A male Stonechat was in scrub near the wader scrape today and a party of at least 12 Meadow Pipits were feeding on open ground by the scrape. Six Common Snipe flew over and a Water Rail called in the reedbed on the Deep Pit. Two Chiffchaffs were feeding together along the Ouse Dyke, and at least 20 Fieldfare and 5 Redwing were seen, as well as a Peregrine on one of the large pylons. PDa,LD.
All posts by Carol
Waxwing – 25th December
At least 50-60 Waxwings were amongst tall trees on top of the railway bank, a Pink-footed Goose was on the flooded railway arches field with a large flock of Greylags and a pair of Peregrines were seen. A Chiffchaff was along the Ouse Dyke path. MG.
Marsh Harrier – 2nd December
At around 3 pm a female Marsh Harrier was seen perched in a tree before flying closer and then disappearing over the Railway line. PW.
Bittern – 27th October
This morning at around 11am a Bittern flew across the Slurry Lagoon and landed in the reeds on the eastern side. MG
Honey Buzzard – 22nd September
This morning a Honey Buzzard was watched as it passed more or less directly overhead at about 100 feet before flying off towards the southeast. There was a good passage of hirundines moving west along the Trent and a Goldcrest was also seen. PD,LD.
Sunday 27th May – New Life on site
It was very rewarding to see the Pen in the Haven tucking away a tiny newly hatched cygnet. On the river there were two Canada Goose families and the school of young Greylags. The lower path was still impassable at the Irish Bridge ( this may need some investigation). The Little Ringed Plover was on its nest while the other bird flew around. Warblers were fairly scarce and there was not a sign of the Swifts or the Cuckoo. SC/AE
Grasshopper Warbler – 30th April
At 1.30pm a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in bushes at the railway end of the dry slurry lagoon. ML
Refurbishment of Tern “Hotel” – April 6th
The addition of fresh gravel and raking over the tern platforms took place on Wednesday afternoon 6th April after poor weather caused the postponement from 4th April.
Although the day was bright and sunny there was still a fairly fresh south-westerly breeze as Pete Smith accompanied by Dave Gartside and Rob Woodward set about the launch of our new boat on the south-eastern side of the Deep Water Pit, watched from a safe distance by Pam, Archie, Darren and Alan.
Since Pete could not see where he was going, Dave stood at the water’s edge giving hand signals like a policeman on point duty. In spite of this, Pete finally reached the tern platform in the teeth of the breeze. Observers on the bank top could see that he was not able to maintain contact with the platform and that he was soon back on the shore, quicker than he went. After a discussion, Dave appealed to the watchers for a, preferably, small and lightweight volunteer to go out with Pete on a second attempt. He had hardly finished speaking when Archie was over the fence like a two-year old.
Owing to certain dimensional problems it was found that it was necessary to row the boat backwards and to tie the oars to the rollocks with gaffer tape to give them some chance of a safe return. Upon reaching the platform disaster was narrowly averted when both of the crew leaned to one side to hold on to it, causing a shift to that side of the two sacks of gravel. There was only about a centimetre of freeboard between them and an unplanned bath!
The attention to the platforms was completed and it was noted that the second platform seemed to have dragged it’s anchor which was probably the cause of the slope. The three Common Terns which had already arrived from Africa were left in peace to resume their quarrel over possession with the Black-headed Gulls and the Cormorants.
Finally there was a discussion about the report, from the boat crew, concerning some knocking sounds on the bottom of the boat. This remains a mystery and it was suggested that further investigation of the Deep Water Pit was required.
Migrants Return – 3rd April
During the last few days many migrant species have been returning to the lagoons and helped to provide a quite exciting morning’s watching in very pleasant bright weather this morning. Amongst others, the Sand Martins are now present in considerable numbers on the river bank. Willow Warblers were noted in several locations, as were Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps. A single Reed Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Whitethroat in the brambles on the Slurry Lagoon. The highlight of the morning was a Wheatear, which perched very close on fence posts, and the close second was the appearance of three Buzzards, which displayed well, including an aerial fight. The Cetti’s Warbler was in good voice also.
Meanwhile two Common Terns were struggling with Black-headed Gulls for space on the tern platform.
Butterflies, including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, and Red Admiral were noted and the Blackthorn Blossom was a sight to see (and smell). A Yellow Wagtail was also seen over the Large Gravel Pit and six Shelduck flew into the Slurry Lagoon.
PS/NM/RW/AR/ DG/LD/AE
Barn Owl – 20th January
The Barn Owl was again seen, quite close at times, hunting in the gravel pit area in the late afternoon. Earlier, a Little Egret was seen feeding in the Ouse Dyke near the footbridge and a Peregrine was seen on an adjacent pylon. AE.PS.