth Year List 3).

WEDNESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.00-08.30hrs) - A pretty good list this morning with a hint that bird's are starting to return northward's. Full list:- Cormorant 1N, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Lapwing 1 E, Golden Plover 1 E, Herring Gull 4 S, Stock Dove 1 N, Meadow Pipit 4 NW, Song Thrush 1 singing, Redwing 4 W, Fieldfare 4 N, Jackdaw 1 E, Goldfinch 4 NW, Linnet 2 NW. Hoping for a fly-over Curlew, Shelduck or Curlew in the next few day's!

MONDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Cormorant 1 NE, CANADA GOOSE 2 W 15.35hrs, Goosander 1 N, Kestrel 1 over, Lapwing 1 N, Common Gull 1 over, GBBGull 2 S, Herring Gull 5 S, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Goldfinch 2 over.

Garden Bird year List - 51

SUNDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Heron 1 SW, Mallard 2 E, Kestrel 1 over, Lapwing 6 W, Common Gull 1 S, LBBgull 6 NW, GBBGull 1 ad W, Redwing 4 SW, Skylark 3 W, Pied Wagtail 3 SW.

High Street Cemetery - Success at last!. Finally caught up with our local pair of LITTLE OWL's after around 10 visit's so far this year. First heard them calling as I was walking around the cemetery and saw the pair sat crouched in the tree. Not much else seen, just a pair of Bullfinch and Long-tailed Tit's.

Rawmarsh Area Bird year List - 77

SATURDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Heron 1 SW, Cormorant 1 NE, Kestrel 1 over, GBBGUll 8 S, Herring Gull 5 S, LBBGull 2 NW, Common Gull 1 SW, Meadow Pipit 4 NW.

Aldwarke SF - (10.15-11.15hrs) - Heron 3, Mute Swan 2, Greylag Goose 1 (See Recent Photo's), Shovelar 8 (See Recent Photo's), Gadwall 4, Teal 6, Common Snipe 1, Lapwing 4, Grey Wagtail 1.

TUESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Rawmarsh Community School, Haugh Road - Just walked out of school (15.15hrs) and rather surprised to spot a single CANADA GOOSE flying around the school looking completely lost and disorientated. The bird did a couple of circuit's then flew off north.

RAWMARSH AREA BIRD YEAR LIST - 76

MONDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Not a bad half-term break, weather and bird wise, but back to school today so only managed an hour's birding late afternoon. Still managed to pick up a couple of GREYLAG GEESE heading SW 16.40hrs. They can be an awkward bird to get around here as we only tend to get a couple of fly-over's, if were lucky.

BIRD YEAR LIST UPDATE'S

Garden - 51 & Rawmarsh Area - 75

SUNDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.30-09.30hrs) - Much better birding today. The highlight was a fly-over PHEASANT about 4 foot above my head. Flippin big bird's and pretty scary!. The bird must have moved off Stubbin due to the recent freezing weather. Plenty of other thing's seen from the garden today. Full list:- Cormorant 1 SW, Mallard 5 NW, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Kestrel 1 over, Lapwing 4 SE, Common Gull 1 NW, LBBGull 2 NW, Herring Gull 4 NW, Skylark 1 SW, Meadow Pipit 3 NW, Song Thrush 2 over, Long-tailed Tit 2 on feeder's, Coal Tit 1, Siskin 4 SE, Yellowhammer 1 N. Great start to the year's back garden birding with half a century knocked up already!.

Garden Bird Year List - 50

SATURDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Hard work today with very little moving. The best were Golden Plover 1 N, Common Gull 1 N, LBBGull 1 SW, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Meadow Pipit 2 NW, Yellowhammer 1 N.

Sandhill Marsh - (17.00-17.45hrs) - Managed to pick up another area year tick!. Two WATER RAIL'S were calling from opposite sides of the marsh from 17.10-17.30hrs. Other sighting's around the marsh were Heron 1, Teal 3, Fieldfare 27, Redwing 9, Song Thrush 1 and a pre-roost group of 51 Magpies were counted in the willows, our largest ever group in the Rawmarsh area!

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 74

FRIDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2008 - New Stubbin - (13.15-15.00hrs) - Heron 1 N, Green Woodpecker 1, Skylark 15, Meadow Pipit 13, Mistle Thrush 2, Goldcrest 1, Jay 1, Willow Tit 2, Bullfinch 4, Goldfinch 5.

THURSDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2008

Highlight of the Rawmarsh birding year so far was the discovery of our first local BARN OWL seen at a Rawmarsh 'site' late afternoon. (See Recent photo's). The bird put on a stunning display for around 15 minutes, resting on a fence post and flying around the field giving great views. A long wait (9 years) for a really great local bird!

Sandhill Marsh - (10.00-11.30hrs) - Heron 1, Teal 1, Kestrel 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Stock Dove 6, Jackdaw 21, Yellowhammer 15, Linnet c50, Bullfinch 8 (See Recent Photo's), Siskin 2 over.

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 73

WEDNESDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Another fine, clear day with a 'bit' of movement noted from the garden. Full list:- Cormorant 2 SW, Pink-footed Goose 60 NW 11.02hrs (See Recent Photo's), Sparrowhawk 1 over, Lapwing 4 NW, BHGull 51 S, Stock Dove 3 N, Meadow Pipit 4 NW, Jackdaw 2 W, Siskin 2 E, Goldfinch 4 SW.

TUESDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2008

Back Garden - GBBGull 3 S, LBBGull 3 S, BHGUll 29 S, Skylark 4 SW, Long-tailed Tit 3 in the trees.

Rosehill Park - Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Nuthatch 1.

Birch Wood - Managed to pick up our target bird, a TREECREEPER. Not much else apart from a Goldcrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 72

MONDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2008

New Stubbin - (1315-15.15hrs) - A stroll around our local ex pit site this afternoon didn't produce any unusual sighting's, unfortunately, but was still very pleasant. Highlight's:- Kestrel 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Meadow Pipit 15, Skylark 6, Fieldfare 90 flew W along with around 20 Redwing, Long-tailed Tit 2, Jay 2, Bullfinch 2. Both Coltsfoot and Lesser Celandine were seen in flower for the first time this year.

Haugh Road Cemetery - A TAWNY OWL was heard 19.00hrs, our first of the year!

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 71

SUNDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - A lot more insect activity noted today in the garden. We found our first hoverflies of 2008, Eristalis tenax (drone fly) and Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Fly), a couple of 7-spot ladybird's, a bumble bee, a common wasp and the common plume moth Amblyptilia acanthadacyla.

Aldwark SF - (07.55-08.55hrs) - Relatively quiet!. Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 2, Gadwall 5, Shovelar 4, Teal 10, Lapwing 33. A Little Grebe, 2 Goosander and a Grey Wagtail were seen on or around the River Don at Eastwood.

SATURDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.15-09.15hrs) - Felt more like autumn this morning with clear blue skies and a nip in the air. The best morning's birding so far this year, with a couple of garden year tick's picked up.

Full List:- Cormorant 2 SW, Grey Heron 1 NE (See Recent Photo's), Common Buzzard 1 drifted NE mobbed by the local crows 07.30hrs ( See Recent Photo's), Lapwing 1 SE, Golden Plover 2 SE, BHGull 67 S, LBBGull 3 NW, Wood Pigeon 33 S, Stock Dove 3 N, GREEN WOODPECKER 1 calling in the trees along Haugh Road 08.07hrs, flew off toward's Stubbin, Meadow Pipit 2 NW, Redwing 1 SW, Chaffinch 4 over, BULLFINCH 1 fem S, Yellowhammer 1 N.

Garden Bird year List - 49

WEDNESDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2008 - New Stubbin - (16.00-17.15hrs) - Sparrowhawk 1, Kestrel 1, Stock Dove 4, Green Woodpecker 1, Skylark 5, Meadow Pipit 6, Song Thrush 1, Mistle Thrush 1, Redwing 3, Yellowhammer 2.

TUESDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - The most noteworthy sightings today were 4 Cormorant SW, a Sparrowhswk, 2 LBBGull's N, 5 Stock Dove S, a GREY WAGTAIL N and 4 Goldfinch S.l

Garden Bird Year List - 47

MONDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.15-08.25hrs) - Cormorant 1 SW, Grey Heron 1 N, Herring Gull 2 S, Common Gull 4 SW, Stock Dove 3 N, Wood Pigeon 26 S, Goldfinch 4 over.

SATURDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2008 - Back Garden - A lovely winter's day but pretty quiet bird-wise!. The highlight's were a Cormorant SW, sightings of both Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, 3 GBBGull's SE and 6 Fieldfare's E.

