Hello
Okay so it's raining well now but there was actually a break in the weather this morning when it actually wasn't raining. Amazing!
I was in neighbouring Cambridgeshire today but managed to spend an hour or so birding at Paxton Pits, an interesting old gravel pit complex managed as a nature reserve just off the A1. An early morning Smew trio included two very smart drakes and a couple of Goosanders were present too. Just like the birds in Northants, the Grey Herons and Cormorants were busy sorting out their nests, the herons in particular being very vocal.
Eleanor managed to find some dry time to enjoy a walk around a waterlogged Blueberry Farm and confirmed that the usual birds were somehow still surviving the deluge and included the pair of Stonechat, a Barn Owl and two Red Kites.
A quick foray at Pitsford Res this afternoon provided views of a Great White Egret in the Moulton Grange Bay and the Great Northern Diver still in the vicinity of the Holly Tree.
Comparatively little bird ringing has taken place in the county so far this year due to the wet and windy conditions, but a couple of ringers are attracting good numbers of Reed Buntings in their respective gardens. Several ringing records and recoveries of this species last winter proved very interesting inasmuch that several local birds were clearly mobile around the county and were recorded visiting several sites including gardens, and then later found back at the original ringing venues. Clearly the provision of feedstuffs in the latter part of the winter and spring is proving crucial to their survival.
In one local garden red millet feeders are proving very attractive to this species and if you want to attract Reed Buntings to your garden you may wish to try this food too!
Regards
Neil M
Friday 31 January 2014
Wednesday 29 January 2014
Hosepipe ban imminent?
Hello
Well with continual rain from dawn to dusk today was never going to be a good day for birding, and it was a pretty wet and muddy affair as we tramped around the local wild bird feeding stations!
A Grey Wagtail was present at Brixworth Sewer Works and it was possible to see six Red-crested Pochard through the murk in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res.
This afternoon a wet walk in the vicinity of the Moulton Grange Bay at Pitsford Res provided views of a drake Scaup (near the Holly Tree), three Little Egrets, four Goosanders and a Kingfisher. A couple of foxes were very vocal.
Regards
Neil M
Well with continual rain from dawn to dusk today was never going to be a good day for birding, and it was a pretty wet and muddy affair as we tramped around the local wild bird feeding stations!
A Grey Wagtail was present at Brixworth Sewer Works and it was possible to see six Red-crested Pochard through the murk in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res.
This afternoon a wet walk in the vicinity of the Moulton Grange Bay at Pitsford Res provided views of a drake Scaup (near the Holly Tree), three Little Egrets, four Goosanders and a Kingfisher. A couple of foxes were very vocal.
Regards
Neil M
Tuesday 28 January 2014
Soggy dogs !!
A rather wet day made birding difficult and I seemed to have spent my time drying out my optics and wet dogs !! .
My only birds and wildlife of note were at Harrington Airfield late this afternoon. As soon as I put the food out at least 6 Bramblings mysteriously appeared out of thin air !! . Two Redpoll sp and a huge flock of Fieldfare flew over.
Our latest canine addition Tor has a lot to learn and is already proving to be a challenge !! He seems to be a tiny percentage collie with the remainder of his make up a hound ? beagle ? foxhound. So he goes into sensory overload when he is out and the selective deafness takes over.
This afternoon he was clearly excited over a scent he could smell and disappeared into the bushes. Imagine my surprise when 3 superb Roe Deer walked out from behind the bushes......but where was Tor ? , he was more interested in a Pheasant which flew up and away leaving a very bemused dog looking skywards.
Regards Eleanor
My only birds and wildlife of note were at Harrington Airfield late this afternoon. As soon as I put the food out at least 6 Bramblings mysteriously appeared out of thin air !! . Two Redpoll sp and a huge flock of Fieldfare flew over.
Our latest canine addition Tor has a lot to learn and is already proving to be a challenge !! He seems to be a tiny percentage collie with the remainder of his make up a hound ? beagle ? foxhound. So he goes into sensory overload when he is out and the selective deafness takes over.
This afternoon he was clearly excited over a scent he could smell and disappeared into the bushes. Imagine my surprise when 3 superb Roe Deer walked out from behind the bushes......but where was Tor ? , he was more interested in a Pheasant which flew up and away leaving a very bemused dog looking skywards.
Regards Eleanor
Monday 27 January 2014
Otter odyssey
Hello
A return to Market Harborough was the order of the day, and our attendance during the late morning coincided with two Otters being located straight-away near to the Sainsbury's supermarket. They were active for some minutes but then disappeared up on to the opposite bank and seemingly went off for a kip!
