Saturday 13 December 2014

Birds of the frosty apple

Hello

An excellent ringing session at an orchard on the outskirts of Nether Heyford today provided over a hundred birds caught and ringed with thrushes taking centre stage. Some thirty-two Fieldfares caught and ringed were the star birds but well supported with over twenty Redwings, at least five Blackbirds and good numbers of Chaffinch, Robin and Blue Tit.

This afternoon a visit to Harrington Airfield provided views of an adult male Merlin and hundreds of winter thrushes gleaning the hawthorns.

Birds visible north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this afternoon included two Great White Egrets, two Little Egrets, a Redshank and a roost of over a hundred Cormorants.

Late afternoon at Blueberry Farm and the Pytchley Hunt were in full flow over the complex with hounds and horses everywhere in pursuit of their fox quarry. Nevertheless a few birds were available which included a close Barn Owl, a male Peregrine and a pair of Stonechat.

Regards

Neil M

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

i thought fox hunting had been banned

Unknown said...

It has ,but last year while out in the fields between Holdenby and East Haddon ,birding and walking the dog (not easy) we were surrounded twice by the hounds. The last time they had latched onto a fox (by accident !! ?). Wish I'd had my camera !!!!! Great,informative blog by the way and stunning photos

Anonymous said...

how come they haven't been reported?