Haugh Road Cemetery - In the right place at the right time!. Managed to catch a Sparrowhawk hunt down a Collared Dove about 30 feet away from us(see Recent Photo's).

MONDAY 28TH JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Decided to run the moth trap overnight and found our first micro-moth of 2008, a Light-brown Apple Moth.

Rawmarsh Community School - A Common Buzzard drifted east 15.25hrs.

SUNDAY 27TH JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Another mild but breezy start to the day with the weather improving sufficiently for clear blue skies to develop around lunchtime. On cue a skein of around 120 Pink-footed Geese were picked up heading west at 12.10hrs and another group of c90 flew NW over the house 14.30hrs. A Golden Plover spent just 10 mins on Haugh Road playing field 09.30hrs.

Garden Bird Year List - 46

New Stubbin - (08.00-09.15hrs) - Looks like things are 'moving' in the local bird world with the first singing Skylark of the year and lots of the commoner bird's singing too. Not bad this morning! Full list:- Mute Swan 4 S, Kestrel 1, Pheasant 1, BHGull 32 S, Fieldfare 16, Mistle Thrush 1, Redwing 3, Green Woodpecker 1, Willow Tit 2, Greenfinch 15, Reed Bunting 1m, first for over 4 years (See Recent Photo's).

SATURDAY 26TH JANUARY 2008

Sandhill Marsh - First visit for a while and picked up an area year tick , a Green Woodpecker that flew over the marsh. The usual waterfowl were present, just a handful of Moorhens, Coots and Mallard's. A Sparrowhawk was harassing the mixed finch flock of around 40 Yellowhammer's (See Recent Photo's) and 35 Linnet's, a Grey Wagtail, 5 Fieldfare along with a pair of Bullfinch were in the area.

Aldwark SF - The 'highlight's' were our first local Tufted Duck's (2m1f) of 2008 and a decent count of 12 Shovelar's. The best of the rest were:- Heron 6, Teal 20, Gadwall 7, Common Snipe 1, Lapwing 40, BHGull 90, Grey Wagtail 1.

Parkgate Retail World - We counted a total of 140 Pied Wagtails flying to roost from outside the Matalan store. Looks as though the roost could be in the traffic island at the Retail Park!.

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 70

WEDNESDAY 23RD JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Not much really! Just a Cormorant SW, 61 BHGull's NW and 13 Fieldfare E. Keeping an 'eye out' for the first-winter Mediterranean Gull that's been seen around South Yorkshire over the last couple of day's. You just never know!

ParKgate - Daniel had a flock of around 300 Pink-footed Geese SE over his school at 10.30hrs.

Rawmarsh Area Year List - 68

SUNDAY 20TH JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.30-10.30hrs) - Decided to 'put a few hour's in' today and glad to say it paid off with a couple of year tick's, a redhead Goosander E and a Common Buzzard W. Number's of Golden Plover's passing through the area appear to have increased recently and we were treated to a superb flock of 650 moving NW, presumably heading for the Dearne Valley. The best of the rest were:- Kestrel 1 over, Common Gull 3 S, BHGull 26 S, GBBGull 2 NW, Hering Gull 10 NW, Skylark 3 SE, Fieldfare 15 SE, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Goldfinch 1 over, Yellowhammer 1 N.

Garden List 45

SATURDAY 19TH JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.30-09.00hrs) - The highlight were a couple of fly-over Siskin's, the first of the year. The best of the rest were 175 Golden Plover's NW, 65 BHGull's flew south with a Yellowhammer north.

Garden List 43

THURSDAY 17TH JANUARY 2008 - High Street Cemetery (16.00-17.15hrs) - First opportunity for an 'after-school' wander this year and managed to pick up a year tick, a fly-over Lesser Redpoll. Once again, both Bullfinch and Willow Tit were heard and seen, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush were in the area and a Sparrowhawk drifted over.

YEAR LIST UPDATE'S

Garden - 42

Rawmarsh Area - 67

TUESDAY 15TH JANUARY 2008 - Haugh Road - What a day! Just managed to pick up a Grey Wagtail around Rawmarsh Community School and a flock of around 1200 Wood Pigeon's headed SW to roost 15.55hrs.

SUNDAY 13TH JANUARY 2008

Aldwarke SF - A late afternoon visit in very gloomy conditions. Wildfowl numbers once again were rather low with 25 Teal, 4 Gadwall and 6 Shovelar's the highlight. The wintering Green Sandpiper was seen again along with a flock of 40 Lapwing in the area (See Recent Photo's). A couple of Grey Heron's were around along with 5 Meadow Pipit's and 4 Red-legged Partridge were flushed, which were our first for the year!

