At about midday a Raven flew high over the site from the south, calling all the way. There were at least eight Water Rail heard and three Cetti’s Warblers. Two male Great-spotted Woodpeckers were seen displaying to, and chasing, each other. PS.
All posts by Pete Smith
Stonechat – 27th November
This morning a pair of Stonechats was seen on the Wader Scrape. Five Little Egrets were along the Ouse Dyke and a Snipe was seen over the Slurry Lagoon reedbed. PS.
Barn Owl – 25th November
At dusk this evening two Barn Owls were seen hunting around the Large Gravel Pit and Plantation. RW.
Barn Owl – 24th November
Today a Jack Snipe was seen in the Dragonfly Pool and, at about 14.50hrs, a Barn Owl was seen in the hedge beside the Large Gravel Pit. RW.
Short-eared Owl – 13th November
This morning, during the bird count, a Short-eared Owl was seen over the Deep Pit. It was mobbed by three crows which forced it to fly very high and then off to the south. There were plenty of winter thrushes and ducks about, with four Goldeneye on the Large Gravel Pit and three Little Egrets on the Ouse Dyke. Also several Water Rails and Cetti’s Warblers were heard. PS.
White-fronted Goose – 1st November
At about midday two Ravens were calling from the new pylon. A skein of about twenty White-fronted Geese flew over the site to the east. PS.
Marsh Harrier – 29th October
The Starling roost is going from strength to strength with an estimated 10,000 birds present tonight. The Sparrowhawk and the Marsh Harrier were both in attendance. JMD.
Marsh Harrier – 28th October
The Starling roost reached about 7 or 8,000 this evening and attracted a Sparrowhawk, which snatched a victim, and a cream top Marsh Harrier. JMD.
Yellow-legged Gull – 24th October
This afternoon there was a Yellow-legged Gull bathing in the Deep Pit. RW.
The Starling Roost numbered about 2,000 birds and two Little Egrets were on the Ouse Dyke. PS.
Fieldfare – 23rd October
This morning, during the Patchwatch, 58 species were recorded. Several flocks of Fieldfares were seen as well as good numbers of Redwing. A Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon as well as two Little Egrets. PS.