Tag Archives: Barn Owl

Barn Owl – 12th March

March 12, 2013Recent wildlife sightings12th March, 2013, Barn OwlPete Smith

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

March 4, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 4th March, Barn Owl, Buzzard, Little Egret, SnipePete Smith

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.

Barn Owl – 2nd February

February 2, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2nd February 2013, Barn Owl, Large Gravel Pit, Wader ScrapeJacqueline

The Barn Owl was again hunting over the Large Gravel Pit area late afternoon. He extended his search to the area around the Wader Scrape and along the banks of the Ouse Dyke. JMD.

Little Egret – 25th November

November 25, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 25th November, Barn Owl, Cettis Warbler, Chiffchaff, ducks, Goldcrest, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Plantation, Slurry Lagoon, Thrushes, Toad, Trent, water railPete Smith

This morning the results of last night’s rain were obvious as you looked along the Ouse Dyke. It had obviously burst its banks during the night but was now running high and muddy in its course. The Trent was also swollen and had spread across nearby fields. Five Little Egrets were together in the Ouse Dyke. Two Chiffchaffs were found and a Goldcrest. There were also plenty of ducks and winter thrushes about.

Later, in the afternoon, two crows chased a Barn Owl along the Ouse Dyke and into the Plantation. Three Cetti’s Warblers were heard singing and four Water Rail were squabbling in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and a Toad was seen, crawling across the Slurry Lagoon path. PS.

Barn Owl – 17th June

June 17, 2012Recent wildlife sightings17th June 2012, Barn Owl, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Wader ScrapeJacqueline

Whilst walking towards the Wader Scrape this evening I was startled when a Barn Owl flew right in front of me and disappeared into the trees of the New Plantation. It was quickly located and then I watched it for some time hunting around the Reserve especially the Large Gravel Pit and Wader Scrape areas.

The eight Red-crested Pochard were again present on the Slurry Lagoon. JMD.

Sand Martins – 21st March

March 22, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 21st March, Barn Owl, bat, birds, Large Gravel Pit, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, ToadPete Smith

The Barn Owl was seen hunting around the Large Gravel Pit from about 17.40 and four Sand Martins were seen over the river. At least 110 toads were seen on the eastern side of the Slurry Lagoon, crossing the path at nightfall. Two or three bats were also seen feeding. RW.

Barn Owl – 18th March

March 19, 2011Recent wildlife sightings18th March, 2011, Barn Owl, birds, butterflies, Chiffchaff, Large Gravel PitPete Smith

A Barn Owl was seen again this evening at about 16.30, hunting around the Large Gravel Pit. Three to four Chiffchaffs were present and four Commas and two Small Tortoiseshells were also seen. PS.

Oystercatcher – 18th February

February 18, 2011Recent wildlife sightingsBarn Owl, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Shoveler, water railPete Smith

An Oystercatcher was seen and heard calling very loudly along the river this afternoon. The Barn Owl was present again and a Water Rail was heard on the Slurry Lagoon. There were four Goldeneyes on the Large Gravel Pit and 49 Shoveler on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Goosander – 16th February

February 16, 2011Recent wildlife sightings16th February, 2011, Barn Owl, GoosanderPete Smith

Two male Goosanders flew up river over the Deep Pit this afternoon. At about 16.30hrs the Barn Owl was out hunting again by the Gravel Pits. PS.

Cetti’s Warbler – 1st February

February 1, 2011Recent wildlife sightings1st February, 2011, Barn Owl, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

Whilst waiting for the Barn Owl to start hunting a Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit. Eventually the Barn Owl showed and the pair of Peregrines were perched together on a pylon. A fair sized flock of large gulls accumulated on the, again frozen, Slurry lagoon, but no white winged gulls were noted. PS.