Tag Archives: peregrine

Little Egret – 10th October

October 10, 2010Recent wildlife sightings10th October, 2010, birds, Cettis Warbler, Curlew, Dunlin, Geese, Little Egret, peregrine, Redpoll, Siskin, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

During the monthly bird count this morning a flock of eight Little Egrets flew downriver, through the reserve. Later a ninth bird settled for a short time on the Slurry Lagoon. A Peregrine was seen stooping at Wood Pigeons attracted by the maize spilt during the harvest and around three thousand Grey Lag and Canada geese were also gleening the stubble. A Curlew flew over the site and a Dunlin was on the Slurry. Other migrants seen were a small flock of Swallows, several Skylarks, some Redpoll and a Siskin. There were also three Cetti’s Warblers heard singing. PS.

Ruff – 5th September

September 5, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 5th September, birds, Lapwing, Little Stint, Lower Path, peregrine, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Swifts, warblers, Wigeon, Willow titPete Smith

Two juvenile Ruff, a male and a female, were on the Slurry Lagoon this morning. A Peregrine sliced through the Lapwing flock but didn’t manage to catch anything and ten Wigeon arrived to rest on the lagoon. A large flock of Swallows passed through late morning, accompanied by three Swifts and the Willow Tit was present along the Lower Path again with a large flock of other tits, Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. Two Snipe were also seen flying over. PS. AE.

In the early afternoon a juvenile Little Stint and a juvenile Ruff were present. RW.

Ruff – 29th August

August 29, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 29th August, birds, Common Tern, Gadwall, Hobby, House Martin, peregrine, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Swift, WigeonPete Smith

There was plenty of movement today with about 120 House Martins through in the morning along with two Common Terns and three Swifts and two more Wigeon arrived with several Gadwall. PS.

A juvenile Ruff was seen on the Slurry Lagoon today and later a Hobby and a Peregrine were seen. RW.

Roesel’s Bush Cricket – 1st August

August 1, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsEmerald Damselfly, Green Sandpiper, greenshank, peregrine, roesels bush cricket, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, Small Red-eyed DamselflyPete Smith

A Roesel’s Bush Cricket was found today, also a Small Red-eyed Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly on the Small Gravel Pit. On the Slurry Lagoon was one Greenshank and two Green Sandpipers and a Peregrine was also seen. RW.

Peregrine – 30th June

June 30, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsCettis Warbler, peregrinePete Smith

A Peregrine was seen this morning, carrying prey (probably a Sand Martin) up to the pylon to eat. As it flew it called, and this started the terns in persuit. About ten flew after it, calling loudly but they lost interest when it perched. In the afternoon at least two Cetti’s Warbler chicks were seen being fed by their parent. PS.

Also this afternoon an adult Water Rail was seen at the back of the Slurry Lagoon. It came out of the reeds for a bath and a preen and then had a few minutes feeding along the reed edge before disappearing back into the reeds. JMD.

Peregrine – 6th June

June 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 6th June, birds, Jackdaw, Little Ringed Plover, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

An adult Peregrine was seen with prey, possibly a Jackdaw, accompanied by a juvenile bird on one of the pylons. The juvenile Peregrine later flew off down river. Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen on the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

Peregrine Falcon – 19th April

April 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsAvocet, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, House Martin, Little Ringed Plover, Marsh Harrier, peregrine, Redstart, Swift, Tawny OwlCarol

This morning a Peregrine Falcon flew over and perched on the nearby electricity pylon for a few minutes before moving to the next pylon to the north-east. A Common Sandpiper flew round the Slurry Lagoon and a Little Ringed Plover was displaying over the Slurry.

In the early afternoon one Common Tern appeared on the newly recommissioned Tern Platforms. One Swift and two House Martins were seen and a Redstart was heard alarm calling. A Tawny Owl was observed in the willow tree. RW.

Later two Avocets settled on the Slurry Lagoon and a male Marsh Harrier flew through. PS. RW.

Woodcock – 1st March

March 3, 2010Recent wildlife sightings1st March, 2010, Deep Pit, peregrine, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, Wigeon, WoodcockPete Smith

The wings, still attached to the sternum, of a Woodcock were found on the bank of the Deep Pit today. There were small triangular nicks in the sternum suggesting the predator was a bird, probably a Peregrine or possibly a Sparrowhawk. There were still two Shelduck on the Slurry Lagoon but no sign of any Wigeon, perhaps they’ve already migrated. PS.

Goosander – 27th January

January 27, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 27th January, birds, Cettis Warbler, Goosander, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This afternoon a Peregrine flew from the river over the Large Gravel Pit, causing consternation amongst the Wigeon. Later a Little Egret was seen standing quietly in a corner of the same pit and towards dusk two male Goosander were also seen swimming and diving on the pit. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and several Water Rail were calling or seen at several parts of the site. PS.

Peregrine – 15th January

January 15, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsDeep Pit, Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, peregrine, Redwing, YellowhammerPete Smith

A Peregrine was seen this afternoon, catching a Redwing and carrying it to a pylon to eat. There was a large flock of Teal on the Deep Pit, possibly over 400, and a flock of 73 Lapwings joined them to rest on the ice. Four Meadow Pipits and a Yellowhammer were also seen. PS.