Tag Archives: Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier – 27th November

November 27, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBlack-headed Gull, carrion crow, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, tealPete Smith

The Marsh Harrier left the roost quite early this morning, setting off to hunt further down the Trent Valley. There were no ducks on the Slurry Lagoon other than fifteen Shoveler and nine Teal. There were plenty of Black-headed, Common and Herring Gulls and one Lesser Black-backed Gull. A Carrion Crow noticed a dead Perch floating in the water and nearly landed on the water, but thought better of it. Eventually some Black-headed Gulls showed an interest but seemed afraid of the fish. Only one bird plucked up the courage to investigate it. PS.

Black-headed Gull and Perch. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 26th November

November 26, 2025Recent wildlife sightings, UncategorizedBlack-headed Gull, Buzzard, Common Gull, Deep Pit, Egyptian Goose, green woodpecker, Herring Gull, Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, WigeonPete Smith

Half of the Slurry Lagoon was under ice this morning. There were a few Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler but mostly there were Black-headed Gulls with a few Herring and Common Gulls. The Marsh Harrier showed several times as it hunted over the reed-beds but it and a Buzzard were mobbed by crows as they looked for a meal. Two Egyptian Geese flew into the Deep Pit and a confiding Green Woodpecker was seen digging for ants. PS.

Marsh Harrier PS.

Green Woodpecker PS.

Marsh Harrier – 24th November

November 24, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCauseway, Cettis Warbler, Marsh Harrier, peregrine, Raven., Reed Bunting, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The cream-top Marsh Harrier was seen again this morning, quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. There was a Peregrine on the new pylon and Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Bunting performed well in front of the Causeway benches. Later a Raven flew over the site, practising its barrel-rolls.

Cetti’s Warbler – PS.

Reed Bunting – PS.

Marsh Harrier – 26th October

October 26, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsMarsh Harrier, pintail, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

There are still at least four male and one female Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon. A flock of thirty Pink-footed Geese flew east and, late morning, a cream-top Marsh Harrier quartered the reed-bed. PS.

Glossy Ibis – 19th October

October 19, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Blackcap, Causeway, Cormorant, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Large Gravel Pit, Marsh Harrier, pintail, Raven, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, SnipePete Smith

Early on there was a Great White Egret on the Slurry Lagoon, plus three Snipe and a Pintail. By mid-morning a Bittern was seen on the Large Gravel Pit and a flock of 100 Cormorants. A cream-top Marsh Harrier worked its way through the site, hunting, a Blackcap was by the railway bridge and a pair of Ravens flew across the Slurry Lagoon. Three Glossy Ibis then put in an appearance, landing on the Slurry Lagoon. They then flew around the site before returning to the Slurry Lagoon. Small flocks of Fieldfares flew through and some Redwings were in the Causeway Hawthorn bushes.

Glossy Ibis – PS.

Stonechat – 16th October

October 16, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCauseway, Dunlin, Fieldfare, Marsh Harrier, pintail, Redwing, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, Stonechat, Wader Scrape, Whooper SwanPete Smith

A Stonechat was seen in the reed-bed in front of the Causeway benches and later, probably the same bird, was seen on the gate to the Wader Scrape. There were three Dunlin and three Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon and, early on, a Marsh Harrier was seen and thee Whooper Swans flew over. The Skylark passage continued overhead and Redwing were seen in good numbers with a few Fieldfare. PS. JV.

Osprey – 11th September

September 11, 2025Recent wildlife sightingscarrion crow, Deep Pit, hirundines, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, pipitsPete Smith

Small numbers of hirundines and pipits were flying through to the south. The male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the reed-bed and a Hobby was seen over the Deep Pit. Later in the morning an Osprey was seen approaching, but was driven off by a flock of Carrion Crows. PS.

Osprey – JV.

Pintail – 10th September

September 11, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBlack-tailed godwit, Common Tern, Marsh Harrier, Martin, pintail, SwallowPete Smith

This morning a variety of birds were seen flying through on migration, including a flock of over 100 Swallows and Martins. Also seen were a Common Tern over the Slurry Lagoon, a male, eclipse Pintail that landed for a short while on the Slurry Lagoon and a Black-tailed Godwit that paused briefly, also on the Slurry Lagoon. The male Marsh Harrier was also seen over the reed-bed. JV.

Pintail – JV.

Marsh Harrier – JV.

Garganey – 3rd September

September 3, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCurlew Sandpiper, Garganey, greenshank, Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning the Curlew Sandpiper was still present, along with the Greenshank and two Ruff. A Garganey, probably a female or juvenile, was on the Slurry Lagoon and the male and a female Marsh Harrier were seen. JV.

Curlew Sandpiper – 2nd September

September 2, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCauseway, Curlew Sandpiper, greenshank, House Martin, Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, warblers, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning the two Ruff and the Greenshank had been joined by a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and there was briefly a Wigeon, all on the Slurry Lagoon. The male Marsh Harrier was seen a few times as it popped out of or dropped into the reed-bed. There was a fairly strong passage of Sand and House Martins and small groups of assorted warblers were in the bushes. The reeds in front of the Causeway benches have been cut, so there were several views of scuttling Water Rails. PS.

Juvenile Water Rail – Jason Vickers