Hi
I didn't manage to see much today on my travels but did see the Great White Egret next to Pitsford Res in a flooded field just outside Holcot village as viewed from the Hannington Road (4.15pm). We forgot to mention that there was a 3rd calendar year Yellow-legged Gull at Pitsford Res yesterday.
A walk around Sywell CP today was very quiet.
Regards
Eleanor
Friday 15 March 2013
Thursday 14 March 2013
Spring sunshine day
Hi
At least 12 Bramblings were present at Harrington Airfield this morning. At Pitsford Res this morning the Great White Egret was present in the Holcot Bay and 2 Grey Wagtails were by the dam overflow. This afternoon there was a pair of Goosander in the Moulton Grange Bay.
A visit to a Kingsthorpe garden today was enjoyable with about 20 Siskins visiting the garden feeders, occasionally joined by about 3 Lesser Redpolls. A marauding Sparrowhawk caused havoc on more than one occasion.
This afternoon there was a Raven and 2 Red Kites in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.
Some lovely spring sunshine this morning and during the middle of the day was sufficient to encourage a Small Tortoiseshell and a Brimstone to provide a brief flutter!
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
At least 12 Bramblings were present at Harrington Airfield this morning. At Pitsford Res this morning the Great White Egret was present in the Holcot Bay and 2 Grey Wagtails were by the dam overflow. This afternoon there was a pair of Goosander in the Moulton Grange Bay.
A visit to a Kingsthorpe garden today was enjoyable with about 20 Siskins visiting the garden feeders, occasionally joined by about 3 Lesser Redpolls. A marauding Sparrowhawk caused havoc on more than one occasion.
This afternoon there was a Raven and 2 Red Kites in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.
Some lovely spring sunshine this morning and during the middle of the day was sufficient to encourage a Small Tortoiseshell and a Brimstone to provide a brief flutter!
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Wednesday 13 March 2013
Seven raptor species day
Hi
A wintery walk at Harrington Airfield this morning provided another view of the immature male Merlin. He was perched up on one of the concrete bunkers but then disappeared off to the feeding birds by the concrete track entrance. About 8 Bramblings were present.
The adult female Peregrine was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon with 2 Red Kites over the village. I notched up Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard on my travels without too much trouble. My seventh species of raptor today was an Osprey heading north over the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res at about 1.20pm, heavily mobbed by gulls.
Regards
Eleanor
A wintery walk at Harrington Airfield this morning provided another view of the immature male Merlin. He was perched up on one of the concrete bunkers but then disappeared off to the feeding birds by the concrete track entrance. About 8 Bramblings were present.
The adult female Peregrine was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon with 2 Red Kites over the village. I notched up Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard on my travels without too much trouble. My seventh species of raptor today was an Osprey heading north over the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res at about 1.20pm, heavily mobbed by gulls.
Regards
Eleanor
Tuesday 12 March 2013
Creatures of Christies Copse
Hi
This afternoon I visited Christies Copse which is a small plantation in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res. The name of this area was suggested following the retirement of the first Wildlife Trust warden at Pitsford, Cliff Christie and his wife Joyce. During the last two winters we have been maintaining a wild bird feeding station in the copse, supporting woodland species in the main.
After filling up all the feeders I decided to sit down on one of the log piles and see what appeared. One of the first was a splendid cock Pheasant, together with plenty of tits and other common birds and as many as 12 Siskins. A scurrying noise on the opposite log pile turned out to be an inquisitive Weasel which mostly ignored me!
Other birds noted today included 2 Bramblings at Harrington Airfield this morning and 2 hunting Barn Owls at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon.
Regards
Neil M
This afternoon I visited Christies Copse which is a small plantation in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res. The name of this area was suggested following the retirement of the first Wildlife Trust warden at Pitsford, Cliff Christie and his wife Joyce. During the last two winters we have been maintaining a wild bird feeding station in the copse, supporting woodland species in the main.