Some feeding station top-ups took up most of the day and we struggled to see any birds of note. A couple of Woodcock flushed at Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) were fairly predictable.
The gull roost at Pitsford Res was monitored this evening, but no gulls of note were seen. The Great Northern Diver was viewable distantly off The Pines between Moulton Grange Bay and The Holly Tree.
A Barn Owl was still present at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell yesterday afternoon.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A return to Market Harborough was the order of the day, and our attendance during the late morning coincided with two Otters being located straight-away near to the Sainsbury's supermarket. They were active for some minutes but then disappeared up on to the opposite bank and seemingly went off for a kip!
Some feeding station top-ups took up most of the day and we struggled to see any birds of note. A couple of Woodcock flushed at Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) were fairly predictable.
The gull roost at Pitsford Res was monitored this evening, but no gulls of note were seen. The Great Northern Diver was viewable distantly off The Pines between Moulton Grange Bay and The Holly Tree.
A Barn Owl was still present at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell yesterday afternoon.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Saturday 25 January 2014
Pitsford WeBs Count
Hello
This morning and early afternoon was taken up completing the WeBs count at Pitsford Reservoir. This was in mild spring-like weather and the bird song was often quite deafening! Cormorants were ensconced on their nests and the Rooks were patching up their stick nest colony. The Great Crested Grebes were displaying and Little Grebe and Coot were seen carrying weed and sticks.
The water levels are very high and much of the water north of the causeway is brown and these conditions probably caused the complete absence of Shoveler and Pintail. Nevertheless there were plenty of water birds present, the majority having been present since the late autumn.
Two Great White Egrets were still in the Moulton Grange Bay and the Great Northern Diver had been pushed in to the Moulton Grange Bay from the Holly Tree area by the many yachts on the water. Two Smew were present - a drake just off the causeway and a 'redhead' in the Holcot Bay. A single drake Goosander flew in to the Scaldwell Bay and at least five Red-crested Pochard were mostly hidden in the waterside willows in the Walgrave Bay.
Waders included about a hundred mobile Golden Plover, a Green Sandpiper, two Redshank and c78 Snipe. A Peregrine kept them watchful. A Chiffchaff was in bushes near to the causeway and a pair of Willow Tit were a welcome sight in the Scaldwell Bay. Half a dozen flighty redpoll sp were south of the causeway.
A recce at Blueberry Farm this afternoon was brought to a swift conclusion with dramatic and powerful weather hurtling in from the west and south which included very strong gusts, rain, hail and lightning and thunder! We managed two Red Kites and a Woodcock before retreating to the car.
A period of ringing at Stortons Gravel Pits this morning with John Woollett and team resulted in 73 birds being caught, 43 of them being new birds. Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Blackbird and Great Tit were the most common species captured.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
This morning and early afternoon was taken up completing the WeBs count at Pitsford Reservoir. This was in mild spring-like weather and the bird song was often quite deafening! Cormorants were ensconced on their nests and the Rooks were patching up their stick nest colony. The Great Crested Grebes were displaying and Little Grebe and Coot were seen carrying weed and sticks.
The water levels are very high and much of the water north of the causeway is brown and these conditions probably caused the complete absence of Shoveler and Pintail. Nevertheless there were plenty of water birds present, the majority having been present since the late autumn.
Two Great White Egrets were still in the Moulton Grange Bay and the Great Northern Diver had been pushed in to the Moulton Grange Bay from the Holly Tree area by the many yachts on the water. Two Smew were present - a drake just off the causeway and a 'redhead' in the Holcot Bay. A single drake Goosander flew in to the Scaldwell Bay and at least five Red-crested Pochard were mostly hidden in the waterside willows in the Walgrave Bay.
Waders included about a hundred mobile Golden Plover, a Green Sandpiper, two Redshank and c78 Snipe. A Peregrine kept them watchful. A Chiffchaff was in bushes near to the causeway and a pair of Willow Tit were a welcome sight in the Scaldwell Bay. Half a dozen flighty redpoll sp were south of the causeway.
A recce at Blueberry Farm this afternoon was brought to a swift conclusion with dramatic and powerful weather hurtling in from the west and south which included very strong gusts, rain, hail and lightning and thunder! We managed two Red Kites and a Woodcock before retreating to the car.
A period of ringing at Stortons Gravel Pits this morning with John Woollett and team resulted in 73 birds being caught, 43 of them being new birds. Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Blackbird and Great Tit were the most common species captured.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Little Grebe at Pitsford Res
Courtesy of Jacob Spinks
Friday 24 January 2014
Repeats
Hello
Eleanor took a wander around Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon and at risk of sounding repetitive saw a female Peregrine, a Barn Owl and a pair of Stonechat, all these species being consistently present since late autumn. A pair of Raven were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and were in much the same place yesterday.
