A Summary of the Birds of Hatfield Moors

The following is an annotated checklist of the birds known to have occurred on and around Hatfield Moors, with details given of status, often including recorded dates and maximum counts. It is hoped that at some point in the future a complete report can be compiled. In the meantime this is meant to stand as a rough guide as to the occurrences and status of the avifauna of the SSSI and surrounding areas. This list has been extracted from the Hatfield Moors Bird Report 2002-2004, compiled by Simon Mitchell. The status is given to the end of 2004 except where significant records from 2005 onwards are included. If you have records which need to be included in this checklist please forward a copy to the webmaster, .

This checklist is also available as a download

Mute Swan	Breeding resident. The most was 60 along the Torne 23rd March 2004.
Bewick's Swan	Annual winter visitor. Maximum count of 21 flying over on 12th November 1977.
Whooper Swan	Annual winter visitor. Maximum count of 72 at Wroot on 10th December 2004.
Bean Goose	3 records. The largest and most recent count of 9 on 9th October 2004.
Pink-footed Goose	Annual winter visitor. Some records n spring, 171 on 7th February 1978 the maximum.
Lesser White-fronted Goose	A family of 4 were in the area 25th Sept - 27th Nov 2004.
Greylag Goose	10+ pairs breed each year. 800 were counted on 26th September 2004.
Greater Canada Goose	The first on 29th Dec 1956. Max count of 500 on 19th September 2004, 5-10 pairs breed.
Barnacle Goose	Most records are of feral birds, but 8 flying west on 6th October 2002 may have been wild.
Brent Goose	A dark-bellied bird was with Greylags and Canada Geese at Tyram Hall Fishing Ponds on 25th April 1992.
Egyptian Goose	3 records. Most recently, 3 on Tunnel Pits pond on 18th March 2004.
Common Shelduck	Odd pairs breed each year. 25 on Ten Acre Lake on 7th February 2004 is the maximum count.
Mandarin Duck	A single record, 1 at Candy Farm on 19th October 1998.
Eurasian Wigeon	Common winter visitor. The highest count is 600 on 15th February 2003.
Gadwall	A few pairs breed each year. 50 were counted on 5th December 2004 at Ellerholme Lake.
Eurasian Teal	15 or more pairs breed each year. The maximum was 240 recorded on 26th September 2004.
Mallard	Fairly common breeder, with around 50 pairs. 300 were on Ash Dump on 4th December 2004.
Pintail	Winter visitor. 4 flying over on 16th December 1968 were the first. 5 on 23rd September 2004 the most.
Garganey	3 Records. Most recently a pair along the Torne on 11th May 1998.
Shoveler	Occasional breeder. 25 were present on 25th September 2004, 20 of them at Ash Dump.
Red-crested Pochard	2-3 present throughout September 2003 and again from 17th October 2004 until 2005.
Common Pochard	Has bred. Max counts are 75+ on 21st February 1982 and 95 on 11th December 2004.
Tufted Duck	A few pairs breed each year. 200 were present on Prison Lakes and Ten Acre Lake on 27th Nov 2004.
Greater Scaup	7 Records. A party of 3 on 3rd August 1967 and the most recent on 12th October 1996.
Long-tailed Duck	One occurred on the surprising dates of 9th and 12th - 16th July 1995.
Common Scoter	2 males on Lindholme Lake on 28 March 1910.
Common Goldeneye	Annual winter visitor. 4 is the highest count, recorded several times.
Smew	One record of a 'redhead' present on Tyram Hall Fishing Ponds 16th - 23rd December 2001.
Red-breasted Merganser	A single record of a male which flew from Prison Lakes on 9th April 2000.
Goosander	Scarce in recent years. High numbers in the 1990s with 34 on Badger Pond on 8th February 1997.
Ruddy Duck	Increasing resident and breeder. Maximum 12 on Huggin Carr Lake on 9th September 2004.
Red Grouse	Possible natural populations present until c.1804. Various releases surviving till c.1930
Black Grouse	Failed introductions in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Red-legged Partridge	45 pairs in 1980 down to around 20 in 2004. The max. tally was 69 birds in February 1978.
