Extremely quiet weekend

It has been an extremely quiet weekend with only a handful of birds being reported.  The "star bird" was undoubtedly a White Stork which was seen and photographed by a lucky observer as it circled above the A605 at the Titchmarsh/Thrapston junction at about 15.00hrs yesterday. 

There have been a couple of recent ringing sessions.  At Stortons GP (28th) John Boland and team processed 45 birds of which 34 were new and 11 retraps of 17 species. As expected quite a few species of Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common and Lesser Whitethroat and Reed, Sedge, Cettis and Garden Warbler.                                                Yesterday Kenny Cramer and gang were back at Linford Reserve where 115 birds were processed, of which 88 were newly ringed. 31 Blue Tits and 15 Great Tits were caught but no Long Tailed Tits.  Warblers were represented by 9 Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap,  4 Sedge Warbler,  3 Garden Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat,  Chiffchaff and Cettis Warbler.   2 Cuckoo's hit the net, one new bird and the other was one of the individuals ringed earlier in the week.  The larger birds were represented by a pair of adult Jackdaws and a rather hefty Wood Pigeon. 

I have seen very little myself due to being out of county with Jaeger and Rouzel who were competing.  We had a very successful weekend.  So my birding has been confined to early morning and late evening.  I have come across two different families of young Tawny Owls that have been placed in the trees by the adults so it looks as if they are having a better year. Fingers crossed that the Barn Owls have a better year too.

Images Kenny Cramer 

Sorry, couldn't resist,  Jaeger and Rouzel with all their placings 

Regards Eleanor 

Bye bye Savi's and hello Shrike!!

It would seem that the Savi's Warbler has moved on, nice whilst it lasted.  Just when we thought that things were going quiet again another great find of a Red Backed Shrike south of the railway line at Summer Leys was discovered early this morning by Laurence Kidd. Sadly, despite much searching this bird couldn't be relocated 

I had a frustrating time this morning as I found a Quail calling between Shrike hedge and Gamboro plantation(between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke). Bad timing as the Foxhounds on their daily exercise came through the area and I never heard it again. The only other thing of note for me today is the continued presence of huge numbers of Painted Ladies.                                                  Very little reported today, 2 Little Gulls, Avocets and Bittern at Summer Leys and an Osprey at Hollowell Reservoir.   Yesterday there were a couple of Nightingales at Glapthorn Cow Pastures plus Black Hairstreak. 

Earlier in the week Kenny Cramer held a ringing session at Linford Reserve (Milton Keynes). As expected a good selection of Warblers.  It was estimated that 5 Cuckoo's were present,  2 new males were ringed and a further two birds were in the net briefly before jumping out  !!!. A few interesting retraps, a Reed Warbler ringed elsewhere in the UK,  a 6 year old Blue Tit ringed back in 2020 and has been recaptured a staggering 15 times, and a  5 year old Great Spotted Woodpecker ringed as a youngster in 2021 and recaptured 3 times.                                                                           A Magpie was a relatively unusual bird to catch from a ringing perspective but star bird of the day was awarded to an adult Stock Dove. These birds are rarely found in a mist net because as cavity nesting birds most individuals are ringed as chicks in nest boxes intended for owls.                      There are several owl boxes on the reserve which were checked and the last box yielded 5 Barn Owl chicks. 

Have a good weekend and enjoy your birding and wildlife watching

Regards Eleanor 

 

Images from Kenny Cramer 

The Savi's still sings !!

The Savi's Warbler was present again at Stortons GP giving more folk the opportunity to catch up with very rare visitor to the county. It was first reported singing at approximately 06.00hrs but had gone quiet by late morning and was then not heard again until this evening at 19.40hrs. It did show well on occasions. 

I haven't managed to see any birds today with Gamboro plantation,  shrike hedge/blueberry area,  Harrington Airfield and Pitsford Reservoir all being birdless.  The only interesting thing that I have seen today are huge numbers of Painted Ladies. I have never seen such numbers.                 Very few birds reported over the last couple of days,  Avocet at Stanford Reservoir, Bittern and Osprey at Titchmarsh LNR. 

I will leave you with a few pics of Nightingale and Marsh Harrier taken at Stortons GP to enjoy.           We are always grateful receive your pics for inclusion on our blog as hopefully it makes it more interesting and although Neil has a camera he needs to try harder!!!

