Tag Archives: Deep Pit

Yellow-legged Gull – 13th July

July 13, 2011Recent wildlife sightings13th July, 2011, birds, Deep Pit, Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Slurry Lagoon, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This afternoon the gull roost on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon contained three Yellow-legged Gulls amongst the Lesser Black-backs. On the wet end there was a Green Sandpiper and two Oystercatchers flew over the Deep Pit. PS.

Nightingale – 15th May

May 15, 2011Recent wildlife sightings15th May, 2011, Causeway, Deep Pit, Grey Wagtail, Marsh Orchid, nightingale, Oystercatcher, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning the brief, but distinct, notes of a Nightingale were heard coming from a bushy willow in the north end of the Deep Pit. It sang very sporadically and did not show at all. There were also all ten species of warbler singing and lots of Swifts swooping and screaming overhead. On the river there were two Oystercatchers and a Grey Wagtail while two Yellow Wagtails were seen on the Causeway. There are already some Marsh Orchids in flower. PS.

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.

Willow Warbler – 29th March

March 29, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 29th March, birds, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning a Willow Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit. A Blackcap was also heard and up to seven Chiffchaffs. RW.

Wheatear – 22nd March

March 22, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 22nd March, Brimstone, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Grey Plover, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Toad, WheatearPete Smith

This morning a male Wheatear was briefly seen on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon, before it disappeared between the reed beds. A Sand Martin flew over the site and up to four Chiffchaffs were singing. There were still one or two Toads about on the path on the south-western side of the Slurry Lagoon and one grim sighting was of one held limply in a crow’s beak. A brilliant male Brimstone was seen flying into the Deep Pit. PS.

In the afternoon a Grey Plover was heard calling as it flew over and the Wheatear was seen again on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Wheatear – 14th March

March 14, 2011Recent wildlife sightings14th March, 2011, birds, Blackcap, Cettis Warbler, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, WheatearPete Smith

Today a Wheatear was seen briefly on a fence post by the Deep Pit, but flew off towards the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. A Chiffchaff was present and a Blackcap was heard singing. The Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit and a Shelduck was on the Slurry Lagoon. DM.

Cetti’s Warbler – 6th March

March 6, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 6th March, birds, Deep Pit, Grey Wagtail, Lower Path, peregrine, Pied Wagtail, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Willow titPete Smith

A cold wind was blowing as we walked around the site today but a pair of Grey Wagtails and a pair of Pied Wagtails did not seem too bothered by it, even though the male Grey Wagtail’s tail was blown right over his back at one time. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep pit and the pair of Peregrines was perched on a pylon ( is this a different pair to those seen on the Newton Building ?). Three Water Rail were heard on the Slurry Lagoon and a Willow Tit was heard along the Lower Path. PS/AE/AR/DG/PG/RW.

Cetti’s Warbler – 1st February

February 1, 2011Recent wildlife sightings1st February, 2011, Barn Owl, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

Whilst waiting for the Barn Owl to start hunting a Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit. Eventually the Barn Owl showed and the pair of Peregrines were perched together on a pylon. A fair sized flock of large gulls accumulated on the, again frozen, Slurry lagoon, but no white winged gulls were noted. PS.

Barn Owl – 18th January

January 18, 2011Recent wildlife sightings18th January, 2011, Barn Owl, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Little EgretPete Smith

The Barn Owl was seen again this evening, hunting over the grassland around the gravel pits. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Little Egret was seen on the Ouse Dyke. PS. DM.