Sunday 18th July 2004
Grey Heron - 2; Canada Goose - 2ads + 4 juvs; Green Sandpiper - 2 feeding together; Stock Dove - 3; Grey Wagtail - 1; Reed Bunting - 1 singing + brood of fledged juvs.

Sunday 11th July 2004
Canada Goose - 1pr + 4 juvs; Lapwing - 2; Green Sandpiper - 1; Black-headed Gull - 3 + 1 juv; Stock Dove - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1 or 2.

Sunday 4th July 2004
Canada Goose - 2ads + 4juvs; Tufted Duck - 1m; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Ringed Plover - 1pr, probably breeding; Green Sandpiper - 1ad; Black-headed Gull - 4ad + 1juv; Stock Dove - 4; Grey wagtail - 1 singing.

Sunday 27th June 2004
Cormorant - 5 NE along river; Grey Heron - 1; Canada Goose - 1pr + 4 juvs; Tufted Duck - 1pr; Ringed Plover - 1pr looking anxious; Green Sandpiper - 1, quite early; Stock Dove - 6; Grey wagtail - 1-2; Reed Bunting - 2 singing. Also: Emperor Dragonfly (1m patrolling fence around Candlelight factory)

Sunday 20th June 2004
Cormorant - 6 flew downriver together; Canada Goose - 2ads + 4 juvs; Ringed Plover - 1; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Mistle Thrush - post-breeding flock of 13 feeding together. Also: Painted Lady (1 tatty individual).

Monday 31st May 2004
Grey Heron - 2; Gadwall - 1pr; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Lapwing - 1pr; Stock Dove - 2; Whitethroat - 3-4 singing; Reed Bunting - 3 singing.
Also: Mother Shipton moth (1); Small Heath (2).

Sunday 23rd May 2004
Little Ringed Plover - 1 flew over road from SF towards steelworks.
And on R.Don at Aldwarke: Kingfisher - 1pr; Stock Dove - 2 displaying; Blackcap - 1 singing; Chiffchaff - 1 singing. Also: Brimstone butterfly (1); Banded Demoiselle (1f).

Sunday 16th May 2004
Canada Goose - breeding confirmed - 1pr + 4 juvs; Gadwall - 1m; Lapwing - 1; Little Ringed Plover - 2; Grey wagtail - 1. Also: Brimstone butterfly (1).

Sunday 2nd May 2004
At the Sewage Farm: Canada Goose - 1; Shelduck - 1pr, presumably same as Thrybergh birds; Gadwall - 5; Teal - 2m; Shoveler - 1 male paired with hybrid fem; Stock Dove - 2; Yellow wagtail - 1; Whitethroat - 2 singing; Blackcap - 1 singing; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Willow Warbler - 2 singing.

Sunday 25th April 2004
On the R.Don at Aldwarke: Gadwall - 1m; Grey Wagtail - 1; Stock Dove - 3; Whitethroat - 1 singing; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Willow Warbler - 1 singing.

Sunday 18th April 2004
At Aldwarke SF: Canada Goose - 1pr, present regularly; Mute Swan - 1imm; Gadwall - 2prs; Teal - 4prs; Shoveler - 1m, paired with hybrid duck; Little Ringed Plover - 1 on 15th; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail - a pair on 15th; Chiffchaff - 1 singing, 15th and 18th; Willow Warbler - 2 singing. And on the R.Don at Aldwarke: Kingfisher - 1; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Monday 12th April 2004
At Aldwarke SF: Canada Goose - 1pr; Gadwall 12; Teal - 1pr; Shoveler - 1m, paired with hybrid f; Tufted Duck - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Willow warbler - 2 singing.

Sunday 11th April 2004
On R.Don at Aldwarke: Cormorant - 17 in from NE, some settling but most dispersing to SW; Goosander - 6 in from SW.

Sunday 4th April 2004
At Aldwarke SF: Grey heron - 2; Gadwall - 2m, 1f; Tufted Duck - 1; Green Sandpiper - 2.

Sunday 28th March 2004
At Aldwarke SF: Grey Heron - 1; Gadwall - 5 (3m); Teal - 12; Redshank - 2; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Willow Tit - 1. Also: Fox (1). And along the R.Don at Eastwood: Stock Dove - 2prs; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Sunday 21st March 2004
On the R.Don, Eastwood: Teal - 4; Tufted Duck - 1; Goosander - 1pr; Stock Dove - 2; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Sunday 14th March 2004
At the Sewage Farm: Grey Heron - 2; Gadwall - 9; Teal - 16; Kestrel - 2; Snipe - 2. And on the River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1; Mute Swan - 3; Goosander - 1pr; Stock Dove - 1.

