Tag Archives: Snipe

Waxwing – 2nd December

December 2, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 2nd December, Fieldfare, goldfinch, Goosander, Lapwing, Little Egret, Lower Path, Ouse Dyke, peregrine, Redpoll, Redshank, Redwing, Siskin, Snipe, WaxwingPete Smith

This morning there were large flocks of thrushes and finches along the railway embankment. There were hundreds of Redwings with smaller numbers of Fieldfares and amongst the thrush flock were twelve Waxwings. About thirty Linnets were in a flock with Goldfinches and a few Redpolls. Near the ford on the Lower Path a Treecreeper was investigating the bark on an ash tree. Across the river seven Herons stood amongst the still puddled fields with flocks of Black-headed Gulls and Grey-lag Geese. Amongst them were a few Lapwings and two Redshank. In some Alders between the Boundary Hedge and the Ouse Dyke, three Siskins were feeding with Goldfinches and on the Ouse Dyke bank five Redpoll were feeding on stinging nettle seeds. One male had a beautiful, soft, rose-pink breast. Along the Ouse Dyke three Little Egrets were feeding and ten Snipe circled around before settling near the National Grid development. A Peregrine was also seen over the Severn/Trent land. In the afternoon two Goosander were seen flying up river. PS.

Jack Snipe – 15th January

January 15, 2012Recent wildlife sightings15th January, 2012, birds, Deep Pit, Goldcrest, Jack Snipe, linnet, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Willow WalkPete Smith

This morning there was a Jack snipe, flushed from beside the Large Gravel Pit. There was also a Common Snipe in the Deep Pit. By the Slurry Lagoon a Golden Plover called as it flew over and there was a small flock of Linnets. Along the Willow Walk a Goldcrest was briefly seen. PS.

Whimbrel – 7th August

August 7, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 7th August, birds, fish, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Ten-spined Stickleback, Three-spined Loach, WhimbrelPete Smith

This morning a Whimbrel flew through and there were two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers and a Green Sandpiper on the Slurry lagoon. Later two Snipe and another Green Sandpiper came in.

The Pond Dipping session netted several interesting creepy crawlies and included a Three-spined Loach and a Ten-spined Stickleback. PS.

Barn Owl – 8th December

December 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 8th December, Barn Owl, birds, Curlew, Kestrel, Little Egret, Mitigation Field, Ouse Dyke, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, water railPete Smith

This afternoon a Barn Owl was seen along the Ouse Dyke. JMD.

The fishing spot is getting even more popular, with seven Little Egrets, four Herons and two Kingfishers trying their luck. Water Rail and Snipe were also seen.

Whilst looking over the ‘Mitigation’ field two Little Egrets flew past, then a Kestrel, then a male Sparrowhawk, which flew into a sunlit tree and fluffed out its white under-tail coverts like a pom-pom, then a female Sparrowhawk started quartering the field like a Harrier, landing on the ground twice as she formed her next plan of attack. Shortly afterwards a Curlew flew along the power lines and straight overhead. PS.

Little Egrets – 7th December

December 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsHeron, kingfisher, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, peregrine, Snipe, Watwer RailPete Smith

As we walked along the Ouse Dyke this afternoon there were five Little Egrets with a Heron and a Kingfisher all using the same fishing spot. Further along two Snipe and a Water Rail were also seen. Over the site two Peregrines were seen as they flew together, calling and grabbing at each others talons in twisted flight. Later one was seen on the top of the pylon, across the river. JMD. PS.

Woodcock – 7th November

November 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 7th November, birds, Black-headed Gull, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Geese, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Snipe, WoodcockPete Smith

A Woodcock was flushed from near the metal gates this morning and two Snipe flew over the Lower Path, calling. All three Cetti’s were heard singing but there was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard, or the Ross’s Goose, despite most of the Grey-lag and Canada Goose flock coming onto the Large Gravel Pit. A Peregrine flew through, causing mayhem. It put up the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls on the Slurry Lagoon before dropping into the Deep Pit, screaming as it went, and then flying up to perch on a pylon.

Peregrine – 31st October

October 31, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 31st October, birds, Cettis Warbler, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Lower Path, peregrine, Redpoll, Rossi's Goose, Siskin, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Willow titPete Smith

The Willow Tit and eight Redpoll were seen along the Lower Path this morning and one or two Siskins are still flying through. All three Cetti’s were heard singing, so let’s hope they all survive the winter. A Peregrine flew over the site putting everything to flight and landed on a pylon. Two Golden Plover were seen flying around the site before departing north and a Snipe went up while 300 Lapwing eventually settled down on the Slurry Lagoon again. The goose flock on the Severn Trent land also went up and the Rossi’s Goose was spotted amongst them again. PS.

Ruff – 5th September

September 5, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 5th September, birds, Lapwing, Little Stint, Lower Path, peregrine, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Swifts, warblers, Wigeon, Willow titPete Smith

Two juvenile Ruff, a male and a female, were on the Slurry Lagoon this morning. A Peregrine sliced through the Lapwing flock but didn’t manage to catch anything and ten Wigeon arrived to rest on the lagoon. A large flock of Swallows passed through late morning, accompanied by three Swifts and the Willow Tit was present along the Lower Path again with a large flock of other tits, Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. Two Snipe were also seen flying over. PS. AE.

In the early afternoon a juvenile Little Stint and a juvenile Ruff were present. RW.

Little Stint – 23rd August

August 23, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 23rd August, birds, Chiffchaff, Lapwing, Little Stint, Lower Path, Redshank, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Willow titPete Smith

There was a Willow Tit and several very smart juvenile Chiffchaffs along the Lower Path today. On the Slurry Lagoon the Lapwings kept chasing a Little Stint, that only wanted to have a snooze. The Lapwings also chased a Redshank until it found a corner well away from them. Two Snipe were also present, dwarfing the Little Stint as the three flew over the site together to avoid the pursuing Lapwings. JMD. PS.

Mediterranean Gull – 10th August

August 10, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsCommon Buzzard, Hobby, Mediterranean Gull, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, WigeonPete Smith

The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was on the Slurry Lagoon again this afternoon, along with a Snipe and juvenile Wigeon. Two Hobbies and a Buzzard were also seen. JMD. PS.