Saturday 17 February 2024

Cattle Egrets and Starlings

Hello

A Cattle Egret was located at Upton Country Park this morning, two were still at Summer Leys LNR and another was in the vicinity of Stanford Reservoir. Two Goosanders were also at Stanford Reservoir and other sightings at Summer Leys LNR included a Weasel, a Great White Egret, a hunting Marsh Harrier, a Siskin on the feeders, fifteen Golden Plovers, two Oystercatchers, a Chiffchaff and another impressive Starling murmuration this afternoon.

More impressive Starling murmurations were at Crick village and Stortons Pits, so a couple of venues to choose from if you enjoy the swirly, smoke-like etchings against the evening light!

At Pitsford Reservoir there was an immature/female Merlin north of the causeway yesterday afternoon with an adult Yellow-legged Gull near the dam this morning and a Great White Egret north of the causeway mid-morning.

Two Ravens were at Lamport village and Siskins on village garden feeders today included locations at Brixworth and Walgrave. A flock of eighteen Meadow Pipits at Harrington Airfield suggested it wasn't just Siskins on the move today.

Two Peregrines were at Higham Ferrrers church today and single Short-eared Owls were seen at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and Neville's Lodge, Finedon this afternoon. Fifty Golden Plovers and two Grey Partridges were also noted at Neville's Lodge.

Three Smew were seen at Eyebrook Reservoir today and a large Waxwing flock at Milton Keynes near Wavendon (estimated in excess of seventy birds) were fly-catching today as well as eating berries.

Regards

Neil M

Cattle Egret.

Starling.

Siskin courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Meadow Pipit.



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What time was the murmuration at Crick please? I seem to be missing them.

Anonymous said...

OK, thanks. I read on your blog from yesterday that they had been seen in Crick, so assumed it was that day. I will keep an eye out.

northamptonshirebirding.blogspot.com said...

The blog was posted on 17th February not 17th March, a month ago I'm afraid!