Sunday 29th February 2004
At Aldwarke SF: Grey Heron - 1; Teal - 23; Snipe - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Willow Tit - 2; Siskin - 5. On River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1, breeding plumage; Mute Swan - 5; Teal - 3; Mallard - 36; Pochard - 1; Tufted Duck - 2; Goosander - 1m; Water Rail - 1 calling constantly but not seen; Stock Dove - 2.

Sunday 22nd February 2004
On the River Don at Eastwood: Mute Swan - 7 (3ads); Teal - 13; Willow Tit - 1.
Also a Water Rail watched for some time by water's edge. Stalked and caught what appeared to be a small Perch, 50-60mm in length. Eventually killed it by stabbing it viciously with its bill, often impaling it, then spent several minutes trying to swallow it before giving up.

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Sunday 15th February 2004
At Aldwarke SF: Grey Heron - 2; Gadwall - 5; Teal - 23; Sparrowhawk - 1 fem hunting; Snipe - 3; Black-headed Gull - 200+ circling over; Grey Wagtail - 1; Chiffchaff - 1; Willow Tit - 1. And on the R. Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 5; Mute Swan - 1; Teal - 17; Mallard - 18; Goosander - 2m; Stock Dove - 5 at Aldwarke treatment works.

Sunday 8th February 2004
No significant works carried out on the SF for several weeks, so excavations re-flooded by recent heavy rain. So, at Aldwarke SF: Grey Heron - 8; Gadwall - 7; Teal - 39; Snipe - 1. And on the R. Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 2; Grey Heron - 2; Mute Swan - 4; Teal - 2; Goosander - 3m, 1f.

Sunday 1st February 2004
On the River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1; Cormorant - 1; Mallard - 37; Stock Dove - 3.

Sunday 25th January 2004
A Barn Owl hunting, 0725h.
On the R. Don between Aldwarke and Eastwood: Little Grebe - 3; Teal - 28, inc displaying birds; Goosander - 3 (1m).

Sunday 18th January 2004
On the R. Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 6; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 1; Teal - 19; Tufted Duck - 1; Willow Tit - 1.

Sunday 11th January 2004
On the R. Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 8; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 1; Mallard - 46; Goosander - 3 [2m,1f].

Summary for 28th to 30th December 2003 [all River Don]
On the R.Don at Aldwarke: Little Grebe - 4, 28/12; Grey Heron - 2, 28/12; Cormorant - 5, 30/12. On the R.Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 6, 28/12; Mute Swan - 7, 30/12; Teal - 12, 30/12; Tufted Duck - 1 regularly; Grey Wagtail - 1 regularly.

Sunday 21st December 2003
On the River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 3; Grey Heron - 2.

Sunday 14th December 2003
On the River Don at Aldwarke: Little Grebe - 2; Grey Heron - 1; Goosander - 1m, 1f/imm; Kingfisher - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1.  On the River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 3; Grey Heron - 2; Mallard - 30; Lapwing - 28 W; Kingfisher - 1; Goldcrest - 3; Willow Tit - 1.

Sunday 7th December 2003 - unless otherwise indicated.
On the River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 4 regularly; Grey Heron - 1 regularly; Mute Swan - 2ads + 4 1st W; Teal - 15; Goosander - 1m; Snipe - 1 over, 09/12.

Sunday 30th November 2003
At Aldwarke SF [or what's left of it] : Kestrel - 1; Goldcrest - 1.
On the R. Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 5; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 1; Mallard - 27; Willow Tit - 1.

Sunday 23rd November 2003
On the R.Don at Aldwarke: Grey Heron - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1. And at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 3; Cormorant - 3; Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 2; Teal - 10; Tufted Duck - 2.

Sunday 16th November 2003
At the SF: Sparrowhawk - 1m; Stock Dove - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1.
On the R.Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 3; Teal - 14; Tufted Duck - 1; Stock Dove - 3; Grey wagtail - 1; Willow Tit - 1.

Sunday 9th November 2003
At Aldwarke SF: Grey Heron - 3; Kestrel - 2.
On the R.Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 8, inc party of 7 together; Grey Heron - 1; Teal - 10; Mallard - 49; Grey Wagtail - 1; Willow Tit - 1.

