All posts by Pete Smith

Barn Owl – 18th February

February 18, 2016Recent wildlife sightings18th February, 2016, Barn Owl, Chiffchaff, Gravel Pits, StonechatPete Smith

Today a Chiffchaff and a female Stonechat were seen. At dusk two Barn Owls were seen hunting around the Gravel Pits. RW.

Smew – 14th February

February 14, 2016Recent wildlife sightings14th February, 2016, Bittern, Large Gravel Pit, Slurry Lagoon, Smew, StonechatPete Smith

During this morning’s Bird Count a female Smew was seen on the Large Gravel Pit, a Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon and a Stonechat was on the rough ground beside the Ouse Dyke. PS

Bearded Tit – 11th February

February 11, 2016Recent wildlife sightings11th February, 2016, Barn Owl, Bearded Tit, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The two Bearded Tits were heard again this afternoon in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. Later on the Barn Owl was also seen. RW.

Raven – 21st January

January 21, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 21st January, Barn Owl, Chiffchaff, Ouse Dyke, Raven.Pete Smith

This afternoon two Ravens spent some time on the new pylon (by the substation). There were two Chiffchaffs along the Ouse Dyke and the Barn Owl was seen again. RW.

Barn Owl – 18th January

January 18, 2016Recent wildlife sightings18th January, 2016, Barn Owl, Black Swan, Buzzard, Goosander, Gravel Pits, linnet, Siskin, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This afternoon a Barn Owl was seen hunting around the Gravel Pits and two Buzzards were perched untidily in a birch tree across the Wader Scrape. The Black Swan was still with the Mute Swans across the river and a Goosander flew over the site. Four Siskins were seen along the entrance path and 23 Linnets were near the railway bridge. PS.

Brambling – 17th January

January 17, 2016Recent wildlife sightings17th January, 2016, Barn Owl, Black Swan, Brambling, Gravel Pits, Little Gull, Ouse Dyke, Pink-footed Goose, Shelduck, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Brambling was seen amongst a flock of about 50 Chaffinches along the Ouse Dyke. Two Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon and the Black Swan was still with the Mute Swans and geese across the river. Two skeins of Pink-feet flew over and a single bird was with the Grey-lag flock. PS.

In the afternoon a Little Gull was briefly on the Slurry Lagoon and the Barn Owl was seen hunting around the Gravel Pits. NM.

Willow Tit – 16th January

January 16, 2016Recent wildlife sightings16th January, 2016, Black Swan, Canada Goose, Cettis Warbler, Grey-lag Goose, Lower Path, water rail, Willow titPete Smith

The Black Swan was with a herd of 38 Mute Swans feeding in the field across the river and upstream of the railway bridge. Several hundred Grey-lag and Canada Geese were also there. The Willow Tit was briefly heard and seen along the Lower Path, five Cetti’s Warblers were heard as well as four Water Rails. PS.

Bearded Tit – 12th January

January 12, 2016Recent wildlife sightings12th January, 2016, Bearded Tit, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Bearded Tits were heard again this afternoon in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.

Bittern – 10th January

January 10, 2016Recent wildlife sightings10th January, 2016, Bittern, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Egyptian Goose, Lower Path, Redpoll, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, TreecreeperPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, a Bittern was seen flying into the Deep Pit. Eight Egyptian Geese were seen flying over the Slurry Lagoon and small flocks of Siskins and Redpolls were seen. Up to four Cetti’s Warblers were heard singing and a Treecreeper was seen on the Lower Path. PS.

Bearded Tit – 8th January

January 8, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 8th January, Barn Owl, Bearded Tit, Deep Pit, Slurry Lagoon, Wader Scrape, WoodcockPete Smith

The Bearded Tits were found again in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. Towards dusk a Woodcock flew out of the Deep Pit towards the Wader Scrape and the Barn Owl flew along the ditch between the Deep Pit and the Wader Scrape. RW. PS.