River Don, Eastwood - Very quiet with just 4 Goosander seen. (See Recent Photo's)

Rawmarsh Area Year List 66

SATURDAY 12TH JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.30-09.15hrs) - The main feature this morning was a record number of Cormorant's SW over the house between 08.00 and 08.10hrs heading to Wentworth Lakes, I presume. A total of 27 were counted in 3 groups, 16, 7 & 4 (See Recent Photo's). 2 Mallard E, 27 Golden Plover N, 2 Common Gull S and 11 Fieldfare W were the best of the rest.

New Stubbin - (10.00-11.30hrs) - Pretty quiet, but still managed a couple of area year tick's, a Goldcrest down Chapel Walk (See Recent Photo's) and 5 Tree Sparrow's along the hedge on back Lane. A mixed flock of 75 Fieldfare's and around 5 Redwing were showing well (See Recent Photo's) and a couple of Willow Tit's were once again down Chapel Walk. This location is proving to be the best spot locally for this rather scarce species. Around 20 GBBGull's and Herring Gull's flew N.

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List - 65

WEDNESDAY 9TH JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.45-08.25hrs) - First opportunity to do a spot of birding before work in 2008. Not bad! A total of 10 Cormorants SW (1 & 9), 115 Golden Plover's S, 1 Common Gull S, 3 Stock Dove's NE and a couple of Mistle Thrushes's overhead.

SUNDAY 6TH JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.45-09.30hrs) - Best morning so far this year with excellent visibility, blue skies and for a change, very little wind. Managed to add a further five year tick's, a Mallard SW, 3 Redwing SW, a Cormorant SW, a Heron SE and a small flock of 7 Long-tailed Tit's in the trees. Other sighting's included both Kestrel and Sparrowhawk over, a single Golden Plover NE, 2 Common Gull's S, along with 9 GBBGull's and 6 Herring Gull's and 1 Lapwing NE.

New Stubbin - (13.45-14.30hrs) - First visit this year and was hoping to pick up a couple of year tick's. Managed just two, a Willow Tit down Chapel Walk and a single Common Buzzard that drifted west. Otherwise very quiet, due to a couple of 4x4's having 'fun' in the area.

High Street Cemetery - (14.40-15.00hrs) - Just a short visit but really pleased to spot a couple of Great Spotted Woodpecker's high in the tree's (See Recent Photo's). Also, managed to have a go at 'snaping' a nice male Bullfinch which was showing really well (See Recent Photo's).

Garden Bird Year List - 42

Rawmarsh Area Year List - 63

SATURDAY 5TH JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - (07.50-09.50hrs) - A nice flock of 28 Golden Plover's W and 3 Lesser black-backed Gull's S were the highlight's. Not much else really apart from Kestrel and Sparrowhawk overhead, 44 Lapwing's N, 2 Common Gull's S and a Linnet W.

Aldwark SF - First visit for a long time and really impressed with the area. It looks now like a 'mini' Silverwood Lagoon with the creation of a decent sized lagoon (See Recent Photo's) and some decent marshy habitat and should be good for the waders come spring. Definitely worth watching a bit more regularly. Not as much wildfowl about as usual, a pair of Shoveler and Gadwall (See Recent Photo's) and around 25 Teal were seen along with a pair of Mute Swan's. Grey Heron's were widespread, we counted nine and a Common Snipe was flushed along with the usual wintering Green Sandpiper (See Recent Photo's). Just a couple of Reed Bunting's were around and a couple of Siskin flew west. We managed to disturbed a very smart Fox (See Recent Photo's).

No sign of the Jack Snipe in the marsh behind the Candlelight Factory unfortunately, but we did pick up a Little Grebe and a redhead Goosander on the River Don at Eastwood.

Garden Bird Year List - 37

Rawmarsh Bird Year List - 60 (Revised)

FRIDAY 4TH JANUARY 2008

As this was the last day of my Christmas break I decided to visit a few of Rawmarsh's birding 'hotspot's' in order to get the area year list up and running. I started of at Birch Wood which was pretty quiet but still managed to pick up Nuthatch, Jay and 6 Long-tailed Tit's. The next stop was Collier Brook where the only highlight was a smart pair of Bullfinch.

