Tag Archives: Goosander

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.

Garganey – 29th April

April 29, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 29th April, birds, cuckoo, Garden Warbler, Garganey, Goosander, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The male Garganey was still present on the Slurry Lagoon this morning. The female Goosander was also still present on the river by the Poulser Brook. There were seven Garden Warblers singing and two Cuckoos were seen. PS.

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.

Goosander – 16th March

March 16, 2011Recent wildlife sightings16th March, 2011, birds, Buzzard, Goosander, Oystercatcher, river, WigeonPete Smith

A female Goosander was seen on the river, just downstream from the railway bridge, this afternoon. there was also a male Wigeon present, apparently the only one left. Further downstream there was an Oystercatcher resting on the bank. Earlier on a Buzzard got the Crows in a tizz as it flew low over the site. PS.

Chiffchaff – 13th March

March 13, 2011Recent wildlife sightings13th March, 2011, birds, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Golden Plover, Golden-eye, Goosander, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, Ouse Dyke, Severn/Trent land, SiskinPete Smith

At last the first spring migrant has arrived. A Chiffchaff was seen in the willows along the Ouse Dyke path this morning, along with two Goldcrests and three Siskins. On the Large Gravel Pit the Golden-eyes were displaying, as were some Lapwings on the Severn/Trent land. A female Goosander was on the river and a flock of Golden Plover were heard calling from towards Stoke Bardolph. PS.

Goosander – 16th February

February 16, 2011Recent wildlife sightings16th February, 2011, Barn Owl, GoosanderPete Smith

Two male Goosanders flew up river over the Deep Pit this afternoon. At about 16.30hrs the Barn Owl was out hunting again by the Gravel Pits. PS.

Goosander – 28th December

December 28, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, Blackbird, Brambling, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Goosander, Lower Path, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon. 28th December, Willow titPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke has lost its Little Egrets for the time being, but a nice male Brambling was in the hedge alondside it this morning. There were still lots of winter thrushes about, mostly Redwings and Blackbirds with just a few Fieldfares. On the river were some Goldeneyes and then two immature male and a female Goosander swam into view. A Willow Tit was noted along the Lower Path. The Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit are still frozen but there is little sign of snow on the ground now. PS/AE.

Goosander – 19th December

December 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings19th December, 2010, Golden-eye, Goldeneye, Goosander, Heron, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, weaselPete Smith

It was very cold this morning and the Little Egrets and Herons were back at the Ouse Dyke. There were eight Little Egrets seen eventually. On the river there was a splendid male Goosander with two equally splendid male Goldeneyes, and a Redshank was feeding in the cattle wade. On the inside bank of the Deep Pit a male Weasel was watched for about ten minutes, as it scampered up and down the slope trying to pick up a scent. PS.

Bird Count Day – 12th December

December 12, 2010Recent wildlife sightings12th December, 2010, Brambling, Curlew, Goosander, Little Egret, peregrine, RedshankPete Smith

This morning, on the bird count, there were six Little Egrets in the Ouse Dyke. Three Bramblings were heard as they flew over, as well as a Curlew and a Redshank. Two Goosander were seen and the Peregrine flew up to its favoured perch on a pylon. PS.

Goosander – 19th November

November 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, Cettis Warbler, Goosander, lagoons, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry LagoonJacqueline

A male Goosander was on the Trent early afternoon and later two Little Egrets flying together loomed out of the mist to be swallowed up again almost instantly. The two Red-crested Pochard were again present on the Large Gravel Pit but with conditions deteriorating it was impossible to see across the Slurry Lagoon and only the shapes of geese flying in to roost were discernible. However the weather didn’t put off the Cetti’s as at least one was singing from the east side of the Slurry. JMD.