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 22 January 2014
Kumlien's Gull....maybe!
Hello
Most of today was taken up completing the WeBs count at Ditchford Gravel Pits. The conditions under foot were very, very muddy! Good numbers of birds were present west of Ditchford Lane including hundreds of big gulls moving between the flooded pits and the nearby landfill.
An interesting individual juvenile was located amongst Herring Gulls in the field immediately east of the Viaduct Pit which superficially resembled a Kumlien's Gull. The size and structure was similar to Iceland Gull and the general colouration and patterning was similar to a juvenile Iceland. The primary tips were not white at all but biscuit coloured with the subtle shadowing and were classic Kumlien's. However, we dismissed the bird as a hybrid-type bird as the bill was all dark and possibly a touch long. However subsequent research suggests that juveniles can display all dark bills and plenty of on-line images of birds apparently depicting Kumlien's closely resemble this bird. This bird was rather distant; it is hoped that this bird might be seen again at closer range and that an identification might be clinched.
Kumlien's Gull is generally treated as a race or form of Iceland Gull, but potentially could be a New World inter-grade between Iceland and Thayer's Gull.
Other birds seen west of Ditchford Lane include the drake Scaup on the Watersports Pit, two mobile Great White Egrets, five Little Egrets, two Egyptian Geese, two adult Peregrines and a Green Sandpiper. Other birds present on the overall complex included an apparent influx of ten Chiffchaffs, two Kingfishers, four Grey Wagtails, two drake Smew (Skew Bridge Pit), two Goosanders, a Water Rail and three Cetti's Warblers.
A Brambling was flying around our garden at Hanging Houghton this morning.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Most of today was taken up completing the WeBs count at Ditchford Gravel Pits. The conditions under foot were very, very muddy! Good numbers of birds were present west of Ditchford Lane including hundreds of big gulls moving between the flooded pits and the nearby landfill.
An interesting individual juvenile was located amongst Herring Gulls in the field immediately east of the Viaduct Pit which superficially resembled a Kumlien's Gull. The size and structure was similar to Iceland Gull and the general colouration and patterning was similar to a juvenile Iceland. The primary tips were not white at all but biscuit coloured with the subtle shadowing and were classic Kumlien's. However, we dismissed the bird as a hybrid-type bird as the bill was all dark and possibly a touch long. However subsequent research suggests that juveniles can display all dark bills and plenty of on-line images of birds apparently depicting Kumlien's closely resemble this bird. This bird was rather distant; it is hoped that this bird might be seen again at closer range and that an identification might be clinched.
Kumlien's Gull is generally treated as a race or form of Iceland Gull, but potentially could be a New World inter-grade between Iceland and Thayer's Gull.
Other birds seen west of Ditchford Lane include the drake Scaup on the Watersports Pit, two mobile Great White Egrets, five Little Egrets, two Egyptian Geese, two adult Peregrines and a Green Sandpiper. Other birds present on the overall complex included an apparent influx of ten Chiffchaffs, two Kingfishers, four Grey Wagtails, two drake Smew (Skew Bridge Pit), two Goosanders, a Water Rail and three Cetti's Warblers.
A Brambling was flying around our garden at Hanging Houghton this morning.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Tuesday 21 January 2014
The Lowick Great Grey Shrike
Hello
Yesterday Phil Rogers relocated the Great Grey Shrike that was first seen several days ago near to the village of Lowick off the A6116 between Thrapston and Corby. The bird is generally viewable from the footpath (also a vehicle track with a metal barrier) that starts from the A6116 on the opposite side of the road to the village (grid reference approximately SP978813). It can be tricky to see if it is mobile but Phil has seen in several times by simply being patient and remaining on the footpath and scanning the field hedges and trees.
Walking the footpath from the A6116 towards the blocks of woodland on the hillside, the bird tends to show in hedgerows that cross the fields to the right. The first hedge almost parallels pylons that cross the field, the second hedgerow is a little further up (about SP980815). Please do not enter the fields.
Phil has kindly provided guidance and comments as follows:-
Yesterday Phil Rogers relocated the Great Grey Shrike that was first seen several days ago near to the village of Lowick off the A6116 between Thrapston and Corby. The bird is generally viewable from the footpath (also a vehicle track with a metal barrier) that starts from the A6116 on the opposite side of the road to the village (grid reference approximately SP978813). It can be tricky to see if it is mobile but Phil has seen in several times by simply being patient and remaining on the footpath and scanning the field hedges and trees.
