Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Wentworth Lakes Photographs and Site Info.

Thursday 9th December 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 8; Grey Heron - 4; Goldeneye - 1 fem/imm [observers first here for some years]; Kingfisher - 3; Grey Wagtail - 2.

Saturday 4th December 2004
This morning: Great Crested Grebe - 8; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 9; Tufted Duck - 3 drk; Goosander - 1 drk; Moorhen - 29; Coot - 11; Kingfisher - 3; Redwing - c.200; Willow Tit - 1; Nuthatch - 3; Goldfinch - 17 feeding on Alder.

Thursday 2nd December 2004
Very quiet this evening with just single Tawny and Little Owl calling.

Tuesday 30th November 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 6; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 7; Wigeon - pair [ my first here since Feb 2003 ]; Sparrowhawk - 3; Little Owl - 1; Kingfisher - 3; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1; Fieldfare - c.50; Nuthatch - 2; Linnet - 30; Lesser Redpoll - 17.

Saturday 27th November 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 10; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 9; Red-legged Partridge - 12; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kestrel - 1; Green Woodpecker - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 3; Kingfisher - 3; Willow Tit - 1; Nuthatch - 3; Jay - 2.

Tuesday 23rd November 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 8; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 7; Common Buzzard - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Kingfisher - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1; Willow Tit - 3; Treecreeper - 3; Lesser Redpoll - 3. Also: Brown Hare - 1.

Saturday 20th November 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 11; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 20; Teal - 6; Pochard - 1 fem; Goosander - 1 drk North; Red-legged Partridge - 18; Water Rail - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 3; Grey Wagtail - 1; Nuthatch - 1; Chaffinch - c.50.

Tuesday 17th November 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 13; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 15; Red-legged Partridge - 32; Little Owl - 3; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Kingfisher - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1; Willow Tit - 2; Bullfinch - 2. Also: Scarce Umber - 1 found on wall of Morley Lodge, presumably attracted by security light [below].

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Saturday 13th November 2004
A count of 4 calling Tawny Owls this evening.

Tuesday 9th November 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 12; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 12; Whooper Swan - 15 east at 1425h; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kestrel - 1; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2 N; Great Black-backed Gull - 1 N; Kingfisher - 2; Redwing - 300+; Lesser Redpoll - 10; Bullfinch - 1

Sunday 31st October 2004
This evening: Woodcock - 1; Tawny Owl - 5 calling; Little Owl - 2 calling. And nearby another Tawny Owl, calling at New Stubbin.

Saturday 30th October 2004
Highlights from a very foggy morning: Great Crested Grebe - 16; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 6; Pheasant - 500+; Little Owl - 3; Kingfisher - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Fieldfare - c.200; Redwing - c.100; Willow Tit - 3; Nuthatch - 1; Jay - 1.

Tuesday 26th October 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 15; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 8; Tufted Duck - 1 drake; Moorhen - several including a pair with 3 recently hatched young; Red-legged Partridge - 11; Common Buzzard - 1; Fieldfare - 11; Nuthatch - 3; Willow Tit - 2.

Tuesday 19th October 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 13; Cormorant - 4; Grey Heron - 17; Black Swan - 1; Kestrel - 1; Kingfisher - 2; Jay - 1.

Saturday 16th October 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 23; Red-legged Partridge - 13; Sparrowhawk - 2; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Swallow - 1 south; Grey Wagtail - 1; Fieldfare - 17; Redwing - 13; Willow Tit - 2; Jay - 1; Siskin - 1

Tuesday 12th October 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 20; Teal - 4 fem; Sparrowhawk - 1; Red-legged Partridge - 25; Black-headed Gull - 150+; Common Gull - 3 [adult & 2 first winters]; Tawny Owl - 1 calling; Kingfisher - 2; Redwing - 56; Fieldfare - 3; Nuthatch - 2; Carrion Crow - 1 partial albino with white primaries & secondaries.

Tuesday 5th October 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 20; Black Swan - 1; Common Buzzard - 1; Red-legged Partridge - 10; Grey Partridge - 1; Snipe - 1; House
Martin - 7.

Wednesday 22nd September 2004 [late afternoon / early evening].
Mallard - 400+ [flushed from fields by a pheasant shoot]; Common Buzzard - 1; Lapwing - c.60; Kingfisher - 1; Swallow - 10+; House Martin - c.200; Grey Wagtail - 1; Chiffchaff - 2.