Grey Partridge	50 pairs in 1983 reduced to around 20 in 2004. 40 were on open peat on 9th October 2004.
Common Quail	Recorded sporadically; 4+ males in 2001, but only one since, late July 2003
Common Pheasant	Common resident with fairly constant population.
Black-throated Diver	A single record of a dead bird picked up at Lindholme Lake on 27th December 1960.
Little Grebe	About 20 pairs breed each year.
Great Crested Grebe	Breeds each year but never more than 3 pairs.
Red-necked Grebe	1 record of a single on Tyram Hall Fishing Ponds 8th February - 5th April 1996.
Slavonian Grebe	A single record of 1 on Prison Lakes 6th - 13th January 2000.
Black-necked Grebe	1 on Huggin Carr Lake on 30th April 2004.
Northern Gannet	1 juv. flying west on 20th September 2001 is the only record.
Great Cormorant	Winter visitor but has been recorded in every month.
Eurasian Bittern	3 recent records, the last of one flying along the Torne on 29th May 2004.
Little Egret	3 flew in to roost on Badger Pond on 25th May 2002.
Grey Heron	Breeding resident with an average of 20 pairs in the heronry at Woodside.
White Stork	1 record of 2 birds seen soaring high over Ten Acre Lake on 27th July 1999.
Honey-buzzard	Four records including 3 on 29th September 2000 during a national influx.
Red Kite	In 1747 described as a native of the area. 1 seen flying over in 2008.
Marsh Harrier	Bred until 1836 then no occurrences until 28th April 1978. 5 on 15th Aug 2002.
Hen Harrier	Annual winter visitor in varying numbers. Maximum 5 or 6 in the winter of 1980/81.
Montagu's Harrier	Breeding attempted in 1906. Last recorded 15th July 1928.
Northern Goshawk	Less than 10 records, most recently 5th December 2004.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk	3 or 4 pairs in the area. Very few during the raptor decline in the 1960’s.
Common Buzzard	Increasingly regular visitor, with possible breeding in Great Gate Wood.
Rough-legged Buzzard	2 records, one on 15th March 1975 and another 13th - 14th December 1980.
Osprey	About5 records including a midsummer bird on 15th July 1990. Most recently 1 on 20th July 2004.
Common Kestrel	4 or more pairs, mainly frequenting surrounding farmland.
Merlin	Winter visitor and passage migrant. 3 - 6 birds each year. Seen on 15 occasions in 2004.
Hobby	2 pairs breeding in the area. 7 or 8 seen on 9th September 2004 included at least 3 local juvs.
Peregrine Falcon	Non-breeders use the area to hunt, more present July - Feb, 30 'bird/days' in 2004.
Water Rail	Has bred, now only occasional winter visitor. The most recent was 1 on 29th September 2003.
Corn Crake	1 in June 1937 was the most recent record of a previously common grassland species.
Moorhen	Around 30 pairs breed. The most tallied in a day was 40 on 25th Sept 2004.
Common Coot	20 or more pairs breed each year. Over 550 were in the area in September 2004.
Common Crane	Bred pre-1839. One pair attempted breeding in 2004.
Oystercatcher	1 or 2 pairs breed each year. 9 were present on 14th June 2003.
Avocet	The only record concerns a pair on flooded peat on 12th April 2001.
Little Ringed Plover	1-3 pairs breed. 11 on 25th July 1995 and 13 on 18th July 2004 are the most.
Ringed Plover	1-2 pairs breed. 35 on 16th May 2002 is the biggest flock, but not by a large margin.
European Golden Plover	Non-breeding visitor, mainly in winter. 2500 on 5th April 2003 is the most.
Grey Plover	3 records, including 3 on 17th May 2002 and more recently 1 on 9th Oct 2004.
Northern Lapwing	10-20 pairs breed. The highest count was of 1500 in January 1978.
Little Stint	4 records; 2 separate birds in September 1997 and 1 in September 2004.
Pectoral Sandpiper	A single record of a bird with two Ringed Plover on 21st April 2003.
Curlew Sandpiper	4 records; 1 on 17th September 1997 and 2 birds on 8th June 2004.
