All posts by Pete Smith

Mute Swan – 19th February

February 19, 2014Recent wildlife sightings19th February, 2014, Coltsfoot, Mute Swan, teal, WigeonPete Smith

Across the river from the reserve, a herd of almost sixty Mute Swans are feeding on the rape field. Most of the Teal and Wigeon have now left the site. Another sign of the approach of spring is the first Coltsfoot flower of the year. PS.

Brambling – 4th February

February 4, 2014Recent wildlife sightings2014, 4th February, Brambling, Ouse DykePete Smith

The Chaffinch flock feeding beside the Ouse Dyke path still contains at least one male Brambling. PS.

Pintail – 28th January

January 28, 2014Recent wildlife sightings2014, 28th January, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, WigeonPete Smith

The drake Pintail is still present on the Large Gravel Pit. It likes to nestle into the willows along the back edge. There are also still lots of Wigeon and Gadwall and some Goldeneye. PS.

Egyptian Goose – 27th January

January 27, 2014Recent wildlife sightings2014, 27th January, Brambling, Chaffinch, Egyptian Goose, Ouse DykePete Smith

Two Egyptian Geese were on the flooded fields, upstream of the railway bridge, this afternoon. The flock of Chaffinches along the Ouse Dyke path contained at least one Brambling. PS.

Tree Sparrow – 19th January

January 19, 2014Recent wildlife sightings19th January, 2014, Brambling, Chaffinch, Ouse Dyke, Reed Bunting, Tree SparrowPete Smith

This morning a large flock of finches and sparrows was in the field at the beginning of the Ouse Dyke, on Teal Close. Mostly Chaffinches with Reed Buntings and about forty Tree Sparrows, also a couple of Bramblings were seen. PS.

Smew – 14th January

January 14, 2014Recent wildlife sightings14th January, 2014, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, Smew, Snipe, WoodcockPete Smith

This afternoon a male Smew was seen fishing on the Large Gravel Pit. The male Pintail was still present and about ten Goldeneye. From the Causeway a Woodcock was seen flying along the inner bank of the Deep Pit and several Snipe were heard as they left the site to feed. RW PS.

Pintail – 5th January

January 5, 2014Recent wildlife sightings2014, 5th January, Deep Pit, Grey Wagtail, kingfisher, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Mallard, Ouse Dyke, pintail, Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, teal, Tufted Duck, WigeonPete Smith

This morning there were four Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Chiffchaff along the Ouse Dyke. The Slurry Lagoon held good numbers of Teal and some Pochard, the Deep Pit had Tufted Duck and Mallard and the Large Gravel Pit held Wigeon, Gadwall and a single male Pintail. PS

Egyptian Goose – 26th December

December 26, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 26th December, Egyptian Goose, finches, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Slurry Lagoon, ThrushesPete Smith

There were lots of thrushes and finches feeding on the site this morning. Three Little Egrets were on the Ouse Dyke and Wader Scrape and four Egyptian Geese flew over the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Woodcock – 17th December

December 17, 2013Recent wildlife sightings17th December, 2013, Deep Pit, Magpie, peregrine, Redwing, WoodcockPete Smith

Towards dusk, while watching Redwings coming in to roost in the Deep Pit, a Peregrine was seen flying through, parallel with the pylons. A pre-roost gathering of 37 Magpies collected in the bushes and a Woodcock flew along the bottom of the bank. PS.

Merlin – 13th December

December 13, 2013Recent wildlife sightings13th December, 2013, MerlinPete Smith

A Merlin was seen this afternoon flying south over the railway signal box. PS.