Tag Archives: Shelduck

Migrants Return – 3rd April

April 3, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 3rd April, birds, butterflies, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Comma, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Peacock, Red Admiral, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small Tortoiseshell, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Yellow WagtailCarol

During the last few days many migrant species have been returning to the lagoons and helped to provide a quite exciting morning’s watching in very pleasant bright weather this morning. Amongst others, the Sand Martins are now present in considerable numbers on the river bank. Willow Warblers were noted in several locations, as were Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps. A single Reed Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Whitethroat in the brambles on the Slurry Lagoon. The highlight of the morning was a Wheatear, which perched very close on fence posts, and the close second was the appearance of three Buzzards, which displayed well, including an aerial fight. The Cetti’s Warbler was in good voice also.

Meanwhile two Common Terns were struggling with Black-headed Gulls for space on the tern platform.

Butterflies, including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, and Red Admiral were noted and the Blackthorn Blossom was a sight to see (and smell). A Yellow Wagtail was also seen over the Large Gravel Pit and six Shelduck flew into the Slurry Lagoon.

PS/NM/RW/AR/ DG/LD/AE

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.

Black-tailed Godwit – 15th March

March 15, 2011Recent wildlife sightings15th March, 2011, birds, Black-tailed godwit, Cettis Warbler, greenfinch, Shelduck, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Black-tailed Godwit circled the Slurry Lagoon this evening, but I think the water was too deep for it and it disappeared towards Colwick. The Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit, the Shelduck was still on the Slurry Lagoon and a flock of about eighty Greenfinches came in to roost at the back of Rossi’s. PS.

Wheatear – 14th March

March 14, 2011Recent wildlife sightings14th March, 2011, birds, Blackcap, Cettis Warbler, Chiffchaff, Deep Pit, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, WheatearPete Smith

Today a Wheatear was seen briefly on a fence post by the Deep Pit, but flew off towards the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. A Chiffchaff was present and a Blackcap was heard singing. The Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit and a Shelduck was on the Slurry Lagoon. DM.

Woodcock – 24th January

January 24, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 24th January, Barn Owl, birds, Cettis Warbler, peregrine, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, WoodcockPete Smith

This afternoon we installed a bird feeder at the foot of the Slurry Lagoon bank on the Severn/Trent side. Whilst working we flushed a Woodcock from amongst the trees of the Plantation. Later a Peregrine flew overhead and then perched up on a pylon and the Barn Owl spent some time hunting beside the gravel pits and across the Severn/Trent land and also amongst the trees of the Plantation. A Shelduck was on the Slurry Lagoon where, as the light was fading, a Cetti’s Warbler rattled out its explosive song. As we left the site another Woodcock flew across the Car Auction site towards the Severn/Trent fields. AE. DM. PS.

Shelduck – 18th November

November 18, 2010Recent wildlife sightings18th November, 2010, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Mallard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

The Large Gravel Pit had over 200 Coots on it this afternoon with good numbers of Gadwall and some Wigeon. Amongst the throng was an out of place Shelduck. They normally prefer the Slurry Lagoon, which had good numbers of Shoveler and Teal on it as well as the gull roost. On the Deep Pit were about 50 Mallard and a male Goldeneye, and Cetti’s and Water Rail were heard calling.

Cetti’s Warbler – 8th March

March 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 8th March, birds, Cettis Warbler, Coot, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, water railPete Smith

A Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the south-east corner of the Slurry Lagoon this evening. Several Water Rail were calling and one Shelduck was still present. On the Small Gravel Pit one Coot has decided spring has arrived and is sitting on a nest. PS.

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.

Shelduck – 23rd February

February 23, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 23rd January, birds, Deep Pit, greenfinch, Linnets, Shelduck, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

Very quiet at the lagoons today. There were two Shelduck on the Slurry Lagoon, a male Goldeneye in the Deep Pit and the usual Linnets and Greenfinches coming in to roost. PS.

Little Egret – 19th February

February 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit 19th February, linnet, Little Egret, Shelduck, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Little Egret flew into the eastern end of the triangular field this evening and about 100 Linnets came to roost in the Deep Pit. A Cetti’s Warbler called from the Deep Pit and two Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon. 33 Mute Swans also came in to roost after feeding in a rape field along the Trent. PS.