All posts by Pete Smith

Black-necked Grebe – 21st May

May 21, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 21st May, Black-necked Grebe, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreak, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning there were two Black-necked Grebes on the Slurry Lagoon. Also seen were six Green Hairstreaks and a Brown Argus. SC/PG

Hobby – 20th May

May 20, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 20th May, cuckoo, Green Hairstreak, Hairy Dragonfly, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, Swift, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning a Cuckoo called briefly beside the Slurry Lagoon as a solitary Swift flew over. During the Warbler Walk, eight warbler species were heard and six Hobbies were seen hawking insects over the Large Gravel Pit. Around seven Hairy Dragonflies were seen, including two females egg-laying, one on the Slurry Lagoon and one on the Small Gravel Pit. Two female Green Hairstreaks were seen, also egg-laying. An Oystercatcher was on the Wader Scrape and a Little Ringed Plover was on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Hobby – 15th May

May 15, 2018Recent wildlife sightings15th May, 2018, Green Hairstreak, Hobby, warblersPete Smith

During the Warbler Walk this afternoon seven warbler species were heard. Four Hobbies were hawking insects (probably an emergence of the Soldier Beetle, Cantharis rustica). A single Green Hairstreak was seen egg-laying on Bird’s-foot Trefoil.

Little Ringed Plover – 11th May

May 11, 2018Recent wildlife sightings11th May, 2018, Large Gravel Pit, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Swift, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning there were two Oystercatchers on the Wader Scrape and some Swifts were over the Large Gravel Pit. On the flooded field across the river there was one Little Ringed Plover. SC/PG.

Cuckoo – 6th May

May 6, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 6th May, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Green Hairstreak, Hairy Dragonfly, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning a Cuckoo called from the Ash trees along the railway embankment. Two Shelduck were across the river on the flooded field and two Oystercatchers and four Lapwings were on the Wader Scrape. On the Deep Pit bank, opposite the junction box, up to five Green Hairstreaks were flying and by the Gravel Pits a teneral male Hairy Dragonfly was found. PS.

Cuckoo – 21st April

April 21, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 21st April, Common Tern, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Cuckoo was calling from the ash trees along the railway line, before flying out across the Slurry Lagoon and then to the river. Eight Common Terns were making a lot of noise over the Deep Pit. A Grasshopper Warbler was singing from the middle of the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and a Garden Warbler was singing near the railway bridge. PS.

White Stork – 19th April

April 19, 2018Recent wildlife sightings19th April, 2018, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Mediterranean Gull, water rail, White StorkPete Smith

This morning two Mediterranean Gulls flew over the Deep Pit to the north. A little later an identifiably second pair flew into the Deep Pit and then carried on their way north. At just after mid-day a White Stork was seen flying high to the west (RW). Also present was a Grasshopper Warbler and a Garden Warbler. In the Slurry Lagoon reed bed a Water Rail was heard calling. PS.

Bittern – 18th April

April 18, 2018Recent wildlife sightings18th April, 2018, Bittern, Comma, Grasshopper Warbler, Green-veined White, Orange Tip., Peacock, Slurry Lagoon, Tortoiseshell, WhitethroatPete Smith

This morning a Bittern was seen flying from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed towards the south. Also there were two Grasshopper Warblers and several Whitethroats. Butterflies were about as well with Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Comma and good numbers of Peacocks, Tortoiseshells and Brimstones. PS.

Grasshopper Warbler – 17th April

April 17, 2018Recent wildlife sightings17th April, 2018, Common Tern, Grasshopper Warbler, Gravel Pits, Lesser Whitethroat, peregrine, Redpoll, Slurry Lagoon, WhitethroatPete Smith

This morning a Peregrine, two Common Terns and two Redpolls were seen over the Slurry Lagoon. A Grasshopper Warbler and two Whitethroats were by the Gravel Pits and four Lesser Whitethroats were heard around the site. PS.

Merlin – 15th April

April 15, 2018Recent wildlife sightings15th April, 2018, Common Tern, Fieldfare, Merlin, Oystercatcher, ShelduckPete Smith

This morning a Merlin was seen briefly as it flew over the site. Also seen were three Oystercatchers, two Shelduck, two Common Terns and three Fieldfares. PS.