Saturday 15 December 2018

Storm Deirdre

Hello

This week-end sees our birds under stress as Storm Deirdre hits with cold and wet showers, strong winds and overnight temperature lows, so I was busy feeding the birds at the usual feeding stations. The local Common Buzzards often hunt the feeding station at the Old Scaldwell Road at Pitsford Reservoir in an effort to catch Brown Rats attracted to the bird food but this morning one was actually perched on the wooden bird table. Not surprisingly the rats were keeping a low profile!

Little in the way of opportunity for birding today but bits and pieces include the usual pair of Ravens at Staverton with a single at Great Oxendon.

A Great White Egret was still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir viewable from the causeway and of course after I said they had seemingly gone, the Chaffinch flock by the barn in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton re-appeared as fifty strong this afternoon and included at least eight Bramblings.  A male and a female Brambling were also in our garden this afternoon.

Ian Moore's efforts at Pitsford Reservoir today yielded the Bewick's Swan, ten Whooper Swans, six Pintail, three Great White Egrets and a Peregrine. Ian didn't see the Ring-necked Duck but another observer reported seeing it.

Steve Fisher again espied the male Hen Harrier at Stanwick Pits this afternoon, again at the eastern end of the complex.

Regards

Neil M



Common Buzzard.

Great Tit and Chaffinch
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Tree Sparrow courtesy
of Cathy Ryden.

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