Saturday 19 November 2016

Otterfest!

Hello

Two of us committed to some ringing at Harrington Airfield this morning, catching 41 birds which included migrant thrushes in the form of 16 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes and 4 Blackbirds. Other birds seen included a Grey Wagtail and 3 Siskins and a Golden Plover was heard calling.

Some more ringing at Linford Lakes today was particularly productive with 70 birds caught made up of 52 new birds and 18 re-trapped individuals. Thirteen Goldfinches and 8 new Goldcrests boosted the total and Kenny and Sarah also caught a Redwing, two Siskins and a spanking Grey Wagtail.

Jacob Spinks and Eleanor Morrison were at Pitsford Reservoir today committing to further patchwork birding. Birds of note included a Raven, a Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Red-crested Pochard (2 drakes), 20 Pintail (14 drakes), a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, a Redshank, 2 Great White Egrets, 3 Kingfishers and 6-7 Siskins. Robin and Wendy Gossage and Dave Jackson were at Pitsford yesterday and amongst other things saw a fine adult Peregrine and the Otter again  - see the account and images on the Northants Bird Club blog-site -  http://northantsbirdclub.blogspot.co.uk/ 

This morning Debbie and Eric Graham were at Thrapston GP and saw the Slavonian Grebe from North Hide, a Great White Egret, an Egyptian Goose, a Kingfisher and great views of an Otter on Heron Lake.

News was received that the regular female Otter was again on show on the River Welland at Market Harborough yesterday and with at least three animals being seen regularly at Ravensthorpe Reservoir they seem to be popping everywhere!

This afternoon four Waxwings were on show for about half an hour at Staverton, mostly sitting in conifers and singing their hearts out! The usual two Ravens were also present. The Ravensthorpe Reservoir Great White Egret was again present this afternoon.

A hunting Barn Owl and again two Bramblings were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton late this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M




Great White Egret at
Pitsford Reservoir courtesy
of Jacob Spinks.

The spanking Grey Wagtail
 courtesy of Kenny Cramer.

The beautiful Redwing
courtesy of Cathy Ryden.

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