Wednesday 30 March 2016

Birds of the bright sunshine!

Hello

Mark Evans was at the Titchmarsh Reserve yesterday completing a survey around this section of Thrapston Gravel Pits. Oystercatchers were present, as was an elusive Great White Egret, four Goosanders, six Cetti's Warblers, two Chiffchaffs and vocal Kingfishers.

Today Jacob Spinks and Eleanor Morrison spent some time at Earls Barton Gravel Pits, spending most of it on the Summer Leys reserve. Birds noted included the female Scaup still, up to six Oystercatchers, five Redshanks, two Kingfishers, two Grey Wagtails, up to twelve Cetti's Warblers, a House Martin, six Sand Martins and five Siskins. A subsequent visit to Pitsford Reservoir confirmed the continuing presence of the wintering male Stonechat and a Swallow.

A quick visit to Harrington Airfield this afternoon provided just a single pair of Grey Partridge.

Neil Hasdell and I carried out some ringing at Kelmarsh Hall this morning, catching seventy birds. The highlights included sixteen Goldfinches, five Chaffinches, two Marsh Tits, two Nuthatches, a Song Thrush and a House Sparrow. One of the Blue Tits was a bird originating from Stanford Reservoir. Other birds seen on-site included a Raven, a Grey Wagtail, one or two Siskin(s) and a Chiffchaff.

Birds in the garden at Hanging Houghton today included a Brambling, a male Lesser Redpoll, the Goldfinch x Canary hybrid still, a Tree Sparrow plus small numbers of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings.

Regards

Neil M




Male and female
Tufted Duck

Apparent Goldfinch x Canary
hybrid

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