Note, 27th October - Aldwarke SF is now almost totally destroyed. All lagoons drained and/or levelled. I am attending a meeting this week to find out what the future holds, but the site has effectively already gone! [PL].

   
Photographs Copyright © Paul Leonard

Sunday 26th October 2003
Grey Heron - 1; Teal - 1; Peregrine - 1 over to SW at 1145h.
And on the R.Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1; Cormorant - 2; Teal - 2; Kingfisher - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1.

Sunday 12th October 2003
Grey Heron - 6; Snipe - 4; Chiffchaff - 1 in tit-flock.

Summary, 28th September to 5th October 2003
At Aldwarke SF: Grey Heron - 7, 05/10; Teal - 22, 28/09; Snipe - 2-3 regularly; Green Sandpiper - 1, 28/09; Chiffchaff - 1 singing, 05/10.
Also: Small Copper (1), 05/10.  On R. Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1, 05/10; Teal - max 7, 28/09; Wigeon - 1, 28/09; Kingfisher - 1, 28/09.

Sunday 21st September 2003
Heron - 7; Teal - 48; Snipe - 2; Green Sandpiper - 3; Meadow Pipit - 10. Also: Migrant Hawker (1).
And on R.Don, Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1; Heron - 2; Teal - 4; Chiffchaff - 1 singing. Also: Grass Snake (1 on riverbank).

NB: Majority of lagoons at the SF have been dug up over past couple of weeks causing devastation to site & maturing habitats. Whether this is part of cycle of
emptying/re-filling of lagoons or more serious works in preparation for handing over of site for development is unknown.

Sunday 31st August 2003
Heron - 4; Teal - 17; Sparrowhawk - 1; Green Sandpiper - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1; Swallow - 30-40; Chiffchaff - 4; Carrion Crow - 1 with crossed mandibles; Goldfinch - 27.

Sunday 24th August 2003
Teal - 12; Snipe - 2; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Whinchat - 1; Lesser Whitethroat - 1.

Sunday 17th August 2003
Heron - 2; Teal - 13; Snipe - 1; Common Sandpiper - 1; Green Sandpiper - 2; Willow Tit - 1.

Sunday 3rd August 2003
Along the R.Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1 calling; Cormorant - 1; Heron - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Willow Tit - 1.  Also, on riverside Buddleias: Painted Lady (5), Peacock (2), Comma (1), Red Admiral (2), Speckled Wood (2), Small Tortoiseshell (5), also Gatekeeper (common), Small, Large & Green-veined Whites, Common Blue. [See Butterflies 2003 for photographs].

Sunday 20th July 2003
Grey Heron - 6; Teal - 4; Kestrel - breeding confirmed in area - male carrying prey pursued by screeching juv !; Green Sandpiper - 1; Stock Dove - 5. Also: Red Admiral - 1; Comma - 4; Mother of Pearl moth - common [below].

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Sunday 13th July 2003
Heron - 3; Lapwing - c.50; Black-headed Gull - 94 on 'Candlelight' factory roof, inc 19 juvs. The poorest breeding season here by far in recent years, but site now appears to be 'shot' by unauthorised party. Also: Comma (4), Speckled Wood (1), Red Admiral (1) and lots of Mother of Pearl moths.

Sunday 22nd June 2003
Grey Heron - 2; Canada Goose - 1pr + 5 almost full-grown juvs still present; Gadwall - 1; Shoveler - 1m; Tufted Duck - 1pr; Ringed Plover - 1. Also: Banded Demoiselle - 1m; Red Admiral - 1.

Sunday 1st June 2003
Heron - 2; Canada Goose - 1pr + 5 well-grown juvs; Gadwall - 7m, 1f; Redshank - 1.

Sunday 25th May 2003
Canada Goose - 1pr + 5 juvs; Gadwall - 5; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Sedge Warbler - 1 singing.

Sunday 18th May 2003
At Aldwarke Sewage Farm: Little Grebe - 2 visible; Heron - 5; Gadwall - 4m, 1f; Tufted Duck - 1pr; Little Ringed Plover - 2; Whitethroat - 3 singing. Also - Speckled Wood (1) & Small Heath (1) butterflies. On the River Don at Aldwarke: Heron - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Stock Dove - 4; Chiffchaff - 1 singing. Also - Water Vole.