Images from Ken Prouse 

Images from Tony Stanford 

A splendid singing Savi's Warbler at Stortons GP

There was great excitement today when a rare Savi's Warbler was found at Stortons GP. This was due to the persistence of Ken Prouse birding his local patch day in and day out.  A find like this is rare but it makes all those visits of seeing very little all worthwhile and hopefully will encourage all of us not to give up on our own patches.  Well done Ken, not only did you find a rariety but you made a lot of people very happy.  I  wonder what you will find next ?!    As it was predicted to be our hottest day yet I was out very early with the dogs and when my phone pinged with the news of this bird my heart sank as I was at the furthest point possible away from my car. So by the time I got home, sorted the dogs out and got stuck in traffic heading through Kingsthorpe it was just after 10am and very hot when I finally arrived at Stortons GP.  There was a small group of birders who had been listening to and watching the Savi's a few minutes beforehand . I was cursing the traffic hold up.  I  stayed until midday when it became unbearable in the heat, no further sign of the Savi's but plenty of showy Reed and Cettis Warblers.  My plan was to return at 19.00hrs when it would be cooler and hoped that the bird would still be there.                                                                                          At 17.45hrs when I was eating my tea a message came through that the Savi's was singing again. I couldn't believe the timing of this bird !!. So it was off back to Stortons again where the bird was calling, such a strange metallic buzzing call, and showing intermittently.                                                   Other birds seen at Stortons today include a male Marsh Harrier, Cuckoo and Water Rail.                                                    Stortons GP is a place that I haven't visited for years.  My memories of this site are wading through smelly black mud whilst extracting birds from mist nets when I used to help with some ringing and it's a place where I'm not happy visiting on my own.                                                                          However if you are able to get to Stortons GP and see/hear the Savi's Warbler it is well worth it. There is a free car park (Saints Rugby) off Edgar Mobbs Way and a very obvious red bin on the pavement which is right next to one of the entrances to the reserve. 

Regards Eleanor 

Pictures from Tyler Atkinson 

Phew, it's hot !!

Unusually for a bank holiday the weather has been wall to wall sunshine and very high temperatures for the time of year. Of course we are now all moaning about how hot it is. I've been busy today making sure that our ponds are topped up as we have good numbers of tadpoles and other wildlife and of course the birds need access to plenty of water.  We have several bird baths dotted around the garden but their favourite one is a large shallow tin. I have lost count how many times I have replaced the water in this today as it has been in constant use by the noisy Starlings and Jackdaws who have been having a "wash and brush up". I even saw our regular Great Spotted Woodpecker enjoying a bath.  I will top the water up again later in readiness for the hedgehogs to use.

Due to the heat I've been out walking the dogs early morning and late evening,  although I did have a quick visit to Harrington Airfield mid morning searching for 2 target species which I didn't find, just the usual common residents.  A couple of quick visits to Pitsford Reservoir have also been very quiet although an Osprey has been seen there a couple of times. All I have seen is large numbers of people everywhere.                                                    On Friday (22nd) I got engrossed in watching the wildlife around me, Roe Deer,  Fox cubs, Hobby,  Tawny and Little Owl so it was very late when I was walking back to my car. Luckily the moon was bright and I guided me back safely.  As I stood at shrike hedge/blueberry area I heard a call that I was not familiar with. I thought that it was either a wader or water bird but didn't really know what I was listening to.  It was a lovely call.  Earlier in the week I had downloaded the Merlin app . Anyone that knows me well would know that "I don't do apps". However curiosity got the better of me and I decided to find out for myself as this app does have mixed reviews.  I had been playing around with it by using it when I was actually watching the bird so I knew that it was telling me the truth!!. I quickly used the app on this bird call and it told me that I was listening to Common Scotors. It was 22.25hrs so no chance of seeing the birds but Common Scotors move around at night. As I wasn't sure whether to believe the app I managed to get onto the Xeno-Canto site which confirmed that the birds were indeed Common Scotors.                                                       On Saturday evening when I was again in this area I could hear a Quail calling between Blueberry and the Brampton Valley Way but I haven't heard it since. 

