This morning the wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was seen again, quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Later, a Red Kite flew low, over the site and a skein of about sixty Pink-footed Geese flew through to the SW. Birds also seen were an Egyptian Goose, three Buzzards and a Jay. PS.
In the afternoon a pair of Goosander were seen on the river and an Oystercatcher flew over the Deep Pit. IEP.
Three Sand Martins have arrived and were seen over the river, close to the railway bridge. JDn.
In the evening a Barn Owl was seen hunting near the sub-station. IP.
This morning a Common Sandpiper was found on the Slurry Lagoon and three more on the river near the railway bridge. A Grass Snake was seen along Willow Walk, basking on some dead bracken hanging from the Car Auction site fence. PS.
A quiet afternoon at the lagoons. There were three Little Egrets, and a female Sparrowhawk, but no unusual birds about. A surprise was seeing several Long-winged Coneheads still active, on the sunny fence-posts near the river. One female was caught in the act of egg-laying. PS.
A female Goosander was seen on the river, just downstream from the railway bridge, this afternoon. there was also a male Wigeon present, apparently the only one left. Further downstream there was an Oystercatcher resting on the bank. Earlier on a Buzzard got the Crows in a tizz as it flew low over the site. PS.
A Marsh Harrier flew over the Slurry Lagoon at about 3.30 p.m. this afternoon. It was a cream-crown and probably a juvenile bird. It put up every bird on the Slurry as it flew over the reed beds for some minutes being persued particularly by the Lapwings until they chased it over S.T. land. However a few minutes later it came back for a second try but again the Lapwings chased it away and this time it flew over the Deep Pit and down the river. JMD.
A male Goosander was on the river today. JMD.
A very warm and sunny day slightly spoilt by a strong south westerly breeze which kept the butterflies from flying. A group of seven of us set off along the Ouse Dyke where we encountered the usual selection of large, small and green-veined whites, speckled wood butterflies along with common darter, brown hawker and southern hawker dragonflies. We were even greeted by the call of the resident kingfisher as it speed off up the path.
On entering the site we soon found the first of our target species of common blue, which it became apparent are very abundant all around the site as there is plenty of birds-foot trefoil on the bank tops and sides. The next of our target species for the day was the small copper, only one of these was located at the top of a bank I know from previous visits to be one of the best places to find them. Unfortunately we weren’t so lucky with the small heath which failed to show at all, probably due to the wind whipping across the site.
Dropping down to the river bank to get some shelter from the wind we encountered our next target, brown argus. Or at least the back markers did, by the time the rest of us had backtracked it had disappeared into the long grass. However, we did all get to see this small butterfly later as altogether we encountered six in various parts of the lagoons.
The walk continued in the shelter of the hedge bordering the back of the gravel pits where plenty of common blue damselflies along with other butterflies and dragonflies were taking advantage of the windbreak offered by the hedge. Our return to the site found more brown argus on the central bund between the deep pit and the slurry lagoon, and also along the bottom pathe following the railway line.
By the end of the walk we had encountered ten butterfly species, including those mentioned above along with small tortoiseshell, brimstone, meadow brown and painted lady. Other highlights included two hobby, wheatear, whinchat and various warblers.
The latest recruits to the Mute Swan population are three new cygnets to the Gravel Pit pair. There are already six on the Slurry Lagoon and six on the river, bringing the total to fifteen. The Deep Pit nest has failed.