Friday 9 June 2017

Harrington Hares and other wildlife

Hello

A couple of visits to Harrington Airfield during the last few days indicates that many birds on-site are feeding young and despite turbulent weather Willow Warblers, Yellow Wagtails and Reed Buntings were still carrying food today. Another singing Reed Warbler was in the scrub on Wednesday, one of a series of late passage warblers noted here during the last ten days. The Grey Partridges are now less showy and hopefully will be incubating soon and two Turtle Doves were still present today.

A few butterflies were on the wing first thing this morning and included a worn Dingy Skipper, Common Blues and my first Meadow Brown of the season. Swathes of Sainfoin is just coming in to bloom and there are a few Bee Orchids in among the large numbers of Common Spotted Orchids.

At Pitsford Reservoir today a White-fronted Goose was unseasonal, an immature bird accompanying Greylag Geese in the Scaldwell Bay. An impressive stoop and swoop by a Sparrowhawk was the dramatic end to a Starling caught in mid-air by the main feeding station, and caused widespread panic among the remainder of the Starling flock and other nearby passerines. The pair of Oystercatchers appear to have just one surviving chick now.

Jacob saw a Raven displaying over Moulton village today and a Barn Owl was hunting along Mill Road between Scaldwell and Hanging Houghton yesterday evening.

Regards

Neil M



Common Blue butterfly.

Bee Orchid.

Common Buzzard.

Willow Warbler.

Brown or European Hare.
All above images taken at
Harrington Airfield today.

Mistle Thrush.

No comments: