This afternoon, in the gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon, there was an adult Mediterranean Gull. Also an adult and an immature Yellow-legged Gull and a Water Rail. RW.
All posts by Pete Smith
Black-tailed Godwit – 9th July
The hot weather has encouraged the butterflies and a count of 75 Ringlet was had on the Butterfly Walk on Sunday. Today a Gatekeeper was seen and hundreds of Common Blue Damselflies were egg laying over the Large Gravel Pit. There were 23 Black-tailed Godwits on the Slurry Lagoon, but they flew off in the direction of Holme Pierrepont. PS.
Hairy Dragonfly – 7th June
This afternoon one or perhaps two male Hairy Dragonflies were seen flying around the Gravel Pits and Willow Pond. Later a female was seen ovipositing in Willow Pond. On the Wader Scrape, three families of Little Ringed Plovers were seen. RW. PS.
Common Blue Butterflies – 2nd June
The first Common Blues of the season were seen this morning with twelve males being seen. Quite a relief after last year’s dismal showing. Also seen was a Small Copper, several Orange Tips and Small and Green-veined Whites, and a Small Tortoiseshell. PS.
Large Red Damselfly – 26th May
The first of the damsel flies were flying this morning, mostly Common Blues, but also a Red-Eyed and a Large Red were seen. PS.
Grass Snake – 22nd May
The female Grass Snake was again seen along the Lower Path this afternoon. There were still not many Swifts about but a few more House Martins were seen. PS.
Cuckoo – 19th May
This morning a Warbler Walk was led around the reserve and ten species of warbler were heard. A Cuckoo was heard calling across the Slurry Lagoon and a Hobby appeared briefly by the railway bridge. There were also plenty of butterflies and other insects about. PS.
Marsh Harrier – 2nd May
A female Marsh Harrier was quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed bed this afternoon. It seemed to pounce on something and disappeared for a while into the reeds. Later it was up again and being pursued by three Carrion Crows. Despite this it dropped into the reeds again and remained there. PS.
Grass Snake – 1st May
Two mating Grass Snakes were seen this afternoon beside the Lower Path. TK.
A Hobby was also seen, hawking insects. RW.
Grasshopper Warbler – 28th April
There are now at least five Grasshopper Warblers on territories across the site. Also four Lesser Whitethroats were singing along with plenty of Reed, Sedge, Willow Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. there were three Oystercatchers, eight Little Ringed Plovers and a Common sandpiper. PS.