Tag Archives: 2015

Bittern – 10th November

November 10, 2015Recent wildlife sightings10th November, 2015, Bittern, Grey-lag Goose, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, StarlingPete Smith

An estimated 6,000 Starlings came in to roost this evening, at one stage about 5,000 were displaying together before dropping in to the reed bed and the rest came in in small and larger groups afterwards. A Bittern flew across the Slurry Lagoon and joined the Starlings, perhaps fancying a Starling supper. Up to three Sparrowhawks were also trying to snatch a Starling from the flocks, none successfully. Later a few Canada Geese and about 1,000 Grey-lag Geese came in to roost on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Short-eared Owl – 8th November

November 8, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 8th November, Boundary Hedge, Large Gravel Pit, Muntjac, Redpoll, Redwing, Short-eared Owl, Wader ScrapePete Smith

During this morning’s Bird Count a Short-eared Owl was seen flying beside the Wader Scrape and then across the grassland beside the Large Gravel Pit, most of the time mobbed by crows. On the bank in front of the Wader Scrape two Muntjacs were also seen, a male pursuing a female, but they soon disappeared into the Boundary Hedge. There were also plenty of thrushes and finches about, with lots of Redpoll and Redwing. PS.

Woodcock – 25th October

October 25, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 25th October, Black Swan, Large Gravel Pit, Lesser Redpoll, Lower Path, WoodcockPete Smith

This morning the Black Swan was still on the Large Gravel Pit. A flock of about forty Lesser Redpoll were feeding on Willow Herb and Meadowsweet along the Lower Path. At one time one with a very pale rump was briefly seen. A Woodcock was flushed from the willows in the SE corner of the reserve, at the river end of the Boundary Hedge. PS.

Bittern – 20th October

October 20, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 20th October, Bittern, Black Swan, Deep Pit, Mandarin, Noctule, Pipistrelle, StarlingPete Smith

The Black Swan spent the day with two Mute Swans on the Deep Pit. In the evening the Mandarin arrived with its goose friends and flew across the site three times before they decided to roost somewhere else. About 5,000 Starlings came in to roost and later a Bittern was seen and a Tawny Owl was heard. Noctule and Pipistrelle were recorded on the bat detector. RW.

Mandarin – 19th October

October 19, 2015Recent wildlife sightings19th October, 2015, Bearded Tit, Black Swan, Deep Pit, Grey-lag Goose, Mandarin, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Starling, water railPete Smith

This evening, whilst watching about 5,000 Starlings come in to roost, a strange looking duck came in with a squadron of Grey-lag Geese. It stayed with the flock as they flew over and was still with them when they returned to land on the Slurry Lagoon. Looking through a scope it was clear to see it was a drake Mandarin. There were also three Snipe and up to five Water Rail, one showing quite well by the bench. Earlier a 1st winter Bearded Tit was also seen in the reed bed. PS.

Later on the Black Swan came in to roost in the Deep Pit. RW.

Bearded Tit – 18th October

October 18, 2015Recent wildlife sightings18th October, 2015, Bearded Tit, Brambling, Chiffchaff, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Golden Plover, Golden-eye, Jay, Large Gravel Pit, Mistle Thrush, Ouse Dyke, Redpoll, Siskin, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning some Bearded Tits were heard calling in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. Eight Golden Plover nearly joined the Lapwings on the Slurry Lagoon before flying off to the SE, a Brambling was seen on the Causeway and two Golden-eye flew around the site before landing on the Large Gravel Pit. Three flocks of Fieldfares flew through and there was a small arrival of Goldcrests. Four Chiffchaff were along the Ouse Dyke and also seen were several Redpoll, Siskins, a Mistle Thrush and a Jay. PS.

Black Swan – 15th October

October 15, 2015Recent wildlife sightings15th October, 2015, Black Swan, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingPete Smith

At about midday a Black Swan was on the Slurry Lagoon. In the evening several thousand Starlings came in to roost.

Murmuration 15th October - Jack Dennison — Murmuration 15th October – Jack Dennison

Stonechat – 13th October

October 13, 2015Recent wildlife sightings13th October, 2015, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, Stonechat, Wader Scrape, water railPete Smith

This afternoon a male Stonechat was seen at the back of the Wader Scrape. Two Redwings flew over and four Water Rails were heard calling from the Slurry Lagoon reedbed. PS.

Willow Tit – 4th October

October 4, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 4th October, Hobby, Jay, Mistle Thrush, Patch Watch, Pink-footed Goose, Willow titPete Smith

On the Patch Watch today, 69 species were seen, including Willow Tit, Pink-footed Geese, Jay, Hobby and Mistle Thrush. PS.

Pintail – 1st October

October 1, 2015Recent wildlife sightings1st October, 2015, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, Redpoll, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, WigeaonPete Smith

Today there were five Pintail on the Large Gravel Pit with 260 Wigeon and there were 155 Shoveler on the Slurry Lagoon. 23 Redpoll were also seen. RW.