Saturday 18th September 2004
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Kingfisher - 2; Swallow - c.20; House Martin - 100+; Skylark - 9 N; Chiffchaff - 3; Willow Tit - 2; Also: Fox - 1.

Tuesday 14th September 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 29; Mallard - 164; Lapwing - c.30; Black-headed Gull - 120; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 21; Red-legged Partridge c.30; Swift - 2 W; Swallow - c.20; House Martin - c.30; Chiffchaff - 1; Linnet - flock of c.40; Also: Migrant Hawker - 5; Painted Lady - 1 in churchyard; Speckled Wood - 14.

Saturday 4th September 2004
Cormorant - 1; Pintail - 1 [observers first here]; Common Buzzard - 4; Sparrowhawk - 3; Kestrel - 1; Lapwing - c.50; Green Woodpecker - 1; Swift - 1; Chiffchaff - 4; Willow Tit - 1; Great Tit - of interest 1 observed mimicking Marsh Tit (calls); Nuthatch - 1. Also: Migrant Hawker - numerous; Brown Hawker - 9; Small Tortoiseshell - 3; Peacock - 1; Speckled Wood - 20+.

Tuesday 31st August 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 27; Red-legged Partridge - 33; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Kingfisher - 2; Swift - 5; Sand Martin - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Meadow Pipit - 1SW; Chiffchaff - 3; Willow Tit - 2; Spotted Flycatcher - 1. Also: Holly Blue - 1; Speckled Wood - 36; Brown Hawker - 4; Stinkhorn - 1 [below].

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Saturday 28th August 2004
Cormorant - 1 [below]; Kestrel - 1; Lapwing - 25; Kingfisher - 3; Swift - 3 SE; Sand Martin - 1; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Long-tailed Tit - 70+ throughout site; Willow Tit - 1; Nuthatch - 3; House Sparrow - c.30. Also: Brown Hawker - 2; Migrant Hawker - 9; Red Admiral - 1; Speckled Wood - 20+.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Wednesday 25th August 2004.
Cormorant - 1; Lapwing - c.50 over; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 10 W; Swallow - c.20; House Martin - c.40; Sand Martin - 1; Chiffchaff - 1; Willow Warbler - 1; Willow Tit - 1.

Saturday 21st August 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 36; Grey Heron - 10+; Greylag Goose - 6; Canada Goose - 7; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kingfisher - 5 inc 2+ juvs [below]; Swift - 1; Swallow - c.30, majority juvs; House Martin - 50+; Nuthatch - 3; Also: Brown Hawker - 2; Common Hawker - 1; Migrant Hawker - 1; Common Darter - 1; Speckled Wood - several.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Tuesday 17th August 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 36 inc juvs; Cormorant - 2; Kingfisher - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Swift - 5; Swallow - 50+; House Martin - 150+; Willow Tit - 2. Also: Brown Hawker - 2; Migrant Hawker - 20+; Clouded Yellow - 1 [the observers first site record]; Gatekeeper - 5; Meadow Brown - 2; Speckled Wood - 34.

Tuesday 27th July 2004
Highlights from this afternoon: Kestrel - proven breeding with 1 fledged young seen by 1 of 2 known nest sites; Common Sandpiper - 1 on Dog Kennel Pond; Common Tern - 2 adult; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 Juv; Bullfinch - 3+.  Also: Small Skipper - 4; Large White - 2; Green-veined White - 14; Small Tortoiseshell - 7; Comma - 1; Speckled Wood - 4; Meadow Brown - 20+; Ringlet - 3; Gatekeeper - 200+ [at least this number].

Tuesday 20th July 2004
Greylag Goose - 30; Canada Goose - 20; Tufted Duck - 1 eclipse drk; Lapwing - c.110 resting in ploughed field; Tawny Owl - 2 juv [food begging calls heard]; Grasshopper Warbler - 1 reeling by Greasbrough Dam. Plus a family party of 5+ Treecreepers in Wentworth Churchyard this afternoon. Also: Emperor Dragonfly - 1 male; Four-spotted Chaser - 2; Brown Hawker - 1; Small Tortoiseshell - numerous; Comma - 11; Meadow Brown, Ringlet - both numerous; Gatekeeper - too many to count with many in copulation; and the best find of the day was my first site record of White-letter Hairstreak [below].

