This morning a variety of birds were seen flying through on migration, including a flock of over 100 Swallows and Martins. Also seen were a Common Tern over the Slurry Lagoon, a male, eclipse Pintail that landed for a short while on the Slurry Lagoon and a Black-tailed Godwit that paused briefly, also on the Slurry Lagoon. The male Marsh Harrier was also seen over the reed-bed. JV.
Pintail – JV.
Marsh Harrier – JV.
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.
This morning most of the warblers were back and singing lustily. One or two Common Terns were paying brief morning visits to the Deep Pit. There were lots of butterflies to be seen, including several Dingy Skippers and Green Hairstreaks as well as Orange-tips and a Brimstone and Common Blue. PS.
Dingy Skipper – JV.
Green Hairstreak – PS.
This morning, during the Bird Count, a Purple Heron was seen flying over the site. It later appeared at Langford Lowfields. Also seen was a Sandwich Tern that spent a few minutes over the Common Tern rafts before continuing its journey north. A Hobby was seen over the Deep Pit and the Grasshopper Warbler was still singing on the Ecopark and there were good numbers seen of most of the other warbler species. Some dragonfly species were also seen, including several Hairy Dragonflies. PS.
This morning there were two Arctic Terns foraging over the Deep Pit with a Common Tern. Later they flew off to the North, and a second Common Tern was seen with the other one in the Deep Pit – one carrying a fish. There were at least ten Garden Warblers singing and the first Xanthogramma citrofasciatum – hoverfly – was seen, recently emerged. PS.
Garden Warbler – Peter Smith.
Xanthogramma citrofasciatum – Peter Smith.
This morning two Common Terns were seen over the Deep Pit. One was seen to land briefly on one of the Tern Platforms. At least fifteen Green Hairstreaks were counted.
Common Tern – Jason Vickers
Willow Warbler – Peter Smith.
This morning there were five Wigeon on the Slurry Lagoon. Up to 36 Shoveler were also there and about forty Swallows passed to the south in small family groups. A Water Rail dashed across the gap in front of the Causeway benches and two others were heard. There were still two Common Terns on the Deep Pit and large flocks of warblers, mostly Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, were about. PS.
This morning, during the Wildlife Walk, a female Marsh Harrier, being chased by a Common Tern, flew over the Slurry Lagoon. When the tern lost interest it began quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed before dropping in. Later it took off again and flew around the Large Gravel Pit before gaining height and disappearing high towards the east. PS.
Female Marsh Harrier.
This morning there were a Common Tern and a House martin seen over the Deep Pit. Later, ten Little Gulls came in to feed and rest and a Raven flew across the railway. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing along the Causeway. PS.
This morning a pair of Mediterranean Gulls were seen flying over the Slurry Lagoon. Later one was seen on the Deep Pit. A Raven was seen on the pylons and an Egyptian Goose flew through. PS.
Later a Yellow Wagtail flew over the Wader Scrape and a Common Tern was seen in the Deep Pit. MC.