The Patchwatch ended on a total of seventy-two species seen during the day. Highlights were a pair of Little Ringed Plovers on the Wader Scrapes and a Common Sandpiper in the Deep Pit. Several common migrants were seen on passage and Sedge and Reed Warbler numbers had been boosted in the night. Otherwise it was an unexceptional day with not a lot of migration in progress. PS.
Category Archives: Recent wildlife sightings
Common Sandpiper & Little Ringed Plover – 21st April
This afternoon a Common Sandpiper was on the stony areas at the southern end of the Deep Pit and a Little Ringed Plover flew over the new pools on the field north of the Deep Pit, calling in flight before appearing to drop into the works compound. Also on site today, 10 Common Tern, 3 Swallow, 4 Reed Warblers, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 8+ singing Blackcap, numerous Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs and 3 female Goldeneye on the Deep Pit. NM
Reed Warbler & Common Whitethroat – 15th April
A bright sunny morning but with a cold northerly wind, a Reed Warbler was singing and showing occassionally in the small reedbed at the Haven, a nearby Common Whitethroat was a bit more showy on the outside of the deep pit bank. 4 Common Terns were resting on the platforms, 3 Swallows by the bridge and 6 Sand Martins by the river, 2 Cetti’s Warblers in full song, several Blackcaps and lots of Willow Warblers & Chiffchaffs and 1 Common Buzzard flew through being mobbed by 2 Carrion Crows. NM
Wheatear – 14th April
Although beautifully sunny there was still a cold north wind blowing so not much migration was noted. A Swallow investigated the nest sites under the railway bridge, so it might be the first one of our birds back. Several Sand Martins flew through and there was a northward passage of Skylarks. Six Common Terns were on the Deep Pit and two Sedge Warblers were singing. On the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon were a very smart pair of Wheatears. PS.
Yellow Wagtail – 13th April
This morning was cool and over cast and not very promising for migrant spotting. Towards mid-morning the clouds started to break up and the sun nearly shone. Over the Deep Pit eight Common Terns squabbled and chased before two pairs settled on the breeding platforms. A Sedge Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit, along the Causeway. Most other migrants flew through, including four Swallows, two Sand Martins, a House Martin, three Yellow Wagtails and a Lesser Redpoll. PS.
This egg was found on the Causeway, it had been predated by a Magpie. It is about 25cm long. Can anybody identify it ?
Wheatear – 12th April
This morning a lovely male Northern Wheatear was feeding in the coltsfoot on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. JMD.
House Martin – 11th April
This morning was cold and overcast and did not encourage birds to sing. There were still 11 Chiffchaffs singing as well as 8 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers, a Sedge Warbler and a Cetti’s. Two Common Terns were pursuing each other high over the site and a Sand Martin and a House Martin were briefly seen. PS.
Sedge Warbler – 10th April
This morning was bright and sunny after yesterday’s rain, but the wind was very chilly. There were Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers singing. By the river and in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed there were two Sedge Warblers singing. There were two Oystercatchers along the river and over the Deep Pit and one or two Sand Martins put in an appearance. A Buzzard gave good views as it flew low over the site, landing twice in the ash trees along the railway embankment. PS.
In the afternoon a male Orange-tip was flying along the Ouse Dyke. JMD.
Wheatear – 8th April
This morning, on the monthly bird count, there were several new birds in, including five Willow Warblers, four Sand Martins, a Swallow and a Wheatear. More Chiffchaffs had arrived and also more Blackcaps. Three Buzzards and two Shelduck were also seen. PS.
Willow Warbler – 6th April
Despite the hard frost and cold wind there were still signs of spring at the lagoons this morning. On the Deep Pit a Common Tern dive bombed the Cormorants on the breeding platforms. Along the river bank a Willow Warbler was singing and several butterflies, including a Speckled Wood, were seen. PS. AE.
On the Causeway two Weasels were seen. JG.
Weasel on Causeway