Tag Archives: Chiffchaff

Wheatear – 8th April

April 8, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 8th April, birds, Blackcap, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Swallow, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning, on the monthly bird count, there were several new birds in, including five Willow Warblers, four Sand Martins, a Swallow and a Wheatear. More Chiffchaffs had arrived and also more Blackcaps. Three Buzzards and two Shelduck were also seen. PS.

Red Kite – 25th March

March 26, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 25th March, birds, Blackcap, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Kestrel, peregrine, Red Kite, Rough-legged Buzzard, Sand Martin, SparrowhawkPete Smith

As the air warmed up and thermals began to form the raptors began to soar into the sky. By midday there were twelve Buzzards circling and then two Red Kites soared over the site. There were also two Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, and two Peregrines and a Rough-legged Buzzard that drifted off towards Gedling pit top. Eight Chiffchaffs were singing as well as a Blackcap and several Sand Martins passed through. PS.

Wheatear – 18th March

March 18, 2012Recent wildlife sightings18th March, 2012, birds, Chiffchaff, peregrine, Redshank, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, WheatearPete Smith

The sleet and rain this morning has put some migrants down and the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon had two cracking male Wheatears on it. There were also six Chiffchaffs, three of them singing. A Redshank and four Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon and two Peregrines flew along the line of the pylons. PS.

Chiffchaff – 15th March

March 15, 2012Recent wildlife sightings15th March, 2012, birds, Cettis Warbler, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Meadow Pipit, Shelduck, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This afternoon, during the brief sunny spell, a Chiffchaff was heard singing in the Deep Pit, also four Meadow pipits flew over. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard singing and a Shelduck is still on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Chiffchaff – 26th December

December 26, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 26th December, birds, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Little Egret, Lowere Path, RedwingPete Smith

This morning a Chiffchaff was seen foraging along the Lower Path. There were also large flocks of Redwings, Fieldfares and smaller numbers of Blackbirds feeding on the Hawthorn berries. There were up to four Little Egrets along the Ouse Dyke and a Cetti’s Warbler was singing from the Deep Pit. PS.

Greenshank – 4th September

September 4, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 4th September, birds, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Clouded Yellow, Deep Pit, greenshank, Lesser Whitethroat, Little Ringed Plover, Lower Path, Reed Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe Little Egret, WhitethroatPete Smith

This morning there were lots of warblers along the Lower Path and in the Deep Pit, including several Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff. On the Slurry Lagoon there were two Little Ringed Plover, two Snipe, two Greenshank and two Little Egrets. PS.AE.CH.RW.

In the early afternoon a Clouded Yellow was seen on the east bank of the Deep Pit, near the seat. RW.

Red-crested Pochard – 24th June

June 24, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 24th June, birds, Chiffchaff, Hobby, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, water rail, Willow titPete Smith

There are still eight Red-crested Pochard on the Slurry Lagoon. A Water Rail was calling from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed to the south of the bench on the Causeway. By the railway bridge, on the up-river side, a Willow Tit without a tail was seen and heard calling. At first I thought it was a juvenile but it more likely had a close encounter with a Sparrowhawk. A Hobby did a magnificent stoop, half the length of the Lower Path, and rose with what looked like a warbler, perhaps a Chiffchaff, in its talons. It flew off with it in the direction of Holme Pierrepont. PS

Migrants Return – 3rd April

April 3, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 3rd April, birds, butterflies, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Comma, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Peacock, Red Admiral, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small Tortoiseshell, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Yellow WagtailCarol

During the last few days many migrant species have been returning to the lagoons and helped to provide a quite exciting morning’s watching in very pleasant bright weather this morning. Amongst others, the Sand Martins are now present in considerable numbers on the river bank. Willow Warblers were noted in several locations, as were Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps. A single Reed Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Whitethroat in the brambles on the Slurry Lagoon. The highlight of the morning was a Wheatear, which perched very close on fence posts, and the close second was the appearance of three Buzzards, which displayed well, including an aerial fight. The Cetti’s Warbler was in good voice also.

Meanwhile two Common Terns were struggling with Black-headed Gulls for space on the tern platform.

Butterflies, including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, and Red Admiral were noted and the Blackthorn Blossom was a sight to see (and smell). A Yellow Wagtail was also seen over the Large Gravel Pit and six Shelduck flew into the Slurry Lagoon.

PS/NM/RW/AR/ DG/LD/AE

Common Tern – 1st April

April 1, 2011Recent wildlife sightings1st April, 2011, birds, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

A Common Tern was resting on one of the tern platforms this afternoon. As we watched it a Willow Warbler started to sing on the Causeway bank, inside the Deep Pit. The Cetti’s Warbler and a Chiffchaff were also singing there. There were several Chiffchaffs singing around the site and some Sand Martins were flying overhead. On the Slurry Lagoon there were still some Teal and Shoveler and a Shelduck later joined them. On the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon there was a female Wheatear. PS. DG. RW.

Common Tern – 30th March

March 30, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 30th March, birds, Chiffchaff, Common TernPete Smith

This afternoon a Common Tern flew upstream, over the site. Other migrants were scarce, only the Chiffchaffs giving themselves away. JMD. PS.