All posts by Pete Smith

Green Sandpiper – 16th July

July 16, 2010Recent wildlife sightings16th July, 2010, birds, Common Tern, Green Sandpiper, Slurry Lagoon, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

On the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon was a Green Sandpiper and five Yellow-legged Gulls. All of the tern chicks have flown from one of the tern platforms and are now also on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Wood Sandpiper – 14th July

July 14, 2010Recent wildlife sightings14th July, 2010, birds, butterflies, crickets, Essex Skipper, Little Ringed Plover, Long-winged Conehead, Mediterranean Gull, Redshank, Shoveler, Wood SandpiperPete Smith

A Wood Sandpiper was seen briefly this afternoon on the Slurry Lagoon, a Redshank and a Yellow-legged Gull were also present. At the north end of the Slurry Lagoon there was an Essex Skipper along with three male and one female Long-winged Coneheads.

Later in the afternoon an adult Mediterranean Gull, three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers and two Shoveler visited the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Redshank – 13th July

July 13, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsCommon Tern, Deep Pit, Redshank, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

Three Redshank were feeding on the muddy parts of the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon and some of the tern chicks had made the short flight from the Deep Pit. PS.

Fox and Gulls – 4th July

July 4, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsBlack-headed Gull, Fox, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Redshank, Slurry Lagoon, Willow titPete Smith

The gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon is beginning to build up again and today there were about sixty Black-headed Gulls, including about ten juveniles and several Lesser Black-backs. Suddenly a fox dashed out of the reed-bed, grabbed one and disappeared again. All of the gulls took to the air but soon settled back down again. Amongst the gulls were a few Lapwings and a Redshank. A Willow Tit was heard again along the Lower Path. PS.

Pinks – 2nd July

July 2, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsPinkPete Smith

Found by the fence on the Deep Pit bank approx K6.

It looks a bit like a Maiden Pink but could well be a garden escape.

Peregrine – 30th June

June 30, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsCettis Warbler, peregrinePete Smith

A Peregrine was seen this morning, carrying prey (probably a Sand Martin) up to the pylon to eat. As it flew it called, and this started the terns in persuit. About ten flew after it, calling loudly but they lost interest when it perched. In the afternoon at least two Cetti’s Warbler chicks were seen being fed by their parent. PS.

Also this afternoon an adult Water Rail was seen at the back of the Slurry Lagoon. It came out of the reeds for a bath and a preen and then had a few minutes feeding along the reed edge before disappearing back into the reeds. JMD.

Orchids – 29th June

June 29, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsPete Smith

The Pyramidal Orchids on the outside of the northern bank of the Deep Pit are now out but, due to being close to a track, some have already been trampled. The Pyramidal Orchid on the Slurry received the same treatment as last year and was felled by a rabbit. The Toadlets have arrived again so watch where you put your feet, especially on the Causeway. PS.

Mothing at Netherfield Lagoons – 12th June 2010

June 26, 2010Uncategorized2010, evening, events, June, Moth night, Moth trapping, MothsPete Smith

June, the month for moths. This is the month when most species and numbers of moths are usually recorded. The blocking High Pressures over the Atlantic produced a stubborn northerly airstream with cool nights. This has led to frustratingly poor mothing nights. Last Saturday the weather appeared a little warmer.

We had two lights operating and decided to trap along the Lower Path. There were lots of Green and Silver-ground Carpets. Then came in the Snouts with their large brown triangular wings and curved proboscis. Moths were numerous and a series of moths came in. New moths such as the little yellow Strawdot, lots of the day flying Latticed Heath, a Common Quaker, and the scarce but relatively common in Notts Cream-bordered Green Pea. Towards the end the very beautiful Buff and White Ermines.

Meanwhile the other trap captured the spectacular huge Privet and aptly named Eyed Hawk-moths.

I will keep you posted when the next mothing night. Hopefully it will warm up!!!

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Ringlet – 24th June

June 24, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsGrasshopper Warbler, Large Skipper, Latticed Heath, Meadow Brown, Pochard, Ringlet, Small TortoiseshellPete Smith

Two Ringlets, two Meadow Browns, two Small Tortoiseshells, a Large Skipper and several Latticed Heaths were flying early on this morning. On the Slurry Lagoon a second brood of three Pochard ducklings had taken to the water. Two Grasshopper Warblers were singing by the Gravel Pits. PS.

Roe Deer – 17th June

June 17, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsClearwings, Hobby, Little Gull, Painted Lady, Roe DeerPete Smith

A male Roe Deer was seen on the Lower Path this afternoon, before it disappeared onto the railway land. A Hobby was seen hawking insects and persuing Hirundines and six Red-tipped Clearwings and two Belted Clearwings were attracted to pheromone lures. RW.

A Painted Lady was feeding from a thistle flower by the Slurry Lagoon, where the first summer Little Gull spent most of the afternoon and three Buzzards were sparring high overhead. PS.