All posts by Pete Smith

Bearded Tit – 5th December

December 5, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 5th December, Bearded Tit, CausewayPete Smith

This morning a male and a female Bearded Tit were seen on the Causeway, going between the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit. M.W./K.H.

Merlin – 3rd December

December 3, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 3rd December, Blackbird, Greylag, Merlin, Pink-footed Goose, Pylon Path, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, SparrowhawkPete Smith

This morning there were even more Redwings and Blackbirds on the site and these attracted a Merlin which swooped down the Pylon Bank, towards the Small Gravel Pit, as it tried to catch one. Sparrowhawks were also hunting and some Redwing breast feathers were found on the path. A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag flock across the river and a pair of Goosander flew over the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Goosander – 28th November

November 28, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 28th November, Goosander, Slurry Lagoon, TreecreeperPete Smith

This morning a male Goosander flew SW over the Slurry Lagoon and two Treecreepers were seen on trees along the Riverside Walk. PS.

Peregrine – 22nd November

November 22, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 22nd November, Deep Pit, peregrine, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, WigeonPete Smith

This morning there were good numbers of Wigeon on the Slurry Lagoon and Redwings feeding in the Hawthorn. In the evening a Peregrine flew over the Deep Pit and up to the top of the New Pylon. PS.

Great White Egret – 17th November

November 17, 2021Recent wildlife sightings17th November, 2021, Egyptian Goose, Great White Egret, Greylag Goose, Raven, Redwing, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning there were lots of Redwings feeding on the Hawthorn berries. An Egyptian Goose was with the Greylags, across the river, and a Raven flew along the pylons. About mid-day a Great White Egret flew in to fish on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Goosander – 14th November

November 15, 2021Recent wildlife sightings14th November, 2021, Goosander, Great White EgretPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, two Goosander flew over and a Great White Egret was seen across the river. NWG.

Marsh Harrier – 11th November

November 11, 2021Recent wildlife sightings11th November, 2021, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Marsh Harrier, Red-crested Pochard, Redpoll, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning the Red-crested Pochard was still on the Slurry Lagoon and some small groups of Skylarks were flying over. There were at least five hundred birds on the Slurry Lagoon, consisting mainly of Wigeon, Black-headed Gulls and Coots, but with smaller numbers of other species mixed in. About mid-day a female Marsh Harrier lifted all of the gulls off the Slurry Lagoon and drifted off into the trees in the reed bed. About six Water Rail were heard calling and some Redpoll flew over. PS.

Gannet – 9th November

November 9, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 9th November, Gannet, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a very smart male Red-crested Pochard was on the Slurry Lagoon with the Wigeon. Late morning a first winter Gannet flew SW through the site. PS.

Whooper Swan – 3rd November

November 3, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 3rd November, Caspian gull, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, Redwing, Skylark, Whooper SwanPete Smith

This morning there were 11 Whooper Swan in total. 6 flew through west calling, there was a single bird briefly on the Large Gravel Pit before being chased off by Mute Swans and 4 flew east late morning. -The 1st winter Caspian Gull was still on the Deep Pit.-c250 Redwing in several flocks through the morning.- A Drake Pintail still on the Eco-park.- 10+ Skylark through. MC.

Stonechat – 1st November

November 1, 2021Recent wildlife sightings1st November, 2021, Brambling, Caspian gull, Coot, Deep Pit, duck, Ecopark, Great White Egret, gull, pintail, Slurry Lagoon, Stonechat, Wader Scrape, Wigeon, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This morning a pair of Stonechats were on the Ecopark. The Slurry Lagoon had masses of ducks, coots and gulls on it, including over 250 Wigeon. PG.

In the afternoon there were two Caspian Gulls and five Yellow-legged Gulls in the Deep Pit area. A Great White Egret was on the Wader Scrape, a Pintail on the Ecopark and two Bramblings on the Severn/Trent field. MC.