Tag Archives: Blackcap

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.

Spoonbill – 14th September

September 14, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Robin, Spoonbill, Wigeon, WrenPete Smith

This morning, during the Bird Count, four Spoonbills flew over the site towards the SW. There were more Wigeon arriving and still some warblers about, with Chiffchaffs still abundant, but also some Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroats and a Reed Warbler. Robins could be heard singing all over the site but Wrens and Dunnocks were keeping silent and hardly recorded. PS.

Little Gull – 3rd April

April 3, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, Chiffchaff, Little Gull, Lower Path, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning eight Little Gulls flew through high to the NE. Good numbers of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were singing and a Willow Warbler was at the W end of the Lower Path. JV, PS.

Chiffchaff – PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 31st March

March 31, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Greta White Egret, Large Gravel Pit, Marsh Harrier, Otter, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning an Otter was seen in the Slurry Lagoon, a Red-crested Pochard was on the Deep Pit, a Great White Egret was on the Large Gravel Pit and a Marsh Harrier over the Slurry Lagoon. Later in the morning two Mediterranean Gulls were on the Deep Pit. There are many Chiffchaffs already on site and singing, along with several Blackcaps. JV – PS.

Raven – 8th October

October 8, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, Chiffchaff, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Raven, Skylark, SwallowPete Smith

There are still a few Swallows and Skylarks passing over. A great White Egret and a Little Egret spent some time fishing in the Ouse Dyke and two Egyptian Geese flew through. Blackcap and Chiffchaff are still about and two Ravens spiralled up on a thermal. PS.

Ravens – Pete Smith.

Blackcap – 18th March

March 18, 2024Recent wildlife sightings18th March, 2024, Blackcap, Brimstone, Chiffchaff, Coma, Deep Pit, Peacock, Small Sallow Mining Bee, Tawny Mining Bee, TortoiseshellPete Smith

This morning there were about twenty Chiffchaffs singing around the site and the first Blackcap was heard, giving a tentative song. Three Oystercatchers flew over the Deep Pit, making a lot of noise. As it warmed up, Small Sallow Mining Bees and Tawny Mining Bees were seen on the fence posts, and three Brimstones, three Comas, two Tortoiseshells and a Peacock were flying. PS.

Hobby – 24th September

September 24, 2023Recent wildlife sightings2023, 24th September, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Hobby, House Martin, Long-tailed Tit, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, WigeonPete Smith

This morning a Hobby was seen over the Slurry Lagoon. There was also a light passage of Swallows and House Martins and two Wigeon flew in. There were some large flocks of small birds containing Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. PS

Water Rail – 3rd September

September 3, 2023Recent wildlife sightings2023, 3rd September, Blackcap, Causeway, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning there were five Wigeon on the Slurry Lagoon. Up to 36 Shoveler were also there and about forty Swallows passed to the south in small family groups. A Water Rail dashed across the gap in front of the Causeway benches and two others were heard. There were still two Common Terns on the Deep Pit and large flocks of warblers, mostly Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, were about. PS.

Whooper Swan – 27th March

March 27, 2023Recent wildlife sightings2023, 27th March, Bearded Reedling, Blackcap, Buzzard, peregrine, Raven, Red Kite, Whooper SwanPete Smith

This morning there were eighteen Whooper Swans on the Slurry Lagoon. Four Bearded Reedlings were seen in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed, a Peregrine passed through and there were four Sand Martins by the railway bridge. PD.

Later a group of seven Buzzards were displaying and tussling in the same thermal. First a Raven joined them and later a Red Kite flew through them without reacting. The Whooper Swans left at about 11.30. PS.

In the late afternoon a Blackcap was singing from the Causeway. RJP.

Bearded Reedling – 19th March

March 20, 2023Recent wildlife sightings19th March, 2023, Bearded Reedling, Bittern, Blackcap, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning six Bearded Reedlings were seen in the NE corner of the Slurry Lagoon. They were very active flying up on several occasions as if about to leave the reed-bed, but then dropping back down again some distance away. Also a Bittern was heard booming. PS/MT

A Blackcap was also reported. RJP