'February Field Dyke' weather

Hello

A cold day and with constant rain forecast for overnight.

The Red-throated Diver was still at Hollowell Reservoir, off the west bank between the dam and Guilsborough Bay.

In the Nene Valley eighteen Pintail were on floodwater off the A605 at Oundle.

Four European White-fronted Geese and two Stonechats were at North Lake, Stanwick Pits this morning and the drake Ring-necked Duck was reported from the Fishing Pit at Ringstead Pits. The Glossy Ibis was similarly reported from Summer Leys LNR late this morning.

Twenty-five European White-fronted Geese and a Tundra Bean Goose were in the Nene Valley near Denford early this afternoon.

Three Mealy Redpolls were reported from Abington Park, Northampton.

A Common Snipe was at Harrington Airfield and birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton amounted to the pair of Stonechats, a Grey Wagtail and nine Ravens making a racket.

Regards

Neil M

Brown Hare.

Sadly Harrington Airfield is presently littered
with dead hares where people have been killing
 them with dogs for fun.

Cock Pheasant.

 With the end of the shooting season the considerable
numbers of survivors will become ever bolder!

First year Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Fieldfare.

A few long-stayers still with us...

Hello

Seemingly a quieter day in the county for sightings but with a mixture of weather on the horizon this might provide some changes.

Long-stayers include the Glossy Ibis and a 'wing-tagged' Marsh Harrier at Summer Leys LNR this afternoon.

Eight European White-fronted Geese were still on Elinor Trout Lake at Thrapston Pits, the Pink-footed Goose was at Islip Meadows, three Pintail were on the Titchmarsh reserve and there were Grey Partridges in adjacent fields.

Sightings in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton included a/the 'ringtail' Hen Harrier, four Bramblings, a pair of Stonechats and a Barn Owl. The Crossbills were looked for at Gamboro' Plantation but not seen.

An adult Yellow-legged Gull was again at the dam end of Pitsford Reservoir today.

Regards

Neil M

Drake Wigeon courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

Red Kite.

Stonechat courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

First year Black-headed Gull.

Pitsford Reservoir WeBS count

Hello

Sun and showers today for the Pitsford Reservoir WeBS count, although there were so few waterbirds it could be a record low count! The brown, muddy water is never enjoyed by birds that dive and the very high water levels have flooded out the margins.

North of the causeway and there was a Great White Egret, about thirty-five Common Snipe, a Woodcock, a Common Sandpiper, three Ravens, two pairs of Stonechats and ten Siskins. It was extremely quiet south of the causeway with just two Ravens and several Siskins.

A wild goose chase along the Nene Valley proved productive with a Tundra Bean Goose, a Pink-footed Goose and twenty-five European White-fronted Geese being found near Denford, eight European White-fronted Geese on Elinor Lake at Thrapston Pits and the Islip Meadows section of the complex held a Pink-footed Goose and a Tundra Bean Goose.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was again at Ringstead Pits and this time on the fishing lake.

At Summer Leys LNR the Glossy Ibis was still present plus three Oystercatchers, ten Common Snipe, two Great White Egrets, a Marsh Harrier and two Kingfishers.

The drake Smew was again at Clifford Hill Pits plus a Great White Egret, twelve Golden Plovers and a Raven.

The Red-throated Diver decided to switch reservoirs and was off the eastern side of the dam at Hollowell Reservoir this morning plus two adult Caspian Gulls, two Jack Snipe, four Common Snipe and two Stonechats.

Four Great White Egrets were at Stanford Reservoir where also fifteen Goosanders and a leucistic Black-headed Gull.

Three Grey Partridges were at Harrington Airfield, a Crossbill was in Scotland Wood, at least four Crossbills were at Gamboro' Plantation where a Green Sandpiper flew over and two Grey Wagtails and a gathering of at least thirty Magpies were in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth.

Two Corn Buntings were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton with a large flock of finches and buntings which included six Bramblings, over a hundred Chaffinches, at least one hundred and fifty Goldfinches and smaller numbers of Greenfinches and Yellowhammers. Two Stonechats were also present plus a Barn Owl.

Regards

Neil M

Marsh Harrier.

Kingfisher.

Oystercatchers.

Song Thrush.

All above images from Summer Leys
LNR today courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Image and video of the Pink-footed Goose
 Islip Meadows today courtesy of Nick Parker.