After filling up all the feeders I decided to sit down on one of the log piles and see what appeared. One of the first was a splendid cock Pheasant, together with plenty of tits and other common birds and as many as 12 Siskins. A scurrying noise on the opposite log pile turned out to be an inquisitive Weasel which mostly ignored me!
Other birds noted today included 2 Bramblings at Harrington Airfield this morning and 2 hunting Barn Owls at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon.
Regards
Neil M
 |
| Pheasant |
 |
| Long-tailed Tit |
 |
| Siskins - female to the left and male to the right |
 |
| Weasel |
Monday 11 March 2013
Birds of the icy wind
Hi
A walk around Harrington Airfield this morning was something of an icy blast, but the birds only consisted of about three Bramblings and a Red Kite.
Another cold walk at Sywell CP produced 5 Goosanders, 2 Kingfishers, a Water Rail and c30 Siskins.
A visit to Ravensthorpe Res causeway provided obscured views of the Bittern on the small side between 12 noon and 12.30pm. It was near to a broken-down Crack Willow and walked out of view to the right behind a large willow bush and didn't show again by 1.15pm. Other birds included a 'redhead' Smew, a third calendar year Yellow-legged Gull, a Red Kite and a Chiffchaff.
A Red Kite was present at Hanging Houghton and 2 Reed Buntings and 2 Lesser Redpolls fed in the garden.
A wind-blasted gull roost at Pitsford Res didn't provide any gulls of note. The icy wind was pushing a hunting Barn Owl all over the place near to the dam.
Some of the below images are of gulls (one of my favourite families), but for those of you that find them incredibly boring, look away now!
Regards
Neil M
A walk around Harrington Airfield this morning was something of an icy blast, but the birds only consisted of about three Bramblings and a Red Kite.
Another cold walk at Sywell CP produced 5 Goosanders, 2 Kingfishers, a Water Rail and c30 Siskins.
A visit to Ravensthorpe Res causeway provided obscured views of the Bittern on the small side between 12 noon and 12.30pm. It was near to a broken-down Crack Willow and walked out of view to the right behind a large willow bush and didn't show again by 1.15pm. Other birds included a 'redhead' Smew, a third calendar year Yellow-legged Gull, a Red Kite and a Chiffchaff.
A Red Kite was present at Hanging Houghton and 2 Reed Buntings and 2 Lesser Redpolls fed in the garden.
A wind-blasted gull roost at Pitsford Res didn't provide any gulls of note. The icy wind was pushing a hunting Barn Owl all over the place near to the dam.
Some of the below images are of gulls (one of my favourite families), but for those of you that find them incredibly boring, look away now!
Regards
Neil M
 |
| First year Common Gull and Black-headed Gull |
 |
| Near-adult Herring Gull |
 |
| Mixed gull flock Pitsford Res |
 |
| Third-calendar year Yellow-legged Gull |
 |
| Third-calendar year Yellow-legged Gull |
 |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker |
 |
| Probably the worst photo of a Bittern ever taken! |
Sunday 10 March 2013
Winter's back!
Hi
With snow and a cold north-easterly wind, it felt like winter all over again today! You have to feel sorry for the Swallows, Sand Martins, Wheatears etc that have already made early landfall in the UK.
Despite spending time in some of the Kelmarsh Estate woodlands today, nothing out of the ordinary was discovered.
I had suspected that some of the finches visiting the well-spread local feed stations had been moving around them almost as much as me! At least one photographer at Harrington Airfield has mentioned to me that they had seen and photographed ringed Bramblings coming down to the food, albeit that ringers do not operate at this site. However we have been catching small numbers at Kelmarsh Hall, suggesting that birds were moving between these two sites.
To add to my suspicions, yesterday we caught a Siskin at Pitsford Res which we had originally caught and ringed at Kelmarsh Hall a couple of weeks earlier. Today I caught a Siskin at Kelmarsh Hall which had originally been ringed at Hanging Houghton on 29th January. Not long-distance movements but clearly demonstrating that these birds had stayed local but are presumably responsive to food availability and wherever their flocking colleagues take them!
