Winter weather birding

Hello

Another cold day with sub zero temperatures at night and still some laying snow in the west and the east of the county.

Thrapston Pits was still the place to be with the drake Ring-necked Duck and the two Greater Scaup on Town Lake and the fine drake American Wigeon on Aldwincle Lake. A Marsh Harrier and a Pintail were also logged. Nearby four European White-fronted Geese were in a field near Warmington Lock this morning.

Ten European White-fronted Geese flew from Stanwick's main pit this morning with one returning and subsequently nine were in flight at Ringstead Pits, confirming these are the same birds moving between sites in the Nene Valley.

Clifford Hill Pits hosted a Whooper Swan and eight Pink-footed Geese early on and four European White-fronted Geese. The drake Smew wasn't seen there today but a drake Smew was in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir so maybe it was enjoying a day out!

A Marsh Harrier was at Summer Leys LNR/Earls Barton Pits as were three Stonechats, a Great White Egret and a Common Snipe.

A Short-eared Owl was at Neville's Lodge, Finedon this afternoon.

Two Blackcaps and a Brambling were in a Woodford Halse garden today and a Blackcap visited a Corby garden yesterday. A Ring-necked Parakeet visited a garden off Billing Lane, Northampton today and decided it liked sunflower hearts!

A Redpoll was at Scotland Wood late this morning and eight Crossbills were in the Gamboro' Plantation between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton. The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton held over a hundred each of Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Linnet near shrike hedge with a couple of Bramblings and a pair of Stonechats also present.

At least sixty European White-fronted Geese and three Greater Scaup remain at Stanford Reservoir.

The Banbury Ornithological Society Short Day Count was completed in SP55 (West Northants) by Helen Franklin today and the freezing temperatures and bitter wind made for challenging birding conditions. The birds remained deep in the bushes and difficult to see and the still waters in the ten km square had a good percentage of ice covering them. By far the most amazing sight was a flock of mixed corvids spread over three fields near Hellidon numbering six hundred birds or more. Ravens were noted at Lower Catesby and Fawsley.

Regards

Neil M

Robin.

Marsh Tit.

Grey Partridges courtesy
of Jacob Spinks.

First year Black-headed Gull.

Cold weather movement

Hello

A cold night and day across Europe and the UK has undoubtedly caused some cold weather movement with fresh birds arriving in the county as a result. Over a hundred Fieldfares and small numbers of other thrushes at Harrington Airfield were probably all new arrivals as there are still a reasonable amount of berries on the bushes there.

The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton was relatively quiet this morning with just a Barn Owl of note but this afternoon there were forty-five Golden Plovers, three hundred Lapwings, an increase in Meadow Pipits and Skylarks and large numbers of Fieldfares, Redwings and Starlings. Regulars included the female Merlin, at least six Bramblings and a pair of Stonechats.

A Tundra Bean Goose was a new bird in at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits and later the ten European White-fronted Geese and a Marsh Harrier put in appearances too.

Thrapston Pits provided sightings of the mobile drake Ring-necked Duck, drake American Wigeon (generally Aldwincle Lake) and two Greater Scaup (Town Lake today). Two European White-fronted Geese again flew north-east at Stanwick Pits this morning. Two Marsh Harriers were seen at Summer Leys LNR today.

Clifford Hill Pits was again the venue for a drake Smew and four European White-fronted Geese.

At least sixty European White-fronted Geese were still at Stanford Reservoir today plus three Greater Scaup and with two thousand Common Gulls and a first winter Mediterranean Gull in the afternoon roost there.

A Whooper Swan arrived at Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon and a Jack Snipe was still present. A dead Water Rail was a road casualty just outside Holcot on the road to Walgrave (next to Pitsford Reservoir) and a Redpoll was at Brixworth Country Park.

Yesterday there were two Peregrines on St Dionysius church in Market Harborough and four Tree Sparrows were noted at Rectory Farm, Old.

Regards

Neil M

First year Mediterranean Gull.

Otter.

Tundra Bean Goose at
Ringstead Pits today
courtesy of Nick Parker.

Birding on New Year's Day

Hello

With further cold weather ahead of us, many birds from 2025 were found again today plus a couple of newbies too!

