Todwick Environment: Wild Birds
SK58 Publicity Review 2009
by Jenny and Tony Drew, 21.1.2010
We have now completed our second year as publicity officers for SK58. During 2009 we have continued to diligently deliver, post out and hammer onto notice boards the quarterly Indoor Meetings notices throughout the villages in the SK58 square. Unfortunately we will not be able to continue with this part of the role. However, we will continue to produce the notices and bring them along to each meeting to ask for volunteers to place them in and around the square as agreed at the organisers’ meeting 20 January 2010. We will continue with the publicity communication electronically with the established contacts as well as seeking new ones.
The meetings with Rotherham Recreational Service never materialised and we have not received any further communications from them.
Contact was made in the Autumn of 2009 to Look North’s Paul Hudson and a reply received that he "would have a look" but as yet no other communication has been forthcoming. Michele Vincent the Rotherham Advertiser reporter has conscientiously published news items and information about forthcoming meetings in the local news sections. She has taken a keen interest in what we do and fought our corner in relation to the publication of a review of the summer events in SK58. Unfortunately this item was refused by the editor and despite our protestations he never published the article. Not to be out done we have written on article for The Chase due to be published in the Spring and Michele is endeavouring to get that into that edition – so watch this space. As previously stated Michele is a really good contact and has had published articles in the local news along with photographs, one of a speaker at one of our meetings and the infamous owl box erections. This is also going in The Chase article if all goes well.
Jen Fosler is the link with the Worksop and Dinnington Guardian and as far as we are aware these items continue to be published. However, this month there has been a problem as her email address is no longer functional. We have contacted Andrew Wakefield another reporter to establish if a new contact is required as Jen may have left the newspaper.
There have been a couple of articles in the Anston Community News courtesy of Marion Commins and Michael Gazur, one on the history and makeup of the group and one about the visits of the rare birds to the area in the Summer. We will continue to provide newsworthy features for them.
Geoff Downs from the Todwick News continues to publish features and forthcoming events in the parish publication. Again we will continue to provide features of interest and information.
Another success story is that the communication and publicity between SK58 and The Forestry Commission during 2009 has resulted in their cooperation with the erection of nest boxes at Dinnington Community Woodland. These are expected to be erected during February 2010.
Note: Todwick website www.todwick.org.uk/groups/birds.html has many pages of SK58 news and events going back for some years. See also SK58 website www.sk58birders.com.
American and Icelandic Winter Visitors to Todwick
by Brian Chambers
Whooper Swans
This week (from 7th November 2009) a family party of 2 adult and 2 juvenile Whooper Swans have landed on the Axle Lane rape field to the east of Todwick. This species breeds in Iceland, Scandinavia and the northern Taiga of Russia, although not unusual at this time of the year in the east of the country they are very rare for Todwick.
The birds on Axle Lane have most likely come from the east of Iceland, stopping off on their way towards Norfolk, Northern France or The Netherlands regions. There is plenty of vegetation on which to feed so they may stay for some time.
The adults are very similar in appearance and size to our native Mute Swan but have a wedge shaped mainly yellow bill compared with the Mute’s pinkish bill. The juvenile birds have a grey plumage and the bill lacks the striking yellow colour.
Click the images to see larger versions
Dotterel
The Axle Lane fields are a traditional wintering site for one of the country’s most attractive Wading Birds, the Golden Plover. Flocks of about 2,000 birds have been present this year, in previous years flocks of over 4000 have been recorded. These flocks can attract other Wading birds to join them occasionally. If you take a walk across Axle Lane the birds can often be spotted in a tight flock on the ground. They can also be seen flying high in the sky almost out of sight but their plaintive call still discernible. At other times they can be like a Red Arrows flypast just a few feet overhead, a swooshing sound as they flash past.
This year, on the 30th September, a Dotterel was seen just on that one evening. This species is another Scandinavian breeder also a few birds do nest in the Scottish Highlands. A bit smaller than a Golden Plover (GP) and with a prominent white stripe above the eye (supercilium). In breeding plumage they sport a bright rusty-orange breast but this is lost in winter. Unusually amongst birds the male does most of the incubation and is less brightly coloured than the female.
Buff-Breasted Sandpiper
During a search for the Dotterel the following day an even rarer bird was recorded, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Unfortunately, just 2 SK58 Birders were able to observe it as it only stayed for about half an hour before flying off with the Golden Plover.
