David Bamforth

@jonnybirder Cheers Jon. Good to see you connected pal 👍

A fantastic find by @WathCoot !!!!!!

Not what I expected this evening...........

@Barnsleybsg Summer plumage Grey Phalarope Wombwell Ings now.

@Barnsleybsg Glossy Ibis 1 Wombwell Ings.

@Barnsleybsg Wombwell Ings Ringed Plover 14, Black wit 12, Ruff 10, Dunlin 3, Greenshank 2, Yellow Wagtail 8+,

@Barnsleybsg 4 Knot briefly @GarganeyTrust Broomhill Flash left west 09.35. Shoveler 52, Ruff 1, Common Sand 2, Green Sand 2, Wigeon 1.

@Barnsleybsg Honey Buzzard circled Broomhill Flash car park/Little Broomhill c16.35 - 16.51 left westward towards Broomhill Tip.

@Barnsleybsg Wood Sand, Curlew 4, Green Sand 6+.

@Barnsleybsg Wombwell Ings Spoonbill 4, GW Egret, Hobby 2, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover 8, Black wit 5, Whinchat 2, Stonechat, Lapwing 64, Teal 116.

@Barnsleybsg Osprey hovering over Bolton Ings this evening before drifting off low north.

@Barnsleybsg The Old Moor & Broomhill Area (Wath Area) Year List total for 2023 was 180 species. A new area record beating existing 179 set in 2017. Details on Barnsley Bird Sightings Blog. Thanks to @RSPB_OldMoor @GarganeyTrust & everyone else who contributed. Happy New Year.

@Barnsleybsg Red throated Diver circled low over @GarganeyTrust Broomhill Flash 15.18 left south west.

Final proof check, almost ready to go! #birdsofwintersett . Order now or risk missing out. For details, Email bowint223@gmail.com or DM this account, stating preference of bank transfer or cheque

History of inland gulls gull roosts began in the early 20th century and Wintersett is one of the top sites. Read about the factors that saw wintering gull numbers to increase in #birdsofwintersett Email bowint223@gmail.com or DM this account stating preference of payment

Worlds first purpose-built bird hide at Walton Hall, built in 1820. Read about it in #birdsofwintersett . You can still see this today in Haw Park Wood Email bowint223@gmail.com or DM this account for details on how to obtain a copy, stating preference of bank transfer or cheque

@Young_Nudger Where there’s Dunlin, there’s hope.

Remind me - what’s the Dunlin saying? @WathCoot

@bowintersett2 First ever visit was on 10th December 1981 - Mealy Redpoll highlight. First ever twitch was 25th January 1987 - Red necked Grebe Anglers, with a first winter Glaucous Gull there also and a female Red breasted Merganser on Top Res. All three new birds for me at the time.

People regularly twitched Nightingales everywhere in the 19th C, including Norman Moore at Walton Hall in May 1865. Other early twitches were Sabines Gull Sept 1950 & Ferruginous Duck in March 1951. Let me know your first twitch to Wintersett & what you saw #birdsofwintersett

Please follow and retweet to be entered into a draw where one lucky follower will receive a free copy & full refund of their fee. Draw to be made on publication which is expected in early September. DM or email bowint223@gmail.com stating preference for cheque or bank transfer

@Young_Nudger @RussBoland @TheDearneValley @SarahNormanCX To my knowledge Garganey first proved breeding in Dearne Valley in 1986 (1y). Although suspected in several years. Then confirmed again in 1991 (8y), 1992 (5y), 1993 (10y seen ? 1 or 2 more pairs suspected, then area maximum 23 (21 juvs) in August 1993, 1994 (2 brroods = 13y).

@RussBoland @TheDearneValley @SarahNormanCX Best person to ask would be @WathCoot. It’s definitely not annual - but then again they are so difficult to observe in the breeding season never mind prove that they are breeding. I’d guess at 5 times (years) definitely proved to have bred.

Just a stones throw from the Dearne Valley but an important record to be recognised. Garganey are a rare breeding bird which are difficult to prove breeding. Obviously the work carried out on Carlton Marsh NR in recent years was very worthwhile. @RussBoland @SarahNormanCX

@Young_Nudger @jamesthetyke @KaneBrides 2/2 ... were present, and at least one being successful a brood seven noted on Bolton Ings. So probably early returning birds or possibly failed breeders from elsewhere.

@WathCoot @jamesthetyke @KaneBrides Thanks Dave. I knew you would know. I assume the numbers in earlier years were not young birds a result of a good breeding season - and were indeed adults.

Teal 31 in June !!! I can’t remember numbers as high as this in June. Also other sites report high numbers. @jamesthetyke @KaneBrides any ideas of what’s happening with teal this year ? @WathCoot

@Young_Nudger @jamesthetyke @KaneBrides 1/2 Only had chance to look at some of more recent reports but best June count so far is 77 in 2005, with 40 recorded on 22nd June 2009. As far as I no they were adults as you know they are no an easy species to prove breeding in the valley. Example 2005 - In May three pairs.....