Walking the footpath from the A6116 towards the blocks of woodland on the hillside, the bird tends to show in hedgerows that cross the fields to the right. The first hedge almost parallels pylons that cross the field, the second hedgerow is a little further up (about SP980815). Please do not enter the fields.
Phil has kindly provided guidance and comments as follows:-
'The bird is very mobile and disappears from view for long periods. When it does show, it shows well and can be seen clearly from the footpath. I saw it three times today in two hours at midday.
The best viewing spot today is as follows:-
Walk up the track for approx 200m until you reach a large gap in the right hand hedge just before the overhead power lines. The bird showed on top of the hedge directly in front of the gap and also in the half dead tree along the hedge line. If the bird is in the tree it will be viewable distantly from the barrier at the start of the track. My first sighting today was in the hedge to the far left of the field looking from the gap. This is where I located it on Saturday.
Apparently birders have been walking into the fields to get closer or to try and locate it when it is out of sight. This is not necessary, a bit of patience is all that is required.'
Best of Luck!
Neil M
Best of Luck!
Neil M
Monday 20 January 2014
Monday Musing's
The weather today felt very spring-like, rather than the middle of winter. Blue skies, sunshine, insects buzzing about and splashes of colour thanks to Dandelions, Red Nettle, Groundsel, Aconites and Snowdrops.
We even sat out in the garden to eat our lunch listening to the evocative calls of Red Kite and Common Buzzard and then to the lower base notes of a couple of cronking Ravens.
Prior to this Neil had seen 3 Grey Wagtails and a Water Rail at Brixworth Sewer Works, whilst I had been far more energetic and had ran around the big side of Pitsford Reservoir, where the Great Northern Diver and at least one Great White Egret were seen.
This afternoon a walk around the Blueberry Area produced a female Peregrine Falcon, 2 Red Kites, 2 or 3 Woodcock, a Barn Owl, pair of Stonechat and the rather stunning "white" Buzzard.
Regards Eleanor
We even sat out in the garden to eat our lunch listening to the evocative calls of Red Kite and Common Buzzard and then to the lower base notes of a couple of cronking Ravens.
Prior to this Neil had seen 3 Grey Wagtails and a Water Rail at Brixworth Sewer Works, whilst I had been far more energetic and had ran around the big side of Pitsford Reservoir, where the Great Northern Diver and at least one Great White Egret were seen.
This afternoon a walk around the Blueberry Area produced a female Peregrine Falcon, 2 Red Kites, 2 or 3 Woodcock, a Barn Owl, pair of Stonechat and the rather stunning "white" Buzzard.
Regards Eleanor
Sunday 19 January 2014
Wildlife showcase
Hello
Neil Hasdell had another go at watching the Otters at Market Harborough today. It seems that the animals weren't seen at all in the morning, but two finally appeared at about 1.30pm and were viewable on and off for the rest of the afternoon. This time they were mostly downstream from the Sainsbury's car park and went a long way past the railway station. A Kingfisher showed several times and a Grey Wagtail was also in residence.
At Blueberry Farm this morning there were four Red Kites, two Ravens, a Barn Owl, a pair of Grey Partridge and the pair of Stonechat still. A few Siskins were noted at Hanging Houghton and half a dozen Bramblings were present at Harrington Airfield plus a couple of Red Kites and a mobile flock of a hundred or so Golden Plovers.
An hour or so looking for the Great Grey Shrike at Lowick this afternoon proved to be a failure despite pleasant viewing conditions.
The Bird Ringing Demonstration at Barnwell Country Park today was well attended and it was good to see many children and young people enjoying seeing wild birds close up. This event was a joint effort between the Northants County Council Country Park Rangers, the RSPB and Northants Ringing Group volunteers aimed at inspiring people of all ages to appreciate wildlife and take part in wildlife recording initiatives. Only four static nets were erected but it was sufficient to catch over two hundred small birds. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Blue Tit was the most common bird with plenty of Great Tits and smaller numbers of Coal Tits and Long-tailed Tits plus a couple of Marsh Tits. Chaffinches and Goldfinches were well-represented together with a single Siskin. The Great Spotted Woodpecker and three Treecreepers were much admired and of course the common favourites of Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird and Reed Bunting look different again in the hand.
Other birds seen or heard included at least one Egyptian Goose heard calling from fields the other side of the river, a couple of Kingfishers, two singing Cetti's Warblers and a reasonable-sized flock of Siskins.
Regards
Neil and Eleanor
Neil Hasdell had another go at watching the Otters at Market Harborough today. It seems that the animals weren't seen at all in the morning, but two finally appeared at about 1.30pm and were viewable on and off for the rest of the afternoon. This time they were mostly downstream from the Sainsbury's car park and went a long way past the railway station. A Kingfisher showed several times and a Grey Wagtail was also in residence.
