This morning, during the Bird Count, a Swallow was seen by the railway bridge, investigating the nest sites underneath. Five Willow Warblers were heard and a pair of Kingfishers were seen checking out a nest site on the river. Some female Orange-tips and a male Holly Blue were also seen. PS.
This morning, during the RSPB walk, a Water Rail flew across the gap in front of the Causeway bench. A Red Kite flew to the west, high above the site and four House Martins were foraging above the Lower Path, close to the signal box. PS
The Firecrest was still in the Hawthorns along the Ouse Dyke this evening. RW.
This morning, on the bird count, lots more warblers were in, with several Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers singing and at least one Whitethroat. The Wheatears were still on the field beyond the Wader Scrape and Swallow and House Martins were seen. PS
In the afternoon a Red Kite was seen over the site. RW.
This afternoon, on the Wader Scrape, there was a Green Sandpiper, a Dunlin, three Little Ringed Plovers and a White Wagtail. A Swallow flew through and several Sand Martins were seen. In the reed bed on the Slurry Lagoon a Sedge Warbler was singing. PS. RW.
At the end of the Dragonfly Walk the group were passing the Deep Pit when a Little Gull was seen picking insects from the water’s surface as it flew. It was flying with Common Terns but soon decided to fly higher in search of insect prey. For a while it was hawking insects above the site but then drifted away towards the east. There were three Little Egrets on the Wader Scrape, they flew across to the National Grid site but then returned to the Wader Scrape. On the Dragonfly Walk, eight species of Dragonfly and Damselfly were seen, including an Emerald Damselfly and both Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselfly. PS.
The hot weather has encouraged the butterflies and a count of 75 Ringlet was had on the Butterfly Walk on Sunday. Today a Gatekeeper was seen and hundreds of Common Blue Damselflies were egg laying over the Large Gravel Pit. There were 23 Black-tailed Godwits on the Slurry Lagoon, but they flew off in the direction of Holme Pierrepont. PS.
An adult male Lesser Scaup was seen today, feeding with a small flock of Tufted Duck on the Slurry Lagoon. It was also mate guarding the only female in the flock. Also seen were Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. CH, RW.
In the afternoon a Cuckoo flew over the Slurry Lagoon. RW.
Early this afternoon a Twite was tentatively identified on the Wader Scrape. At least five Little Ringed Plover were present and a Little Egret. Later the Twite returned giving good views and the identification was confirmed. Three Sand Martins were briefly seen over the Deep Pit. PS.
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.