Tag Archives: Snipe

Stonechat – 19th February

This morning there was a massive movement of gulls through the lagoons, especially Black-headed Gulls, mostly going between north and west. There were also lots of Snipe flying in in small groups which added up to about 34 whilst watching, dropping into the Slurry Lagoon reed beds. The male Stonechat was still visible in front of the sub-station but the female did not show.  PS.

Whinchat – 18th September

This morning, during the Bird Walk, a male Whinchat was found near the sub-station railings, a Peregrine was on one of the pylons, a Red-crested Pochard was on the Slurry Lagoon, and four Snipe flew over the Slurry Lagoon reed-beds. Several large flocks of tits and warblers were seen and a passage of Swallows was under way. On the Large Gravel Pit the group of four or five Wigeon, seen on Friday, had grown to nearer eighty.  PS.

Raven – 4th April

This morning two Ravens were seen on one of the pylons. Two Blackcaps, a male and a female, were along the Ouse Dyke. A Swallow and a Peregrine were also seen.  JMD.

In the afternoon three Little Gulls flew through.  Later on a Barn Owl was seen hunting, a Snipe was seen and about 300 Sand Martins came in to roost in the reed bed.  RW.

Mandarin – 19th October

This evening, whilst watching about 5,000 Starlings come in to roost, a strange looking duck came in with a squadron of Grey-lag Geese. It stayed with the flock as they flew over and was still with them when they returned to land on the Slurry Lagoon.  Looking through a scope it was clear to see it was a drake Mandarin. There were also three Snipe and up to five Water Rail, one showing quite well by the bench. Earlier a 1st winter Bearded Tit was also seen in the reed bed.   PS.

Later on the Black Swan came in to roost in the Deep Pit.   RW.