Tag Archives: Large Gravel Pit

Black-tailed Godwit – 9th July

July 9, 2013Recent wildlife sightings10th April, 2013, 9th July, Common Blue Damselfly, Gatekeeper, Large Gravel Pit, Ringlet, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The hot weather has encouraged the butterflies and a count of 75 Ringlet was had on the Butterfly Walk on Sunday. Today a Gatekeeper was seen and hundreds of Common Blue Damselflies were egg laying over the Large Gravel Pit. There were 23 Black-tailed Godwits on the Slurry Lagoon, but they flew off in the direction of Holme Pierrepont. PS.

Hobby – 23rd April

April 23, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 23rd April, Brimstone, Comma, Common Sandpiper, Green-veined White, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, Little Ringed Plover, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Wader Scrape, Whimbrel, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

Early this afternoon a Hobby was seen hawking butterflies around the Large Gravel Pit and a Whimbrel settled briefly on the Wader Scrape. RW.

There were also at least five Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper on the Wader Scrape and two Common Sandpipers and two Yellow Wagtails on the river bank. Twelve Peacocks, three Green-veined Whites, three Commas, three Small Tortoiseshells and two Brimstones were also seen. PS.

Also early afternoon four Yellow Wagtails were on the Wader Scrape. JMD.

Little Ringed Plover – 20th March

March 20, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 20th March, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Haven, Lapwing chicks, Large Gravel Pit, linnet, Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Wader Scrape, water railPete Smith

The Little Ringed Plover is still on the Wader Scrape, along with a Lapwing, 24 Gadwall and a male Goldeneye. Two Cetti’s Warblers were heard, one in the Haven, the other in the Deep Pit, as well as several Water Rail and there were two Snipe near the Large Gravel Pit. In an ash tree on the railway embankment there was a pre-roost flock of 57 Linnets. PS.

Barn Owl – 2nd February

February 2, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2nd February 2013, Barn Owl, Large Gravel Pit, Wader ScrapeJacqueline

The Barn Owl was again hunting over the Large Gravel Pit area late afternoon. He extended his search to the area around the Wader Scrape and along the banks of the Ouse Dyke. JMD.

Pintail – 16th September

September 16, 2012Recent wildlife sightings16th September, 2012, Gadwall, House Martin, Large Gravel Pit, Lower Path, Meadow Pipit, Migrant Hawker, Muntjac, pintail, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, teal, Wigeon, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning there was a female Pintail and a female Golden-eye on the Slurry Lagoon, as well as three Red-crested Pochards and good numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal. There were about 80 Wigeon on the Large Gravel Pit and Swallows, House Martins, Meadow Pipits and Yellow Wagtails were passing through. On the Lower Path a Muntjac was seen. In the afternoon a swarm of Migrant Hawkers was seen along the Lower Path. PS.

Barn Owl – 17th June

June 17, 2012Recent wildlife sightings17th June 2012, Barn Owl, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Wader ScrapeJacqueline

Whilst walking towards the Wader Scrape this evening I was startled when a Barn Owl flew right in front of me and disappeared into the trees of the New Plantation. It was quickly located and then I watched it for some time hunting around the Reserve especially the Large Gravel Pit and Wader Scrape areas.

The eight Red-crested Pochard were again present on the Slurry Lagoon. JMD.

Hobby – 17th May

May 17, 2012Recent wildlife sightings17th May, 2012, birds, cuckoo, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, Oystercatcher, Swift, Wader ScrapePete Smith

There were a large number of Swifts feeding over the site this morning, with smaller numbers of hirundines. By the railway bridge a Hobby appeared and stooped towards the Large Gravel Pit. A Cuckoo was calling and an Oystercatcher was on the Wader Scrape. PS.

Cuckoo – 30th April

May 2, 2012Recent wildlife sightings30th April 2012, cuckoo, Large Gravel PitJacqueline

A Cuckoo was heard today in the area between the Large Gravel Pit and the river. DG.

Whooper Swan – 19th February

February 19, 2012Recent wildlife sightings19th February, 2012, birds, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Whooper SwanPete Smith

Six Whooper Swans flew north-east over the reserve this morning. There were two Little Egrets in the willow on the Large Gravel Pit and three Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon. A Water Rail was seen briefly as it flew from cover to cover in the Deep Pit. AE. PS.

Smew – 22nd January

January 22, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 22nd January, birds, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, SmewPete Smith

The Large Gravel Pit had a Red-head Smew on it this morning. Also found were up to ten Goldeneye and there were five Little Egrets. In the bushes beside the Slurry Lagoon there were good numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares and a Redpoll was heard calling as it flew over. AE.CH.PS.