Tag Archives: water rail

Whinchat – 6th September

September 6, 2022Recent wildlife sightings2022, 6th September, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Lapwing, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Whinchat, Whitethroat, Wigeon, Willow WarblerPete Smith

Today there were four Whinchats in the rough field beside the sub-station. The Slurry Lagoon had twelve Lapwings and ten Wigeon and lots of Water Rail activity in front of the Causeway bench. There were lots of warblers still foraging for calories for their migration, including Reed, Sedge, Willow Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. PS.

Egyptian Goose – 28th August

August 28, 2022Recent wildlife sightingsBuzzard, Causeway Bench, Egyptian Goose, Fox, Hobby, kingfisher, Large Gravel Pit, Red Kite, Reed Warbler, Ruddy Shelduck, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, water rail, Willow EmeraldPete Smith

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.

Whimbrel – 18th August

August 18, 2022Recent wildlife sightingsBlack-tailed godwit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Ecopark, Green Sandpiper, Lapwing, Marsh Harrier, peregrine, Redshank, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, Whimbrel, Whitethroat, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning the Peregrine was on the new pylon. One Black-tailed Godwit was on the Slurry Lagoon with about forty Lapwings and a Water Rail skipped across in front of the bench. A flock of fourteen Whimbrel flew over the site to the south-west and a cream-top Marsh Harrier flushed all of the gulls as it quartered the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed before dropping into the reeds, where it stayed. A Green Sandpiper and a Redshank were on the Ecopark, the Redshank later visiting the Slurry Lagoon. Sedge and Willow Warblers were seen and heard along with Whitethroat, young Blackcaps and plenty of Chiffchaffs. IEP.

Water Rail – 12th May

May 12, 2022Recent wildlife sightings12th May, 2022, cuckoo, Deep Pit, Ecopark, greenshank, Hobby, House Martin, Little Ringed Plover, Slurry Lagoon, Swift, water rail, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow WagtailPete Smith

This morning a pair of Water Rail were seen on the Slurry Lagoon, with a chick. The Cuckoo was singing from the Slurry Lagoon and Large Gravel Pit all morning. Up to six Swifts were foraging over the north end of the Deep Pit and Slurry Lagoon, with sometimes a small flock of House Martins. RJP.

A Hobby was seen over the Slurry Lagoon and 3 LRPs a Greenshank and 2 Wood Sandpipers were on the Ecopark along with 2 Yellow Wagtails. IEP.

Pintail – 27th March

March 28, 2022Recent wildlife sightingsBlackcap, EcoPark Pool, Lower Path, peregrine, pintail, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

This morning the male Pintail had moved from the Ecopark Pool to the Slurry Lagoon. Three Blackcaps were singing along the Lower Path, two Water Rails were heard, a Peregrine flew over the site and two Roe Deer were seen in the Slurry Lagoon reed-bed. PS.

Raven – 4th January

January 4, 2022Recent wildlife sightings2022, 4th January, Lapwing, Raven, Wader Scrape, water railPete Smith

This morning a Water Rail was showing well at the edge of the large pool on the Wader Scrape. A Raven was posing at the top of a pylon and two flocks of 200 and 25 Lapwings flew through high and to the south. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 11th November

November 11, 2021Recent wildlife sightings11th November, 2021, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Marsh Harrier, Red-crested Pochard, Redpoll, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

This morning the Red-crested Pochard was still on the Slurry Lagoon and some small groups of Skylarks were flying over. There were at least five hundred birds on the Slurry Lagoon, consisting mainly of Wigeon, Black-headed Gulls and Coots, but with smaller numbers of other species mixed in. About mid-day a female Marsh Harrier lifted all of the gulls off the Slurry Lagoon and drifted off into the trees in the reed bed. About six Water Rail were heard calling and some Redpoll flew over. PS.

Water Rail – 6th October

October 6, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 6th October, Causway, Dabchick, Meadow Pipit, Siskin, Skylark, Slurry Lagoon, Small Gravel Pit, Swallow, water rail, Willow EmeraldPete Smith

This morning a Water Rail was seen scuttling across the gap in front of the Causeway Bench. There were two other birds calling. There were 21 Dabchicks on the Slurry Lagoon and good numbers of Wigeon and Shovelers. There was a light passage of Swallows, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Siskins. PS, AAS.

In the afternoon a pair of Willow Emeralds in tandem were seen ovipositing in the Small Gravel Pit. RW.

Grasshopper Warbler – 27th July

July 27, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 27th July, Causeway, Grasshopper Warbler, Ouse Dyke, Slurry Lagoon, water railPete Smith

This morning a Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling on the northern bank of the Slurry Lagoon, by the Ouse Dyke. The Water Rail was again seen fluttering across in front of the Causeway bench. PS.

Greenshank – 25th July

July 25, 2021Recent wildlife sightings2021, 25th July, Eco-park, Grasshopper Warbler, greenshank, Ouse Dyke, Oystercatcher, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Swift, water railPete Smith

This morning a Greenshank flew around the Slurry Lagoon, nearly landing in front of the bench but then thinking better of it. A second bird could be heard calling from the Eco-park. The Water Rail fluttered across in front of the bench again and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at the bottom of the Slurry Lagoon bank, by the Ouse Dyke. PS.

There were at least fifty Swifts over the Slurry Lagoon later on, several juvenile Sedge Warblers were seen in the reed-bed and an Oystercatcher flew along the river. RJP.