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Tuesday 13th July 2004
Lapwing - 17 east; Kingfisher - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Also: Emperor Dragonfly - 1 male; Small Tortoiseshell - 20+; Comma - 2; Speckled Wood - 1; Meadow Brown - many; Ringlet - many; Gatekeeper - 17.

Tuesday 6th July 2004
Great Crested Grebe - now a ninth pair breeding; Common Tern - 2.  Also: Banded Demoiselle - 1; Black-tailed Skimmer - 1 fem ovipositing; Brown Hawker - 2; Small White - 1; Small Tortoiseshell - 6; Comma - 3; Meadow Brown - 30+; Gatekeeper - 3; Speckled Wood - 3; Ringlet - 70+.

Tuesday 29th June 2004
Great Crested Grebe - an excellent season with 8 broods of 3, 3, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3 respectively; Tufted Duck - 1 drake; Common Tern - pair still present, but breeding failed, nest site now submerged; Garden Warbler - 1 singing; Willow Tit - 3; Nuthatch - 1; Also: Small Tortoiseshell - 1; Speckled Wood - 1; Meadow Brown - 2; Ringlet - 4; Blue-tailed Damselfly - many.

Monday 14th June 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 6 breeding pairs [3 broods seen]; Tufted Duck - 3 drakes; Common Buzzard - 1; Common Tern - pair attempting to breed on small pile of rocks/stones on Dog Kennel pond, presumably female observed arranging leaves/vegetation etc around her body - if successful, probably first breeding record for this site. Also: Emperor Dragonfly - 1 male; Azure Damselfly - many mating & ovipositing; Large Skipper - 1; Small Tortoiseshell - 1; Red Admiral - 1; Speckled Wood - 15

Saturday 29th May 2004
Very poor this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 5 occupied nests; Greylag Goose - 2 pair with 2 & 3 young; Canada Goose - 1 pair with 7 young.

Friday 23rd April 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 19 [inc 4 nesting pairs]; Grey Heron - 1 young; Mute Swan - 1; Greylag Goose - 13; Canada Goose - 3; Kestrel - 1; Green Woodpecker - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Swallow - 6; Blackcap - 9; Chiffchaff - 6; Willow Warbler - 3; Willow Tit - 1; Nuthatch - 1; Also, butterflies: Small White - 1; Orange Tip - 4; Small Tortoiseshell - 19; Peacock - 1.

Tuesday 20th April 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 15 [1 bird sitting]; Grey Heron - several well grown young visible in nests; Canada Goose - 13; Common Buzzard - 1; Little Owl - 1; Blackcap - 2 singing; Chiffchaff - 8 singing; Willow Warbler - 2 singing; Nuthatch - 2; Also the following butterflies: Orange Tip - 1; Peacock - 8; Small Tortoiseshell - 14; Comma - 1.

Sunday 11th April 2004 [DH]
A Noctule Bat hawking for insects over the trees at 1330h in the afternoon - "at first impression I thought it was a Woodcock behaving really weirdly".

Wednesday 7th April 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 32 [a new site max]; Cormorant - 4; Greylag Goose - 10+; Canada Goose - 15; Tufted Duck - 4 drakes; Swallow - 4; Blackcap - 1 singing; Chiffchaff - 6 singing; Willow Tit - 1; Siskin - 15 feeding on Birch catkins; Reed Bunting - 1 male.

Sunday 4th April 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 26 [reported nest from last Thursday, now totally submerged as a result of last nights heavy rain]; Grey Heron - 1 leucistic bird [overall, off-white apart from pale grey streaking on neck and breast, also pale grey primary tips]; Common Buzzard - 2; Green Woodpecker - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Grey Wagtail - 2; Chiffchaff - 6 singing.

Thursday 1st April 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 26 [inc 1 bird on nest]; Cormorant - 1; Greylag Goose - 15; Canada Goose - 8; Tufted Duck - 3; Little Owl - 1;
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Sand Martin - 3 [first of the year]; Grey Wagtail - 2; Chiffchaff - 6 singing; Willow Tit - 1; Tree Sparrow -
1.

Monday 29th March 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 21 [a pair nest building]; Cormorant - 4; Grey Heron - at least 1 nest with chicks; Greylag Goose - 22; Canada Goose - 11; Chiffchaff - 5 singing; Nuthatch - 2; Siskin - 2; Yellowhammer - c.20.

