Tag Archives: Ouse Dyke

Goosander – 19th December

December 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings19th December, 2010, Golden-eye, Goldeneye, Goosander, Heron, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, weaselPete Smith

It was very cold this morning and the Little Egrets and Herons were back at the Ouse Dyke. There were eight Little Egrets seen eventually. On the river there was a splendid male Goosander with two equally splendid male Goldeneyes, and a Redshank was feeding in the cattle wade. On the inside bank of the Deep Pit a male Weasel was watched for about ten minutes, as it scampered up and down the slope trying to pick up a scent. PS.

Brambling – 17th December

December 17, 2010Recent wildlife sightings17th December, 2010, birds, Brambling, Heron, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke is loosing its attraction to fishing birds now and only two Little Egrets were seen this afternoon, with two Herons and a Kingfisher. There were five Bramblings in the bushes on the north bank of the Slurry Lagoon and some were heard calling by the Haven. PS.

Barn Owl – 8th December

December 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 8th December, Barn Owl, birds, Curlew, Kestrel, Little Egret, Mitigation Field, Ouse Dyke, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, water railPete Smith

This afternoon a Barn Owl was seen along the Ouse Dyke. JMD.

The fishing spot is getting even more popular, with seven Little Egrets, four Herons and two Kingfishers trying their luck. Water Rail and Snipe were also seen.

Whilst looking over the ‘Mitigation’ field two Little Egrets flew past, then a Kestrel, then a male Sparrowhawk, which flew into a sunlit tree and fluffed out its white under-tail coverts like a pom-pom, then a female Sparrowhawk started quartering the field like a Harrier, landing on the ground twice as she formed her next plan of attack. Shortly afterwards a Curlew flew along the power lines and straight overhead. PS.

Little Egrets – 7th December

December 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsHeron, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, peregrine, Snipe, Watwer RailPete Smith

As we walked along the Ouse Dyke this afternoon there were five Little Egrets with a Heron and a Kingfisher all using the same fishing spot. Further along two Snipe and a Water Rail were also seen. Over the site two Peregrines were seen as they flew together, calling and grabbing at each others talons in twisted flight. Later one was seen on the top of the pylon, across the river. JMD. PS.

Brambling – 5th December

December 5, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 5th December, Brambling, Gadwall, greenfinch, Grey Heron, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, teal, Tufted DuckPete Smith

As the grip of winter tightens around the lagoons the Ouse Dyke has become an attractive area for the birds. At about 08.30hrs there were four Little Egrets and a Grey Heron paddling around chasing the small fish and a Kingfisher was also seen with them. The Deep Pit was the one with most open water, the Slurry Lagoon being completely frozen over, and held large numbers of Teal, with Gadwall and Tufties. There were plenty of finches about with over 100 Greenfinches and a Brambling was seen feeding on hops along the Ouse Dyke as we left the site. PS.

Little Egrets – 30th November

November 30, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 30th November, Common Snipe, Little Egret, Ouse DykeJacqueline

Four Little Egrets were in and out of the Ouse Dyke early afternoon and at least four Common Snipe also flew out of the Dyke. JMD.

Peregrine – 26th November

November 26, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 26th November, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, peregrine, Red-crested PochardJacqueline

The Peregrine was sitting on his favourite pylon this afternoon making sorties over the ploughed field but I didn’t see him catch anything. In the Ouse Dyke two Little Egrets were again fishing and on the Large Gravel Pit the five Red-crested Pochard are still present. JMD.

Water Rail – 21st February

February 21, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 21st February, Ouse Dyke, water railJacqueline

A Water Rail was feeding out in the open along the bank of the Ouse Dyke this afternoon possibly because all the Lagoons are again partially frozen. JMD.

Bittern and Little Egrets – 14th January

January 14, 2010Recent wildlife sightings14th January, 2010, birds, Bitterns, Deep Pit, Little Egret, Ouse DykePete Smith

A Bittern was seen again in the Deep Pit (RW). It was seen a couple of times, walking on the ice and flying between reed beds. Perhaps they will stay for the winter.

Two Little Egrets were seen in the Ouse Dyke (RD).

Finch Flock – 8th January

January 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsChaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, Jack Snipe, linnet, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Reed Bunting, water rail, WoodcockPete Smith

The ‘Fat Hen Field’ at the northern end of the Deep Pit has attracted a growing number of finches. So far only Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Linnets, Chaffinches and Reed Buntings with the occasional Tree Sparrow, but its a good place to look for something unusual that they might attract to them. The Bitterns may have been forced out of the Deep Pit as most of the margins are now frozen. PS.

Today the Ouse Dyke was a magnet for birds with three Little Egrets, Water Rail, Kingfisher, and Common Snipe. Apparently earlier a Jack Snipe was present and a Woodcock flew over. JMD.