This afternoon a Peregrine spent about 5 minutes perched on the pylon nearest the Small Gravel Pit before flying off in a northerley direction. Two Little Egrets and a Heron were flushed from the Dyke by a passer-by. AE
Category Archives: Recent wildlife sightings
Goosander – 19th December
It was very cold this morning and the Little Egrets and Herons were back at the Ouse Dyke. There were eight Little Egrets seen eventually. On the river there was a splendid male Goosander with two equally splendid male Goldeneyes, and a Redshank was feeding in the cattle wade. On the inside bank of the Deep Pit a male Weasel was watched for about ten minutes, as it scampered up and down the slope trying to pick up a scent. PS.
Brambling – 17th December
The Ouse Dyke is loosing its attraction to fishing birds now and only two Little Egrets were seen this afternoon, with two Herons and a Kingfisher. There were five Bramblings in the bushes on the north bank of the Slurry Lagoon and some were heard calling by the Haven. PS.
Whooper Swans – 11th December
Five Whooper Swans went through and there were still five Little Egret in the Ouse Dyke. A Yellowhammer, five Brambling and three Buzzards were also seen.
Bird Count Day – 12th December
This morning, on the bird count, there were six Little Egrets in the Ouse Dyke. Three Bramblings were heard as they flew over, as well as a Curlew and a Redshank. Two Goosander were seen and the Peregrine flew up to its favoured perch on a pylon. PS.
Peregrine – 9th December
A Peregrine was again using the pylons as a look-out to hunt from while the Ouse Dyke is attracting more Little Egrets with eight seen today plus a Kingfisher and Snipe. A Curlew flew over S.T. fields quite low calling and on the river were five Goosander – four males and a female. JMD.
Barn Owl – 8th December
This afternoon a Barn Owl was seen along the Ouse Dyke. JMD.
The fishing spot is getting even more popular, with seven Little Egrets, four Herons and two Kingfishers trying their luck. Water Rail and Snipe were also seen.
Whilst looking over the ‘Mitigation’ field two Little Egrets flew past, then a Kestrel, then a male Sparrowhawk, which flew into a sunlit tree and fluffed out its white under-tail coverts like a pom-pom, then a female Sparrowhawk started quartering the field like a Harrier, landing on the ground twice as she formed her next plan of attack. Shortly afterwards a Curlew flew along the power lines and straight overhead. PS.
Little Egrets – 7th December
As we walked along the Ouse Dyke this afternoon there were five Little Egrets with a Heron and a Kingfisher all using the same fishing spot. Further along two Snipe and a Water Rail were also seen. Over the site two Peregrines were seen as they flew together, calling and grabbing at each others talons in twisted flight. Later one was seen on the top of the pylon, across the river. JMD. PS.
Brambling – 5th December
As the grip of winter tightens around the lagoons the Ouse Dyke has become an attractive area for the birds. At about 08.30hrs there were four Little Egrets and a Grey Heron paddling around chasing the small fish and a Kingfisher was also seen with them. The Deep Pit was the one with most open water, the Slurry Lagoon being completely frozen over, and held large numbers of Teal, with Gadwall and Tufties. There were plenty of finches about with over 100 Greenfinches and a Brambling was seen feeding on hops along the Ouse Dyke as we left the site. PS.
Little Egrets – 30th November
Four Little Egrets were in and out of the Ouse Dyke early afternoon and at least four Common Snipe also flew out of the Dyke. JMD.