Tag Archives: Common Tern

Jay – 11th April

April 11, 2011Recent wildlife sightings11th May, 2011, birds, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Grasshopper Warbler, Jay, Reed Warbler, Sedge WarblerPete Smith

As we watched the terns trying to drive the Black-headed Gulls from the breeding platforms, more birds arrived in ones and twos. Soon there were nine flying around and they gained the upper hand. In the distance a Jay flew through, high above the valley. Five Grasshopper Warblers are now singing and more Reed and Sedge Warblers have arrived. PS.

Waxwings – 7th April

April 7, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 7th April, birds, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, Waxwing, WhitethroatPete Smith

This afternoon there were plenty of signs of summer migrants arriving as five Swallows were at their breeding site, under the railway bridge. There were three Common Terns on the tern platforms and several Whitethroats singing from the brambles. Two Sedge Warblers were heard, singing from deep cover and dozens of Sand Martins were feeding over the pits. Despite all these signs of the burgeoning spring the unmistakable trilling of Waxwings was heard and a flock of about forty flew across the river by the railway bridge.

Friends greet each other on the Causeway.

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.

Ruff – 2nd September

September 2, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 2nd September, birds, Common Tern, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Kestrel, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, water railPete Smith

This evening a juvenile Ruff flew onto the Slurry Lagoon, there was also a Green Sandpiper and two Water Rail. Two Common Terns flew through and a Hobby was catching dragonflies before joining in some aerial capers with a Sparrowhawk and two Kestrels.

Ruff – 29th August

August 29, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 29th August, birds, Common Tern, Gadwall, Hobby, House Martin, peregrine, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Swift, WigeonPete Smith

There was plenty of movement today with about 120 House Martins through in the morning along with two Common Terns and three Swifts and two more Wigeon arrived with several Gadwall. PS.

A juvenile Ruff was seen on the Slurry Lagoon today and later a Hobby and a Peregrine were seen. RW.

Hobby – 27th August

August 28, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 27th August, birds, Common Tern, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Slurry Lagoon, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

Today on the Slurry Lagoon there were two Green Sandpipers and a Hobby was seen catching insects. Four terns, which proved to be three adults and one juvenile Common Tern, flew in to bathe before continuing on migration and later two more juveniles did the same thing. One or two Yellow Wagtails also flew over. PS.

Greenshank – 26th July

July 26, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 26th July, birds, Caspian gull, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Green Sandpiper, greenshank, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This afternoon on the Slurry Lagoon there was a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper and a probable Caspian Gull. Most of the terns had gone with only one present on one of the breeding platforms for part of the afternoon. RW, PS.

Little Egret – 22nd July

July 22, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 22nd July, birds, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Green Sandpiper, Lapwing, Little Egret, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

On the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon there were one Little Egret, 43 Common Tern, 102 Lapwing, one Common Sandpiper, two Green Sandpipers, two Yellow-legged Gulls and a Water Rail. RW.