The cream-top Marsh Harrier was seen again this morning, quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. There was a Peregrine on the new pylon and Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Bunting performed well in front of the Causeway benches. Later a Raven flew over the site, practising its barrel-rolls.
Cetti’s Warbler – PS.
Reed Bunting – PS.
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.
A Stonechat was seen in the reed-bed in front of the Causeway benches and later, probably the same bird, was seen on the gate to the Wader Scrape. There were three Dunlin and three Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon and, early on, a Marsh Harrier was seen and thee Whooper Swans flew over. The Skylark passage continued overhead and Redwing were seen in good numbers with a few Fieldfare. PS. JV.
This morning three female Common Scoters were on the Deep Pit, seven Whooper Swans flew through to the north as well as seven Great White Egrets, three of which spent some time on the Slurry Lagoon. A Fieldfare was eating berries in the Causeway bushes behind the benches and seventy Redwings flew in from the north, turned around and flew back again. The two Pintail were still feeding on the Slurry Lagoon. PS. JV.
Common Scoters – JV.
Whooper Swans – JV.
Early on this morning a male, eclipse Pintail and a Black-tailed Godwit were on the Slurry Lagoon and the Water Rails were performing well in front of the Causeway benches. PS.
Black-tailed Godwit – PS.
Later on a Spoonbill and three Dunlin paid a visit. JDn.
Subsequently a Little Stint and a Wood Sandpiper were also seen. RW.
This morning an adult male Garganey was on the Slurry Lagoon. Siskins and Swallows were passing through in small numbers as well as a few Skylarks. The Bittern showed again as it crossed the Causeway between the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit. One or two Red Admirals were also migrating south through the reserve. PS.
Eclipse male Garganey. PS.
This morning the two Ruff and the Greenshank had been joined by a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and there was briefly a Wigeon, all on the Slurry Lagoon. The male Marsh Harrier was seen a few times as it popped out of or dropped into the reed-bed. There was a fairly strong passage of Sand and House Martins and small groups of assorted warblers were in the bushes. The reeds in front of the Causeway benches have been cut, so there were several views of scuttling Water Rails. PS.
Juvenile Water Rail – Jason Vickers
Early this morning there were two Hobbies hawking around the lagoons. About mid-morning up to three Arctic Terns flew through to the north. They were accompanied by around five Common Terns which seemed more preoccupied with courting. Later a Kittiwake was seen over the Deep Pit, on its way north east. Several small groups of Swifts flew through and, for a while , seven House Martins were feeding over the Slurry Lagoon and Causeway. PS.
In this morning’s sunshine several teneral Common Blue Damselflies were noted, as well as two mature specimens. A Large Red Damselfly was seen by the car park, a Four-spotted Chaser on the Butterfly Bank and a Hairy Dragonfly by the benches on the Causeway. PS.
This morning the cream-top Marsh Harrier with red wing-tags was seen quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Also seen was a Weasel, which ran across the Causeway. PS.