Hi
At Harrington Airfield this morning there were 8 Bramblings on the spread seed and 2 Grey Partridge on the top fields.
At Hanging Houghton today a Red Kite and 2 Ravens re-appeared after an apparent absence during the last few days.
At about 2pm the Great White Egret was visible in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res (visible from the Old Scaldwell Road feed station).
A Swallow was espied in Merseyside today and an Osprey in Cornwall yesterday. So that's it then, Spring has arrived!
Regards
Eleanor
Thursday 28 February 2013
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Owl boxes
Hi
No birds of significance to report today I'm afraid. Yesterday Neil H and I spent the day stalking around Pitsford Res with a ladder over our shoulder and a couple of tubs of assorted equipment. Our task was to visit all the owl boxes on the reserve and make them serviceable for suitable occupants this year. Not so appropriate current occupants were the Pitsford Reservoir Grey Squirrel population that find these boxes exactly to their liking! Due to the still heavily water-logged conditions on the reserve, it was a case of striding out to locate all the boxes rather than driving around, climbing up and clearing them out. In some years Tawny Owls begin nesting in February but they can't compete with squirrels so hopefully we have given them a helping hand for 2013.
We didn't see much in the way of bird life on our travels around the reserve. An egret was seen in flight but provided an obscure view to the degree that we didn't identify it. A good twenty Siskins were with other birds around the feeders in Christies Copse and a Brambling was heard calling at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station.
Regards
Neil M
No birds of significance to report today I'm afraid. Yesterday Neil H and I spent the day stalking around Pitsford Res with a ladder over our shoulder and a couple of tubs of assorted equipment. Our task was to visit all the owl boxes on the reserve and make them serviceable for suitable occupants this year. Not so appropriate current occupants were the Pitsford Reservoir Grey Squirrel population that find these boxes exactly to their liking! Due to the still heavily water-logged conditions on the reserve, it was a case of striding out to locate all the boxes rather than driving around, climbing up and clearing them out. In some years Tawny Owls begin nesting in February but they can't compete with squirrels so hopefully we have given them a helping hand for 2013.
We didn't see much in the way of bird life on our travels around the reserve. An egret was seen in flight but provided an obscure view to the degree that we didn't identify it. A good twenty Siskins were with other birds around the feeders in Christies Copse and a Brambling was heard calling at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station.
Regards
Neil M
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Wetland Breeding Bird Survey
Hi
Colin Wilkinson from the local RSPB office is keen to identify volunteers to assist in an urgent breeding bird survey in the Upper Nene Valley in Northamptonshire. Would-be surveyors are asked to visit selected flooded pits just once a month between April - July and record details of potential breeding evidence of about 30 specific species. This is a re-run of a survey completed 10 years ago and there is an urgent requirement for a further assessment so that the status of the valley remains intact.
If you are in a position to assist in this local survey, please make contact with Colin (please see contact details below). I have details of the survey forms should you wish to peruse before signing up. Colin is running a short day training event on Sunday 10th March at the Summer Leys Reserve to ensure understanding. This will run from 10am until 12.30pm, the meeting point being at the reserve car park at post code NN29 7TD.
Please contact:-
Colin Wilkinson from the local RSPB office is keen to identify volunteers to assist in an urgent breeding bird survey in the Upper Nene Valley in Northamptonshire. Would-be surveyors are asked to visit selected flooded pits just once a month between April - July and record details of potential breeding evidence of about 30 specific species. This is a re-run of a survey completed 10 years ago and there is an urgent requirement for a further assessment so that the status of the valley remains intact.
If you are in a position to assist in this local survey, please make contact with Colin (please see contact details below). I have details of the survey forms should you wish to peruse before signing up. Colin is running a short day training event on Sunday 10th March at the Summer Leys Reserve to ensure understanding. This will run from 10am until 12.30pm, the meeting point being at the reserve car park at post code NN29 7TD.
Please contact:-
Colin Wilkinson MSc MRTPI Senior Conservation Planner The RSPB, Midlands Regional Office 46 The Green, South Bar, Banbury, OX16 9AB
Direct line: 01295 676463 Fax: 01767 685442
E-mail: colin.wilkinson@rspb.org.uk
E-mail: colin.wilkinson@rspb.org.uk
Monday 25 February 2013
Cold finch watching!
