Tag Archives: Bittern

Glossy Ibis – 19th October

October 19, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Blackcap, Causeway, Cormorant, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Large Gravel Pit, Marsh Harrier, pintail, Raven, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, SnipePete Smith

Early on there was a Great White Egret on the Slurry Lagoon, plus three Snipe and a Pintail. By mid-morning a Bittern was seen on the Large Gravel Pit and a flock of 100 Cormorants. A cream-top Marsh Harrier worked its way through the site, hunting, a Blackcap was by the railway bridge and a pair of Ravens flew across the Slurry Lagoon. Three Glossy Ibis then put in an appearance, landing on the Slurry Lagoon. They then flew around the site before returning to the Slurry Lagoon. Small flocks of Fieldfares flew through and some Redwings were in the Causeway Hawthorn bushes.

Glossy Ibis – PS.

Bittern – 15th October

October 15, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Long-tailed Tit, pintail, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

This morning a Bittern was seen flying into the Large Gravel Pit reeds and two female Goldeneye were on the Large Gravel Pit and the Pintails are still on the Slurry Lagoon. Several small flocks of Redwing and some Fieldfares were seen flying over and in the hawthorns. Flocks of Long-tailed Tits were still containing Chiffchaffs and three Swallows were feeding over the Slurry Lagoon. PS. JV.

Pintail – male – PS.

Goldeneye – PS.

Garganey – 19th September

September 19, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Causeway, Deep Pit, Garganey, Red Admiral, Siskin, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

This morning an adult male Garganey was on the Slurry Lagoon. Siskins and Swallows were passing through in small numbers as well as a few Skylarks. The Bittern showed again as it crossed the Causeway between the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit. One or two Red Admirals were also migrating south through the reserve. PS.

Eclipse male Garganey. PS.

Bittern – 23rd June

June 23, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Deep PitPete Smith

Very quiet at the lagoons today, although there were plenty of broods of young birds about. Mid-morning a Bittern was seen as it dropped into the reed-bed in the Deep Pit. PS.

Osprey – 23rd May

May 23, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Great White Egret, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, Osprey, Slurry Lagoon, Tree Pipit, warblersPete Smith

Very early this morning a Tree Pipit was calling as it flew north, following the Trent. A Bittern flew from the Trent into the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed and an Osprey flew over on its migration. JV.

Later on, a Cuckoo was calling from the Deep Pit and a group of three Great White Egrets flew over the site , almost landing on the Slurry Lagoon before deciding to fly on. The Cuckoo continued flying around the Large Gravel Pit, still calling and a second Cuckoo was heard in the distance. Later the Cuckoo came back to the Slurry Lagoon and then a female flew from the reed-bed as the male flew around, still calling. Most of the warbler species were still singing well, especially a particular Garden Warbler. PS.

In the late morning a Hobby was hawking insects over the gravel pits. RJP.

Garden Warbler – PS.

Cuckoo – RJP.

Hobby – RJP.

Otter – 12th February

February 12, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Buzzard, Great White Egret, Otter, Peregrine Falcon, Slurry Lagoon, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning two male Peregrines flew over the site in a territorial dispute. On the Slurry Lagoon the ducks and gulls were very unsettled. Eventually an Otter showed itself as the culprit, as it also flushed a Bittern from the reed-bed. Later in the morning a Buzzard flew across the Wader Scrape and was set upon by a male and a female Peregrine who made spectacular stoops and forced an ignominious retreat back to the plantation. A Great White Egret was seen at the back of the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Bittern – 9th December

December 9, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Ecopark, Red Kite, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon. Later on a Red Kite was seen over the Ecopark. RJP/SW

Bittern – 17th July

July 17, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Great White Egret, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning two Hobbies were seen over the site. There were also four Peregrines and the Marsh Harrier was seen leaving its roost. Later on a Great White Egret was seen having a fracas with a Grey Heron and a Bittern flew across as it swapped reed-beds. JV/PS.

Great White Egret and Grey Heron – Pete Smith.

Bittern – 17th December

December 18, 2023Recent wildlife sightings17th December, 2023, Bittern, Large Gravel Pit, Marsh Harrier, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Bittern was seen, flying over the Large Gravel Pit. There was also a report of a Marsh Harrier over the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed at about mid-day. RJP.

Whooper Swan – 16th October

October 16, 2023Recent wildlife sightings16th October, 2023, Bittern, Common Gull, Large Gravel Pit, Raven, Slurry Lagoon, Whooper SwanPete Smith

This morning three Whooper Swans circled the site before deciding to fly off high to the east. A Bittern was seen in the reed-bed at the north end of the Large Gravel Pit and three Ravens were seen on the pylons. At least four Common Gulls were on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.