Bonus Caspian Gull spot driving to work this morning. Single juv mingling with the Common Gulls on Hoyland football pitches. Then on the way home a mini Starling murmuration at RSPB Old Moor!

A truly fabulous reference guide for any birder or naturalist in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. It provides a long-term overview of the state and changing nature of bird life across the city.

Greno Wood walk with the little one (can be quiet for birding at this time of year) produced two pairs of Crossbill. Not seen them at this site before. @wildsheffield.bsky.social @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

No UK eBird records of Rough-legged Buzzard from 2026 yet (below); this species will likely be rarer nationally than Black-winged Kite in future. Both very visible signs of climate (and land-use) driven range shifts #UKBirding #Ornithology

After a few sightings of small numbers of White-fronted Geese, it was good to really get in on the invasion today with 5 over then 116 down on North Cave Wetlands today. Any info on ringed bird appreciated

Quick drive up the M1 to Calder Wetlands this morning. Black-necked Grebe, two pairs of Goldeneye (displaying), and Cetti’s Warbler the highlights.

Siberian Chiffchaff still present in reeds outside Kelham Island Museum @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

Great day out in the Lower Derwent Valley at North Duffield Carr. Scores of Curlew, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, and Lapwing. c70 White-fronts seen from Geoff Smith hide. c100 Whooper Swan on farmer’s field behind car park. Ruff and Redshank nr. Derwent Bridge plus an Otter heading downstream.

Reached 100 recorded species for the year on @birdtrack.bsky.social today; vast majority seen locally in South Yorkshire. Really enjoying using the app, nice and simple UI.

Wombwell Ings and Broomhill Flash today: 4 Russian White-fronts, c100 Lapwing, 4 Goldeneye, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, c10 pairs of Pochard. No sign of Slav Grebe.

Little Owl and Tawny Owl heard this evening (High Green/Westwood) @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

RSPB Old Moor today: Bittern, multiple Cetti’s (heard), Water Rail, 28 Russian White-fronted Geese (flyover heading ENE), Goldeneye and Oystercatcher. Finally able to see the ever-elusive Bittern after years and years of hoping!

Male Siskin on the feeder this morning. Flock of 4 in total (High Green) @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

And finally, I get to spot the local Tawny male I’ve been hearing! Perched on top of the tree next door. Just beautiful to hear and see.

Dunlin needed some good news - @rspbscience.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/... Red-listed in UK: wadertales.wordpress.com/2022/10/04/u... Rapid decline in Iceland: wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/02/20/i... Really bad in the Baltic: wadertales.wordpress.com/2021/06/20/d... #ornithology

'The New Birds of the Sheffield Area' Indoor Meeting: Weds 11th Feb 7.15pm Join us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new 440 page book detailing all 300 species ever sighted in our area. Editors Richard & David will talk us through the project. Copies for sale + complimentary fizz!

Local Tawnies calling in Westwood CP. Male and female calls heard. Making me want to invest in some thermal optics!

Poor photo. Shag still present at Worsbrough Reservoir.

Great to see Redpoll on the feeders this morning. 1m and 1f. @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

The North Cave Wetlands Starlings going into roost through the thermal @northcavewet.bsky.social

Willow Tit nr. Ingbirchworth Dyke. First I’ve seen in South Yorkshire. Also 2 Stock Dove and 4 Skylark nr. campsite.

1 Lesser White-fronted Goose in with Greylag flock at Ingbirchworth reservoir @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

BREAKING: A Gamekeeper has pleaded guilty in England’s first-ever Hen Harrier persecution case. Covert video and audio gathered lawfully by the RSPB Investigations team has helped expose the deliberate targeting of a Hen Harrier, leading to a landmark guilty plea: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... 👈

Buzzard (2), Sparrowhawk and Kestrel all flew over and around the garden yesterday. Fascinating to see how differently these three species hunt and fly.

Adding to the increasing list of overwintering birds up here at Westwood CP, I heard a Chiffchaff this morning. Regular call, not a Siberian, but the first overwintering Chiffchaff I’ve heard this way.

Female Tawny Owls calling in High Green/Westwood this morning. At least 2 birds heard amongst the Robin, Song Thrush, and now Blackcap, dawn chorus. @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

Siskin on feeders today. 2 winters in a row. Looks the like the Siskin influx is providing a regular, and welcome, winter visitor to the garden. (High Green) @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

Fairburn Ings highlights from today: m. Goosander, 2 Goldeneye pairs, Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher and GW Egret.

iPort Gravel Pits for @btobirds.bsky.social International Swan Census. No Whoopers/Bewicks as expected but plenty of other species around. c60 Linnet flock was great to see, along with tonnes of Redwing. 4 Cetti’s Warbler heard in reeds at various spots around site.

Welcome news & long overdue from a Westminster Government. England lags behind on so many issues. #RaptorResearch raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/09/d...

Cracker of a winter sunset at RSPB St Aidan’s today. Highlights were the Glossy Ibis, Little Owl and RC Pochard as well as very healthy flocks of Lapwing and Curlew.

Cracking day at Bempton Cliffs featuring Short Eared Owl, a huge Corn Bunting flock, Woodcock and Marsh Harrier.

Finishing 2025 off with a total of 37 species seen in the garden/woodland to the rear of our house. This week 3 more species were added to the list with Redwings roosting in the hawthorns, Tree Sparrows amongst the regular House Sparrow flock and a Treecreeper heard.

Textures from Wharncliffe Heath NR.

Third year in a row we’ve had Blackcap overwinter in the woodland behind the house (High Green). @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social

This is long overdue. The hunters only have themselves to blame. Constant trespass, animal abuse and aggression towards those that just ask them to stay within the law. This has to stop. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Cetti’s Warbler singing at RSPB Old Moor today. Hearing these more and more often.

Been a great year so far for new bird sightings on the garden. A good sized Goldcrest flock was a real highlight in early winter, but today’s Grey Wagtail takes the crown (as well as bumping us up to a total of 34 recorded species this year). Not bad for a suburban garden in Sheffield!

1/ Of the 11 tagged Cuckoos that left the UK in summer, we have continued to receive regular updates from nine. ⬇️ 🪶 The furthest east of our birds are Joe & Sayaan in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our most southerly Cuckoo is Norman in Angola. Furthest north we find Jim & Ashok, both in Gabon.