All posts by Pete Smith

Marsh Harrier – 3rd November

November 3, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 3rd November, Cettis Warbler, Fieldfare, Marsh Harrier, peregrine, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

This morning a cream-top Marsh Harrier was seen in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. It was present for a good part of the morning. A female Peregrine was seen on one of the pylons and there were a few Redwings and Fieldfares about. Several Water Rail were heard calling from the reed-beds and at least six Cetti’s Warblers were singing. PS.

Starlings – 30th October

October 30, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 30th October, Bearded Tit, Goldeneye, tealPete Smith

This evening about 4,000 Starlings came in to the roost and there is still at least one Bearded Tit. On the EcoPark there were three Green Sandpipers, 54 Teal and a Goldeneye. RW.

Pink-footed Goose – 29th October

October 29, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 29th 0ctober, Fieldfare, Lesser Redpoll, Pink-footed Goose, Shoveler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a skein of about 60 Pink-footed Geese flew over the site in a single line, to the South-west. A flock of about fifty Fieldfares came in to the Boundary Hedge. There were fourteen Shoveler on the Slurry Lagoon and two Lesser Redpolls flew over. The river is over the bank on the Riverside Path and the fields opposite are flooded. PS.

Bearded Tit – 28th October

October 28, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 28th October, Bearded Tit, Green Sandpiper, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingPete Smith

This afternoon a Bearded Tit was seen in the Slurry Lagoon reedbed. 2,000 Starlings came in to roost and there were two Green Sandpipers. RW.

Red-breasted Merganser – 27th October

October 27, 2019Recent wildlife sightingsRed-breasted Merganser, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

Late this morning a female Red-breasted Merganser was seen to come down on the Slurry Lagoon. NH. There was also a report of a possible ringtail Hen Harrier. A Redwing and a Lesser Redpoll were also heard.

Fieldfare – 21st October

October 21, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 21st October, Chiffchaff, Fieldfare, RedwingPete Smith

This morning there were three small flocks of Fieldfares seen flying over the site as well as one flock of four Redwings and still some Chiffchaffs were calling from the bushes. PS.

Late afternoon four Bearded Tits were in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed beside the Causeway. About 1,200 Starlings came in to roost and 100 Pink-footed Geese flew over to south-east at about 6.15 pm. RW.

Raven – 22nd September

September 22, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 22nd September, Raven., Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, WigeonPete Smith

This morning, during the bird walk, 22 Wigeon were on the Slurry Lagoon with 34 Shoveler and a Raven was heard calling from a pylon. PS

Marsh Harrier – 15th September

September 15, 2019Recent wildlife sightings15th September, 2019, Marsh Harrier, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

In the early afternoon a female Marsh Harrier was seen rising from the reed-bed on the Slurry Lagoon, headed south. DB/KB.

Hobby – 8th September

September 8, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 8th September, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Hobby, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning, during the Birdcount, two Yellow Wagtails and good numbers of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were recorded. A Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler were in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and a Hobby was hawking dragonflies over the Deep Pit. PS.

Great White Egret – 7th September

September 8, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, Common Snipe, Dunlin, Great White Egret, Green Sandpiper, greenshank, riverside flash. 7th September, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Great White Egret was on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon, plus four Common Snipe and a Green Sandpiper. A Dunlin and a Greenshank were on the riverside flash. RW.