 Late November proved to be quite a quiet period at the pits so just a few highlights to mention along with the usual increase in wintering wildfowl and Lapwing numbers (c200). The 19th saw the arrival of a lone Barnacle Goose that stayed until 26th Nov. The day before a Marsh Harrier put in an appearance while a Great White Egret flew over on 29th but did not land.  Barnacle Goose The real highlight came on 28th Nov with a male Pintail gracing the far end of the main pit. It's been a good year for Pintail records at the site with this being the 4th record this year involving 10 different birds. The bird remained to the end of the month and on to 1st Dec. Scraping the barrel a bit but 3 Grey Partridge put in a reappearance along with 7 Red-legged Partridge - perhaps heralding further releases. New game feeding stations are also in evidence so their days could be numbered! A highlight for me was a particularly beautiful evening on 28th Nov when the Barn Owl chose to sit out in its recently adopted hole.
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 September and October proved to be very quiet as far as autumn migrants were concerned and in that respect a little disappointing. However, on a positive note, heavy rainfall quickly re-filled the main pit and other areas such that plenty of open water with muddy margins still remains. In addition, quarrying operations have by and large ceased for the winter period leaving the site relatively undisturbed and ready for anything that might be passing. There have been some highlights however - the best perhaps being an adult Mediterranean Gull (first for the site this year) that joined the gull flock on 8th Oct. The gull flock also attracted an adult Yellow-legged Gull on 26th Sep. A flyover Great White Egret on 30th Sep took the site total for the year to 127 species.  A poor photo of the adult winter Mediterranean Gull on 8th Oct Marsh Harriers continue to visit the site with the possibility of up to 3 different birds - a juvenile, a young male and a female. Single records came from 30th Sep, 8th & 16th October. Saturday 2nd Oct saw 3 Ringed Plovers visit briefly which, along with arriving Lapwing (62 on 21st Oct), Common Snipe (10+ on 11th Oct) and up to 3 virtually resident Green Sandpipers, were the only waders recorded in October. Summer migrants had pretty well gone by the end of September with the last Swallow seen on 11th October. The last Hobby was seen on 30th Sep and a Wheatear was present on 28th Sep with House and Sand Martins having gone early in September. The usual winter arrivals have taken their place with at least 3 pairs of Stonechats regularly on site and a few Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks making an appearance, albeit in very low numbers. Sep 24th saw the first 2 Wigeon with 3 together on 5th Oct. Perhaps the highlight for me has been a Barn Owl that has sat out in full view on a number of evenings, preening and stretching before heading out to hunt. Hopefully, the pits will see some more action soon - there's plenty of possibilities, among them Rock Pipit, Black Redstart, Short-eared Owls and, of course, rarer geese or swans.  Wigeon  2nd cal year male Marsh Harrier on 26th June June is the pivotal month of the year when the compass swings slowly round from bringing us Spring migrants from the South to bringing us back Autumn migrants from the North. As the last Ringed Plovers of Spring departed the first returning Green Sandpiper appeared on 15th with up to 3 birds on site subsequently. Little Ringed Plover numbers also grew to at least 17 birds on 23rd June with apparent new arrivals from off site. Lapwing numbers have also swelled during the month and the first Shoveler and pair of Teal appeared on 26th. June 4th saw a young (2nd calendar year) Yellow-legged Gull on the deep pit - a species we will no doubt see more of as the the year progresses.  2nd cal year Yellow-legged Gull on 4th June The anticipated wader 'drop-ins' began with an Oystercatcher on 15th followed by a Redshank on 20th. Hopefully July will bring more waders and maybe a site tick in the from of a Spotted Redshank or Curlew Sandpiper!
A Great White Egret on 24th was the first for the year while a young male Marsh Harrier (pictured) briefly quartered the main pit weedy area on 26th. This latter species has seen a huge increase in records over the last few years and maybe in time we'll see our first breeding pair. |
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