Hi
A damp, drizzerley and still very cold day here in Northants, I think without sunshine at any stage of the day.
I could hear a Brambling or two at Harrington Airfield in the half-light of dawn this morning as I was spreading out their daily breakfast! A similar story at Kelmarsh Hall with singing Siskins adding their vocalisation to a background of calling redpolls and Bramblings.
I was fortunate to visit a East Hunsbury garden today at the invitation of our county recorder Mike Alibone. The garden feeders are attracting good numbers of Siskins and Lesser Redpolls at the moment but also one or two redpolls of debatable identity (not seen today). An estimated 40 Siskins and 15 Lesser Redpolls were visiting the garden during the three hour period.
Regards
Neil M
A damp, drizzerley and still very cold day here in Northants, I think without sunshine at any stage of the day.
I could hear a Brambling or two at Harrington Airfield in the half-light of dawn this morning as I was spreading out their daily breakfast! A similar story at Kelmarsh Hall with singing Siskins adding their vocalisation to a background of calling redpolls and Bramblings.
I was fortunate to visit a East Hunsbury garden today at the invitation of our county recorder Mike Alibone. The garden feeders are attracting good numbers of Siskins and Lesser Redpolls at the moment but also one or two redpolls of debatable identity (not seen today). An estimated 40 Siskins and 15 Lesser Redpolls were visiting the garden during the three hour period.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 24 February 2013
Another cold day out there!
Hi
At Hanging Houghton today there were 3-4 Red Kites and 2 Ravens and 4 Lesser Redpolls. At least 3 Bramblings were at Harrington Airfield first thing.
A couple of hours of ringing were conducted in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res today, the captures included a Green Woodpecker and 3 Siskins. Other birds present included another 3 Siskins, a Lesser Redpoll, a Red Kite and 2 Woodcock.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
At Hanging Houghton today there were 3-4 Red Kites and 2 Ravens and 4 Lesser Redpolls. At least 3 Bramblings were at Harrington Airfield first thing.
A couple of hours of ringing were conducted in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res today, the captures included a Green Woodpecker and 3 Siskins. Other birds present included another 3 Siskins, a Lesser Redpoll, a Red Kite and 2 Woodcock.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Saturday 23 February 2013
Cold day birding
Hi
A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall today confirmed the presence of at least 1 Brambling, 4 Lesser Redpolls and 19 Siskins. Big gulls were seen regularly moving north over this site from lunch-time well in to the afternoon.
At Hanging Houghton today the Red Kites had increased to 3 and the 2 Ravens were seen again, with at least 4 Lesser Redpolls in the garden.
A visit to Ravensthorpe Res this afternoon paid off with a Bittern visible from the causeway on the small side at about 3.30pm. Other birds included 6 Smew (4 'redheads' on the small side and 2 drakes by the dam), a Water Rail, 4 Siskins and a Kingfisher.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall today confirmed the presence of at least 1 Brambling, 4 Lesser Redpolls and 19 Siskins. Big gulls were seen regularly moving north over this site from lunch-time well in to the afternoon.
At Hanging Houghton today the Red Kites had increased to 3 and the 2 Ravens were seen again, with at least 4 Lesser Redpolls in the garden.
A visit to Ravensthorpe Res this afternoon paid off with a Bittern visible from the causeway on the small side at about 3.30pm. Other birds included 6 Smew (4 'redheads' on the small side and 2 drakes by the dam), a Water Rail, 4 Siskins and a Kingfisher.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Friday 22 February 2013
Niger feeder alert
Hi
A quick foray to Harrington Airfield this afternoon confirmed the presence of 10 Bramblings and a pair of Grey Partridge. Six Lesser Redpolls fed on the feeders in the garden here at Hanging Houghton.
It seems that most gardens with niger feeders have Lesser Redpolls and Siskins in them currently, and it seems worth checking the redpolls in particular as Mealy and unidentified pale birds are appearing in county gardens at the moment.
Regards
Eleanor
A quick foray to Harrington Airfield this afternoon confirmed the presence of 10 Bramblings and a pair of Grey Partridge. Six Lesser Redpolls fed on the feeders in the garden here at Hanging Houghton.
