All posts by Pete Smith

Barn Owl – 18th January

January 18, 2011Recent wildlife sightings18th January, 2011, Barn Owl, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Little EgretPete Smith

The Barn Owl was seen again this evening, hunting over the grassland around the gravel pits. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Little Egret was seen on the Ouse Dyke. PS. DM.

Barn Owl – 14th January

January 14, 2011Recent wildlife sightings14th January, 2011, Barn Owl, Gadwall, Large Gravel Pit, Lower Path, weasel, Willow tit, YellowhammerPete Smith

The Barn Owl was back over the grassland around the two gravel pits again this evening. It did not stay for as long this time though. There were approaching 200 Gadwall on the Large Fishing Pit and a Yellowhammer mobbed a Weasel in the grass in front of us as we watched the owl. The Willow Tit was heard again along the Lower Path. PS. DM.

Barn Owl – 13th January

January 13, 2011Recent wildlife sightings13th January, 2011, Barn Owl, Coot, ducks, Gadwall, Large Gravel Pit, WigeonPete Smith

Late this afternoon a Barn Owl was watched for about twenty minutes as it quartered the grass between the Large Gravel Pit and the river, several times pursued by a crow. It dropped onto something in the grass several times but it was not possible to see what it was catching, but it must be hungry to be hunting in daylight when the nights are so long. The northern end of the Large Gravel Pit (the end that was longest under the ice) was covered in wildfowl, mostly Gadwall, Wigeon and Coot. Both the other two water bodies are now more or less ice free. PS.

(At last A BARN OWL on the site for PS – Hurrah – AE)

Glaucous Gull – 12th January

January 12, 2011Recent wildlife sightings12th January, 2011, birds, Black Swan, Deep Pit, Glaucous Gull, Large Gravel Pit, Mitigation Field, Slurry Lagoon, Tree Sparrow, water railPete Smith

This afternoon, as I worked in the Deep Pit with my volunteer, a Black Swan flew over the site, with three Mute Swans, giving a pathetic squeak as it passed. Later two adult and two juvenile Mute Swans landed on the ice on the Slurry Lagoon, skidding as they landed accompanied by hilarious screaming from a Water Rail. As we were preparing to go, an immature Glaucous Gull flew over the site, possibly from the Large Gravel Pit, and headed towards Holme Pierrepont. PS. DM.

Earlier in the day two Tree Sparrows were seen in S.T. hedge line near to the Mitigation Field. JMD.

Merlin – 6th January

January 6, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 6th January, birds, Cettis Warbler, Merlin, peregrine, Small Gravel Pit, water rail, Willow titPete Smith

This morning up to six Water Rail were heard or seen around the site. A Peregrine flew over and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling near the Small Gravel Pit. DM.

This afternoon a Willow Tit was seen near the Irish Bridge, AE, and a Merlin flew over towards Colwick, PS, DM.

Goosander – 28th December

December 28, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, Blackbird, Brambling, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Goosander, Lower Path, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon. 28th December, Willow titPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke has lost its Little Egrets for the time being, but a nice male Brambling was in the hedge alondside it this morning. There were still lots of winter thrushes about, mostly Redwings and Blackbirds with just a few Fieldfares. On the river were some Goldeneyes and then two immature male and a female Goosander swam into view. A Willow Tit was noted along the Lower Path. The Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit are still frozen but there is little sign of snow on the ground now. PS/AE.

Woodcock – 26th December

December 26, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 26th December, Goldeneye, kingfisher, Little Egret, peregrine, WoodcockPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke is still giving sanctuary to three Little Egrets and two Kingfishers were seen chasing one another. The Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pits are still completely frozen but the Mute Swans and Coots have managed to keep a corner of the Large Gravel Pit free from ice. A Woodcock was seen flying along the inside of the Deep Pit bank and then landing in an open spot to search for food. Shortly afterwards a Peregrine was seen flying up to a pylon where it dislodged one that was already there which flew away carrying a small bird. There were two adult male and an immature male Goldeneyes on the river. PS/AE.

Goosander – 19th December

December 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings19th December, 2010, Golden-eye, Goldeneye, Goosander, Heron, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, weaselPete Smith

It was very cold this morning and the Little Egrets and Herons were back at the Ouse Dyke. There were eight Little Egrets seen eventually. On the river there was a splendid male Goosander with two equally splendid male Goldeneyes, and a Redshank was feeding in the cattle wade. On the inside bank of the Deep Pit a male Weasel was watched for about ten minutes, as it scampered up and down the slope trying to pick up a scent. PS.

Brambling – 17th December

December 17, 2010Recent wildlife sightings17th December, 2010, birds, Brambling, Heron, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke is loosing its attraction to fishing birds now and only two Little Egrets were seen this afternoon, with two Herons and a Kingfisher. There were five Bramblings in the bushes on the north bank of the Slurry Lagoon and some were heard calling by the Haven. PS.

Bird Count Day – 12th December

December 12, 2010Recent wildlife sightings12th December, 2010, Brambling, Curlew, Goosander, Little Egret, peregrine, RedshankPete Smith

This morning, on the bird count, there were six Little Egrets in the Ouse Dyke. Three Bramblings were heard as they flew over, as well as a Curlew and a Redshank. Two Goosander were seen and the Peregrine flew up to its favoured perch on a pylon. PS.