There were still at least three male Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon, still slowly emerging from their eclipse plumage. A female Goosander briefly circled the Slurry Lagoon before flying off. Two Chiffchaffs were still singing from either end of the Deep Pit and good numbers of Redwing were in the hawthorn bushes. PS.
Pintail in almost complete winter plumage. PS.
This morning a Bittern was seen flying into the Large Gravel Pit reeds and two female Goldeneye were on the Large Gravel Pit and the Pintails are still on the Slurry Lagoon. Several small flocks of Redwing and some Fieldfares were seen flying over and in the hawthorns. Flocks of Long-tailed Tits were still containing Chiffchaffs and three Swallows were feeding over the Slurry Lagoon. PS. JV.
Pintail – male – PS.
Goldeneye – PS.
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.
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.
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.
This morning two Chiffchaffs were calling from the Slurry Lagoon north path, where a Woodcock was disturbed and flew through the trees down the bank. A Peregrine was on the new pylon and a Great White Egret and Little Egret were on the Ouse Dyke near the Wader Scrape. A male Goosander was on the Slurry Lagoon and two Fieldfares flew over. PS.
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.
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 the tagged Marsh Harrier was seen leaving its roost. Two Peregrines were seen flying together in courtship. The Chiffchaff was singing again from its usual tree. JV.
This morning the Marsh Harrier – 6T – was seen again over the Slurry Lagoon. Eventually the crows drove it away. JV.
Marsh Harrier and Carrion Crow – Jason Vickers.
Later, four Oystercatchers and two Chiffchaffs were seen, one singing. PS.