Tag Archives: Gravel Pits

Barn Owl – 18th February

February 18, 2016Recent wildlife sightings18th February, 2016, Barn Owl, Chiffchaff, Gravel Pits, StonechatPete Smith

Today a Chiffchaff and a female Stonechat were seen. At dusk two Barn Owls were seen hunting around the Gravel Pits. RW.

Barn Owl – 18th January

January 18, 2016Recent wildlife sightings18th January, 2016, Barn Owl, Black Swan, Buzzard, Goosander, Gravel Pits, linnet, Siskin, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This afternoon a Barn Owl was seen hunting around the Gravel Pits and two Buzzards were perched untidily in a birch tree across the Wader Scrape. The Black Swan was still with the Mute Swans across the river and a Goosander flew over the site. Four Siskins were seen along the entrance path and 23 Linnets were near the railway bridge. PS.

Brambling – 17th January

January 17, 2016Recent wildlife sightings17th January, 2016, Barn Owl, Black Swan, Brambling, Gravel Pits, Little Gull, Ouse Dyke, Pink-footed Goose, Shelduck, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a Brambling was seen amongst a flock of about 50 Chaffinches along the Ouse Dyke. Two Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon and the Black Swan was still with the Mute Swans and geese across the river. Two skeins of Pink-feet flew over and a single bird was with the Grey-lag flock. PS.

In the afternoon a Little Gull was briefly on the Slurry Lagoon and the Barn Owl was seen hunting around the Gravel Pits. NM.

Hairy Dragonfly – 7th June

June 7, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 7th June, Gravel Pits, Hairy Dragonfly, Little Ringed Plover, Wader Scrape, Willow PondPete Smith

This afternoon one or perhaps two male Hairy Dragonflies were seen flying around the Gravel Pits and Willow Pond. Later a female was seen ovipositing in Willow Pond. On the Wader Scrape, three families of Little Ringed Plovers were seen. RW. PS.

Little Ringed Plover – 17th May

May 17, 2011Recent wildlife sightings17th May, 2011, birds, Grasshopper Warbler, Gravel Pits, Little Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

The Little Ringed Plover was back, displaying over the dry end of the Slurry this afternoon. Later it was seen feeding at the wet end. The pair of Yellow Wagtails were on the Causeway again and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing at the back of the Gravel Pits. PS.

Barn Owl – 19th January

January 19, 2011Recent wildlife sightings19th January, 2011, Barn Owl, Gravel Pits, Little Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Pink-footed Geese, Short-tailed VoleJacqueline

The Barn Owl was again hunting around the Gravel Pits late afternoon and was seen to take what looked like a Short-tailed Vole. Also this afternoon two Peregrine Falcons were hunting from their favourite pylon and a single Little Egret was in and around the Ouse Dyke. As dusk fell 37 Pink-footed Geese flew over the Site heading North West. JMD. PS. RW.

Golden Plover – 28th November

November 28, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 28th November, Coot, Deep Pit, Golden Plover, Gravel Pits, Lapwing, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, tealPete Smith

The two Little Egrets were on the Ouse Dyke again this morning and what was probably one of them was later seen in the Deep Pit. The Slurry Lagoon and Gravel Pits are mostly frozen over now but most of the Deep Pit is still clear. Most of the Coots on the Large Gravel Pit are concentrated into one small area of clear water and the Red-crested Pochard have gone. The Teal have moved to the Deep Pit and a flock of Lapwings are sitting on the ice on the Slurry Lagoon, which is completely frozen over. Eleven Golden Plover looked like they were going to join the Lapwings but eventually flew away. PS.