Tag Archives: Deep Pit

Arctic Tern – 27th September

October 1, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsArctic Tern, Deep PitPete Smith

This morning a juvenile Arctic Tern paid a brief visit to the Deep Pit. JV.

Juvenile Arctic Tern – Jason Vickers.

Purple Heron – 12th May

May 12, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsCommon Tern, Deep Pit, Ecopark, Grasshopper Warbler, Hairy Dragonfly, Hobby, Purple Heron, Sandwich TernPete Smith

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.

Arctic Tern – 2nd May

May 2, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsArctic Tern, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Garden Warbler, Xanthogramma citrofasciatumPete Smith

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.

Common Tern – 30th April

April 30, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsCommon Tern, Deep Pit, Green Hairstreak, Willow WarblerPete 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.

Arctic Tern – 29th April

April 29, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsArctic Tern, Brimstone, Deep Pit, Green Hairstreak, Green-veined White, Peacock, peregrine, Small White, Speckled Wood, SwiftPete Smith

Early on this morning two Arctic Terns were seen flying through and a Swift was briefly over the Deep Pit. A Peregrine was seen carrying prey, possibly a small wader. JV.

As it warmed up butterflies began to be seen. On a small, flowering Rowan there were five Green Hairstreaks. Species also seen were Brimstone, Orange-tip, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Peacock. PS.

Green Hairstreaks – Mark Tyler.

Kittiwake – 22nd April

April 22, 2024Recent wildlife sightings, UncategorizedDeep Pit, Kittiwake, Lesser Whitethroat, peregrine, SwiftPete Smith

This morning there were three Kittiwakes on the Deep Pit, two adults and an immature. There were also three singing Lesser Whitethroats, a Swift and a Peregrine. JV

Kittiwakes – Jason Vickers

Little Gull – 6th April

April 7, 2024Recent wildlife sightings2024, 6th April, Deep Pit, Little Gull, Sand Martin, Scaup, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning there were five Willow Warblers singing and a Swallow was seen with four Sand Martins. There was also a report of a Scaup. PD.

Later a 1st summer Little Gull was flying over the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit. MC.

Little Gull – Miles Cluff

Blackcap – 18th March

March 18, 2024Recent wildlife sightings18th March, 2024, Blackcap, Brimstone, Chiffchaff, Coma, Deep Pit, Peacock, Small Sallow Mining Bee, Tawny Mining Bee, TortoiseshellPete 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.

Starling – 9th February

February 9, 2024Recent wildlife sightings2024, 9th February, Deep Pit, Great White Egret, Large Gravel Pit, Marsh Harrier, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingPete Smith

This morning the Starlings were seen leaving the Deep Pit and Slurry Lagoon reed-beds in very large numbers. The wing-tagged Marsh Harrier had spent the night again too. JV.

A Great White Egret was seen as it departed the Large Gravel Pit. RJP.

Red Kite – 7th February

February 7, 2024Recent wildlife sightings2024, 7th February, Buzzard, Deep Pit, Egyptian Goose, Goosander, Jay, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Pink-footed Goose, Red Kite, river, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning the wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was seen again, quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Later, a Red Kite flew low, over the site and a skein of about sixty Pink-footed Geese flew through to the SW. Birds also seen were an Egyptian Goose, three Buzzards and a Jay. PS.

In the afternoon a pair of Goosander were seen on the river and an Oystercatcher flew over the Deep Pit. IEP.