A Firecrest found by Nigel at the New Sandy Lane Attenuation Pool on the outskirts of Duston was a great New Year find. Another excellent passerine find by Olivia was a Black Redstart at a farm between Scaldwell and Lamport, last being seen at about 2pm. Presumably it is cold weather from the continent that is pushing these insectivorous birds around.

Thrapston Pits remains the best place for rare ducks with the drake Ring-necked Duck, the drake American Wigeon and up to three Greater Scaup plus a Marsh Harrier. Beware that a birder's car was broken into whilst parked in the Wildlife Trust Aldwincle car park today. The Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck and one of the Scaup were at the south end of Aldwincle Lake on the Titchmarsh reserve.

A Caspian Gull, a Goosander and a wing-tagged Marsh Harrier were at Summer Leys LNR and ten European White-fronted Geese were at Ringstead Pits on Kinewell Lake. A Goosander flew over Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and Stanwick Pits recorded two European White-fronted Geese and a Marsh Harrier. A flock of Siskins and a Kingfisher were at Swanhaven Pond near Lings and a Siskin was at Little Billing, Northampton.

The drake Smew and four European White-fronted Geese were at Clifford Hill Pits, a Jack Snipe was found at Hollowell Reservoir, and Ravens were at Grange Park, Northampton and Mawsley.

A Brambling and a Blackcap were at Woodford Halse today and birds noted north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir were ten European White-fronted Geese, a Great White Egret, a Brambling and a pair of Stonechats.

An intriguing report from East Farndon was of a Wild Boar sighting, a mammal that is not known to be residing in rural Northants.

The 'ringtail' Hen Harrier showed up again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon plus a Golden Plover, a pair of Stonechats, about twenty Siskins (Gamboro' Plantation) and several Bramblings.

Quality birding continued at Stanford Reservoir with two Glossy Ibis, an adult Caspian Gull in the roost, an amazing seventy European White-fronted Geese, four Greater Scaup, a Shelduck, two Peregrines, three Common Snipe, six Goosanders and a Chiffchaff.

Eyebrook Reservoir provided sightings of fourteen European White-fronted Geese, nine Smew and eight Greater Scaup.

Regards

Neil M

Black-headed Gulls courtesy
of John Tilly.

Carrion Crow courtesy
of John Tilly.

Black Redstart today near
Lamport courtesy of Olivia Neilson.

New Year's Eve

Hello

The last birding in 2025 was on a cold, frosty day with winterer lingerers and little that was new.

Eyebrook Reservoir boasted nine Smew and eight Greater Scaup, excellent numbers by modern standards. Other regional news included at least eight Great Northern Divers still at Grafham Water plus a Red-breasted Merganser, a Common Scoter and three Bewick's Swans and in the other direction there were two Great Northern Divers and an adult Glaucous Gull at Draycote Water. Waifs lingering in Warwickshire include a Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Stanford Reservoir today fielded four Greater Scaup and over twenty-five European White-fronted Geese. A Grey Wagtail, two Siskins and a Little Egret were along the River Welland at Market Harborough.

A drake Smew and four European White-fronted Geese were at Clifford Hill Pits and Thrapston Pits continued to host a drake American Wigeon and two Greater Scaup on the Titchmarsh reserve. Four European White-fronted Geese were to the east of Woodford in the Nene Valley.

At least ten Chiffchaffs were at the Ecton SF outfall stream where also two Green Sandpipers and a Ring-necked Parakeet. Six Crossbills were at Harlestone Heath this morning and Blackcaps were feeding in gardens at Abington, Northampton and Woodford Halse. Eight Redpolls were in birches at Woodford Halse churchyard.

Two Whooper Swans (adult and a juvenile) flew over the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning and other birds were a female Peregrine consuming a Woodpigeon, eight Bramblings, a Golden Plover and a Woodcock. Several Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall.

I have recently returned from eight days birding in Portugal and a tab/page has been created with a few images from that trip - 'The Algarve at Christmas 2025.'

We would like to thank everyone for their observations and information during 2025 and for all the images received which help enliven the blog. We wish you a Happy New Year and hope that 2026 provides respite for our birds and wildlife with an opportunity to flourish and for us to enjoy it's presence.

Regards

Neil & Eleanor

Grey Heron courtesy
of John Tilly.

Great White Egret courtesy
of John Tilly.

