A Black-tailed Godwit circled the Slurry Lagoon this evening, but I think the water was too deep for it and it disappeared towards Colwick. The Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit, the Shelduck was still on the Slurry Lagoon and a flock of about eighty Greenfinches came in to roost at the back of Rossi’s. PS.
All posts by Pete Smith
Wheatear – 14th March
Today a Wheatear was seen briefly on a fence post by the Deep Pit, but flew off towards the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. A Chiffchaff was present and a Blackcap was heard singing. The Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit and a Shelduck was on the Slurry Lagoon. DM.
Chiffchaff – 13th March
At last the first spring migrant has arrived. A Chiffchaff was seen in the willows along the Ouse Dyke path this morning, along with two Goldcrests and three Siskins. On the Large Gravel Pit the Golden-eyes were displaying, as were some Lapwings on the Severn/Trent land. A female Goosander was on the river and a flock of Golden Plover were heard calling from towards Stoke Bardolph. PS.
Cetti’s Warbler – 6th March
A cold wind was blowing as we walked around the site today but a pair of Grey Wagtails and a pair of Pied Wagtails did not seem too bothered by it, even though the male Grey Wagtail’s tail was blown right over his back at one time. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep pit and the pair of Peregrines was perched on a pylon ( is this a different pair to those seen on the Newton Building ?). Three Water Rail were heard on the Slurry Lagoon and a Willow Tit was heard along the Lower Path. PS/AE/AR/DG/PG/RW.
Smew – 20th February
Spring is in the air – at least I found my first open Coltsfoot of the year. A female Smew was found on the Slurry Lagoon this morning and as we looked at her a male Pintail also arrived. The Smew took off but was relocated on the Large Gravel Pit. Later on a Curlew flew through and a Merlin was seen hunting the reserve. PS AE DM.
Oystercatcher – 18th February
An Oystercatcher was seen and heard calling very loudly along the river this afternoon. The Barn Owl was present again and a Water Rail was heard on the Slurry Lagoon. There were four Goldeneyes on the Large Gravel Pit and 49 Shoveler on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
Goosander – 16th February
Two male Goosanders flew up river over the Deep Pit this afternoon. At about 16.30hrs the Barn Owl was out hunting again by the Gravel Pits. PS.
Dipping Platform – 14th February
The contractors are on site at the moment, putting in a dipping platform in the Small Gravel Pit. They are also making a safe path down to the pit and will be excavating a small Dragonfly Pool nearby.
Cetti’s Warbler – 1st February
Whilst waiting for the Barn Owl to start hunting a Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit. Eventually the Barn Owl showed and the pair of Peregrines were perched together on a pylon. A fair sized flock of large gulls accumulated on the, again frozen, Slurry lagoon, but no white winged gulls were noted. PS.
Woodcock – 24th January
This afternoon we installed a bird feeder at the foot of the Slurry Lagoon bank on the Severn/Trent side. Whilst working we flushed a Woodcock from amongst the trees of the Plantation. Later a Peregrine flew overhead and then perched up on a pylon and the Barn Owl spent some time hunting beside the gravel pits and across the Severn/Trent land and also amongst the trees of the Plantation. A Shelduck was on the Slurry Lagoon where, as the light was fading, a Cetti’s Warbler rattled out its explosive song. As we left the site another Woodcock flew across the Car Auction site towards the Severn/Trent fields. AE. DM. PS.