All posts by Pete Smith

Raven – 22nd March

March 22, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 22nd March, Causeway, Chiffchaff, Oystercatcher, Raven.Pete Smith

This afternoon three Ravens were seen over the Slurry Lagoon when a pair flew in from one direction to meet a single from the other, before all returning to where they had come from. A Chiffchaff was singing on the Causeway, an Oystercatcher was on one of the tern platforms and two more were across the river. PS.

Bearded Tit – 20th March

March 20, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 20th March, Bearded Tit, Chiffchaff, Curlew, Deep Pit, River Path, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Chiffchaff was singing on the River Path and a Curlew flew over the Slurry Lagoon. At about 13.00 a female Bearded Tit was seen in the Deep Pit. PS.

Bittern – 17th March

March 17, 2016Recent wildlife sightings17th March, 2017, BitternPete Smith

This evening three Bitterns were seen at the lagoons. Two took off from the reed beds calling and flew high and then away, possibly starting their migration back to Europe. The third was also calling but flew low and disappeared over the site. RW.

Firecrest – 13th March

March 13, 2016Recent wildlife sightings13th March, 2016, Firecrest, Golden Plover, Lower Path, peregrine, Willow WalkPete Smith

This morning, during the Bird Count, a Firecrest was found on Willow Walk, by the steps. It was followed all the way along Willow Walk and about fifty yards down the Lower Path, where it stayed for a while. A Peregrine was also seen by the power lines and a Golden Plover over the Severn/Trent fields. PS.

Peregrine – 12th March

March 12, 2016Recent wildlife sightings12th March, 2016, Black-headed Gull, Buzzard, Cettis Warbler, Kestrel, Little Egret, peregrine, Wader Scrape, water railPete Smith

This morning there was a strong passage of Black-headed Gulls to the east. A Peregrine was on a pylon and later spiralled over the site. Also seen were a pair of Kestrels and of Buzzards, six Water Rail were heard plus five Cetti’s Warblers. Four Little Egrets were on the Wader Scrape. PS.

Barn Owl – 7th March

March 7, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 7th March, Barn Owl, Causeway, Fox, Gravel PitsPete Smith

This afternoon a Barn Owl was seen hunting around the Gravel Pits. Also a large Fox was seen on the Causeway. SC.

Shelduck – 29th February

February 29, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 29th February, Barn Owl, Deep Pit, Gravel Pits, Oystercatcher, peregrine, Shelduck, StarlingPete Smith

This evening two Shelduck settled on the Deep Pit, where an Oystercatcher was resting on a tern platform. A murmuration of about 1,000 Starlings attracted a Peregrine and the Barn Owl was seen hunting around the Gravel Pits and Deep Pit. PS.

Oystercatcher – 28th February

February 28, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 28th February, Oystercatcher, Rose-ringed ParakeetPete Smith

This morning two Rose-ringed Parakeets flew over the reserve from Carlton towards Holme Pierrepont, calling loudly all of the time. About an hour later they flew back again towards Carlton. On the far side of the river, upstream of the railway bridge, two Oystercatchers were on the flooded fields. PS.

Barn Owl – 22nd February

February 22, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 22nd February, Barn Owl, Large Gravel PitPete Smith

This afternoon, just before dusk, two Barn Owls were quartering the grassland beside the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Willow Tit – 21st February

February 21, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 21st February, Cettis Warbler, Chiffchaff, Little Egret, Lower Path, Willow titPete Smith

This morning the Willow Tit was seen again along the Lower Path. There were also ten Little Egrets, three Cetti’s Warblers and a Chiffchaff. PS