Dunlin	Passage migrant, with occasional winter records. The biggest flock is 70 on 16th May 2002.
Ruff	Near annual visitor. 8 on 6th August 1982 and 4 on 19th September 2004 are the biggest groups.
Jack Snipe	Near annual visitor. 5 'bird/days' in 2004 is the most in a year.
Common Snipe	3+ pairs in the 1970s but now extinct as a breeder. 50 were at Tunnel Pits on 20th August 2004.
Woodcock	6-10 pairs currently, 8-11 in 1983.
Black-tailed Godwit	Probably bred until the 1830s. The highest ever total was 9 on 20th July 2004.
Bar-tailed Godwit	One was seen by Andrew Marshall presumably 1984 – 1989.
Whimbrel	Near annual passage migrant. 7 on 20th July 1995 being the biggest group.
Eurasian Curlew	2 - 3 pairs breed. The Blaxton Gravel Pits flock at times moves into the area and can be more than 70.
Common Sandpiper	Bred in several years. 7 were present on 2nd August 1997.
Green Sandpiper	Passage migrant, has wintered. 9 on 7th and 22nd August 1995 are record counts.
Spotted Redshank	6 records, including an amazing flock of 7 on 8th July 1998.
Greenshank	Passage migrant. 22 present on 15th August 2004 with 17 still present on 18th.
Wood Sandpiper	3 records since 2002. Most recently 1 on 15th Aug 2004.
Common Redshank	Occasional breeder. 7 on 4th April 1997 is the largest ever group.
Turnstone	3 records. 4 different birds passed through in September 2004 including 3 on 15th
Arctic Skua	1 during exceptional skua passage on 26th September 1976
Mediterranean Gull	One on 24th December 2004 was seen again in 2005 and was the first record.
Common Gull	Occurs in most months of the year. 200+ flew over from roost on 3rd January 1982.
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Has bred, but not recently. 600 were present on 29th June 2001.
Iceland Gull	A long-dead bird was found at Lindholme Lake on 25th February 1964.
Yellow-legged Gull	Not recorded until 2001. 3 were present on 15th August 2004.
Herring Gull	Occurs in every month. 150+ over on 3rd January 1982.
Great Black-backed Gull	Occurs in every month. 100 on 3rd January 1982 is the most.
Little Gull	A new species in 2005.
Black-headed Gull	Breeds, but no established colony. Totals of up to 1000 have been logged.
Little Tern	The only record is of 1 along the Torne on 17th-l8th May 1993.
Black Tern	A new bird for the Moors in 2004 when 1 was at Tyram Hall Gravel Pits on 16th September.
Sandwich Tern	2 on 27th May 2001 is the only record.
Common Tern	Annual. Breeders from Blaxton Gravel Pits sometimes visit water bodies in the recording area.
Arctic Tern	2 Records. 5 passed through along the River Torne during the course of 26th May 2002.
Rock Dove	Breeds, but many racing pigeons also fly through e.g. 1000 on 23rd August 2003.
Stock Dove	20 or more pairs breed. 31st December 1984 saw an unprecedented\| 450 present.
Woodpigeon	Common breeder, with some large winter flocks. 5000 present on 10th February 1981.
Collared Dove	First recorded in the early 1970s, now common with 30+ pairs at Lindholme.
Turtle Dove	Scarce, declining breeder, fewer than 6 pairs. 50 present on 28th August 1965.
Rose-ringed Parakeet	1on 18th February 1995.
Common Cuckoo	Between 5 and 15 males are noted each year though there has been a decline.
Barn Owl	Occasionally breeds on surrounding farmland, seen sporadically throughout each year.
Little Owl	A few pairs breed in surrounding farmland areas. No more than 3 are usually located.
Tawny Owl	Between 3 and 6 pairs breed annually.
Long-eared Owl	4 pairs in 1980, 2 or 3 in most years. The largest winter roost is 21 on 5th January 1974.
Short-eared Owl	Annual visitor; has probably bred. 2 were near Tunnel Pits Pond on 16th February 2003.
European Nightjar	15+ pairs in 2004, 32 in 2007 and 29 in 2008. Up to 40 in the past but this is likely to be an overestimate.
