A superb male Marsh Harrier was quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed bed this afternoon. Unfortunately it was pestered by Carrion Crows and eventually gave up and continued up the valley. PS.
Tag Archives: 2013
Little Ringed Plover – 20th March
The Little Ringed Plover is still on the Wader Scrape, along with a Lapwing, 24 Gadwall and a male Goldeneye. Two Cetti’s Warblers were heard, one in the Haven, the other in the Deep Pit, as well as several Water Rail and there were two Snipe near the Large Gravel Pit. In an ash tree on the railway embankment there was a pre-roost flock of 57 Linnets. PS.
Curlew – 17th March
This morning the Little Ringed Plover was seen again on the Wader Scrape, along with 32 Gadwall, 2 Teal and a male Goldeneye. A Curlew flew over the site and there was a mixed flock of Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
Little Ringed Plover – 14th March
This afternoon there were two Little Egrets in the Ouse Dyke and a Little Ringed Plover on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon, near the beach. PS.
Barn Owl – 12th March
As I walked around the north-east corner of the Deep Pit I saw the Barn Owl flying across it, being chased by a Magpie. It flew towards the Large Gravel Pit and then turned to follow the bank towards me. It was a very bright bird, the buff on its wings and head being almost orange. The middle of its back was grey and its tail very pale. It flew right past me and then over the Slurry Lagoon and out of sight. A little later it reappeared with a small mammal in its talons, landed in an elder tree and swallowed its prey before flying off to look for more. It seemed a very confiding bird as it practically ignored my presence. On the Slurry Lagoon there was a Shelduck, and some Coltsfoot was out along the side of the path. PS.
Barn Owl – 4th March
The Barn Owl was seen again this evening hunting beside the Large Gravel Pit. Also seen were two Little Egrets, eight Snipe and a Buzzard. RW.
Blackcap – 3rd March
This morning a male Blackcap was singing along the Ouse Dyke. There were also two Goldcrests and a Treecreeper was bathing in the Ouse Dyke. Also seen were two Red-crested Pochard on the Slurry Lagoon and a party of Siskins feeding in alders. PS.
Raven – 22nd February
As I walked towards the river by the railway bridge I heard a deep croak so looked all around to see if I could see a Raven. There were about 250 Carrion Crows on the field across the river but no sign of a Raven. Then I heard another rattling croak and two Ravens flew from behind me, over the signal box and out over the river. One was in pursuit of the other and both held their bills open with their exertions. They flew right overhead giving good views of their tails and towards the pylon, where they started to gain height. Some of the Carrion Crows took exception and joined in the chase, calling loudly and there was a melee of black wings as they dashed at each other. Soon the two Ravens broke away, still intent on their own dispute, and then they locked feet and cartwheeled towards the ground. At the last moment they disengaged and landed on the ground, taking off again immediately before flying back across the river, over my head again and back the way they came, towards Colwick. PS.
Bittern – 5th February
This afternoon there was a report of a Bittern flying across in front of the bench on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
Chiffchaff – 13th January
The weather was cold with a dusting of snow on the ground when we met at dawn to do the bird count. Four Chiffchaffs flew from the pipe where the Ouse Dyke flows from under Teal Close, where they may have been roosting. Other birds recorded included Grey Wagtail, Lesser Redpolls, Little Egrets, a Shelduck and over 400 Teal. PS.
