All posts by Pete Smith

Egyptian Goose – 30th December

December 30, 2018Recent wildlife sightings30th December, Canada Goose, Cettis Warbler, Egyptian Goose, Greylag Goose, peregrine, Pink-footed Goose, water railPete Smith

This morning two Peregrines were on the pylons. Two Egyptian Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were amongst the Greylags and Canadas. Seven singing Cetti’s Warblers and five Water Rail were heard. PS

Barn Owl – 26th December

December 26, 2018Recent wildlife sightings26th December, Barn Owl, Cettis Warbler, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, water railPete Smith

This morning at dawn a Barn Owl was seen hunting near the Gravel Pits and a Peregrine was on the new pylon. Up to eight Water Rail were heard (with one seen) and three Cetti’s Warblers were singing. One Snipe was seen in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.

Short-eared Owl – 17th December

December 17, 2018Recent wildlife sightingsShort-eared OwlPete Smith

This morning there were flocks of birds going in all directions as they left their roosts and set off to find some breakfast, mostly thrushes, finches, crows, gulls, ducks and geese. Late morning a Short-eared Owl was found roosting in a bush near the Gravel Pits. PS.

Golden Plover – 16th December

December 16, 2018Recent wildlife sightings16th December, 2018, Blackbird, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Fieldfare, Golden Plover, Goldeneye, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, Mallard, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, SnipePete Smith

This morning there were, as usual, good numbers of Greylag and Canada Geese and Mallards on the Slurry Lagoon, which went off to feed fairly early on. The hedgerows were full of thrushes, mostly Redwings, Blackbirds and Fieldfares. A flock of about three hundred Lapwings flew over with a flock of about fifty Golden Plovers, probably the ones from Holme Pierrepont. There were two Snipe on the Slurry Lagoon, an Egyptian Goose flew over and six Goldeneye were on the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Peregrine – 15th December

December 15, 2018Recent wildlife sightings, Uncategorized15th December, gulls, Mallard, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning there were a fair number of gulls resting on the frozen surface of the Slurry Lagoon. Also a Peregrine was seen making half-hearted attacks on a Black-headed Gull and a Mallard.

Goosander – 9th December

December 9, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 9th December, Blackbird, Deep Pit, Golden Plover, Goosander, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Redwing, TreecreeperPete Smith

This morning, during the Bird Count, two female Goosanders landed on the Deep Pit. Also recorded were a Chiffchaff, Treecreeper and a lone Golden Plover. There were plenty of winter thrushes about too, with high numbers especially of Redwings and Blackbirds. A short stretch of the Ouse Dyke held seven Little Egrets and a Kingfisher. PS.

Great White Egret – 2nd December

December 2, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 2nd December, Barnacle goose, Great White Egret, Large Gravel PitPete Smith

This morning a Great White Egret flew over the site to the south and later returned. The Barnacle Goose was on the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

White-fronted Goose – 25th November

November 25, 2018Recent wildlife sightingsPete Smith

This morning two Ravens were seen over the pylons, but were chased off by a Peregrine. The goose flock contained 5 Whooper Swans, 9 White-fronted Geese, 1 Pink-footed Goose (briefly joined by 7 more) and an Egyptian Goose. A flock of 33 Pink-footed Geese also flew over to the west. An Oystercatcher was seen over the Deep Pit and a male Blackcap was at the end of the Lower Path, near the gates. PS.

Whooper Swan – 20th November

November 20, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 20th November, Large Gravel Pit, Whooper SwanPete Smith

The five Whooper Swans were seen again this evening as they came in to the Large Gravel Pit with thousands of geese. JMD.

Whooper Swan – 18th November

November 18, 2018Recent wildlife sightings18th Novemmber, 2018, Dunlin, pintail, Slurry Lagoon, Whooper SwanPete Smith

This morning two adult and three juvenile Whooper Swans were on the Severn/Trent field, gleaning spilt sweet-corn. There was also a Dunlin and a female Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.