Tag Archives: water rail

Cetti’s Warbler – 8th March

March 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 8th March, birds, Cettis Warbler, Coot, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, water railPete Smith

A Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the south-east corner of the Slurry Lagoon this evening. Several Water Rail were calling and one Shelduck was still present. On the Small Gravel Pit one Coot has decided spring has arrived and is sitting on a nest. PS.

Water Rail – 21st February

February 21, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 21st February, Ouse Dyke, water railJacqueline

A Water Rail was feeding out in the open along the bank of the Ouse Dyke this afternoon possibly because all the Lagoons are again partially frozen. JMD.

Goosander – 15th February

February 15, 2010Recent wildlife sightings15th February, 2010, birds, Cettis Warbler, Common Buzzard, Deep Pit, Goosander, greenfinch, linnet, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

A female Goosander was fishing on the Trent, and a Buzzard circled over the site this afternoon. Towards dusk 120 Greenfinches and 32 Linnets came in to roost. 34 Mute Swans came to roost on the Slurry and Deep Pits and up to 8 water Rail were calling from the reed beds. A Cetti’s Warbler sang briefly from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.

Bittern – 8th February

February 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 8th February, birds, Bittern, Deep Pit, water railPete Smith

At dusk the Bittern flew the length of the Deep Pit and crashed into a reed bed beside the northern end of the Causeway. Several Water Rail were heard calling. PS.

Goosander – 27th January

January 27, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 27th January, birds, Cettis Warbler, Goosander, Large Gravel Pit, Little Egret, peregrine, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This afternoon a Peregrine flew from the river over the Large Gravel Pit, causing consternation amongst the Wigeon. Later a Little Egret was seen standing quietly in a corner of the same pit and towards dusk two male Goosander were also seen swimming and diving on the pit. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling from the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and several Water Rail were calling or seen at several parts of the site. PS.

Shelduck – 25th January

January 25, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 25th January, birds, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

There were five Shelduck on the Slurry Lagoon this afternoon. There were also several Water Rail heard calling. PS.

Bittern – 17th January

January 17, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsbirds, Bitterns, Deep Pit, Golden-eye, Goosander, water rail, WoodcockPete Smith

A Bittern was seen again in the Deep Pit. It was giving good views, right out in the open, as did a Water Rail. Up to eight Golden-eye were also seen and eight Goosander flew over. Later a Woodcock was seen flying into the Deep Pit. PS.

There is an unconfirmed report of a Lesser Scaup being seen on the site today.

Finch Flock – 8th January

January 8, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsChaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, Jack Snipe, linnet, Little Egret, Ouse Dyke, Reed Bunting, water rail, WoodcockPete Smith

The ‘Fat Hen Field’ at the northern end of the Deep Pit has attracted a growing number of finches. So far only Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Linnets, Chaffinches and Reed Buntings with the occasional Tree Sparrow, but its a good place to look for something unusual that they might attract to them. The Bitterns may have been forced out of the Deep Pit as most of the margins are now frozen. PS.

Today the Ouse Dyke was a magnet for birds with three Little Egrets, Water Rail, Kingfisher, and Common Snipe. Apparently earlier a Jack Snipe was present and a Woodcock flew over. JMD.

Iceland Gull – 1st January

January 1, 2010Recent wildlife sightings1st January, 2010, birds, Bitterns, Cetti's Warbler, Deep Pit, ducks, Iceland Gull, teal, water railPete Smith

The Deep Pit was the most productive area at the lagoons this afternoon, with a second winter Iceland Gull staying for about an hour amongst the other Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. A Bittern was also showing well for most of the afternoon, on and off, and was eventually seen going to roost in a reed bed. Several Water Rail were seen running across the ice and as dusk approached several more were heard calling. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard briefly singing and later another was calling. A good selection of ducks was present, with large numbers of Teal. RW.

Lots to see at the Lagoons today – 23rd December

December 23, 2009Recent wildlife sightings2009, Cetti's Warbler, Common Snipe, december, Fieldfare, goldfinch, greenfinch, linnet, peregrine, Redwing, teal, water railDarren.Matthews

There were good numbers of Redwing around 350-400, 50+ Fieldfare, 1 Peregrine sat on the arms of one of the pylons on Severn Trent land, over 350 E.Teal, 40+Greenfinch near Rossi’s,a single Common Snipe, 2 Water Rail, 1 Cettis Warbler calling briefly from the Deep Water Lagoon bank, 75+Goldfinch mixed in with smaller numbers of Greenfinch and Linnet.(DM)