A first summer Little Gull rested on the Slurry Lagoon for a short time this afternoon. Three Four-spotted Chasers were seen and two Red-tipped Clearwings were attracted to lures. On the southern, inside bank of the Deep Pit several Burnet Companions were seen. The cygnets were out briefly and a Gadwall with nine new ducklings and a Mallard with four were also on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.
Tag Archives: birds
Little Gull – 2nd June
Hobby – 4th May
A Hobby paid the Swallows by the railway bridge a brief visit this afternoon. They saw it coming and mobbed it until it flew away, all calling noisily until it went. A nearby Buzzard was similarly mobbed by a noisy Rook. A Cuckoo called from the Deep Pit posts and all the warblers except Lesser Whitethroat could be heard singing. PS.
Wirral trip report – 28th March 2010
Six men in two cars left Newstead at 7.15 am for the Wirral. On the way over we stopped briefly at Goyt Moss to look for Red Grouse. We had hardly stopped when Tony found at least one. Meadow Pipits were also seen. Continuing on our way we arrived at our first stop at 9.30 as arranged with Stuart Taylor, one of our earliest members who now works for the RSPB at Lake Vyrnwy, mid-Wales. The trip list was now on 10 as Raven, Jay and Sparrowhawk were seen en route.
After a short break to stretch our legs we set off to our first watching point – Heswall Banks. Stuart T, not confusing him with Stuart Pryor, suggested a short walk here but on seeing the high tide (9.1 metres) told up that was impossible as the pathway was under water. We settled down to watch the marsh as the tide was still coming in and moving the birds in front of it. Over 1000 Redshank, along with hundreds of Shelduck and other waders were being forced up the marsh by the advancing tide. A female Hen Harrier was seen as was a Grey Plover and many Little Egret. Around the area we also saw and heard Chiffchaff. With the list now on 29 we headed back up the Wirral to Parkgate, a well known watch point on the marsh when there are exceptionally high tides of over 10 metres. These happen about twice a year but not today. (I’ll have to sort a trip out for that).
Similar birds were seen here as at Heswall Banks but Stuart T, had inside information that there was a Spoonbill further up the marsh so we walked up and had superb views of an adult. Buzzard was also seen. A Marsh Harrier was seen by some of the group.
With the list now standing at 38 we moved on again, this time to the RSPB Inner Marsh Farm. This is a fairly large reserve but at present with only one hide and a very small car park.
Treecreeper was heard in the car park by Steve and Pete heard our first Willow Warbler of the year, good views of which were had later on. We had good views of Raven, Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon. We also saw Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover and Ruff.
There was a distant group of Sand Martin and I managed to see one House Martin among them. Three Spotted Redshank and a single Greenshank were also seen. As we made our way back to the car park some of the group thought they had heard a Lesser Whitethroat but it couldn’t be located. There was a large herd of swans in the distance and it was reported that there were Whooper and Bewick’s among them but we couldn’t make them out. Rabbit and Grey Squirrel were seen on the way to the car park taking the years Mammal list to 5.
We had had a wonderful day in good company and were looking forward to the next trip.
The day list stood at 66 with 28 of these being added to our annual trip list. That list now stands at 111 compared with 85 this time last year.
Skua & Shearwater Cruise, Sunday 20th September 2009
We left Nottingham later than usual at about 8.30 as the boat didn’t sail until 4.00 p.m.
It was decided that we went first to Flamborough Head to see what was there. We arrived at about 11.00 am after a short stop on the way. We had heard that there was a Barred Warbler in the area but were not sure where about. We made a few enquiries and we soon looking at a splendid Barred Warbler.
Three of us decided that we would take a walk round the headland to see what else was about. Brian went back to the car as his leg was still in plaster after breaking it.
We had good views of Red Admiral and Painted Lady butterflies along the road before turning off to go across the fields. It was a hot still day and there was not a deal about until we reached the cliffs were Shag and a few waders were seen. As we walked along the cliff top path we noticed a group of birders looking into the field on our left. Upon reaching then we realised a juvenile Great Skua was sitting in the middle of the field. After a search of over half an hour we found singles of Lapland Bunting and Snow Bunting.
After lunch in the car park we made our way to Bridlington for the boat, hoping to see Purple Sandpiper on the harbour walls but to no avail. As we were waiting to board the boat we were surprised to be joined by Pete Smith and his wife, Chris.
The boat trip was very quiet with only a single Shearwater that was not seen by most people but a single Great Skua that gave us great views of how it chased and harried birds for them to discharge their food.
Gannet, Kittiwake and Fulmar were added to this years trips list making a total of 157.
Grey Seal was added to the mammal list while Red Admiral was added to the butterfly list.
Hobby – 27th April
This afternoon a Hobby sat on one of the fence posts on the east side of the Deep Pit for some time before flying low around the Deep Pit and then away over the Railway Bridge to upset all the Swallows while on the opposite side a Cuckoo was cuckooing and hopping from post to post. JMD.
Later on a Bar-tailed Godwit flew through while three Garden Warblers sang in the Deep Pit. PS.
Hobby – 26th April
This afternoon there were twelve Common Terns on the tern rafts. A flock of around fifty Swifts drifted high over the reserve and a Hobby alarmed the Swallows by the railway bridge, other raptors were two Buzzards, two Kestrels and two Sparrowhawks. There were several butterflies about, including Brimstone and Orange Tip and a Stoat was running up the Deep Pit bank, following a trail, its tail held high. PS.
Swift – 23rd April
Two Swifts were seen this morning, flying over the site, eight Common Terns were seen over the Deep Pit, some already in pairs and more Grasshopper Warblers have arrived, there are up to seven males present now and some females have arrived. PS.
Garden Warbler – 20th April
A Garden Warbler was heard singing from bushes on the Causeway this morning. The Common Tern was joined by a second bird but the two Avocets have gone. PS.
Red Kite – 20th March
This morning there were two male Wheatears at the top end of the Slurry Lagoon, a Sand Martin and a Chiffchaff. Two Oystercatchers flew over and there were 73 Golden Plover on the Severn Trent field. At about 12.50 a Red Kite flew over the site, heading south. Later in the day 13 Sand Martins and 6 Snipe were seen. RW.
Cetti’s Warbler – 12th March
A Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the SE corner of the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon. PS.