Tag Archives: water rail

Iceland Gull – 27th December

December 27, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 27th December, birds, Cettis Warbler, Golden Plover, Iceland Gull, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

At about mid-day a first winter Iceland Gull joined the gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon. It spent some time bathing and then rested on the shore. About forty Golden Plovers flew over at about the same time and a Peregrine had flushed the roost shortly before. There were two Cetti’s Warblers, one calling one singing, and several Water Rail calling from around all the water bodies. Three Little Egrets were seen on the large willow beside the Large Gravel Pit. PS.

Caspian Gull – 16th November

November 16, 2011Recent wildlife sightings16th November, 2011, Caspian gull, pintail, Slurry Lagoon, Sparowhawk, Starling, water rail, White-fronted Goose, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

Amongst the gulls roosting on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon an adult Caspian Gull was found, as well as a Yellow-legged Gull. There were twelve White-fronted Geese which circled the lagoon before coming down across the river to land with the goose flock. Later some of them came onto the Slurry Lagoon with the other geese to roost. Also on the Slurry Lagoon were four Pintail and two Little Egrets. The Starling roost contained at least 3,000 birds and was predated by a Sparrowhawk and a possible Merlin and at least eight Water Rails were either seen or heard. RW. PS.

White-fronted Goose – 15th November

November 15, 2011Recent wildlife sightings15th November, 2011, Little Egret, Shelduck, Slurry Lagon, water rail, White-fronted Goose, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This evening, as the Grey-lag and Canada Geese flew in to roost on the Slurry Lagoon, a softer, more musical note was heard amongst the other, more raucous calls. Five, smaller geese came in and landed. In the poor light the white blaze of a White-fronted Goose could be seen on one of them, but not the others, and they are probably one adult and four juveniles. Several hundred more Grey-lag and Canada Geese came in but the White-fronts kept slightly apart, and then the calls of two more were heard as they joined the other five. Unfortunately it was too dark by this time to see if they were adult or juvenile. Also present were a Little Egret, a Shelduck, two Yellow-legged Gulls and several Water Rails. PS, RW, TK.

Mediterranean Gull – 3rd November

November 3, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 3rd November, Grey-lag Goose, Large Gravel Pit, Mediterranean Gull, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, Starling, water rail, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

The gull roost contained a first winter Mediterranean Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull this afternoon. Several Water Rails were heard or seen across the site, as were hunting Sparrowhawks. One Sparrowhawk was seen to fly into the Starling roost causing them to move across the Slurry Lagoon to another reed bed. As the light failed a massive flock of Grey-lag Geese rose unseen from the harvested maize field, where they had been feeding, to move to the Large Gravel Pit, to roost. The noise they made cackling and screeching was very impressive. RW, PS.

Starling – 31st October

October 31, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 31st October, Grey-lag Goose, Large Gravel Pit, Slurry Lagoon, Starling, water railPete Smith

As the light dimmed, at about 16.15, the Starlings began to arrive to roost. A group of about 1,000 formed and did an aerial display, then decided to have a mass bathe amongst the gull roost. Another group of about 1,000 arrived and then both groups amalgamated and smoked into the reed bed. Then lots of smaller groups of fifty to 200 birds arrived, mostly from the east and dived spectacularly into the reed beds to join the others. This carried on for about thirty minutes until I estimated about 4,500 birds were in the roost. Whilst this was happening there were echelons of Grey-lag and Canada Geese arriving to roost on the Large Gravel Pit and the numbers grew to about 1,200 Grey-lag and about 800 Canadas. On the Slurry Lagoon the gull roost reached in excess of 1,000 birds but the light did not make counting them practical. A Water Rail flew across the gap in the reed beds in front of the bench and the Cetti’s was in good voice. PS.

Curlew – 5th October

October 5, 2011Recent wildlife sightings5th October, Curlew, pintail, Slurry Lagoon, water railJacqueline

A Curlew spent some time on the Slurry Lagoon late this afternoon. Two Pintail are still present and a Water Rail was creeping along just inside the reeds. Geese numbers are building up as the sweetcorn fields are harvested. JMD.

Arctic Skua – 16th September

September 16, 2011Recent wildlife sightings16th September, 2011, Arctic Skua, birds, Bittern, Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, pintail, Swallow, water rail, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning at about 10.00 the Bittern was seen on the Slurry Lagoon, walking along the front of the reed bed. There were also four Pintail and a Green Sandpiper present. On the river there were five Common Sandpipers and a Curlew. RW.

In the afternoon, about 15.00 all of the gulls flew up as an Arctic Skua came in. It bathed briefly on the Slurry Lagoon before half-heartedly chasing a few Black-headed Gulls and then it flew off to the north-east. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling and so was a Water Rail, and some Swallows went through, going north. Two Buzzards spiralled over and several Yellow Wagtails went through. PS. RW.

Mediterranean Gull – 31st August

August 31, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 31st August, birds, Buzzard, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Dunlin, greenshank, Hobby, Mediterranean Gull, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

This afternoon, on the Slurry Lagoon there was a juvenile/1st winter Mediterranean Gull, with a white colour ring. Also present were two Greenshank, two juvenile Little Ringed Plover, two Dunlin and two Water Rail. There were either one or two Cetti’s Warblers present in the Deep Pit and a Hobby flew over. Overhead there were nine Common Buzzards flying together. RW.

Ruff – 26th August

August 26, 2011Recent wildlife sightings26th August, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, water railJacqueline

Three Ruff were feeding on the Slurry Lagoon edge after the worst of the rain had passed over and two Water Rail were out on the edge of the reeds feeding close together. JMD.

Little Egret – 7th July

July 7, 2011Recent wildlife sightings7th July, Black-tailed godwit, Little Egret, Slurry Lagoon, water railJacqueline

A Little Egret was present on the edge of the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon – also present were two Black-tailed Godwits. The juvenile Water Rail was seen again creeping in and out of the reeds. JMD.