All posts by Pete Smith

December Bird Count

November 23, 2017NewsPete Smith

Due to several people having diary clashes this month’s Bird Count has been set back one week to Sunday, 17th December. PS.

Redshank – 20th November

November 20, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 20th November, Fieldfare, Mallard, Redshank, Slurry Lagoon, Starling, water railPete Smith

This morning a Redshank was on an island on the Slurry Lagoon. There were also almost 100 Mallard also on the Slurry Lagoon, and seven Water Rail were heard. A small flock of Fieldfares was eating berries from a hawthorn and a Jay was in one of the oaks.

In the evening the Starling murmuration contained up up 12,000 birds, including one white one. PS.

Bittern – 15th November

November 15, 2017Recent wildlife sightings15th November, 2017, Bittern, Deep Pit, peregrine, SparrowhawkPete Smith

This afternoon a Bittern was seen flying low, across the Deep Pit. In the evening about 10,000 Starlings came in to roost and were hunted by a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk. RW.

Bearded Tit – 12th November

November 12, 2017Recent wildlife sightings12th November, 2107, Bearded Tit, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Redpoll, Redwing, Siskin, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning, during the Bird Count, Bearded Tits were heard calling in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. There were also nine Goldeneyes on the Large Gravel Pit, a Peregrine chasing the ducks on the Slurry Lagoon, Redwings, Redpolls, Siskins and twenty-five Fieldfares. PS.

Great Egret – 10th November

November 10, 2017Recent wildlife sightings10th November, 2017, Great Egret, Redpoll, Redwing, SparrowhawkPete Smith

This morning, at about 08.10hrs, a Great Egret flew over the site, crossing the power lines, on its way downstream. Also seen were several Redwings, two Redpoll and a Sparrowhawk. PS.

Barn Owl – 8th November

November 10, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 8th November, Barn Owl, Boundary Hedge, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingPete Smith

This evening about 10,000 Starlings came in to roost in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. Two Barn Owls were seen hunting along the Boundary Hedge and a Peregrine was on the new pylon. PS.

Starling – 31st October

October 31, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 31st October, Barn Owl, Bearded Tit, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Geese, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, Starling, WoodcockPete Smith

At the lagoons this evening the Starling roost attracted about 6,000 birds. One Sparrowhawk was seen trying to snatch a late supper and two Barn Owls were seen flying along the Boundary Hedge. Several thousand geese also came in to roost on the Slurry Lagoon. Earlier lots of winter thrushes were seen, including Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds, a Woodcock was seen and the Bearded Tits were heard calling in the reed bed. PS.

Bearded Tit – 29th October

October 29, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 29th October, Bearded Tit, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This afternoon a male and three female Bearded Tits were seen in the reedbed on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Redwing – 23rd October

October 23, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 23rd October, Redpoll, Redwing, Siskin, SkylarkPete Smith

This morning there were quite a few Redwings at the lagoons, with more arriving as the morning went on. There was a flock of thirteen Redpolls and about three Siskins passed over as well as several small groups of Skylarks. PS.

Barn Owl – 8th October

October 8, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 8th October, Barn Owl, Garden Warbler, Lower Path, Raven., Redpoll, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, SnipePete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, a Barn Owl was seen. Also two Ravens were on the pylons, Siskin and Redpoll were about as well as one Tree Sparrow along the Lower Path. Eight Snipe were seen dropping into the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. By the Small Gravel Pit a late Garden warbler was sunning itself. PS.