The Netherfield Wildlife Group » Shelduck

Goosander – 7th December

Peter — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:09:33 +0000

This afternoon there were two female Goosander on the Large Gravel Pit, along with four female Goldeneye and some Gadwall and Wigeon. On the Deep Pit there were five male Goldeneye and several Mallard. The gull roost on the Slurry Lagoon contained an estimated 700 Greater Black-backs and at least twice as many Herring Gulls. There were well in excess of 2,000 birds. There were still good numbers of Shoveler and Teal as well as a Shelduck. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling in the Slurry Lagoon reed bed. PS.

Little Egret – 28th November

Peter — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:09:33 +0000

At dusk the gull roost contained about 500 birds, consisting mainly of Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. there were also around 200 Teal and 70 Shoveler. Two Little Egrets and two Shelduck were also present and the Cetti’s Warbler sang briefly from the reed bed that the Starlings were roosting in. PS.

White-fronted Goose – 15th November

Peter — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:04:24 +0000

This evening, as the Grey-lag and Canada Geese flew in to roost on the Slurry Lagoon, a softer, more musical note was heard amongst the other, more raucous calls. Five, smaller geese came in and landed. In the poor light the white blaze of a White-fronted Goose could be seen on one of them, but not the others, and they are probably one adult and four juveniles. Several hundred more Grey-lag and Canada Geese came in but the White-fronts kept slightly apart, and then the calls of two more were heard as they joined the other five. Unfortunately it was too dark by this time to see if they were adult or juvenile. Also present were a Little Egret, a Shelduck, two Yellow-legged Gulls and several Water Rails. PS, RW, TK.

Migrants Return – 3rd April

alan.edge — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:13:05 +0000

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

Peter — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:45:15 +0000

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.

Black-tailed Godwit – 15th March

Peter — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:15:27 +0000

A Black-tailed Godwit circled the Slurry Lagoon this evening, but I think the water was too deep for it and it disappeared towards Colwick. The Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit, the Shelduck was still on the Slurry Lagoon and a flock of about eighty Greenfinches came in to roost at the back of Rossi’s. PS.

Wheatear – 14th March

Peter — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:25:30 +0000

Today a Wheatear was seen briefly on a fence post by the Deep Pit, but flew off towards the dry end of the Slurry Lagoon. A Chiffchaff was present and a Blackcap was heard singing. The Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the Deep Pit and a Shelduck was on the Slurry Lagoon. DM.

Woodcock – 24th January

Peter — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:03:51 +0000

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.

Shelduck – 18th November

Peter — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:02:54 +0000

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.

Cetti’s Warbler – 8th March

Peter — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:44:26 +0000

A Cetti’s Warbler was singing in the south-east corner of the Slurry Lagoon this evening. Several Water Rail were calling and one Shelduck was still present. On the Small Gravel Pit one Coot has decided spring has arrived and is sitting on a nest. PS.