At Blueberry Farm this morning there were four Red Kites, two Ravens, a Barn Owl, a pair of Grey Partridge and the pair of Stonechat still. A few Siskins were noted at Hanging Houghton and half a dozen Bramblings were present at Harrington Airfield plus a couple of Red Kites and a mobile flock of a hundred or so Golden Plovers.
An hour or so looking for the Great Grey Shrike at Lowick this afternoon proved to be a failure despite pleasant viewing conditions.
The Bird Ringing Demonstration at Barnwell Country Park today was well attended and it was good to see many children and young people enjoying seeing wild birds close up. This event was a joint effort between the Northants County Council Country Park Rangers, the RSPB and Northants Ringing Group volunteers aimed at inspiring people of all ages to appreciate wildlife and take part in wildlife recording initiatives. Only four static nets were erected but it was sufficient to catch over two hundred small birds. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Blue Tit was the most common bird with plenty of Great Tits and smaller numbers of Coal Tits and Long-tailed Tits plus a couple of Marsh Tits. Chaffinches and Goldfinches were well-represented together with a single Siskin. The Great Spotted Woodpecker and three Treecreepers were much admired and of course the common favourites of Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird and Reed Bunting look different again in the hand.
Other birds seen or heard included at least one Egyptian Goose heard calling from fields the other side of the river, a couple of Kingfishers, two singing Cetti's Warblers and a reasonable-sized flock of Siskins.
Regards
Neil and Eleanor
Saturday 18 January 2014
Otterly fantastic!
Hello
This morning Neil Hasdell and I ventured to Market Harborough in an effort to see the otters. Two animals were very showy, mostly up-river in Welland Park and it was possible to be within ten feet of them as they played and fished, gradually moving against the current. Some images are below. A Kingfisher was fishing the river.
Eleanor ventured in to Brixworth Country Park at lunch-time and saw half a dozen each of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin and two Grey Wagtails as well as large numbers of Redwings. The Great Northern Diver was viewable distantly on the adjacent Pitsford Reservoir, again by the Holly Tree.
This afternoon a male Peregrine and two Grey Wagtails were around Brixworth Sewer Works.
Regards
Neil M
This morning Neil Hasdell and I ventured to Market Harborough in an effort to see the otters. Two animals were very showy, mostly up-river in Welland Park and it was possible to be within ten feet of them as they played and fished, gradually moving against the current. Some images are below. A Kingfisher was fishing the river.
Eleanor ventured in to Brixworth Country Park at lunch-time and saw half a dozen each of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin and two Grey Wagtails as well as large numbers of Redwings. The Great Northern Diver was viewable distantly on the adjacent Pitsford Reservoir, again by the Holly Tree.
This afternoon a male Peregrine and two Grey Wagtails were around Brixworth Sewer Works.
Regards
Neil M
Otters at Market Harborough
courtesy of Neil Hasdell. They
mostly ignored the people and dogs
watching over them from the
riverside paths!
Friday 17 January 2014
It's all happening!
Hello
Yesterday afternoon (Thursday) saw Eleanor hiking around Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and she was able to confirm the continuing presence of the pair of wintering Stonechat (in the southern-most field) and a Barn Owl.
Today local birder Dave Jackson watched and photographed a Lesser Whitethroat coming to a garden feeder in his Kingsthorpe garden. This is a species we consider as a summer migrant to the UK, and any individual that pops up at this time of the year will always attract considerable interest as there is a reasonable likelihood that it might be an eastern race bird. Images of this bird are below and I think we have to be grateful that it pitched up in the garden of such a good photographer!
It seems that the Otters at Market Harborough are continuing to perform with further sightings for yesterday and today!
A female Peregrine was present at Harrington Airfield today, but the site is currently busy with trucks using the concrete track entrance and the finch/bunting flock is being disturbed. A few Brambling were present but feeding them is proving difficult with vehicles moving through the feeding area.
Three of us conducted some bird ringing at Kelmarsh Hall today and we were fortunate to catch 90 small birds, the close quarter highlights being two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, two Nuthatches, a Marsh Tit, seventeen Goldfinches and a smart male Lesser Redpoll. At least one Siskin was present but not captured.
Finally a reminder that this Sunday there will be a Bird Ringing demonstration at Barnwell Country Park near Oundle (details below)!
Regards
Neil M
Yesterday afternoon (Thursday) saw Eleanor hiking around Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and she was able to confirm the continuing presence of the pair of wintering Stonechat (in the southern-most field) and a Barn Owl.
