Potteric Carr Nature Reserve: Bird News

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
Bird News

The 2010 edition of Friends of Potteric Carr Recorder (520kb PDF) A review of wildlife recording on the Reserve in 2009.

(Please read the Editor's Note by John Hancox on page 1 for printing advice) NEW

The Moths of Potteric Carr (180kb PDF) A revised list of Potteric Carr moths by Ian Heppenstall. NEW

Summary of Potteric Carr Birds to the end of January 2010 (40kb PDF) A spreadsheet of monthly bird occurrences by Roger Bird. NEW

February 2010

Monday 8th
A LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER was near the wardens' car park and photographed (RM).

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male), Potteric Carr, 8th February 2010 © Rob Mokryj

Sunday 7th
A BITTERN was seen at Piper Marsh, but the Reserve was generally quiet for birds. A Kingfisher was on Mother Drain between the arched bridges. 8 Cormorants included two Continental race birds Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis on Huxter Well Marsh (AP). 3 Common Gulls including a 1st-winter was on Huxter Well, with 10 Wigeon also there. Small numbers of Gadwall were on Piper Marsh, Low Ellars and Huxter Well and small numbers of Pochard on Huxter Well and Low Ellers Marshes. 2 Willow Tits were at Willow Pool feeders; also 1 Coal Tit and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. A single female Sparrowhawk was in flight over Old Eaa and a femal Kestrel perched in a tree at Huxter, with another near Old Eaa Hide. 1 Common Buzzard was in flight over the pumping station. Territorial behaviour was causing quite a splash, as was evident from the two waterfowl photos below.

Canada Geese, Potteric Carr, 7th February 2010 © Sue Trout

Coots, Potteric Carr, 7th February 2010 © Sue Trout

Saturday 6th
Report by Geoff Jarvis: "Not the best of weather today but the birding was good, Willow Pool feeder was very busy, with 2 Willow Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 13 Phesants. Other highlights were: A large flock of Siskins and Redpolls near Piper Marsh Hide, 2 Treecreepers (one by the café, the other in Black Carr Wood) and lots of Bullfinches (a flock of 10at Loversall Fields). Kingfisher was along Mothers Drain."

Friday 5th
A Goldcrest was in the pines at the edhe of Black Carr Field with 2 Treecreepers.

Treecreeper in Black Carr Wood © Ray Schofield

Shoveler at Potteric Carr on 5th February 2010 © David Roberts

Thursday 4th
BITTERNs showed at Piper Marsh and Willow Marsh (RM).

Bittern at Willow Marsh on 4th February 2010 © Rob Mokryj

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Willow Marsh on 4th February 2010 © Rob Mokryj

Wednesday 3rd
A BRAMBLING was again at Willow Pool feeding station and was photographed (RM); also, a Goldfinch and 2 Willow Tits were seen there. A Curlew was on Huxter Well Marsh in the morning (TE). BITTERN was photographed at Willow Marsh (DR).

Brambling at Willow Pool on 3rd February 2010 © Rob Mokryj

Tuesday 2nd
A BRAMBLING visited the Willow Pool feeding station, where good numbers of Reserve residents also sought food, including 3 Willow Tits, 2 Water Rails, 14 Pheasants and 20 Moorhens. At least 12 Bullfinches frequented the site. A Kingfisher spent some time perched near the wooden underbridge. 7 Snipe were on Decoy Marsh. Other birds noted, on what turned out to be a dull and rainy afternoon, where Wigeon, Redpolls, Siskins, 2 Goldcrests (Black Carr Field), another Willow Tit (nr Sedum House) and Common Buzzard. Although the BITTERNs did not show well, birds were reported at Piper Marsh (SMB) and Decoy Marsh flying to Old Eaa Marsh (IH).

Monday 1st
3 BRAMBLINGs visited the Willow Pool feeding station in the afternoon, and 2 Water Rails were seen there, plus one along Mother Drain. 2 BITTERNs were again at Piper Marsh. A Common Buzzard was perched in Beeston Plantation in the morning (CGJ, RT) and 2 flew over Loversall Fields. 14 Shelducks were on Huxter Well Marsh. The Redpoll flock numbered 24 at the wardens' car park.

