Sunday 2 June 2019

Summer Barn Owls

Hello

Yesterday (Saturday) and a walk at Harrington Airfield in sunny conditions brought forth a number of butterflies, Common Blue and Small Heath being by far the most numerous. So far the orchids there are providing a very poor showing but maybe the rain forecast for this coming week may spur them on. At least one pair of Grey Partridge were still present but no young noticed yet (they tend to be late breeders at this site), and Burnet Companion was identified among the day-flying moths.

Other birds locally for yesterday included an adult male Peregrine hunting the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and it was seen to catch a small passerine (possibly a Yellowhammer). The low water levels at Ravensthorpe Reservoir look attractive for waders but yesterday the shoreline was dominated by people sunning themselves on sun loungers!! There are quite a few failed breeding Lapwings about now and I'm sure there will be a returning Green Sandpiper any day now.

A singing Spotted Flycatcher at Kentle Wood near Daventry was the only bird of note there yesterday. An Osprey was seen flying over Brixworth on it's way to Pitsford Reservoir and another was seen at Hollowell Reservoir again, together with four Little Ringed Plovers (record courtesy of Alan Coles).

Regular Barn Owls are being seen in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and also at the Summer Leys reserve at Earls Barton, often showing early morning and again late afternoon/evening.

Regards

Neil M






Barn Owl at Summer
Leys courtesy of
John Tilly.

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