Tag Archives: 2011

Red Kite – 10th April

April 10, 2011Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 2011, birds, Grasshopper Warbler, Red Kite, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, SwallowPete Smith

Good numbers of migrants have come in over the weekend, and there were four Grasshopper Warblers and several Reed and Sedge Warblers present. The Sand Martin numbers have reached the sixties and one or two more Swallows have arrived. During the morning a Red Kite was seen flying north, along the line if the pylons, high above the reserve. NWG RW.

Lesser Whitethroat – 9th April

April 10, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 9th April, House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat, Slurry LagoonJacqueline

A Lesser Whitethroat was heard and seen near the bench half-way down the North-East side of the Slurry Lagoon late this afternoon and four House Martins were also seen. PB.

Little Gull – 8th April

April 8, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, birds 8th April, Grasshopper Warbler, Little Gull, Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, WhitethroatPete Smith

This afternoon a Little Gull was seen passing over the site with a flock of Black-headed Gulls. In the morning two Grasshopper Warblers were found and more Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats had arrived. In the afternoon there were two Wheatears on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. RW/DM.

Waxwings – 7th April

April 7, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 7th April, birds, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, Waxwing, WhitethroatPete Smith

This afternoon there were plenty of signs of summer migrants arriving as five Swallows were at their breeding site, under the railway bridge. There were three Common Terns on the tern platforms and several Whitethroats singing from the brambles. Two Sedge Warblers were heard, singing from deep cover and dozens of Sand Martins were feeding over the pits. Despite all these signs of the burgeoning spring the unmistakable trilling of Waxwings was heard and a flock of about forty flew across the river by the railway bridge.

Friends greet each other on the Causeway.

Migrants Return – 3rd April

April 3, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 3rd April, birds, butterflies, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Comma, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Peacock, Red Admiral, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small Tortoiseshell, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Yellow WagtailCarol

During the last few days many migrant species have been returning to the lagoons and helped to provide a quite exciting morning’s watching in very pleasant bright weather this morning. Amongst others, the Sand Martins are now present in considerable numbers on the river bank. Willow Warblers were noted in several locations, as were Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps. A single Reed Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Whitethroat in the brambles on the Slurry Lagoon. The highlight of the morning was a Wheatear, which perched very close on fence posts, and the close second was the appearance of three Buzzards, which displayed well, including an aerial fight. The Cetti’s Warbler was in good voice also.

Meanwhile two Common Terns were struggling with Black-headed Gulls for space on the tern platform.

Butterflies, including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, and Red Admiral were noted and the Blackthorn Blossom was a sight to see (and smell). A Yellow Wagtail was also seen over the Large Gravel Pit and six Shelduck flew into the Slurry Lagoon.

PS/NM/RW/AR/ DG/LD/AE

Common Tern – 1st April

April 1, 2011Recent wildlife sightings1st April, 2011, birds, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

A Common Tern was resting on one of the tern platforms this afternoon. As we watched it a Willow Warbler started to sing on the Causeway bank, inside the Deep Pit. The Cetti’s Warbler and a Chiffchaff were also singing there. There were several Chiffchaffs singing around the site and some Sand Martins were flying overhead. On the Slurry Lagoon there were still some Teal and Shoveler and a Shelduck later joined them. On the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon there was a female Wheatear. PS. DG. RW.

Common Tern – 30th March

March 30, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 30th March, birds, Chiffchaff, Common TernPete Smith

This afternoon a Common Tern flew upstream, over the site. Other migrants were scarce, only the Chiffchaffs giving themselves away. JMD. PS.

Willow Warbler – 29th March

March 29, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 29th March, birds, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning a Willow Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit. A Blackcap was also heard and up to seven Chiffchaffs. RW.

Swallow – 25th March

March 25, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 25th March, Chiffchaff, Red Admiral, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, WheatearPete Smith

This morning a Swallow flew straight through over the site. NM.

There were also several Sand Martins and Chiffchaffs and another Wheatear was seen on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. Several butterflies were seen including a Red Admiral. PS.

Wheatear – 22nd March

March 22, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 22nd March, Brimstone, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Grey Plover, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Toad, WheatearPete Smith

This morning a male Wheatear was briefly seen on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon, before it disappeared between the reed beds. A Sand Martin flew over the site and up to four Chiffchaffs were singing. There were still one or two Toads about on the path on the south-western side of the Slurry Lagoon and one grim sighting was of one held limply in a crow’s beak. A brilliant male Brimstone was seen flying into the Deep Pit. PS.

In the afternoon a Grey Plover was heard calling as it flew over and the Wheatear was seen again on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.