Jay at Potteric Carr on 31st January 2010 © Adrian Andruchiw

January

Sunday 31st
Generally quiet for birds. BITTERN was seen at Piper Marsh. Treecreepers were in Childers Wood, Willow Bank and Seven Arches Carr. One Willow Tit was in Childers Wood. 3 Kestrels were noted. 4 Snipe were settled and 2 more flew over Huxter Well. Low Ellers had become largely frozen and 75 Mallards, 30 Teal, 10 Shovelers and 6 Coot stood on the ice around a small area of open water. Other wildfowl included 16 Wigeon, 11 Shelducks and a female Pintail on Huxter Well. A Common Buzzard appeared over Willow Marsh.

Song Thrush at a frosty Potteric Carr on 31st January 2010 © Adrian Andruchiw

Saturday 30th
A drake Pintail was new on Old Eaa Marsh (IH). BITTERN was photographed at Decoy Marsh (DR), with others seen at Piper Marsh (2) and Willow Pool, again indicating that at least 4 individuals are wintering on site. There were 13 Wigeon and 10 Shelducks on Huxter Well Marsh. A single Greenfinch was along Loversall Bank, a Willow Tit near Piper Marsh, Treecreeper in Childers Wood and a Green Woodpecker at Huxter Well.

Bittern at Decoy Marsh on 30th January 2010 © David Roberts

Friday 29th
A BITTERN showed well in front of Piper Marsh Hide. There were 6 Grey Herons together on Huxter Well cell 1a, 1 Little Grebe on the Lagoon, 1 Great Crested Grebe on cell 2a and 17 Wigeon on the Lagoon. 3 Common Buzzards were seen, though distant. A Sparrowhawk was Piper Marsh and Kestrel hunted on Huxter Well. 10 Redpolls were noted.

Thursday 28th
A female MERLIN flew over Huxter Well Marsh (TF, KB, BB). At Piper Marsh a BITTERN showed well in front of the hide where it caught fish including a 25cm/10" Jack Pike and two sensational photographs of this were taken at 11.20am (see below), and a second bird was also present on the same marsh. A LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER was reported on Willow Bank. 4 Common Buzzards were noted. Counts included 12 Shelduck, 16 Wigeon and 7 Snipe. 2 Willow its were at the Willow Pool feeding station. Late news from yesterday includes a count of 15 Bullfinches, 3 Common Buzzards and 10 Redpolls (MF).

Bittern with Pike at Piper Marsh on 28th January 2010 © Adrian Andruchiw

Bittern swallowing a Pike at Piper Marsh on 28th January 2010 © Adrian Andruchiw

Wednesday 27th
Temperatures reached a relatively mild 8ºC but are forecast to drop again overnight. A Dunlin was on Huxter Well plus 4 Golden Plovers and 350 Lapwings, and all were flushed by an adult male PEREGRINE flying across the marsh (TE). To add to yesterday's sightings, a Perefrine flew over Decoy Marsh (GJ) and a Pink-footed Goose was on Willow Marsh (GH).

Tuesday 26th
BITTERNs were present at Decoy Marsh (KW), Piper Marsh and Willow Marsh (GH). A male and female GOLDENEYE were on Huxter Well Marsh cell 1b and 4 Dunlins on cell 3b. Woodcock was again seen near Piper Marsh. At Decoy Marsh, 3 Snipe were settled and a fourth flew over. A flock of 30 Siskins was along Loversall Bank (MW). Other notable birds at Huxter Well included 5 Wigeon grazing on the grassy Lagoon embankment, a Kingfisher, 8 Shelduck (plus 2 at Piper Marsh), 4 Cormorants and a single Golden Plover amongst the Lapwing flock. 1 Goldcrest was in Black Carr Field and 3 Treecreepers were noted around the Reserve. A pair of Jackdaws were investigating one of their nestboxes. At Doncaster Lakeside a female Goldeneye (RJS) and 180+ Redwings on Short Lane Fields.

Magpie, often overlooked by photographers, poses for the camera at Willow Pool on 26th January 2010 © Glyn Hudson

The Stoat in partial ermine was again near the iron-railed bridge over Mother Drain (KL, HH, HB).

Sunday 24th
The rare appearance of a TREE SPARROW came with one in Childers Wood (GJ) and a Woodcock took flight from Corbett Field (KW). 2 BITTERNs were seen at Piper Marsh. A single Willow Tit came to the Willow Pool feeding station.

