Monthly Archives: November 2015

Stonechat – 25th November

November 25, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 25th November, Barn Owl, Large Gravel Pit, Stonechat, Wader ScrapePete Smith

Today there were two Stonechats on the Wader Scrape and the Barn Owl was seen by the Large Gravel Pit. JMD.

Jack Snipe – 23rd November

November 23, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 23rd November, Barn Owl, Black Swan, Brambling, Causeway, Jack Snipe, Large Gravel Pit, Lesser Redpoll, Lower Path, Slurry Lagoon, TreecreeperPete Smith

This morning, amongst the finches along the Slurry Lagoon north path, there were at least two Bramblings. Along the Lower Path, on willow herb growing in the Typhus Pool, there was a flock of about forty Lesser Redpoll. At the water’s edge in front of the bench on the Causeway, a Jack Snipe was flushed and the Black Swan is still in residence on the Large Gravel Pit. Also a Treecreeper was seen on the old hawthorns along Willow Walk. PS.

In the evening a Barn Owl was seen over the grassland next to the Large Gravel pit. JMD.

Willow Tit – 22nd November

November 22, 2015Recent wildlife sightingsBlack Swan, Grey-lag Goose, Mandarin, peregrine, Redpoll, White-fronted Goose, Willow titPete Smith

This morning there were several hundred mainly Grey-lag Geese on the Large Gravel Pit. Amongst them was the Mandarin drake again and the Black Swan is still in residence. A young male Peregrine was hunting over the reserve and a Golden Plover flew over calling. Along the Lower Path there were some small finch flocks and a flock containing several Redpoll also had a Willow Tit tagging along. Four geese flying over separately from the other geese were possibly White-fronted Geese, but it wasn’t possible to get a good view of them to be certain. PS.

Mandarin – 21st November

November 21, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 21st November, great spotted woodpecker, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Mandarin, Riverside WalkPete Smith

This morning there were several hundred Grey-lag and Canada Geese feeding in the field beside the reserve. With them again was the Mandarin drake that seems to think it is a goose. There was a Great Spotted Woodpecker along the Riverside Walk and a Little Egret on the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Bittern – 13th November

November 13, 2015Recent wildlife sightings13th November, 2015, Bitterb, Causeway, Deep Pit, goldfinch, Redpoll, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning there was a large flock of Redpolls and Goldfinches feeding on the willow-herb and burdock at the foot of the bank overlooking the Wader Scrape. A Bittern flew into the Deep Pit and landed in a reedbed adjacent to the Causeway. PS.

Bittern – 10th November

November 10, 2015Recent wildlife sightings10th November, 2015, Bittern, Grey-lag Goose, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, StarlingPete Smith

An estimated 6,000 Starlings came in to roost this evening, at one stage about 5,000 were displaying together before dropping in to the reed bed and the rest came in in small and larger groups afterwards. A Bittern flew across the Slurry Lagoon and joined the Starlings, perhaps fancying a Starling supper. Up to three Sparrowhawks were also trying to snatch a Starling from the flocks, none successfully. Later a few Canada Geese and about 1,000 Grey-lag Geese came in to roost on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Short-eared Owl – 8th November

November 8, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 8th November, Boundary Hedge, Large Gravel Pit, Muntjac, Redpoll, Redwing, Short-eared Owl, Wader ScrapePete Smith

During this morning’s Bird Count a Short-eared Owl was seen flying beside the Wader Scrape and then across the grassland beside the Large Gravel Pit, most of the time mobbed by crows. On the bank in front of the Wader Scrape two Muntjacs were also seen, a male pursuing a female, but they soon disappeared into the Boundary Hedge. There were also plenty of thrushes and finches about, with lots of Redpoll and Redwing. PS.