The Bittern was seen twice, this afternoon and at dusk, flying between reed-beds on the Slurry Lagoon. Also present were two Snipe, a Green Sandpiper and eleven Wigeon. At nightfall a Tawny Owl was heard calling. RW.
All posts by Pete Smith
Bittern – 8th September
Late this afternoon the Bittern was seen again, flying across the Slurry Lagoon. The Garganey was still present, along with a Water Rail, Green Sandpiper, Snipe and four Little Egrets. JDn.
In the evening two Bitterns were seen. At dusk a Barn Owl was seen as well as a Pipistrelle and a Noctule at nightfall. RW.
Bittern – 6th September
This morning there were still plenty of warblers around the site and a Jay was seen again. Small numbers of Swallows and Siskins were flying through to the south. In the evening a Bittern flew across the Slurry Lagoon, between reed beds, and there were still nineteen Shoveler, three Wigeon and one Garganey present.
Spotted Flycatcher – 4th September
This afternoon a Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon and the Garganey was still present. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen near the bird table and two Swifts and twenty-two Shoveler were also seen. RW.
Pintail – 2nd September
This morning, on the Slurry Lagoon, there was one Green Sandpiper, one Snipe, one Pintail, two Wigeon and seven Shoveler. Some Swallows flew through to the south in a very light passage, along with one Yellow Wagtail. There were up to six Cetti’s Warblers singing. PS.
Common Sandpiper – 30th August
This morning a flock of about 20 House Martins and 10 Sand Martins was seen above the Causeway, which also included one Swift. A Lesser Whitethroat was seen along the Causeway. On the river, near the confluence with the Poulser Brook, a Common Sandpiper was seen and a Raven flew over. PS
Arctic Tern – 27th August
This afternoon a juvenile Arctic Tern passed through. There were two Green Sandpipers and a Garganey on the Slurry Lagoon and a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper on the Ecopark. Also seen was a flock of around 50 Goldfinches. RW.
Sandwich Tern – 23rd August
This morning a Sandwich Tern was briefly on the Slurry Lagoon before flying off to follow the river north. The Garganey was still present on the Slurry Lagoon. JF.
Spotted Redshank – 16th August
This afternoon a Spotted Redshank flew over the site going east. On the Ecopark there were two Ringed Plovers and three Green Sandpipers. The Garganey was also still on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.
Knot – 14th August
This morning a Knot flew in to the Slurry Lagoon. It alighted briefly on the water surface and swam about before moving to the muddy margin in the back right-hand corner by the reed bed. Later in the day the Knot was gone but a Green Sandpiper and a Common Snipe were seen along the muddy margin in front of the reeds. PS.