This morning there were 2 Common Cranes briefly in a field near Holcot before flying off eastwards.  A great find by Duncan.  Other birds today include a pair of Garganey at the New Workings Earls Barton GP,  drake Mandarin and Goldeneye at Stanford Reservoir,  Bittern and Avocet at Summer Leys and a Sanderling at Lilbourne Meadows.     Yesterday there were 3 Cattle Egrets between Clifton and Aynho and drake Garganey at Stanford Reservoir. 

Regards Eleanor 

Getting Warmer

I have seen so many happy people around today. It's amazing what a bit of sunshine can do although I don't think that it has brought us any different birds. Hopefully the warmth will help the fledglings and the adults in their search for food as I've heard of many broods of Blue and Great Tits failing due to the cold and lack of food.                    Currently our garden is full of Starlings and Jackdaws who are extremely noisy and eating us out of house and home. Goodness knows what the neighbours think as these two species visit the garden at first light and start arguing!!

During the week there have been Avocets,  Whimbrel,  Greenshank,  Common Sandpiper,  Bittern, Glossy Ibis and Osprey at Summer Leys. At Clifford Hill GP Sanderling,  Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and two Wood Sandpipers were present whilst at the New Workings Earls Barton GP Avocets, Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover and Dunlin. A male Marsh Harrier was at Stortons GP, 3 Ringed Plovers at Titchmarsh LNR and a Cattle Egret and Ringed Plovers at Stanwick GP.            Away from the Nene Valley there was a single Common Crossbill at Gamboro plantation near Cottesbrooke and a flock of Tree Sparrows (10-20 birds) just west of Sulby Hedges viewpoint on the Naseby battlefield. 

Despite the lack of new birds there have been plenty of insects on the wing including Small Heath, Orange Tip, Peacock,  Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady,  Brimstone,  Small White, Green-veined White, Common and Holly Blue Butterflies, plus Banded and Beautiful Demoiselles, Black-tailed Skimmer,  Broad Bodied Chaser, Large Red and Azure Damselflies. 

Have a good weekend,  enjoy the sunshine and the wildlife wherever you are. 

Regards Eleanor  

Cuckoo.

Reed Warbler.

Nightingale.

All images courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Sanderling and Quail!!

I've been out of county again for a couple of days competing with Jaeger and Rouzel who picked up more placings.  So my birding has been confined to early mornings and late evenings. Sometimes I think that these are the best times to be out across the fields as it is just myself, dogs and the wildlife. 

A Quail was calling for most of the day from a private field next to Stanford Reservoir but it wasn't heard today. This is usually a bird that I just tend to bump into when I'm out walking so I'd better start listening for the characteristic " wet my lips" call.                                                                               Today there were 5 Sanderling and 13 Ringed Plovers at the New Workings Earls Barton GP, no doubt pushed this way by the weather conditions.                                                     At Old Sulehay Wood a Nightingale was singing and at least one Nightingale remains at Stortons GP. Incredibly a Nightingale has been reported here for 20 days !! Perhaps not where you would expect to find a long-staying bird.         Very few other birds reported -  Whimbrel at Summer Leys,  Osprey near Naseby Reservoir and 2 Cattle Egrets at Stanwick GP. 

On Saturday (16th) Kenny Cramer and his team held a ringing session at Linford Reserve,  Milton Keynes.  A grand total of 107 birds were processed with 22 species represented and 68 were newly ringed.  Greenfinches dominated with 22 individuals processed, with many being this year's youngsters.  Ten Goldfinches were also processed including a youngster.   A good selection of warblers were processed - 8 Blackcaps, 5 Garden Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 7 Common Whitethroats,  2 Cettis Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs.       This site is always good for Cuckoos and a male was re-trapped and he had been ringed almost exactly a year ago.  A female was also seen in the area accompanied by the re-trap or a new male.  Other interesting but vocal birds caught included 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Jays, 1 Jackdaw and an adult male Ring-necked Parakeet !!                               The star bird of the day was awarded to a young Mistle Thrush, which was only the 6th to be caught at Linford. 

Regards Eleanor 

Juvenile Goldfinch.

Cuckoo.

Jay.

Juvenile Mistle Thrush.

Male Ring-necked Parakeet.

Images courtesy of Kenny Cramer.

Spring Standstill!!

