All posts by Pete Smith

Golden Plover – 14th October

October 14, 2011Recent wildlife sightings14th October, 2011, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Lesser Redpoll, pintail, Redwing, Shoveler, Siskin, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, tealPete Smith

This morning there was lots of evidence of migration at the lagoons with a constant trickle of Skylarks flying over. One or two large flocks of Fieldfares also went through and some Redwings are already in the hawthorn hedges. A flock of thirteen Lesser Redpolls dropped onto the bushes on the Deep Pit banks and one or two Siskins are still going through. On the Slurry Lagoon the two Pintail are still present, one beginning to attain the winter plumage of a male, and the Teal and Shoveler are well into developing their winter plumages too. The Lapwing flock is building up as several small flocks came in to join them. Unlike the Lapwings a flock of 18 Golden Plover flew in but decided not to land and disappeared again over the neighbouring farmland. PS.

Whooper Swan – 9th October

October 10, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 9th October, Cettis Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Whooper Swan, Willow WarblerPete Smith

During the bird count this morning a Whooper Swan landed briefly on the Slurry Lagoon. A late Willow Warbler was also recorded and two Cetti’s Warblers were singing. PS.

Ross’s Goose – 26th September

September 27, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 26th September, Grey-lag Goose, Ross's Goose, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Ross’s Goose has shown up on the reserve again after an absence of several months. It was seen on the Slurry Lagoon with the Grey-lag flock. JMD.

Spotted Flycatcher – 21st September

September 21, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 21st September, Ouse Dyke, Slurry, Speckled Wood, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This afternoon there were two Spotted Flycatchers seen along the Ouse Dyke. One of them caught a Speckled Wood. A Wheatear was seen still on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon and the two Pintail and a Yellow-legged Gull were on the wet end.

Wheatear – 20th September

September 20, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 20th September, pintail, Slurry Lagoon, Wheatear, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This morning there were two Wheatears on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon, amongst the Coltsfoot. At the other end there was a Yellow-legged Gull and two Pintail are still present. RW.

Arctic Skua – 16th September

September 16, 2011Recent wildlife sightings16th September, 2011, Arctic Skua, birds, Bittern, Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, pintail, Swallow, water rail, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning at about 10.00 the Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon, walking along the front of the reed bed. There were also four Pintail and a Green Sandpiper present. On the river there were five Common Sandpipers and a Curlew. RW.

In the afternoon, about 15.00 all of the gulls flew up as an Arctic Skua came in. It bathed briefly on the Slurry Lagoon before half-heartedly chasing a few Black-headed Gulls and then it flew off to the north-east. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling and so was a Water Rail, and some Swallows went through, going north. Two Buzzards spiralled over and several Yellow Wagtails went through. PS. RW.

Pintail – 14th September

September 14, 2011Recent wildlife sightings14th September, 2011, Common Sandpiper, pintail, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This afternoon two Pintail and a Common Sandpiper were seen on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Ruff – 8th September

September 9, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 8th September, birds, Black-headed Gull, Dunlin, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Ruff, Sand Martin, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This evening two Ruff and two Dunlin dropped in, onto the Slurry Lagoon. There were also about 120 Sand Martins, 340 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1,000 Black-headed Gulls. RW.

Greenshank – 4th September

September 4, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 4th September, birds, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Clouded Yellow, Deep Pit, greenshank, Lesser Whitethroat, Little Ringed Plover, Lower Path, Reed Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe Little Egret, WhitethroatPete Smith

This morning there were lots of warblers along the Lower Path and in the Deep Pit, including several Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff. On the Slurry Lagoon there were two Little Ringed Plover, two Snipe, two Greenshank and two Little Egrets. PS.AE.CH.RW.

In the early afternoon a Clouded Yellow was seen on the east bank of the Deep Pit, near the seat. RW.

Bittern – 2nd September

September 2, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 2nd September, birds, Bittern, butterfly, Cettis Warbler, Clouded Yellow, Little Egret, Shoveler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Bittern has been seen twice this morning as it flew between the reed beds on the Slurry Lagoon. Also on the Slurry Lagoon were 41 Shoveler, a Little Egret and a Cetti’s Warbler. Later a Clouded Yellow was seen flying along the pathway. RW.