Sunday 11th May 2003 [PL + D.Stables]
Heron - 1; Canada Goose - 1pr + juvs, + x greylag hybrid; Gadwall - 1pr; Shoveler - 1m; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Redshank - 1; Black-headed Gull - 15 first-summers; Stock Dove - 5; Grey Wagtail - 1; Blackcap - 1 singing; Sedge Warbler - 1 singing; Willow Tit - 1 singing. Also Water Vole here. And on the River Don at Aldwarke: Heron - 1; Kingfisher - 1pr, copulating by nesting bank.

Monday 5th May 2003
Gadwall - 8; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Redshank - 1pr; Black-headed Gull - 15 first-summers; Sedge Warbler - 2 singing; Blackcap - 2 singing; Whitethroat - 4 singing. And on the River Don at Aldwarke: Heron - 1; Blackcap - 1 singing; Whitethroat - 1 singing.

Sunday 4th May 2003
Little Grebe - breeding confirmed - ad with at least juv; Heron - 4; Canada Goose - breeding confirmed - 1pr + 5 small goslings from this date; Gadwall - 7; Shoveler - 1m; Little Ringed Plover - 1 [or another]; Blackcap - 2 singing; Lesser Whitethroat - 1 singing. And on the R.Don at Aldwarke: Heron - 2; Whitethroat - 1 singing; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Sunday 27th April 2003
Gadwall - c.20; Teal - 9; Shoveler - 4m, 1f; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Swift - 15-20; Grey Wagtail - 1; Blackcap - 1 singing; Whitethroat - 2 singing; Willow Warbler - 3 singing.

Wednesday 23rd April 2003 [P.Ridsdale]
At the SF: 30+ Teal, 8 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 4 Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Canada Goose.

Sunday 20th April 2003
At the SF: Gadwall - still c.30 but all the duck very flighty; Teal - 40-50; Shoveler - 2prs; Little Ringed Plover - 1pr; Jack Snipe - 1 flushed with Snipe; Snipe - 1; Whitethroat - 1 singing; Willow Warbler - 2 singing. On the R.Don at Aldwarke: Kingfisher - 1pr; Whitethroat - 1 singing; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Sunday 13th April 2003
At Aldwarke Sewage Farm: Grey Heron - 4; Canada Goose - 1pr (+ nest?); Gadwall - c.30, very flighty; Teal - 30-40; Shoveler - 2m; Little Ringed Plover - 3m, 1f (on plumage/behaviour); Lapwing - 5-6 displaying; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Willow Warbler - 1 singing. On the R. Don at Aldwarke: Cormorant - 3; Grey Heron - 3; Goosander - 7, all fem; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kingfisher - 1 very vocal pair; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Friday 11th April 2003 [M.Langston]
A late morning visit to the SF produced: 21 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 21 Teal, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Snipe, 2 Grey wagtails, a pristine White Wagtail showing well, 2 Chiffchaffs and a single Willow Warbler.

Sunday 6th April 2003
At Aldwarke SF: Grey Heron - 1; Gadwall - c.30 (very flighty), inc hybrid male; Teal - still 50-60 present; Shoveler - 2m, one paired with hybrid fem; Tufted Duck - 1pr; Little Ringed Plover - 2; Snipe - 2. On the R. Don at Aldwarke: Cormorant - 9; Gadwall - 1pr; Goosander - 2prs; Redwing - 7; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Sunday 30th March 2003
Little Grebe - 1; Grey Heron - 3; Gadwall - 11; Teal - c.50; Shoveler - 2m, one paired with hybrid fem; Snipe - 7; Black-headed Gull - c.50, mostly 1st yrs; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Sunday 23rd March 2003
At Aldwarke SF: Grey Heron - 2; Canada Goose - 4; Gadwall - 4; Teal - 50-60; Lapwing - 4; Snipe - 4; Black-headed Gull - c.40, mostly 1st year birds; Chiffchaff - 2 singing. And on the River Don at Aldwarke: Cormorant - 9, inc 8 on pylons; Grey Heron - 2; Goosander - 18 feeding below weir; Kingfisher - 1pr.

Thursday 20th March 2003 [M.Langston]
Three Redshank and a Jack Snipe, plus 13 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 5 Snipe and 2 singing Chiffchaffs.

Sunday 16th March 2003
Canada Goose - 2pr; Gadwall - 3pr; Teal - c.50; Shoveler - 2m, 1f; Lapwing - 9 displaying; Snipe - 1; Chiffchaff - 1. A Peacock butterfly - was the first of spring. And on the River Don: Kingfisher - a pair, sitting together by nesting bank, opposite Asda.

