Winter storm birding

Hello

This morning was taken up squelching through a variety of sites topping up the feeders at our wild bird feed stations.  The lengthy and very powerful storms of last night have caused a great deal of tree damage locally, many of the toppled trees hanging against others.

Late morning saw seven Bramblings feeding on the seed at Harrington Airfield and a Red Kite sauntering over nearby fields.

This afternoon a large flock of c100 Yellowhammers were feeding in a field near Pitsford Res, and it was great to see them feeding with good numbers of Skylarks, Linnets and other birds - just as we used to see it thirty years ago!

At Pitsford Res the resilience of the breeding Cormorants continues to be tested, the south-west gales blowing straight in to their tree colony.  However fifteen nests were still occupied this afternoon - they are obviously as tough as they look.  They certainly coped better than one of the observation hides which lost it's roof wholesale!

Despite spending the rest of the day at Pitsford Res I struggled to find much of note.  Five Goosanders flew in to the Scaldwell Bay but scanning in the vicinity of the dam and subsequent gull roost provided nothing new.

Eleanor witnessed a Great White Egret and a Little Egret flying over the main causeway in a southerly direction at about 4.30pm and Neil H notched up two Little Egrets and the Bar-headed Goose south of the causeway this morning.

Regards

Neil M

 

Little Grebe

Pitsford Res

 

Mute Swan

Pitsford Res

 

Not taken today, but a deserved

splash of colour and contrast courtesy

 of Jan Devito with her image of a

Marbled White butterfly at

High Wood from a couple of

years ago.

Rain birds!

Hello

Plenty of wind and rain again today, just for a change!

Three Bramblings were visible at Harrington Airfield at lunch-time and c60 Golden Plovers were seen in flight there.

At Pitsford Res, a Red Kite was just west of the Walgrave Bay this morning and this afternoon the Great Northern Diver was fishing at the mouth of the Yacht Bay and an adult Mediterranean Gull appeared amongst the gulls coming in to roost.

Regards

Neil M

 

Pied Wagtail

Pitsford Res

Pitsford Reservoir Wildlife and Habitat update

Hello

A Pitsford Reservoir Team Meeting was chaired by the wardens Sarah and Mischa this evening, providing an opportunity of learning the results of some of the recent wildlife monitoring and habitat management processes.  Some points are summarised below:-

• Quite significant tree damage has occurred on the reserve due to the winter storms, with several of the mature poplars in the Scaldwell Bay having collapsed;
• Another sixty or so trees around the reserve will require remedial work for safety reasons;
• Following an innovative design and airing at the recent BTO Conference by Dave Francis, further Treecreeper nest boxes will be erected and adopted as part of a national survey;
• In excess of 22,000 individual moths were captured and released in the nightly moth traps during 2013.  This included 288 different species which is above the average for the site and included five new species for Pitsford;
• On-going long-term algae survey work by Chris Carter continues to locate interesting blooms in a variety of habitats associated with open water, ponds and back-waters, and Frances Hicks has collated all the records of local Bryophytes associated with the reserve, this programme commencing in the early 1990s;
• The monitoring of insects and similar small creatures has identified 13 species of Harvestmen, 49 species of Caddis Fly and 10 species of ant utilising the reserve;
• A Grass Snake survey using strategically placed reptile refuges will continue, mostly in the Holcot Bay, and has produced reasonable numbers of individuals habitually using these warm-up shelters;
• Breeding Bird Surveys have been conducted consistently since 1994 and this project is now providing medium-term data trends and an opportunity for meaningful analysis.

Much of this monitoring has been carried out by volunteers working on the reserve, with their endeavours being documented in the Annual Report.  To the future this report will concentrate on the specific activities of the previous year and master lists of species recorded etc will be maintained by the full-time wardens.  It is hoped that the Annual Report for 2013 will be published in May this year.

Regards

Neil M

Harrington update

Hello

Eleanor spent a couple of hours wandering at Harrington Airfield this morning and at least 14 Bramblings were on the feed at the concrete entrance off the Draughton Road.  A couple of Tree Sparrows have joined the throng during the last few days.  Other birds noted at Harrington Airfield included a pair of Grey Partridge, two Red Kites, two Ravens and a female Peregrine.

Regards

Neil M

Gale force birding

Hello

In interesting weather conditions today, joint birding and wild bird feeding station maintenance was accompanied with sunshine, rain (plenty of it), hail, sleet and violent gales!  Despite these conditions, no storm-driven birds could be located at Pitsford Res.

A walk around Sywell Country Park with the precipitation coming violently horizontal was interesting, the only birds of note being a pair of Smew (about noon).  Still the dogs enjoyed the outing and they virtually had the whole place to themselves!

A few Siskin were noted at Hanging Houghton and Kelmarsh Hall and a Grey Wagtail was accompanied by a few Meadow Pipits in water-logged fields near Brixworth Sewer Works.

