All posts by Pete Smith

Rough-legged Buzzard – 11th March

March 11, 2012Recent wildlife sightings11th March, 2012, butterflies, Common Buzzard, Goosander, Lesser Redpoll, Rough-legged BuzzardPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, two Rough-legged Buzzards were seen flying over the site. A total of thirteen Common Buzzards were also seen, four Sparrowhawks and three Kestrels, with a Peregrine on Gedling church spire. On the river were a pair of Goosanders and a Lesser Redpoll was feeding in a riverside Ash tree. There were lots of insects about, including Buff-tailed and Red-tailed Bumblebees and Honey Bees, Brimstone, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies. PS et al.

Goosander – 26th February

February 26, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 26th February, Cettis Warbler, Coltsfoot, Goosander, Oystercatcher, Seven-spot LadybirdPete Smith

This morning two male Goosander flew over the site. There was an Oystercatcher on the river bank and a Cetti’s Warbler was singing from the Deep Pit.

Spring is in the air today. Several Seven-spot Ladybirds were seen and a queen bumblebee as well as Coltsfoot coming into flower. PS.

Whooper Swan – 19th February

February 19, 2012Recent wildlife sightings19th February, 2012, birds, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Whooper SwanPete Smith

Six Whooper Swans flew north-east over the reserve this morning. There were two Little Egrets in the willow on the Large Gravel Pit and three Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon. A Water Rail was seen briefly as it flew from cover to cover in the Deep Pit. AE. PS.

Shelduck – 16th February

February 16, 2012Recent wildlife sightings16th February, 2012, birds, Shelduck, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The cold weather of the last week or so froze all of the water bodies so that the gulls and ducks had to move to the river so that the site has been very quiet for a little while. Today a Shelduck was feeding on the Slurry Lagoon and there are now more ducks and gulls about as the ice has melted. Soon we will be looking out for Wheatears and Sand Martins. PS.

Smew – 22nd January

January 22, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 22nd January, birds, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, SmewPete Smith

The Large Gravel Pit had a Red-head Smew on it this morning. Also found were up to ten Goldeneye and there were five Little Egrets. In the bushes beside the Slurry Lagoon there were good numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares and a Redpoll was heard calling as it flew over. AE.CH.PS.

Jack Snipe – 15th January

January 15, 2012Recent wildlife sightings15th January, 2012, birds, Deep Pit, Goldcrest, Jack Snipe, linnet, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Willow WalkPete Smith

This morning there was a Jack snipe, flushed from beside the Large Gravel Pit. There was also a Common Snipe in the Deep Pit. By the Slurry Lagoon a Golden Plover called as it flew over and there was a small flock of Linnets. Along the Willow Walk a Goldcrest was briefly seen. PS.

Egyptian Goose – 10th January

January 10, 2012Recent wildlife sightings10th January, 2012, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Egyptian Goose, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Merlin, Ouse Dyke, Siberian ChiffchaffPete Smith

This afternoon there were two Water Rail showing well around the edge of the Large Gravel Pit and a Cetti’s warbler was scolding near the Willow Pond. Three Egyptian Geese flew over towards Attenborough. RW.

In the late afternoon a Merlin flew the length of the Deep Pit before diving towards the bushes at its southern end. Six Little Egrets were seen leaving the Large Gravel Pit, probably to go to roost and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep pit. PS.

The Siberian Chiffchaff was again reported along the Ouse Dyke.

Iceland Gull – 9th January

January 9, 2012Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 9th January, birds, Cettis Warbler, Iceland Gull, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Iceland Gull was present on the Slurry Lagoon again at around mid-day. It then flew off in the general direction of Dorket Head. The Slurry Lagoon Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the afternoon. RW. PS.

Siberian Chiffchaff – 6th January

January 6, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 6th December, birds, Cettis Warbler, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Scandinavian Chiffchaff, Siberian Chiffchaff, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Siberian Chiffchaff was seen along the Ouse Dyke again today, once in the company of another Chiffchaff. Later a Chiffchaff was seen on its own that showed features of the Scandinavian race, abietinus, being a very pale individual but not showing the clear grey mantle or wing bar of the other bird. Three Little Egrets and a Kingfisher were also seen and two Cetti’s Warblers were heard calling from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.

Siberian Chiffchaff – 2nd December

January 3, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 2nd December, birds, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Siberian ChiffchaffPete Smith

The Siberian Chiffchaff was again present along the Ouse Dyke today. There were three Little Egrets on the Large Gravel Pit. RW.