This morning a Red Kite was hunting over the reserve. Two Ravens were also seen. One Raven then flew to mob the kite and next a Merlin joined in. A Garden Warbler was heard and seen close to the railway bridge. A Green Hairstreak was seen as well as two Commas. PS.
In the morning there was a flock of Swallows in the Deep Pit and a Yellow Wagtail. RJP.
This morning there were even more Redwings and Blackbirds on the site and these attracted a Merlin which swooped down the Pylon Bank, towards the Small Gravel Pit, as it tried to catch one. Sparrowhawks were also hunting and some Redwing breast feathers were found on the path. A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag flock across the river and a pair of Goosander flew over the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
A Merlin flew SW through the Deep Pit and over the rail bridge field this afternoon. The 1st Winter Caspian Gull is still around, 15 Siskin and a Redpoll flew through too. Also an ‘Argentatus’ Herring Gull on the Deep Pit. MC.
This morning a Merlin was seen briefly as it flew over the site. Also seen were three Oystercatchers, two Shelduck, two Common Terns and three Fieldfares. PS.
This morning there were two Grasshopper Warblers reeling on the Slurry Lagoon. Overnight several Whitethroats had come in and female Blackcaps seem more numerous. A female Merlin flew low across the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and across the railway land and four Common Terns were on the Deep Pit. PS.
A Merlin was seen this afternoon flying south over the railway signal box. PS.
As the Starlings came to roost this evening a Merlin dashed in and caught one of their number. Later the geese came in and what may have been a Woodcock flew past, in the gloom. PS.
This afternoon there were two Water Rail showing well around the edge of the Large Gravel Pit and a Cetti’s warbler was scolding near the Willow Pond. Three Egyptian Geese flew over towards Attenborough. RW.
In the late afternoon a Merlin flew the length of the Deep Pit before diving towards the bushes at its southern end. Six Little Egrets were seen leaving the Large Gravel Pit, probably to go to roost and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard in the Deep pit. PS.
The Siberian Chiffchaff was again reported along the Ouse Dyke.
Spring is in the air – at least I found my first open Coltsfoot of the year. A female Smew was found on the Slurry Lagoon this morning and as we looked at her a male Pintail also arrived. The Smew took off but was relocated on the Large Gravel Pit. Later on a Curlew flew through and a Merlin was seen hunting the reserve. PS AE DM.
This morning up to six Water Rail were heard or seen around the site. A Peregrine flew over and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling near the Small Gravel Pit. DM.
This afternoon a Willow Tit was seen near the Irish Bridge, AE, and a Merlin flew over towards Colwick, PS, DM.