This morning several Sand Martins flew through the site and a Chiffchaff was singing by the railway bridge. Two Lesser Redpolls were feeding in a birch tree in the Deep Pit and a Woodcock flew across the Slurry Lagoon. In a field on the Severn Trent land a flock of 406 Golden Plover were resting. PS.
All posts by Pete Smith
Red Kite – 20th March
This morning there were two male Wheatears at the top end of the Slurry Lagoon, a Sand Martin and a Chiffchaff. Two Oystercatchers flew over and there were 73 Golden Plover on the Severn Trent field. At about 12.50 a Red Kite flew over the site, heading south. Later in the day 13 Sand Martins and 6 Snipe were seen. RW.
Cetti’s Warbler – 12th March
A Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the SE corner of the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon. PS.
Tawny Owl – 9th March
The Tawny Owl was seen this afternoon , sitting in the entrance to its nest box with a very snooty expresion on its face. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling again from the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
Cetti’s Warbler – 8th March
A Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the south-east corner of the Slurry Lagoon this evening. Several Water Rail were calling and one Shelduck was still present. On the Small Gravel Pit one Coot has decided spring has arrived and is sitting on a nest. PS.
Woodcock – 1st March
The wings, still attached to the sternum, of a Woodcock were found on the bank of the Deep Pit today. There were small triangular nicks in the sternum suggesting the predator was a bird, probably a Peregrine or possibly a Sparrowhawk. There were still two Shelduck on the Slurry Lagoon but no sign of any Wigeon, perhaps they’ve already migrated. PS.
Shelduck – 23rd February
Very quiet at the lagoons today. There were two Shelduck on the Slurry Lagoon, a male Goldeneye in the Deep Pit and the usual Linnets and Greenfinches coming in to roost. PS.
Little Egret – 19th February
A Little Egret flew into the eastern end of the triangular field this evening and about 100 Linnets came to roost in the Deep Pit. A Cetti’s Warbler called from the Deep Pit and two Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon. 33 Mute Swans also came in to roost after feeding in a rape field along the Trent. PS.
Goosander – 15th February
A female Goosander was fishing on the Trent, and a Buzzard circled over the site this afternoon. Towards dusk 120 Greenfinches and 32 Linnets came in to roost. 34 Mute Swans came to roost on the Slurry and Deep Pits and up to 8 water Rail were calling from the reed beds. A Cetti’s Warbler sang briefly from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.
Cetti’s Warbler – 12th February
A male Cetti’s Warbler was heard this afternoon, singing from the reed bed in the Slurry Lagoon. Also a flock of about 60 Linnets came in to roost in the bushes in the Deep Pit. PS