This morning the wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. An adult and later a juvenile Peregrine were hunting the reserve, the adult flushing a pack of 11 Snipe. In the Boundary Hedge a male Tawny Owl was calling as it was mobbed by two Jays. PS.
This morning there was still a steady passage of Hirundines, including some Sand Martins. Two Ravens were seen several times and there were three Hobbies catching dragonflies. Along the Boundary Hedge there were several dragonflies including at least seven Willow Emeralds. On the north path beside the Slurry Lagoon an unusually dark Comma was seen. PS.
Willow Emerald
The hot, humid conditions this morning suited the dragonflies and several species were seen. There was a Lesser Emperor in front of the Causeway benches, along with Emperors, Four-spotted Chasers and Black-tailed Skimmers. In the NE corner of the Slurry Lagoon a Broad-bodied Chaser was basking. Along the Boundary Hedge immature Ruddy Darters and a Brown Hawker were seen. PS.
Lesser Emperor
Broad-bodied Chaser
Ruddy Darter
A Siberian Chiffchaff was found in the Boundary hedge at the river end. RJP.
This evening the Starling murmuration held about 8,000 birds. A Bearded Tit dropped in to roost, two Egyptian Geese were feeding on the Severn/Trent field beside the Boundary Hedge and a Barn Owl was hunting around the Large Gravel Pit. JMD.
This morning a Barn Owl was seen hunting along the Boundary Hedge. Two Egyptian Geese flew over to the flooded field across the river. The seed crop on the Wader Scrape had good numbers of Reed Buntings and Linnets feeding in it, a Brambling was heard near the bird table and a Chiffchaff was seen along the Ouse Dyke. PS.
This morning, during the Bird Count, eleven Water Rail were heard calling around the reserve. Two Peregrines were on the new pylon and a Treecreeper was seen along the Boundary Hedge. On the Eco-park there were four Little Egrets and two Green Sandpipers. PS.
In the late afternoon two Spotted Flycatchers were seen along the Boundary Hedge. About 100 hirundines were overhead and were paid a visit by a Hobby. JMD.
This evening about 10,000 Starlings came in to roost in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. Two Barn Owls were seen hunting along the Boundary Hedge and a Peregrine was on the new pylon. PS.
This morning there was a Bittern flying between the reed beds on the Slurry Lagoon. There were several Gatekeepers flying and the nettles by the Boundary Hedge had good numbers of Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars. PS.