Category Archives: Recent wildlife sightings

Recent wildlife sightings at the Netherfield Lagoons Local Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire as submitted by members of the Netherfield Wildlife Group.

Cuckoo – 22nd May

May 22, 2025Recent wildlife sightingscuckoo, Deep Pit, Egyptian Goose, Emperor Dragonfly, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Red KitePete Smith

This morning there were two Cuckoos seen in the Deep Pit. It was not possible to say for certain if they were a male and a female or two males. Later a Great White Egret flew over to the north and then three Red Kites also flew over to the north. The Deep Pit had three Oystercatchers on one of its Tern Rafts and eight Egyptian Geese also flew into the Deep Pit. On the bank a teneral Emperor Dragonfly was resting in some tall grass. PS.

Later a Marsh Harrier was reported from the Deep Pit. RJP.

Teneral Emperor Dragonfly. PS.

Arctic Tern – 5th May

May 5, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsArctic Tern, Causeway, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Hobby, House Martin, Kittiwake, Slurry Lagoon, SwiftPete Smith

Early this morning there were two Hobbies hawking around the lagoons. About mid-morning up to three Arctic Terns flew through to the north. They were accompanied by around five Common Terns which seemed more preoccupied with courting. Later a Kittiwake was seen over the Deep Pit, on its way north east. Several small groups of Swifts flew through and, for a while , seven House Martins were feeding over the Slurry Lagoon and Causeway. PS.

Hobby – 2nd May

May 2, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsHobby, Slurry Lagoon, SwiftPete Smith

This morning there were up to four Hobbies catching emerging insects over the Slurry Lagoon. At one stage a group of about thirteen Swifts were passing through but paused to join them. PS. JV.

Hobby catching damselfly. JV.

Dingy Skipper – 28th April

April 29, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBrimstone, Common Blue, Common Tern, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Orange-tip, warblersPete Smith

This morning most of the warblers were back and singing lustily. One or two Common Terns were paying brief morning visits to the Deep Pit. There were lots of butterflies to be seen, including several Dingy Skippers and Green Hairstreaks as well as Orange-tips and a Brimstone and Common Blue. PS.

Dingy Skipper – JV.

Green Hairstreak – PS.

Little Gull – 4th April

April 4, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsDeep Pit, House Martin, Little Gull, Railway Bridge, Red-crested Pochard, Sand Martin, SwallowPete Smith

Early on this morning five Little Gulls were in the Deep Pit. They soon left, but later on another group of nine Little Gulls flew straight through the Deep Pit. There were up to three Swallows by the railway bridge as well as one House Martin and several Sand Martins. The Red-crested Pochard was also still in the Deep Pit and two Great White Egrets flew over. JV. PS. MC.

Little Gull – 3rd April

April 3, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, Chiffchaff, Little Gull, Lower Path, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning eight Little Gulls flew through high to the NE. Good numbers of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were singing and a Willow Warbler was at the W end of the Lower Path. JV, PS.

Chiffchaff – PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 31st March

March 31, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Greta White Egret, Large Gravel Pit, Marsh Harrier, Otter, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning an Otter was seen in the Slurry Lagoon, a Red-crested Pochard was on the Deep Pit, a Great White Egret was on the Large Gravel Pit and a Marsh Harrier over the Slurry Lagoon. Later in the morning two Mediterranean Gulls were on the Deep Pit. There are many Chiffchaffs already on site and singing, along with several Blackcaps. JV – PS.

Pintail – 16th February

February 16, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsDeep Pit, Oystercatcher, pintail, Raven, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a pair of Pintail were on the Slurry Lagoon. A Raven was heard calling and later seen to fly across the site and a very noisy Oystercatcher flew around the Deep Pit. PS.

Otter – 12th February

February 12, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Buzzard, Great White Egret, Otter, Peregrine Falcon, Slurry Lagoon, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning two male Peregrines flew over the site in a territorial dispute. On the Slurry Lagoon the ducks and gulls were very unsettled. Eventually an Otter showed itself as the culprit, as it also flushed a Bittern from the reed-bed. Later in the morning a Buzzard flew across the Wader Scrape and was set upon by a male and a female Peregrine who made spectacular stoops and forced an ignominious retreat back to the plantation. A Great White Egret was seen at the back of the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Bittern – 9th December

December 9, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Ecopark, Red Kite, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon. Later on a Red Kite was seen over the Ecopark. RJP/SW