Tag Archives: kingfisher

Redstart – 16th April

April 16, 2013Recent wildlife sightings16th April, 2013, Bee Fly, Blackcap, Common Sandpiper, Grasshopper Warbler, Ivy, kingfisher, Peacock, Redstart, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning a male Yellow Wagtail was seen flying over the Slurry Lagoon and a female Wheatear was on the dry end. Along the bank towards the Causeway two male Redstarts were seen and another male was on the railway embankment. Three Whitethroats, two Sedge Warblers and a Grasshopper Warbler were also present and along the river bank three Kingfishers and a Common Sandpiper were seen. There were also lots more Willow Warblers and Blackcaps in, two male Blackcaps were watched eating Ivy berries. The only insects of note were a Peacock and two Bee Flies. PS.

Bee Fly - Bombylius major — Bee Fly – Bombylius major

Lesser Redpoll – 21st December

December 21, 2012Recent wildlife sightings21st December, Chiffchaff, kingfisher, Lesser Redpoll, Ouse DykeJacqueline

A flock of 18 Lesser Redpoll were in the birch trees along the Ouse Dyke early afternoon. There was also a Chiffchaff and a Kingfisher was trying to fish in the muddy water of the Dyke. JMD.

Siberian Chiffchaff – 6th January

January 6, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 6th December, birds, Cettis Warbler, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Scandinavian Chiffchaff, Siberian Chiffchaff, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Siberian Chiffchaff was seen along the Ouse Dyke again today, once in the company of another Chiffchaff. Later a Chiffchaff was seen on its own that showed features of the Scandinavian race, abietinus, being a very pale individual but not showing the clear grey mantle or wing bar of the other bird. Three Little Egrets and a Kingfisher were also seen and two Cetti’s Warblers were heard calling from 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.

Woodcock – 26th December

December 26, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 26th December, Goldeneye, kingfisher, Little Egret, peregrine, WoodcockPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke is still giving sanctuary to three Little Egrets and two Kingfishers were seen chasing one another. The Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pits are still completely frozen but the Mute Swans and Coots have managed to keep a corner of the Large Gravel Pit free from ice. A Woodcock was seen flying along the inside of the Deep Pit bank and then landing in an open spot to search for food. Shortly afterwards a Peregrine was seen flying up to a pylon where it dislodged one that was already there which flew away carrying a small bird. There were two adult male and an immature male Goldeneyes on the river. PS/AE.

Brambling – 17th December

December 17, 2010Recent wildlife sightings17th December, 2010, birds, Brambling, Heron, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke is loosing its attraction to fishing birds now and only two Little Egrets were seen this afternoon, with two Herons and a Kingfisher. There were five Bramblings in the bushes on the north bank of the Slurry Lagoon and some were heard calling by the Haven. PS.

Little Egrets – 7th December

December 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsHeron, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, peregrine, Snipe, Watwer RailPete Smith

As we walked along the Ouse Dyke this afternoon there were five Little Egrets with a Heron and a Kingfisher all using the same fishing spot. Further along two Snipe and a Water Rail were also seen. Over the site two Peregrines were seen as they flew together, calling and grabbing at each others talons in twisted flight. Later one was seen on the top of the pylon, across the river. JMD. PS.

Brambling – 5th December

December 5, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 5th December, Brambling, Gadwall, greenfinch, Grey Heron, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, teal, Tufted DuckPete Smith

As the grip of winter tightens around the lagoons the Ouse Dyke has become an attractive area for the birds. At about 08.30hrs there were four Little Egrets and a Grey Heron paddling around chasing the small fish and a Kingfisher was also seen with them. The Deep Pit was the one with most open water, the Slurry Lagoon being completely frozen over, and held large numbers of Teal, with Gadwall and Tufties. There were plenty of finches about with over 100 Greenfinches and a Brambling was seen feeding on hops along the Ouse Dyke as we left the site. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 2nd May

May 2, 2010Recent wildlife sightings12th March, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, cuckoo, Garden Warbler, kingfisher, Kittiwake, Marsh Harrier, Swift, WhimbrelPete Smith

This morning a female Marsh Harrier was watched for nearly an hour as it hunted over the Slurry Lagoon. It very nearly caught a Moorhen, which had to dive repeatedly to escape and was saved in the end by an angry Coot. Several times the Harrier settled in the reed bed and was still there when I left. A Cuckoo sang from the Deep Pit posts and at least three Garden Warblers were also singing. (All ten breeding species of warbler can be heard.) On the river a Common Sandpiper and two Kingfishers were seen and possibly another two were heard and the tern rafts are occupied by up to ten terns. PS.

The Marsh Harrier was still present late morning, showing very much the same behaviour as earlier, and 25 Swifts were seen. In the early afternoon a Kittiwake flew through to the east and a Whimbrel to the north east and at least 120 Swifts passed through. RW.