Tag Archives: Curlew

Curlew – 6th April

April 6, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 6th April, Blackcap, Brimstone, Comma, Curlew, Haven, Orange Tip., Peacock, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small TortoiseshellPete Smith

The sun brought out the butterflies this morning with 11 Brimstones, 5 Peacocks, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Comma and 1 Orange-tip being seen. A Curlew called as it flew over and three Sand Martins were seen near the river, also a Blackcap sang briefly near the Haven. On the Slurry Lagoon two Shelduck were present first thing. PS.

Black Redstart – 12th April

April 12, 2013Recent wildlife sightings12th April, 2013, Barn Owl, Black Redstart, Curlew, Deep Pit, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning a female/1st summer male Black Redstart was seen on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. Three Wheatears were on the Severn Trent fields. Later there was a Willow Warbler singing in the Deep Pit and seven Little Ringed Plover on the Wader Scrape. RW.

In the afternoon there were two female/1st summer male Black Redstarts on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon and five Sand Martins and a Swallow passed through. PS.

In the early evening a Curlew flew through, a Green Sandpiper was on a riverside flood and the Barn Owl was hunting over the reserve. RW.

Curlew – 17th March

March 17, 2013Recent wildlife sightings17th March, 2013, Curlew, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Little Ringed Plover, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Slurry Lagoon, teal, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning the Little Ringed Plover was seen again on the Wader Scrape, along with 32 Gadwall, 2 Teal and a male Goldeneye. A Curlew flew over the site and there was a mixed flock of Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Curlew – 9th September

September 9, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 9th September, Curlew, Hobby, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning as we arrived to start the bird count, a Curlew was calling as it flew from the Slurry Lagoon. Later there were well over 350 Swallows and House Martins by the railway bridge, as migrants paused to feed and rest. Two Hobbies made an appearance but the hirundines were too alert for them, so they had to content themselves with catching some of the dragonflies that were flying abundantly today. There were several groups of warblers and tits and Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were passing through on migration. PS.

Curlew – 1st June

June 1, 2012Recent wildlife sightings1st June, 2012, Curlew, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Tufted DuckPete Smith

A Curlew flew over the reserve calling in lovely liquid notes. It settled on the Slurry Lagoon to rest and preen. Also on the Slurry Lagoon were several Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, Pochard and a male Shoveler. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 4th May

May 4, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 4th May, birds, Curlew, Deep Pit, Garden Warbler, House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, SwiftPete Smith

There was a good arrival of migrants over the last two days with warbler numbers shooting up. The reed beds hold several Reed and Sedge Warblers and several Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warblers have arrived. Swallows, House Martins and Swifts have been passing through in good numbers all day. In the morning a Curlew flew over the site and a Little Egret made an appearance. In the late afternoon a Marsh Harrier flew in and possibly stayed to roost in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. RW.

Lesser Whitethroat – 27th April

April 27, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 27th April, Curlew, House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

The rain was unrelenting today but there were still more Swallows over the Slurry Lagoon than I had seen so far this spring, plus two House Martins. A Lesser Whitethroat sang and then showed itself in the bushes at the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon, near the steps and a Curlew called as it circled somewhere overhead, but it couldn’t be seen. PS.

Curlew – 5th October

October 5, 2011Recent wildlife sightings5th October, Curlew, pintail, Slurry Lagoon, water railJacqueline

A Curlew spent some time on the Slurry Lagoon late this afternoon. Two Pintail are still present and a Water Rail was creeping along just inside the reeds. Geese numbers are building up as the sweetcorn fields are harvested. JMD.

Arctic Skua – 16th September

September 16, 2011Recent wildlife sightings16th September, 2011, Arctic Skua, birds, Bittern, Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, pintail, Swallow, water rail, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning at about 10.00 the Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon, walking along the front of the reed bed. There were also four Pintail and a Green Sandpiper present. On the river there were five Common Sandpipers and a Curlew. RW.

In the afternoon, about 15.00 all of the gulls flew up as an Arctic Skua came in. It bathed briefly on the Slurry Lagoon before half-heartedly chasing a few Black-headed Gulls and then it flew off to the north-east. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling and so was a Water Rail, and some Swallows went through, going north. Two Buzzards spiralled over and several Yellow Wagtails went through. PS. RW.

Marsh Harrier – 22nd April

April 22, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 22nd April, birds, cuckoo, Curlew, Goosander, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Whimbrel, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning a pair of Lesser Whitethroat were found on the corner of the Slurry Lagoon by the steps. On the river near the bend a female Goosander was resting on the bank and a Curlew, followed by a Whimbrel flew through. A female Marsh Harrier appeared over the Slurry Lagoon, alarming all of the ducks, before quartering the reed beds. After a while it landed in the reed bed but was seen leaving the site a few minutes later. A Yellow Wagtail was also seen and the Cuckoo returned to the Deep Pit fence posts. PS. RW.

In the early afternoon a Hobby drifted through to the east. RW.