Whilst walking towards the Wader Scrape this evening I was startled when a Barn Owl flew right in front of me and disappeared into the trees of the New Plantation. It was quickly located and then I watched it for some time hunting around the Reserve especially the Large Gravel Pit and Wader Scrape areas.
The eight Red-crested Pochard were again present on the Slurry Lagoon. JMD.
An evening walk around the Lagoons, dodging the showers, produced a sighting of eight Red-crested Pochard on the Slurry Lagoon – five obvious males, one female and two extremely creamy/white individuals. A small flock of about 70 Starlings were flying over the reed bed looking for somewhere to roost for the night and three Lapwing chicks were feeding between the showers. JMD.
A Green Sandpiper was pecking about on the Wader Scrape late this afternoon and inspite of the rain a tiny Common Tern chick was peeping out from under mum. JMD.
A Garden Warbler was feeding and calling in bushes close to the Ouse Dyke bridge early afternoon. JMD.
A second Garden Warbler was singing and showing well by the riverside, and two Cuckoos were heard calling. The warm weather also tempted some butterflies out and 5 Brimstones, 11 Orange Tips and 8 Green-veined Whites were counted. PS.
A Cuckoo was heard today in the area between the Large Gravel Pit and the river. DG.
Early afternoon a Lesser Whitethroat was singing and showing quite well in bushes to the east of the Slurry Lagoon. Two L.R.P.s flew from our Wader Scrape towards the Sub-Station workings. JMD.
This morning a lovely male Northern Wheatear was feeding in the coltsfoot on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. JMD.
A single Common Tern was resting and preening on the Slurry Lagoon edge late this afternoon. JMD.
The first butterfly of the year was seen this afternoon – amazingly a Red Admiral was seen flying along the Ouse Dyke. JMD.
The Siberian Chiffchaff was present again this morning in bushes along the Ouse Dyke but elusive. JMD.