All posts by Pete Smith

Cuckoo – 21st April

April 21, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 21st April, Common Tern, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Cuckoo was calling from the ash trees along the railway line, before flying out across the Slurry Lagoon and then to the river. Eight Common Terns were making a lot of noise over the Deep Pit. A Grasshopper Warbler was singing from the middle of the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and a Garden Warbler was singing near the railway bridge. PS.

White Stork – 19th April

April 19, 2018Recent wildlife sightings19th April, 2018, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Mediterranean Gull, water rail, White StorkPete Smith

This morning two Mediterranean Gulls flew over the Deep Pit to the north. A little later an identifiably second pair flew into the Deep Pit and then carried on their way north. At just after mid-day a White Stork was seen flying high to the west (RW). Also present was a Grasshopper Warbler and a Garden Warbler. In the Slurry Lagoon reed bed a Water Rail was heard calling. PS.

Bittern – 18th April

April 18, 2018Recent wildlife sightings18th April, 2018, Bittern, Comma, Grasshopper Warbler, Green-veined White, Orange Tip., Peacock, Slurry Lagoon, Tortoiseshell, WhitethroatPete Smith

This morning a Bittern was seen flying from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed towards the south. Also there were two Grasshopper Warblers and several Whitethroats. Butterflies were about as well with Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Comma and good numbers of Peacocks, Tortoiseshells and Brimstones. PS.

Grasshopper Warbler – 17th April

April 17, 2018Recent wildlife sightings17th April, 2018, Common Tern, Grasshopper Warbler, Gravel Pits, Lesser Whitethroat, peregrine, Redpoll, Slurry Lagoon, WhitethroatPete Smith

This morning a Peregrine, two Common Terns and two Redpolls were seen over the Slurry Lagoon. A Grasshopper Warbler and two Whitethroats were by the Gravel Pits and four Lesser Whitethroats were heard around the site. PS.

Merlin – 15th April

April 15, 2018Recent wildlife sightings15th April, 2018, Common Tern, Fieldfare, Merlin, Oystercatcher, ShelduckPete Smith

This morning a Merlin was seen briefly as it flew over the site. Also seen were three Oystercatchers, two Shelduck, two Common Terns and three Fieldfares. PS.

Firecrest – 10th April

April 11, 2018Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 2108, Firecrest, Ouse DykePete Smith

The Firecrest was still in the Hawthorns along the Ouse Dyke this evening. RW.

Red-breasted Merganser – 9th April

April 9, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 9th April, Barn Owl, Bird Walk, Firecrest, Gadwall, Lower Path, Nuthatch, Ouse Dyke, Red-breasted Merganser, Roe Deer, Sedge Warbler, Shove;er, Slurry Lagoon, teal, Tufted Duck, water railPete Smith

This morning, amongst the Shovelers, Teal, Tufted Duck and Gadwall on the Slurry Lagoon were a superb pair of Red-breasted Mergansers. More Sedge Warblers had come in overnight and were singing in the reed beds and a Water Rail was also calling. PS.

Along the Ouse Dyke a Nuthatch was found RW and earlier a Barn Owl was seen LD/PD.

In the afternoon, on the Bird Walk, the Mergansers were still present and a Barn Owl was seen along the Lower Path. Also seen was a Roe Deer that jumped the Slurry Lagoon fence and crossed the path in front of us. PS.

In the late afternoon a Firecrest was found, singing, along the Ouse Dyke. RW.

Sedge Warbler – 8th April

April 8, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 8th April, Large Gravel Pit, Oystercatcher, Sedge Warbler, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, a Sedge Warbler was singing behind the Large Gravel Pit. There were also three Willow Warblers and eight Oystercatchers on the flooded field across the river. PS.

Willow Warbler – 7th April

April 7, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 7th April, Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Deep Pit, House Martin, Oystercatcher, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning, three Oystercatchers were flying over the Slurry Lagoon, piping as they went, four Swallows and two Sand Martins were also seen. Over the Deep Pit three House Martins were seen flying east and a Willow Warbler was singing on the railway side of the Slurry Lagoon. Also heard were six Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps and three Cetti’s Warblers. PS.

In the evening a Common Tern came in to circle the tern platforms before flying off. JMD

Swallow – 5th April

April 5, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, 5th April, Grey Wagtail, Oystercatcher, Sand Martin, SwallowPete Smith

There were three Swallows and three Sand Martins seen today, as well as three Oystercatchers and a Grey Wagtail. SC.