All posts by Pete Smith

Peregrine – 6th December

December 7, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 6th December, birds, peregrinePete Smith

A Peregrine flew to a pylon near the railway line this morning and rested for about twenty minutes, giving good views through a telescope. PS.

Caspian Gull – 4th December

December 4, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 4th December, birds, Caspian gull, Cetti's Warbler, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

A Caspian Gull was spotted amongst the Great Black-backs and Herring Gulls on the Slurry Lagoon this evening. Three Cetti’s Warblers were heard and five Water Rail. There were also good numbers of thrushes, especially Redwings and Blackbirds. PS.

Dunlin – 2nd December

December 2, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 2nd December, birds, Cetti's Warbler, Dunlin, Lapwing, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

A Dunlin joined the Lapwings in their aerial manouvers over the Slurry Lagoon this evening, while up to seven Water Rail and two Cetti’s Warblers were calling. PS.

Little Egret – 15th November

November 15, 2009Recent wildlife sightings15th October, 2009, birds, Cetti's Warbler, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, Tawny Owl, water railPete Smith

A Little Egret was seen this morning in the large willow tree beside the Large Gravel Pit. It later flew to the dead ash trees beside the Slurry Lagoon but was chased back to its previous perch by a Carrion Crow. A Tawny Owl was found at its roost in the Deep Pit by several Blackbirds, there were also two Cetti’s Warblers singing nearby. In the reed bed on the Slurry Lagoon three Water Rail were heard calling and two Snipe were also seen here along with good numbers of Teal and Shoveler. A Peregrine was hunting over nearby fields, putting up clouds of pigeons, gulls, Lapwings and corvids. PS.

Goldeneye – 28th October

October 29, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 28th October, birds, Cetti's Warbler, Golden Plover, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning there were two Cetti’s Warblers in song on the Slurry Lagoon. There were also two Goldeneye on the Large Gravel Pit and 25 Golden Plover were present. RW.

Stonechat – 23rd October

October 23, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 23rd October, birds, Cetti's Warbler, Deep Pit, Golden Plover, Redpoll, Redwing, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Stonechat, Willow titPete Smith

This morning a male and female Stonechat were on the outside of the Deep Pit bank, at its north eastern corner. Inside the Deep Pit bank two Cetti’s Warblers were showing well together. On the Slurry Lagoon was a Dunlin and a Snipe and several Water Rail were calling. Two Redwing, six Siskin and a Redpoll flew over and about sixty Golden Plovers came in to rest on the Slurry Lagoon. The Willow Tit was showing well on the Lower Path. PS.

At the other end of the day the Starling roost is building up to quite a spectacle with thousands of birds flying in to roost in the Slurry reed beds. This evening so much activity attracted a Sparrowhawk who after one or two unsuccessful passes over the reeds sat in a bush and watched as the Starlings, aware of her presence, flew straight into the reeds. JMD.

Mediterranean Gull – 17th October

October 17, 2009Recent wildlife sightings17th October, 2009, birds, Dunlin, Jack Snipe, Large Gravel Pit, Mediterranean Gull, Redpoll, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull was present on the Large Gravel Pit this morning. The Jack Snipe and Dunlin were still present on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon, and about 18 Lesser Redpoll flew over. RW.

Golden Plover – 15th October

October 15, 2009Recent wildlife sightings15th October, 2009, Common Snipe, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

Today 6 Dunlin have been feeding along the shoreline on the Slurry Lagoon and around 90 Golden Plover have been resting in the shallow water. Over 8 Snipe are hidden amongst the reeds. RW.

Redwing and Brambling – 14th October

October 14, 2009Recent wildlife sightings14th October, 2009, birds, Brambling, Fieldfare, Golden Plover, Jay, Redpoll, Redwing, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Starling, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

Good day for passage today with 35 Redwing SW, 2 Brambling, 2 Redpoll, 1 Jay, 7 Siskin and 30 Golden Plover flying over.

Later in the day 56 Fieldfare went through, a Yellow-legged Gull settled on the Slurry Lagoon with around 1,000 Grey-lag Geese and about 2,000 Starlings came in to roost in the reed bed. RW.

Rock Pipit – 13th October

October 13, 2009Recent wildlife sightings13th October, 2009, birds, Dunlin, Fieldfare, Meadow Pipit, migrants, Redpoll, Rock Pipit, SkylarkPete Smith

Today there were several migrants seen at the site, including a Rock Pipit, three Fieldfares, Redpoll and a Dunlin as well as small numbers of Skylark and Meadow Pipits. RW.