Tag Archives: Slurry Lagoon

Waxwing – 19th December

December 19, 2012Recent wildlife sightings19th December, 2012, Slurry Lagoon, Waxwing, Willow WalkPete Smith

A flock of about 65 Waxwings were on the site this afternoon, in the bushes along the Willow Walk. They then flew off over the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS, TK.

Little Egret – 25th November

November 25, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 25th November, Barn Owl, Cettis Warbler, Chiffchaff, ducks, Goldcrest, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Plantation, Slurry Lagoon, Thrushes, Toad, Trent, water railPete Smith

This morning the results of last night’s rain were obvious as you looked along the Ouse Dyke. It had obviously burst its banks during the night but was now running high and muddy in its course. The Trent was also swollen and had spread across nearby fields. Five Little Egrets were together in the Ouse Dyke. Two Chiffchaffs were found and a Goldcrest. There were also plenty of ducks and winter thrushes about.

Later, in the afternoon, two crows chased a Barn Owl along the Ouse Dyke and into the Plantation. Three Cetti’s Warblers were heard singing and four Water Rail were squabbling in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and a Toad was seen, crawling across the Slurry Lagoon path. PS.

Brambling – 21st November

November 21, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 21st November, Brambling, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Brambling called as it flew over the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon. PS.

Short-eared Owl – 4th November

November 4, 2012Recent wildlife sightings10th february, 2012, 4th November, Brambling, Redpoll, Redwing, Short-eared Owl, Siskin, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

This morning was cold and frosty and fairly quiet at the lagoons. Near the steps down to the Ouse Dyke footbridge the ‘dzweee’ call of a Brambling attracted attention to a splendid male in a hawthorn bush. There were several Redpolls, some Siskins, Fieldfares and Redwings about as well. In the late morning a Short-eared Owl was seen flying high over the Slurry Lagoon reed bed, pursued by some crows and a gull. It flew out towards Burton Joyce but then veered back and came right overhead again and was last seen disappearing towards Ratcliffe, crows still in pursuit. PS.

Bearded Tit – 28th October

October 28, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 28th October, Bearded Tit, Chiffchaff, Fieldfare, Little Egret, Redpoll, Redwing, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

A Bearded Tit was heard in the reed bed in the NE corner of the Slurry Lagoon this morning. It was later seen by another observer as it flew out into the centre of the reed bed on the dry end. There were also two Little Egrets, several Redpolls, and a Chiffchaff. Redwing and Fieldfares were also seen in small numbers. PS.

Whooper Swan – 26th October

October 26, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 26th October, Mute Swan, Slurry Lagoon, Whooper SwanPete Smith

Late this morning three Whooper Swans landed on the Slurry Lagoon. Unfortunately the resident family of Mute Swans took exception and chased them away in a few minutes. RW.

Egyptian Goose – 25th October

October 25, 2012Recent wildlife sightings25th October 2012, Egyptian Goose, Little Egret, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingsJacqueline

A single Egyptian Goose flew onto the Slurry Lagoon late afternoon with the Canadas and Greylags. A Little Egret was spotted but no further sightings of the Great White. The Starling roost was again impressive with wave after wave of birds decending into the Slurry reed bed – hard to assess numbers but perhaps between 7 and 8,000 birds in total. JMD RW.

Marsh Harrier – 24th October

October 24, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 24th October, Canada Goose, Grey-lag Goose, Marsh Harrier, Slurry Lagoon, StarlingPete Smith

This afternoon a ‘cream-top’ Marsh Harrier was seen briefly over the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. It was chased off by some crows and a gull. The sweetcorn has been harvested in the adjacent fields and the geese are gleening the spillage. About 2,500 Grey-lag Geese and 500 Canadas flew from the fields onto the Slurry Lagoon. Later up to 6,000 Starlings came in to roost, in their spectacular fashion, in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.

Pintail – 18th September

September 18, 2012Recent wildlife sightings18th September, 2012, Deep Pit, Goldeneye, Meadow Pipit, pintail, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

The Pintail is still present on the Slurry Lagoon and the Goldeneye is on the Deep Pit. Some Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits are still passing through but there are very few Swallows about. Some Siskins were also heard passing over. PS

Pintail – 16th September

September 16, 2012Recent wildlife sightings16th September, 2012, Gadwall, House Martin, Large Gravel Pit, Lower Path, Meadow Pipit, Migrant Hawker, Muntjac, pintail, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, teal, Wigeon, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning there was a female Pintail and a female Golden-eye on the Slurry Lagoon, as well as three Red-crested Pochards and good numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal. There were about 80 Wigeon on the Large Gravel Pit and Swallows, House Martins, Meadow Pipits and Yellow Wagtails were passing through. On the Lower Path a Muntjac was seen. In the afternoon a swarm of Migrant Hawkers was seen along the Lower Path. PS.