Tag Archives: 2013

Yellow Wagtail – 18th April

April 18, 2013Recent wildlife sightings18th April, 2013, Chiffchaff, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Lower Path, Redstart, Wader Scrape, Willow Warbler, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

Earlier this morning, two Yellow Wagtails flew south, over the site near the Wader Scrape. A Common Sandpiper was with the Little Ringed Plovers on the Wader Scrape. A male Redstart was on the Lower Path, close to the gates, as well as several Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling on the railway end of the Causeway. PS.

Kittiwake – 17th April

April 17, 2013Recent wildlife sightings17th April, 2013, Kittiwake, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart, Reed Warbler, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Kittiwake flew through to the north. RW.

A Redstart was seen at the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. JMD.

A Lesser Whitethroat and two Reed Warblers were heard along the Slurry Lagoon path. PS.

Redstart – 16th April

April 16, 2013Recent wildlife sightings16th April, 2013, Bee Fly, Blackcap, Common Sandpiper, Grasshopper Warbler, Ivy, kingfisher, Peacock, Redstart, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning a male Yellow Wagtail was seen flying over the Slurry Lagoon and a female Wheatear was on the dry end. Along the bank towards the Causeway two male Redstarts were seen and another male was on the railway embankment. Three Whitethroats, two Sedge Warblers and a Grasshopper Warbler were also present and along the river bank three Kingfishers and a Common Sandpiper were seen. There were also lots more Willow Warblers and Blackcaps in, two male Blackcaps were watched eating Ivy berries. The only insects of note were a Peacock and two Bee Flies. PS.

Bee Fly - Bombylius major — Bee Fly – Bombylius major

Sedge Warbler – 15th April

April 15, 2013Recent wildlife sightings15th April, 2013, Blackcap, Common Tern, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Toad, Wader Scrape, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning a Sedge Warbler was heard singing in the Deep Pit and several Willow Warblers were seen and heard. RW.

In the afternoon six Common Terns were in the Deep Pit and seven Little Ringed Plover were on the Wader Scrape. Four Oystercatchers flew over, calling and displaying and Swallows were seen going into the nest sites under the railway bridge. A pair of Blackcaps and five Willow Warblers were seen along the Lower Path and Toads were seen crossing it on their way to the Slurry Lagoon. PS, RW.

Black Redstart – 12th April

April 12, 2013Recent wildlife sightings12th April, 2013, Barn Owl, Black Redstart, Curlew, Deep Pit, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning a female/1st summer male Black Redstart was seen on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. Three Wheatears were on the Severn Trent fields. Later there was a Willow Warbler singing in the Deep Pit and seven Little Ringed Plover on the Wader Scrape. RW.

In the afternoon there were two female/1st summer male Black Redstarts on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon and five Sand Martins and a Swallow passed through. PS.

In the early evening a Curlew flew through, a Green Sandpiper was on a riverside flood and the Barn Owl was hunting over the reserve. RW.

Twite – 10th April

April 10, 2013Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 2013, Deep Pit, Little Egret, Little Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Twite, Wader ScrapePete Smith

Early this afternoon a Twite was tentatively identified on the Wader Scrape. At least five Little Ringed Plover were present and a Little Egret. Later the Twite returned giving good views and the identification was confirmed. Three Sand Martins were briefly seen over the Deep Pit. PS.

Swallow – 8th April

April 8, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 8th April, Little Ringed Plover, Marsh Harrier, Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Swallow, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This afternoon there were three Swallows, a Sand Martin, four Little Ringed Plovers and a Ringed Plover on the Wader Scrape. In the late afternoon a Marsh Harrier flew over the railway land, pursued by crows. JC.

Little Ringed Plover – 7th April

April 7, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 7th April, Chiffchaff, Coltsfoot, Honey Bee, Little Ringed Plover, Wader ScrapePete Smith

There are now two pairs of Little ringed Plovers on the Wader Scrape. Spring is still giving little evidence of arriving although some Honey Bees were seen on the willow and Coltsfoot and a Small tortoiseshell was seen. About six Chiffchaffs were heard singing, but little other evidence of spring is stirring. PS.

Mediterranean Gull – 2nd April

April 2, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 2nd April, Deep Pit, Mediterranean GullJacqueline

An adult Mediterranean Gull was with a cluster of Black-headed Gulls on the Deep Pit late evening before they all flew off in the direction of Hoveringham. JMD.

Marsh Harrier – 29th March

March 29, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 29th March, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Little Ringed Plover, Marsh Harrier, Redshank, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Wader Scrape, White WagtailPete Smith

After seeing yesterday’s male Marsh Harrier, it was a surprise this morning to see a female, also over the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. It dropped into the reeds and disappeared for a while and when it reappeared its crop was distended with its recent meal. Crows escorted it off the site unfortunately. Also seen were the Little Ringed Plover on the Wader Scrape, with a Redshank, six Buzzards, seven Snipe and two singing Chiffchaffs. PS.

This afternoon a White Wagtail was present amongst the Pied Wagtails on the Wader Scrape. RW.