Regards
Neil M
With snow and a cold north-easterly wind, it felt like winter all over again today! You have to feel sorry for the Swallows, Sand Martins, Wheatears etc that have already made early landfall in the UK.
Despite spending time in some of the Kelmarsh Estate woodlands today, nothing out of the ordinary was discovered.
I had suspected that some of the finches visiting the well-spread local feed stations had been moving around them almost as much as me! At least one photographer at Harrington Airfield has mentioned to me that they had seen and photographed ringed Bramblings coming down to the food, albeit that ringers do not operate at this site. However we have been catching small numbers at Kelmarsh Hall, suggesting that birds were moving between these two sites.
To add to my suspicions, yesterday we caught a Siskin at Pitsford Res which we had originally caught and ringed at Kelmarsh Hall a couple of weeks earlier. Today I caught a Siskin at Kelmarsh Hall which had originally been ringed at Hanging Houghton on 29th January. Not long-distance movements but clearly demonstrating that these birds had stayed local but are presumably responsive to food availability and wherever their flocking colleagues take them!
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 9 March 2013
Early spring birding
Hi
A visit to Harrington Airfield early this morning provided another view of the adult female Peregrine which this time attempted to take Golden Plovers (but they were too quick)! The Golden Plover flock numbered about 15. About a dozen Bramblings included some drop-dead gorgeous summer plumage males and the pair of Grey Partridge showed again.
A couple of brief visits to Ravensthorpe Res failed to locate the Bittern (again!) but a pair of smart Smew was showing well on the small side. Whilst at an event in Great Brington early this afternoon, a single Curlew flew over, followed shortly by an Oystercatcher.
At Pitsford Res today, the now summer plumage Great White Egret was in both the Walgrave and Scaldwell Bays and other birds north of the causeway included about 20 Siskins, a Woodcock and a Red Kite (all in the Walgrave Bay) with a pair of Smew and a pair of Goosander reported. Birds south of the causeway included 2 Oystercatchers, a Shelduck and 4 Bramblings.
There was a heavy movement of gulls moving north through Pitsford Res all day but the gull roost by the yacht club didn't produce anything out of the ordinary.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A visit to Harrington Airfield early this morning provided another view of the adult female Peregrine which this time attempted to take Golden Plovers (but they were too quick)! The Golden Plover flock numbered about 15. About a dozen Bramblings included some drop-dead gorgeous summer plumage males and the pair of Grey Partridge showed again.
A couple of brief visits to Ravensthorpe Res failed to locate the Bittern (again!) but a pair of smart Smew was showing well on the small side. Whilst at an event in Great Brington early this afternoon, a single Curlew flew over, followed shortly by an Oystercatcher.
At Pitsford Res today, the now summer plumage Great White Egret was in both the Walgrave and Scaldwell Bays and other birds north of the causeway included about 20 Siskins, a Woodcock and a Red Kite (all in the Walgrave Bay) with a pair of Smew and a pair of Goosander reported. Birds south of the causeway included 2 Oystercatchers, a Shelduck and 4 Bramblings.
There was a heavy movement of gulls moving north through Pitsford Res all day but the gull roost by the yacht club didn't produce anything out of the ordinary.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
 |
| Adult Male Siskin at Pitsford Res today - part of the large influx currently in the county (courtesy of Neil Hasdell). |
Friday 8 March 2013
Reed Bunting mystery
Hi
A horrible claggy, foggy and wet day meant that nothing particularly different was found today.
News came through today of a Reed Bunting ringing recovery. A male bird was trapped and ringed at Hanging Houghton on 20th March 2010 and re-trapped again at Hanging Houghton on 22nd March 2011. On 2nd February this year, this bird was caught again but this time at Stortons GP on the south side of Northampton.
