Tag Archives: Large Gravel Pit

Barn Owl – 25th November

November 25, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 25th November, Barn Owl, Large Gravel Pit, PlantationPete Smith

At dusk this evening two Barn Owls were seen hunting around the Large Gravel Pit and Plantation. RW.

Barn Owl – 24th November

November 24, 2016Uncategorized2016, 24th November, Barn Owl, Jack Snipe, Large Gravel PitPete Smith

Today a Jack Snipe was seen in the Dragonfly Pool and, at about 14.50hrs, a Barn Owl was seen in the hedge beside the Large Gravel Pit. RW.

Short-eared Owl – 13th November

November 13, 2016Recent wildlife sightings13th November, 2016, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Short-eared Owl, water railPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, a Short-eared Owl was seen over the Deep Pit. It was mobbed by three crows which forced it to fly very high and then off to the south. There were plenty of winter thrushes and ducks about, with four Goldeneye on the Large Gravel Pit and three Little Egrets on the Ouse Dyke. Also several Water Rails and Cetti’s Warblers were heard. PS.

Pintail – 25th September

September 25, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 25th September, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning there were over 120 Wigeon on the Large Gravel Pit. On the Slurry Lagoon there were still three Red-crested Pochard, and these were joined briefly by a male eclipse Pintail. There were some Snipe and Water Rail about as well and still some warblers. PS.

Whinchat – 18th September

September 18, 2016Recent wildlife sightings18th September, 2016, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Swallow, Whinchat, WigeonPete Smith

This morning, during the Bird Walk, a male Whinchat was found near the sub-station railings, a Peregrine was on one of the pylons, a Red-crested Pochard was on the Slurry Lagoon, and four Snipe flew over the Slurry Lagoon reed-beds. Several large flocks of tits and warblers were seen and a passage of Swallows was under way. On the Large Gravel Pit the group of four or five Wigeon, seen on Friday, had grown to nearer eighty. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 21st August

August 21, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 21st August, Common Sandpiper, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, Raven., Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Volucella zonaria, water railPete Smith

This morning a juvenile Red-crested Pochard was on the Slurry Lagoon. A Water Rail was also seen along the reeds at the back of the lagoon. Later a Raven flew south across the Large Gravel Pit. PS

A male and female of Volucella zonaria, the Hornet Hoverfly, were feeding on Buddleja by the metal gates. PS

In the afternoon two Common Sandpipers were seen on the riverbank and a Hobby flew over. JMD

Grasshopper Warbler – 26th June

June 26, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 26th June, Grasshopper Warbler, Large Gravel Pit, OystercatcherPete Smith

This morning a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling from shrubs beside the Large Gravel Pit. Two Oystercatchers flew over. SC.

Redstart – 27th April

April 27, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 27th April, Large Gravel Pit, Little Ringed Plover, Redstart, Swallow, Wader Scrape, WheatearPete Smith

This afternoon a female Redstart was found. Also three male Wheatears were on the ploughed field beyond the Wader Scrape. Forty-two Swallows were over the Large Gravel Pit and a Little Ringed Plover was on the riverside flood. RW.

Redstart – 17th April

April 17, 2016Recent wildlife sightings17th April, 2016, Causeway, Deep Pit, Grasshopper Warbler, Large Gravel Pit, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Wader Scrape, Whitethroat, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning, on the Causeway, a male Redstart was seen, first on the bench and then it flew into the Deep Pit and foraged along the bank. There was a Reed Warbler singing in the reeds at the north-west end of the Deep Pit. There are still some Wheatears on the field beyond the Wader Scrape and more Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers are in. A Yellow Wagtail flew along the Causeway and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling near the north-west corner of the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Arctic Tern – 12th April

April 12, 2016Recent wildlife sightings12th April, 2016, Arctic Tern, Dunlin, Large Gravel Pit, Little Ringed Plover, Ring Ouzle, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This afternoon an Arctic Tern was seen briefly, feeding over the Large Gravel Pit. A Dunlin and two Little Ringed Plovers were on the flooded field across the river. RW.

In the evening a male Ring Ouzle was on the Wader Scrape. JMD.