Tag Archives: 2013

Garganey – 21st August

August 21, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 21st August, birds, Garganey, Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, SnipePete Smith

Early this afternoon there were two Garganey, six Snipe, four Ruff and three Green Sandpipers on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Clouded Yellow – 7th August

August 7, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 7th August, Clouded Yellow, Volucella inanisPete Smith

A Clouded Yellow butterfly was found this afternoon, by the river, near the railway bridge. SC.

Later a Vollucella inanis hoverfly was also found. PS.

Whimbrel – 28th July

July 28, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 28th July, Common Sandpiper, Red-eyed Damselfly, Ruddy Darter, Small Gravel Pit, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, WhimbrelPete Smith

This morning a Whimbrel was heard calling as it flew over the site, towards Holme Pierrepont. There was a Common Sandpiper feeding along the edge of one of the tern platforms, much to the annoyance of the residents. The Dragonfly Walk was a mixed success as the weather was not very co-operative. Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselflies were found on the Small Gravel Pit as well as a Ruddy Darter. PS.

Water Rail – 26th July

July 26, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 26th July, Gadwall, Mallard, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

This afternoon, on the Slurry Lagoon, a Water Rail with two chicks was seen at the edge of the reed bed. There were also three Gadwall broods and a brood of Mallards. RW, JMD.

Little Gull – 24th July

July 24, 2013Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 2013, 24th July, Emerald Damselfly, Little Egret, Little Gull, Red-eyed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Wader ScrapePete Smith

At the end of the Dragonfly Walk the group were passing the Deep Pit when a Little Gull was seen picking insects from the water’s surface as it flew. It was flying with Common Terns but soon decided to fly higher in search of insect prey. For a while it was hawking insects above the site but then drifted away towards the east. There were three Little Egrets on the Wader Scrape, they flew across to the National Grid site but then returned to the Wader Scrape. On the Dragonfly Walk, eight species of Dragonfly and Damselfly were seen, including an Emerald Damselfly and both Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselfly. PS.

Toadlets – 23rd July

July 23, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 23rd July, Slurry Lagoon, ToadletsPete Smith

The paths around the wet end of the Slurry Lagoon have been taken over by thousands of toadlets. At each step you see over a dozen of them jumping in all directions to escape, so please take extra care when using these paths. PS.

Black-tailed Godwit – 22nd July

July 22, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 22nd July, Black-tailed godwit, Common Sandpiper, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This afternoon there was a Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Mediterranean Gull – 20th July

July 20, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 20th July, Maditerranean Gull, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This afternoon, in the gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon, there was an adult Mediterranean Gull. Also an adult and an immature Yellow-legged Gull and a Water Rail. RW.

Black-tailed Godwit – 9th July

July 9, 2013Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 2013, 9th July, Common Blue Damselfly, Gatekeeper, Large Gravel Pit, Ringlet, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The hot weather has encouraged the butterflies and a count of 75 Ringlet was had on the Butterfly Walk on Sunday. Today a Gatekeeper was seen and hundreds of Common Blue Damselflies were egg laying over the Large Gravel Pit. There were 23 Black-tailed Godwits on the Slurry Lagoon, but they flew off in the direction of Holme Pierrepont. PS.

Hairy Dragonfly – 7th June

June 7, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 7th June, Gravel Pits, Hairy Dragonfly, Little Ringed Plover, Wader Scrape, Willow PondPete Smith

This afternoon one or perhaps two male Hairy Dragonflies were seen flying around the Gravel Pits and Willow Pond. Later a female was seen ovipositing in Willow Pond. On the Wader Scrape, three families of Little Ringed Plovers were seen. RW. PS.