Sunday 23rd February 2003
Grey Heron - 2; Canada Goose - 10 (presumably same as those west at Thrybergh Banks); Gadwall - 30; Teal - c.120; Shoveler - 2; Snipe - 6; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Song Thrush - 5; Goldcrest - 1 (not common here); Reed Bunting - 9.
And on the River Don at Eastwood: Grey Heron - 1; Mute Swan - 2; Teal - 15; Tufted Duck - 4; Goosander - 2.

Thursday 23rd January 2003 [M.Langston]
At the SF, 1030 - 1145h: a Green Sandpiper flushed, 7 Grey Herons, 6 Gadwall, 27 Teal, 3 Kestrels, 3 Pheasants, 4 Snipe, 2 Grey Wagtails, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Willow Tits and 14 Siskin. The river was very quiet with just 5 Goosander and 3 Cormorant.

Thursday 16th January 2003 [M.Langston]
At the SF: 27 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, c.65 Teal, 6 Grey Herons, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Grey Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipits, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls SW.

Sunday 12th January 2003
At Aldwarke SF (100% frozen): Grey Heron - 8; Sparrowhawk - 1m; Grey Wagtail - 1. Also: Fox - 1.
On the R.Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1; Mute Swan - 2; Gadwall - 2; Teal - c.50; Mallard - c.70; Tufted Duck - 3; Goosander - 1m.

Christmas 2002 period.
Teal - c.100 on 27/12; Shoveler - 5 on 28/12; Woodcock - 1 on 27/12; Snipe - max 12 on 27/12; Green Sandpiper - one 28/12. On the River Don at Aldwarke: Goosander - 6 (2m) on 28/12. On the River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 4 on 29/12.

Sunday 22nd December 2002 [PL]
Great Crested Grebe - 2; Cormorant - 6; Gadwall - 77, inc 1 hybrid drake; Teal - c.30; Goosander - 1f, south; Snipe - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Fieldfare - c.50; Redwing - c.100; Bullfinch - 6.

Sunday 22nd December 2002 [MLangston]
Early morning: 6 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, c.65 Teal, 16 Snipe, 3 Reed Buntings and 8 Meadow Pipits. On the R. Don: 4 Mute Swan, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron and 10 Teal, with 13 Cormorants south and a flock of c.105 Woodpigeon SW.

Sunday 15th December 2002
On the River Don at Aldwarke: Cormorant - max 4 on this date; Goosander - 1 male.

Thursday 12th December 2002
Reed Bunting - 5.

Sunday 8th December 2002
Grey Heron - max 4; Teal - max c.100; Shoveler - max 8; Snipe - max 9; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1-2 regularly around this date.
On the River Don at Eastwood: Cormorant - 1; Teal - max c.20 on this date; Tufted Duck - 1pr; Goldeneye - max 2 on this date; Goosander - 1 female.

Sunday 1st December 2002
Grey Heron - 5; Teal - 80-90; Shoveler - 2prs; Snipe - 9; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail -2.

Sunday 24th November 2002
Evidence of steep increase in shooting may account for poor wildfowl numbers: Grey Heron - 5; Teal - 13; Snipe - 3; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Grey Wagtail - 2; Song Thrush - 10; Redwing - c.30; Reed Bunting - 8. On the River Don at Eastwood: Mute Swan - 2ad, 3 first-winter; Goldeneye - 3, inc 1m. Cormorant - 9 sitting on top of pylon by river at Aldwarke.

A different observer reported [in addition] 5 Shoveler and c.45 Teal at Aldwarke SF,  and along the River Don between Aldwarke and Eastwood [in addition to the above]: 3 Goosander, 5 Little Grebes, 22 Teal and a Kingfisher, plus 2 Willow Tits and 6 Bullfinch [M.Langston].

Thursday 21st November 2002 [PL]
Cormorant - 7 sitting on top of pylon by the River Don.

Monday 18th November 2002
Grey Heron - 8; Teal - 18, a poor count, presumably site already visited and birds flushed; Snipe - 13; Stock Dove - 9; Grey Wagtail - 4; Redwing - 30-40; Song Thrush - 10. On the River Don at Aldwarke: Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 1; Kingfisher - 1. On the River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 2; Teal - 20; Goldeneye - 3, including an immature drake.

