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.
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.
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.
This morning a Red Kite was hunting over the reserve. Two Ravens were also seen. One Raven then flew to mob the kite and next a Merlin joined in. A Garden Warbler was heard and seen close to the railway bridge. A Green Hairstreak was seen as well as two Commas. PS.
In the morning there was a flock of Swallows in the Deep Pit and a Yellow Wagtail. RJP.
Not just Brimstones, but today was a great day for butterflies. There were good numbers of Brimstones and Orange-tips about. Also seen were Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Holly Blue. Two Swallows were feeding briefly over the Slurry Lagoon. PS
At about 09.00 a Black-tailed Godwit flew onto the Slurry Lagoon. There were also two Snipe and about four Ravens were flying about. Later the Godwit flew off towards Holme Pierrepont. The Swallow family under the railway bridge had also, at last, fledged four chicks. The chicks were flying around the bridge and then back to the nest. PS.
Later another or the same Black-tailed Godwit re-appeared. Also coming in were four Curlew Sandpipers and two Ruff. RW.
This morning the Dunlin was still on the Slurry Lagoon with six Lapwings. There were ten Wigeon and a Hobby briefly harassed some migrating Swallows and House Martins. PS.
There was also one Snipe flying around over the Slurry Lagoon and, later, a Ringed Plover did the same before heading off SE. Two immature Yellow-legged Gulls were amongst the gull flock on the Slurry Lagoon. MC.
This morning there was a steady passage of Swallows over the site. There were still Reed and Sedge Warblers in front of the Causeway Bench, and some Water Rails. Twelve Egyptian Geese with one Ruddy Shelduck were loafing on the Slurry Lagoon and a Fox put in a brief appearance, as well as a Kingfisher. Later six Buzzards were sharing a thermal and a Red Kite passed through. PS.
In the early afternoon a Hobby was seen over the Large Gravel Pit, hawking dragonflies. IEP.
In the late afternoon at least three Willow Emeralds were on the Lower Path, by the stepping stones. JDn.
This morning the female Marsh Harrier was still in residence, and was seen several times quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. Also on the Slurry Lagoon were an Egyptian Goose, two Black-tailed Godwits and a Green Sandpiper. Some Swallows passed through on passage and about twenty House Martins were feeding above the Causeway. PS.
A Wood Sandpiper was seen, early afternoon, on the Ecopark. RW.
In the morning the Cuckoo was about, Swallows were passing through on passage and a Common Tern visited the Deep Pit. IEP.