This morning, during the Wildlife Walk, a female Marsh Harrier, being chased by a Common Tern, flew over the Slurry Lagoon. When the tern lost interest it began quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed before dropping in. Later it took off again and flew around the Large Gravel Pit before gaining height and disappearing high towards the east. PS.
Female Marsh Harrier.
This morning a Raven was perched on the Small Gravel Pit pylon. Later a Hobby was hawking insects over the Large Gravel Pit and Deep Pit. RJP.
This morning, during the Warbler Walk, nine species of warbler were recorded. Several Swifts were seen hawking insects high up and eleven Common Terns were catching insects over the Large Gravel Pit. Late morning a Red Kite flew across the Slurry Lagoon, pursued by Common Terns. PS.
This morning a Willow Warbler was heard singing from beside the Large Gravel Pit. RJP.
In the afternoon one was heard from the southern end of the Causeway. JDn.
This morning there was a steady passage of Swallows over the site. There were still Reed and Sedge Warblers in front of the Causeway Bench, and some Water Rails. Twelve Egyptian Geese with one Ruddy Shelduck were loafing on the Slurry Lagoon and a Fox put in a brief appearance, as well as a Kingfisher. Later six Buzzards were sharing a thermal and a Red Kite passed through. PS.
In the early afternoon a Hobby was seen over the Large Gravel Pit, hawking dragonflies. IEP.
In the late afternoon at least three Willow Emeralds were on the Lower Path, by the stepping stones. JDn.
This morning there were three Common Terns displaying over the Deep Pit and a teneral Common Blue Damselfly was found at the back of the Large Gravel Pit. Four Green Hairstreaks and two Dingy Skippers were seen on the Butterfly Bank. PS.
In the afternoon a Brown Argus was also seen on the Butterfly Bank. RW.
This morning a Great White Egret flew onto the Slurry Lagoon. Later it flew off to the S. On the Large Gravel Pit the Black-headed Gulls were hawking insects over the water and were joined by one 1st summer and two adult Little Gulls. PS.
This morning a Little Ringed Plover was calling on the Ecopark. There was an Arctic Tern along the river and Deep Pit. A Green Sandpiper was over the river in the field with 2 Shelducks. A House Martin was over the Deep Pit and a Kingfisher was on the river near the bridge with a Grey Wagtail. A couple of Lesser Whitethroat were singing on site and a Cuckoo was in the Haven/Large Gravel Pit area. IEP.
This morning there was a passage of Little Gulls through the reserve. At about 08.00 ten flew through to the north. Later a single flew through and then decided to stop on the Large Gravel Pit where, at about 11.40, eleven more flew in and joined it. They were hawking St. Marks Flies over the water and were later joined by one Arctic Tern. There were also two Whimbrel seen early on, flying through to the NE. Two Ravens were around the Slurry Lagoon and a Cuckoo was also seen there. Three Lesser Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler were singing along with most of the other warbler species. PS.
This morning there were two male and two female Blackcaps along the Lower Path. On the Large Gravel Pit there was a female Goosander. The Blackthorn by the steps down to the metal footbridge attracted several butterflies including three Small Tortoiseshells, two Commas and a Peacock, as well as several Bee Flies and some hoverflies and bees. PS.