A very wet Sunday

Hello

A very wet day (again), when will it stop raining?

The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits again today and the drake Smew was again reported from Clifford Hill Pits.

Four European White-fronted Geese appeared again at Stanwick Pits, in fields to the north of Main Lake this afternoon.

Two different Marsh Harriers (including the orange-tagged bird) at Summer Leys LNR.

The Red-throated Diver was again at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today and at one stage flew to the north of the causeway and plonked itself down on the water there.

Forty European White-fronted Geese, a Goosander and four Great White Egrets were at Stanford Reservoir today.

A Great White Egret was at Blatherwycke Lake, five Ravens were at Harrington Airfield and birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton included the pair of Stonechats, a Woodcock and four Common Snipe.

Yesterday there were still four Tree Sparrows at Rectory Farm, outside Old village and a garden ringing session on the northern outskirts of Northampton provided thirty-four captures which included nineteen Goldfinches, two Siskins, a Greenfinch, a Long-tailed Tit, four Great Tits and seven Blue Tits.

Regards

Neil M

Yellow-legged Gull.

Caspian Gull.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Sparrowhawk.

Ditchford WeBS count

Hello 

The forecast was for a cold, sunny day and it proved accurate! Much of the day was spent at the Ditchford Pits complex counting birds utilising this wetland habitat.

West of Ditchford Lane and the Marsh Harrier was again present and appears to be the same bird we have seen there the last three months. Other birds were three Great White Egrets, four Egyptian Geese, three Oystercatchers, two drake Pintail, a couple of Cetti's Warblers and a Grey Wagtail.

East of Ditchford Lane was a single Great White Egret, five Goosanders, a Chiffchaff, two Cetti's Warblers and two or three Grey Wagtails.

Further down the Nene Valley and quality birds at Kinewell Lake at Ringstead Pits were the drake Ring-necked Duck, a Tundra Bean Goose and twenty-three European White-fronted Geese.

Eight European White-fronted Geese were on the Elinor Trout Lake at Thrapston Pits this morning with four drake Pintail on Town Lake, and at Summer Leys LNR the long-staying Glossy Ibis was still present plus two Oystercatchers and a Redshank. A Marsh Harrier and two Stonechats were around the Whiston Lock area.

The Red-throated Diver was mobile around the water at Ravensthorpe Reservoir but showed well near the dam on occasions. An Oystercatcher was at Hollowell Reservoir plus four Stonechats and at least two Common Snipe.

A vocal Raven remained at Hanging Houghton, eight Crossbills were at Gamboro' Plantation this morning and a pair of Stonechats and a Barn Owl were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

Regards

Neil M

Cormorant.

Canada Geese.

Great White Egret courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Little Grebe courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Scoters and waders on the move

Hello

Early morning birding at Clifford Hill Pits prepared us for further finds in the county as Common Scoters and waders showed us some early season passage. Three drake Common Scoters were at Clifford Hill plus the drake Smew and two each of Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher, three Dunlin and a Redshank.

Three Common Scoters were subsequently found on Town Lake, Thrapston Pits, two were at Hollowell Reservoir and five were located at Stanford Reservoir. Interestingly all these scoters were drakes.

A/the drake Ring-necked Duck was on Aldwincle Lake at Thrapston Pits today and the Glossy Ibis was at Summer Leys LNR where also two Dunlin, three Common Snipe and six Shelducks flying over.

A Redpoll was with Goldfinches coming to feeders in a Weston Favell garden, four Grey Partridges were at Harrington Airfield and the Red-throated Diver was still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. A drake Smew was a brief visitor at Hollowell Reservoir.

The gull roost at Pitsford Reservoir provided an adult Mediterranean Gull, a leucistic white Black-headed Gull, two Yellow-legged Gulls (one adult), an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid (x Herring Gull?) plus an Oystercatcher and a Grey Wagtail.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir, in addition to the scoters, included a new Stonechat and five Great White Egrets.

Regards

Neil M

Birds at Clifford Hill Pits this morning - 
Black-tailed Godwits, Curlews and
Common Scoters courtesy of Tyler Atkinson.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Herring Gull.

Mid February county birding

Hello

A quiet and calm day with light rain towards the end and little new found in the county today.

