Tag Archives: peregrine

Greenshank – 13th September

September 13, 2015Recent wildlife sightings13th September, 2015, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Garden Warbler, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Whinchat, Whitethroat, Wigeon, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, two Whinchats were found on the area between the substation and the reserve. Three Greenshank flew over and 44 Wigeon were on the Large Gravel Pit. A Peregrine attacked the pigeons on the Slurry Lagoon and a Hobby was catching insects over the Deep Pit. There were still some warblers about, with Garden, Sedge, Reed and Willow being seen as well as Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat. PS.

Little Gull – 27th April

April 27, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 27th April, Little Gull, peregrine, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This afternoon a Peregrine flew over the Slurry Lagoon and later a Little Gull flew through. The Little Gull was an immature and had lost most of its left wing-tip but, never the less, seemed well able to catch a thermal and rise high above the site before heading off east. PS.

Peregrine – 1st March

March 1, 2015Recent wildlife sightings1st March, 2015, Buzzard, Coltsfoot, Green Sandpiper, lesser celandine, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, peregrine, Stonechat, Wader ScrapePete Smith

This morning there were three Little Egrets along the Ouse Dyke but no sign of the Green Sandpiper. A female Peregrine flew low, right through the Deep Pit and then up and over the signal box and a little later the male Peregrine was seen taking repeated stoops at a Buzzard. On the Wader Scrape the male Stonechat was still to be seen and the first Coltsfoot and Lesser Celandine flowers are now out. PS.

Stonechat – 8th February

February 8, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 8th February, Chiffchaff, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, peregrine, Stonechat, Wader Scrape, water railPete Smith

During this morning’s bird count the Ouse Dyke was again very productive, with Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and two Water Rails being seen. On the Wader Scrape a male Stonechat was spotted and a Peregrine flew over, along the pylons. More Water Rails were seen and heard and several Cetti’s Warblers were recorded. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 29th October

October 29, 2014Recent wildlife sightings2014, 29th October, Buzzard, crows, Geese, Jack Snipe, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Red-crested Pochard, Sparrowhawk, StarlingsPete Smith

There were five Red-crested Pochard on the Large Gravel Pit this afternoon. In the evening the Starlings, Geese and Crows put on a spectacle with thousands of birds coming in to roost or passing over on their way to their roost sites. The roosts attracted the usual raptors with Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard putting in an appearance and a Jack snipe was briefly seen. PS.

Woodcock – 17th December

December 17, 2013Recent wildlife sightings17th December, 2013, Deep Pit, Magpie, peregrine, Redwing, WoodcockPete Smith

Towards dusk, while watching Redwings coming in to roost in the Deep Pit, a Peregrine was seen flying through, parallel with the pylons. A pre-roost gathering of 37 Magpies collected in the bushes and a Woodcock flew along the bottom of the bank. PS.

Brambling – 18th October

October 18, 2013Recent wildlife sightings18th October, 2013, Brambling, Chaffinch, Egyptian Goose, goldfinch, greenfinch, Meadow Pipit, peregrine, pintail, Redpoll, Redwing, Reed Bunting, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A large finch and bunting flock has formed at the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon, mostly consisting of Reed Buntings and Goldfinches but also containing a few Green Finches and Chaffinches, with one male Brambling. Also present were a few Meadow Pipits. On the Slurry Lagoon a Redshank was present early on and later five Egyptian Geese flew in and at least one Pintail is still present. Two Peregrines, probably both males, flew over calling loudly, one making occasional stoops at the other, talons outstretched. Also seen were two Redpoll and two small flocks of Redwings. PS.

Waxwing – 2nd December

December 2, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 2nd December, Fieldfare, goldfinch, Goosander, Lapwing, Little Egret, Lower Path, Ouse Dyke, peregrine, Redpoll, Redshank, Redwing, Siskin, Snipe, WaxwingPete Smith

This morning there were large flocks of thrushes and finches along the railway embankment. There were hundreds of Redwings with smaller numbers of Fieldfares and amongst the thrush flock were twelve Waxwings. About thirty Linnets were in a flock with Goldfinches and a few Redpolls. Near the ford on the Lower Path a Treecreeper was investigating the bark on an ash tree. Across the river seven Herons stood amongst the still puddled fields with flocks of Black-headed Gulls and Grey-lag Geese. Amongst them were a few Lapwings and two Redshank. In some Alders between the Boundary Hedge and the Ouse Dyke, three Siskins were feeding with Goldfinches and on the Ouse Dyke bank five Redpoll were feeding on stinging nettle seeds. One male had a beautiful, soft, rose-pink breast. Along the Ouse Dyke three Little Egrets were feeding and ten Snipe circled around before settling near the National Grid development. A Peregrine was also seen over the Severn/Trent land. In the afternoon two Goosander were seen flying up river. PS.

Red Kite – 25th March

March 26, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 25th March, birds, Blackcap, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Kestrel, peregrine, Red Kite, Rough-legged Buzzard, Sand Martin, SparrowhawkPete Smith

As the air warmed up and thermals began to form the raptors began to soar into the sky. By midday there were twelve Buzzards circling and then two Red Kites soared over the site. There were also two Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, and two Peregrines and a Rough-legged Buzzard that drifted off towards Gedling pit top. Eight Chiffchaffs were singing as well as a Blackcap and several Sand Martins passed through. PS.

Wheatear – 18th March

March 18, 2012Recent wildlife sightings18th March, 2012, birds, Chiffchaff, peregrine, Redshank, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, WheatearPete Smith

The sleet and rain this morning has put some migrants down and the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon had two cracking male Wheatears on it. There were also six Chiffchaffs, three of them singing. A Redshank and four Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon and two Peregrines flew along the line of the pylons. PS.