Monday 1 January 2018

New Year's Day

Hello

Visits to Harrington Airfield and the Kelmarsh estate this morning failed to yield any birds of note but Jacob's efforts at Pitsford Reservoir were rewarded with sightings of two Great White Egrets, two drake Smew, a Red-crested Pochard, a Shelduck, 26 - 57 Golden Plovers, 3 Redshanks, 3 Woodcock, a Green Sandpiper, a Water Rail, 3 Redpoll, a Siskin and a Grey Wagtail. The gull roost again failed to attract a gull of note.

Eleanor paid a visit to Cottesbrooke this afternoon to see if the Hawfinches were still present and saw four almost straightaway. A short walk around the village and eight were found perched together only to be superseded when the flock grew to fourteen! These birds are ranging around the centre of this small village, at least one feeding on the ground underneath yews almost opposite the playing field. The big flock was in a bare tree half way between the playing fields and the church and the birds were very vocal. There are yew trees situated along almost the entire length of this village...

Plenty of birders out on the first day of the year as always with several visiting Ravensthorpe Reservoir where 2-3 Great White Egrets, the juvenile Whooper Swan and 2 Green Sandpipers remain and Hollowell Reservoir where the juvenile Great Northern Diver cruised around various sections of the water and up to three Stonechats and a Peregrine were seen too. Bob Bullock visited Sywell Country Park where the female Scaup remained and a Barn Owl was hunting a waterlogged Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M



Hawfinch at Cottesbrooke.

For the love of bread!

...and it was a very big moon
this evening!

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