Monday 16 September 2013

Creatures of Pitsford

Hello

Today at Pitsford Res birds south of the causeway included a Ruddy Shelduck (amongst the geese in the Pintail Bay), 3-4 Common Sandpipers, 6+ Little Egrets, a Hobby and 2 Grey Wagtails.

Birds north of the causeway included a Goldeneye, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Little Egrets, a Spotted Flycatcher, 1-2 Hobby, and a Merlin was reported.  Early morning sunshine provided plenty of energy light for insects and butterflies in the protection of the trees in the Scaldwell Bay.

House Martins were again evident in reasonable numbers today often using the leeward side of bushes and trees for shelter and aerial feeding.  However, they are designed as higher altitude feeders and flying low puts them in danger from predators.  Several attacks from Hobbies were witnessed today, at least one which was successful.

Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and around the south-side of the Blueberry Farm complex produced a female Peregrine, 2 Red Kites, a Hobby and 6 Whinchats.  Two or three Grey Wagtails were at Brixworth Sewer Works.

The gull roost at Pitsford Res this evening produced a first winter Mediterranean Gull and two Yellow-legged Gulls.

Regards

Eleanor & Neil


 
Good numbers of
Little Egret are currently
on-site at Pitsford

 
Wasps attracted to the
sap of a recently-felled
Crack Willow

 
Red Admiral

 
Speckled Wood

 
Juvenile House Martin

 
Adult House Martin


 
Adult Hobby with just-caught
juvenile House Martin, the latter
probably no more than a few
weeks out of the nest.  It evaded
capture with a series of manoeuvres
but was eventually captured by the
more mature hunter.

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