The Netherfield Wildlife Group » Recent sightings

Grass Snake – 22nd May

Peter — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:59:13 +0000

The female Grass Snake was again seen along the Lower Path this afternoon. There were still not many Swifts about but a few more House Martins were seen. PS.

Female Grass Snake

Cuckoo – 19th May

Peter — Sun, 19 May 2013 15:54:46 +0000

This morning a Warbler Walk was led around the reserve and ten species of warbler were heard. A Cuckoo was heard calling across the Slurry Lagoon and a Hobby appeared briefly by the railway bridge. There were also plenty of butterflies and other insects about. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 2nd May

Peter — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:10:32 +0000

A female Marsh Harrier was quartering the Slurry Lagoon reed bed this afternoon. It seemed to pounce on something and disappeared for a while into the reeds. Later it was up again and being pursued by three Carrion Crows. Despite this it dropped into the reeds again and remained there. PS.

Grass Snake – 1st May

Peter — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:54:45 +0000

Two mating Grass Snakes were seen this afternoon beside the Lower Path. TK.

A Hobby was also seen, hawking insects. RW.

Grasshopper Warbler – 28th April

Peter — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:27:58 +0000

There are now at least five Grasshopper Warblers on territories across the site. Also four Lesser Whitethroats were singing along with plenty of Reed, Sedge, Willow Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. there were three Oystercatchers, eight Little Ringed Plovers and a Common sandpiper. PS.

Marsh Harrier – 25th April

Peter — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:15:29 +0000

This afternoon a female/immature male Marsh Harrier spent a few minutes resting in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed before being escorted from the premises by two Buzzards. RW.

Hobby – 23rd April

Peter — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:51:55 +0000

Early this afternoon a Hobby was seen hawking butterflies around the Large Gravel Pit and a Whimbrel settled briefly on the Wader Scrape. RW.

There were also at least five Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper on the Wader Scrape and two Common Sandpipers and two Yellow Wagtails on the river bank. Twelve Peacocks, three Green-veined Whites, three Commas, three Small Tortoiseshells and two Brimstones were also seen. PS.

Also early afternoon four Yellow Wagtails were on the Wader Scrape. JMD.

Dunlin – 22nd April

Jacqueline — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:02:48 +0000

A Dunlin was on the Wader Scrape mid afternoon and at least one Little Egret still present. JMD.

Lesser Scaup – 21st April

Peter — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:28:39 +0000

An adult male Lesser Scaup was seen today, feeding with a small flock of Tufted Duck on the Slurry Lagoon. It was also mate guarding the only female in the flock. Also seen were Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. CH, RW.

Lesser Scaup

In the afternoon a Cuckoo flew over the Slurry Lagoon. RW.

White Wagtail – 20th April

Neil — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:14:21 +0000

This morning there was a White Wagtail on the wader scrape with a Common Sandpiper and seven Little Ringed Plovers. Seven Common Terns were on the platforms, a Lesser Whitethroat was singing in the south-west corner of the deep pit and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling nearby. Swallows and Sand Martins were on the river and a male and 2 female Wheatears were on the field east of the railway bridge. Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were numerous with at least six Common Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers and 2 Cetti’s Warblers also singing. NM