During the last two winters a feeding station has been maintained at Stortons GP and the feeders etc attract good numbers of Reed Buntings. The difficulty is to ascertain what these records actually demonstrate! Is this bird simply an individual which spends much of the year wandering around the county and takes advantage of easy food sources? Or is it a bird which winters to the south and drops in to the county on its way north, now finding the feed station at Stortons GP to its liking? It will be interesting if this bird is caught again - all the records are currently biased towards late winter/early spring. Where does this bird breed I wonder?
Regards
Neil M
A horrible claggy, foggy and wet day meant that nothing particularly different was found today.
News came through today of a Reed Bunting ringing recovery. A male bird was trapped and ringed at Hanging Houghton on 20th March 2010 and re-trapped again at Hanging Houghton on 22nd March 2011. On 2nd February this year, this bird was caught again but this time at Stortons GP on the south side of Northampton.
During the last two winters a feeding station has been maintained at Stortons GP and the feeders etc attract good numbers of Reed Buntings. The difficulty is to ascertain what these records actually demonstrate! Is this bird simply an individual which spends much of the year wandering around the county and takes advantage of easy food sources? Or is it a bird which winters to the south and drops in to the county on its way north, now finding the feed station at Stortons GP to its liking? It will be interesting if this bird is caught again - all the records are currently biased towards late winter/early spring. Where does this bird breed I wonder?
Regards
Neil M
Thursday 7 March 2013
Drama in the garden
Hi
The early Sparrowhawk catches the early Blackbird. Well that's what happened in our garden this morning. At 6.20am there was that awful 'distressed Blackbird' call that I have heard all too frequently over the years. An adult male Blackbird had been captured by a/the male Sparrowhawk. Male Sparrowhawks are very good at catching Blackbirds but they are just not strong enough to quickly dispatch large prey which are destined to be plucked and eaten alive. Quite horrific and a terrible quirk of nature. The regular piles of feathers in the garden suggests we lose a Blackbird out of the garden to a/the Sparrowhawk about once every two weeks.
Talking of Blackbirds, it seems to me that they have been slow to sing this spring. I have been listening to Song and Mistle Thrushes giving it everything for a number of weeks now, but the only consistent Blackbird song has been the last few mornings.
Birding opportunities were limited today but the usual 'winter finches' were still in situe at Kelmarsh Hall and Harrington Airfield. Two Woodcock were flushed at Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) this morning.
The garden supported less birds in the dank wet conditions today, but with cold north-easterlies forecast in a couple of days time I guess they will be back!
Regards
Neil M
The early Sparrowhawk catches the early Blackbird. Well that's what happened in our garden this morning. At 6.20am there was that awful 'distressed Blackbird' call that I have heard all too frequently over the years. An adult male Blackbird had been captured by a/the male Sparrowhawk. Male Sparrowhawks are very good at catching Blackbirds but they are just not strong enough to quickly dispatch large prey which are destined to be plucked and eaten alive. Quite horrific and a terrible quirk of nature. The regular piles of feathers in the garden suggests we lose a Blackbird out of the garden to a/the Sparrowhawk about once every two weeks.
Talking of Blackbirds, it seems to me that they have been slow to sing this spring. I have been listening to Song and Mistle Thrushes giving it everything for a number of weeks now, but the only consistent Blackbird song has been the last few mornings.
Birding opportunities were limited today but the usual 'winter finches' were still in situe at Kelmarsh Hall and Harrington Airfield. Two Woodcock were flushed at Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) this morning.
The garden supported less birds in the dank wet conditions today, but with cold north-easterlies forecast in a couple of days time I guess they will be back!
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 6 March 2013
Siskin bonanza
Hi
Dull and cool today but still plenty of birds about.