This is a North American bird, breeding in Alaska and North-west Canada that migrates mainly to Argentina or Uruguay. Each year birds are blown off course by strong easterly winds that bring them to this country. This is a second record for Axle Lane, one was recorded in September 2002.
It is an attractive bird, smaller than a GP with as the name implies a buff coloured breast.
Peregrine Falcon
The large GP flock attracts Raptor birds in search of a meal. A fairly regular hunter has been the Peregrine Falcon, this has been seen either early morning or late afternoon, no doubt coinciding with its feeding needs.
It is a larger bird than the Sparrowhawk with a more bulky body, broader wings and faster flight. It is reputedly Britain’s fastest bird being able to reach speeds of 100 mph in a stoop flight to catch prey, often a pigeon but the GP is a good alternative.
Other Axle Lane Birds
Grey Partridge
This Gamebird has a strong presence on these Todwick fields, as many as 80 birds have been recorded during the Autumn period. This is our Native Partridge, a species under threat nationally mainly from a loss of habitat and the widespread introduction of the more aggressive Red-legged Partridge that is bred for the shooting parties.
Skylark
On a fine sunny morning hundreds of these birds can be present, filling the air with their chirruping whistling song. The large flocks will contain both our own local breeding birds and migrating northern birds possibly some from as far afield as the Scandinavian countries.
Corn Bunting
Hopefully there will be a few birds of this species during the Winter months. This is another species that has shown a huge decline nationally during the last few decades. Axle Lane, Todwick has always had a small breeding population that can usually be seen close by the stone wall footpath towards South Anston. The bird is no looker – just a small brown Bunting with quite a large bill but it has a very distinctive jingling song. It can often be seen perched atop the Elder Trees growing close by the stone wall.
Stonechat
A bright cheery bird, the male has an orange breast, black head and a white neck-band, the female being a duller version. It has appeared in the past by the stone-wall and around the fishing ponds. During the summer it favours coastal habitat but the last few years have seen an increase in the numbers present in our area during the Winter. A fairly reliable site is the Kiveton Woodland park.
Todwick Birds, January 2006
by Brian Chambers
Todwick has a small wood within its boundary, Windmill Wood, that is as good as many a Nature Reserve. It can be accessed off Kiveton Lane, just beyond the Residential Home. Although it is only about 2 hectares in size it supports an impressive variety of bird life.
The wood comprises essentially of mature Oak and Sycamore with an understorey of Bramble, Elder and Hawthorn. The encroaching Bramble has reduced the Bluebell coverage, although there is still a substantial carpet present towards the southern end.
Blackbird are numerous, their clacking alarm calls ever present at this time of year. Mistle Thrush, the larger species with the football rattle call, and Song Thrush can usually be seen. These three Thrush species all produce wonderful songs that should be heard before too long.
Five members of the Tit Family can generally be located without too much difficulty. Blue and Great Tits are the commonest. Willow Tit, the one with the black cap, Coal Tit, with a white patch on its nape, and Long-tailed Tit, a fluffy ball with of course a long tail (a very long tail) all can usually be found flitting around the tree canopy in search of small insects, aphids, spiders, grubs etc.
The colourful Nuthatch jerkily climbs the trunks and branches, often downwards head first, if you see a bird doing this then it’s a Nuthatch. This behaviour contrasts with that of the Treecreeper which climbs the trunk jerkily upwards in its search for insects.
Goldcrest, Britain’s smallest bird, are also present in Windmill Wood. They have a thin high-pitched call and often accompany a Tit flock. The yellow crown stripe is diagnostic, the male has a more orange stripe, particularly evident in summer as the bird displays.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker has nested in the wood for many years, there being sufficient old timber present in which to excavate its nest cavity. Many gardens must have had a winter visit from this species, particularly attracted by peanut holders. Green Woodpecker, the larger species, has also been recorded in the wood but I don’t think it’s a breeding species.
Tawny Owl is also present, its hooting being a source of pleasure or annoyance to those whose house backs onto the wood.
The Finch family are well represented by numerous Chaffinch and Greenfinch with occasionally a few Goldfinch, although this species generally prefers patches of thistles or weeds. Brambling, a Scandinavian winter visitor, can sometimes be found with Chaffinch flocks and has been seen in the wood. It is an attractive bird similar to Chaffinch but with an orange tint to its chest.
