Tag Archives: birds

Iceland Gull – 9th January

January 9, 2012Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 9th January, birds, Cettis Warbler, Iceland Gull, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Iceland Gull was present on the Slurry Lagoon again at around mid-day. It then flew off in the general direction of Dorket Head. The Slurry Lagoon Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the afternoon. RW. PS.

Siberian Chiffchaff – 6th January

January 6, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 6th December, birds, Cettis Warbler, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Scandinavian Chiffchaff, Siberian Chiffchaff, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Siberian Chiffchaff was seen along the Ouse Dyke again today, once in the company of another Chiffchaff. Later a Chiffchaff was seen on its own that showed features of the Scandinavian race, abietinus, being a very pale individual but not showing the clear grey mantle or wing bar of the other bird. Three Little Egrets and a Kingfisher were also seen and two Cetti’s Warblers were heard calling from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.

Siberian Chiffchaff – 2nd December

January 3, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 2nd December, birds, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Siberian ChiffchaffPete Smith

The Siberian Chiffchaff was again present along the Ouse Dyke today. There were three Little Egrets on the Large Gravel Pit. RW.

Siberian Chiffchaff – 29th December

December 29, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 29th December, birds, Iceland Gull, Ouse Dyke, Siberian Chiffchaff, Slurry Lagoon, Tawny OwlPete Smith

A Siberian Chiffchaff has been seen along the Ouse Dyke for the last few days, between the footbridge and the road. The Iceland Gull was seen again on the Slurry Lagoon and a Tawny Owl was heard calling by the river. RW.

Iceland Gull – 27th December

December 27, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 27th December, birds, Cettis Warbler, Golden Plover, Iceland Gull, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

At about mid-day a first winter Iceland Gull joined the gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon. It spent some time bathing and then rested on the shore. About forty Golden Plovers flew over at about the same time and a Peregrine had flushed the roost shortly before. There were two Cetti’s Warblers, one calling one singing, and several Water Rail calling from around all the water bodies. Three Little Egrets were seen on the large willow beside the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Chiffchaff – 26th December

December 26, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 26th December, birds, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Little Egret, Lowere Path, RedwingPete Smith

This morning a Chiffchaff was seen foraging along the Lower Path. There were also large flocks of Redwings, Fieldfares and smaller numbers of Blackbirds feeding on the Hawthorn berries. There were up to four Little Egrets along the Ouse Dyke and a Cetti’s Warbler was singing from the Deep Pit. PS.

Peregrine – 18th December

December 18, 2011Recent wildlife sightings18th December, 2011, birds, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Cettis Warbler, Fieilfare, Lapwing, peregrine, Redwing, tealPete Smith

This morning the frost had taken a hold of the site and thin ice was forming on most of the lagoons. There were large flocks of winter thrushes, Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds. By the Gravel Pits there were two Cetti’s Warblers and the Slurry Lagoon held over 300 Teal with Black-headed Gulls and Lapwings. A Peregrine flew low across the bank in front of us, skimming the tops of the reeds, directly at the flocks of birds, which erupted into the air as one. In the confusion the Peregrine missed its mark and withdrew to the top of a pylon. PS.

Rough-legged Buzzard – 13th December

December 13, 2011Recent wildlife sightings13th December, 2011, birds, Common Buzzard, Gedling Pit Top, Jackdaw, Rook, Rough-legged Buzzard, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The gull roost held fewer birds than normal this afternoon and most had gone before dusk. Large numbers of Rooks and Jackdaws crossed the Slurry Lagoon on their way to roost, but otherwise things were quiet today and attention veered towards Gedling Pit Top, where the Rough-legged Buzzard could be seen hovering with a Common Buzzard flying above it. RW.

Goosander – 11th December

December 11, 2011Recent wildlife sightings11th December, 2011, birds, Cettis Warbler, Goosander, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Ouse DykePete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, two male Goosanders flew over the reserve and later a female landed on the Large Gravel Pit. Three Cetti’s Warblers were heard and there were three Little Egrets on the Ouse Dyke. Good numbers of winter thrushes and various ducks were also present. PS.

Goosander – 7th December

December 7, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 7th December, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Large Gravel Pit, Mallard, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, teal, WigeonPete Smith

This afternoon there were two female Goosander on the Large Gravel Pit, along with four female Goldeneye and some Gadwall and Wigeon. On the Deep Pit there were five male Goldeneye and several Mallard. The gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon contained an estimated 700 Greater Black-backs and at least twice as many Herring Gulls. There were well in excess of 2,000 birds. There were still good numbers of Shoveler and Teal as well as a Shelduck. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.