Around Rotherham (2 Viewers)

[Himalaya]

I will be visiting Rotherham tomorrow just wondered what is around up to 15 miles away. Any nearby areas to see Smew, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Hawfinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Bean Geese, Barnacle Geese?

I am considering visiting Potteric Carr - although nothing I have not seen before there at the moment it seems although looks a fab place to visit. How much do you pay per person for entry? It is a muddy area? I have been to Old Moor before and there is nothing there too. The birds I have not seen before are listed in the first paragraph.

 

[knotsbirder]

I will be visiting Rotherham tomorrow just wondered what is around up to 15 miles away. Any nearby areas to see Smew, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Hawfinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Bean Geese, Barnacle Geese?

I am considering visiting Potteric Carr - although nothing I have not seen before there at the moment it seems although looks a fab place to visit. How much do you pay per person for entry? It is a muddy area? I have been to Old Moor before and there is nothing there too. The birds I have not seen before are listed in the first paragraph.

Not exactly close, but there is a very reliable spot for Hawfinch 45 mins away in Notts at Rufford Abbey Country Park. They are seen almost every day between 8.30 and 9.00 at the far end of the avenue (the end closest to the abbey) in the tree closest to the abbey on the right-hand side. LSW are also seen every day in the area of woodland bordering the top car park. Standing either along the avenue inbetween the car park and the wood or just in the clear area looking back and waiting are your best bets (learning up on the call is also very helpful). If you're lucky you might also come across a Woodcock in the extensive woodlands. 3 Bewick's this morning too!

There was a single Bean Goose yesterday 25mins away from Rufford at Lound Gravel Pits (Idle Valley NR). See: http://loundbirdclub.webs.com/birdsightings2012.htm .

Your best bet for Bean Goose is the regular 11 in fields just south of Alderfen Fisheries (about 40 mins from Rotherham), where there are also 9 Bewick's Swans (In this field, best viewed from the 90 degree bend by the entrance to the fisheries: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?...archp=ids.srf&dn=861&ax=472687&ay=403210&lm=0 , updates can be found here: http://hmbb1.wordpress.com/ ).

Yesterday at Old Moor there was a RL Buzzard, RB Merganser, Cetti's Warbler and a Bittern.

Two good sites near Rotherham for Jack Snipe are Silverwood Lagoons ( http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr...SDEB1nMG3qtPXQ;FZdzLwMdkW7s_w&mra=ls&t=h&z=14 ) and Woodhouse Washlands ( http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/woodhouse-washlands-nature-reserve ). This site is worth checking: http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recentsightings.asp .

Sam :t:

 

[Himalaya]

thanks fro the information


R L buzzard? .. i would go to old moor for that again...any idea if it is still around...

 

[James Thomas]

Pugneys has drake smew and a couple of scaup at the moment, Jack Snipe also there if you can find 'em. Anglers CP has American Wigeon, Greenland Whitefront, Lesser Pecker seen in nearby woodland.

 

[knotsbirder]

thanks fro the information


R L buzzard? .. i would go to old moor for that again...any idea if it is still around...

I have no idea however there is one that's been around for a few weeks in the Ewden Valley (3 miles west of Stocksbridge Res') viewed from Ewden Height.

Sam :t:

PS: There's also a Ring-necked Duck a mile away from Alderfen (Bean Geese) at Hatfield Moors NNR's Boston Park Lake

 

[Middy24]

There's a male Red-Crested Pochard knocking about Rother Valley CP at present. Plus the Gull roost at Orgreave sometimes comes up with a Caspian Gull.

Thrybergh CP might be worth a visit for the 1st W male Scaup.

 

[Himalaya]

Thanks all.

@ James Thomas – I will be driving past Wakefield but not sure if I can stop as I will have a child and he is sick at the moment. Might be able to go there again o another date though.

@ knotsbirder – how long does it take to climb up to Ewden Height and does the RL Buzzard stay in one area?

The Hawfinches are too far and the time is too early. Woodhouse Washes looks like a beautiful reserve to visit.

@ middy24 – is it a wild RC pochard?

 

[Himalaya]

Hi again!

Should hope to visit Rotherham in May sometime and wondered whee the bst places are to see and hear Nightjar and Nightingale. Hope to take some relations with me and amaze them.

 

[birdieboy123]

We don't get Nightingale this far north any more, the nearest place is near Lincoln

 

[Himalaya]

What about good places for Nightjar?

 

[Andreashrike]

I will be visiting Rotherham tomorrow just wondered what is around up to 15 miles away. Any nearby areas to see Smew, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Hawfinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Bean Geese, Barnacle Geese?

I am considering visiting Potteric Carr - although nothing I have not seen before there at the moment it seems although looks a fab place to visit. How much do you pay per person for entry? It is a muddy area? I have been to Old Moor before and there is nothing there too. The birds I have not seen before are listed in the first paragraph.

I live in Rotherham and at this time of year, you do get lesser spotted woodpeckers at Roche Abbey, Kings Wood. If you are really lucky, you may catch a Hawfinch. They have been sited there regularly and there are plenty of Buzzards. As for Nightingales, they are very very rare in south yorkshire. Although there used to be a pair that visited Thorne Moors, lots of blackthorn and Hazel coppice but they didn't arrive last year.

For Nightjars, Hatfield Moors but it is a bit early for them yet. Hatfield is the other side of doncaster and about 20 miles from Rotherham. There have been Hobby and Woodlark recorded at Hatfield Moors Nature reserve.

To be certain of hearing a Nightingale, yer really need to go to Whisby nature reserve, between Newark and Lincoln which is 45 miles away.

There are crossbills at Clumber Park/Sherwood forest, too, which is about 25 miles from Rotherham.

For Woodcock, go to Ravenfield country park and Fersby reservoir (an abandoned reservoir, more like a lagoon) There are woodcock there and Roche abbey used to be a good place for Woodcock, in the damp ground around the slurry ponds.

A nice place for snipe is Kilnhurst ings, down by the river Don and the sandmartin colonies are a great attraction, common sandpipers are on the river on their migration and gooseander. To see woodcock, snipe, yer need to be there in the evening. Wentworth park is also good for snipe. There is also a Heronry at wentworth and worth a visit.

Thrybergh country park is worth a walk around and black terns have visited there a few times over the years.