Friday 26th March 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 19; Cormorant - 2; Greylag Goose - 37; Canada Goose - 11; Tufted Duck - 2 drake; Little Owl - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1; Pied Wagtail - 28; Chiffchaff - 3 singing; Willow Tit - 1.

Tuesday 23rd March 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 22; Cormorant - 5; Greylag Goose - 30; Canada Goose - 10; Kestrel - 1; Grey Partridge - 2; Little Owl - 3; Grey Wagtail - 1; Pied Wagtail - 28; Nuthatch - 1; Carrion Crow - 5 feeding on exposed Swan Mussels. Plus: Brown Hare - 1.

Saturday 20th March 2004
Very little this morning due to disturbance from shooting: Great Crested Grebe - 20; Cormorant - 2; Greylag Goose - 2 [several birds reported to have been shot this morning]; Canada Goose - 2; Tufted Duck - 1 drake; Common Buzzard - 3; Chiffchaff - 1 singing; Treecreeper - 1. Plus, at nearby Greasbrough: Sparrowhawk - 1; White Wagtail - 1 [feeding with 2 Pied Wagtails in ploughed field by Scrooby Lane at 1030h at least]; Starling - c.100.

Wednesday 7th March 2004 [AD]
Late morning/early afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 21; Greylag Goose - 36; Canada Goose - 7; Teal - pair; Goosander - 1 drake; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Chiffchaff - 1 in full song also actively feeding on insects on Blackthorn; Nuthatch - 1. Also, one Common Toad.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Sunday 14th March 2004
Great Crested Grebe - 21; Cormorant - 4; Greylag Goose - 17; Canada Goose - 3; Tufted Duck - pair; Red-legged Partridge - 2; Little Owl - 1; Kingfisher - 2; Grey Wagtail - 1; Pied Wagtail - 10; Redwing - 30+.

Thursday 11th March 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 23; Lapwing - c.40; Little Owl - 1; Tawny Owl - 1 calling; Fieldfare - c.40; Nuthatch - 2.

Monday 8th March 2004
This afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - numbers built up after the recent cold spell with an excellent count of 27 birds; Cormorant - 1; feral Greylag Goose - 29; Canada Goose - 8; Sparrowhawk - 2; Lapwing - 2; Little Owl - 6 [3 pairs, surprisingly all within 100 metre`s of each other]; Grey Wagtail - 1; Yellowhammer - 40+.

Friday 5th March 2004
Early afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 12; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - from behaviour it appears that several birds may be on eggs; Greylag Goose - 14; Canada Goose - 13; Tufted Duck - 3; Kestrel - 1; Golden Plover - 1 over, calling; Lapwing - 14; Little Owl - 2; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2 drumming; Redwing/Fieldfare - a very noisy mixed flock of 100+ birds in treetops by Peacock Lodge [also contained several Starlings]; Goldcrest - 2 singing; Willow Tit - 1; Treecreeper - 1; Nuthatch - 1; Jackdaw - 100+; Rook - 70+ back at the Village Rookery; Reed Bunting - 1 singing male.

Tuesday 2nd March 2004
Highlights from early afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - a significant drop in numbers with just 6 birds as the lakes were c.98% frozen; Lapwing - c.90; Black-headed Gull - c.200; Little Owl - 2; Fieldfare - 100+.

Saturday 28th February 2004
Highlights from this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 21; Cormorant - 2; Canada Goose - 2; Tufted Duck - pair; Goosander - 1 drake; Common Buzzard - 2; Kestrel - 1 female; Little owl - one perched on a branch above Molehills was "not at all worried by my presence"; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 drumming; Grey Wagtail - 1; Fieldfare - c.150; Willow Tit - 1; Nuthatch - 5 [my highest ever count here - DS].

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Wednesday 25th February 2004
This afternoon's highlights were: Great Crested Grebe - 23; Greylag Goose - 35; Canada Goose - 15; Tufted Duck - 4; Goosander - 1 drake; Kestrel - 1; Little Owl - 2, presumably a pair, in the same tree; Nuthatch - 2.

Tuesday 24th February 2004
An evening visit [1710-1835h] produced: Little Owl - 4 calling; Tawny Owl - an excellent count of 13 calling birds. Plus: Brown Hare - 3.