Common Gull.

Female Blackbird.

Last few days of the year.

Hello

A cool day and bird-wise still some lingerers from the last couple of weeks.

Two Glossy Ibis were at Stanford Reservoir and at least forty European White-fronted Geese were still present at dusk. Four Greater Scaup were still present too and other birds were fifteen Goosanders, four Water Rails, a Kingfisher and a first winter Mediterranean Gull.`     

Eight more European White-fronted Geese were still at Blatherwycke Lake, nine were at Eyebrook Reservoir (plus four Greater Scaup and eight Smew), ten were at Pitsford Reservoir around the Walgrave Bay and ten more flew from the main lake at Stanwick Pits early this morning.

Two Caspian Gulls were noted at Summer Leys LNR this morning and other birds were a Yellow-legged Gull, a Marsh Harrier, a pair of Goosanders and at least one hundred and fifty Golden Plovers. At least four Pintails were at the New Workings South section of Earls Barton Pits and other birds were two Great White Egrets, a Green Sandpiper and a few Chiffchaffs.

Thrapston Pits has been good lately and birds today were still the drake American Wigeon, a first year drake Greater Scaup and a Sanderling all on the Titchmarsh reserve from the hides.

Two or three Ravens were at Mawsley, a male Blackcap was feeding in a Wellingborough garden, a possible Siberian Chiffchaff was at Stortons Pits and the drake Smew was at Clifford Hill Pits.   

Regards

Neil M

Drake Pintail.

                    

Possible Siberian Chiffchaff
at Stortons Pits courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Stonechat courtesy of
Jonathan Pitt

In Between Time

It's now that strange period following Christmas and the wait for New Year. No one seems to know what day of the week it is and its impossible to get things done as half the world are still on holiday!!  The weather has gone very grey and raw which may make birding less attractive.  However I have to go out and about as my dogs do not understand the concept of rest.  All I could find yesterday was a pair of Stonechat on the big side of Pitsford Reservoir and I've drawn a complete blank today with shrike hedge,  Blueberry and Harrington being birdless.

Over the last couple of days there have been White-fronted Geese reported from Summer Leys, Clifford Hill GP, Stanford Reservoir,  Blatherwycke Lake,  Stanwick GP,  Aynho (Cherwell Valley) and from a field near to the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir. 

The long staying Glossy Ibis remain at the embankment at Wellingborough and at Stanford Reservoir on the settling ponds. The drake American Wigeon remains at Titchmarsh LNR favouring North hide with the drake Ring Necked Duck and 2 Greater Scaup in the same area.

Yesterday the Black-necked Grebe was at Blatherwycke Lake , 8 Corn Buntings on the Deanshanger/Wicken footpath, drake Smew at Clifford Hill GP,  adult Mediterranean Gull at Pitsford Reservoir and a Mediterranean Gull and 4 Greater Scaup at Stanford Reservoir. 

Regards Eleanor 

The drake American Wigeon
at Titchmarsh courtesy of 
Nick Parker (the finder).

The "Goose fest" continues!!

Thankfully the arrival of some interesting geese on Christmas eve was not a one day wonder and the influx of geese, mainly White Fronted has continued with sightings dotted around the county.   This event certainly seems to have encouraged folk to get out and about today or maybe it was the two days of festivities and withdrawal from birding which spurred folk on too.    For myself it was definitely the latter. Over Christmas/Boxing day I managed two brief visits to Pitsford but saw nothing and a few brief visits to shrike hedge/blueberry area with the dogs and saw my usual Stonechats,  Bramblings and female Merlin.                                                                                                                I earmarked today as "my day" and loaded the dogs into the car and headed north,  destination Wakerley Wood as its one of my favourite places.  As I was driving on the A43 approaching the turning for Blatherwycke I nearly turned off to go and look for the geese etc there first, but I didn't as I wanted to walk around Wakerley before it got busy with people.  I was very pleased to find a small party of Crossbills in the carpark as I set off for a 3 hour meander in the Wood.  All was well with the world until I looked at my messages and saw that Stuart was at Blatherwycke Lake watching a Common Crane flying over!!! Birding is often all about being in the right place at the right time,  I was nearly there, I was so close and in the area, if only I had gone to Blatherwycke first, I might have seen the Crane.  Anyway I enjoyed my walk around Wakerley Wood where there were small parties of Crossbills,  Siskins,  Redpolls and Bramblings dispersed throughout the wood.  A Ringtail Hen Harrier was a surprise find as I was looking from the wood towards Laxton and the A43.    I never bumped into anyone else until I was virtually back at the carpark where I found that the  whole world had woken up!!                                                                                              Blatherwycke Lake was my next stop and unsurprisingly there were plenty of birders looking for the Tundra Bean Goose which was quite tricky to find and the very smart White Fronted Geese which were a lot easier to find. I visited the Churchyard in search of Hawfinch,  but none seen, so I continued along the footpath which gives a good view of the northern end of the lake and the Black Necked Grebe was showing well.                                                                                       Next was Deene Churchyard,  again no Hawfinch,  but a scan of the lake produced 6 Shelduck,  a Grey Wagtail and a Stonechat.                                               News had broken of a drake American Wigeon in front of the Peter Scott hide at Titchmarsh LNR,  found by Nick. As I haven't seen one of these in the county for a while I took the longer route home to see this bird. I'm glad that I did as it was very obliging and showing well.         So a good day out birding in the county for me.