This morning there was a pair of Raven in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Grey Wagtail was at Draughton Pond, which continues to host good numbers of wildfowl particularly Wigeon and Teal.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Bird Ringing Demonstration

Hello

Some advance notice that on Sunday 23rd February there is a planned wild bird ringing demonstration at Stanwick Lakes, which is part of the Stanwick Gravel Pits complex off the A45 between Higham Ferrers and Thrapston.  This event is weather-dependent and with luck the constant strong winds and rain will have subsided by then!

The event is a team effort between the rangers on-site and members of the Northants Ringing Group, and on the day we will be led by Ian Wrisdale who is also the leader of the very active Mid-Nene RSPB group.

It is anticipated that most of the birds will be common birds of the Northants countryside, with a blend of species more akin to aquatic habitats.  More details will follow as we progress nearer the day and everyone is invited to attend and to witness exactly what bird ringing is about, what it hopes to achieve and also observe our feathered friends up close and personal.

Regards

Neil M

Stortons Ringing

Hello

I wasn't the only one out ringing today.  With the comparative lull in the weather before the next onslaught, John Woollett and team undertook a ringing session at Stortons Gravel Pits today.

Eighty-three birds were caught including many new arrivals.  Species included Great Spotted Woodpecker and lots of Reed Buntings, Goldfinches and Greenfinches and a good selection of other common birds.  Much of the influx of new birds was made up of Reed Buntings; the ringing team here have come to expect this at about this time.  A Chiffchaff was noted on-site.

Regards

Neil M

The calm before yet another storm...

Hello

Another period of ringing was undertaken at Sunderland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate today.  Sixty birds of 12 species were caught and assessed in pleasant spring-like conditions.  These included iconic woodland species such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Marsh Tit.

At least two Bramblings were with other birds on the seed at Harrington Airfield this afternoon and the Great Northern Diver at Pitsford Res was fishing in the mouth of the Yacht Bay late this afternoon.

Eleanor and Neil

Bramblings

Hello

Little opportunity of birding today but I enjoyed some decent fresh air whilst servicing five of our wild bird feeding stations this morning.

I spent several minutes watching the broadcast seed at Harrington Airfield and it didn't take long for the myriad of colours to start blending as gorgeous male Yellowhammers fed alongside the pinks of male Chaffinches, greens of male Greenfinches and blacks and browns of the male and female Blackbirds.  More sombre colours were provided by Dunnocks, Reed Buntings and Pied Wagtails but of course the centre-stage birds were twelve Bramblings with that unique and stunning vivid orange, most striking in the males.

Regards

Neil M

Gale force birds!

Hello

An excursion to Blueberry Farm near Maidwell this afternoon provided views of birds moving fast in the very strong wind and included a pair of Raven, a Red Kite and the regular female Peregrine.

At Pitsford Res this afternoon the Great Northern Diver was seen in flight and splashing down in to the waves in the main basin and later seen fishing towards the mouth of the Pintail Bay.  An adult Mediterranean Gull was present in the gull roost off the yacht club.

Regards

E & N

 

Common Gull

 

Cormorants in breeding

plumage

Pitsford update

Hello

A meander around the reservoir at Pitsford this morning produced some birds of interest.  The Great Northern Diver was seen in flight and it splashed down near to the dam.  A Great White Egret was mostly concealed in willow bushes in the Moulton Grange Bay as were three Goosander and three Little Egrets.  Gary Burrows saw the drake Scaup but we couldn't find it and I assume it had found a nice bay to shelter from the increasingly strong gale!

A female Merlin was seen a couple of times, a Jack Snipe, a fourth Little Egret and six Smew were all south of the causeway (a pair near the Holly Tree and four concealed under willows in the Catwalk Bay).  Another two Smew were in the Holcot Bay, making a total of eight birds present today.  A pair of Red-crested Pochard were visible in the Walgrave Bay and the Bar-headed Goose was reported.  A couple of Grey Wagtails and wind-blown redpoll sp were south of the causeway.

Elsewhere, a Brambling and a Red Kite were noted at Hanging Houghton and there were two Bramblings on the seed at Harrington Airfield, albeit that the feeding area was somewhat wind-blasted!

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Siskins and tits

Hello

Yesterday (Thursday), and a walk around Sywell Country Park provided a flock of c50 Siskins, but nothing else of note.

Today (Friday) and about c6 Siskins were around the village here at Hanging Houghton.  At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon, the birds included 2 Red Kites, 2 Ravens and a female Peregrine.

A ringing session at Sunderland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate this afternoon provided a capture of 63 birds, 48 of which were new.  One of the first Blue Tits processed was a bird first ringed at Hanging Houghton in September last year.   Blue Tits and Great Tits made up the bulk of the captured birds, the vast majority of these tits being birds hatched just last year. 

Other birds caught and ringed included 3 Coal Tits, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Treecreepers, a Bullfinch and a couple of Chaffinches.  A couple of Sparrowhawks were racing around the wood and other sightings included a Siskin and 2 Woodcock.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Moulton Grange Bay

Hello

Scanning the Moulton Grange Bay at Pitsford Res this morning confirmed the continuing present of one Great White Egret.  Other birds included two Little Egrets and a drake Goosander.  The gull roost off the yacht club later in the day was unremarkable.  In a windy and difficult day for birding, the only other bird of note was a Grey Wagtail at Brixworth Sewer Works.