It seems that most gardens with niger feeders have Lesser Redpolls and Siskins in them currently, and it seems worth checking the redpolls in particular as Mealy and unidentified pale birds are appearing in county gardens at the moment.
Regards
Eleanor
Thursday 21 February 2013
Mobile Ravens
Hi
I've no idea if it was the same pair all the time, but today there were 2 Ravens at Harrington Airfield, Hanging Houghton village, the Brampton Valley east of Cottesbrooke and Pitsford Res!
Harrington Airfield also attracted at least 12 Bramblings and a day-hunting Barn Owl.
Two laps running around Sywell CP with a dog in tow was sufficient to record c50 Siskins, c10 redpoll sp, a Grey Wagtail, a Water Rail and 2 Kingfishers.
The two Red Kites remained at Hanging Houghton.
Eleanor
I've no idea if it was the same pair all the time, but today there were 2 Ravens at Harrington Airfield, Hanging Houghton village, the Brampton Valley east of Cottesbrooke and Pitsford Res!
Harrington Airfield also attracted at least 12 Bramblings and a day-hunting Barn Owl.
Two laps running around Sywell CP with a dog in tow was sufficient to record c50 Siskins, c10 redpoll sp, a Grey Wagtail, a Water Rail and 2 Kingfishers.
The two Red Kites remained at Hanging Houghton.
Eleanor
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Changing priorities
Hi
Gosh that easterly wind is cold!
Today was about visiting and restocking all the local wild bird feed stations. Harrington Airfield still had at least 2 Bramblings among the birds this morning, but a walk around the bunkers and top fields failed to connect with much more than a few singing Skylarks.
Several each of Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Brambling remained at the Kelmarsh Hall feeders and a couple of Lesser Redpolls popped in to our garden at Hanging Houghton to feed on the niger feeders. The feeders at Christies Copse in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res attracted 3 Siskins this afternoon plus both Marsh and Willow Tit. A third calendar year Yellow-legged Gull was the only bird of note seen in the gull roost by the dam at Pitsford.
Two malingering Red Kites at Hanging Houghton this afternoon reminded me of the days before the re-introduction of this species. It was always from about this time through to the first few days of April that wandering Red Kites showed up in the county, presumed migrants from the continent.
Even though the winter isn't over yet, many species begin to think about setting up territories and begin wandering in order to find and stake a claim to suitable habitat and a partner. This may be just Great and Blue Tits moving out of gardens and back in to the woodlands, but many of the winter thrushes are contemplating moving back to the continent and tension between local rival pairs of Carrion Crow, Robin, Coot and other territorial species now begins to grow.
Regards
Neil M
Gosh that easterly wind is cold!
Today was about visiting and restocking all the local wild bird feed stations. Harrington Airfield still had at least 2 Bramblings among the birds this morning, but a walk around the bunkers and top fields failed to connect with much more than a few singing Skylarks.
Several each of Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Brambling remained at the Kelmarsh Hall feeders and a couple of Lesser Redpolls popped in to our garden at Hanging Houghton to feed on the niger feeders. The feeders at Christies Copse in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res attracted 3 Siskins this afternoon plus both Marsh and Willow Tit. A third calendar year Yellow-legged Gull was the only bird of note seen in the gull roost by the dam at Pitsford.
Two malingering Red Kites at Hanging Houghton this afternoon reminded me of the days before the re-introduction of this species. It was always from about this time through to the first few days of April that wandering Red Kites showed up in the county, presumed migrants from the continent.
Even though the winter isn't over yet, many species begin to think about setting up territories and begin wandering in order to find and stake a claim to suitable habitat and a partner. This may be just Great and Blue Tits moving out of gardens and back in to the woodlands, but many of the winter thrushes are contemplating moving back to the continent and tension between local rival pairs of Carrion Crow, Robin, Coot and other territorial species now begins to grow.
Regards
Neil M
Tuesday 19 February 2013
Ditchford WeBS Count
Hi
Eleanor had a number of commitments today, so it was down to me to complete the WeBS count at Ditchford GP. It took nearly nine hours, and although the thick mud and high water levels was rather troublesome the beautiful sunshine and quite warm conditions more than made up for it. I half expected to see an early butterfly, but a nice buzzy Bumble-bee was just as good!
