All posts by Pete Smith

Shoveler – 16th July

July 16, 2022Recent wildlife sightings16th July, 2022, Causeway, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a female Shoveler led six newly hatched ducklings across the Slurry Lagoon, in front of the Causeway bench. There were also up to ten young Little Grebes and a well grown Great Crested Grebe chick. PS.

Hobby – 15th July

July 15, 2022Recent wildlife sightings15th July, 2022, Hobby, Lower Path, peregrine, Red AdmiralPete Smith

During the Volunteer Work Morning, a Hobby was seen, flying along the railway track, calling agitatedly. Then the reason for its agitation appeared as a female Peregrine flew towards it, over the Lower Path. Good numbers of Red Admirals were also seen. PS.

Bittern – 10th July

July 10, 2022Recent wildlife sightings10th July, 2022, Bittern, Deep PitPete Smith

This morning, during the monthly bird-count, a Bittern was seen in the reeds at the northern end of the Deep Pit. NWG.

Marsh Harrier – 23rd June

June 23, 2022Recent wildlife sightings2022, 23rd June, Common Tern, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Hobby flew over the Slurry Lagoon. A little later a superb adult male Marsh Harrier investigated the reed beds, but was driven off by the Common Terns. The male and female Shoveler were also still present. PS

Bee Orchid – 24th May

May 24, 2022Recent wildlife sightings2022, 24th May, Bee Orchid, Deep Pit, Marsh Orchid, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The orchids are beginning to come out now and several Marsh Orchids can be seen, especially around the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit. The first Bee Orchid was found today at the northern end of the Deep Pit. PS.

Whinchat – 16th May

May 16, 2022Recent wildlife sightings16th May, 2022, Ecopark, WhinchatPete Smith

Two Whinchat were seen this afternoon on the Ecopark. JDn.

Water Rail – 12th May

May 12, 2022Recent wildlife sightings12th May, 2022, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Ecopark, greenshank, Hobby, House Martin, Little Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, Swift, water rail, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning a pair of Water Rail were seen on the Slurry Lagoon, with a chick. The Cuckoo was singing from the Slurry Lagoon and Large Gravel Pit all morning. Up to six Swifts were foraging over the north end of the Deep Pit and Slurry Lagoon, with sometimes a small flock of House Martins. RJP.

A Hobby was seen over the Slurry Lagoon and 3 LRPs a Greenshank and 2 Wood Sandpipers were on the Ecopark along with 2 Yellow Wagtails. IEP.

Wood Sandpiper – 11th May

May 11, 2022Recent wildlife sightings11th May, 2022, Ecopark, greenshank, Ringed Plover, Ruddy Shelduck, Wood SandpiperPete Smith

This morning there were two Wood Sandpipers, a Greenshank, a Ringed Plover and a Ruddy Shelduck on the Ecopark. RW.

Whinchat – 5th May

May 5, 2022Recent wildlife sightings2022, 5th May, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Dingy Skipper, Ecopark, Green Hairstreak, Hobby, Holly Blue, Little Ringed Plover, Lower Path, Whinchat, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning a female Winchat was on the Ecopark along with a Yellow Wagtail and 3 LRPs.
A Hobby passed over the Deep Pit heading south and there were six Common Terns on the Deep Pit. IEP.

Later on a male Whinchat was reported on the Ecopark. JDn/RW.

Five Holly Blues, five Green Hairstreaks and a Dingy Skipper were seen around the Deep Pit and along the Lower Path. PS.

Brown Argus – 30th April

April 30, 2022Recent wildlife sightings2022, 30th April, Brown Argus, Butterfly Bank, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Large Gravel PitPete Smith

This morning there were three Common Terns displaying over the Deep Pit and a teneral Common Blue Damselfly was found at the back of the Large Gravel Pit. Four Green Hairstreaks and two Dingy Skippers were seen on the Butterfly Bank. PS.

In the afternoon a Brown Argus was also seen on the Butterfly Bank. RW.