All posts by Pete Smith

Peregrine – 15th January

January 15, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsDeep Pit, Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, peregrine, Redwing, YellowhammerPete Smith

A Peregrine was seen this afternoon, catching a Redwing and carrying it to a pylon to eat. There was a large flock of Teal on the Deep Pit, possibly over 400, and a flock of 73 Lapwings joined them to rest on the ice. Four Meadow Pipits and a Yellowhammer were also seen. PS.

Bittern and Little Egrets – 14th January

January 14, 2010Recent wildlife sightings14th January, 2010, birds, Bitterns, Deep Pit, Little Egret, Ouse DykePete Smith

A Bittern was seen again in the Deep Pit (RW). It was seen a couple of times, walking on the ice and flying between reed beds. Perhaps they will stay for the winter.

Two Little Egrets were seen in the Ouse Dyke (RD).

Cetti’s Warbler – 12th January

January 14, 2010Recent wildlife sightings12th January, 2010, Cetti's Warbler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Cetti’s Warbler was heard this evening in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. Hopefully they will hang on through this freeze and come out the other side. PS.

Finch Flock – 8th January

January 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsChaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, Jack Snipe, linnet, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Reed Bunting, water rail, WoodcockPete Smith

The ‘Fat Hen Field’ at the northern end of the Deep Pit has attracted a growing number of finches. So far only Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Linnets, Chaffinches and Reed Buntings with the occasional Tree Sparrow, but its a good place to look for something unusual that they might attract to them. The Bitterns may have been forced out of the Deep Pit as most of the margins are now frozen. PS.

Today the Ouse Dyke was a magnet for birds with three Little Egrets, Water Rail, Kingfisher, and Common Snipe. Apparently earlier a Jack Snipe was present and a Woodcock flew over. JMD.

Bitterns – 3rd January

January 3, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 3rd January, birds, Bitterns, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Haven, Reed Bunting, Tree SparrowPete Smith

Two Bitterns were found today in the Deep Pit, one giving prolonged views as it crouched within a reedbed, and a Cetti’s Warbler was seen flying from the Deep Pit towards the Haven. The triangular field at the Deep Pit’s northern end which is full of seeding Fat Hen has a flock of approx. 20 Reed Buntings and contains some Tree Sparrows. PS.

Bittern – 2nd January

January 2, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, Bitterns, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, januaryPete Smith

The Bittern was seen in the Deep Pit again this afternoon and flew to the same reed bed to roost. A Snipe was also seen and a Chiffchaff. RW.

Iceland Gull – 1st January

January 1, 2010Recent wildlife sightings1st January, 2010, birds, Bitterns, Cetti's Warbler, Deep Pit, ducks, Iceland Gull, teal, water railPete Smith

The Deep Pit was the most productive area at the lagoons this afternoon, with a second winter Iceland Gull staying for about an hour amongst the other Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. A Bittern was also showing well for most of the afternoon, on and off, and was eventually seen going to roost in a reed bed. Several Water Rail were seen running across the ice and as dusk approached several more were heard calling. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard briefly singing and later another was calling. A good selection of ducks was present, with large numbers of Teal. RW.

Mediterranean Gull – 19th December

December 19, 2009Recent wildlife sightings19th December, 2009, birds, Large Gravel Pit, Mediterranean GullPete Smith

An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was seen on the Large Gravel Pit this afternoon. RW.

Goosander – 13th December

December 13, 2009Recent wildlife sightings13th December, 2009, birds, Cetti's Warbler, Common Buzzard, Deep Pit, Golden-eye, Goosander, Pink-footed Goose, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

During this morning’s Bird Count a male Goosander flew over the Large Gravel Pit and approximately fifty Pink-footed Geese flew west. There were good numbers of Redwings and Blackbirds and a Buzzard circled quite low over the Slurry Lagoon. The Cetti’s Warblers were heard in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and the Deep pit and around eight Water Rail were also heard. The large Gravel Pit also had four Golden-eye on it and thirty-six Wigeon. PS

Tawny Owl – 8th December

December 8, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, Cetti's Warbler, december, Deep Pit, Redwing, Tawny Owl, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

About 70 Wigeon flew NE over the reserve this evening. As dusk approached Redwings came into the Deep Pit scrub to roost. Up to seven Water Rail were calling and three Cetti’s Warblers. As it got darker a Tawny Owl hooted. PS.