This morning, during the Monthly Bird Count, a Treecreeper was found on the willows at Willow Pond. The Ouse Dyke again proved to be the most rewarding spot, with a Green Sandpiper feeding on a muddy patch, also a Water Rail was seen and two Chiffchaffs. Two Little Egrets were on the Wader Scrape. PS.
Chiffchaff along Ouse Dyke, by John Elwell
This morning in the frost several small birds were feeding along the Ouse Dyke. Two Water Rail were feeding along the stream and hiding on the far bank. Both were right out in the open when first seen. A Treecreeper was flitting along the trees on the far bank, mousing its way up an elderberry trunk. Two Chiffchaffs were feeding in the low vegetation, moving together along the bank of the stream, and a third was seen further along. The Little Egret was also present and seemingly bolder than usual. PS.
During the Monthly Bird Count, hundreds of Jackdaws and Rooks were seen flying over from their roost, 1,000 or more geese left their roost on the Slurry Lagoon and a flock of about 2,000 Wood Pigeons was seen on Severn/Trent Land. A Redshank was seen briefly on the Slurry Lagoon and two Little Egrets were feeding along the Ouse Dyke. PS.
A Garganey is still present on the Wader Scrape and a Hobby was seen chasing the Swallows by the railway bridge. On the Ouse Dyke the Green Sandpiper was seen to be still in residence. There are also several dragonflies about with Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker, Ruddy Darter, Common Darter, Banded Demoiselle and Common Blue Damselflies all being seen. SC.
The Chaffinch flock feeding beside the Ouse Dyke path still contains at least one male Brambling. PS.
Two Egyptian Geese were on the flooded fields, upstream of the railway bridge, this afternoon. The flock of Chaffinches along the Ouse Dyke path contained at least one Brambling. PS.
This morning a large flock of finches and sparrows was in the field at the beginning of the Ouse Dyke, on Teal Close. Mostly Chaffinches with Reed Buntings and about forty Tree Sparrows, also a couple of Bramblings were seen. PS.
This morning there were four Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Chiffchaff along the Ouse Dyke. The Slurry Lagoon held good numbers of Teal and some Pochard, the Deep Pit had Tufted Duck and Mallard and the Large Gravel Pit held Wigeon, Gadwall and a single male Pintail. PS
There were lots of thrushes and finches feeding on the site this morning. Three Little Egrets were on the Ouse Dyke and Wader Scrape and four Egyptian Geese flew over the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
A Cuckoo was seen today flying along the Ouse Dyke. It was using the trees and bushes to look for insects and with good views it was seen to be a juvenile – it’s white nape patch clearly visible. JMD.