Sunday 17th November 2002 [M.Langston]
An early morning visit produced a single Green Sandpiper, c.120 Teal, 4 Snipe and 45 Fieldfare west, with a flock of c.40 Meadow Pipits in the adjacent field.

Sunday 3rd November 2002
Grey Heron - 10; Teal - c.200; Shoveler - 8; Snipe - 1.

Sunday 27th October 2002
Grey Heron - 5; Teal - 100-120; Shoveler - 1m, 3f.

Sunday 20th October 2002
Teal - 180-200; Shoveler - 4; Grey Wagtail - 4; Goldfinch - 19; Linnet - 30; Reed Bunting - 6.

Sunday 13th October 2002
Teal - c.100; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail - 2-3.

Sunday 6th October 2002.
Teal - c.60 + 15 on river; Snipe - 1; Green Sandpiper - 1; Stock Dove - 12.

Sunday 29th September 2002
Shelduck - 1 imm; Teal - 33; Shoveler - 1 male, paired with hybrid female; Snipe - 3; Green Sandpiper - 1; Stock Dove - 11; Chiffchaff - 1; Linnet - 28; Goldfinch - 20.

Sunday 22nd September 2002 unless otherwise indicated.
Grey Heron - 5; Shelduck - 1 imm, 15/09 & 22/09; Teal - c.60, 15/09, 80-90, 22/09; Snipe - 2, 15/09; Green Sandpiper - 2; Common Sandpiper - 1, 15/09; Grey Wagtail - 2; Goldfinch - c.60, 15/09.  And on the River Don at Eastwood: Little Grebe - 1; Teal - 12; Mallard - 55; Tufted Duck - 2.

Summary 13th to 25th August 2002
Grey Heron - 11, 25/08; Teal - 24, 18/08; Shoveler - 1, 20/08; Lapwing - c.130, 18/08; Green Sandpiper - 1-4 regularly.

Sunday 11th August 2002
Grey Heron - 6; Teal - 15; Common Sandpiper - 1; Green Sandpiper - 2.

Sunday 4th August 2002
Grey Heron - 6; Lapwing - c.60; Common Sandpiper - 2; Green Sandpiper - 4.

Sunday 28th July 2002
Green Sandpiper - 1; Peregrine - a female, probably adult, accidentally flushed from willows by works - it flew SE, then swung back & gained height before leaving strongly to SE at 1120hrs - no signs of jesses etc.

Sunday 21st July 2002
Teal - 2; Grey Heron - 6; Little Ringed Plover - 1pr + 3 fledged juvs; Lapwing - c.150 plus a pair with 2 chicks; Redshank - 2; Greenshank - 1 adult; Green Sandpiper - 1. In addition: Mother-of-Pearl moth[s].

Wednesday 10th July 2002
The short walk along the River Don between Aldwarke Lock & Eastwood Lock this morning produced the following butterflies: 1 Ringlet, 1 Comma, 5+ Gatekeepers, 3 Small Skippers, 4 Large Skippers, 10+ Meadow Browns, 7 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large White, 3 Small White and 2 Small Heath. [M. Langston].

Sunday 7th July 2002 unless otherwise stated:
Shoveler - 1m; Little Ringed Plover - 6 ads; Ringed Plover - 1; Lapwing - 42 + 'new' brood of 2; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Reed Warbler - 1 singing; Sedge Warbler - 1 singing. Also at Aldwarke: the first Gatekeeper butterflies and a Comma, plus good views of a Fox there. Along the River Don at Aldwarke: Kingfisher - 1; Chiffchaff - 2 singing.

Wednesday 3rd July 2002
A short walk along the River Don between Aldwarke Lock & Eastwood Lock this morning produced the following butterflies: 2 Ringlets, 1 male Brimstone, 4 Small Heath, 4 Large Skipper, 5 Small Skipper, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Meadow Brown, 3 Small White and 1 Large White [M. Langston].

Sunday 30th June 2002
Teal - 7; Lapwing - 2prs bred successfully, 5 juvs; Little Ringed Plover - 1pr; Ringed Plover - 1 adult. Butterflies: a Red Admiral and lots of 'fresh' Small Tortoiseshell.

Sunday 23rd June 2002
Mallard - total of 80 inc juvs; Ringed Plover - 1 adult. On the River Don: Kingfisher - probably bred, bird(s) carrying food. Dragonflies: 2 male Banded Demoiselle.