Water bird's are relatively scarce in the Rawmarsh area as we do not have any decent large expanses of water and do our best with Sandhill Marsh and Aldwarke SF, which though on a good day can produce the goods's. The first bird seen was a Grey Heron (see Recent Photo's) and then a couple of Coot's, Moorhen's and Mallard's were all showing well. Then a cracking drake Shovelar popped out of the reed's (see Recent Photo's) and disappeared. However, I then heard the distinctive whistle of a Teal and a pair showed really well. Wow! Three species of duck at Sandhill! A group of 28 Jackdaw and 4 Stock Dove were in the stubble field.

I then went over the road and checked for any winter finch flock's in the stubble field adjacent to Sandhill Primary School. A mixed flock of around 15 Yellowhammer's, 35 Linnet's and 10 Goldfinch were around, 3 Cormorant's flew North and a couple of Grey Wagtail's flew over. On the way down to the Railway Pond, a very promising 'marshy' habitat, I flushed 4 Pheasant's. Not much around the marsh, just a single Song Thrush and 4 Bullfinch.

A pretty good morning's birding around the local area, with 15 year ticks and 44 species seen.

Garden Bird Year List - 35

Rawmarsh area Bird Year List - 50

Just checked Birdguides to see what's around locally and noticed a report of a Little Gull along with a couple of Short-eared Owl's and Stonechat's at Silverwood Lagoon, Rotherham. If any local birder want's to make a name for themselves then silverwood is the place. Glad to see a few more birder's visiting these day's. It is a superb area and should be made into a local Nature reserve at least (along with Stubbin Old Pit Site).

THURSDAY 3rd JANUARY 2008 - Back Garden - Nice to see some of the 'white stuff' this morning! However, pretty quiet bird-wise today with just a couple of year tick's picked up in the gloom. A couple of Jackdaws W and an adult Common Gull 'blogging'all day. Other sighting's were 3 Lapwing N and 18 Fieldfare E.

Garden Bird Year List 35

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List 35

WEDNESDAY 2ND JANUARY 2008

BACK GARDEN - Limited opportunities for birding today but still managed 6 year ticks! A small group of 8 Herring Gull and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls flew S, a Kestrel flew over, a decent flock of 79 Lapwing's meandered E, 2 Fieldfare flew E and a couple of Meadow Pipit's headed NE.

Garden Bird Year List 33

Rawmarsh Area Bird Year List 33

TUESDAY 1ST JANUARY 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Back Garden - ( 07.30-10.30hrs) - Well here goes! Another New Year full of promise and new lists. Decided to spend the first day birding from the back garden and was hoping for 30+ but the decidely poor weather did not help. We managed a creditable 27 species however, with a couple of 'hard' year ticks under our belt so to speak. Full list:- Robin, GREY PARTRIDGE ( 2 heard calling on the school field 07.35hrs), Blackbird, Dunnnock, Wren, Starling, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail. Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, YELLOWHAMMER (1 NE), Feral Pigeon, Goldfinch, Wood Pigeon, Greenfinch, Skylark, Great Tit, Stock Dove (2 NE), Blue Tit, Linnet, Mistle Thrush, BHGull, Coal Tit, Sparrowhawk.

GARDEN BIRD LIST (GBL) 27

RAWMARSH AREA BIRD LIST (RABL) 27

Should hopefully have plenty of opportunity for a couple of decent 'bashes' around the Rawmarsh area over the next few day's. However, we will concentrate on 'VIS-MIGGING' from the back garden in 2008 and will have a good go at beating 2007's total of 88! HAPPY SKY-WATCHING!

SUNDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2007 - Back Garden - (07.45-09.15hrs) - A decent morning's birding with a hint that the recent cold weather is finally having an effect! BIRD'S:- Cormorant 2 SW, Goosander 2 N, Common Buzzard 1 S, Lapwing 37 W, Golden Plover 77 N, Common Gull 4 SW, LBBGull 1 SW, Herring Gull 5 NE, GBBGull 7 S, Fieldfare 1 S, Pied Wagtail 2 in the area, Long-tailed Tit 6 in the trees (See Recent Photo's), Coal Tit 2, Goldfinch 3 SW, Yellowhammer 1 SW.

SUNDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2007 - Back Garden - (07.30-9.15hrs) - VIS-MIG - Ideal weather this morning for a change with a 'trickle' of bird migration/movement . Cormorant 1 SW, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Golden PLover 4 N, BHGUll 17 S, Herring Gull 14 NW, GBBGull 3 NW, Stock Dove 3 NE, Skylark 2 SE, Mistle Thrush 2 over, Redwing 3 SW, Fieldfare 4 NW, Goldfinch 3 SW, Greenfinch 6 SW, Siskin 1 NW, Linnet 3 E, Yellowhammer 1 SE.

THURSDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2007 - Back Garden - (07.00-08.25hrs) - VIS-MIG - A noticeable increase in numbers moving through today with 288 of 13 species counted. Lapwing 1 N, Golden Plover 15 N, BHGull 4 S, Wood Pigeon 7 SW, Pied Wagtail 1 SW, Fieldfare 37 SW, Redwing 83 SW, Blackbird 3 SW (with Fieldfare's), Starling 122 SW, Chaffinch 3 SW, Goldfinch 3 SW, Siskin 2 SW, Greenfinch 7 SW.

THURSDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2007 - Back Garden - (07.00-08.25hrs) - MOTH TRAP - EXAPATE CONGELATELLA (Male) a micro found in late autumn/ winter. A garden tick! (See Recent Photo's), BIRD'S:- Cormorant 2 SW & 1 NE, BHGull 4 S, Common Gull 1 S, Wood Pigeon 5 SW, Meadow Pipit 2 SW, Fieldfare 6 SW, Starling 3 SW, Chaffinch 2 SW, Goldfinch 3 SW. ICHNEUMON FLY:- One rather large specimen photographed in the moth trap (See Recent Photo's). Any comments on id would be appreciated.

TUESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2007 - Back Garden - (06.50-08.20hrs) - VIS-MIG - Cormorant 2 SW, Sparrowhawk 2 over, BHGull 7 S, Wood Pigeon 57 SW, Skylark 2 SW, Fieldfare 2 SW & 34 E, Redwing 7 SW & 12 N, Starling 21 SW and a small flock now roosting in the garden conifer's (See Recent Photo's), Chaffinch 7 SW, Goldfinch 5 SW, Yellowhammer 1 N.

SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2007 - Back Garden - (06.30-0915hrs) - Pretty good morning with a record passage of Wood Pigeon's and a couple of decent 'garden' bird's.

VIS-MIG - Cormorant 1 NW, Grey Heron 1 S, BHGUll 9 S, LBBGull 1 S, Wood Pigeon's 3176 S ( A garden record), Stock Dove 17 S, Fieldfare 22 SW, Redwing 4 SW, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Pied Wagtail 2 S, Starling 31 SW, Chaffinch 41 SW, Brambling 3 SW, Siskin 17 SW, Lesser Redpoll 5 SW, Linnet 2 SW, Yellowhammer 1 N. OTHER'S:- Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 briefly in the back garden trees 08.56hrs, Goldcrest 1 briefly in trees 07.35hrs, Long-tailed Tit's 7 seen 08.45hrs.

WEDNESDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (06.30-09.00hrs)

TUESDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden -(06.30-09.15hrs)

VIS-MIG - The main feature of the morning's vis-mig was a record number of Wood Pigeon's moving south through the area with a record 3608 of 23 species recorded from the garden. FuLL LIST:- Cormorant 1 S, Golden Plover 63 S, Herring Gull 6 S, LBBGull 9 S, Common Gull 2 S, Wood Pigeon 3045 S, the largest group counted 210, Stock Dove 25 S, most picked up in the flock's of Woodies but probably missed many more!, Skylark 12 SW, Fieldfare 235 S, Redwing 14 S, Starling 110 SW, Chaffinch 35 Sw, Brambling 3 SW, Siskin 19 SW, Linnet 4 SW, Goldfinch 21 SW, Yellowhammer 1 S.

MONDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (06.30-09.00hrs)

VIS-MIG - Pretty good morning with a steady passage of Wood Pigeon's and our first fly-over Reed Bunting of the year (See Recent Photo's). A total of 975 bird's of 21 species counted from the back garden:- Cormorant 2 SW, Golden Plover 4 SE, BHGUll 10 S, GBBGUll 6 S, LBBGull 28 S, Common Gull 4 S, Wood Pigeon 624 SW, Skylark 7 SW, Meadow Pipit 8 SW, Grey Wagtail 1 SW, Fieldfare 45 SW, Redwing 36 SW, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Starling 125 SW, Chaffinch 22 SW, Brambling 1 SW, Greenfinch 15 SW, Goldfinch 12 SW, Siskin 6 SW, Linnet 2 SW, Lesser Redpoll 4 SW, Reed Bunting 1 SW (Garden Bird Year List 88).

