Tag Archives: 2010

Ruff – 4th October

October 4, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 4th October, Common Snipe, Holly Blue, Migrant Hawker, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Small TortoiseshellJacqueline

What a difference a day makes – it was glorious at the Lagoons this afternoon. The warm sunshine encouraged some insect activity with at least six Migrant Hawkers and one or two butterflies including a Holly Blue and two Small Tortoiseshells. The geese had departed into the surrounding fields and the river so it was easier to view the Slurry and two Ruff were spotted among the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls and nine Common Snipe were enjoying the sun at the reed edges. JMD.

Geese – 1st October

October 1, 2010Recent wildlife sightings1st October, 2010, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowsJacqueline

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

September 30, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 30th September, birds, Buzzard, Dunlin, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Rook, Ruff, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

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

September 28, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 28th September, birds, Coot, Gadwall, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Ruff, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, teal, Tufted Duck, WigeonPete Smith

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

September 27, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 27th September, Deep Pit, Lapwings, Marsh Harrier, river, Slurry LagoonJacqueline

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

September 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings19th September, 2010, birds, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Redshank, Ruff, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Swift, Willow WarblerPete Smith

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

September 17, 2010Recent wildlife sightings17th September, 2010, birds, Boundary Hedge, butterflies, Comma, Curlew, Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Red Admiral, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

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.

Little Egret – 7th September

September 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 7th September, Common Snipe, lagoons, Little EgretJacqueline

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.

Ruff – 5th September

September 5, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 5th September, birds, Lapwing, Little Stint, Lower Path, peregrine, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Swifts, warblers, Wigeon, Willow titPete Smith

Two juvenile Ruff, a male and a female, were on the Slurry Lagoon this morning. A Peregrine sliced through the Lapwing flock but didn’t manage to catch anything and ten Wigeon arrived to rest on the lagoon. A large flock of Swallows passed through late morning, accompanied by three Swifts and the Willow Tit was present along the Lower Path again with a large flock of other tits, Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. Two Snipe were also seen flying over. PS. AE.

In the early afternoon a juvenile Little Stint and a juvenile Ruff were present. RW.

Waders – 4th September

September 5, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 4th September, Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Slurry LagoonJacqueline

Waders are still dropping in to rest and feed before continuing on to their wintering grounds and this afternoon a lovely bright juvenile Ruff and yet another Green Sandpiper were resting and feeding along the edge of the Slurry Lagoon. JMD.