It certainly feels as if the eagerly awaited spring migration has been and gone and we are now at a standstill. I can never get enough of the wonders of migration and am always hoping for more.  It doesn't matter where I am I'm always looking and listening to the birds around me, just in case !. This morning on my run I heard plenty of common Warblers,  Tits, Skylarks,  Reed Buntings and other resident/common birds plus a Spotted Flycatcher at Beck Dairy Cottesbrooke and a Cuckoo along the Brampton Valley Way.   Visits to  Harrington Airfield,  Blueberry area and Pitsford Reservoir proved to be quiet.               However the garden has been very busy and noisy with young Starlings.  They are just so funny to watch but they are incredibly naive.  So far we have lost at least one Starling a day to the local Sparrowhawk. 

Very few reports of birds from the last couple of days. Yesterday there were 3 Cattle Egrets between Aynho and Clifton, a Bittern flying NE over Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys.      Interestingly I can't find any reports of the Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys today but there was one on the main lake at Stanwick GP early this morning before flying off high NE over the visitor centre (07.55). Watch this space to see whether it is reported again.                Other birds today include drake Garganey at Stanford Reservoir,  Nightingale at Sixfields and Bittern, Ruff, Whimbrel and Osprey at Summer Leys. 

Regards Eleanor 

Song Thrush courtesy
of John Tilly.

House Martins collecting mud.

Common Buzzard.

Mid May status quo

Hello

Very little bird-wise reported in the county today and the cool air continues with perhaps a small increase in temperature at the week-end.

The Glossy Ibis remained at Summer Leys LNR today and there were sightings of a Bittern in flight over the scrape. A Bittern and two Hobbies were the best birds on show at the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits today.

A reconnoitre at Clifford Hill Pits this morning provided three Dunlin, three Ringed Plovers, two Common Sandpipers and two Little Ringed Plovers.

A nest box at Rectory Farm, Old contains 'chirruping' Tree Sparrow nestlings.

Regards

Neil M

Small Copper butterfly.

Hobby.

Sand Martins.

Images from Summer Leys LNR
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Pitsford Reservoir Day Tour

Hello

Another cool and blustery day with some heavy showers including hail later in the afternoon.

The birds of the day were two summer plumage Black-necked Grebes on the Main Lake at Summer Leys LNR and they were reported throughout. Other birds there included a Whimbrel, an Avocet, a Dunlin, a Great White Egret and the Glossy Ibis which was later reported from nearby Hardwater Lake.

A Hobby was seen over the A6 near Irthlingborough and morning birds at Clifford Hill Pits were two Ringed Plovers and three Dunlin.

A Naturetrek Day Tour around the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir was all about dodging showers, particularly late in the afternoon! Mammals included a Stoat and Roe Deer and the more interesting birds were two Yellow-legged Gulls, four first year Common Gulls, a Raven and a Great White Egret.

Regards

Neil M

Roe Deer.

Muntjac.

Orange-tip butterfly.

Cormorant.

Images from Pitsford
Reservoir today.

Nest Box checks.

Hello

The cool air temperatures continue but there were some pleasant sunny periods today.

Birds on view at Summer Leys LNR today included a Bittern, two Egyptian Geese, the Glossy Ibis, two Avocets, two Hobbies, a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and a Cuckoo.

A drake Garganey was again on the main pit at Stanwick Pits this morning and birds attracted to the main barrage lake at Clifford Hill Pits included three Dunlin, two Redshanks and a Raven. A Cuckoo was at Stortons Pits.

Single Spotted Flycatchers were noted in Market Harborough town centre and at Lamport Grange, Hanging Houghton.

A long day of checking nest boxes at Pitsford Reservoir revealed two pairs of Tawny Owls with chicks and a female Mandarin Duck on eggs, the latter a new breeding species for the site. Other birds noted north of the causeway were an adult female Peregrine, two Great White Egrets and a Raven.

Regards

Neil M

Carrion Crow.

Tawny Owl chicks.

A Stock Dove squab.

Adult Tawny Owl.

A Jackdaw nestling.

All images courtesy of
Jane Neill after a long
day checking nest boxes
and ringing at Pitsford
Reservoir today.

Cool month of May

Hello

It may be the month of May but with overnight temperatures as low as one degree Centigrade, it's already a much cooler month than sunny April!

Most of the spring migration has now concluded and we await any vagrant overshoots, and monitor the breeding birds within the county.

