All posts by Pete Smith

Green Sandpiper – 21st July

July 21, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 21st Jult, Green Sandpiper, Wader ScrapePete Smith

Two Green Sandpipers were on the Wader Scrape this afternoon. JMD.

Great White Egret – 20th July

July 21, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 20th July, Green Sandpiper, kingfisher, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Starling, water rail, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning a Yellow Wagtail and a Kingfisher were seen. PS.

In the evening a Great White Egret flew over. A Green Sandpiper was on the Slurry Lagoon. Two juvenile Water Rails were seen and 600 Starlings and 50 Sand Martins came in to roost. RW.

Black-tailed Godwit – 17th July

July 17, 2018Recent wildlife sightings17th July, 2018, Black-tailed godwit, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This afternoon a Black-tailed Godwit was seen on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Willow Tit 15th July

July 15, 2018Recent wildlife sightings15th July, 2018, Butterfly Walk, Lower Path, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, Small Copper, Willow titPete Smith

This morning a Willow Tit was first heard then seen as it fed within a large tit-flock along the Lower Path. Later a Peregrine was seen, carrying prey from the Slurry Lagoon. During the Butterfly Walk nineteen species of butterfly were seen, including a Small Copper, as well as a large number of dragonflies. PS.

Red Kite – 2nd July

July 2, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 2nd July, Bittern, Deep Pit, dragonflies, Raven., Red Kite, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Raven flew over the Slurry Lagoon, chased by some crows. A Bittern was in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. It flew from near the bench to the reeds along the northern edge of the water. Later a Red Kite appeared over the Deep Pit sending the breeding terns into a frenzy. The terns quickly climbed right up to it and began to mob it, turning it in the direction of Colwick Park.

There were also plenty of dragonflies with four Broad-bodied Chasers, three Black-tailed Skimmers, four Emperors, three Southern Hawkers, ten Brown Hawkers, two Four-spotted Chasers and a Ruddy Darter. PS.

Black-necked Grebe – 21st May

May 21, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 21st May, Black-necked Grebe, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreak, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning there were two Black-necked Grebes on the Slurry Lagoon. Also seen were six Green Hairstreaks and a Brown Argus. SC/PG

Hobby – 20th May

May 20, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 20th May, cuckoo, Green Hairstreak, Hairy Dragonfly, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, Swift, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning a Cuckoo called briefly beside the Slurry Lagoon as a solitary Swift flew over. During the Warbler Walk, eight warbler species were heard and six Hobbies were seen hawking insects over the Large Gravel Pit. Around seven Hairy Dragonflies were seen, including two females egg-laying, one on the Slurry Lagoon and one on the Small Gravel Pit. Two female Green Hairstreaks were seen, also egg-laying. An Oystercatcher was on the Wader Scrape and a Little Ringed Plover was on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Hobby – 15th May

May 15, 2018Recent wildlife sightings15th May, 2018, Green Hairstreak, Hobby, warblersPete Smith

During the Warbler Walk this afternoon seven warbler species were heard. Four Hobbies were hawking insects (probably an emergence of the Soldier Beetle, Cantharis rustica). A single Green Hairstreak was seen egg-laying on Bird’s-foot Trefoil.

Little Ringed Plover – 11th May

May 11, 2018Recent wildlife sightings11th May, 2018, Large Gravel Pit, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Swift, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning there were two Oystercatchers on the Wader Scrape and some Swifts were over the Large Gravel Pit. On the flooded field across the river there was one Little Ringed Plover. SC/PG.

Cuckoo – 6th May

May 6, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 6th May, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Green Hairstreak, Hairy Dragonfly, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning a Cuckoo called from the Ash trees along the railway embankment. Two Shelduck were across the river on the flooded field and two Oystercatchers and four Lapwings were on the Wader Scrape. On the Deep Pit bank, opposite the junction box, up to five Green Hairstreaks were flying and by the Gravel Pits a teneral male Hairy Dragonfly was found. PS.