Tag Archives: Deep Pit

Whooper Swan – 19th February

February 19, 2012Recent wildlife sightings19th February, 2012, birds, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Whooper SwanPete Smith

Six Whooper Swans flew north-east over the reserve this morning. There were two Little Egrets in the willow on the Large Gravel Pit and three Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon. A Water Rail was seen briefly as it flew from cover to cover in the Deep Pit. AE. PS.

Jack Snipe – 15th January

January 15, 2012Recent wildlife sightings15th January, 2012, birds, Deep Pit, Goldcrest, Jack Snipe, linnet, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Willow WalkPete Smith

This morning there was a Jack snipe, flushed from beside the Large Gravel Pit. There was also a Common Snipe in the Deep Pit. By the Slurry Lagoon a Golden Plover called as it flew over and there was a small flock of Linnets. Along the Willow Walk a Goldcrest was briefly seen. PS.

Egyptian Goose – 10th January

January 10, 2012Recent wildlife sightings10th January, 2012, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Egyptian Goose, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Merlin, Ouse Dyke, Siberian ChiffchaffPete Smith

This afternoon there were two Water Rail showing well around the edge of the Large Gravel Pit and a Cetti’s warbler was scolding near the Willow Pond. Three Egyptian Geese flew over towards Attenborough. RW.

In the late afternoon a Merlin flew the length of the Deep Pit before diving towards the bushes at its southern end. Six Little Egrets were seen leaving the Large Gravel Pit, probably to go to roost and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep pit. PS.

The Siberian Chiffchaff was again reported along the Ouse Dyke.

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.

Goosander – 7th December

December 7, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 7th December, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Large Gravel Pit, Mallard, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, teal, WigeonPete Smith

This afternoon there were two female Goosander on the Large Gravel Pit, along with four female Goldeneye and some Gadwall and Wigeon. On the Deep Pit there were five male Goldeneye and several Mallard. The gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon contained an estimated 700 Greater Black-backs and at least twice as many Herring Gulls. There were well in excess of 2,000 birds. There were still good numbers of Shoveler and Teal as well as a Shelduck. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.

White-fronted Goose – 17th November

November 17, 2011Recent wildlife sightings17th November, 2011, birds, Caspian gull, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Golden Plover, kingfisher, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, White-fronted GoosePete Smith

The gull roost contained the adult Caspian Gull again this afternoon. There were also over forty Golden Plover on the Slurry. The Starling roost was again attacked by a very persistant Sparrowhawk and a Kingfisher flew between the reed beds. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit. At dusk twenty-two White-fronted Geese flew in to roost on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Golden Plover – 14th October

October 14, 2011Recent wildlife sightings14th October, 2011, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Lesser Redpoll, pintail, Redwing, Shoveler, Siskin, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, tealPete Smith

This morning there was lots of evidence of migration at the lagoons with a constant trickle of Skylarks flying over. One or two large flocks of Fieldfares also went through and some Redwings are already in the hawthorn hedges. A flock of thirteen Lesser Redpolls dropped onto the bushes on the Deep Pit banks and one or two Siskins are still going through. On the Slurry Lagoon the two Pintail are still present, one beginning to attain the winter plumage of a male, and the Teal and Shoveler are well into developing their winter plumages too. The Lapwing flock is building up as several small flocks came in to join them. Unlike the Lapwings a flock of 18 Golden Plover flew in but decided not to land and disappeared again over the neighbouring farmland. 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.

Mediterranean Gull – 31st August

August 31, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 31st August, birds, Buzzard, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Dunlin, greenshank, Hobby, Mediterranean Gull, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

This afternoon, on the Slurry Lagoon there was a juvenile/1st winter Mediterranean Gull, with a white colour ring. Also present were two Greenshank, two juvenile Little Ringed Plover, two Dunlin and two Water Rail. There were either one or two Cetti’s Warblers present in the Deep Pit and a Hobby flew over. Overhead there were nine Common Buzzards flying together. RW.

Whimbrel – 12th August

August 12, 2011Recent wildlife sightings12th August, 2011, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, Whimbrel, Yellow Wagtail, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

During the course of the afternoon three separate Whimbrels flew through the site, going south. There were also a Ringed Plover and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover on the Slurry Lagoon.The flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls contained a Yellow-legged Gull, and several Yellow Wagtails flew through. In the Deep Pit at least two, possibly four, Cetti’s Warblers were heard giving their ‘tack-tack’ alarm calls. PS.