All posts by Pete Smith

Marsh Harrier – 27th November

November 27, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBlack-headed Gull, carrion crow, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, tealPete Smith

The Marsh Harrier left the roost quite early this morning, setting off to hunt further down the Trent Valley. There were no ducks on the Slurry Lagoon other than fifteen Shoveler and nine Teal. There were plenty of Black-headed, Common and Herring Gulls and one Lesser Black-backed Gull. A Carrion Crow noticed a dead Perch floating in the water and nearly landed on the water, but thought better of it. Eventually some Black-headed Gulls showed an interest but seemed afraid of the fish. Only one bird plucked up the courage to investigate it. PS.

Black-headed Gull and Perch. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 26th November

November 26, 2025Recent wildlife sightings, UncategorizedBlack-headed Gull, Buzzard, Common Gull, Deep Pit, Egyptian Goose, green woodpecker, Herring Gull, Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, WigeonPete Smith

Half of the Slurry Lagoon was under ice this morning. There were a few Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler but mostly there were Black-headed Gulls with a few Herring and Common Gulls. The Marsh Harrier showed several times as it hunted over the reed-beds but it and a Buzzard were mobbed by crows as they looked for a meal. Two Egyptian Geese flew into the Deep Pit and a confiding Green Woodpecker was seen digging for ants. PS.

Marsh Harrier PS.

Green Woodpecker PS.

Marsh Harrier – 24th November

November 24, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCauseway, Cettis Warbler, Marsh Harrier, peregrine, Raven., Reed Bunting, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The cream-top Marsh Harrier was seen again this morning, quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. There was a Peregrine on the new pylon and Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Bunting performed well in front of the Causeway benches. Later a Raven flew over the site, practising its barrel-rolls.

Cetti’s Warbler – PS.

Reed Bunting – PS.

Goosander – 10th November

November 10, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsChiffchaff, Deep Pit, Goosander, pintail, Redwing, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

There were still at least three male Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon, still slowly emerging from their eclipse plumage. A female Goosander briefly circled the Slurry Lagoon before flying off. Two Chiffchaffs were still singing from either end of the Deep Pit and good numbers of Redwing were in the hawthorn bushes. PS.

Pintail in almost complete winter plumage. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 26th October

October 26, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsMarsh Harrier, pintail, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

There are still at least four male and one female Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon. A flock of thirty Pink-footed Geese flew east and, late morning, a cream-top Marsh Harrier quartered the reed-bed. PS.

Glossy Ibis – 19th October

October 19, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Blackcap, Causeway, Cormorant, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Large Gravel Pit, Marsh Harrier, pintail, Raven, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, SnipePete Smith

Early on there was a Great White Egret on the Slurry Lagoon, plus three Snipe and a Pintail. By mid-morning a Bittern was seen on the Large Gravel Pit and a flock of 100 Cormorants. A cream-top Marsh Harrier worked its way through the site, hunting, a Blackcap was by the railway bridge and a pair of Ravens flew across the Slurry Lagoon. Three Glossy Ibis then put in an appearance, landing on the Slurry Lagoon. They then flew around the site before returning to the Slurry Lagoon. Small flocks of Fieldfares flew through and some Redwings were in the Causeway Hawthorn bushes.

Glossy Ibis – PS.

Pintail – 18th October

October 18, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBrambling, Caspian gull, Deep Pit, Eco-park, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, Pochard, Red Kite, Redpoll, Redwing, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Stonechat, Yelloe-legged GullPete Smith

There are now seven Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon plus one smart male Pochard. A Shelduck has also been seen. JV.

Later on there were two Stonechats and six Snipe on the Eco Park and a Brambling flew over. The Pintail and Shelduck were still there, on the Slurry Lagoon, as well as six Snipe. A Caspian Gull and two Yellow-legged Gulls were on the Deep Pit and a Red Kite flew over. There were still two Goldeneye on the Large Gravel Pit. Quite a few Redwing and Redpoll were around too. MC.

Arctic Tern – 17th October

October 17, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsArctic Tern, Deep Pit, pintail, Redshank, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Redshank was calling from the beach at the back of the Slurry Lagoon mid-morning, before flying off. The Pintail were still present, also on the Slurry Lagoon. Late morning two Arctic Terns were calling as they circled the Deep Pit, but then carried on south. PS.

Arctic Tern – RP.

Stonechat – 16th October

October 16, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCauseway, Dunlin, Fieldfare, Marsh Harrier, pintail, Redwing, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, Stonechat, Wader Scrape, Whooper SwanPete Smith

A Stonechat was seen in the reed-bed in front of the Causeway benches and later, probably the same bird, was seen on the gate to the Wader Scrape. There were three Dunlin and three Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon and, early on, a Marsh Harrier was seen and thee Whooper Swans flew over. The Skylark passage continued overhead and Redwing were seen in good numbers with a few Fieldfare. PS. JV.

Bittern – 15th October

October 15, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Long-tailed Tit, pintail, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

This morning a Bittern was seen flying into the Large Gravel Pit reeds and two female Goldeneye were on the Large Gravel Pit and the Pintails are still on the Slurry Lagoon. Several small flocks of Redwing and some Fieldfares were seen flying over and in the hawthorns. Flocks of Long-tailed Tits were still containing Chiffchaffs and three Swallows were feeding over the Slurry Lagoon. PS. JV.

Pintail – male – PS.

Goldeneye – PS.