The birds were mostly uneventful for the majority of the day as I counted the pits from east to west, arriving at the Ditchford Lane area mid-afternoon. Just before 5pm, a juvenile Glaucous Gull appeared among other gulls on the viaduct pit, as was a near-adult Caspian Gull. Five minutes later the Glauc flew west over the railway line and out of view - it seems many of the gulls are loafing on floodwater to the west of the railway line currently. Other birds included two drake Scaup on the Watersport Pit to the west of Ditchford Lane, 2 Shelduck, 6 Goosanders, 33 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Water Rails, 6 Kingfishers and only 5 Cetti's Warblers.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor had a number of commitments today, so it was down to me to complete the WeBS count at Ditchford GP. It took nearly nine hours, and although the thick mud and high water levels was rather troublesome the beautiful sunshine and quite warm conditions more than made up for it. I half expected to see an early butterfly, but a nice buzzy Bumble-bee was just as good!
The birds were mostly uneventful for the majority of the day as I counted the pits from east to west, arriving at the Ditchford Lane area mid-afternoon. Just before 5pm, a juvenile Glaucous Gull appeared among other gulls on the viaduct pit, as was a near-adult Caspian Gull. Five minutes later the Glauc flew west over the railway line and out of view - it seems many of the gulls are loafing on floodwater to the west of the railway line currently. Other birds included two drake Scaup on the Watersport Pit to the west of Ditchford Lane, 2 Shelduck, 6 Goosanders, 33 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Water Rails, 6 Kingfishers and only 5 Cetti's Warblers.
Regards
Neil M
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| Canada Goose |
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| Kestrel |
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| Goldcrest |
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| Goldcrest |
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| Glaucous Gull |
Monday 18 February 2013
Finch feast
Hi
Birds at Kelmarsh Hall this morning included a Brambling, 13 Siskins and 4 Lesser Redpolls. At the concrete track entrance to Harrington Airfield off the Draughton Road, 8 Bramblings and c10 Lesser Redpolls were present.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Birds at Kelmarsh Hall this morning included a Brambling, 13 Siskins and 4 Lesser Redpolls. At the concrete track entrance to Harrington Airfield off the Draughton Road, 8 Bramblings and c10 Lesser Redpolls were present.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Sunday 17 February 2013
A day out!
Hi
Today an excursion south to Berkshire was a change of scenery and a search for a wintering Pallas's Warbler, a rare occurrence in the UK. Moor Green Lakes was the venue, a well managed reserve associated with a chain of gravel pits south of Wokingham divided by the River Blackwater (www.mglg.org.uk). The warbler gave us the run around and we didn't see it until in to the afternoon. Sadly it remained high in the tree tops and close views and good images were not possible.
Whilst looking up, the air traffic from Heathrow was ever present but I don't think we were guilty of constant plane-spotting!
While we were there, the day list included Kingfisher, Egyptian and Barnacle Geese, Mandarin Duck, Goosander, Grey Wagtail, Red Kite and Green Sandpiper. Four Barn Owls showed well in the winter sunshine...
Regards
Neil M
Today an excursion south to Berkshire was a change of scenery and a search for a wintering Pallas's Warbler, a rare occurrence in the UK. Moor Green Lakes was the venue, a well managed reserve associated with a chain of gravel pits south of Wokingham divided by the River Blackwater (www.mglg.org.uk). The warbler gave us the run around and we didn't see it until in to the afternoon. Sadly it remained high in the tree tops and close views and good images were not possible.
Whilst looking up, the air traffic from Heathrow was ever present but I don't think we were guilty of constant plane-spotting!
While we were there, the day list included Kingfisher, Egyptian and Barnacle Geese, Mandarin Duck, Goosander, Grey Wagtail, Red Kite and Green Sandpiper. Four Barn Owls showed well in the winter sunshine...
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 16 February 2013
Ringing Pitsford Feed Station
Hi
This morning a ringing session was undertaken at the feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir, on the Old Scaldwell Road site. Although cool first thing the spring-like weather continued for the remainder of the day, the calm conditions being ideal for using mist nets.