At Pitsford Reservoir the Black-necked Grebe that first arrived in December was still south of the causeway, this time in Catwalk Bay, with a Stonechat near The Pigs. North of the causeway it seemed quiet with about forty Common Snipe, a Redpoll and at least one pair of Stonechats in the Scaldwell Bay. Four Tree Sparrows were at nearby Rectory Farm, Old.

The Red-throated Diver continued to cruise around between the causeway and the dam at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. 

The Glossy Ibis was visible from the screen hide at Summer Leys LNR and other birds included a Shelduck, four Oystercatchers and at least four Grey Partridges.

A Siberian Chiffchaff re-appeared at Daventry Country Park, again near the grit trap from the view-point at the southern end.

European White-fronted Geese continue to linger in the county with seven in a field north of the main lake at Stanwick Pits this morning and seven at the Elinor Trout Lake at Thrapston Pits this afternoon.

A female Goosander was at Ecton Fisheries and an excellent count of thirty-eight Redpolls were in birches at Sixfields Lake/Sixfields Rugby car park (Northampton) this morning.

The pair of Stonechats remain in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton but the Crossbills seemed to be absent from Gamboro' Plantation today.

Regards

Neil M

Pied Wagtail.

Grey Wagtail.

Reed Bunting.

Lesser Redpoll courtesy
of Stuart Munday.

Longer days, more birds singing

Hello

The Red-throated Diver was on show again at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, but not showing as close as yesterday. Two European White-fronted Geese arrived later after first being seen at Hollowell Reservoir and other birds included a singing Blackcap, four Ravens and three Grey Wagtails.

Hollowell Reservoir also attracted five Jack Snipe, thirteen Common Snipe, three Stonechats and a Crossbill.

A Starling murmuration at Pitsford Reservoir was north of the causeway this afternoon, perhaps about fifteen hundred in number, and they seemed indecisive as to where they were planning to roost. A Peregrine attacked a Woodpigeon which evaded capture and the powerful falcon was last seen flushing and chasing more pigeons. A dozen Common Snipe and two pairs of Stonechats were in the Scaldwell Bay.

About twenty-five European White-fronted Geese were at Stanford Hall today and five Great White Egrets were at the adjacent reservoir.

The Crossbills re-appeared at Gamboro' Plantation this morning and again this afternoon when feeding very quietly, numbering at least ten birds. Other birds there were two Redpolls, a Brambling, several Siskins and a Woodcock. A Barn Owl and the pair of Stonechats were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

In the Nene Valley there was a Great White Egret in a flooded poplar plantation between the river and Glebe Lake below Ecton. The drake Smew was again at Clifford Hill Pits and a Curlew was there first thing before flying off. Five European White-fronted Geese were at Stanwick Pits in fields north of North Lake this morning.

The Glossy Ibis was again at Summer Leys LNR and a drake Pintail was present too. Six European White-fronted Geese were on Aldwincle Lake on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits where also five Pintail. Two Stonechats were at Upton Country Park.

Regards

Neil M

Stonechats at Upton Country Park
today courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Curlew courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Common Gull courtesy
of Dave Jackson.

Diver in the murk

Hello

Yesterday's Red-throated Diver was still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today providing great views at times in murky and sometimes wet conditions.

The wintering Black-necked Grebe appeared in the vicinity of Moulton Grange Bay at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon, this bird has changed it's behaviour since a huge rise in water levels and travels the length of expansive water between the causeway and dam. Two Yellow-legged Gulls were also at the dam-end of the reservoir this afternoon.

The drake Smew was still at Clifford Hill Pits today and birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton included two Bramblings, a Barn Owl and the pair of Stonechats.

A Raven was at Harrington Airfield, two Crossbills were seen in flight at Wakerley Wood, again by a seat next to an oak tree along the main track about three quarters of a mile from the car park. A Grey Wagtail and ten Siskins were along the Billing Brook at Fishponds Road, Little Billing today.

Regards

Neil M

The adult Red-throated Diver
at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today
courtesy of Chris Gibbs.

Wow sunshine!

Hello 

A lovely day's weather which was mild, dry and even with some winter sunshine! It seems the whole nation has been suffering from very wet weather, low cloud and stormy conditions for much of the winter but for us there was something of a reprieve today. Mild temperatures provided opportunities for insects to emerge which included day-flying moths and even a rather soggy bumblebee!