An early morning visit to Harrington Airfield this morning provided a further view of the immature male Merlin which again took a bird, this time from the top fields (the victim appeared to be a Chaffinch). The adult female Peregrine was also present and she took a Fieldfare from the field by the shooting wall. About 10 Bramblings were attracted to the food-stuff by the entrance and a pair of Grey Partridge were present. No Wheatears though!
In Brixworth Country Park this afternoon about 80 Siskins were showing well with many singing birds, with quite a movement between the park and the Pintail Bay of Pitsford Res. Five Waxwings were also present at about 2.30pm, perched in a tree by the main on-site pond.
Two Ravens appeared overhead here at Hanging Houghton again today and at least 2 Bramblings and 2 Lesser Redpolls fed in the garden. A Barn Owl was hunting at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell later this afternoon.
Regards
Eleanor
Tuesday 5 March 2013
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 2 - Birders 0
Hi
A fabulous sunny day today which warmed the bones despite the still cool air.
First stop this morning was Harrington Airfield and after feeding the birds a bit of scanning is always worthwhile. The usual birds came down and included a super summer plumage male Brambling that initially sang well from one of the nearby willow bushes. Then pandemonium as an immature male Merlin came in from nowhere and snatched a male Yellowhammer from among the panicking throng. The falcon bent to dislocate the bunting's neck as it made it's get away, pursued by a Magpie across the top fields (which gave up when it realised it couldn't keep pace). It was over and done so quick that I think many of the birds didn't even realise what had happened and quickly returned to feed.
We decided to pay Lings Wood a visit as Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have been showing on and off near Lings House. However after 2 hours wandering in stunning sunshine and seeing plenty of other woodland birds we had to concede defeat. Not a sight or sound!
A couple of visits to Pitsford Res during the day provided views of the Great White Egret in both the Walgrave and Scaldwell Bays. A pair of Great Black-backed Gulls and a single Oystercatcher seemed to making homes of the tern rafts in the Scaldwell Bay, the same bay also hosting a pair of Smew. There was a single Brambling at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station, at least 8 Siskins on the feeders in Christies Copse and a Redshank still around the yacht club. A male Brimstone butterfly in Christies Copse was a sight for sore winter eyes!
The garden here at Hanging Houghton has been pretty good with 4 Reed Buntings, a couple of Yellowhammers, a Tree Sparrow and 2 Bramblings coming in for food with 2 Red Kites and 2 Ravens overhead. A couple more Brimstone butterflies took advantage of the warm sunshine just east of the village. The adult female Peregrine showed again in the Brampton Valley below the village, thought to be the same bird seen on and off in the immediate area all winter.
Finally at Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon the feeders attracted a Brambling, about 6 Lesser Redpolls and c20 Siskins.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A fabulous sunny day today which warmed the bones despite the still cool air.
First stop this morning was Harrington Airfield and after feeding the birds a bit of scanning is always worthwhile. The usual birds came down and included a super summer plumage male Brambling that initially sang well from one of the nearby willow bushes. Then pandemonium as an immature male Merlin came in from nowhere and snatched a male Yellowhammer from among the panicking throng. The falcon bent to dislocate the bunting's neck as it made it's get away, pursued by a Magpie across the top fields (which gave up when it realised it couldn't keep pace). It was over and done so quick that I think many of the birds didn't even realise what had happened and quickly returned to feed.
We decided to pay Lings Wood a visit as Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have been showing on and off near Lings House. However after 2 hours wandering in stunning sunshine and seeing plenty of other woodland birds we had to concede defeat. Not a sight or sound!
A couple of visits to Pitsford Res during the day provided views of the Great White Egret in both the Walgrave and Scaldwell Bays. A pair of Great Black-backed Gulls and a single Oystercatcher seemed to making homes of the tern rafts in the Scaldwell Bay, the same bay also hosting a pair of Smew. There was a single Brambling at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station, at least 8 Siskins on the feeders in Christies Copse and a Redshank still around the yacht club. A male Brimstone butterfly in Christies Copse was a sight for sore winter eyes!
