Tag Archives: House Martin

Curlew Sandpiper – 2nd September

September 2, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCauseway, Curlew Sandpiper, greenshank, House Martin, Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, warblers, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning the two Ruff and the Greenshank had been joined by a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and there was briefly a Wigeon, all on the Slurry Lagoon. The male Marsh Harrier was seen a few times as it popped out of or dropped into the reed-bed. There was a fairly strong passage of Sand and House Martins and small groups of assorted warblers were in the bushes. The reeds in front of the Causeway benches have been cut, so there were several views of scuttling Water Rails. PS.

Juvenile Water Rail – Jason Vickers

Arctic Tern – 5th May

May 5, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsArctic Tern, Causeway, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Hobby, House Martin, Kittiwake, Slurry Lagoon, SwiftPete Smith

Early this morning there were two Hobbies hawking around the lagoons. About mid-morning up to three Arctic Terns flew through to the north. They were accompanied by around five Common Terns which seemed more preoccupied with courting. Later a Kittiwake was seen over the Deep Pit, on its way north east. Several small groups of Swifts flew through and, for a while , seven House Martins were feeding over the Slurry Lagoon and Causeway. PS.

Little Gull – 4th April

April 4, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsDeep Pit, House Martin, Little Gull, Railway Bridge, Red-crested Pochard, Sand Martin, SwallowPete Smith

Early on this morning five Little Gulls were in the Deep Pit. They soon left, but later on another group of nine Little Gulls flew straight through the Deep Pit. There were up to three Swallows by the railway bridge as well as one House Martin and several Sand Martins. The Red-crested Pochard was also still in the Deep Pit and two Great White Egrets flew over. JV. PS. MC.

Cattle Egret – 9th April

April 9, 2024Recent wildlife sightings2024, 9th April, Cattle Egret, House Martin, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning there were plenty of hirundines about and Willow, Sedge and Reed Warblers singing. In mid-morning seven Cattle Egrets flew north, along the river and then crossed the pylon path and returned whence they came except for one that landed in a riverside ash tree, where Black-headed Gulls proceeded to mob it. It then flew over the power lines and into a Deep Pit willow, where it stayed. PS.

Cattle Egrets – Neil Hodgkinson

Cattle Egret – Peter Smith

In the evening four House Martins were seen near the railway bridge. MC.

Hobby – 24th September

September 24, 2023Recent wildlife sightings2023, 24th September, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Hobby, House Martin, Long-tailed Tit, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, WigeonPete Smith

This morning a Hobby was seen over the Slurry Lagoon. There was also a light passage of Swallows and House Martins and two Wigeon flew in. There were some large flocks of small birds containing Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. PS

Bittern – 13th September

September 13, 2023Recent wildlife sightings13th September, 2023, Bittern, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, House Martin, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

This morning a Bittern was seen, sunning itself in the Deep Pit reed-bed. There were still Swallows and House Martins passing through on passage and good numbers of Chiffchaffs were heard and seen. Two Siskins were in a tree on the NE corner of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Wheatear – 27th August

August 27, 2023Recent wildlife sightings2023, 27th August, Causeway, House Martin, Sand Martin, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Wheatear, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning a single and later a pair of Yellow Wagtails flew over the site towards the south. On the Causeway path a Wheatear was foraging for food and a flock of hirundines, including at least 20 House Martins, was feeding overhead. From time to time a group of Swallows or Sand Martins would join them before moving on south. Later fourteen Shoveler flew in and settled on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Wheatear. PS.

Little Gull – 20th April

April 20, 2023Recent wildlife sightings2023, 20th April, Causeway, Common Tern, Deep Pit, House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat, Little Gull, Raven.Pete Smith

This morning there were a Common Tern and a House martin seen over the Deep Pit. Later, ten Little Gulls came in to feed and rest and a Raven flew across the railway. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing along the Causeway. PS.

Hobby – 4th September

September 4, 2022Recent wildlife sightings2022, 4th September, Dunlin, Hobby, House Martin, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Swallow, Wigeon, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This morning the Dunlin was still on the Slurry Lagoon with six Lapwings. There were ten Wigeon and a Hobby briefly harassed some migrating Swallows and House Martins. PS.

There was also one Snipe flying around over the Slurry Lagoon and, later, a Ringed Plover did the same before heading off SE. Two immature Yellow-legged Gulls were amongst the gull flock on the Slurry Lagoon. MC.

Marsh Harrier – 20th August

August 20, 2022Recent wildlife sightings2022, 20th August, Black-tailed godwit, Causeway, Egyptian Goose, Green Sandpiper, House Martin, Marsh Harrier, Slurry Lagoon., SwallowPete Smith

This morning the female Marsh Harrier was still in residence, and was seen several times quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Also on the Slurry Lagoon were an Egyptian Goose, two Black-tailed Godwits and a Green Sandpiper. Some Swallows passed through on passage and about twenty House Martins were feeding above the Causeway. PS.