Regards

Neil M

Northants Bird Club presentation tonight on Bhutan

Hello

A reminder to Northants Bird Club members and an invitation to non-club members to attend the illustrated talk tonight on the Birds of Bhutan.  This will be a presentation delivered by our own Jeff Blincow who is a well-known and seasoned presenter as well as an excellent all-round naturalist talking about his recent visit to the poorly-known country of Bhutan.  The more obscure Asian countries probably retain more of the natural fauna and flora than the adjacent high-population countries and I know that Jeff will have tried his very best to photograph most of it!  Anyone who knows Jeff's photographic skills will know we are in for a treat!

The venue is the Moulton Village Hall off Pound Lane, Moulton on the southern outskirts of Northampton.  We gather from 7.30pm with a view to starting at 7.45pm.  Non-members may be asked to provide a small contribution for attendance.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Neil M

Bits and Bobs

Today it was a case of snatching birding moments when I could.

Firstly whilst playing football in the field behind the house with the dogs there were 2 cronking Ravens and 4 Redpolls over . Whilst drinking coffee in the garden afterwards to recover I could hear the evocative calls of a couple of Red Kites and mewing call of the Common Buzzards as they had woken up and were clearly making the most of the bright and breezy weather.

I went for a run and again heard Ravens, probably the same two birds and a Grey Wagtail.

I then made a brief visit to Pitsford Reservoir to top up the feeders.  As I walked along to the main feeding station I noticed that the water appeared empty of birds. Why?  I then met a very unhappy birder who had his first ever visit to Pitsford ruined by the presence of 3 boats and 3 + men from DEFRA who were attempting to shoot the two remaining Ruddy Ducks which have been frequenting the Scaldwell Arm.  Of course this had severely disrupted and unnerved all the wildfowl.  I think this whole issue and handling raises so many questions, and it is actually quite a distressing sight to witness.

This afternoon I took Bazra and Tor on a good walk around Blueberry Farm where there were plenty of Common Buzzards,  including the stunning white individual, 4 Red Kites, a Barn Owl, a Grey Wagtail and a female Peregrine, the raptors finding the sun and wind to their liking and clearly enjoying themselves.

Regards

Eleanor

A dry day in Northants

Hello

A Red Kite was worming at Harrington Airfield this morning and the usual woodland birds were very vocal in the woods on the Kelmarsh Estate.

This afternoon and a visit to Pitsford Res provided views of the Great Northern Diver, a drake Scaup and two 'redhead' Smew north of the dam in the vicinity of The Holly Tree . North of the causeway, birds in the Walgrave Bay included a Woodcock, a Chiffchaff and three Siskins.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Finches galore

Hello

A ringing session at Stortons Gravel Pits this morning provided an opportunity to catch about fifty birds.  The highlights included a Water Rail, two Moorhens, and plenty of Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Reed Buntings.  Two Reed Buntings were controls from elsewhere.

I was one of a small crew that ventured down to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire today where the weather was not quite as good as the bright and sunny conditions here in Northamptonshire!
Nevertheless we enjoyed a great day of quality woodland birding with the finch family taking centre stage.

Various sections of the forest were visited which included the viewpoint at New Fancy View and the woodland outskirts of the villages of Parkend and Brierley.

Exceptionally we saw large numbers of Hawfinches, probably in excess of forty birds which included flocks of 17 and 21.  A large mixed finch flock included many Bramblings, although they remained elusive amongst the leaf litter and beech plantations.  Crossbills were on show at almost every venue and the star birds of the day for many were about six Two-barred Crossbills in amongst one flock of Common Crossbills.  The Two-barreds emitted three different calls which included the superb nasal bugle calls.

A Dipper looked a little bizarre as it swam and fed in a shallow pond and the forest Goshawks showed very well with up to five individuals which included perched adult females and displaying males.  If only we could replicate these sightings in our own county!

Regards

Neil M

 

Water Rail at

Stortons GP by

Chris Payne

 

Male Two-barred Crossbill

 

Male Two-barred Crossbill

and nearby male Common Crossbill.

From rain to wind

Hello

Today was good inasmuch that there wasn't any sustained rain and hopefully everyone saw some sunshine, even if it was a strong, cold wind.

Brixworth Sewer Works again hosted up to three Grey Wagtails this morning, and also provided cover for a Snipe and Water Rail with a redpoll sp over.

The Great Northern Diver was seen at Pitsford Res, riding the choppy brown water near to Yacht Bay (about noon).

Four Bramblings were found along the Brampton Valley Way just north of Lamport Station and another eight were at Harrington Airfield, which also hosted a pair of Grey Partridge.

A good hike around Blueberry Farm was just that - the strong wind ensured that all the birds were keeping their heads down!

A quick visit to Market Harborough this afternoon failed to locate the Otters; the very brown River Welland was swollen but still attracted Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail and I'm sure the Otters weren't far away!

Regards

Neil M