A Dunlin joined the Lapwings in their aerial manouvers over the Slurry Lagoon this evening, while up to seven Water Rail and two Cetti’s Warblers were calling. PS.
Tag Archives: 2009
Tawny Owl – 19th November
This morning the Tawny Owl on the bank of the Deep Pit was showing very clearly owing to the loss of leaves from the tree. Meanwhile two Cetti’s Warblers were singing on either side of the Causeway and four small Brown Rats were feeding on the table near the railway,while being serenaded by a Song Thrush. AE.
Little Egret – 15th November
A Little Egret was seen this morning in the large willow tree beside the Large Gravel Pit. It later flew to the dead ash trees beside the Slurry Lagoon but was chased back to its previous perch by a Carrion Crow. A Tawny Owl was found at its roost in the Deep Pit by several Blackbirds, there were also two Cetti’s Warblers singing nearby. In the reed bed on the Slurry Lagoon three Water Rail were heard calling and two Snipe were also seen here along with good numbers of Teal and Shoveler. A Peregrine was hunting over nearby fields, putting up clouds of pigeons, gulls, Lapwings and corvids. PS.
Bittern – 13th November
On the causeway this morning a Bittern flew overhead from the Deep Pit and landed in the reed bed near the eastern corner of the Slurry Lagoon. AE.
Peregrine, Stoat – 6th November
This morning a Peregrine flew over carrying a pigeon, while on the river bank a good view of a Stoat was obtained which was being shadowed by a small flock of Song Thrushes and several Magpies. Later a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were seen, and also 10 Golden Plover were on the slurry. AE
Tree Sparrow – 4th November
Nine Tree Sparrows were flying up and down the hedges bordering S.T. fields of harvested corn. JMD.
Goldeneye – 28th October
This morning there were two Cetti’s Warblers in song on the Slurry Lagoon. There were also two Goldeneye on the Large Gravel Pit and 25 Golden Plover were present. RW.
Stonechat – 23rd October
This morning a male and female Stonechat were on the outside of the Deep Pit bank, at its north eastern corner. Inside the Deep Pit bank two Cetti’s Warblers were showing well together. On the Slurry Lagoon was a Dunlin and a Snipe and several Water Rail were calling. Two Redwing, six Siskin and a Redpoll flew over and about sixty Golden Plovers came in to rest on the Slurry Lagoon. The Willow Tit was showing well on the Lower Path. PS.
At the other end of the day the Starling roost is building up to quite a spectacle with thousands of birds flying in to roost in the Slurry reed beds. This evening so much activity attracted a Sparrowhawk who after one or two unsuccessful passes over the reeds sat in a bush and watched as the Starlings, aware of her presence, flew straight into the reeds. JMD.
Mediterranean Gull – 17th October
A 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull was present on the Large Gravel Pit this morning. The Jack Snipe and Dunlin were still present on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon, and about 18 Lesser Redpoll flew over. RW.
Jack Snipe – 16th October
A Jack Snipe was creeping along the edge of the left-hand reeds on the Slurry Lagoon feeding and seven Common Snipe and a single Dunlin were over towards the right-hand reed bed. Large numbers of Starlings again came in to roost – difficult to be accurate but probably eventually over 3,000 birds. JMD.