Today local birder Dave Jackson watched and photographed a Lesser Whitethroat coming to a garden feeder in his Kingsthorpe garden. This is a species we consider as a summer migrant to the UK, and any individual that pops up at this time of the year will always attract considerable interest as there is a reasonable likelihood that it might be an eastern race bird. Images of this bird are below and I think we have to be grateful that it pitched up in the garden of such a good photographer!
It seems that the Otters at Market Harborough are continuing to perform with further sightings for yesterday and today!
A female Peregrine was present at Harrington Airfield today, but the site is currently busy with trucks using the concrete track entrance and the finch/bunting flock is being disturbed. A few Brambling were present but feeding them is proving difficult with vehicles moving through the feeding area.
Three of us conducted some bird ringing at Kelmarsh Hall today and we were fortunate to catch 90 small birds, the close quarter highlights being two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, two Nuthatches, a Marsh Tit, seventeen Goldfinches and a smart male Lesser Redpoll. At least one Siskin was present but not captured.
Finally a reminder that this Sunday there will be a Bird Ringing demonstration at Barnwell Country Park near Oundle (details below)!
Regards
Neil M
Lesser Whitethroat
Northampton courtesy
of Dave Jackson
Thursday 16 January 2014
Otters again!
Hello
Pat and Geof Douglas popped over to Market Harborough today and saw a couple of otters after waiting about 90 minutes - the images below illustrate what they were up to (the otters that is)!
Neil M
Pat and Geof Douglas popped over to Market Harborough today and saw a couple of otters after waiting about 90 minutes - the images below illustrate what they were up to (the otters that is)!
Neil M
Otters at Market Harborough
Courtesy of Pat and Geof Douglas.
Wednesday 15 January 2014
Otters at Market Harborough
Hello
A visit to Market Harborough today in an effort to see the otters was interesting. Plenty of Northants birders about and the otters were present but somehow we managed to miss them (the otters that is)!
It seems that they are seen daily by the town-folk going about their usual business and we spoke to many who regularly saw these animals. Up to four animals were on show yesterday but they can move up and down the river very rapidly. Dave Thomas managed over two hundred images yesterday and reported that they were fishing, playing etc very close to the Northampton Road bridge.
Two animals were seen on an off this morning up until just short of 12 noon, but I don't think there were any sightings between then and 2pm. They are seen anywhere along the stretch of the river between Welland Park and the train station, with the most regular sightings between the Co-op and Sainsburys. This bias is perhaps because this is the busiest section with people so hence more sightings. Fortunately there are tarmac paths alongside the river and many foot bridges so the viewing opportunities are ideal.
I think we were unlucky today and I think if you are prepared to spend a couple of hours there in the morning I think you would stand a good chance of seeing them. A Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail were perhaps the most interesting birds seen there today.
Best of Luck!
Neil M
A visit to Market Harborough today in an effort to see the otters was interesting. Plenty of Northants birders about and the otters were present but somehow we managed to miss them (the otters that is)!
It seems that they are seen daily by the town-folk going about their usual business and we spoke to many who regularly saw these animals. Up to four animals were on show yesterday but they can move up and down the river very rapidly. Dave Thomas managed over two hundred images yesterday and reported that they were fishing, playing etc very close to the Northampton Road bridge.
Two animals were seen on an off this morning up until just short of 12 noon, but I don't think there were any sightings between then and 2pm. They are seen anywhere along the stretch of the river between Welland Park and the train station, with the most regular sightings between the Co-op and Sainsburys. This bias is perhaps because this is the busiest section with people so hence more sightings. Fortunately there are tarmac paths alongside the river and many foot bridges so the viewing opportunities are ideal.
I think we were unlucky today and I think if you are prepared to spend a couple of hours there in the morning I think you would stand a good chance of seeing them. A Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail were perhaps the most interesting birds seen there today.
Best of Luck!
Neil M
Images courtesy of
Dave Thomas
Tuesday 14 January 2014
Winter birds in situ
Hello
Dave Francis committed to some more bird ringing at Pitsford Res today, catching and processing 66 birds. Six Moorhens were amongst this total as were small numbers of Greenfinches, Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers. Eleanor saw the Great Northern Diver early afternoon, viewed distantly from the dam.
Birds feeding at Harrington Airfield by the concrete track entrance included 12+ Bramblings, and two Ravens and two or three Red Kites were present with a couple each of redpoll sp and Siskin flying over.
Blueberry Farm only conjured up a Barn Owl and a couple more Red Kite.
Regards
Neil M
Dave Francis committed to some more bird ringing at Pitsford Res today, catching and processing 66 birds. Six Moorhens were amongst this total as were small numbers of Greenfinches, Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers. Eleanor saw the Great Northern Diver early afternoon, viewed distantly from the dam.
