The rain held off until about an hour after dawn, by which time 41 species had been recorded. There were some Golden Plover, Dunlin and Snipe on the Slurry Lagoon and about 1,200 geese. The rain forced the Patchwatch to be abandoned at about eight 0’clock to be picked up again when the weather improves. PS.
Category Archives: Recent wildlife sightings
Geese – 1st October
The Slurry Lagoon was alive with geese late this afternoon. About 130 Canadas and approximately 600 Greylag were present with an interesting assortment of hybrids. The S.T. fields of sweetcorn have been harvested and this is no doubt what has attracted them to the Lagoons. Two Swallows also flew quickly through. JMD..
Red-crested Pochard – 30th September
The two male Red-crested Pochard are still on the Large Gravel Pit. The one in eclipse has been moulting and is showing some of its winter plumage now. A Ruff and three Dunlin were on the Slurry Lagoon and a Buzzard, drifting over the site, found itself surrounded by Rooks and being buffeted from all angles. PS.
Red-crested Pochard – 28th September
There were a good number of ducks on the Large Gravel Pit today, including Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and two male Red-crested Pochard, one still in eclipse, as well as lots of Coots. Seven Swallows flew through and four more, possibly the remnants of our residents, were near the railway line. On the Slurry Lagoon the numbers of Teal and Shoveler continue to build and there were two juvenile Ruff amongst the Lapwing flock. PS.
Marsh Harrier – 27th September
A Marsh Harrier flew over the Slurry Lagoon at about 3.30 p.m. this afternoon. It was a cream-crown and probably a juvenile bird. It put up every bird on the Slurry as it flew over the reed beds for some minutes being persued particularly by the Lapwings until they chased it over S.T. land. However a few minutes later it came back for a second try but again the Lapwings chased it away and this time it flew over the Deep Pit and down the river. JMD.
Ruff – 19th September
A Ruff and a Redshank were on the Slurry Lagoon this morning. A Swift was seen passing through and there were still several warblers about including a Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler and several Chiffchaffs. PS.
Curlew – 17th September
This afternoon two Curlews were heard calling on the Slurry Lagoon and eventualy flew off to the south. There were also two Green Sandpipers and later a single Golden Plover flew in, calling loudly. There were still some Swallows by the railway bridge and two Yellow Wagtails flew over the site. Along the access track there were two Commas and along the Boundary Hedge two more Commas and a Red Admiral. PS.
Dragonflies – 1st September
Leaving the willow walk it was noticed that there were many gulls circling over the slurry,the oil terminal and the railway land. Upon walking a few metres along the railwayside path many large dragonflies were seen darting rapidly here and there in a large swarm. In the next 50 metres or so it was estimated that there were approximately 100 dragonflies to be seen around eye-level. They looked like Migrant Hawkers and it is probable that the gulls were hunting them. AE
Little Egret – 13th September
At 3.30pm today there were two Little Egrets on the river by the bridge, they stopped briefly then flew off towards Nottingham. On the railway path the Willow Tit was heard and a Snipe was seen on the slurry. PG,DG
Little Egret – 7th September
A Little Egret was on the river bank early afternoon but the Lagoons themselves were quiet except for three Common Snipe although duck numbers are starting to build up now. JMD.