So if Windmill Wood is new to you, take a stroll around the path which circles through and hopefully you will be rewarded and surprised by the bird life.
Todwick Wild Birds
by Brian Chambers
Todwick village and the surrounding farmland may appear, to a casual observer, a rather uninteresting area for birds. However, a careful search can reveal a number of species that, over the past few decades, have shown dramatic declines nationwide.
The Tree Sparrow, the one with a brown crown and smaller and neater than a house sparrow, has declined nationally by about 90%. Two flocks, of 40+ birds, winter around the gardens and hedgerows on the edge of the village. One based north of the school the other behind the houses at the top of The Meadows. Both flocks are supported with generous helpings of bird seed!
A walk along the footpath to South Anston (Axle Lane as known to local birders) will generally be rewarded with sightings of three other species that have shown a national decline in excess of 50% over the last thirty years. These are the Skylark, the Corn Bunting and the Grey Partridge, the native game-bird of the UK.
15+ pairs of Skylark nest in these fields, their song being a welcome accompaniment whilst walking. During the Autumn months upwards of a hundred birds have been recorded.
At least 5 pairs of Corn Bunting also nest, generally close to the stonewall that crosses the fields. Flocks of about 30 post-breeding birds have been seen.
Grey Partridge, gamebirds with an orange and brown face and throat, are gregarious feeding in tight flocks on the autumn vegetation. A total of 42 birds were recorded one day in November last year.
Last year at least 4 pairs of Lapwing bred amongst the potato crop in the field between the wall and the A57, this is another species that has also alarmingly declined in farmland habitats.
Thanks to the large quantities of food put out in Todwick gardens, Blue and Great Tits are plentiful, and a few Willow Tits, the one with the black cap, are also present. Robins, Wrens, Finches and Blackbirds are all plentiful and there are a good few Song Thrushes to be seen, this is another species that has struggled recently.
Please continue to feed the birds, especially if the weather gets harsher, and help to keep the healthy and varied birdlife that is present in and about Todwick.
Todwick Churchyard Wild Birds
by Brian Chambers
We are very fortunate to have the beautiful and ancient Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul at the heart of our village, which is surrounded by an extensive Churchyard, this varied habitat provides food and shelter for a surprising number of birds.
At most times of the year the Robin will be present, an inquisitive bird that always likes to check out any visitor. Wrens are often singing and, together with the Dunnock, can usually be seen flitting around the shrubs and brambles.
The new east wall of the churchyard has had a variety of popular garden shrubs and trees planted along its length, some producing berries. This, together with the more overgrown south boundary provides nesting areas for birds such as Blackbird, Song Thrush, Finches, Tits and the three species mentioned above.
The berries on the shrubs and trees (a Holly by the old rectory path has a wonderful crop), provide food for Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird and our visiting Winter Thrushes. These, the noisy Fieldfare and the aptly named Redwing, migrate from Scandinavia and Northern Europe just to feed on such berries after exhausting their home supply.
The Churchyard has a wealth of mature trees, Yew, Lime, Ash, Sycamore, Horse Chestnut that provide food, shelter, nesting and observation sites for many species.
The two common raptors, Sparrowhawk and Kestel, are frequently seen, and Tawny Owl can be heard at night-time. The finches, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Sparrow are often feeding, particularly around the more open northern area. The churchyard is also well visited by the Tit family, some, like the Coal Tit have a particular fondness for Yew. Long-tail Tits, in the winter they can form flocks of 10 – 20 birds, flit through the trees in search of tiny insects. Willow Tits, one of the species under modern day pressures, are often present, listen for their nasal wheezing calls. The popular, and fortunately still common, Blue and Great Tits can usually be found somewhere. Often associating with the Tits, the tiny Goldcrest may be seen, it is has a high pitched warbling song, is usually quite tame and good close views are possible.
Some summer migrants also frequent the churchyard, I have seen Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat and of course Swallows and House Martins. A possible rare species is the Spotted Flycatcher, which has nested in Bluebell Wood recently. I mention this species because it has bred in Carlton Churchyard for a good many years, the grave-stones being ideal perches from which it flits out and attempts to catch flying insects that form its diet.
There are many other species that benefit from the Churchyard, such as Pigeons, Jackdaws, Crows, the Great Spotted Woodpecker and Wagtails that I have not mentioned. Perhaps next time you visit have a closer look and hopefully you will have a few pleasant surprises.