This evening a murmuration of about 12,000 Starlings was performing over the Slurry Lagoon reed-beds. JDn.
Tag Archives: Slurry Lagoon
Whooper Swan – 16th October
This morning three Whooper Swans circled the site before deciding to fly off high to the east. A Bittern was seen in the reed-bed at the north end of the Large Gravel Pit and three Ravens were seen on the pylons. At least four Common Gulls were on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
Bittern – 28th September
This morning two Bitterns were seen flying about the Slurry Lagoon. There was a slow passage of Swallows until late morning, when about fifty arrived to feed over the Slurry Lagoon. There were also three small groups of Common Snipe seen to fly around the site. PS.
In the late morning a Raven was seen on a pylon, a Hobby followed the Swallows and a Whinchat was found on the Ecopark. IEP.
Bearded Reedling – 27th September
This morning there were two Bearded Reedlings seen in the Slurry Lagoon reedbed. There was also a Dunlin feeding on the floating weed. Also seen were a Water Rail, Peregrine and Hobby. JV.
Hobby – 24th September
This morning a Hobby was seen over the Slurry Lagoon. There was also a light passage of Swallows and House Martins and two Wigeon flew in. There were some large flocks of small birds containing Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. PS
Great White Egret – 17th September
This morning, just before the Bird Walk commenced, two Great White Egrets flew onto the Slurry Lagoon. Unfortunately they only stayed for a few minutes. During the walk some passage Siskins, Yellow Wagtails and a Meadow Pipit flew over. Also seen were several Migrant Hawkers and Red Admirals, and a single Small Copper. PS.
Bittern – 13th September
This morning a Bittern was seen, sunning itself in the Deep Pit reed-bed. There were still Swallows and House Martins passing through on passage and good numbers of Chiffchaffs were heard and seen. Two Siskins were in a tree on the NE corner of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
Water Rail – 3rd September
This morning there were five Wigeon on the Slurry Lagoon. Up to 36 Shoveler were also there and about forty Swallows passed to the south in small family groups. A Water Rail dashed across the gap in front of the Causeway benches and two others were heard. There were still two Common Terns on the Deep Pit and large flocks of warblers, mostly Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, were about. PS.
Wheatear – 27th August
This morning a single and later a pair of Yellow Wagtails flew over the site towards the south. On the Causeway path a Wheatear was foraging for food and a flock of hirundines, including at least 20 House Martins, was feeding overhead. From time to time a group of Swallows or Sand Martins would join them before moving on south. Later fourteen Shoveler flew in and settled on the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
Wheatear. PS.
Marsh Harrier – 20th August
This morning, during the Wildlife Walk, a female Marsh Harrier, being chased by a Common Tern, flew over the Slurry Lagoon. When the tern lost interest it began quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed before dropping in. Later it took off again and flew around the Large Gravel Pit before gaining height and disappearing high towards the east. PS.
Female Marsh Harrier.