Tag Archives: Black-headed Gull

Common Scoter – 4th April

April 4, 2014Recent wildlife sightings2014, 4th April, Black-headed Gull, common scoter, Little Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, Wader Scrape, Willow WarblerPete Smith

Late this morning a flock of eleven Common Scoters (8 males and 3 females) settled on the Slurry Lagoon and stayed all afternoon. There were several flocks of Black-headed Gulls passing through, which included two individual Little Gulls. Willow Warblers are now singing on site and a Little Ringed Plover was on the Wader Scrape. PS, RW.

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.

Little Egret – 28th November

November 28, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 28th November, birds, Black-headed Gull, Cettis Warbler, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Little Egret, Shelduck, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Starling, tealPete Smith

At dusk the gull roost contained about 500 birds, consisting mainly of Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. there were also around 200 Teal and 70 Shoveler. Two Little Egrets and two Shelduck were also present and the Cetti’s Warbler sang briefly from the reed bed that the Starlings were roosting in. PS.

Ruff – 8th September

September 9, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 8th September, birds, Black-headed Gull, Dunlin, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Ruff, Sand Martin, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This evening two Ruff and two Dunlin dropped in, onto the Slurry Lagoon. There were also about 120 Sand Martins, 340 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1,000 Black-headed Gulls. RW.

Black-tailed Godwit – 11th July

July 11, 2011Recent wildlife sightings11th July, 2011, birds, Black-headed Gull, Black-tailed godwit, Coot Lesser Black-backed gull, ducks, Grebes, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Slurry Lagoon was a hive of activity this afternoon with young ducks, grebes and coots with their parents across almost the whole of its surface. At the back with some Lapwings were two Black-tailed Godwit and a fairly good roost of Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, PS.

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.

Woodcock – 7th November

November 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 7th November, birds, Black-headed Gull, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Geese, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Snipe, WoodcockPete Smith

A Woodcock was flushed from near the metal gates this morning and two Snipe flew over the Lower Path, calling. All three Cetti’s were heard singing but there was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard, or the Ross’s Goose, despite most of the Grey-lag and Canada Goose flock coming onto the Large Gravel Pit. A Peregrine flew through, causing mayhem. It put up the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls on the Slurry Lagoon before dropping into the Deep Pit, screaming as it went, and then flying up to perch on a pylon.

Ant Swarm – 8th August

August 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsbirds, Black-headed Gull, Brimstone, butterflies, Comma, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, insects, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Long-winged Conehead, Lower Path, Peacock, Red Admiral, roesels bush cricket, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

During the Bird Count this morning there was an ant swarm that attracted a flock of over 500 Black-headed Gulls. There were also some Common Terns catching the ants and three Hobbies. Two Curlews stopped briefly on the Slurry Lagoon and a Green Sandpiper was amongst the Lapwings. A Little Egret was on the Large Gravel Pit with some Grey Herons and about twenty Cormorants, before joining the gulls on the Slurry Lagoon. Several Roesel’s Bush Crickets and Long-winged Coneheads were also found. On the Lower Path five Brimstones were found along with Commas, Red Admiral and Peacocks. PS.

Gulls and ant swarm

Watch Alan’s video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKYnvqGQAm4

Fox and Gulls – 4th July

July 4, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsBlack-headed Gull, Fox, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Redshank, Slurry Lagoon, Willow titPete Smith

The gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon is beginning to build up again and today there were about sixty Black-headed Gulls, including about ten juveniles and several Lesser Black-backs. Suddenly a fox dashed out of the reed-bed, grabbed one and disappeared again. All of the gulls took to the air but soon settled back down again. Amongst the gulls were a few Lapwings and a Redshank. A Willow Tit was heard again along the Lower Path. PS.