This morning, during the Bird Walk, two ravens were on the pylons and also crossed and re-crossed the site several times. A Water Rail dashed across the gap in front of the Causeway benches, a female Marsh Harrier flew over the site but continued over the river, and a Hobby was over the Small Gravel Pit. Also the first few Siskins were heard passing over-head. PS.
Ravens.
This morning a male Garganey was seen on the Slurry Lagoon. Later on a Red-tipped Clearwing was found on the Causeway. PS.
In the afternoon two Variable Damselflies were seen around the Small Gravel Pit. RW.
This morning there were four species of damselfly and Hairy Dragonflies flying on the reserve as well as several species of butterfly including Green Hairstreak, Common Blue and Dingy Skipper. At about midday six Hobbies appeared and hawked insects high above the Small Gravel Pit. PS
This morning a Raven was perched on the Small Gravel Pit pylon. Later a Hobby was hawking insects over the Large Gravel Pit and Deep Pit. RJP.
This morning there were even more Redwings and Blackbirds on the site and these attracted a Merlin which swooped down the Pylon Bank, towards the Small Gravel Pit, as it tried to catch one. Sparrowhawks were also hunting and some Redwing breast feathers were found on the path. A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag flock across the river and a pair of Goosander flew over the Slurry Lagoon. PS.
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.
This afternoon a Dingy Skipper was seen on the bank beside the path down to the Small Gravel Pit. SJ.
This morning there were two cuckoos seen by the Small Gravel Pit. One was calling and the other was silent, so presumably was a female. Later a male was calling on the southern edge of the Slurry Lagoon and a silent Cuckoo was also present. These both then flew to the railway land where another male was calling. So there were at least three Cuckoos present and may have been five. There were also thirteen singing Garden Warblers and a Green Hairstreak was seen on the Causeway. PS.
A male Stonechat was seen near the Small Gravel Pit this afternoon. Also seen were several House Martins and a Sand Martin, one Grey Wagtail and six Common Snipe. RW.
This morning a Cuckoo called briefly beside the Slurry Lagoon as a solitary Swift flew over. During the Warbler Walk, eight warbler species were heard and six Hobbies were seen hawking insects over the Large Gravel Pit. Around seven Hairy Dragonflies were seen, including two females egg-laying, one on the Slurry Lagoon and one on the Small Gravel Pit. Two female Green Hairstreaks were seen, also egg-laying. An Oystercatcher was on the Wader Scrape and a Little Ringed Plover was on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. PS.