Common Swift	Feeds over the Moors, breeding nearby, 1000 in bad weather on 26th June 2004.
Common Kingfisher	One pair breeds in the Tyrham Hall area. Additional individuals winter.
Hoopoe	One record of one along Stainforth Moor Rd on 10th May 1980
Green Woodpecker	3 or more pairs breed, mainly on the sandy westem edge.
Great Spotted Woodpecker	Probably 3 pairs in the study area, at least 6 outside at Great Gate Wood.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	Transient visitor occurring almost annually.
Wood Lark	Became extinct after 1956 but re-colonised in 1998. Around 5 pairs in 2004.
Sky Lark	Over 40 pairs breed in surrounding farmland The most is 400 passing over on 9th October 2004.
Sand Martin	Breeding numbers vary with available nest sites. 1000 were feeding on 29th April 2004.
Barn Swallow	A few around farm buildings in the area, including 2 pairs at Huggin Carr.
House Martin	A few pairs breed around Lindholme village. On 1st September 2003, 350 passed south.
Tree Pipit	As few as 4 pairs have been known in some years, though at least 12 in 2004.
Meadow Pipit	Several pairs known in surrounding fields. 200 is the biggest flock on 27th September 2002.
Red-throated Pipit	A new species in 2005.
Water Pipit	This species was alluded to by Chislett and is for now retained on the checklist.
Rock Pipit	A new species in 2005.
Yellow Wagtail	6 - 10 pairs. 40 is the highest count, of roosting birds on 14th August 2002.
Grey Wagtail	Uncommon non-breeding visitor, groups of 3 and 4 having occurred on occasions.
Pied Wagtail	Over 20 pairs breed, high counts can reach 100. White Wagtail M.a.alba occurs roughly bi-annually.
Waxwing	4 records, most notably 20 from 11th March 1996 to the month's end.
Wren	Common resident, with at least 50 pairs. 59 counted on 24th October 1981.
Dunnock	Common resident, probably over 40 pairs. 91 counted on 24th October 1981.
Robin	Over 50 pairs breed, with additional birds wintering. 138 on 4th October 1981.
Common Nightingale	Former breeder, peaked at 9 singing in 1980. Most recently 2 sang in 2000.
Black Redstart	One record of a bird at Wroot on 16th May 1998.
Common Redstart	Extinct breeder; 4 singing in 1963. A passage bird last occurred on 26th August 2003.
Whinchat	30 pairs bred in 1977. Has not bred since a pair along the River Torne in 1993.
Common Stonechat	Occasional winter visitor. The most recent was a male near Ten Acre Lake in February 2004.
Northern Wheatear	Regular passage migrant, maximum 10 on 15th April 1984.
Ring Ouzel	Near annual on passage between 1975 and 1985, more recently one 20th - 30th October 2000.
Blackbird	Common breeding resident. Winter counts have included 256 on 24th October 1981.
Fieldfare	Several thousand Redwings and Fieldfares were apparent in November 2003. 800 on 27th October 1985.
Song Thrush	At least 15 singing males noted in every year. Autumn counts have exceeded 25 seen.
Redwing	In November 2003 over 1000 were in the area. The highest ever single count is 350 on 9th October 2004.
Mistle Thrush	Breeding in similar numbers to Song Thrush. The largest count was 60 on lst October 1977.
Grasshopper Warbler	1-5 pairs. No longer a breeder due to habitat clearance and vegetation succession.
Sedge Warbler	About 6 pairs breed in the area, mainly around Tyram Hall Gravel Pits.
Reed Warbler	5-10 pairs breed each year. As with Sedge Warbler Tyram Hall Gravel Pits are preferred.
Blackcap	Over 30 pairs breed annually; 20 were noted on 25th April 2004
Garden Warbler	Common breeder - 20+ pairs, but difficult to detect outside the first weeks of May.
Lesser Whitethroat	3-5 pairs, preferring the thickest peripheral hedgerows to any of the heath scrub.
Common Whitethroat	Common breeding bird, Stainforth Moor Rd being one of many favoured areas.
Yellow-browed Warbler	A new bird for the Moors in 2004 when one was seen at Ten Acre Lake on 20th November.
