Tag Archives: Skylark

Stonechat – 16th October

October 16, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCauseway, Dunlin, Fieldfare, Marsh Harrier, pintail, Redwing, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, Stonechat, Wader Scrape, Whooper SwanPete Smith

A Stonechat was seen in the reed-bed in front of the Causeway benches and later, probably the same bird, was seen on the gate to the Wader Scrape. There were three Dunlin and three Pintail on the Slurry Lagoon and, early on, a Marsh Harrier was seen and thee Whooper Swans flew over. The Skylark passage continued overhead and Redwing were seen in good numbers with a few Fieldfare. PS. JV.

Garganey – 19th September

September 19, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, Causeway, Deep Pit, Garganey, Red Admiral, Siskin, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, SwallowPete Smith

This morning an adult male Garganey was on the Slurry Lagoon. Siskins and Swallows were passing through in small numbers as well as a few Skylarks. The Bittern showed again as it crossed the Causeway between the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit. One or two Red Admirals were also migrating south through the reserve. PS.

Eclipse male Garganey. PS.

Raven – 8th October

October 8, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, Chiffchaff, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Raven, Skylark, SwallowPete Smith

There are still a few Swallows and Skylarks passing over. A great White Egret and a Little Egret spent some time fishing in the Ouse Dyke and two Egyptian Geese flew through. Blackcap and Chiffchaff are still about and two Ravens spiralled up on a thermal. PS.

Ravens – Pete Smith.

Redwing – 3rd October

October 5, 2024Recent wildlife sightingsGolden Plover, Lapwing, Lower Path, Marsh Harrier, Mistle Thrush, Raven, Redwing, Skylark, water railPete Smith

This morning there was a light passage of Skylarks and Swallows. Three Golden Plover and a Lapwing also flew over. A Raven was calling from a pylon and later a Redwing flew over and some were on the Hawthorns along the Lower Path. A Mistle Thrush flew over (an unusual bird for the site) and six Water Rail were heard calling from different reed-beds. Towards late morning a Cream-top Marsh Harrier was seen in the distance as it left the site. PS.

Raven – Pete Smith

Great White Egret – 18th October

October 18, 2022Recent wildlife sightings18th October, 2022, Bearded Reedling, Garganey, Great White Egret, pintail, Skylark, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning the Great White Egret spent some time on the Slurry Lagoon. One Pintail was showing, as it fed in the NE corner of the Slurry Lagoon. There was a constant light passage of Skylarks. PS.

In the evening the Garganey was seen again. JDn.

Also a Bearded Reedling was heard in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. RW.

Stonechat – 10th February

February 10, 2022Recent wildlife sightings10thFebruary, 2022, Deep Pit, Ecopark, Goldeneye, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, StonechatPete Smith

The female Stonechat is still around the Ecopark. There was some movement of Skylarks over the site, two Sparrowhawks were seen and there were two pairs of Goldeneye in the Deep Pit. IEP.

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.

Whooper Swan – 3rd November

November 3, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 3rd November, Caspian gull, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, Redwing, Skylark, Whooper SwanPete Smith

This morning there were 11 Whooper Swan in total. 6 flew through west calling, there was a single bird briefly on the Large Gravel Pit before being chased off by Mute Swans and 4 flew east late morning. -The 1st winter Caspian Gull was still on the Deep Pit.-c250 Redwing in several flocks through the morning.- A Drake Pintail still on the Eco-park.- 10+ Skylark through. MC.

Redstart – 8th October

October 9, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 8th October, Brimstone, Deep Pit, Pylon Path, Redpoll, Redstart, Skylark, SwallowPete Smith

A female Redstart was seen crossing the Pylon Path towards the Deep Pit. Several Skylarks and Swallows flew through and a Lesser Redpoll flew over. A Brimstone was seen near the Pump House. IEP. PS.

Water Rail – 6th October

October 6, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 6th October, Causway, Dabchick, Meadow Pipit, Siskin, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, Swallow, water rail, Willow EmeraldPete Smith

This morning a Water Rail was seen scuttling across the gap in front of the Causeway Bench. There were two other birds calling. There were 21 Dabchicks on the Slurry Lagoon and good numbers of Wigeon and Shovelers. There was a light passage of Swallows, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Siskins. PS, AAS.

In the afternoon a pair of Willow Emeralds in tandem were seen ovipositing in the Small Gravel Pit. RW.