Bittern at Piper Marsh on 22nd January 2010 © Ann Bateman

Pheasant at the Willow Pool feeding station on 24t January 2010 © Derek Bateson

Saturday 23rd
A CETTI’S WARBLER was heard singing again at Decoy Marsh after going quiet during the big freeze. For this species to survive wintering through such severe weather conditions in this part of England is significant. Good news also for the BITTERNs, with 2 on Piper Marsh (now unfrozen), 1 on Huxter Well and 1 on Willow Pool, all having survived through a month of continuous frozen waters. 3 GOOSANDERs were on Low Ellers Marsh (1 male and 2 females). A Water Rail was at the Willow Pool feeding station and Kingfishers were seen along Mother Drain, Decoy Lake and Huxter Well. Green Woodpeckers appeared near Duchess Hide and at Seven Arches Carr.

Birds at Huxter Well Marsh included 26 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck and 300 Lapwings. Flocks of 35 Siskins and 30 Redpolls were noted and good numbers of Redwings. 5 Cormorants were perched on a distant pylon and on the Reserve one caught a large fish at Low Ellers, 3 were fishing together on West Scrape frequently catching small fish, and one on cell 2b caught 7 small fish in several minutes. Birds of prey involved a Kestrel hunting on Willow Bank, Huxter Well and the Reedbed Filtration Ponds. A Sparrowhawk hunted low over Huxter Well and one was at the back of Low Ellers/Short Lane, putting up 50 Redwings. Tits, Robins, Wrens and Dunocks sang in the woods. 32 Magpies, including a gathering of 26 near Willow Pool Hide, were seen at dusk.

Robin in song at Potteric Carr on 23rd January 2010 © Rob Mokryj

Friday 22nd
After a month of ice-bound waters, nearly all of the Reserve's marshes were unfrozen, only Willow Marsh was still covered in ice. The temperature was around 6ºC and it rained, heavily at times, for most of the day. Lots of birds visited the Willow Pool feeding station and a Treecreeper was seen near the hide. Yesterday, 7 Pink-footed Geese flew over Huxter Well at 4pm (GJ), and there were 5 Great Black-backed and 4 Herring Gulls on the marsh.

Teal, Potteric Carr, 22nd January 2010 © David Roberts

Wednesday 20th

David Horncastle visited Doncaster Lakeside today: "Lakeside revealed the usual large numbers of waterfowl including about 20 Pochards and 8 Cormorants. Short Lane Fields hosted some 50 Woodpigeons, 15 Magpies, 150 Starlings and 40 Redwings. 2 Mistle Thrushes were seen along with about 50 Goldfinches and smaller numbers of tits. A Grey Wagtail was present and landed on the remaining ice in front of the apartments."

Tuesday 19th
Not long before sunset a female MERLIN arrived at Willow Marsh and perched in the large oak tree there (SMB, RWB), the first Potteric Carr record since 2008. A BITTERN was also seen at Willow Marsh, and Piper Marsh had a BITTERN (KW), though it confined itself to the far right hand reedbed as viewed from the hide and appeared to be fishing. However, the Reserve's marshes remain almost completely frozen. A flock of 60 Siskins was noted near the wardens' car park. 10 Shelducks and 70 Greylag Geese arrived at Huxter Well Marsh. A Treecreeper and 2 Song Thrushes were noted.

Kestrel at Potteric Carr, 18th January 2010 © Ray Schofield

Monday 18th
3 Willow Tits were reported.

Bittern in flight at Piper Marsh on 17th January 2010 © Tim Stenton

Potteric Carr sunset, 17th January 2010 © Tim Stenton

Sunday 17th
Temperatures rose to almost 7ºC allowing a continued thaw, however, most waters were still 95% covered in ice. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER put in its first appearance of the year at Potteric Carr when one was in a mature oak tree near the Wildlife/Sensory Garden (SMB et al.), and Green and Great Spotted were also present. Some Great Tits and Robins gave bursts of song. A Woodcock flew from Young Eaa Plantation. Huxter Well Marsh had a pair of GOOSANDERs for a while before flying off (SP), and later in the day 2 drakes flew NW. There was a Reserve count of 22 Bullfinches, the largest number this winter. 1 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Wigeon were also on Huxter Well, where most of today's WeBS count waterbirds were logged (Shelduck 5, Pochard 10, Tufted Duck 3). There was a Kingfisher seen along Mother Drain and 2 Skylarks on Central Grassland. One near Cottage Drain Hide and the Willow Pool feeding station attracted a Willow Tit, a species in decline in the UK, and all records are requested for 2010. A BITTERN was seen at Piper Marsh, though elusive (AP, KW). A Common Buzzard was over Rossington Carr Fields and a Cormorant overflew the site.