Plenty of White Fronted Geese today. 10 at Stanwick GP, 9 at Clifford Hill GP, 60 at Stanford Reservoir and 6 at Aynho in the Cherwell Valley.  Other birds seen today include Caspian Gull at Summer Leys, Sanderling at Titchmarsh LNR,  drake Smew at Clifford Hill GP and Greater Scaup at Thrapston on the town lake and 3 birds at Stanford Reservoir.        But one of the most interesting and remarkable records today ( Tyler) was that of a staggering 22 Corn Buntings in crop fields from the footpath between Deanshanger and Wicken. Not an area that I'm familiar with but definitely worth a "twitch" !!

Regards Eleanor 

GEESE GALORE!!

 Today has seen a significant drop in temperature, a change in the wind direction and a scattering of wild geese throughout the county. European White Fronted Geese were seen at Pitsford Reservoir (7+), Stanford Reservoir (56),Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows (31) and at Blatherwycke Lake (12). Pink Footed Geese were at Pitsford Reservoir (3) and Summer Leys (1). But the scarcest of the geese were 6 Tundra Bean Geese at Pitsford Reservoir.           I was lucky enough to be able to get to Pitsford Reservoir and enjoy this Goose feast.  I'd had a pretty quiet morning for birds. Just a couple of Grey Wagtails,  Siskins and Bramblings whilst out running,  about 15 Siskins at Kelmarsh Hall and birdless visit to Harrington Airfield. I was taking a break in-between errands when the news broke of the birds at Pitsford so the remaining errands were put on hold, and infact they got done!!.                             As I walked down the old road to view the birds my heart sank as a lot of the geese started to fly around.  There seemed to be an awful lot of Canada's and Greylags present.  After searching I picked up several White Fronted Geese near to the point where the Cormorants sit. As I watched them they swam away from me and disappeared into the Walgrave Bay and out of sight. In order to get a better view of these birds I walked towards the causeway and looked back into the Walgrave Bay where they had tucked themselves.  Then I turned my attention to the area between the Walgrave and Holcot Bays as this is where the majority of geese seemed to be.  As I scanned the geese I found at least 3 Pink Footed Geese, 7 White Fronted Geese and 4 Tundra Bean Geese which were joined by a further 2. This was just amazing to see and I can't remember seeing all these different species of geese present together in the same place in Northamptonshire.                                                 I had to drag myself away,  not to finish my errands but to walk the dogs. However it was a quiet walk with just a few Bramblings and female Peregrine near shrike hedge,  2 Woodcock nearby and 15 Golden Plovers with 160 Lapwings feeding on a crop field. 

Other birds around today include 2 Greater Scaup,  2 Goosanders at Thrapston on Town Lake, Black Necked Grebe at Blatherwycke Lake,  Glossy Ibis at Stanford Reservoir and Wellingborough embankment and 3 female Greater Scaup at Stanford Reservoir. 

