Tag Archives: Large Gravel Pit

Woodcock – 7th November

November 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 7th November, birds, Black-headed Gull, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Geese, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Snipe, WoodcockPete Smith

A Woodcock was flushed from near the metal gates this morning and two Snipe flew over the Lower Path, calling. All three Cetti’s were heard singing but there was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard, or the Ross’s Goose, despite most of the Grey-lag and Canada Goose flock coming onto the Large Gravel Pit. A Peregrine flew through, causing mayhem. It put up the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls on the Slurry Lagoon before dropping into the Deep Pit, screaming as it went, and then flying up to perch on a pylon.

Waxwings – 24th October

October 24, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 24th October, birds, Cettis Warbler, Fielfare, Large Gravel Pit, Lower Path, Pink-footed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Waxwing, Willow titPete Smith

About nine skeins of Pinkies flew through to the east this morning, totalling approximately 1,200 to 1,500 birds. There were four Red-crested Pochards but no sign of the Ross’s Goose on the Large Gravel Pit. A flock of about 100 Fieldfares went through to the west , a Cetti’s was heard in the Haven and a Willow Tit was seen on the Lower Path. PS.

In the afternoon a flock of about twenty Waxwings flew across the site towards the retail park. RW.

Ross’s Goose – 18th October

October 18, 2010Recent wildlife sightings18th October, 2010, birds, Canada Goose, Cettis Warbler, Grey-lag Goose, Large Gravel Pit, Ross's Goose, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrow Hawk, StarlingPete Smith

The Ross’s Goose was again present with the goose flock on the pasture fields across the river. When a jogger disturbed them they all came to land on the Large Gravel Pit, about 2,500 Grey-lag Geese and 1,000 Canada Geese, plus the Ross’s. Over the Slurry Lagoon about 5,000 Starlings smoked their way to and fro before settling in the reed beds, while two Sparrowhawks tried to snatch one for their evening meal. Two Cetti’s were heard but insignificant against the spectacle of the geese and the Starlings. PS.

Ross’s Goose – 17th October

October 17, 2010Recent wildlife sightings17th October, 2010, Cettis Warbler, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Ross's GooseJacqueline

This afternoon among the large flock of Greylags and Canadas in the field across the river was a Ross’s Goose – probably an escape and possibly the same bird that has been reported at Attenborough. Also the two Red-crested Pochard were still on the Large Gravel Pit and at least one Cetti’s Warbler was singing very well. JMD.

Golden Plover – 15th October

October 15, 2010Recent wildlife sightings15th October, 2010, birds, Golden Plover, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Red-crested Pochard, Redpoll, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

There were three Golden Plover amongst the Lapwings on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon. Also seen were three Swallows that spent the afternoon hawking insects near the footbridge and six Redpoll near the railway line. A Peregrine topped the pylon by the Large Gravel Pit, daring the starlings to congregate near it, and the two Red-crested Pochard were still on the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Reed Warbler – 7th October

October 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 7th October, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Large Gravel Pit, Migrant Hawker, Red-crested Pochard, Reed Warbler, Ruff, Slurry LagoonJacqueline

A Reed Warbler was feeding along the edge of the reed bed at the back of the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon; while two Green Sandpiper and a Ruff were on the water’s edge. Common Snipe numbers are slowly increasing with at least twelve seen today. The two Red-crested Pochard are still present on the Large Gravel Pit. A few insects are still about particularly Migrant Hawkers. JMD.

Red-crested Pochard – 30th September

September 30, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 30th September, birds, Buzzard, Dunlin, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Rook, Ruff, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The two male Red-crested Pochard are still on the Large Gravel Pit. The one in eclipse has been moulting and is showing some of its winter plumage now. A Ruff and three Dunlin were on the Slurry Lagoon and a Buzzard, drifting over the site, found itself surrounded by Rooks and being buffeted from all angles. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 28th September

September 28, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 28th September, birds, Coot, Gadwall, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Ruff, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, teal, Tufted Duck, WigeonPete Smith

There were a good number of ducks on the Large Gravel Pit today, including Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and two male Red-crested Pochard, one still in eclipse, as well as lots of Coots. Seven Swallows flew through and four more, possibly the remnants of our residents, were near the railway line. On the Slurry Lagoon the numbers of Teal and Shoveler continue to build and there were two juvenile Ruff amongst the Lapwing flock. PS.

Ant Swarm – 8th August

August 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsbirds, Black-headed Gull, Brimstone, butterflies, Comma, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, insects, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Long-winged Conehead, Lower Path, Peacock, Red Admiral, roesels bush cricket, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

During the Bird Count this morning there was an ant swarm that attracted a flock of over 500 Black-headed Gulls. There were also some Common Terns catching the ants and three Hobbies. Two Curlews stopped briefly on the Slurry Lagoon and a Green Sandpiper was amongst the Lapwings. A Little Egret was on the Large Gravel Pit with some Grey Herons and about twenty Cormorants, before joining the gulls on the Slurry Lagoon. Several Roesel’s Bush Crickets and Long-winged Coneheads were also found. On the Lower Path five Brimstones were found along with Commas, Red Admiral and Peacocks. PS.

Gulls and ant swarm

Watch Alan’s video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKYnvqGQAm4

Blue-tailed Damselfly – 19th May

May 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings19th May, 2010, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Large Gravel Pit, StoatJacqueline

A teneral Blue-tailed Damselfly was found today sheltering from the breeze on the hedge bordering the Large Gravel Pit and on the grassy embankment under the Railway Bridge a Stoat was watched for some minutes as it dragged a baby rabbit some distance into cover. JMD.