Birds feeding at Harrington Airfield by the concrete track entrance included 12+ Bramblings, and two Ravens and two or three Red Kites were present with a couple each of redpoll sp and Siskin flying over.
Blueberry Farm only conjured up a Barn Owl and a couple more Red Kite.
Regards
Neil M
Otters!
Hello
This morning local naturalist Diane Freeman enjoyed excellent views of two Otters on the River Welland at Market Harborough which is just over the county boundary in Leicestershire. Last winter there were regular sightings of Otters utilising the river here and it seems that there have been regular reports this winter too (as reported recently in the Harborough Mail).
Today two animals spent about an hour in the area under and around the bridge that carries the Northampton Road (A508) over the river, and one caught and ate a fish in full view of observers. Both animals then swam along the river and headed off towards the back of Sainsburys. At least one Kingfisher was fishing the river too.
Although Otters are believed to be relatively widespread these days, locally they are still very difficult to see and appreciate. I know that Diane was delighted with her observations today and this location appears to represent the best opportunity locally to see these normally shy and retiring creatures.
Regards
N & E
This morning local naturalist Diane Freeman enjoyed excellent views of two Otters on the River Welland at Market Harborough which is just over the county boundary in Leicestershire. Last winter there were regular sightings of Otters utilising the river here and it seems that there have been regular reports this winter too (as reported recently in the Harborough Mail).
Today two animals spent about an hour in the area under and around the bridge that carries the Northampton Road (A508) over the river, and one caught and ate a fish in full view of observers. Both animals then swam along the river and headed off towards the back of Sainsburys. At least one Kingfisher was fishing the river too.
Although Otters are believed to be relatively widespread these days, locally they are still very difficult to see and appreciate. I know that Diane was delighted with her observations today and this location appears to represent the best opportunity locally to see these normally shy and retiring creatures.
Regards
N & E
Monday 13 January 2014
Welland Valley and back
Hello
We meandered towards the north of the county today, taking advantage of more winter sunshine before the next wet front. Despite our efforts it was a quiet day with little out of the ordinary.
The first birding session was around East Carlton at the south end of the Welland Valley and we strolled around the rough area off Wire Lane and also the country park. Good numbers of common birds were present in this area, particularly thrushes and woodland birds. A dozen Siskins fed in the alders with half a dozen Lesser Redpolls by the ponds in the country park.
It seems that much of the flooding in the Welland Valley had subsided but there were good numbers of Lapwings and Common Gulls and Fieldfares on the wet fields. Near to Gretton they were joined by about five hundred Golden Plover. A little further north near Harringworth, a pair of Shelduck added to the mix.
Wakerley Wood and adjacent areas remained stubbornly quiet for birds, the best being a pair of Raven and two Woodcock and half a dozen Siskins.
Next was Blatherwycke Lake where a first for me was watching a Hare swim the width of the lake, and fast too! Birds of interest included a 'redhead' Goosander, a Barnacle Goose, eleven Mandarin Ducks and singles of Siskin and Brambling.
Fermyn Wood Country Park was our last venue but despite plenty of scanning and walking around the site, we couldn't find anything of note.
Regards
Neil M
We meandered towards the north of the county today, taking advantage of more winter sunshine before the next wet front. Despite our efforts it was a quiet day with little out of the ordinary.
The first birding session was around East Carlton at the south end of the Welland Valley and we strolled around the rough area off Wire Lane and also the country park. Good numbers of common birds were present in this area, particularly thrushes and woodland birds. A dozen Siskins fed in the alders with half a dozen Lesser Redpolls by the ponds in the country park.
It seems that much of the flooding in the Welland Valley had subsided but there were good numbers of Lapwings and Common Gulls and Fieldfares on the wet fields. Near to Gretton they were joined by about five hundred Golden Plover. A little further north near Harringworth, a pair of Shelduck added to the mix.
Wakerley Wood and adjacent areas remained stubbornly quiet for birds, the best being a pair of Raven and two Woodcock and half a dozen Siskins.
Next was Blatherwycke Lake where a first for me was watching a Hare swim the width of the lake, and fast too! Birds of interest included a 'redhead' Goosander, a Barnacle Goose, eleven Mandarin Ducks and singles of Siskin and Brambling.
Fermyn Wood Country Park was our last venue but despite plenty of scanning and walking around the site, we couldn't find anything of note.
Regards
Neil M
Welland Valley
from Cottingham Hill
Goldcrest - which had
just consumed a long-legged
insect!
