Tag Archives: Wigeon

Shelduck – 18th November

November 18, 2010Recent wildlife sightings18th November, 2010, birds, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Large Gravel Pit, Mallard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, teal, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

The Large Gravel Pit had over 200 Coots on it this afternoon with good numbers of Gadwall and some Wigeon. Amongst the throng was an out of place Shelduck. They normally prefer the Slurry Lagoon, which had good numbers of Shoveler and Teal on it as well as the gull roost. On the Deep Pit were about 50 Mallard and a male Goldeneye, and Cetti’s and Water Rail were heard calling.

Red-crested Pochard – 28th September

September 28, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 28th September, birds, Coot, Gadwall, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Ruff, Shoveler, Slurry Lagoon, Swallow, teal, Tufted Duck, WigeonPete Smith

There were a good number of ducks on the Large Gravel Pit today, including Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and two male Red-crested Pochard, one still in eclipse, as well as lots of Coots. Seven Swallows flew through and four more, possibly the remnants of our residents, were near the railway line. On the Slurry Lagoon the numbers of Teal and Shoveler continue to build and there were two juvenile Ruff amongst the Lapwing flock. PS.

Ruff – 5th September

September 5, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 5th September, birds, Lapwing, Little Stint, Lower Path, peregrine, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, Swifts, warblers, Wigeon, Willow titPete Smith

Two juvenile Ruff, a male and a female, were on the Slurry Lagoon this morning. A Peregrine sliced through the Lapwing flock but didn’t manage to catch anything and ten Wigeon arrived to rest on the lagoon. A large flock of Swallows passed through late morning, accompanied by three Swifts and the Willow Tit was present along the Lower Path again with a large flock of other tits, Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. Two Snipe were also seen flying over. PS. AE.

In the early afternoon a juvenile Little Stint and a juvenile Ruff were present. RW.

Ruff – 29th August

August 29, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 29th August, birds, Common Tern, Gadwall, Hobby, House Martin, peregrine, Ruff, Slurry Lagoon, Swift, WigeonPete Smith

There was plenty of movement today with about 120 House Martins through in the morning along with two Common Terns and three Swifts and two more Wigeon arrived with several Gadwall. PS.

A juvenile Ruff was seen on the Slurry Lagoon today and later a Hobby and a Peregrine were seen. RW.

Whimbrel – 18th August

August 19, 2010Recent wildlife sightings18th August, 2010, birds, Slurry Lagoon, Whimbrel, WigeonPete Smith

As the people on the Cricket and Grasshopper Walk came out from under the railway bridge, where they had been sheltering from a downpour, a Whimbrel called as it flew over. Also brought in by the downpour were three Wigeon that settled on the Slurry Lagoon.

Mediterranean Gull – 10th August

August 10, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsCommon Buzzard, Hobby, Mediterranean Gull, Slurry Lagoon, Snipe, WigeonPete Smith

The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was on the Slurry Lagoon again this afternoon, along with a Snipe and juvenile Wigeon. Two Hobbies and a Buzzard were also seen. JMD. PS.

Orchid Walk – 30th May

May 30, 2010Recent wildlife sightingsHobby, orchids, Shoveler, Swift, WigeonPete Smith

Unfortunately most of the orchids were still not much more than buds, but there were plenty of other plants to see and some butterflies and damselflies were about. A Hobby gave spectacular views as it swooped over the Slurry Lagoon and Swifts were seen mating on the wing. A pair of Shoveler were also seen and a drake Wigeon was a surprise find. PS.

Woodcock – 1st March

March 3, 2010Recent wildlife sightings1st March, 2010, Deep Pit, peregrine, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, Wigeon, WoodcockPete Smith

The wings, still attached to the sternum, of a Woodcock were found on the bank of the Deep Pit today. There were small triangular nicks in the sternum suggesting the predator was a bird, probably a Peregrine or possibly a Sparrowhawk. There were still two Shelduck on the Slurry Lagoon but no sign of any Wigeon, perhaps they’ve already migrated. 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.

Goosander – 13th December

December 13, 2009Recent wildlife sightings13th December, 2009, birds, Cetti's Warbler, Common Buzzard, Deep Pit, Golden-eye, Goosander, Pink-footed Goose, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, water rail, WigeonPete Smith

During this morning’s Bird Count a male Goosander flew over the Large Gravel Pit and approximately fifty Pink-footed Geese flew west. There were good numbers of Redwings and Blackbirds and a Buzzard circled quite low over the Slurry Lagoon. The Cetti’s Warblers were heard in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed and the Deep pit and around eight Water Rail were also heard. The large Gravel Pit also had four Golden-eye on it and thirty-six Wigeon. PS