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.

Little Egret – 25th November

November 25, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 25th November, Barn Owl, Cettis Warbler, Chiffchaff, ducks, Goldcrest, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Plantation, Slurry Lagoon, Thrushes, Toad, Trent, water railPete Smith

This morning the results of last night’s rain were obvious as you looked along the Ouse Dyke. It had obviously burst its banks during the night but was now running high and muddy in its course. The Trent was also swollen and had spread across nearby fields. Five Little Egrets were together in the Ouse Dyke. Two Chiffchaffs were found and a Goldcrest. There were also plenty of ducks and winter thrushes about.

Later, in the afternoon, two crows chased a Barn Owl along the Ouse Dyke and into the Plantation. Three Cetti’s Warblers were heard singing and four Water Rail were squabbling in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and a Toad was seen, crawling across the Slurry Lagoon path. PS.

Brambling – 21st November

November 21, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 21st November, Brambling, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Brambling called as it flew over the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon. PS.

Waxwing – 11th November

November 11, 2012Recent wildlife sightingsPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, there were several flocks of between twenty and sixty Fielfares seen. Redwings were present in smaller numbers and Redpolls were seen in small groups. Two Waxwings were found in bushes by the Haven, their trilling calls attracting our attention. Unfortunately they did not stay long and flew off to the west. Three Cetti’s Warblers were heard singing and a Peregrine and a Little Egret were seen. A surprise was a Migrant Hawker, seen along the Lower Path. PS.

Short-eared Owl – 4th November

November 4, 2012Recent wildlife sightings10th february, 2012, 4th November, Brambling, Redpoll, Redwing, Short-eared Owl, Siskin, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning was cold and frosty and fairly quiet at the lagoons. Near the steps down to the Ouse Dyke footbridge the ‘dzweee’ call of a Brambling attracted attention to a splendid male in a hawthorn bush. There were several Redpolls, some Siskins, Fieldfares and Redwings about as well. In the late morning a Short-eared Owl was seen flying high over the Slurry Lagoon reed bed, pursued by some crows and a gull. It flew out towards Burton Joyce but then veered back and came right overhead again and was last seen disappearing towards Ratcliffe, crows still in pursuit. PS.

Bearded Tit – 28th October

October 28, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 28th October, Bearded Tit, Chiffchaff, Fieldfare, Little Egret, Redpoll, Redwing, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Bearded Tit was heard in the reed bed in the NE corner of the Slurry Lagoon this morning. It was later seen by another observer as it flew out into the centre of the reed bed on the dry end. There were also two Little Egrets, several Redpolls, and a Chiffchaff. Redwing and Fieldfares were also seen in small numbers. PS.

Bittern – 27th October

October 28, 2012Recent wildlife sightingsCarol

This morning at around 11am a Bittern flew across the Slurry Lagoon and landed in the reeds on the eastern side. MG

Whooper Swan – 26th October

October 26, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 26th October, Mute Swan, Slurry Lagoon, Whooper SwanPete Smith

Late this morning three Whooper Swans landed on the Slurry Lagoon. Unfortunately the resident family of Mute Swans took exception and chased them away in a few minutes. RW.

Egyptian Goose – 25th October

October 25, 2012Recent wildlife sightings25th October 2012, Egyptian Goose, Little Egret, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingsJacqueline

A single Egyptian Goose flew onto the Slurry Lagoon late afternoon with the Canadas and Greylags. A Little Egret was spotted but no further sightings of the Great White. The Starling roost was again impressive with wave after wave of birds decending into the Slurry reed bed – hard to assess numbers but perhaps between 7 and 8,000 birds in total. JMD RW.

Great White Egret & Green-winged Teal – 25th October

October 25, 2012Recent wildlife sightingsNeil

This morning a Great White Egret flew over the railway bridge from the potato field currently being harvested. It went over the bridge and appeared to drop back into the stream by the line of willow trees but out of sight. The drake Green-Winged Teal was along the reed edge of the Slurry Lagoon and there was a light passage of Fieldfares and Redwings. Two Siskin flew over calling along with several Skylarks and a flock of 60 Lapwing circled the site before heading north-east over the fields. The large flock of Greylags and Canada Geese were still in the fields and flew noisily onto the Slurry Lagoon mid-morning. NM

Marsh Harrier – 24th October

October 24, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 24th October, Canada Goose, Grey-lag Goose, Marsh Harrier, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingPete Smith

This afternoon a ‘cream-top’ Marsh Harrier was seen briefly over the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. It was chased off by some crows and a gull. The sweetcorn has been harvested in the adjacent fields and the geese are gleening the spillage. About 2,500 Grey-lag Geese and 500 Canadas flew from the fields onto the Slurry Lagoon. Later up to 6,000 Starlings came in to roost, in their spectacular fashion, in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.