The garden here at Hanging Houghton has been pretty good with 4 Reed Buntings, a couple of Yellowhammers, a Tree Sparrow and 2 Bramblings coming in for food with 2 Red Kites and 2 Ravens overhead. A couple more Brimstone butterflies took advantage of the warm sunshine just east of the village. The adult female Peregrine showed again in the Brampton Valley below the village, thought to be the same bird seen on and off in the immediate area all winter.
Finally at Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon the feeders attracted a Brambling, about 6 Lesser Redpolls and c20 Siskins.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Monday 4 March 2013
Bittern 1 - Birders 0
Hi
Two Bramblings in the garden here at Hanging Houghton today looked like fresh migrants, and Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting added some more variety.
A run with the dogs around Harlestone Heath and adjacent areas failed to find much more than several singing Siskins.
Despite plenty of scanning, there was no sign of the Bittern at Ravensthorpe Res while we were there today. A 'redhead' Smew remained on the small side.
This afternoon a hike around Blueberry Farm, Maidwell in silky spring sunshine was very pleasant. An immature male Merlin showed briefly and 3 Red Kites meandered around overhead (a Barn Owl was seen by other observers).
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Two Bramblings in the garden here at Hanging Houghton today looked like fresh migrants, and Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting added some more variety.
A run with the dogs around Harlestone Heath and adjacent areas failed to find much more than several singing Siskins.
Despite plenty of scanning, there was no sign of the Bittern at Ravensthorpe Res while we were there today. A 'redhead' Smew remained on the small side.
This afternoon a hike around Blueberry Farm, Maidwell in silky spring sunshine was very pleasant. An immature male Merlin showed briefly and 3 Red Kites meandered around overhead (a Barn Owl was seen by other observers).
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
 |
| Drake Goldeneye |
 |
| Sparrowhawk |
Sunday 3 March 2013
A quiet day 'up north'
Hi
Locally birds at Hanging Houghton today included 2 Red Kites and 2 Ravens, with 4 Ravens at nearby Faxton. The birds on the food at Harrington Airfield early this morning included 3-4 Bramblings.
Further afield, a wander around East Carlton Country Park included about 10 Siskins and a Lesser Redpoll but was otherwise pretty quiet. The Welland Valley didn't provide much in the way of different birds but was one of many places today hosting migrant flocks of Lapwings. The Wakerley Wood complex was also quiet in much of the wood, but a splendid flock of about 30 Crossbills showed well on the main track about 250m from the car park walking in a clockwise direction on the short walk route. Other birds included several Siskins and up to 10 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Bramblings.
Fineshade Wood was busy with people but the well-stocked suspended feeders in front of the wildlife hide provided close views of tits and other woodland birds. Nearby birds at Blatherwycke Lake included 7 Shelduck and an Oystercatcher but nothing else of note. A late afternoon walk at Fermyn Wood and the adjacent Country Park failed to yield anything different.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Locally birds at Hanging Houghton today included 2 Red Kites and 2 Ravens, with 4 Ravens at nearby Faxton. The birds on the food at Harrington Airfield early this morning included 3-4 Bramblings.
Further afield, a wander around East Carlton Country Park included about 10 Siskins and a Lesser Redpoll but was otherwise pretty quiet. The Welland Valley didn't provide much in the way of different birds but was one of many places today hosting migrant flocks of Lapwings. The Wakerley Wood complex was also quiet in much of the wood, but a splendid flock of about 30 Crossbills showed well on the main track about 250m from the car park walking in a clockwise direction on the short walk route. Other birds included several Siskins and up to 10 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Bramblings.