LADYBIRD UPDATE - Our 'mystery' Ladybird has been confirmed has an Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, spectabilis colour form.

SUNDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (12.30-14.00hrs) - VIZ-MIG:- MERLIN 1 S over the house 12.50hrs (Garden Bird Year List 87), LBBGull 22 S, Herring Gull 1ad S, Common Gull 1ad S, BHGull 10 S, Stock Dove 1 S, Redwing 3 SW, Chaffinch 3 SW, Goldfinch 2 SW. BUTTERFLIES:- Small Tortoishell 1 around the garden 13.30hrs. LADYBIRD'S: A 2 spot or a possible Harlequin Ladybird was found on the sun lounge and photographed. Any comments on id would be appreciated. (See Recent Photo's). We had a trip to Old Moor to see the Firecrest and managed to get some really decent views of a 'real stunner' and lifer for Daniel!

FRIDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (07.30-08.25hrs) - MOTH TRAP - BRICK 1 (A first for the garden!) (See Recent Photo's), Black Rustic 1, Blair's Shoulder-knot 1. BIRD'S:- VIZ-MIG - Wood Pigeon 85 SW, Fieldfare 33 SW, Grey Wagtail 2 SE, Goldfinch 4 SE. Hoping for a upturn in bird migration during the next 9 days break from school!

WEDNESDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (07.00-08.25hrs) - BIRD'S:- LBBGull 26 S, BHGull 5 SE, Stock Dove 5 S, Wood Pigeon 312 S with 95 the largest group, Meadow Pipit 10 SW, Fieldfare 6 Sw, Pied Wagtail 10 SW, Chaffinch 27 S, BRAMBLING 4 SW 08.15hrs (Garden Bird Year List 87), Greenfinch 17 Sw, Goldfinch 4 SW, Siskin 15 SW, Lesser Redpoll 2 SW, Yellowhammer 1 S.

TUESDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (07.15-08.25hrs) - 'Viz-Mig'- Cormorant 1 SW 08.20hrs, Golden Plover 19 N 07.34hrs, BHGull 5 S, Stock Dove 5 N, Meadow Pipit 3 SE, Pied Wagtail 5 SW, Redwing 3 Sw, Fieldfare 2 SW, Chaffinch 11 SW, Goldfinch 3 SW, Siskin 2 Sw, Lesser Redpoll 2 SW, Greenfinch 27 SW, Linnet 6 SW, Bullfinch 2 SE.

SUNDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (07.30-09.30hrs) - MOTH TRAP - Silver Y 1, Square-spot Rustic 1, Black Rustic 1. BIRD'S:- Cormorant 1 NE 09.00 & 10.40hrs, Sparrowhawk 1 over, Woodpigeon 37 SW, Skylark 2 SE & 3SW, Meadow Pipit 17 Sw, Grey Wagtail 1 SW, Pied Wagtail 11 SW,Blackbird 7 S, Fieldfare 14 landed briefly in the trees before flying W (See Recent Photo's), Redwing 21 SW, Song Thrush 2 Sw, Chaffinch 81 SW (Back Garden Record), Greenfinch 29 SW, Goldfinch 5 SW, Siskin 3 SE, COMMON CROSSBILL 2 SW 10.02hrs calling, a first for the back garden! (Garden Bird Year List 86).

SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (06.45-09.15 & 16.00-18.45hrs) - MOTH'S:- BARRED SALLOW and BLACK RUSTIC were year tick's (Area Moth Year List 228) along with Lesser Yellow Underwing, Silver Y, Straw Dot, Blair's Shoulder-Knot and Square-spot Rustic (See Recent Photo's). BIRD'S:- Cormorant 1 W 07.27hrs, Pink-Footed Geese 85 E 18.26hrs, Golden Plover 5 E (See Recent Photo's), Common Snipe 1 N 07.51hrs, BHGull 6 S, Common Gull 1 S, LBBG 2 N, Swallow 1 S, Meadow Pipit 14 SW, Grey Wagtail 2 S, Chiffchaff 1 in the trees 07.30-07.32hrs, Redwing 48 SW, Mistle Thrush 3 over, Jay 1 S, Chaffinch 29 SW, Goldfinch 3 SW, Linnet 2 SW. A decent total of 38 Species seen! BUTTERFLIES:- Peacock, Small Tortoishell & Small White.

