Early on this morning two Arctic Terns were seen flying through and a Swift was briefly over the Deep Pit. A Peregrine was seen carrying prey, possibly a small wader. JV.
As it warmed up butterflies began to be seen. On a small, flowering Rowan there were five Green Hairstreaks. Species also seen were Brimstone, Orange-tip, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Peacock. PS.
Green Hairstreaks – Mark Tyler.
This morning there were about twenty Chiffchaffs singing around the site and the first Blackcap was heard, giving a tentative song. Three Oystercatchers flew over the Deep Pit, making a lot of noise. As it warmed up, Small Sallow Mining Bees and Tawny Mining Bees were seen on the fence posts, and three Brimstones, three Comas, two Tortoiseshells and a Peacock were flying. PS.
This morning a Mediterranean Gull paid a brief visit to the Slurry Lagoon. A Raven flew along the river to the Enva site. During a brief spell of sunshine two male Toads, a male and a female Brimstone and a Peacock were seen – Spring is Springing! PS.
Mediterranean Gull – JV.
Not just Brimstones, but today was a great day for butterflies. There were good numbers of Brimstones and Orange-tips about. Also seen were Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Holly Blue. Two Swallows were feeding briefly over the Slurry Lagoon. PS
The ‘Bird Walk – Migrants’ went well today with eight of us present. We saw Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers and Cetti’s Warblers. There were Swallows and Sand Martins by the railway bridge. As the morning warmed up butterflies emerged with Brimstone, Orange-tip, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Green Hairstreak and Holly Blue all seen.
This morning there were two male and two female Blackcaps along the Lower Path. On the Large Gravel Pit there was a female Goosander. The Blackthorn by the steps down to the metal footbridge attracted several butterflies including three Small Tortoiseshells, two Commas and a Peacock, as well as several Bee Flies and some hoverflies and bees. PS.
A male House Sparrow was seen this morning on the Lower Path, close to the river. This is a very rare sighting now at the lagoons. Also heard or seen were a Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker and Grasshopper Warbler along with four Brimstones, five Green Hairstreaks, ten Common Blues, four male Orange-tips, two Green-veined Whites, a Peacock, a Large White and a Latticed Heath. SC/PG.
Also seen this morning were three Hobbies, two Buzzards and a mass of gulls and terns catching flying ants. PS.
This morning there were two Blackcaps singing, six Sand Martin’s by the bridge on the river, ten singing Chiffchaff and two Mistle Thrushes, three Lapwing and three Shelduck on the Eco Park area. Also lots of butterflies;
1 Small White,
10 Small Tortoiseshell.
11 Brimstone
10 Peacock
Also 2 Toads and 3 Roe Deer. SC/PG.
This morning a Bittern was seen flying from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed towards the south. Also there were two Grasshopper Warblers and several Whitethroats. Butterflies were about as well with Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Comma and good numbers of Peacocks, Tortoiseshells and Brimstones. PS.
This morning there was a Bittern flying between the reed beds on the Slurry Lagoon. There were several Gatekeepers flying and the nettles by the Boundary Hedge had good numbers of Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars. PS.