Tag Archives: 2012

Pintail – 18th September

September 18, 2012Recent wildlife sightings18th September, 2012, Deep Pit, Goldeneye, Meadow Pipit, pintail, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

The Pintail is still present on the Slurry Lagoon and the Goldeneye is on the Deep Pit. Some Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits are still passing through but there are very few Swallows about. Some Siskins were also heard passing over. PS

Pintail – 16th September

September 16, 2012Recent wildlife sightings16th September, 2012, Gadwall, House Martin, Large Gravel Pit, Lower Path, Meadow Pipit, Migrant Hawker, Muntjac, pintail, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, teal, Wigeon, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning there was a female Pintail and a female Golden-eye on the Slurry Lagoon, as well as three Red-crested Pochards and good numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal. There were about 80 Wigeon on the Large Gravel Pit and Swallows, House Martins, Meadow Pipits and Yellow Wagtails were passing through. On the Lower Path a Muntjac was seen. In the afternoon a swarm of Migrant Hawkers was seen along the Lower Path. PS.

Curlew – 9th September

September 9, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 9th September, Curlew, Hobby, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning as we arrived to start the bird count, a Curlew was calling as it flew from the Slurry Lagoon. Later there were well over 350 Swallows and House Martins by the railway bridge, as migrants paused to feed and rest. Two Hobbies made an appearance but the hirundines were too alert for them, so they had to content themselves with catching some of the dragonflies that were flying abundantly today. There were several groups of warblers and tits and Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were passing through on migration. PS.

Whinchat – 28th August

August 28, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 28th August, Black-tailed godwit, Deep Pit, Hobby, WhinchatPete Smith

There was a report this morning of a Whinchat seen on the Deep Pit fence posts near the railway bridge. Also a group of 25 to 35 Black-tailed Godwits flew through and a Hobby was seen.

Sacred Ibis – 21st July

July 21, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 21st July, Sacred Ibis, Wader ScrapePete Smith

A Sacred Ibis graced the Wader Scrapes for a short time around midday today. Although probably an escape it just shows what can turn up. SJ.

Curlew – 1st June

June 1, 2012Recent wildlife sightings1st June, 2012, Curlew, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Tufted DuckPete Smith

A Curlew flew over the reserve calling in lovely liquid notes. It settled on the Slurry Lagoon to rest and preen. Also on the Slurry Lagoon were several Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, Pochard and a male Shoveler. PS.

Hairy Dragonfly – 28th May

May 28, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 28th May, Azure Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, damselflies, dragonflies, Four-spotted Chaser, Large Red Damselfly, Small Red-eyed DamselflyPete Smith

The warm weather has encouraged the Dragonflies and Damselflies to emerge and several species can be seen around the site. So far Banded Demoiselles, Common Blue Damselflies, Azure Damselflies, Blue-tailed Damselflies, Small Red-eyed Damselflies and Four-spotted Chasers have been seen. A rare species on site, the Large Red Damselfly has been seen twice and this afternoon a Hairy Dragonfly was seen for the first time on the site. RW. PS.

Grass Snake – 23rd May

May 23, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 23rd May, Grass Snake, Small Gravel PitPete Smith

This morning a Grass Snake was seen near the Small Gravel Pit. This is the first reptile that has been reported on the site. RW.

Ringed Plover – 20th May

May 20, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 20th May, Dunlin, greenshank, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, turnstone, Wader ScrapePete Smith

There has been a little wader passage this weekend, with 9 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plover and one Turnstone still on the Wader Scrape and 2 Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper and a Greenshank on the river. Later a Hobby was taken into care after apparently colliding with a fence. PS.

Turnstone – 19th May

May 19, 2012Recent wildlife sightings19th May, 2012, Ringed Plover, turnstone, Wader ScrapePete Smith

In the early afternoon two Ringed Plovers and a Turnstone were seen on the Wader Scrape. RW.