Yesterday saw another scarce winter visitor,  a drake Red Breasted Merganser briefly at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, plus 2 Red Crested Pochards at Kislingbury on the main lake.        There seems to be a bit of competition between the gull roosts at Pitsford and Stanford Reservoirs, both had Mediterranean Gulls ( adult at Pitsford and 2 x 1st winters at Stanford) and Yellow Legged Gull.  But Stanford also produced a Caspian Gull. 

We would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas 🎄 and hope that you enjoy the day however and wherever you spend it.

Regards Eleanor 

All three 'sawbills' at Clifford Hill

Hello

Grey, dreary but essentially dry and mild today and periods when it was possible to see some birds at distance.

The two Wellingborough Glossy Ibis remained in wet fields adjacent to the carriageway of the Embankment, these must be the easiest Glossy Ibis ever to see in the county! A Great White Egret was in the same general area.

The juvenile Shag was seen again along the Grand Union Canal near the lock just north of junction 15A of the M1 motorway.

Stanford Reservoir today recorded the Glossy Ibis again plus a first winter Caspian Gull and two adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosting this afternoon. Other birds were six Great White Egrets, five Goosanders, two Water Rails and a Kingfisher.

Eyebrook Reservoir provided distant views of six Smew (four adult drakes) and three Greater Scaup.

A productive morning at Clifford Hill Pits provided a drake Red-breasted Merganser seen moving west along the River Nene, a mobile drake Smew, four Goosanders, two Great White Egrets, eight Golden Plovers and a Stonechat.

A Hawfinch was in Cottesbrooke village late this morning, mobile between the playing field and the church - this following a similar pattern in recent winters.

A Short-eared Owl was in the Brampton Valley/Blueberry Farm area this morning plus a pair of Stonechats, four Bramblings and this afternoon there was a Woodcock at Blueberry Farm and the big female Peregrine was still around - this time menacing the flock of Fieldfares and Starlings.

An adult Caspian Gull (a particularly stunning bird with a bright bill and perfect plumage) was at Naseby Reservoir where also a Grey Wagtail. Another Grey Wagtail was at Welford Reservoir and birds in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir this morning included singles of Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll.

A Siberian Chiffchaff was identified at Daventry Country Park in the company of a couple of Chiffchaffs around the Grit Trap.  Also an adult Caspian Gull was present and an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen briefly.

Regards

Neil M

Mediterranean Gull.

Short-eared Owls (these birds
photographed during the
'invasion year' of 2011).

Long-tailed Tit.

A Peregrine's varied diet

Hello

Another grey day and with some rain too, milder this afternoon.

At Stanford Reservoir the Glossy Ibis was still present today and other birds were two Great White Egrets, three Goosanders, four Water Rails and three Cetti's Warblers.

Five Scaup and six Smew were at Eyebrook Reservoir and a Black-necked Grebe, a Black Swan, a Great White Egret, two Ravens and a Brambling were at Blatherwycke Lake.

A Cattle Egret was espied in a field at London Road, Little Irchester this morning and seven Crossbills were mobile at Harlestone Heath this morning.

A misty Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton was again the hunting ground of a female Peregrine which today had killed a Grey Partridge. A large flock of Golden Plovers flew though the murk and the pair of Stonechats and several Bramblings were still present. A Siskin was in Hanging Houghton village.

A Woodcock and two Redpoll were noted at Scotland Wood, Kelmarsh Estate today.

Regards

Neil M

Cock Pheasant.

Red Kite.

Rook.

A murky day in December

Hello

A much murkier day than predicted and it certainly took a while for the sun to shine in some parts of the county.

A male Stonechat, a Great White Egret and a Grey Wagtail were somewhere in the mist north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir this morning.

The two Glossy Ibis were still off the Embankment at Wellingborough late this morning and the wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was again on view at Summer Leys LNR.

The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton in the fields leading up to Blueberry Farm within the parish of Maidwell provided a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, the female Peregrine again, this time taking a Teal in mid-flight, a pair of Stonechats, three Crossbills at Gamboro' Plantation, small numbers of Redpolls and Siskins on the move in the mist and only about four Bramblings.

A Woodcock was at Harrington Airfield today and there were reasonable numbers of winter thrushes present. A Grey Wagtail was in our garden at Hanging Houghton.

The two Greater Scaup were again on Town Lake, Thrapston Pits today.