Wood Warbler	Only one record - a bird was in birch scrub-woodland on 14th May 1977.
Common Chiffchaff	An increase from 3 - 4 pairs in the 1970s and 1980s to well over 30 pairs today.
Willow Warbler	150 singing birds estimated in 1979, but a large drop in numbers since to around 50 pairs.
Goldcrest	Occasional pairs in gardens or woodland. 50 were in Moor Bank Wood on 10th November 2002.
Spotted Flycatcher	Up to 6 pairs bred until 1981; steady national decline reflected, last bred in 2000.
Pied Flycatcher	One record of an autumn passage bird on 2nd October 1977.
Bearded Tit	A male was seen on 12th November 1977.
Long-tailed Tit	More than 30 pairs nest each year, autumn and winter flocks can number over 60.
Blue Tit	Common breeding resident. Flocks of over 20 would not be exceptional at certain times of year.
Great Tit	Common breeding resident. Daily totals easily reach double figures.
Coal Tit	Around 10 pairs breed; there may be others in recently unexplored areas of Lindholme Island.
Willow Tit	The 1978 count of 33 pairs contrasts with below 15 today. There were 50+ on 29th December 1982.
Eurasian Nuthatch	Very few records; most recently at Tyram Hall Gravel Pits on 29th September 2000.
Eurasian Treecreeper	About 3 pairs breed each year. 5 were in one tit flock on 27th Nov 2004.
Great Grey Shrike	6 autumn/winter records from the 1970s, though none since.
Eurasian Jay	Fall in breeding numbers from 1978 when about 25 pairs bred. Still at least 3 pairs.
Magpie	Fairly common breeder, now in excess of 15 pairs in the area.
Western Jackdaw	A few pairs breed in suitable nest holes. 600 were present on 9th September 1962.
Rook	Several rookeries located along the River Torne, birds feed mainly on surrounding fields.
Carrion Crow	A few pairs nest, large groups numbering up to 50 may be seen on open peat.
Hooded Crow	2 occurrences of lone birds on 4th December 1955 and 27th March 1959.
Common Starling	Common breeder around houses. Sometimes in flocks, with 5000 on 26th October 1980.
House Sparrow	Present around housing, though probably less numerous than Tree Sparrow overall.
Tree Sparrow	Some decline but still relatively common, and winter flocks can still number over 100.
Common Chaffinch	Common breeder. Up to 70 pairs. Three-figure counts are not exceptional.
Brambling	Rare in most years, but depends on weather and crops. 700 on 21st November 1971.
Greenfinch	No more than 20 pairs breed A great winter count of 1000 on 2nd March 1975.
Goldfinch	No more than 20 pairs breed. Winter counts include 200 on 6th October 2002.
Siskin	Winter visitor in varying numbers, usually flocks of under 10.
Linnet	Loss of habitat has meant a fall from 200 pairs in 1977 to less than 30 today.
Twite	In the 1970s totals reached 50 and up to 11 pairs bred. Last bred 1990 and no records since 2000.
Lesser Redpoll	From 200 pairs in 1979 to less than 3 in 2004. Large flocks in some winters.
Common Redpoll	4 documented records, most recently a single with Lesser Redpolls on 3rd April 2004.
Arctic Redpoll	Recorded in early January 1996 during the invasion, but not submitted to BBRC.
Common Crossbill	8 Records. 40 on 2nd June 1991 and 60 on 11th December 1997.
Bullfinch	Less than 8 pairs breed.
Hawfinch	A single record of an individual near Candy Corner on 4th January 1991.
Lapland Bunting	Two records in November 1980, in fields on 16th and perhaps the same bird over on 23rd.
Snow Bunting	A single bird on Lindholme Airfield on 31st December 1977.
Yellowhammer	Fairly common breeder. Winter flocks include 400 on 2nd-12th February 1977.
Reed Bunting	Common breeding resident. 100+ present on 22nd March 1979.
Corn Bunting	5 - 15 pairs breed in the recording area. Flocks of above 50 still occur in winter.

Nomenclature and order follow "The British Birds List of Western Palearctic Birds" available at http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/BB-list.pdf [Accessed 14th February 2009].

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