Willow Tit © FOPC achieve library

Friday 15th
2 BITTERNs were seen at Piper Marsh where all the sprats put out yesterday had been taken and one of the Bitterns was looking for more (GH). The Willow Pool feeding station was still very busy.

Bittern at Piper Marsh on 15th January 2010 © Glyn Hudson

Reed Bunting on snow-covered reed, Potteric Carr, January 2010 © Rob Mokryj

Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Willow Pool feeding station, 10th January 2010 © Allan Parker ARPS

Thursday 14th
The thaw should see remaing snow all melted over this weekend and, hopefully, more open water around the Reserve. A Tawny Owl was calling this morning in Childers/Corbett Wood. A BITTERN flew from Old Eaa Marsh towards Piper Marsh (RM) and another was on Huxter Well cell 1b before flying on to Piper Marsh in the afternoon. Although the Field Officer put out sprats at Piper Marsh today, the Bitterns were not seen taking them. Mother Drain and Willow Pool had a Water Rail. A Willow Tit was at Willow Pool feeding station and another called at the main gate. Siskin 20, Redpoll 4, and Goldcrest 1 in Black Carr Wood, with many Redwings also in the Wood feeding amongst the leaf litter.

Late news for Monday, 11th January, was a 1st-winter male BLACK-THROATED THRUSH Turdus atrogularis near Piper Marsh Hide (KF). A rarity description is being sent to BBRC. There are only around 50 previous records of this species in Britain.

A Bittern at Piper Marsh eating sprats put out by the Field Officer on 12th January 2010 © Allan Parker ARPS

Wednesday 13th
At Doncaster Lakeside today (RWB, SMB): 1 Grey Wagtail, a few Pied Wagtails, 140 Canada Geese, 200 Tufted Ducks on the open water, some Pochards, lots of Little Grebes and some Great Crested Grebes. Gulls included, Common, Herring, Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed. There were also 3 Black Swans, 40 Mute Swans and a few Gadwall.

Tuesday 12th

Three large skeins totalling 800+ Pink-footed Geese flew NW over Potteric Carr between 9.15am and 9.50am (DC, KL). 3 BITTERNs were seen today, including one at Decoy Marsh (PG, DH). The thaw continues with temperatures of around 2ºC throughout the day. The edges of the reedbeds at Piper Marsh are just becoming free of ice and a BITTERN was attempting to fish there. Earlier, the strictly-controlled supplementary Bittern feeding protocol involved some sprats (fresh from Doncaster Fish Market) being put out at Piper Marsh by the Field Officer. One of two BITTERNs on the marsh found and ate 8 or 9 of these fish (see photos), further evidence of the success of this emergency strategy.

Other birds at Potteric Carr today included Redwings feeding at Black Carr Field/Wood, 6 Redpolls and 5 Song Thrushes. Outside of the Reserve yesterday, a Chiffchaff was seen in a Bessacarr garden.

Monday 11th

Temperatures are hovering around 0-2ºC and set to remain so to the weekend, thereby allowing the gradual thaw to continue. This is good news for the birds which have suffered prolonged sub-zero conditions and lost their fat reserves during the big freeze this winter. The Bittern emergency supplementary feeding arrangement will be monitored by the Potteric Carr Reserve Manager, Reserve Officer and the Field Officer, and if it is considered necessary to put out waste fish at Piper Marsh, they will manage the procedure. A Tawny Owl was seen from Willow Pool Hide sat near Cottage Drain Hide (KF).

Sunday 10th
A slight rise in temperature to 2ºC today saw the first signs of a slow thaw, with snow turning to slush on some footpaths and watercourses that crisscross the Reserve becoming ice-free. 3 Willow Tits came to feed at the Willow Pool feeding station, where good numbers of birds arrived for the peanuts, sunflower hearts, fat balls and seed mixtures available there. Water Rail was another of the visitors, and one was also along Cottage Drain. 2 Bitterns were at Piper Marsh. A Kingfisher was seen along Mother Drain. 2 Treecreepers were in Hawthorn Field. Huxter Well Marsh had 4 Wigeon, 460 Teal, a Common Buzzard, 22 settled Common Gulls and the larger gulls included 4 Great Black-backed. 4 Stock Doves flew over. Smaller birds included 8 Bullfinches and 2 Redpolls. Many large gulls in the distance seen from Duchess Hide all flew north, some overflew the Reserve as follows: 208 Great Black-backed Gulls (a high figure - RJS), 260 Herring Gulls and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. In a Bessacarr garden, a male Blackcap fed on cotoneaster berries (PS).