Fineshade Wood was busy with people but the well-stocked suspended feeders in front of the wildlife hide provided close views of tits and other woodland birds. Nearby birds at Blatherwycke Lake included 7 Shelduck and an Oystercatcher but nothing else of note. A late afternoon walk at Fermyn Wood and the adjacent Country Park failed to yield anything different.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
 |
| Coal Tit |
 |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker |
 |
| Marsh Tit |
 |
| Red Kite |
Saturday 2 March 2013
Siskins and friends
Hi
At least one Brambling was still present at Harrington Airfield this morning and Kelmarsh Hall hosted 2 Bramblings, at least 30 Siskins and a couple of Lesser Redpolls. Birds in Christies Copse at Pitsford Res this afternoon included several Siskins with a Red Kite over. Also this afternoon a single vocal Raven flew over Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate).
Regards
Neil M
At least one Brambling was still present at Harrington Airfield this morning and Kelmarsh Hall hosted 2 Bramblings, at least 30 Siskins and a couple of Lesser Redpolls. Birds in Christies Copse at Pitsford Res this afternoon included several Siskins with a Red Kite over. Also this afternoon a single vocal Raven flew over Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate).
Regards
Neil M
Friday 1 March 2013
A little early spring transition
Hi
A little repetitive but a Red Kite and 2 Ravens again put in appearances at Hanging Houghton today.
A revisit to Mike Alibone's garden at East Hunsbury was productive again today with plenty of Siskins and Lesser Redpolls attracted to niger and sunflower heart feeders. At this time of the year the plumage of Lesser Redpolls seems more variable than in the autumn, and of course many of the males are now sporting gorgeous pink breasts, rumps and flanks as they make ready for the breeding season. In early February the influx of Siskins to the county were dominated by adult males, all looking stunning in their stunning yellows and greens. Now many of the males are the young birds from last year, still good-looking but not as pristine as the adults.
Early this afternoon eight adult White-fronted Geese were in fields with Greylags and Canada Geese off the A428 to the south of Northampton (on the left hand side travelling from Northampton). The best place to view them was from the large lay-by between the respective turnings for Great and Little Houghton. They were still present at 2.45pm.
On next to Ecton SF below the village of Cogenhoe and accessed via Cogenhoe Mill. The wintering flock of Chiffchaffs still numbered about 10 birds, and I saw 1 maybe 2 Siberian-type birds which again remained silent (all the 'collybita' birds seemed to be calling well). Up to three Bearded Tits were heard calling in the phragmites beds but didn't show themselves. Other birds included a pair of Grey Partridge, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Cetti's Warbler.
The gull roost at Pitsford Res was scrutinised but I couldn't pick anything out that was different. A Barn Owl was hunting to the east of the dam.
Regards
Neil M
A little repetitive but a Red Kite and 2 Ravens again put in appearances at Hanging Houghton today.
A revisit to Mike Alibone's garden at East Hunsbury was productive again today with plenty of Siskins and Lesser Redpolls attracted to niger and sunflower heart feeders. At this time of the year the plumage of Lesser Redpolls seems more variable than in the autumn, and of course many of the males are now sporting gorgeous pink breasts, rumps and flanks as they make ready for the breeding season. In early February the influx of Siskins to the county were dominated by adult males, all looking stunning in their stunning yellows and greens. Now many of the males are the young birds from last year, still good-looking but not as pristine as the adults.
Early this afternoon eight adult White-fronted Geese were in fields with Greylags and Canada Geese off the A428 to the south of Northampton (on the left hand side travelling from Northampton). The best place to view them was from the large lay-by between the respective turnings for Great and Little Houghton. They were still present at 2.45pm.
On next to Ecton SF below the village of Cogenhoe and accessed via Cogenhoe Mill. The wintering flock of Chiffchaffs still numbered about 10 birds, and I saw 1 maybe 2 Siberian-type birds which again remained silent (all the 'collybita' birds seemed to be calling well). Up to three Bearded Tits were heard calling in the phragmites beds but didn't show themselves. Other birds included a pair of Grey Partridge, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Cetti's Warbler.
The gull roost at Pitsford Res was scrutinised but I couldn't pick anything out that was different. A Barn Owl was hunting to the east of the dam.
Regards
Neil M
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)