Sunday 22nd February 2004
Highlights from this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 23; Greylag Goose - 29; Canada Goose - 9; Common Gull - 1 first-winter; Little Owl - one [this individual was seen to catch and kill a Mole but then flushed into a tree by an unleashed Dog]; Grey Wagtail - 1; Redwing/Fieldfare/Starling - mixed feeding flock of 400+ birds; Nuthatch - 1; Tree Sparrow - 1.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Friday 20th February 2004
Highlights from early afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - a bit of an influx with a excellent count of 26 birds [the observers highest ever at this site] being the third highest count at the locality [the only higher counts were 27 on 17th Sept 1978 and 30 on 16th March 1992]; Greylag Goose - 43; Canada Goose - 17+; Tufted Duck - 1 drake; Lapwing - 16; Black-headed Gull - 88; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1.

Tuesday 17th February 2004
Highlights from this afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 17; Greylag Goose - 16; Canada Goose - 15; Tufted Duck - a pair; Lapwing - c.40; Grey Wagtail - 1; Redwing - c.100; Lesser Redpoll - 11.

Saturday 14th February 2004
Highlights from this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 11; Grey Heron - 20+ [in heronry]; Teal - pair; Common Gull - 2; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - 2 [unable to sex them as they where chasing each other around the Morley Plantation area]; Redwing - c.200; Nuthatch - 1; Jackdaw - 100+.

Thursday 12th February 2004
A report of 3 large skeins of Pink-footed Geese over were presumably those reported elsewhere.

Wednesday 11th February 2004
Highlights from this afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 7; Grey Heron - several pairs back on nests; Mute Swan - 2 [including another colour-ringed bird, Red 410]; Greylag Goose - 38; Canada Goose - 15; Stock Dove - 4; Little Owl - 4 calling; Tawny Owl - 1 calling; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 drumming; Willow Tit - 1; Nuthatch - 1; Treecreeper - 1.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Sunday 8th February 2004
Highlights from this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 7; Grey Heron - 5; Greylag Goose - 40; Canada Goose - 12; Tufted Duck - 3; Coot - 15; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 drumming. The Estate have began to drain Greasbrough Dam in preparation for silt clearance - hopefully the exposed mud will attract one or two waders.

Thursday 5th February 2004
Highlights from this afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 4; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 17; Greylag Goose - 10; Canada Goose - 3; Pochard - pair; Tufted Duck - 3; Kingfisher - 1; Nuthatch - 1.

Sunday 1st February 2004
Highlights from this morning were: Great Crested Grebe - 5; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 4; Greylag Goose - 1 injured bird and 15 north; Tufted Duck - 6; Stock Dove - 3; Nuthatch - 1.

Tuesday 27th January 2004
Highlights from this afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 4 [incl a pair displaying]; Cormorant - 2; Grey Heron - 3; Greylag Goose - 38; Sparrowhawk - 1; Lapwing - 35; Black-headed Gull - 180+; Herring Gull 4 [down]; Great Black-backed Gull 4 NE; Kingfisher 1.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Saturday 24th January 2004
Highlights from this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 6; Grey Heron - 3; Greylag Goose - 45; Lapwing - 27; Kingfisher - 1; Robin - at least 10 birds in full song; Redwing - 50+.

Wednesday 21st January 2004
Highlights from this afternoon were: Great Crested Grebe - 3; Grey Heron - 12; Greylag Goose - 5; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Long-tailed Tit - 40+; Willow Tit - 2. Also a report of an escaped and jessed Saker around the area in the last few days.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Saturday 17th January 2004
Highlights from this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 2; Cormorant - 1; Grey Heron - 9; Greylag Goose - 43 feeding in winter wheat; Mallard - 60+ [incl a pair copulating]; Tufted Duck - 6; Great Black-backed Gull - a first-winter bird [below - very unusual to have this species down at this site]; Tawny Owl - 1 calling; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Nuthatch - 1.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Wednesday 14th January 2004
Highlights from this afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - one in summer plumage; Cormorant - 4; Grey Heron - 13 including 3 back at nest site; Greylag Goose - 11; Teal - a pair; Shoveler - one drake; Tufted Duck - 4; Kingfisher - 2; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Lesser Redpoll - 12.

