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.
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
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.
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.
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
Today there were four Whinchats in the rough field beside the sub-station. The Slurry Lagoon had twelve Lapwings and ten Wigeon and lots of Water Rail activity in front of the Causeway bench. There were lots of warblers still foraging for calories for their migration, including Reed, Sedge, Willow Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. PS.
This morning the female Marsh Harrier was still on the reserve and was seen quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. A Great White Egret was on the Slurry Lagoon with a Little Egret. There were small flocks of warblers that included Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Lesser Whitethroats. PS.
This morning the Peregrine was on the new pylon. One Black-tailed Godwit was on the Slurry Lagoon with about forty Lapwings and a Water Rail skipped across in front of the bench. A flock of fourteen Whimbrel flew over the site to the south-west and a cream-top Marsh Harrier flushed all of the gulls as it quartered the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed before dropping into the reeds, where it stayed. A Green Sandpiper and a Redshank were on the Ecopark, the Redshank later visiting the Slurry Lagoon. Sedge and Willow Warblers were seen and heard along with Whitethroat, young Blackcaps and plenty of Chiffchaffs. IEP.
The ‘Bird Walk – Migrants’ went well today with eight of us present. We saw Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers and Cetti’s Warblers. There were Swallows and Sand Martins by the railway bridge. As the morning warmed up butterflies emerged with Brimstone, Orange-tip, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Green Hairstreak and Holly Blue all seen.
Lots of migrants fresh in today. The first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was reeling just east of the railway bridge, 2 Sedge Warblers were singing under the pylons. Lots of hirundines, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps. 2 Jack Snipe were sat together on the Ecopark. MC.