Tag Archives: peregrine

Lincolnshire 2010

January 19, 2011Uncategorized2010, Barn Owl, bird, birds, black swans, Black-tailed godwit, frampton, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, lincoln, lincolnshire, Little Ringed Plovers, nightingale, peregrine, red legged partridge, ringed plovers, rspb, Sparrowhawk, Stoat, trips, Wheatear, Whimbrel, Yellow WagtailCarol

After having picked up various passengers the two cars left Nottingham at about 8.15 am and we made our way to Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln for 9.15 am were we met up with Jack Driver. The early rain that fell on Nottinghamshire was now falling on Lincolnshire so we donned our waterproofs and set off to find our target bird of the day – Nightingale.

According to the sightings board there were six singing males on the site. Looking on the nearest lake Pete found a pair of Little Ringed Plovers changing over nest duties while in the background a Nightingale was singing. A Sparrowhawk shot past the group so fast that not all of us managed to see it. We looked for the singing Nightingale without success so it was decided to go to the area where I had seen them on previous visits.

Having turned the corner at the northern end of Coot Lake we were deafened as one was singing very close to the path and it wasn’t long before Pete had found it. What a stunning bird – in full view. The problem was that not all the group had seen it and nobody had brought a camera as it was thought that they would only be heard and not seen.

We moved on, hearing three or four more before Pete again located one competing with a very high pitched Grasshopper Warbler, that not all the group could hear, and a Garden Warbler. The Nightingale was about 50 metres away over the railway. After watching the Nightingale I decided that I would leave the group and see if I could see or hear the Grasshopper Warbler on my own. I managed, after a few minutes, to get a short snatch of its song before the Nightingale drowned it out again. We made our way back to the car park, the sun shining now. Three Nightingale were seen with at least a further five heard.

With the trip list now standing at 26 we said our goodbyes to Jack Driver and made our way to RSPB Frampton near Boston, seeing Red-legged Partridge and Hare on the way.

The first birds seen at Frampton were a pair of Black Swans, obviously escaped from a collection but seemed to be doing well in the wild. We were surprised to see that the Brent Geese were still in the area as we had expected them to have gone to their breeding grounds by now. After a break for lunch and a cuppa we set off down the path towards the hides. On a small tree a Corn Bunting was singing while a Whimbrel was seen to land on the wet meadow. Steve spotted a Stoat as it ran from the meadow and over the road – our second mammal of the day. As it tried to rain again we made our way towards the first hide but stopped again as a photogenic Corn Bunting sat on a post for us. As we were about to go into the hide several Twite were seen on the wires. In all we counted 15. We were told that during the winter there were several hundred on the reserve. Also seen from the hide were two White Wagtail, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit. Meadow Pits were singing as we left the hide to go back to the cars. Jackie spotted a female Wheatear on a fence post. From the car park I looked at the Barn Owl box through my binoculars and thought I saw part of the face of the Barn Owl. Sure enough as soon as a telescope was trained on the box the head of the bird could be seen. We were doing well as we had seen 63 species on the day.

We made our way north of Boston to Freiston RSPB reserve. Upon arriving we noticed a Pale-bellied Brent Goose in among the Dark-bellied. Although only a sub-species I would not be surprised if it is not split in a few years time to be a species in its own right.

We made our way to the sea wall as high tide was due at about 4.00 pm. The tide didn’t cover the marsh but birds were being moved all the while giving reasonable views of Knot, Eider, Curlew and Grey Plover. A Peregrine was seen as were two Fulmar. Near the car park the fields were scanned and Jackie spotted a fairly distant Yellow Wagtail.

Overall 81 bird species were seen taking the year’s list to 137 compared with 102 this time last year. The mammal list is at 6 (5 in 2009). Only one butterfly has been seen that of a Large White. This time last year 8 had been seen.

Merlin – 6th January

January 6, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 6th January, birds, Cettis Warbler, Merlin, peregrine, Small Gravel Pit, water rail, Willow titPete Smith

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.

Woodcock – 26th December

December 26, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 26th December, Goldeneye, kingfisher, Little Egret, peregrine, WoodcockPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke is still giving sanctuary to three Little Egrets and two Kingfishers were seen chasing one another. The Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pits are still completely frozen but the Mute Swans and Coots have managed to keep a corner of the Large Gravel Pit free from ice. A Woodcock was seen flying along the inside of the Deep Pit bank and then landing in an open spot to search for food. Shortly afterwards a Peregrine was seen flying up to a pylon where it dislodged one that was already there which flew away carrying a small bird. There were two adult male and an immature male Goldeneyes on the river. PS/AE.

Bird Count Day – 12th December

December 12, 2010Recent wildlife sightings12th December, 2010, Brambling, Curlew, Goosander, Little Egret, peregrine, RedshankPete Smith

This morning, on the bird count, there were six Little Egrets in the Ouse Dyke. Three Bramblings were heard as they flew over, as well as a Curlew and a Redshank. Two Goosander were seen and the Peregrine flew up to its favoured perch on a pylon. 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.

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.

Merlin – 9th November

November 9, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 9th November, birds, crows, Deep Pit, gulls, Merlin, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingsPete Smith

A male Merlin was seen today coming from the Railway Land and accelerating into the Deep Pit, its wings whirring round like propellers. The fields where the sweet corn has recently been harvested were covered with birds and flocks of geese, ducks, crows and starlings were filling the air above them. A Peregrine sliced through this spectacle and flew up to its favoured perch on one of the pylons. On the Slurry Lagoon the roost of “large gulls” had increased significantly in size. PS.

Woodcock – 7th November

November 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 7th November, birds, Black-headed Gull, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Geese, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Snipe, WoodcockPete Smith

A Woodcock was flushed from near the metal gates this morning and two Snipe flew over the Lower Path, calling. All three Cetti’s were heard singing but there was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard, or the Ross’s Goose, despite most of the Grey-lag and Canada Goose flock coming onto the Large Gravel Pit. A Peregrine flew through, causing mayhem. It put up the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls on the Slurry Lagoon before dropping into the Deep Pit, screaming as it went, and then flying up to perch on a pylon.

Peregrine – 31st October

October 31, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 31st October, birds, Cettis Warbler, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Lower Path, peregrine, Redpoll, Rossi's Goose, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Willow titPete Smith

The Willow Tit and eight Redpoll were seen along the Lower Path this morning and one or two Siskins are still flying through. All three Cetti’s were heard singing, so let’s hope they all survive the winter. A Peregrine flew over the site putting everything to flight and landed on a pylon. Two Golden Plover were seen flying around the site before departing north and a Snipe went up while 300 Lapwing eventually settled down on the Slurry Lagoon again. The goose flock on the Severn Trent land also went up and the Rossi’s Goose was spotted amongst them again. PS.

Golden Plover – 15th October

October 15, 2010Recent wildlife sightings15th October, 2010, birds, Golden Plover, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Red-crested Pochard, Redpoll, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

There were three Golden Plover amongst the Lapwings on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon. Also seen were three Swallows that spent the afternoon hawking insects near the footbridge and six Redpoll near the railway line. A Peregrine topped the pylon by the Large Gravel Pit, daring the starlings to congregate near it, and the two Red-crested Pochard were still on the Large Gravel Pit. PS.