This morning two Mediterranean Gulls flew into the Deep Pit to join the Black-headed Gulls. They displayed to each other briefly before continuing their journey north. A Jack Snipe was seen on the Wader Scrape. There were forty-two Shoveler on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
All posts by Pete Smith
Covid – 19
The onset of the Covid-19 Lockdown has curtailed much of the Group’s activities on the site. Social distancing means that the Guided Walks have had to be abandoned and the Volunteer Work Mornings are also no longer possible.
Because they are no longer possible to distribute under the Lockdown, the Newsletters have also had to be halted for the time being. You can, however, still send in your sightings via the website.
The Patchwatch went ahead, as people could visit the site for their daily exercise without meeting up, and send their sightings in. A total of 53 species were recorded, including two male Cuckoos.
I hope you are all still managing to visit the site for your daily exercise and that we will meet again at the end of the Lockdown.
Best wishes, Peter Smith.
Sand Martin – 22nd March
This morning a Sand Martin flew south over the site. There were more than twenty Chiffchaffs and two male Peregrines had an altercation over the Slurry Lagoon. Two Peacock butterflies were also seen. PS.
Whooper Swan – 20th March
Around 95 Whooper Swans were seen flying north, high over the lagoons, this evening. There is also still one Green Sandpiper about. RW.
Curlew – 14th March
A Curlew flew through this afternoon and there were four Green Sandpipers on the Ecopark. JDn.
Bearded Tit – 13th March
This afternoon three Bearded Tits were seen in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed as well as a Marsh Harrier. On the Ecopark there were four Green Sandpipers and 82 Teal. RW.
Stonechat – 9th March
This morning a female Stonechat was seen inside the Deep Pit from the Causeway. PS.
Marsh Harrier – 8th March
During the Birdcount this morning the female Marsh Harrier was seen over the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed, where she flushed sixteen Snipe. There were two Green Sandpipers on the Ecopark flood, three Chiffchaffs were singing around the site and a Red-legged Partridge was near the Causeway. PS.
Marsh Harrier – 7th March
The Marsh Harrier was seen over the Slurry Lagoon reed bed again this evening. There was a Starling murmuration of about 10,000. Also seen were one Green Sandpiper and an Oystercatcher. J Dn.
Marsh Harrier – 6th March
A Whooper Swan was on the Deep Pit this afternoon. A Marsh Harrier came in to roost in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed this evening and there was a murmuration of about 10,000 Starlings. A Bearded Tit was also heard going to roost and two Green Sandpipers were on the Ecopool. RW.