Tag Archives: 2011

Barn Owl – 19th January

January 19, 2011Recent wildlife sightings19th January, 2011, Barn Owl, Gravel Pits, Little Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Pink-footed Geese, Short-tailed VoleJacqueline

The Barn Owl was again hunting around the Gravel Pits late afternoon and was seen to take what looked like a Short-tailed Vole. Also this afternoon two Peregrine Falcons were hunting from their favourite pylon and a single Little Egret was in and around the Ouse Dyke. As dusk fell 37 Pink-footed Geese flew over the Site heading North West. JMD. PS. RW.

Barn Owl – 18th January

January 18, 2011Recent wildlife sightings18th January, 2011, Barn Owl, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Little EgretPete Smith

The Barn Owl was seen again this evening, hunting over the grassland around the gravel pits. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Little Egret was seen on the Ouse Dyke. PS. DM.

Barn Owl – 14th January

January 14, 2011Recent wildlife sightings14th January, 2011, Barn Owl, Gadwall, Large Gravel Pit, Lower Path, weasel, Willow tit, YellowhammerPete Smith

The Barn Owl was back over the grassland around the two gravel pits again this evening. It did not stay for as long this time though. There were approaching 200 Gadwall on the Large Fishing Pit and a Yellowhammer mobbed a Weasel in the grass in front of us as we watched the owl. The Willow Tit was heard again along the Lower Path. PS. DM.

Barn Owl – 13th January

January 13, 2011Recent wildlife sightings13th January, 2011, Barn Owl, Coot, ducks, Gadwall, Large Gravel Pit, WigeonPete Smith

Late this afternoon a Barn Owl was watched for about twenty minutes as it quartered the grass between the Large Gravel Pit and the river, several times pursued by a crow. It dropped onto something in the grass several times but it was not possible to see what it was catching, but it must be hungry to be hunting in daylight when the nights are so long. The northern end of the Large Gravel Pit (the end that was longest under the ice) was covered in wildfowl, mostly Gadwall, Wigeon and Coot. Both the other two water bodies are now more or less ice free. PS.

(At last A BARN OWL on the site for PS – Hurrah – AE)

Glaucous Gull – 12th January

January 12, 2011Recent wildlife sightings12th January, 2011, birds, Black Swan, Deep Pit, Glaucous Gull, Large Gravel Pit, Mitigation Field, Slurry Lagoon, Tree Sparrow, water railPete Smith

This afternoon, as I worked in the Deep Pit with my volunteer, a Black Swan flew over the site, with three Mute Swans, giving a pathetic squeak as it passed. Later two adult and two juvenile Mute Swans landed on the ice on the Slurry Lagoon, skidding as they landed accompanied by hilarious screaming from a Water Rail. As we were preparing to go, an immature Glaucous Gull flew over the site, possibly from the Large Gravel Pit, and headed towards Holme Pierrepont. PS. DM.

Earlier in the day two Tree Sparrows were seen in S.T. hedge line near to the Mitigation Field. JMD.

Merlin – 6th January

January 6, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 6th January, birds, Cettis Warbler, Merlin, peregrine, Small Gravel Pit, water rail, Willow titPete Smith

This morning up to six Water Rail were heard or seen around the site. A Peregrine flew over and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling near the Small Gravel Pit. DM.

This afternoon a Willow Tit was seen near the Irish Bridge, AE, and a Merlin flew over towards Colwick, PS, DM.