All posts by Pete Smith

Bittern – 2nd December

December 3, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 2nd December, Bearded Tit, Bittern, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This evening a Bittern and two Bearded Tits were in the Slurry Lagoon reed beds. RW.

Ruddy Shelduck – 1st December

December 1, 2019Recent wildlife sightings1st December, 2019, Common Snipe, Goosander, peregrine, Pink-footed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, water railPete Smith

This morning two Ruddy Shelduck and twenty Common Snipe were seen on the Ecopark pool. Two female Goosanders flew over and a skein of 120 Pink-footed Geese went to the west. Two Peregrines were seen hunting from the pylons and four Water Rail were heard calling from the reed-beds. PS.

Also two Green Sandpipers on the Ecopark and two Bearded Tits in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. RW.

Tawny Owl – 31st November

December 1, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 31st November, Barn Owl, Bittern, Slurry Lagoon, Tawny OwlPete Smith

This evening a Bittern was seen over the Slurry Lagoon reed-beds. Two Tawny Owls were heard calling and a Barn Owl was seen also over the reeds. RW.

Bearded Tit – 29th November

November 30, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 29th November, Bearded Tit, Chiffchaff, Green Sandpiper, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This afternoon a male and a female Bearded Tit were in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. A Green Sandpiper and two Chiffchaffs were also seen. RW.

Barn Owl – 24th November

November 24, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 24th November, Barn Owl, Boundary Hedge, Brambling, Chiffchaff, Egyptian Goose, Linnets, Ouse Dyke, Reed Bunting, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning a Barn Owl was seen hunting along the Boundary Hedge. Two Egyptian Geese flew over to the flooded field across the river. The seed crop on the Wader Scrape had good numbers of Reed Buntings and Linnets feeding in it, a Brambling was heard near the bird table and a Chiffchaff was seen along the Ouse Dyke. PS.

Starlings – 18th November

November 19, 2019Recent wildlife sightings18th November, 2019, Bearded Tit, Green Sandpiper, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingPete Smith

This evening about 5,000 Starlings came in to roost in the Slurry Lagon reed bed. A Bearded Tit was heard calling from the reed bed and a Green Sandpiper was seen. RW.

Bittern – 17th November

November 17, 2019Recent wildlife sightings17th November, 2019, Bittern, peregrine, Siskin, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning seven Siskins flew over the Lower Path. A Bittern flew over the reed bed in the Slurry Lagoon and two Peregrines were on the new pylon. PS.

Whooper Swan – 16th November

November 16, 2019Recent wildlife sightings16th November, 2019, Egyptian Goose, Fieldfare, Redwing, Snipe, Whooper SwanPete Smith

This morning a small flock of about 20 Fieldfares flew over the reserve, but the bushes everywhere had Redwings in them, perhaps 200 or more. Five Egyptian Geese flew over from the flooded fields and three Snipe. Towards mid-day 12 Whooper Swans flew over to the NE. PS.

Green Sandpiper – 10th November

November 10, 2019Recent wildlife sightings10th November, 2019, Boundary Hedge, Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, peregrine, Treecreeper, water railPete Smith

This morning, during the Bird Count, eleven Water Rail were heard calling around the reserve. Two Peregrines were on the new pylon and a Treecreeper was seen along the Boundary Hedge. On the Eco-park there were four Little Egrets and two Green Sandpipers. PS.

Raven – 8th November

November 8, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 8th November, Raven., RedwingPete Smith

This morning there were two Ravens on the site. One spent some time on the new pylon. There were several small flocks of Redwings, feeding on the hawthorn berries. PS.