Tag Archives: Woodcock

Woodcock – 26th December

December 26, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 26th December, Goldeneye, kingfisher, Little Egret, peregrine, WoodcockPete Smith

The Ouse Dyke is still giving sanctuary to three Little Egrets and two Kingfishers were seen chasing one another. The Slurry Lagoon and Deep Pits are still completely frozen but the Mute Swans and Coots have managed to keep a corner of the Large Gravel Pit free from ice. A Woodcock was seen flying along the inside of the Deep Pit bank and then landing in an open spot to search for food. Shortly afterwards a Peregrine was seen flying up to a pylon where it dislodged one that was already there which flew away carrying a small bird. There were two adult male and an immature male Goldeneyes on the river. PS/AE.

Woodcock – 7th November

November 7, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 7th November, birds, Black-headed Gull, Cettis Warbler, Deep Pit, Geese, Lapwing, Large Gravel Pit, peregrine, Snipe, WoodcockPete Smith

A Woodcock was flushed from near the metal gates this morning and two Snipe flew over the Lower Path, calling. All three Cetti’s were heard singing but there was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard, or the Ross’s Goose, despite most of the Grey-lag and Canada Goose flock coming onto the Large Gravel Pit. A Peregrine flew through, causing mayhem. It put up the Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls on the Slurry Lagoon before dropping into the Deep Pit, screaming as it went, and then flying up to perch on a pylon.

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.

Woodcock – 4th February

February 4, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 4th February, birds, Large Gravel Pit, Tufted Duck, WoodcockPete Smith

A Woodcock was seen this afternoon close to the Large Gravel Pit, where there were unusually high numbers of Tufted Duck present. The Tufted Duck/Pochard hybrid was also seen on the river. 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.