At least four Smew were at Eyebrook Reservoir today and the nine Great Northern Divers were again visible from the Fishing Lodge at Grafham Water.

Regards

Neil M

Kestrel.

Nuthatch.

Drake Mandarin Duck.

Pre-Christmas birding

Hello

A lovely bright winter's day and cool too.

The juvenile Shag was seen again along the Grand Union Canal not far from junction 15A of the M1 motorway and close to the original lock where first found.

The two Greater Scaup were again on Town Lake, Thrapston Pits and a remarkable nine Great Northern Divers were at Grafham Water (Cambs) today and with two at Draycote Water (Warks) with seemingly none for us in-between!

Eyebrook Reservoir was also showing off with seven Greater Scaup and five Smew. The wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was reported from Summer Leys LNR this morning.

The 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning but didn't show this afternoon. Other birds included a pair of Stonechats and several Bramblings and a female Peregrine was disturbed from the remnants of it's Woodpigeon kill.

Caspian Gulls were located at Naseby Reservoir (an adult) and Hollowell Reservoir (third winter) and also at Hollowell there were a Water Rail, three hundred and seventeen Teal, a Water Rail and two Stonechats.

A male Blackcap was in a garden at Mears Ashby this morning, a few Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall and two Woodcocks were at Scotland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate. Two Redpolls were at Lamport Hall.

Regards

Neil M

Members of the Northants
Ringing Group were busy
again in the Nene Valley today,
successfully processing six
Water Rails and a Moorhen.

Images courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Rain spoiled the show

Hello

Heavy rain from late morning no doubt dampened the enthusiasm of local birders so again very few reports locally.

The wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was seen again at Summer Leys LNR this morning and several Bramblings were again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning.

Some ringing recoveries associated with Northants Ringing Group activities at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes are as follows:-

1. A juvenile male Greenfinch was ringed at Dunton, Buckinghamshire on 24th August 2025 and trapped again at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes on 11th October 2025, forty-eight days later and having traveled 19km to the north;

2. A first year Black-headed Gull was ringed at Linford Lakes on 12th October 2024 and was seen again on 22nd October 2025 when it was seen in the field at nearby Furzton Lake, Milton Keynes, 375 days later;

3. A first year Robin was ringed at Linford Lakes on 25th August 2024 and re-trapped again at Port Meadow, Oxford 370 days later on 30th August 2025 when it was 48km further south-west;

4. A first year Reed Warbler was ringed at Linford Lakes on 9th August 2025 and nineteen days later was re-trapped at Highfield, Southampton on 28th August 2025 135km further SSW;

5. A first year Garden Warbler was ringed at Stanford Reservoir on 30th August 2024 and re-trapped this year at Linford Lakes on 14th August some 349 days later, and of course with a journey to Africa and back in between;

6. A first year Sedge Warbler was ringed at Linford Lakes on 14th August 2025 and thirteen days later was caught again at Elms Farm, Icklesham, East Sussex having traveled 166km in a south-east direction;

7. A first year Reed Warbler was ringed at Linford Lakes on 9th August 2025 and re-trapped at Beachy Head, East Sussex fourteen days later having traveled 166km in a SSE direction.

Regards

Neil M

Robin courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Ring-necked Parakeet
 courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Little Egret.

Sea-bird on the canal!

Hello

With a wet night and then a morning freeze, it wasn't the foggy morning as predicted.

The best find today was a juvenile Shag found by Tony on the Grand Union Canal at the lock close to junction 15A of the M1 motorway. The bird tried to hide from the finder using the lock as a barrier but subsequently showed nicely.

A wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was seen at Summer Leys LNR late this morning and birds in the Whiston Lock area included a pair of Stonechats and four Egyptian Geese.

Several Siskins were noted at Billing Fishponds, a Raven was eating something on a grass verge near Old village, at least four Tree Sparrows were at Rectory Farm, Old and at least one Brambling was in a bird food/nectar crop adjacent to the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir. A Great White Egret at Pitsford Reservoir today displayed all yellow legs and feet.

Five Grey Partridges and up to two hundred Fieldfares were at Harrington Airfield before the pheasant/partridge shooting began.

This afternoon birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton included the 'ringtail' Hen Harrier again (towards Blueberry Farm) plus the pair of Stonechats and several Bramblings.