Haugh Road - 84 Meadow Pipit's counted at the evening roost.

THURSDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (06.50-08.25hrs) - MOTH TRAP:- Silver Y 1, Lunar Underwing 1, Large Yellow Underwing 1, Setaceous Hebrew Character 1,Square-spot Rustic 1. BIRD'S:- Sparrowhawl 1 S, BHGull 1 S, Common Gull 1 S, LBBG 1 NE, Swallow 3 S, Meadow Pipit 3 SW, Redwing 13 SW, Mistle Thrush 1 over, Blackbird 3 S, Pied Wagtail 6 SW, Grey Wagtail 2 NW, Goldfinch 6 SE, Linnet 2 W, Siskin 1 S.

MONDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2007 - Back Garden - (06.45-08.25hrs) - BIRD'S:- Sparrowhawk 1 over, LBBGull 3 SW, BHGull 1 S, Swallow 1 S, House Martin 6 S, Skylark 1 SW, Mistle Thrush 4 over, Redwing 6 SW, Grey Wagtail 2 S, Meadow Pipit 2 N, jay 1 over, Chaffinch 6 Sw, Goldfinch 2 S, Linnet 1 SW, Yellowhammer 1 NE. Also Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Great Tit, Blue & Coal Tit. A Large White was seen 13.00hrs.

Recent Photos

	Ground Ivy, New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 08/05/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Bird's-foot-trefoil, New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 08/05/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Wheatear, New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 08/05/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Dingy Skipper, New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 07/05/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Wheatear (male), New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 07/05/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Shelduck, Aldwarke SF, Rotherham, 30/04/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Record shot of a Shelduck, Aldwarke SF, Rotherham, 27/04/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Common Whitethroat (male), Sandhill Marsh, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 26/04/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Blackcap (male), New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 24/04/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Snakeshead Fritillary, New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 24/04/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Early Grey, back garden moth trap, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 23/04/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	Garden Carpet, back garden moth trap, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 23/04/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Pied Shield Bug, back garden, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 23/04/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Little Ringed Plover, Aldwarke SF, Rotherham, 12/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	A Double-striped Pug, back garden moth trap, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 04/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	A Water Boatman, New Stubbin pond, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 03/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	A Water Measurer, New Stubbin pond, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 03/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	A Darter dragonfly nymph, New Stubbin pond, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 03/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	A clump of Primrose's, High Street Cemetery, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 03/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	A Common Frog, back garden pond, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 02/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	A Grey Heron, photographed over the back garden, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 02/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	Lesser Celandine's, High Street Cemetery, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 01/04/2008 Copyright Mark Langston
	Bluebell's, High Street Cemetery, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 01/04/2008. Copyright Mark Langston
	High Street Cemetery, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 01/04/2008. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Wheatear (male), New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 31/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Hebrew Character, back garden moth trap, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 31/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Comma, New Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 30/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Peacock, back garden, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, 30/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A record shot of 2(out of 4) Ringed Plover's, Parkgate, Rotherham, 26/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Yellow Horned moth, back garden, Rawmarsh 15/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Common Buzzard photographed over the back garden, Rawmarsh 09/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Garden Spider, back garden, Rawmarsh 08/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A record shot of a Green Woodpecker, High Street Cemetery, Rawmarsh 06/03/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A Greylag Goose, Aldwarke SF, 23/02/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A record shot of our first local Barn Owl, undisclosed site, Rawmarsh, 14/02/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A record shot of a Bullfinch (male), Sandhill Marsh, Rawmarsh, 14/02/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A record shot of a Common Buzzard, mobbed by crow's, Haugh Road, Rawmarsh, 09/02/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A record shot of a Sparrowhawk with a freshly killed Collared Dove, Haugh Road Cemetery, Rawmarsh, 02/02/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A record shot of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, High Street Cemetery, Rawmarsh, 06/01/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A record shot of a Green Sandpiper, Aldwark SF, Rotherham, 05/01/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A pair of Gadwall, Aldwark SF, Rotherham, 05/01/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A drake Shoveler, Sandhill Marsh, Rawmarsh, 04/01/08. Copyright Mark Langston
	A micro moth, Exapate congelatella, back garden moth trap, Rawmarsh, 08/11/2007. Copyright Mark Langston