Tag Archives: 2016

Barn Owl – 25th November

November 25, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 25th November, Barn Owl, Large Gravel Pit, PlantationPete Smith

At dusk this evening two Barn Owls were seen hunting around the Large Gravel Pit and Plantation. RW.

Barn Owl – 24th November

November 24, 2016Uncategorized2016, 24th November, Barn Owl, Jack Snipe, Large Gravel PitPete Smith

Today a Jack Snipe was seen in the Dragonfly Pool and, at about 14.50hrs, a Barn Owl was seen in the hedge beside the Large Gravel Pit. RW.

Short-eared Owl – 13th November

November 13, 2016Recent wildlife sightings13th November, 2016, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Short-eared Owl, water railPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, a Short-eared Owl was seen over the Deep Pit. It was mobbed by three crows which forced it to fly very high and then off to the south. There were plenty of winter thrushes and ducks about, with four Goldeneye on the Large Gravel Pit and three Little Egrets on the Ouse Dyke. Also several Water Rails and Cetti’s Warblers were heard. PS.

White-fronted Goose – 1st November

November 2, 2016Recent wildlife sightings1st November, 2016, Raven., White-fronted GoosePete Smith

At about midday two Ravens were calling from the new pylon. A skein of about twenty White-fronted Geese flew over the site to the east. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 29th October

October 29, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 29th October, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, StarlingPete Smith

The Starling roost is going from strength to strength with an estimated 10,000 birds present tonight. The Sparrowhawk and the Marsh Harrier were both in attendance. JMD.

Marsh Harrier – 28th October

October 28, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 28th October, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, StarlingPete Smith

The Starling roost reached about 7 or 8,000 this evening and attracted a Sparrowhawk, which snatched a victim, and a cream top Marsh Harrier. JMD.

Yellow-legged Gull – 24th October

October 24, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 24th October, Deep Pit, Little Egret, Slurry Lagoon, Starling, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This afternoon there was a Yellow-legged Gull bathing in the Deep Pit. RW.

The Starling Roost numbered about 2,000 birds and two Little Egrets were on the Ouse Dyke. PS.

Fieldfare – 23rd October

October 23, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 23rd October, Bittern, Fieldfare, Little Egret, Redwing, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning, during the Patchwatch, 58 species were recorded. Several flocks of Fieldfares were seen as well as good numbers of Redwing. A Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon as well as two Little Egrets. PS.

Goldeneye – 15th October

October 15, 2016Recent wildlife sightings15th October, 2016, Bearded Tit, Bittern, Goldeneye, Swallow, WigeonPete Smith

This morning two Goldeneye were seen on the Slurry Lagoon. Also seen were four Bearded Tits, two Swallows and a Bittern.

The Suspicious Wigeon remain that, as better views were obtained than yesterday. On one the moulting flanks were showing grey, not the hoped for smokey pink. It also showed an anomalous dark stripe on the crown of the head. The jury is still out on this pair. PS.

Bearded Tit – 14th October.

October 14, 2016Recent wildlife sightings14th October, 2016, American Wigeon, Bearded Tit, Bittern, Brambling, Slurry Lagoon, WigeonPete Smith

This morning the Slurry Lagoon hosted four male and two female Bearded Tits, two Bitterns and the bird table attracted a Brambling with a group of Greenfinches.

Also on the Slurry Lagoon there were two Wigeon that looked suspiciously like American Wigeon. They were feeding on the submerged aquatic vegetation and one looked like a male moulting out of juvenile plumage. The other looked browner and more like a Eurasian Wigeon. PS.