The single Glossy Ibis was at Stanford Reservoir this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Shag today
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Scant news today

Hello

Very little local bird news today I'm afraid and neither of us had time to properly explore our local patches.

The two Greater Scaup were again on Town Lake, Thrapston Pits today but for the second day the Ring-necked Duck wasn't located. Five Smew at Eyebrook Reservoir included two drakes, viewable from Stoke Dry car park.

Two or three Crossbills were at Gamboro' Plantation again this morning, this small area of woodland is situated on the ridge between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton. At least two Bramblings were around the bird crop areas in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton also this morning.

Regards

Neil M

One of the fabulous old
and mostly dead Sweet
Chestnut trees at Harlestone
on the Northampton Golf Course.

Great Black-backed Gull.

Cetti's Warbler courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Pitsford WeBS count

Hello

Today was the monthly WeBS count at Pitsford Reservoir in weather which was mild, breezy but dry and with some nice periods of sunshine.

The juvenile Whooper Swan was still present this morning, flying south over the causeway and relocating near to the Holly Tree. A first year Little Gull was mobile in the Scaldwell Bay and slowly flew south over the fields. Three Stonechats were in the Scaldwell Bay and forty-three Common Snipe and two Jack Snipe were between the Old Scaldwell Road and the causeway and a Tree Sparrow was heard calling at the nearby feeding station bushes. Pochard were present in small flocks, four Green Sandpipers remained in the Holcot Bay and there was a Grey Wagtail, a Raven, two Great White Egrets and reasonable numbers of Lapwings all north of the causeway.

Birds south of the causeway were the Black-necked Grebe again in the Pintail Bay, two Green Sandpipers in Catwalk Bay, six Stonechats, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, three Grey Wagtails, eight Redpolls, two Bramblings and small numbers of Siskins plus two Ravens.

Elsewhere and the two Glossy Ibis were again feeding in wet fields at the Embankment at Wellingborough, a Marsh Harrier was at Stanwick Pits and a pair of Blackcaps were feeding apples in a Woodford Halse garden.

Two adult Caspian Gulls were at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Hollowell Reservoir was good for an adult Caspian Gull, a first year Mediterranean Gull, two Stonechats and a drake Mandarin Duck.

A Glossy Ibis was still at Stanford Reservoir today, an adult Caspian Gull and seventy Great Black-backed Gulls were in the afternoon roost and seven Goosanders were present.

Four Smew were at Eyebrook Reservoir, the two Greater Scaup were reported from the south end of Town Lake at Thrapston Pits again and there was a report of two Short-eared Owls yesterday in a field at Wollaston by the junction of Harrold Road and Dungee Road.

This afternoon the 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was seen again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton where also a pair of Stonechats and at least six Bramblings.

Regards

Neil M

Cormorant.

Stonechat.

Jack Snipe.

One Swallow doesn't make a summer!

Hello

Possibly bird of the day was a Swallow feeding at Islip Water Treatment Works this afternoon with other birds at nearby Thrapston Pits being the drake Ring-necked Duck at the north end of Town Lake and two Greater Scaup at the southern end.

The two Glossy Ibis were again in wet fields at the Embankment at Wellingborough and the super Black Redstart was still at Thursby/Sandringham Road, Northampton.

Four Stonechats and two Ravens were in the area of Whiston Lock in the Nene Valley and Upton Country Park hosted a Jack Snipe, about thirty Common Snipe and a Stonechat.

A Grey Wagtail was at Hanging Houghton and the Kelmarsh Estate held a few Siskins at Kelmarsh Hall, a Woodcock at Scotland Wood and a Golden Plover and Grey Wagtail near New Covert.

The Glossy Ibis was still at Stanford Reservoir today where also one hundred and twenty Pochard, five Goosanders, eighty Cormorants, two Water Rails, a Kingfisher and two hundred Fieldfares.

Regards

Neil M

Black Redstart today
courtesy of Martin Swannell

A probable fourth calendar year
Caspian Gull courtesy of Robin
Gossage, taken at Summer Leys
LNR two days ago. Although quite
thick-necked and heavy-billed and
rather pinkish feet, most of the 
features match this species.

Displaying Drake Teal
at Summer Leys LNR
courtesy of Robin Gossage.