Sightings February 2010
Sunday 28th February
The Bittern was seen again this morning at 9.00am on Holme Pit but was otherwise very elusive. It was flushed from the small reed-bed near the woodland path and flew across the pit, dropping down into the far reed-bed and out of view. Also on Holme Pit were up to 4 calling Water Rail, a single Pochard, single Shoveler, 5 Tufted duck and 3 Little Grebe. 3 Bullfinch and 12 Goldfinch in the Alder Plantation. 3 Common Buzzard over Clifton Wood. C300 Fieldfare and C20 Redwing in fields near Barton Flash.
Also this morning was the male Merlin reported by J.Christmas on Clifton Pastures. It was first located sitting on the small footbridge viewable from the Gotham Road lay-by it then flew off in pursuit of a Skylark. It then returned to the footbridge and was in view for over 2hrs and still present when James left the site at 11.45am. Others sightings from Pastures were 4 Common Buzzard, 8 Skylark, large mobile Linnet flock, 2 Common Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail and 6 Meadow Pipit
Bittern - Holme Pit
Saturday 27th February
An excellent day in the area today with sightings of Woodlark, Bittern and 2 Mandarin.
The Woodlark (first area record) was found this morning through low to the west over fields in front of Branshill Wood at 09.30am. The approching bird was first picked up by its very distinctive 'fluty' call of which I immediately recognised as woodlark. As it passed overhead the short-tail and short rounded wings and general Jizz were confirmation of Woodlark. It was only in view for a few minutes, as it flew straight through along the flood-bank towards Barton-in-Fabis were it was lost as it disappeared from view.
Receiving a phone call from J.Hall that a pair of Mandarin had just landed on Holme Pit I made my way over to the location. On arrival I was informed that both birds had just disappeared into the reed-bed. After a brief search of the area there was no further sign, so I began scanning the area. Scanning over to the area near the Cow Drink I came across a Bittern stood out in the open. As I informed J.Hall & K.James of the Bittern's location it flew up and flew across the front of the Reed-bed and dissappeared out of sight. Staying in the area for over an hour produced no further sign of either the Bittern or Mandarin, and a return visit in the afternoon also saw no sign of either species.
drake Mandarin - Holme Pit (photo J.Hall)
Sunday 21st February
The Short-eared Owl again late afternoon, but staying distant hunting along the rough verges beside the hedgerows towards Thrumpton. The Barn Owl showed exceptionally well this afternoon hunting the seta-side paddock in front of the house viewed from the flood-bank. Also a count of 68 Mute Swan, 26 Meadow Pipit feeding around the flood-bank and 12 Reed Bunting in the hedgerow near the ponds.
Earlier today there were 12 Goosander on the river near Beeston Weir, 14 Pied Wagtail and 12 Meadow Pipit on the weir field. 6 Common Snipe flushed from the edge of Barton Flash. Large numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing in various locations throughout Barton-in-Fabis.
Barn Owl - Barton-in-Fabis
Saturday 20th February
A male Merlin was seen this morning sat on top of a road sign on Barton Lane facing the layby, but flew off over towards Clifton Pastures as soon as it saw me approching. 8 Goosander on the River near the weir and 8 Pochard on Holme Pit
A visit over to the fields between Barton-in-Fabis and Thrumpton late afternoon to check out the Mute Swan herd for any wild swans produced a count of 72 Mute Swan. Just as I was leaving a Short-eared Owl appeared from behind the ponds to the west of Barton village and began hunting along the flood-bank and in the rough grass areas near the ponds. It stayed in the area for over an hour and at one point was joined by a hunting Barn Owl. The Short-eared Owl was last seen heading over towards Thrumpton at 5.00pm when it was lost from view.
Short-eared Owl - Barton-in-Fabis
Sunday 14th February
A small group of 12 Corn Bunting were found feeding on a setaside strip at the side of the Fairham Brook on Clifton Pastures this morning. The adult Peregrine again sat out on the usual pylon on the pastures. 12 Yellowhammer and C30 Chaffinch in various locations. 2 Grey Partridge flushed from drainage dyke near Gotham Moor and 32 Skylark through to the west. 44 Fieldfare and 15 Redwing in hawthorns near the clifton estate on the edge of pastures.
Corn Bunting - Clifton Pastures
Saturday 13th February
An adult Peregrine was seen high over Branshill Wood for 30mins this morning before drifting off over towards Barton-in-Fabis. A count of 62 Wigeon on Cottages flash plus 1 Common Snipeand 33 Northern Lapwing. A single Goosander on the river near Barton Island and 5 Teal on Barton Flash. 2 Common Gull with Black-headed Gulls on Beeston Weir. 6 Pochard and 2 Shoveler on Holme Pit.
Pochard - Holme Pit
Wigeon - flying over Cottages Flash.
Thursday 11th February
An above average selection of wildfowl on Holme Pit this afternoon with 10 Pochard (site record), 4 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 1 Goosander, 1 Gadwall and 15 Tufted Duck. Also 2 calling Water Rail and 3 Common Buzzard over. 3 Common Snipe flushed from the small pond facing the Rough Wood. C200 Fieldfare and smaller numbers of Redwing in various locations near Barton Flash. 4 Adult Common Gull and a single Kingfisher on Beeston Weir.
Northern Shoveler - Holme Pit
Red Fox - Barton Flash
Sunday 7th February
A large passage of C350 Skylark through to the east this morning over the Weir Field. Also on the Weir Field were 25 Pied Wagtail and a mixed flock of C200 Fieldfare and Redwing. 2 Common Gull and a single Goosander on Beeston Weir. 5 calling Water Rail and 2 Pochard on Holme Pit.
Saturday 6th February
A count of 86 Wigeon on Cottages Flash this morning, also 1 Common Snipe, 6 Northern Lapwing and C50 Black-headed Gull. 2 Goosander and a single Little Grebe on the river near Barton Island. C400 Fieldfare in the riverside fields between the two flashes. 2 Little Owl looking very settled in an undisclosed location. C500 Northern Lapwing and C200 Black-headed Gull in fields off new Road Barton-in-Fabis. A large flock of C100 possible Corn Bunting were seen in very poor light fly over the Gotham Rd whilst I was driving and land in the area of the Drift, but I couldn't relocated the flock when I found somewhere to pull over.
Sightings this afternoon sent in from I.Blackmore were: Kingfisher near Beeston Weir. Pochard and good numbers of Shoveler on Holme Pit. Grey Wagtail and Common Snipe near the Yellow Gate. A single Little Owl near Branshill Wood and a WillowTit in the area of the Rough Wood. In the last few years Willow Tit sightings have became very scarce in the area, so this is a very welcomed sighting.
Friday 5th February
4 Pochard, 1 Goosander, 1 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck and 4 calling Water Rail on Holme Pit this afternoon on a late visit after work. 2 Goosander on the River near the Grove and a single Kingfisher in the area. A mixed flock of C200 Rewing and Fieldfare in the Weir Field.
Northern Shoveler - Holme Pit