Friday 9th January 2004
Highlights from this afternoon were: Grey Heron - 3; Cormorant - 2; Sparrowhawk - 2; Kestrel - 1; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 4 NW; Kingfisher - 1; Long-tailed Tit - 30+; Nuthatch - 2 [below]; Bullfinch - 3.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Tuesday 6th January 2004
Highlights from this afternoon were: Cormorant - 6 in from east at 1440h [it is likely that the species roosts here, as large numbers have been reported at first light by fishermen]; Grey Heron - 4; Kestrel - 1; Tufted Duck - 1 drake; Common Gull - 2 ad; Kingfisher - 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2 [including one drumming]; Redwing - 164 feeding on lawn in front of the House [Wentworth Woodhouse].

Saturday 3rd January 2004
The morning highlights from a very bleak Wentworth Estate were: Grey Heron - 3; Coot - 8; Sparrowhawk - 1 male; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 drumming; Kingfisher - 1; Jackdaw - 80+; Goldfinch - 7 feeding on Alder cones. And at nearby Cinderbridge: Redwing - 30+; Bullfinch - a pair.

Species count for 2003 came to 94 including one escapee [DS]

Thursday 1st January 2004
With all three lakes completely frozen over, highlights at mid-morning were: Grey Heron - 3; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kestrel - 2; Common Gull - 2 first-winter birds; Song Thrush - 2; Jay - 2.

Saturday 27th December 2003
Highlights from this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 2; Cormorant - 5; Sparrowhawk - 2; Kestrel - 1; Kingfisher - 1; Meadow Pipit - 9; Nuthatch - 3.

Wednesday 24th December 2003
Highlights from this afternoon were: Great Crested Grebe - 2 [surprisingly, one was in almost full summer plumage]; Cormorant - 2; Greylag Goose - 1; Moorhen - 73; Little Owl - 1 calling; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1.

Thursday 18th December 2003
Late am / early pm: Grey Heron - 4; Teal - 1 drake; Kestrel - 1; Kingfisher - 1. Also, 1 Budgerigar [a pale blue/grey bird].
Plus: Peacock butterfly - 1 found over-wintering.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Monday 15th December 2003
Highlights from this afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 3; Cormorant - 2 west; Red-legged Partridge - 17; Kestrel - 1; Tufted Duck - 1 fem; Stock Dove - 6; Grey Wagtail - 1; Treecreeper - 1.

Tuesday 9th December 2003
Highlights from this afternoon: Great-crested Grebe - 4; Grey Heron - 5 [attached, very poor visibility due to mist]; Mallard - 104; Tufted Duck - 1 fem; Great Black-backed Gull - 3 south; Kingfisher - 2. Also a report [from a reliable source] of 2 dead Tawny Owls found in suspicious circumstances.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Thursday 4th December 2003
Highlights from this afternoon: Great-crested Grebe - 9; Mute Swan - a 1st winter [the observers first here for well over 20 years]; Moorhen - 38; Herring Gull - 70+ N/NE; Little Owl - 3 very vocal birds; Kingfisher - 1; Goldcrest - 6+; Nuthatch - 2; Treecreeper - 1; Coal Tit - 2+; Lesser Redpoll - 11; Siskin - 2.

Friday 28th November 2003
On the Wentworth Estate this afternoon: Great Crested Grebe - 10; Tufted Duck - 1 male; Kestrel - 3; Lapwing - c.90; Willow Tit - 2; Nuthatch - 1; Treecreeper - 3+.

Friday 21st November 2003
The pick of the 28 species on the estate this afternoon were: Great Crested Grebe - 9; Cormorant - 1 east; Grey Heron - 5; Kestrel - 1 male; Black-headed Gull - 70+ [below]; Herring Gull - 42 east; Little Owl - 1 calling; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Grey Wagtail - 1; Nuthatch - 3; Rook 300+ west prior to dusk.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Saturday 15th November 2003
The pick of the 40 species recorded on the estate this morning were: Great Crested Grebe - 7; Red-legged Partridge - 15; Sparrowhawk - 1 male; Common Buzzard - 2 birds together over the mausoleum; Herring Gull - flock of 47 birds S or SW; Little Owl - 1 calling; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Kingfisher - 3; Grey Wagtail - 3; Fieldfare - 100+; Nuthatch - 1; Treecreeper - 2+.