The Glossy Ibis, three Avocets, a Whimbrel, a Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper were at Summer Leys LNR today and other Nene Valley goodies included a Garganey on the main lake at Stanwick Pits and with another one reported at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve, Ditchford Pits. The latter site also hosted a Cuckoo, a Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper.

A singing Nightingale was at Thrapston Pits today near to the iron bridge spanning the River Nene and two more songsters were still at Stortons Pits. A Cuckoo was at Bucknell Wood.

A ringing demonstration by members of the Northants Ringing Group at Milton Keynes at the week-end provided some birds in the hand to explain the purposes of ringing, the techniques used and the data obtained. Thirty-five birds processed included a Magpie, a Lesser Whitethroat, three Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler and six Greenfinches.

I have just returned from a couple of tours in the Camargue, South France and in due course there will be some images on pages/tabs entitled 'Camargue in Spring'.

Regards

Neil M

Magpie.

Lesser Whitethroat.

Ringing Demonstration interaction.

Above images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Its baby bird season!
 Nestling Blue Tits courtesy
 of Lewis Aaron.

Weekend Round Up

The weekend round up will not take very long as very few birds reported.  I have been out of the county all weekend at an agility competition where both Jaeger and Rouzel were successful in the placings.

The majority of sightings were as expected from the Nene Valley.  Starting at Stanwick GP with 2 Hobby, drake Garganey and 2 Cattle Egrets.  A Bittern was seen at Titchmarsh LNR and another Bittern at Summer Leys plus Glossy Ibis, Ringed Plovers,  Avocets, Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper . Nearby at Earls Barton new workings Osprey, 2 Hobby, Avocets,  Ringed Plovers and Common Sandpiper.  There were 2 Turnstone at Clifford Hill this morning and yesterday there were 1 or 2 Nightingales at Stortons Gp.                                                                                       Other birds around the county include Osprey and 2 Common Sandpipers at Pitsford Reservoir, a Grasshopper Warbler at Whiston locks and a Whimbrel on floodwater near Braunston. 

Hopefully the coming week will bring a few more birds, fingers crossed. 

Regards Eleanor 

Nightingale at Stortons Pits.

Male House Sparrow.

Images courtesy of Tony Stanford.

It's been a funny Friday!!

Despite being a very bitty day for me today it can be summed up with Fox cubs, Painted Ladies, Spotted Flycatchers and Northern Wheatears.    My early morning walk produced little of note,  just the resident birds and birds that I expect to find around the fields.    After my first round of errands/appointments I took Tor and Rouzel for a short walk over to Lamport Hall and this was far more productive,  a Spotted Flycatcher in Hanging Houghton and another near Lamport Hall.  The field margins are currently attracting good numbers of Painted Lady butterflies.  Yesterday I counted a minimum of 15 and there was a similar number today.                                                          After my second round of errands/jobs I grabbed Jaeger and Tystie and headed towards Blueberry area. More Painted Ladies. I counted at least 10. It was quiet for birds but I had an unexpected encounter with a family of foxes.  As I was walking along I saw what I thought was a  couple of small dogs ahead of me but when I looked through my binoculars I realised that they were fox cubs. Initially I  watched from a distance but slowly edged closer . I managed to tuck myself into the hedge and waited. Soon the vixen came out into the open followed by her cubs. It was quite a magical experience watching them explore and play without a care in the world. I  was incredibly close to them and they were unaware that I was sharing in their moment.  Both dogs were oblivious to what was going on.  Jaeger was having a siesta,  I would like to think that he was recharging himself ready for the busy competing weekend ahead. Whilst Tystie was completely focused on his tennis ball which was at his feet.               Finally my final walk this evening produced two male Northern Wheatears in a field between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke.  I wasn't really expecting to see anything as the fields are incredibly dry and not as attractive as they were a few weeks ago.   So it has been a funny old day. 

It has been quiet in the county.  The drake Ring Necked Duck was at Stanford Reservoir again yesterday.  Two Bitterns, 3 Hobby and 1 or 2 Nightingales were at Thrapston GP yesterday and the same waders are dotted along the Nene Valley .

Have a good weekend 

Regards Eleanor 

Painted Lady butterfly.

Wheatear courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

Red Fox courtesy
of the late David Arden.

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy
of Beth Clyne.