All posts by Pete Smith

Bee Orchid – 6th June

June 6, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 6th June, Bee Orchid, Deep PitPete Smith

This morning several Bee Orchid plants were found around the reserve but mainly at the northern end of the Deep Pit, on the inner bank. PS.

Northern Marsh Orchid – 4th June

June 4, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 4th June, Common Blue, Deep Pit, Green Hairstreak, Northern Marsh Orchid, Pyramidal Orchid, SparrowhawkPete Smith

This morning a male Sparrowhawk was seen displaying over the river. At the southern end of the Deep Pit there were at least 17 Northern Marsh Orchids and, on the railway bank, ten Pyramidal Orchids. There are still some Green Hairstreaks flying and plenty of Common Blues. PS.

Curlew Sandpiper – 3rd June

June 3, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 3rd June, Curlew Sandpiper, Eco-park, Mistle Thrush, Red Kite, Ringed Plover, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

At about mid-day a Red Kite flew over the reserve towards the Eco-park and two Mistle Thrushes flew across the Slurry Lagoon towards the river. IEP.

In the afternoon a Curlew Sandpiper and five Ringed Plovers were on the Eco-park pools. RW.

Avocet – 2nd June

June 2, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 2nd June, Avocet, Hobby, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning there was a report of Avocets on the Eco-park pools. Two Hobbies were seen hawking insects over the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Hobby – 1st June

June 1, 2021Recent wildlife sightings1st June, 2021, Deep Pit, Hobby, Slurry Lagoon, warblersPete Smith

This morning there was one Hobby seen over the Slurry Lagoon. 18 Blackcaps and 16 Garden Warblers were singing, 14 Reed Warblers and 12 Sedge Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs and 9 Willow Warblers, 12 Whitethroats and 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Cetti’s Warblers and 1 Grasshopper Warbler. PS

In the afternoon 6 Hobbies joined Black-headed Gulls hawking insects over the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit. IEP.

On the butterfly count, 9 Green Hairstreaks were seen and 26 Common Blues, plus a Small Copper and a Brown Argus. SC/PG

Bittern – 30th May

May 30, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 30th May, Bittern, Deep Pit, Lesser Whitethroat, TreecreeperPete Smith

A Bittern was reported to have dropped into the reed bed in the Deep Pit. The Treecreepers by the footbridge have fledged at least one chick which was seen this morning and two Lesser Whitethroats were heard singing. DM.

House Sparrow – 28th May

May 28, 2021Recent wildlife sightingsBrimstone, Buzzard, Common Blue, cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Green Hairstreak, green woodpecker, Green-veined White, Hobby, House Sparrow, Large White, Latticed Heath, Lower Path, Orange-tip, PeacockPete Smith

A male House Sparrow was seen this morning on the Lower Path, close to the river. This is a very rare sighting now at the lagoons. Also heard or seen were a Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker and Grasshopper Warbler along with four Brimstones, five Green Hairstreaks, ten Common Blues, four male Orange-tips, two Green-veined Whites, a Peacock, a Large White and a Latticed Heath. SC/PG.

Also seen this morning were three Hobbies, two Buzzards and a mass of gulls and terns catching flying ants. PS.

Red Kite – 27th May

May 27, 2021Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Cettis Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Blue Damselfly, cuckoo, Four-spotted Chaser, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Pylon Path, Red Kite, Red-eyed Damselfly, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Whitethroat, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning the hepatic female Cuckoo was seen on the Slurry Lagoon. A Hobby was joined by a Red Kite as they both hawked for damselflies above the Pylon Path. All ten warbler species were heard singing, ( Cetti’s, Willow, Reed, Sedge, Garden, Grasshopper, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.) some in good numbers. Later two Hobbies were hawking damselflies over the Slurry Lagoon and a Water Rail was heard chipping from the reed bed. The damselflies included Red-eyed, Common Blue and Blue-tailed plus a Four-spotted Chaser was seen. PS.

Ruddy Shelduck – 26th May

May 26, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 26th May, Eco-park, Grasshopper Warbler, Haven, Hobby, Ruddy Shelduck, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning there were two Ruddy Shelduck on the Eco-park. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in the Haven and a Hobby was seen over the Slurry Lagoon. IEP.

Grasshopper Warbler – 20th May

May 20, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 20th May, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Grasshopper Warbler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a rufous female Cuckoo was seen over the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed and the Grasshopper Warbler was reeling below the Deep Pit north bench. IEP.