Saturday 8th November 2003.
Wentworth Estate - a total of 37 species and only 3 locality regulars not seen, the highlights from early morning visit were: Great Crested Grebe - 8; Cormorant - 1 west; Red-legged Partridge - 19; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2 east; Herring Gull - 3 east; Meadow Pipit - 14; Grey Wagtail - 1; Fieldfare - 46; Redwing - 30+; Willow Tit - 4; Brambling - 1 feeding by dog kennel pond; Siskin - 7; Lesser Redpoll - 2.

Saturday 1st November 2003.
Early morning on Wentworth Estate: Great Crested Grebe - 13; Grey Heron - 4; Mallard - 70; Moorhen - 17; Coot - 20+; Gey Wagtail - 1; Fieldfare - c30.

Saturday 18th October 2003.
Mid-morning on Wentworth Estate: Great Crested Grebe - 9; Grey Heron - 7; Sparrowhawk - 2; Red-legged Partridge - 12; Lapwing - 90; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1; Kingfisher - 3; Redwing - 58; Fieldfare - 8; Nuthatch - 3; Treecreeper - 1 calling. Also: Common Toad [photograph].

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Thursday 16th October 2003.
Late afternoon / early evening at Wentworth Estate: Great Crested Grebe - 10; Common Buzzard - 1 showing very well for c.5 mins; Kingfisher - 1; Redwing - 7; Long-tailed Tit - 70+; Willow Tit - 1 calling; Nuthatch - 2. A large mixed flock of gulls in a recently ploughed field consisted of : c.700 Black-headed Gulls, an impressive 300+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 9 Herring Gulls. Nearby, a flock of 35 Goldfinch at Cinderbridge.

Friday 10th October 2003, late afternoon [DS]
On Wentworth Estate: Great Crested Grebe - 16; Common Buzzard - 1; Black-headed Gull - 180; Common Gull - 1; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2 ads +  3 first-winter; Woodpigeon - 1000+; Kingfisher - 1.  Also: Speckled Wood - 1 larvae [below].  In addition a report of a Barn Owl at a nearby locality.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Sunday 5th October 2003
Four Whooper Swans at Wentworth Lakes briefly, before flying off SW.

Saturday 4th October 2003, early morning.
Great Crested Grebe - 11; Red-legged Partridge - 26 [obviously released for shooting ]; Sparrowhawk - 1 female quartering a ploughed field just above ground level [unusual hunting technique]; Kestrel - 1; Chiffchaff - 1 singing. And at nearby at Cinderbridge: 2 Jays and a Wall Brown butterfly.

Saturday 27th September 2003, early morning.
Great Crested Grebe - 14; Tufted Duck - one female; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Kingfisher - 1; Swallow - 33, including a leucistic juv; House Martin - 1; Pied Wagtail - 32; Nuthatch - 2. Butterflies:  Red Admiral - 1; Speckled Wood - 1.

Saturday 20th September 2003.
Great Crested Grebe - 14; Pink-footed Goose - 23 west at 1025h; Common Buzzard - 1; Sparrowhawk - 4; Kestrel - 2; Red-legged Partridge - 2; Sandwich Tern - 1 south at 0940h; Tree Pipit - 1 south at 0925h; Chiffchaff - 2 singing; Nuthatch - 3; Jay - 2; juv Woodpigeon.

Saturday 23rd August 2003, mid-morning.
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Kingfisher - 1; Pied Wagtail - 9; Blackcap - a male feeding on Blackberries; Nuthatch - 1; Willow Tit - 1 calling; Linnet - a flock of 23 feeding in stubble. Plus: a Grey Dagger [moth] larvae [below].

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Thursday 21st August 2003.
Great Crested Grebe - numbers same as last visit; Lapwing - 67; Black-headed Gull - c.100 following plough; Kingfisher - 1; Swift - 1 south; hirundines - mixed feeding flock of 1000+ Swallows + House Martins. Also: Brown Hawker - 6; Emperor - 2 males. Butterflies: Wall - 1; Speckled Wood - 19.

Saturday 16th August 2003, mid-morning.
Great Crested Grebe - 17ads, 4young; Moorhen - very few; Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2 flew east; Common Tern - 1; Swift - 1; Swallow - c.40; House Martin - 90+; Willow Warbler - 3 juvs; Chiffchaff - 6+ juvs; Long-tailed Tit - many juvs; Blue Tit - many juvs. Plus: Brown Hare - 1; Speckled Wood - 22; Wall - 1.

