Tag Archives: warblers

Curlew Sandpiper – 2nd September

September 2, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsCauseway, Curlew Sandpiper, greenshank, House Martin, Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, warblers, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning the two Ruff and the Greenshank had been joined by a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and there was briefly a Wigeon, all on the Slurry Lagoon. The male Marsh Harrier was seen a few times as it popped out of or dropped into the reed-bed. There was a fairly strong passage of Sand and House Martins and small groups of assorted warblers were in the bushes. The reeds in front of the Causeway benches have been cut, so there were several views of scuttling Water Rails. PS.

Juvenile Water Rail – Jason Vickers

Osprey – 23rd May

May 23, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBittern, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Great White Egret, Hobby, Large Gravel Pit, Osprey, Slurry Lagoon, Tree Pipit, warblersPete Smith

Very early this morning a Tree Pipit was calling as it flew north, following the Trent. A Bittern flew from the Trent into the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed and an Osprey flew over on its migration. JV.

Later on, a Cuckoo was calling from the Deep Pit and a group of three Great White Egrets flew over the site , almost landing on the Slurry Lagoon before deciding to fly on. The Cuckoo continued flying around the Large Gravel Pit, still calling and a second Cuckoo was heard in the distance. Later the Cuckoo came back to the Slurry Lagoon and then a female flew from the reed-bed as the male flew around, still calling. Most of the warbler species were still singing well, especially a particular Garden Warbler. PS.

In the late morning a Hobby was hawking insects over the gravel pits. RJP.

Garden Warbler – PS.

Cuckoo – RJP.

Hobby – RJP.

Dingy Skipper – 28th April

April 29, 2025Recent wildlife sightingsBrimstone, Common Blue, Common Tern, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Orange-tip, warblersPete Smith

This morning most of the warblers were back and singing lustily. One or two Common Terns were paying brief morning visits to the Deep Pit. There were lots of butterflies to be seen, including several Dingy Skippers and Green Hairstreaks as well as Orange-tips and a Brimstone and Common Blue. PS.

Dingy Skipper – JV.

Green Hairstreak – PS.

Red Kite – 7th May

May 7, 2023Recent wildlife sightingsCommon Terns, Large Gravel Pit, Red Kite, Slurry Lagoons, Swift, warblersPete Smith

This morning, during the Warbler Walk, nine species of warbler were recorded. Several Swifts were seen hawking insects high up and eleven Common Terns were catching insects over the Large Gravel Pit. Late morning a Red Kite flew across the Slurry Lagoon, pursued by Common Terns. PS.

Hobby – 1st June

June 1, 2021Recent wildlife sightings1st June, 2021, Deep Pit, Hobby, Slurry Lagoon, warblersPete Smith

This morning there was one Hobby seen over the Slurry Lagoon. 18 Blackcaps and 16 Garden Warblers were singing, 14 Reed Warblers and 12 Sedge Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs and 9 Willow Warblers, 12 Whitethroats and 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Cetti’s Warblers and 1 Grasshopper Warbler. PS

In the afternoon 6 Hobbies joined Black-headed Gulls hawking insects over the Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pit. IEP.

On the butterfly count, 9 Green Hairstreaks were seen and 26 Common Blues, plus a Small Copper and a Brown Argus. SC/PG

Hobby – 15th May

May 15, 2018Recent wildlife sightings15th May, 2018, Green Hairstreak, Hobby, warblersPete Smith

During the Warbler Walk this afternoon seven warbler species were heard. Four Hobbies were hawking insects (probably an emergence of the Soldier Beetle, Cantharis rustica). A single Green Hairstreak was seen egg-laying on Bird’s-foot Trefoil.

Hobby – 21st May

May 21, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 21st May, Coot, cuckoo, Great Crested Grebe, Hobby, Mute Swan, Railway Bridge, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, warblersPete Smith

This morning, during the Warbler Walk, nine warblers were seen or heard (just Grasshopper Warbler missing). A Hobby attacked the Swallows at the Railway Bridge, but they saw it coming. The Slurry Lagoon Mute Swans now have eight cygnets and there are several Coot families and the Great Crested Grebes on the Slurry Lagoon still have their chick. Earlier on, at about 08.00hrs a Cuckoo was singing from an ash tree beside the railway line. PS.

Bee Orchid – 21st June

June 21, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 21st June, butterflies, orchids, warblersPete Smith

This morning there were nine species of warbler singing and the orchids are now coming out. Bee Orchids are doing quite well and so are the Spotted Orchids. Northern and Southern Marsh-orchids are still in flower and the Pyramidal Orchids should be out in a little while. There were several Large Skippers about as well as the first Meadow Browns and Ringlet. A Painted Lady was also seen near the pumping station. PS.

Osprey – 22nd May

May 22, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 22nd May, cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Gravel Pits, Osprey, Slurry Lagoon, warblersPete Smith

This morning, during the Warbler Walk, an Osprey was seen low over the Slurry Lagoon and gravel pits. Nine species of warbler were listened to but there was no sign of the Grasshopper Warblers, and a Cuckoo was heard. PS.

Hobby – 25th May

May 25, 2014Recent wildlife sightingsBoundary Hedge, cuckoo, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, Southern Marsh Orchid, Swift, warblersPete Smith

This morning the site hosted a walk for the Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers Club. There were up to three Cuckoos heard and one was seen flying and perching to call, along the Boundary Hedge. A Hobby flew low over the Slurry Lagoon towards the river and the Little Ringed Plovers were on the Wader Scrape. Plenty of warblers were singing and some of the Southern Marsh orchids were in flower. About 100 Swifts were hawking insects over the site for the whole morning. PS.