The new bird of the day was a find this afternoon by Jon our county recorder of a Red-throated Diver at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, not a common bird in the county.

At Stanford Reservoir today there were forty-two Eurasian White-fronted Geese located in fields but with no apparent sign of any Pink-footed or Bean Geese. Other birds were three Great White Egrets and a Goosander.

At Pitsford Reservoir the Black-necked Grebe was swimming around quite a bit south of the causeway and there were two Ravens and two Yellow-legged Gulls at the dam end. Another Raven and two Woodcock were in the Walgrave Bay and two pairs of Stonechats were in the Scaldwell Bay.

Seven European White-fronted Geese were seen at Cransley Reservoir this afternoon.

A Raven was vocal at Hanging Houghton and a pair of Stonechats and four Bramblings were in the Brampton Valley below the village with two Woodcock at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. There was no sign of Crossbills at Gamboro' Plantation today.

The drake Smew was still at Clifford Hill Pits today plus a Great White Egret and three Pintails with a Blackcap singing nearby at Abington Meadows.

The Glossy Ibis was reported at Summer Leys LNR today and two Marsh Harriers were also present (one wing-tagged).

Regards

Neil M

Great Spotted Woodpecker
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Marsh Tit.

Pied Wagtail courtesy of
Jim Dunkley.

Little Egret.

White-fronted Geese and the rest

Hello

Clifford Hill Pits hosted the drake Smew, the drake Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid, a pair of Pintail, eight Goosanders, a Raven and a flock of twenty-five European White-fronted Geese flew in and stayed for a time before departing.

The Glossy Ibis and the wing-tagged Marsh Harrier were at Summer Leys LNR and at Pitsford Reservoir the Black-necked Grebe had wandered to the Cliffs section between the causeway and the dam.

Up to fifteen Crossbills were still at Gamboro' Plantation between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton today, perhaps showing better this afternoon.

Although sometimes difficult viewing, the wild geese flock in fields near Stanford Reservoir included four Tundra Bean Geese, three Pink-footed Geese and forty European White-fronted Geese.

A flock of twenty-six European White-fronted Geese were in a field at Warmington this afternoon.

A very productive garden ringing session at Greens Norton provided forty-eight Goldfinches, six Greenfinches, two House Sparrows, four Starlings, a Blackbird, Blue Tits and Great Tits and a Collared Dove.

A Siskin, a Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff were in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth and a Raven was at Hanging Houghton. Eleven Lesser Redpolls were still at Stortons Pits today.

Regards

Neil M

European White-fronted Geese
at Clifford Hill Pits today courtesy
of Tyler Atkinson.

Close-up of Starlings, male above
 and female below, courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Collared Dove courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Rare geese again

Hello

Another grey and mild day with just weak showers and another arrival of wild geese in the county.

At least ten Crossbills and about twenty Siskins were at Gamboro' Plantation this morning, although the dull light didn't really do them justice. A pair of Stonechats and a Golden Plover were in the Brampton Valley fields.

Yesterday there were still four Tree Sparrows at Rectory Farm, Old and a Blackcap was singing in short bursts in Brixworth village. Today saw three Grey Wagtails in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth.

A goose fest at Stanford Reservoir today provided quality sightings of thirty-three European White-fronted Geese, three Pink-footed Geese and four Tundra Bean Geese. Other birds were six Great White Egrets, five Goosanders and a Chiffchaff.

A drake Smew, two Oystercatchers, a drake hybrid Pochard x Tufted Duck and six Pintail were at Clifford Hill Pits.

A/the Nene Valley drake Ring-necked Duck was located at Ringstead Pits by Adrian on the Kinewell Lake but it flew off in a westerly direction (late morning). Six Goosanders and at least fifty-five Pochard were present too.

Nick located a single Tundra Bean Goose at Islip Meadows, Thrapston Pits this afternoon, in company with twenty-three European White-fronted Geese.

An Oystercatcher was at Earls Barton New Workings, a Redpoll was at Little Billing and the Black-necked Grebe popped up at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon, just off the east shore between the dam and Moulton Grange Bay (but last seen swimming rapidly north).

Regards

Neil M

Woodcock at Glapthorn Cow Pastures
courtesy of John Hunt.

Garden Goldfinches courtesy
of Jim Dunkley.

Drake Shoveler at Summer Leys LNR
courtesy of Neil Hasdell.