Summary 1st to 4th June 2002
Little Grebe - 1 seen regularly, probably a pair present; Canada Goose - Confirmed breeding, brood of 3; Gadwall - 17, 02/06; Tufted Duck - 3m, 1f regular; Lapwing - Confirmed breeding; Little Ringed Plover - 2 regular; Redshank - 1pr regular; Grey Wagtail - Confirmed breeding; Pied Wagtail - Confirmed breeding; Whitethroat - Confirmed breeding; Sedge Warbler - 1 or 2 singing; Wren - Confirmed breeding; Goldfinch - Confirmed breeding; Reed Bunting - Confirmed breeding. Butterflies recorded over the long BH weekend: Common Blue, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell.

Sunday 19th May 2002
Canada Goose - breeding confirmed - brood of 3; Gadwall - 10, mostly males; Mallard - breeding confirmed; Coot - breeding confirmed; Lapwing - breeding confirmed - brood of 3; Little Ringed Plover - 1; Redshank - 1; Whitethroat - 3 singing; Willow Warbler - 1 singing. Also: Small Heath butterfly.

Thursday 16th May 2002 [1000-1200h] [M.Langston]
A Hobby north over the SF at 1040h pursued by a selection of hirundines [assuming submission to and acceptance by the SBSG Rarities Committee]. Also present: a single Common Tern, 7 Gadwall, 2 pairs of Shoveler plus solitary the male with hybrid; a large build up of Swifts noted with c.100 in the area; plus single Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. Ten species of Butterfly included: Speckled Wood -1, Common Blue - 1 male, Small Heath - 2, Wall Brown - 4, Peacock - 1, Small Tortoiseshell - 5, Orange Tip - 10+, Large White - 5+, Small White - 10+, and Green-veined White -10+.

Tuesday 14th May 2002, 100-1200h [M.Langston]
Still 16 Gadwall, a male Shoveler plus hybrid, 10 Black-headed Gulls with one pair displaying, a Grey Wagtail carrying food items and 3 singing Reed Buntings. On the River Don: 2 Common Sandpipers and a Kingfisher.

Saturday 11th May 2002, early evening 1830-2000h [M.Langston]
One Mute Swan, 2 pairs Canada Goose including one pair with 5 goslings, 12 Gadwall, a male Shoveler,8 pairs of Mallard with 3 broods, 2 Grey Heron, a Red-legged Partridge, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 10 Black-headed Gulls, an adult Great Black-backed Gull NW, 10 Swift, 20 House Martin, one Sedge Warbler, 5 Common Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 6 Linnet, 4 Goldfinch, 3 male Reed Buntings, 2 Grey Wagtail.

Friday 3rd May 2002, 1030-1230h [M.Langston]
Four Siskin north; 1 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Swifts, 3 Sand Martins, and 7 Swallows all north; a male Yellowhammer by the railway line; 6 singing Skylarks, 6 singing Meadow Pipits, 3 Pheasants, 10 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Goldfinch, 3 male Reed Buntings, 2 pairs of Stock Dove, 2 pairs of Pied Wagtail, 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 pairs of Kestrel.

Thursday 2nd May 2002, 1030-1230h [M.Langston]
Four Teal, 1 male Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 2 Redshanks around the lagoons. Plus: 7 Swifts, 5 Sand Martins, 1 House Martin and a Swallow all north. Also present were: 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Willow Tit and 4 Long-tailed Tits. Butterflies included: single Wall Brown and Speckled Wood, along with good numbers of Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. Along the river along the River Don at Aldwarke: a Kingfisher and a Garden Warbler.

Tuesday 30th April 2002, 1200-1400h [M.Langston]
One Cormorant SE, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Canada Geese, 1 pr of Mute Swans, 1 Sparrowhawk, possibly 28 Gadwall present [a large increase since the weekend and perhaps involves commuting between here and Thrybergh], 2 Shoveler [presumably including the hybrid],  4 pairs of Coot,  6 pairs of Moorhen, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Sand Martins, a singing Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Common Whitethroats, a small build up of Linnets noted with 16 present.

