Tag Archives: birds

Peregrine – 31st October

October 31, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 31st October, birds, Cettis Warbler, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Lower Path, peregrine, Redpoll, Rossi's Goose, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Willow titPete Smith

The Willow Tit and eight Redpoll were seen along the Lower Path this morning and one or two Siskins are still flying through. All three Cetti’s were heard singing, so let’s hope they all survive the winter. A Peregrine flew over the site putting everything to flight and landed on a pylon. Two Golden Plover were seen flying around the site before departing north and a Snipe went up while 300 Lapwing eventually settled down on the Slurry Lagoon again. The goose flock on the Severn Trent land also went up and the Rossi’s Goose was spotted amongst them again. PS.

Waxwings – 24th October

October 24, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 24th October, birds, Cettis Warbler, Fielfare, Large Gravel Pit, Lower Path, Pink-footed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Waxwing, Willow titPete Smith

About nine skeins of Pinkies flew through to the east this morning, totalling approximately 1,200 to 1,500 birds. There were four Red-crested Pochards but no sign of the Ross’s Goose on the Large Gravel Pit. A flock of about 100 Fieldfares went through to the west , a Cetti’s was heard in the Haven and a Willow Tit was seen on the Lower Path. PS.

In the afternoon a flock of about twenty Waxwings flew across the site towards the retail park. RW.

Pink-footed Goose – 20th October

October 20, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 20th October, birds, Brambling, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Pink-footed Goose, Redpoll, Redwing, Siskin, Swallow, Tree SparrowPete Smith

This morning there were lots of signs of birds migrating through the site. Several small flocks of Fieldfares went over, with a few Redwing. Amongst the finches going over was heard a Redpoll, Siskin and Brambling, plus three Tree Sparrows went through. A Swallow flew over the Deep Pit, where a drake Golden-eye had attached itself to a small Tufty flock. The stoccato calls of about 200 Pink-footed Geese attracted my attention as they flew through to the east. PS.

Bearded Tit – 19th October

October 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings19th October, 2010, Bearded Tit, birds, Causeway, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Haven, Redwing, Ross's GoosePete Smith

As I stood on the Causeway this morning an explosion of pinging calls alerted me to a female Bearded Tit, nerving herself up to crossing the gap in the reeds in front of the bench. She dashed across the gap and into the reeds, pinging twice more before returning to silent running. There were also five Redwing in the corner by the metal gates and two Cetti’s Warblers were singing, one in the Deep Pit and one by the Haven. The geese were in the furthest pasture field, across the river, too far away to tell if the Ross’s Goose was still with them. PS.

Ross’s Goose – 18th October

October 18, 2010Recent wildlife sightings18th October, 2010, birds, Canada Goose, Cettis Warbler, Grey-lag Goose, Large Gravel Pit, Ross's Goose, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrow Hawk, StarlingPete Smith

The Ross’s Goose was again present with the goose flock on the pasture fields across the river. When a jogger disturbed them they all came to land on the Large Gravel Pit, about 2,500 Grey-lag Geese and 1,000 Canada Geese, plus the Ross’s. Over the Slurry Lagoon about 5,000 Starlings smoked their way to and fro before settling in the reed beds, while two Sparrowhawks tried to snatch one for their evening meal. Two Cetti’s were heard but insignificant against the spectacle of the geese and the Starlings. PS.

Golden Plover – 15th October

October 15, 2010Recent wildlife sightings15th October, 2010, birds, Golden Plover, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Red-crested Pochard, Redpoll, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

There were three Golden Plover amongst the Lapwings on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon. Also seen were three Swallows that spent the afternoon hawking insects near the footbridge and six Redpoll near the railway line. A Peregrine topped the pylon by the Large Gravel Pit, daring the starlings to congregate near it, and the two Red-crested Pochard were still on the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Little Egret – 10th October

October 10, 2010Recent wildlife sightings10th October, 2010, birds, Cettis Warbler, Curlew, Dunlin, Geese, Little Egret, peregrine, Redpoll, Siskin, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

During the monthly bird count this morning a flock of eight Little Egrets flew downriver, through the reserve. Later a ninth bird settled for a short time on the Slurry Lagoon. A Peregrine was seen stooping at Wood Pigeons attracted by the maize spilt during the harvest and around three thousand Grey Lag and Canada geese were also gleening the stubble. A Curlew flew over the site and a Dunlin was on the Slurry. Other migrants seen were a small flock of Swallows, several Skylarks, some Redpoll and a Siskin. There were also three Cetti’s Warblers heard singing. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 30th September

September 30, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 30th September, birds, Buzzard, Dunlin, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Rook, Ruff, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The two male Red-crested Pochard are still on the Large Gravel Pit. The one in eclipse has been moulting and is showing some of its winter plumage now. A Ruff and three Dunlin were on the Slurry Lagoon and a Buzzard, drifting over the site, found itself surrounded by Rooks and being buffeted from all angles. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 28th September

September 28, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 28th September, birds, Coot, Gadwall, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Ruff, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, teal, Tufted Duck, WigeonPete Smith

There were a good number of ducks on the Large Gravel Pit today, including Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and two male Red-crested Pochard, one still in eclipse, as well as lots of Coots. Seven Swallows flew through and four more, possibly the remnants of our residents, were near the railway line. On the Slurry Lagoon the numbers of Teal and Shoveler continue to build and there were two juvenile Ruff amongst the Lapwing flock. PS.

Ruff – 19th September

September 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings19th September, 2010, birds, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Redshank, Ruff, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Swift, Willow WarblerPete Smith

A Ruff and a Redshank were on the Slurry Lagoon this morning. A Swift was seen passing through and there were still several warblers about including a Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler and several Chiffchaffs. PS.