Tag Archives: birds

Common Sandpiper – 19th April

April 19, 2011Recent wildlife sightings19th April, 2011, birds, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, House Martin, SwallowPete Smith

This afternoon a small Calidrid wader, probably a Dunlin, flew around the Slurry Lagoon several times before flying off to the north-east. There was a Common Sandpiper on the river bank and towards evening, during a Hirundine raptor alert, a House Martin was seen high above the Swallows. PS. JMD.

Jay – 11th April

April 11, 2011Recent wildlife sightings11th May, 2011, birds, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Grasshopper Warbler, Jay, Reed Warbler, Sedge WarblerPete Smith

As we watched the terns trying to drive the Black-headed Gulls from the breeding platforms, more birds arrived in ones and twos. Soon there were nine flying around and they gained the upper hand. In the distance a Jay flew through, high above the valley. Five Grasshopper Warblers are now singing and more Reed and Sedge Warblers have arrived. PS.

Red Kite – 10th April

April 10, 2011Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 2011, birds, Grasshopper Warbler, Red Kite, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, SwallowPete Smith

Good numbers of migrants have come in over the weekend, and there were four Grasshopper Warblers and several Reed and Sedge Warblers present. The Sand Martin numbers have reached the sixties and one or two more Swallows have arrived. During the morning a Red Kite was seen flying north, along the line if the pylons, high above the reserve. NWG RW.

Waxwings – 7th April

April 7, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 7th April, birds, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, Waxwing, WhitethroatPete Smith

This afternoon there were plenty of signs of summer migrants arriving as five Swallows were at their breeding site, under the railway bridge. There were three Common Terns on the tern platforms and several Whitethroats singing from the brambles. Two Sedge Warblers were heard, singing from deep cover and dozens of Sand Martins were feeding over the pits. Despite all these signs of the burgeoning spring the unmistakable trilling of Waxwings was heard and a flock of about forty flew across the river by the railway bridge.

Friends greet each other on the Causeway.

Migrants Return – 3rd April

April 3, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 3rd April, birds, butterflies, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Comma, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Peacock, Red Admiral, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small Tortoiseshell, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Yellow WagtailCarol

During the last few days many migrant species have been returning to the lagoons and helped to provide a quite exciting morning’s watching in very pleasant bright weather this morning. Amongst others, the Sand Martins are now present in considerable numbers on the river bank. Willow Warblers were noted in several locations, as were Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps. A single Reed Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Whitethroat in the brambles on the Slurry Lagoon. The highlight of the morning was a Wheatear, which perched very close on fence posts, and the close second was the appearance of three Buzzards, which displayed well, including an aerial fight. The Cetti’s Warbler was in good voice also.

Meanwhile two Common Terns were struggling with Black-headed Gulls for space on the tern platform.

Butterflies, including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, and Red Admiral were noted and the Blackthorn Blossom was a sight to see (and smell). A Yellow Wagtail was also seen over the Large Gravel Pit and six Shelduck flew into the Slurry Lagoon.

PS/NM/RW/AR/ DG/LD/AE

Common Tern – 1st April

April 1, 2011Recent wildlife sightings1st April, 2011, birds, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

A Common Tern was resting on one of the tern platforms this afternoon. As we watched it a Willow Warbler started to sing on the Causeway bank, inside the Deep Pit. The Cetti’s Warbler and a Chiffchaff were also singing there. There were several Chiffchaffs singing around the site and some Sand Martins were flying overhead. On the Slurry Lagoon there were still some Teal and Shoveler and a Shelduck later joined them. On the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon there was a female Wheatear. PS. DG. RW.

Common Tern – 30th March

March 30, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 30th March, birds, Chiffchaff, Common TernPete Smith

This afternoon a Common Tern flew upstream, over the site. Other migrants were scarce, only the Chiffchaffs giving themselves away. JMD. PS.

Willow Warbler – 29th March

March 29, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 29th March, birds, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning a Willow Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit. A Blackcap was also heard and up to seven Chiffchaffs. RW.

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.