Tag Archives: Sand Martin

Common Tern – 1st April

April 1, 2011Recent wildlife sightings1st April, 2011, birds, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

A Common Tern was resting on one of the tern platforms this afternoon. As we watched it a Willow Warbler started to sing on the Causeway bank, inside the Deep Pit. The Cetti’s Warbler and a Chiffchaff were also singing there. There were several Chiffchaffs singing around the site and some Sand Martins were flying overhead. On the Slurry Lagoon there were still some Teal and Shoveler and a Shelduck later joined them. On the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon there was a female Wheatear. PS. DG. RW.

Swallow – 25th March

March 25, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 25th March, Chiffchaff, Red Admiral, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, WheatearPete Smith

This morning a Swallow flew straight through over the site. NM.

There were also several Sand Martins and Chiffchaffs and another Wheatear was seen on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. Several butterflies were seen including a Red Admiral. PS.

Wheatear – 22nd March

March 22, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 22nd March, Brimstone, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Grey Plover, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Toad, WheatearPete Smith

This morning a male Wheatear was briefly seen on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon, before it disappeared between the reed beds. A Sand Martin flew over the site and up to four Chiffchaffs were singing. There were still one or two Toads about on the path on the south-western side of the Slurry Lagoon and one grim sighting was of one held limply in a crow’s beak. A brilliant male Brimstone was seen flying into the Deep Pit. PS.

In the afternoon a Grey Plover was heard calling as it flew over and the Wheatear was seen again on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.

Sand Martins – 21st March

March 22, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 21st March, Barn Owl, bat, birds, Large Gravel Pit, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, ToadPete Smith

The Barn Owl was seen hunting around the Large Gravel Pit from about 17.40 and four Sand Martins were seen over the river. At least 110 toads were seen on the eastern side of the Slurry Lagoon, crossing the path at nightfall. Two or three bats were also seen feeding. RW.

Red Kite – 20th March

March 20, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 20th March, birds, Chiffchaff, Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, Red Kite, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, WheatearPete Smith

This morning there were two male Wheatears at the top end of the Slurry Lagoon, a Sand Martin and a Chiffchaff. Two Oystercatchers flew over and there were 73 Golden Plover on the Severn Trent field. At about 12.50 a Red Kite flew over the site, heading south. Later in the day 13 Sand Martins and 6 Snipe were seen. RW.