The Slurry Lagoon was very quiet this morning, mainly covered with Black-headed Gulls, there are few ducks around. A female Goosander did fly over but, otherwise, it was just a male Shoveler and a pair of Gadwall, plus the swans. Across the river the very pale Buzzard was sitting in a tree near the viaduct. From this distance its front looked completely white. (As the very poor photo shows.) There were still plenty of winter thrushes about, Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds. PS.
There were plenty of winter thrushes about today but the frozen Slurry Lagoon had only about 30 Teal and a large flock of Black-headed and Herring Gulls to show. A Water Rail did slip on the ice as it crossed the space in front of the Causeway benches. In the Deep Pit the very pale Buzzard was sat in a willow, hoping to catch some unwary prey. PS.
Buzzard – PS
Half of the Slurry Lagoon was under ice this morning. There were a few Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler but mostly there were Black-headed Gulls with a few Herring and Common Gulls. The Marsh Harrier showed several times as it hunted over the reed-beds but it and a Buzzard were mobbed by crows as they looked for a meal. Two Egyptian Geese flew into the Deep Pit and a confiding Green Woodpecker was seen digging for ants. PS.
Marsh Harrier PS.
Green Woodpecker PS.
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.
This morning the wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was seen again, quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Later, a Red Kite flew low, over the site and a skein of about sixty Pink-footed Geese flew through to the SW. Birds also seen were an Egyptian Goose, three Buzzards and a Jay. PS.
In the afternoon a pair of Goosander were seen on the river and an Oystercatcher flew over the Deep Pit. IEP.
This morning a female Marsh Harrier was hunting over the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Also seen were a Peregrine, two Buzzards, a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk. Later two Great White Egrets flew over the site and a Redpoll and Chiffchaff were in one of the Deep Pit birches. 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, whilst the machine was raking off the cut reeds, a Red Kite and a Buzzard came to see if they could get an easy meal. Also a Green Sandpiper was on the Slurry Lagoon. IEP.
This morning there was a steady passage of Swallows over the site. There were still Reed and Sedge Warblers in front of the Causeway Bench, and some Water Rails. Twelve Egyptian Geese with one Ruddy Shelduck were loafing on the Slurry Lagoon and a Fox put in a brief appearance, as well as a Kingfisher. Later six Buzzards were sharing a thermal and a Red Kite passed through. PS.
In the early afternoon a Hobby was seen over the Large Gravel Pit, hawking dragonflies. IEP.
In the late afternoon at least three Willow Emeralds were on the Lower Path, by the stepping stones. JDn.
This morning there was a Greenshank on the Ecopark, and a Snipe on the Slurry Lagoon, with four Wigeon. In the afternoon, a Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, two Kestrels and a Peregrine were seen. Also two Dunlin flew over the site. A Water Shrew was seen in the Ouse Dyke. IEP.