Sunday 12 January 2014
Winter delights
Hello
This morning a guided walk at The Wildlife Trust's new Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve coincided with some pleasant winter sunshine. The water levels remain high on-site and the flooding attracted geese and gulls. A vocal Chiffchaff was probably the scarcest bird seen and a couple of calling Cetti's Warblers remained hidden. A Treecreeper delighted the group as it crept around hedgerow hawthorn and ash and a calling Water Rail preferred the cover of some reeds rather than showing itself!
The gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon attracted a stunning adult hybrid gull which appeared to be a Yellow-legged x Lesser Black-backed, and also a near-adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Local birder Martin Dove found a dead Coal Tit at Pitsford Res yesterday bearing a ring. Records indicate that this bird was first ringed at Pitsford on 21st June 2009 when it was aged as a juvenile (hatched that year). It was re-trapped again at Pitsford on 5th October 2009, 7th October 2012 and finally on 26th May 2013. Four and a half years is long-lived for a Coal Tit and it would be easy to speculate that this bird lived its whole life associated with habitat around the reservoir.
John Woollett and his company of ringers at Stortons Gravel Pits this morning caught some eighty birds which included a re-trap Water Rail and a male Bearded Tit first ringed at Stortons late last year, suggesting that the pair have been present throughout.
Regards
N & E
This morning a guided walk at The Wildlife Trust's new Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve coincided with some pleasant winter sunshine. The water levels remain high on-site and the flooding attracted geese and gulls. A vocal Chiffchaff was probably the scarcest bird seen and a couple of calling Cetti's Warblers remained hidden. A Treecreeper delighted the group as it crept around hedgerow hawthorn and ash and a calling Water Rail preferred the cover of some reeds rather than showing itself!
The gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon attracted a stunning adult hybrid gull which appeared to be a Yellow-legged x Lesser Black-backed, and also a near-adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Local birder Martin Dove found a dead Coal Tit at Pitsford Res yesterday bearing a ring. Records indicate that this bird was first ringed at Pitsford on 21st June 2009 when it was aged as a juvenile (hatched that year). It was re-trapped again at Pitsford on 5th October 2009, 7th October 2012 and finally on 26th May 2013. Four and a half years is long-lived for a Coal Tit and it would be easy to speculate that this bird lived its whole life associated with habitat around the reservoir.
John Woollett and his company of ringers at Stortons Gravel Pits this morning caught some eighty birds which included a re-trap Water Rail and a male Bearded Tit first ringed at Stortons late last year, suggesting that the pair have been present throughout.
Regards
N & E
Water Rail
Bearded Tit. Images
courtesy of Chris Payne
Saturday 11 January 2014
Waterlogged!
Hello
Some feed station maintenance was required today on the Kelmarsh Estate and in very boggy conditions we took the opportunity to wander the woodlands at Kelmarsh Hall, Sunderland Wood and Scotland Wood. Despite the mild conditions the birds are conditioned to consume the food stuffs within three or four days! Despite the wet conditions today's winter sunshine infiltrated the woodlands and the cool and fesh air meant it was a pleasure to be out and about.
Nothing out of the ordinary was seen in Sunderland Wood, Kelmarsh Hall sported a couple of Siskins and Scotland Wood hosted 4 Woodcock and half a dozen Siskins.
Eleven Bramblings were watched feeding with Yellowhammers and others on the concrete track entrance at Harrington Airfield this morning.
This afternoon we wandered around a squelchy Blueberry Farm which provided views of 1-2 Barn Owl(s) and a couple of Ravens.
Regards
N & E
Some feed station maintenance was required today on the Kelmarsh Estate and in very boggy conditions we took the opportunity to wander the woodlands at Kelmarsh Hall, Sunderland Wood and Scotland Wood. Despite the mild conditions the birds are conditioned to consume the food stuffs within three or four days! Despite the wet conditions today's winter sunshine infiltrated the woodlands and the cool and fesh air meant it was a pleasure to be out and about.
Nothing out of the ordinary was seen in Sunderland Wood, Kelmarsh Hall sported a couple of Siskins and Scotland Wood hosted 4 Woodcock and half a dozen Siskins.
Eleven Bramblings were watched feeding with Yellowhammers and others on the concrete track entrance at Harrington Airfield this morning.
This afternoon we wandered around a squelchy Blueberry Farm which provided views of 1-2 Barn Owl(s) and a couple of Ravens.
Regards
N & E
Ringing Demonstration
On Sunday 19th January 2014 an event at Barnwell Country Park near Oundle is planned to prepare for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Part of the event will include a bird ringing demonstration which will provide an opportunity to see common birds close-up. Members of the Northants Ringing Group will be on hand to catch and ring wild birds (weather permitting). Please come along if you would like an opportunity of learning more about birds and seeing the plumage and identification features at close range.
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