Photograph Copyright © Dean Stables

Friday 15th August 2003.
An unconfirmed  report of 4 Dunlin [per DS].

Sunday 27th July - early afternoon.
Great Crested Grebe - 12 ads and 4 young; Grey Heron - several juvs including an aberrant bird closely resembling purple heron in having reddish-brown neck, breast and wings but did have a grey head; Greylag Goose - 4 ads and 8 young; Spotted Flycatcher - 3 juvs. Also, 3 Speckled Wood and many Gatekeeper butteflies and a single Brown Hawker dragonfly. Nearby, c.100 Large White butterflies in a bean field at Nether Haugh.

Monday 7th July 2003 - early evening.
Great Crested Grebe - 18 [only 1 young ]; Cormorant - 7 west; Tufted Duck - 6; Ruddy Duck - 1f; Common Sandpiper - 1; Common Tern - 4; Mistle Thrush - 27 [feeding on lawn in front of Woodhouse ]; Nuthatch - 1. Butterflies: Small Skipper - 1; Large White - 1; Small White - 4; Small Tortoiseshell - 4; Painted Lady - 1 adult and 2 larvae; Meadow Brown - 1; Gatekeeper - 1; Ringlet - 1. Plus: Blue-tailed Damselfly - 1; Mother of Pearl [moth] - 2.

Saturday 3rd May 2003.
Greylag Goose - a leucistic bird flew west; Sparrowhawk - 2; Common Tern - 2; Common Whitethroat - 10; Nuthatch - a pair [proven breeding]; Reed Bunting - 1 singing male. Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell 2.

Sunday 20th April 2003, late afternoon.
Counts of: 16 Great Crested Grebe, 2 pairs Tufted Duck, 2 Common Sandpiper on Dog Kennel pond, one Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, c.40 Swallows, c.30 Sand Martin, 3 House Martins, 5 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warblers. Plus one Small Tortoiseshell butterfly.

Thursday 27th March 2003 [S.Graham]
The actual Estate was fairly quiet, despite the excellent weather. Three Nuthatches heard and 3 Grey Wagtails including a singing bird at Morley Pond. However, in a small area of woodland between the estate and Scholes I managed to find a pair a of Lesser-Spotted Woodpeckers. The male was found initally drumming on a large dead tree and then was joined by a female which performed a 'butterfly display flight'. The male also appeared to be doing some excavation work on this tree too. A walk to the church and back [first]: still a few Tree Sparrows around and a small flock of Linnet on the allotment/set-aside.

Sunday 16th March 2003 [R.Dale]
Two Hawfinches and 2 Little Owls this morning.

Wednesday 12th March 2003.
On Wentworth Estate: 17 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 12 pairs of Grey Heron nesting, a redhead Goosander, one melanistic Pheasant [all black], a superb male Merlin perched on a fence in front of Wentworth Woodhouse at 1530h before flying west, 7 Great Black-backed Gulls north, 2 Little Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Nuthatch, a single Tree Sparrow, 1 Reed Bunting.

Tuesday 25th February 2003.
2 Nuthatch, 1 Little Owl, a pair of Wigeon, a pair of Shoveler, 9 Pochard, 1 Teal, 24 Tufted Duck, 1 Redshank, 1 [presumably feral - Ed] Pink-footed Goose feeding with 40 Greylag Geese.

Sunday 2nd February 2003, 0745h -0815h [M.Langston]
An estimated 1800 Woodpigeons flew east out of the Estates in 30 minutes from 0745h.

Friday 17th January 2003, 1300 -1430h [M.Langston]
Three Great Crested Grebes, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Greylag Goose SE at 1330h [presumably feral - ed], 1 Cormorant, c.280 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 27 Coot, 33 Moorhen, 10 Grey Partridge, c.185 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, c.70 Redwing, c.65 Fieldfare, 500+ Woodpigeon, 27 Stock Dove and 6 Siskin.

Sunday 12th January 2003 [M.Langston]
An impressive flock of c.1200 Woodpigeons flew east out of the Wentworth Estate roost in 20 minutes from 0800h; also c.85 Jackdaws present and 3 singing Skylarks.

Sunday 5th January 2003 [M.Langston]
A count of c.750 Woodpigeon on the Estate.

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