Author: Barnsley Nats

Doug’s message

Doug Brown, Barnsley Nats President, has sent this message to everyone:

This is the end of the first week of the lock-down, but I can still record the local bird and wildlife.

Last week when life was fairly free, I noticed fair numbers of Long Tailed Tits and Wrens on the TPT at Thurgoland pairing up. I think that the mild winter has boosted numbers of both at home; speaking of which we have had up to six Blue Tits, two Great Tit, two Nuthatch and up to thirty Goldfinch on the feeders at home. On the down side we have not had any Siskin or Redpoll and only the odd Greenfinch this winter.

The warmer weather this last week has encouraged butterflies to emerge out, such as Comma, Brimstone, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell in Silkstone Common.

Sunshine brought out the ‘aging moth trapper’ on a few nights this last week which resulted in the following species being recorded, Small Quaker, Common Quaker Hebrew Character and Early Moth.

Please take care, best wishes, Doug.

PS. If you would like to get in touch, we are looking forward to hearing about the wildlife you have seen and what you have observed.

Meetings suspended from 18 March 2020

We regret that the meetings on the Barnsley Nats programme for Wednesday 18 March, 1 April and 22 April will not take place; and field visits are suspended. In the meantime look out for shared news and information. It’s a result of the escalation in the Covid-19 virus situation and government advice.

Original post 17 March; Updated 23 March

The Ascent of Birds talk

John Reilly’s presentation on ‘The Ascent of Birds: how modern science is revealing their story’ is based on the latest scientific discoveries and enriched by personal observations.

When and where did the ancestors of modern birds evolve? What enabled them to survive the meteoric impact that wiped out the dinosaurs? How did these early birds spread across the globe and give rise to the 10,600-plus species we recognise today.

John Reilly’s talk sets out to answer these fundamental questions.

Open to all. Wednesday 16 October, 7pm, Barnsley Town Hall

Field visit – Old Park Wood

Warren Dike in Old Park Wood

Saturday 9 February in the morning – Geoff Jackson is leading a field visit to The Old Park Wood, part of Rockley Woods Local Wildlife Site.

We will be following Warren Dike looking at ferns, mosses and other plants -as well as any wildlife we see!

We are meeting at 10.00am, meeting near Old Park wood, off Rockley Lane just on the other (north/east) side of the M1. Grid reference: SE339017

Members’ presentations

This next Wednesday, 6th February, at 7pm at Barnsley Town Hall, we have another evening in which different members give short presentations on any natural history topic they choose.

It can be anything – with images on the screen or just saying a little about something seen or heard about. It’s also an opportunity to bring something along to identify or provoke discussion.

Please come along and join in. Let us know what you would like to tell us about / show us – or let it be a surprise!

All welcome of course – with or without something to show! 

We had a good turn out for the bat field visit. Our host, Rob Bell from the South Yorkshire Bat Group, was most informative. Giving us a insight to the bats roosting and breeding habits, as well as information on what their group does in monitoring and conservation.

First meetings of 2019

The first indoor meeting in 2019 is a talk by Ron Marshall on Chile. Come along to Barnsley Town Hall on Wednesday 9 January at 7 pm.

The first outdoor meeting in 2019 on Saturday 12 January is a field visit to RSPB Old Moor, meeting in the Old Moor car park at 10.00 am. We are joining up with the local birdwatchers group led by Colin and Linda Graham.

The full programme will be posted on the programme page soon.