Tag Archives: Red-crested Pochard

Marsh Harrier – 11th November

November 11, 2021Recent wildlife sightings11th November, 2021, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Marsh Harrier, Red-crested Pochard, Redpoll, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning the Red-crested Pochard was still on the Slurry Lagoon and some small groups of Skylarks were flying over. There were at least five hundred birds on the Slurry Lagoon, consisting mainly of Wigeon, Black-headed Gulls and Coots, but with smaller numbers of other species mixed in. About mid-day a female Marsh Harrier lifted all of the gulls off the Slurry Lagoon and drifted off into the trees in the reed bed. About six Water Rail were heard calling and some Redpoll flew over. PS.

Gannet – 9th November

November 9, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 9th November, Gannet, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning a very smart male Red-crested Pochard was on the Slurry Lagoon with the Wigeon. Late morning a first winter Gannet flew SW through the site. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 8th November

November 8, 2020Recent wildlife sightings2020, 8th November, Greylag Goose, Large Gravel Pit, Lesser Redpoll, pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, a male and female Red-crested Pochard were on the Large Gravel Pit, along with a male Pintail. There was a flock of over twenty Lesser Redpoll at the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. The Greylag Goose flock now numbers well over 1,000. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 13th April

April 13, 2019Recent wildlife sightings13th April, 2019, House Martin, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The male Red-crested Pochard was back on the Large Gravel Pit this morning. A single House Martin was seen over the Slurry Lagoon and two Sedge Warblers were singing in the nearby reed bed. PS

Red-crested Pochard – 7th April

April 7, 2019Recent wildlife sightings2019, 7th April, Deep Pit, Fieldfare, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning there were still around twenty Sand Martins and a Swallow by the railway bridge. A mixed flock of Starlings and about twenty-five Fieldfares were also present. The Willow Warbler was still in the Deep Pit and a male Red-crested Pochard was on the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 6th August

August 7, 2018Recent wildlife sightings2018, August 6th, Bittern, Black-tailed godwit, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Starling, Swallow, water rail, Willow titPete Smith

In the late afternoon there were two Black-tailed Godwits and three Green Sandpipers on the Slurry Lagoon. Also seen was a Bittern in the Slurry Lagoon reeds at dusk, three Water Rail, one Red-crested Pochard, a Willow Tit, a Hobby, 40 Swallows and 300 Starlings which came in to roost. RW.

Pintail – 25th September

September 25, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 25th September, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning there were over 120 Wigeon on the Large Gravel Pit. On the Slurry Lagoon there were still three Red-crested Pochard, and these were joined briefly by a male eclipse Pintail. There were some Snipe and Water Rail about as well and still some warblers. PS.

Whinchat – 18th September

September 18, 2016Recent wildlife sightings18th September, 2016, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Swallow, Whinchat, WigeonPete Smith

This morning, during the Bird Walk, a male Whinchat was found near the sub-station railings, a Peregrine was on one of the pylons, a Red-crested Pochard was on the Slurry Lagoon, and four Snipe flew over the Slurry Lagoon reed-beds. Several large flocks of tits and warblers were seen and a passage of Swallows was under way. On the Large Gravel Pit the group of four or five Wigeon, seen on Friday, had grown to nearer eighty. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 11th September

September 11, 2016Recent wildlife sightings11th September, 2016, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Whitethroat, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, two Red-crested Pochard were seen on the Slurry Lagoon. Large mixed flocks of warblers were foraging around the site, mainly Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps but Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler and a Garden Warbler were also seen. Several family groups of Swallows were also going through during the morning. PS.

Red-crested Pochard – 21st August

August 21, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 21st August, Common Sandpiper, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, Raven., Red-crested Pochard, Slurry Lagoon, Volucella zonaria, water railPete Smith

This morning a juvenile Red-crested Pochard was on the Slurry Lagoon. A Water Rail was also seen along the reeds at the back of the lagoon. Later a Raven flew south across the Large Gravel Pit. PS

A male and female of Volucella zonaria, the Hornet Hoverfly, were feeding on Buddleja by the metal gates. PS

In the afternoon two Common Sandpipers were seen on the riverbank and a Hobby flew over. JMD