Some 70 birds were caught coming to the food which involved many new birds including 22 Tree Sparrows, 17 Yellowhammers and 18 Reed Buntings. A Willow Tit was a retrap; this individual which is a couple of years old now regularly comes up from the back of the Scaldwell Bay, following the field hedge parallel to the reservoir boundary fence.
Although the ringing has been very infrequent during this calendar year (due to the weather), we can already account for 90 different Yellowhammers and 27 different Reed Buntings visiting the broadcast seed during January and February, and the true figure for both species will obviously be higher than this.
Birds of note were few and far between today, with at least a single each of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford, and a Raven and a couple of Lesser Redpolls at Kelmarsh Hall. The turn in the weather the last few days has enticed local Little Owls to vocalise, and the Tawny Owls (which should already have established territories by now) have become more persistent with their calling too. The Grey Herons are currently very noisy around the heronry at Pitsford as they sort out their early nesting arrangements, and about six pairs of Cormorants have already patched up their nests and could even have early eggs.
Regards
Neil M
This morning a ringing session was undertaken at the feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir, on the Old Scaldwell Road site. Although cool first thing the spring-like weather continued for the remainder of the day, the calm conditions being ideal for using mist nets.
Some 70 birds were caught coming to the food which involved many new birds including 22 Tree Sparrows, 17 Yellowhammers and 18 Reed Buntings. A Willow Tit was a retrap; this individual which is a couple of years old now regularly comes up from the back of the Scaldwell Bay, following the field hedge parallel to the reservoir boundary fence.
Although the ringing has been very infrequent during this calendar year (due to the weather), we can already account for 90 different Yellowhammers and 27 different Reed Buntings visiting the broadcast seed during January and February, and the true figure for both species will obviously be higher than this.
Birds of note were few and far between today, with at least a single each of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford, and a Raven and a couple of Lesser Redpolls at Kelmarsh Hall. The turn in the weather the last few days has enticed local Little Owls to vocalise, and the Tawny Owls (which should already have established territories by now) have become more persistent with their calling too. The Grey Herons are currently very noisy around the heronry at Pitsford as they sort out their early nesting arrangements, and about six pairs of Cormorants have already patched up their nests and could even have early eggs.
Regards
Neil M
Friday 15 February 2013
Spring on it's way?
Hi
At least 5 Bramblings came down on to the food at Harrington Airfield first thing this morning. At Kelmarsh Hall there were 2 Ravens, at least 3 Bramblings, 8 Siskins and at least 3 Lesser Redpolls. Another visit to Pitsford village early this afternoon failed in an effort to find the Firecrest from a week ago.
In the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon, two Yellow-legged Gulls (adult and second winter) materialized and the Redshank was still present.
Definitely an early Spring feel today...!
Regards
Neil M
At least 5 Bramblings came down on to the food at Harrington Airfield first thing this morning. At Kelmarsh Hall there were 2 Ravens, at least 3 Bramblings, 8 Siskins and at least 3 Lesser Redpolls. Another visit to Pitsford village early this afternoon failed in an effort to find the Firecrest from a week ago.
In the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon, two Yellow-legged Gulls (adult and second winter) materialized and the Redshank was still present.
Definitely an early Spring feel today...!
Regards
Neil M
Thursday 14 February 2013
Flood birds
Hi
This morning there were 6 Waxwings in the village at Hanging Houghton and at Kelmarsh Hall the birds around the feeders included 4 Siskins and 2-3 each of Brambling and Lesser Redpoll.
Birds visible from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res at lunchtime today included 2 Bramblings and a pair of Goosander. The Great White Egret was on flood-water at the back of the Holcot Bay as visible from the Hannington Road.
Finally there was a hunting Barn Owl alongside the B576 at Harrington Airfield this afternoon.
Regards
Eleanor
This morning there were 6 Waxwings in the village at Hanging Houghton and at Kelmarsh Hall the birds around the feeders included 4 Siskins and 2-3 each of Brambling and Lesser Redpoll.
Birds visible from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res at lunchtime today included 2 Bramblings and a pair of Goosander. The Great White Egret was on flood-water at the back of the Holcot Bay as visible from the Hannington Road.
Finally there was a hunting Barn Owl alongside the B576 at Harrington Airfield this afternoon.
Regards
Eleanor
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