An unprecedented, emergency supplementary Bittern feeding arrangement began on the Reserve today. An RSPB initiative to put out fish at some UK nature reserves occupied by wintering Bitterns following three weeks of freezing weather was carried out at YWT's Potteric Carr amongst a number of other sites. Within an hour of the fish (sourced from Doncaster Fish Market) being placed out on to a frozen Piper Marsh, one of two BITTERNs there came out of the reeds to feed, and the first photographs of this behaviour were taken (AA), see below. The supplementary feeding follows a strict protocol by YWT staff.

A Bittern at Piper Marsh welcomed salmon put out to suppliment its currently limited natural food supply.

Saturday 9th
The nightime temperature fell below -4ºC again. Supplementary bird feeding needs to be put in top gear — there are still supplies of bird feed at the Potteric Carr shop although stocks are becoming low. The mixed finch flock along Short Lane was 50 strong, comprising Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and a single BRAMBLING (RJS). 3 BITTERNs were reported. The Siskin flock numbered 50 (NPW, LJD). A Water Rail was witnessed preying on a Wren on the Reserve. There was also a Water Rail in the drain that runs through Short Lane Fields. Outside the recording area, 190 Tufted Duck and a female Goldeneye were at Doncaster Lakeside. Suburban bird records from the neighbourhood of the Reserve included a Moorhen in a Bessacarr garden which flew in from the direction of Gladstone's Fields today, and a Chiffchaff in a Balby garden yesterday (BGAB).

Friday 8th
With local temperatures in the early hours dropping to -5ºC, the big freeze of almost three weeks continues. The RSPB's Conservation Science Department has sent out a request to all managers with nature reserves holding a winter population of Bitterns to closely monitor the situation during these severe conditions. If visitors have any sightings of Bittern behaviour at Potteric Carr during the freeze, please let us have your observations and they will be forwarded. At least 4 BITTERNs were still at Potteric Carr today: One was on the ice at Low Ellers Marsh (see photo), one was on Huxter Well Marsh, one at Piper Marsh and one fed in the Mother Drain (RCC), a feeding locality only ever witnessed during this winter's freeze.

A Water Rail was at Willow Pool, Woodcock flew from Old Eaa Marsh and 4 Snipe were feeding along Mother Drain, plus one along Cottage Drain. 6 Skylarks flew SW, a Meadow Pipit was on Huxter Well, also 254 Lapwings. A small flock of Siskins, Redpolls and Goldfinches were along the Old Eaa footpath.

BBC News Report on the Potteric Carr Bittern Project broadcast on 5th February 2007

2009 Potteric Carr Extension Land BBS (400 KB pdf). A survey of birds breeding on the Reserve's extension land in 2009.

2004 Potteric Carr Extension Land BBS (717 KB pdf). A survey of birds breeding on the Reserve's extension land in 2004.

2005 Potteric Carr Extension Land BBS (525 KB pdf). A survey of birds breeding on the Reserve's extension land in 2005.

2006 Potteric Carr Extension Land BBS (610 KB pdf). A survey of birds breeding on the Reserve's extension land in 2006.

2007 Potteric Carr Extension Land BBS (445 KB pdf). A survey of birds breeding on the Reserve's extension land in 2007.

2008 Potteric Carr Extension Land BBS (625 KB pdf). A survey of birds breeding on the Reserve's extension land in 2008.

Potteric Carr Top-ten Bird Lister Rankings (123 KB pdf). A list of birders that have seen the most bird species at Potteric Carr.

The Potteric Carr Nest Record Scheme 2008 (165 KB pdf). A summary of the Potteric Carr Nest Record Scheme 2008.

Revised Names for Areas of the Reserve Extension Land Revised names for areas on Huxter Well from 2008.

The information on sightings is given in good faith based on information supplied to us by various individuals. We have no way of verifying that all information
is correct and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information

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Potteric Carr Nature Reserve Bird News

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
Bird News