Sunday 28th April 2002, 0600 - 0800h [M.Langston] and [PL]
Two Common Terns flew north at 0755h, 2 Swifts present along with a singing Sedge Warbler and a male White Wagtail, M.a.alba. Other birds present were: 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Sand Martins, 2 Redshank, 2 Teal, 2prs of Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Grey Wagtails, and  2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew SW [ML]. In addition: at least 11 Gadwall [possibly up to 26 -ML]  a Shoveler [+ a hybrid female], 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Snipe, 2 Blackcap and 2 Common Whitethroat [PL]. And on the R.Don at Aldwarke [PL]: Gadwall - 1m; Common Whitethroat - 2 singing; Chiffchaff - 1 singing.

Thursday 25th April 2002 [M.Langston]
An Osprey north over the SF at 1140h [subject to acceptance by the relevant records committee]. Plus: one Red-legged Partridge, 2 Shoveler [presumably including the hybrid], 16 Gadwall, 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 4 Common Whitethroat, 1 House Martin, 3 Sand Martins, 3 Swallows. Butterflies included: 1 Comma, 5 Peacock, 3 Large Whites, 10 Green-veined Whites, 5 Orange Tip.

Sunday 21st April 2002
Little Grebe - 1; Teal - 2prs; Gadwall - 12; Shoveler - a male paired with hybrid female; Tufted Duck - 1m; Lapwing - 3-4prs; Snipe - 2; Redshank - 1; Swallow - 3; House Martin - 3; Common Whitethroat - 2 singing; Blackcap - 2 singing.  And on the River Don at Aldwarke: Kingfisher - 1-2 birds, much calling, appeared to be excavating nest hole.

Wednesday 17th April 2002 - late morning [M.Langston]
Little Ringed Plover - 2; Snipe - 1; Cormorant - 1 north; Lesser Redpoll - 1; Gadwall - 35, Grey Wagtail - 2. Butterflies included: 3 Orange Tip and 5 Peacock.

Summary for late March to mid-April 2002
Gadwall - 30, 07/04; Teal - still 23 on 14/04; Lapwing - 4-5prs?; Green Sandpiper - 1 present until at least 07/04; Redshank - 1pr; Black-headed Gull - 20-30 [mostly non-breeders] regularly; Ring Ouzel - a male reported [see below] 11/04; Blackcap - 2 singing, 07/04.  And on the River Don at Aldwarke: Goosander - 17 (15f) on 07/04, 2 on 14/04; Kingfisher - 1pr regular.

Thursday 11th April 2002 [M.Langston]
A male Ring Ouzel reportedly flew off N at 1025h after being flushed from along the railway line [being out of range and out of habitat, this record will require  ratification by the SBSG Records Committee]; 1 Yellow Wagtail reported north; a Green Woodpecker giving good views; one Siskin north; and 2 Sparrowhawks.

Tuesday 9th April 2002 [M.Langston]
This morning: a female Wheatear and a Lesser Redpoll; whilst 5 Siskins, 5 Cormorants and 2 Shoveler all flew north.

Monday 8th April 2002 [M.Langston]
Canada Goose - 2; Gadwall - 8; Shoveler - 2; Teal - 35 was a good count for mid-April; Redshank - 1; Snipe - 4; Blackcap - 2; Lesser Redpoll - 1.

Wednesday 19th March 2002 [Birdnet pager info]
A Red Kite reported over, early afternoon.

During the period 10th to 17th March 2002
Mute Swan - 1pr on 10/03; Canada Goose - 1pr regular; Gadwall - a max of 16 + 1 hybrid duck; Teal - 70-80, 10/03, down to 42, 17/03; Lapwing - 10 displaying etc, 17/03; Snipe - 6, 10/03; Green Sandpiper - 1, 10/03; Grey Wagtail - 3, 17/03; Chiffchaff - 1 singing, 17/03

Wednesday 13th March 2002
On the River Don between Aldwarke and Thrybergh Banks: Gadwall - 5; Teal - 9; Goosander - 16 (7m); Kingfisher - 1; Stock Dove - 11 under bridges.

Sunday 3rd March 2002
Grey Heron - 3; Canada Goose - 5; Gadwall - 16; Teal - 100-110; Snipe - 6; Green Sandpiper - 1; Grey Wagtail - 3.

Sunday 17th February 2002
Teal - c35; Grey Wagtail - 1.

Sunday 10th February 2002
Snipe - 18.

Sunday 13th January 2002 (now largely ice-free)
Heron - 3; Teal - c.200; Shoveler - 2; Snipe - 8; Grey Wagtail - 2.

Saturday 5th January 2002 [pager info]
A redhead Smew on the River Don with 8 Goosander and a Goldeneye late morning and still present early afternoon at least.

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