All posts by Pete Smith

Peregrine – 3rd August

August 3, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 3rd August, Black-tailed godwit, Common Buzzard, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

In the late afternoon a Peregrine flew low over the Slurry Lagoon, panicking all the birds below. The ducks flew out to the centre of the lagoon and floated in a raft. Amongst them was swimming a Black-tailed Godwit. The Peregrine had a tail feather projecting about one third of its length beyond the rest of the tail and hanging slightly below the others. It gave a sudden buck as it flew overhead and flicked the loose feather out, then dived down to swoop beneath it. Later a Buzzard drifted over but caused no reaction at all.

Cetti’s Warbler – 2nd August

August 2, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 2nd August, Black-tailed godwit, Cetti's Warbler, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, Small Red-eyed DamselflyPete Smith

Two Cetti’s Warblers were seen feeding at least two young birds in the Deep Pit this morning. There were lots of other warblers present too. A Black-tailed Godwit also put in a brief appearance on the Slurry Lagoon and four Small Red-eyed Damselflies were seen on the Large Gravel Pit.

Peregrine, Hobby – 26th July

July 26, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 26th July, Common Sandpiper, Deep Pit, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, peregrine, Redshank, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Green Sandpiper and Redshank were seen amongst the Black-headed Gulls and Lapwings on the Slurry Lagoon. All of the birds were flushed, first by a Hobby and then by a Peregrine. The Common Sandpiper was still finding food on the Tern Platforms.

Common Sandpiper – 25th July

July 25, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 25th July, birds, Common Sandpiper, Deep Pit, sightingsPete Smith

A Common Sandpiper was investigating the Tern platforms this afternoon.

Black-tailed Godwit – 19th July

July 19, 2009Recent wildlife sightings19th July, 2009, Black-tailed godwit, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Grasshopper Warbler, Large Gravel Pit, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

During the morning a flock of fourteen Black-tailed Godwits rested for about half an hour on the Slurry Lagoon. There were also two Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper and a Grasshopper was reeling near the Large Gravel Pit.

Peregrine – 13th July

July 13, 2009Recent wildlife sightings13th July, 2009, Grasshopper Warbler, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A juvenile Peregrine panicked the gulls and Lapwings on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling beside the Large Gravel Pit.

Peregrine – 12th July

July 12, 2009Recent wildlife sightings12th July, 2009, Black-tailed godwit, Grasshopper Warbler, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

During this morning’s Bird Count, at least four Grasshopper Warblers were heard, three Black-tailed Godwits rested for a while on the Slurry Lagoon and a Peregrine spooked all of the Lapwings and Gulls

Little Ringed Plover – 7th July

July 7, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 7th July, Common Sandpiper, Deep Pit, Grasshopper Warbler, Hobby, Little Ringed Plovers, Railway Bridge, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowsPete Smith

A Hobby stirred up the Swallows by the Railway Bridge just before a downpour forced us to take shelter under the bridge. The downpour brought down a Common Sandpiper in the Deep Pit and a Little Ringed Plover on the Slurry near ‘The Beach’. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in the Slurry reed bed.

Black-tailed Godwit – 5th July

July 5, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 5th July, birds, Black-tailed godwit, Grasshopper Warbler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Black-tailed Godwit was on the Slurry Lagoon for most of the day. Up to four Grasshopper Warblers were reeling during the day.

Little Ringed Plover – 3rd July

July 3, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, 3rd July, birds, Little Ringed Plovers, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

Three Little Ringed Plover were on the Slurry Lagoon with the gulls and terns this afternoon.