Tag Archives: Small Gravel Pit

Barn Owl – 8th October

October 8, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 8th October, Barn Owl, Garden Warbler, Lower Path, Raven., Redpoll, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, SnipePete Smith

This morning, during the bird count, a Barn Owl was seen. Also two Ravens were on the pylons, Siskin and Redpoll were about as well as one Tree Sparrow along the Lower Path. Eight Snipe were seen dropping into the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. By the Small Gravel Pit a late Garden warbler was sunning itself. PS.

Whimbrel – 11th May

May 11, 2017Recent wildlife sightings11th May, 2017, Hairy Dragonfly, Hobby, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, WhimbrelPete Smith

This afternoon there were three Whimbrel on one of the new islands on the Slurry Lagoon. A Hobby was seen and a Hairy Dragonfly was on the Small Gravel Pit. RW.

Swift – 1st May

May 1, 2016Recent wildlife sightings1st May, 2016, Grasshopper Warbler, Small Gravel Pit, SwiftPete Smith

This morning there were at least twelve Swifts over the reserve. Two Grasshopper Warblers were singing, near the railway bridge and near the Small Gravel Pit, and lots more warblers were singing. SC.

Lesser Whitethroat – 13th April

April 13, 2016Recent wildlife sightings13th April, 2016, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Small Gravel PitPete Smith

This morning a Lesser Whitethroat was heard singing near the metal gates. JMD.

In the late afternoon a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling beside the Small Gravel pit. Also there were two Little Ringed Plovers and two Dunlin on the flooded field across the river. Later two Lesser Whitethroats were heard. RW.

Grasshopper Warbler – 4th June

June 4, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 4th June, Broad-bodied Chaser, cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Hobby, Large Red Damselfly, Small Gravel PitPete Smith

Today a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling near the Small Gravel Pit. A Hobby and Cuckoo were also seen. Near the Small Gravel Pit were also seen two Broad-bodied Chasers and two Large Red Damselflies. RW.

Water Shrew – 23rd April

April 23, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 23rd April, Haven, Small Gravel Pit, Water ShrewPete Smith

A Water Shrew was seen today beside the pond between the Small Gravel Pit and the Haven. RW.

Cricket and Grasshopper Walks – 2013

September 10, 2013NewsCommon Groundhopper, Field Grasshopper, Lesser Marsh Grasshopper, Long-winged Conehead, roesels bush cricket, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel PitPete Smith

The two walks were held on Wednesday, 14^th August and Sunday, 18^th August, the first day there were seven people and on the Sunday only one person turned up. The weather was bright and warm on both days and so the insects were not hard to see, although the Wednesday was rather windy.

Long-winged Conehead - Macropterous (extra long-winged) form — Long-winged Conehead – Macropterous (extra long-winged) form

On the Wednesday the Long-winged Coneheads were plentiful and seem to have taken over most of the site and were not restricted to a few areas as they had been in the past. There were individuals of all ages, from quite early instar nymphs to fully mature adults. Many of the ones found were of the extra long-winged, macropterous, form, which is normally associated with dense populations of the insect. These are the more mobile form that it is thought spread out to colonise new areas. Also found in large numbers were Lesser Marsh Grasshoppers, which were found in a variety of colour forms. The Field Grasshoppers were much harder to find than they have been in the past, possibly due to competition with the other two orthopterans. Roesel’s Bush Cricket was not found, possibly because the blustery weather made it hard to hear, and no Slender Groundhoppers were found when we looked by the Small Gravel Pit.

On the Sunday, as there were only two of us, we decided to see what we could find on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. We found plenty of Long-winged Coneheads and Lesser Marsh Grasshoppers as we made our way to the Slurry Lagoon gate. Once on the slurry surface we found the missing Field Grasshoppers amongst the sparse vegetation.

Whilst looking for them we also discovered Common Groundhoppers, which were in good numbers but extremely hard to see. All sorts of colour forms and patterns were represented, but they were difficult to photograph as they kept jumping and disappearing. We again looked without success for Slender Groundhoppers by the Small Gravel Pit, but were luckier with Roesel’s Bush Crickets, which were singing along the banks of the Deep Pit.

Whimbrel – 28th July

July 28, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 28th July, Common Sandpiper, Red-eyed Damselfly, Ruddy Darter, Small Gravel Pit, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, WhimbrelPete Smith

This morning a Whimbrel was heard calling as it flew over the site, towards Holme Pierrepont. There was a Common Sandpiper feeding along the edge of one of the tern platforms, much to the annoyance of the residents. The Dragonfly Walk was a mixed success as the weather was not very co-operative. Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselflies were found on the Small Gravel Pit as well as a Ruddy Darter. PS.

Grass Snake – 23rd May

May 23, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 23rd May, Grass Snake, Small Gravel PitPete Smith

This morning a Grass Snake was seen near the Small Gravel Pit. This is the first reptile that has been reported on the site. RW.

Little Ringed Plover – 26th June

June 26, 2011Recent wildlife sightings26th June 2011, Black-tailed Skimmer, Four-spotted Chaser, Little Ringed Plover, Red-crested Pochard, Red-eyed Damselfly, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, Small SkipperJacqueline

This morning there was a juvenile Little Ringed Plover on the Slurry Lagoon. There were still eight Red-crested Pochard and the Gadwall had all eleven ducklings and the Mallard still had her five. There were good numbers of Small Skippers about and two Black-tailed Skimmers and one Four-spotted Chaser with some Red-eyed Damselflies on the Small Gravel Pit. PS. AE

A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was feeding on the Slurry Lagoon’s waters’ edge for some time this afternoon. There were also still four Red-crested Pochards on the Slurry and the Gadwall still has all eleven of her ducklings. Unexpectedly not many butterflies were about – the most interesting being a Small Skipper. JMD.