Tag Archives: Wheatear

Garganey – 13th May

May 13, 2012Recent wildlife sightings12th April 2012, 13th May, Garganey, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Wader Scrape, WheatearPete Smith

This morning there were eight Shelduck and a male Garganey on the Slurry Lagoon. The Wader Scrape had two Little Ringed Plover and two Oystercatchers as well as two Wheatears. There were plenty of warblers singing but still no Grasshopper Warbler. Later in the morning a Hobby flew over near the railway bridge. PS et al.

Wheatear – 14th April

April 14, 2012Recent wildlife sightings14th April, 2012, birds, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Railway Bridge, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, WheatearPete Smith

Although beautifully sunny there was still a cold north wind blowing so not much migration was noted. A Swallow investigated the nest sites under the railway bridge, so it might be the first one of our birds back. Several Sand Martins flew through and there was a northward passage of Skylarks. Six Common Terns were on the Deep Pit and two Sedge Warblers were singing. On the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon were a very smart pair of Wheatears. PS.

Wheatear – 8th April

April 8, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 8th April, birds, Blackcap, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Swallow, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

This morning, on the monthly bird count, there were several new birds in, including five Willow Warblers, four Sand Martins, a Swallow and a Wheatear. More Chiffchaffs had arrived and also more Blackcaps. Three Buzzards and two Shelduck were also seen. PS.

Wheatear – 18th March

March 18, 2012Recent wildlife sightings18th March, 2012, birds, Chiffchaff, peregrine, Redshank, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, WheatearPete Smith

The sleet and rain this morning has put some migrants down and the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon had two cracking male Wheatears on it. There were also six Chiffchaffs, three of them singing. A Redshank and four Shelduck were on the Slurry Lagoon and two Peregrines flew along the line of the pylons. PS.

Spotted Flycatcher – 21st September

September 21, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 21st September, Ouse Dyke, Slurry, Speckled Wood, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This afternoon there were two Spotted Flycatchers seen along the Ouse Dyke. One of them caught a Speckled Wood. A Wheatear was seen still on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon and the two Pintail and a Yellow-legged Gull were on the wet end.

Wheatear – 20th September

September 20, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 20th September, pintail, Slurry Lagoon, Wheatear, Yellow-legged GullPete Smith

This morning there were two Wheatears on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon, amongst the Coltsfoot. At the other end there was a Yellow-legged Gull and two Pintail are still present. RW.

Little Gull – 8th April

April 8, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, birds 8th April, Grasshopper Warbler, Little Gull, Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, WhitethroatPete Smith

This afternoon a Little Gull was seen passing over the site with a flock of Black-headed Gulls. In the morning two Grasshopper Warblers were found and more Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats had arrived. In the afternoon there were two Wheatears on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. RW/DM.

Migrants Return – 3rd April

April 3, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 3rd April, birds, butterflies, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Comma, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Peacock, Red Admiral, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small Tortoiseshell, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Yellow WagtailCarol

During the last few days many migrant species have been returning to the lagoons and helped to provide a quite exciting morning’s watching in very pleasant bright weather this morning. Amongst others, the Sand Martins are now present in considerable numbers on the river bank. Willow Warblers were noted in several locations, as were Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps. A single Reed Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Whitethroat in the brambles on the Slurry Lagoon. The highlight of the morning was a Wheatear, which perched very close on fence posts, and the close second was the appearance of three Buzzards, which displayed well, including an aerial fight. The Cetti’s Warbler was in good voice also.

Meanwhile two Common Terns were struggling with Black-headed Gulls for space on the tern platform.

Butterflies, including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, and Red Admiral were noted and the Blackthorn Blossom was a sight to see (and smell). A Yellow Wagtail was also seen over the Large Gravel Pit and six Shelduck flew into the Slurry Lagoon.

PS/NM/RW/AR/ DG/LD/AE

Common Tern – 1st April

April 1, 2011Recent wildlife sightings1st April, 2011, birds, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, Wheatear, Willow WarblerPete Smith

A Common Tern was resting on one of the tern platforms this afternoon. As we watched it a Willow Warbler started to sing on the Causeway bank, inside the Deep Pit. The Cetti’s Warbler and a Chiffchaff were also singing there. There were several Chiffchaffs singing around the site and some Sand Martins were flying overhead. On the Slurry Lagoon there were still some Teal and Shoveler and a Shelduck later joined them. On the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon there was a female Wheatear. PS. DG. RW.

Swallow – 25th March

March 25, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 25th March, Chiffchaff, Red Admiral, Sand Martin, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, WheatearPete Smith

This morning a Swallow flew straight through over the site. NM.

There were also several Sand Martins and Chiffchaffs and another Wheatear was seen on the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. Several butterflies were seen including a Red Admiral. PS.