Tag Archives: Woodcock

Starling – 31st October

October 31, 2017Recent wildlife sightings2017, 31st October, Barn Owl, Bearded Tit, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Geese, Redwing, Slurry Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, Starling, WoodcockPete Smith

At the lagoons this evening the Starling roost attracted about 6,000 birds. One Sparrowhawk was seen trying to snatch a late supper and two Barn Owls were seen flying along the Boundary Hedge. Several thousand geese also came in to roost on the Slurry Lagoon. Earlier lots of winter thrushes were seen, including Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds, a Woodcock was seen and the Bearded Tits were heard calling in the reed bed. PS.

Woodcock – 26th December

December 27, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 26th December, Black Swan, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, Magpie, WoodcockPete Smith

A Woodcock flew through the Deep Pit bushes, chased by two Magpies, well before dusk, and a Black Swan was on the Deep Pit before being chased off by resident Mutes and relocating on the Large Gravel Pit. JMD.

Bearded Tit – 8th January

January 8, 2016Recent wildlife sightings2016, 8th January, Barn Owl, Bearded Tit, Deep Pit, Slurry Lagoon, Wader Scrape, WoodcockPete Smith

The Bearded Tits were found again in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. Towards dusk a Woodcock flew out of the Deep Pit towards the Wader Scrape and the Barn Owl flew along the ditch between the Deep Pit and the Wader Scrape. RW. PS.

Woodcock – 25th October

October 25, 2015Recent wildlife sightings2015, 25th October, Black Swan, Large Gravel Pit, Lesser Redpoll, Lower Path, WoodcockPete Smith

This morning the Black Swan was still on the Large Gravel Pit. A flock of about forty Lesser Redpoll were feeding on Willow Herb and Meadowsweet along the Lower Path. At one time one with a very pale rump was briefly seen. A Woodcock was flushed from the willows in the SE corner of the reserve, at the river end of the Boundary Hedge. PS.

Smew – 14th January

January 14, 2014Recent wildlife sightings14th January, 2014, Deep Pit, Large Gravel Pit, pintail, Smew, Snipe, WoodcockPete Smith

This afternoon a male Smew was seen fishing on the Large Gravel Pit. The male Pintail was still present and about ten Goldeneye. From the Causeway a Woodcock was seen flying along the inner bank of the Deep Pit and several Snipe were heard as they left the site to feed. RW PS.

Woodcock – 17th December

December 17, 2013Recent wildlife sightings17th December, 2013, Deep Pit, Magpie, peregrine, Redwing, WoodcockPete Smith

Towards dusk, while watching Redwings coming in to roost in the Deep Pit, a Peregrine was seen flying through, parallel with the pylons. A pre-roost gathering of 37 Magpies collected in the bushes and a Woodcock flew along the bottom of the bank. PS.

Woodcock – 28th November

November 28, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 28th November, Cettis Warbler, Crow, Deep Pit, Geese, Starling, water rail, WoodcockPete Smith

This evening, as the geese, starlings and crows went to roost a Woodcock flew past in the Deep Pit. There were two Cetti’s Warblers singing and at least six Water Rail were calling. PS.

Merlin – 26th November

November 26, 2013Recent wildlife sightings2013, 26th November, Goose, Merlin, Starling, WoodcockPete Smith

As the Starlings came to roost this evening a Merlin dashed in and caught one of their number. Later the geese came in and what may have been a Woodcock flew past, in the gloom. PS.

Woodcock – 4th December

December 4, 2012Recent wildlife sightings2012, 4th December, Causeway, Deep Pit, Jackdaw, Rook, WoodcockPete Smith

As dusk turned into dark a Woodcock flew along the Deep Pit bank and onto the Causeway, landing a few yards away in the gloom. Hundreds of Jackdaws and Rooks were feeding during the afternoon on the sweetcorn stubbles and towards dusk they were trailing across the sky on their way to roost. PS.

Woodcock – 24th January

January 24, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 24th January, Barn Owl, birds, Cettis Warbler, peregrine, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, WoodcockPete Smith

This afternoon we installed a bird feeder at the foot of the Slurry Lagoon bank on the Severn/Trent side. Whilst working we flushed a Woodcock from amongst the trees of the Plantation. Later a Peregrine flew overhead and then perched up on a pylon and the Barn Owl spent some time hunting beside the gravel pits and across the Severn/Trent land and also amongst the trees of the Plantation. A Shelduck was on the Slurry Lagoon where, as the light was fading, a Cetti’s Warbler rattled out its explosive song. As we left the site another Woodcock flew across the Car Auction site towards the Severn/Trent fields. AE. DM. PS.