All posts by Pete Smith

Mediterranean Gull – 5th June

June 5, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 5th June, Deep Pit, Heron, Hobby, Mediterranean Gull, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

Early on this morning an adult Mediterranean Gull was on the site, it seemed to be inspecting the Black-headed Gull colony. It flew around the nests on the Slurry Lagoon and then the ones on the Deep Pit, calling, perhaps trying to find a mate. Anyway it was unlucky and soon flew off. Later a Hobby paid a surprise visit to the Swallows by the railway bridge. On the river there were five recently fledged Herons. PS.

Cuckoo – 29th May

May 29, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 29th May, Causeway, cuckoo, Oystercatcher, Slurry Lagoon, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning the Cuckoo was calling again from the ash trees beside the railway line and a Yellow Wagtail flew over the Causeway. On the Slurry Lagoon a second pair of Great Crested Grebes have produced a single chick and an Oystercatcher is sitting tight on eggs. PS.

Hobby – 21st May

May 21, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 21st May, Coot, cuckoo, Great Crested Grebe, Hobby, Mute Swan, Railway Bridge, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, warblersPete Smith

This morning, during the Warbler Walk, nine warblers were seen or heard (just Grasshopper Warbler missing). A Hobby attacked the Swallows at the Railway Bridge, but they saw it coming. The Slurry Lagoon Mute Swans now have eight cygnets and there are several Coot families and the Great Crested Grebes on the Slurry Lagoon still have their chick. Earlier on, at about 08.00hrs a Cuckoo was singing from an ash tree beside the railway line. PS.

Purple Heron – 13th May

May 13, 2017Recent wildlife sightingsPurple HeronPete Smith

A Purple Heron was seen at the lagoons this afternoon.

Whimbrel – 11th May

May 11, 2017Recent wildlife sightings11th May, 2017, Hairy Dragonfly, Hobby, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, WhimbrelPete Smith

This afternoon there were three Whimbrel on one of the new islands on the Slurry Lagoon. A Hobby was seen and a Hairy Dragonfly was on the Small Gravel Pit. RW.

Arctic Tern – 8th May

May 8, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 8th May, Arctic Tern, Common Sandpiper, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, SwiftPete Smith

This morning there was an Arctic Tern which flew around the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit before leaving, going north-east. On the river there was a Common Sandpiper and a large group of Swallows and Swifts paused to forage over the Slurry Lagoon before continuing passage north and a Cuckoo was heard briefly. PS.

Ringed Plover – 6th May

May 6, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 6th May, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Dunlin, hirundines, Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, SwiftPete Smith

This morning there were five Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin on the Slurry Lagoon. The Cuckoo was calling, eventually from one of the Deep Pit fence posts. A good number of Hirundines and Swifts were feeding over the site, including one or two House Martins. PS.