A stork, the oriole, owls and butterflies

Hello

A visit to Lilbourne Water Meadows today provided two Oystercatchers, approximately ten Little Ringed Plovers, a Little Owl and three Barn Owls.

Another report of the singing Golden Oriole at Bucknell Wood near to Silverstone was intriguing with reports that the bird has also been seen recently, possibly on the Abthorpe side of the complex. Spotted Flycatchers were on territory there today, along the main track and near to the first stand of yew trees. Butterflies included an egg-laying Purple Emperor, at least half a dozen Silver-washed Fritillaries including a female valezina-type in cop and large numbers of common butterflies with even Marbled Whites infiltrating the open areas of the wood. Blue Emperor and Broad-bodied Chaser were the odonata noted in the wood.

Sadly yet another dead Tawny Owl was in the A508 close to where another was found last week and a Common Buzzard lay freshly dead at the edge of the A5199 near Guilsborough.

A Hobby was at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon, a Ring-necked Parakeet flew over Maidwell village and the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton did well with the calling Quail still, a Hobby and a Peregrine. Best of all though was a White Stork which flew gently south towards Brixworth at 3.45pm.

Butterflies noted at nearby Gamboro' Plantation were two Purple Emperors, several Purple Hairstreaks and a Clouded Yellow nearby.

Five Black-tailed Godwits were at Clifford Hill Pits very early this morning, a Quail was reported as calling whilst flying over at Stanwick Pits at 1am and notable birds at Thrapston Pits were an Osprey over Elinor Lake and a Peregrine.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Blackcap.

Roe Deer.

Silver-washed Fritillary.

Blue Emperor dragonfly.

Purple Emperor butterfly.

Last day of June

Hello

A calling Quail remains in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, shifting fields in the general 'shrike hedge' area, and calling particularly well during the early morning when spending some time in the set-aside field. This evening it was in a field between there and Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and although mobile seems to walk and run everywhere and hasn't been seen!

The Spotted Flycatcher family here in the village at Hanging Houghton are already mobile and paid us a garden visit this afternoon! 

Three Ravens and several Ring-necked Parakeets were at Cogenhoe village today and six Grey Wagtails and a Common Sandpiper were at Ravensthorpe Reservoir where also a Silver-washed Fritillary.

A Purple Emperor was in a garden at Wollaston today.

A colour-ringed adult Black-headed Gull (2APN) breeding at Pitsford Reservoir (producing at least one chick) was initially ringed south of Dublin in Ireland at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin on 30th October 2025 when it was already over a year old. It was recorded in Corkagh Park in December 2025 and January and February 2026 so that seems to be it's established wintering site.

Regards

Neil M

Little Egret.

Grey Heron.

Broad-bodied Chaser.

Black-tailed Skimmer.

Migrants coming and going

Hello

With some Reed and Sedge Warbler having not long arrived on their 'spring' migration and taken up territories waiting for reeds and glyceria to grow back, at the other end of the spectrum autumn migration began a couple of weeks ago with departing hirundines, Swifts, Cuckoos and waders!

Today a juvenile Common Redstart was found at Clifford Hill Pits and it's very likely that this bird was raised much further north and is already on it's first migration 'hop' south to Africa. The very first 'autumn' Common Redstarts in Northants normally turn up at the end of June, either as juveniles or adults looking to find somewhere suitable to safely feed and moult before they venture south.

Early morning birds at Clifford Hill Pits were four Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper.

Birds visible north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir this morning included a Barn Owl (seemingly breeding just off the reserve this year), a near-adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Mandarin Duck, at least five Pochard, a Great White Egret and a Common Sandpiper. Marbled White butterflies number a couple of hundred in the Scaldwell Meadows and lots of other butterflies include Meadow Browns, Ringlets and some very fresh Gatekeepers. Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock and Essex Skippers were noted there too. Black-tailed Skimmers and a female Broad-bodied Chaser were also on the brambles alongside the meadow.

The pair of Spotted Flycatchers at Hanging Houghton were feeding fledged young today.

It was quiet for birds at Harrington Airfield today but butterflies included fresh Painted Ladies, one or two Clouded Yellow(s) and still droves of Marbled Whites.

The Horsebox Car Park walk at Salcey Forest provided for fourteen species of butterfly today including seven Silver-washed Fritillaries and two Purple Hairstreaks and odonata included many Blue Emperors, a Common Darter and a Beautiful Demoiselle (which seem to be getting everywhere these days).

Regards

Neil M

Kestrel.

Marbled White.

Essex Skipper.

Above three images courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Peacock butterfly.

Back to pleasant conditions

Hello

A warm and blustery day and thankfully a reduction in the intense heat of recent days made it feel fresher.

A visit to Ravensthorpe Reservoir again this morning provided a minimum of six Grey Wagtails (perhaps up to two family groups), a Kingfisher and some good breeding records of scarcer birds on-site. A large congregation of Greylag Geese had left behind a doddery and obviously sick bird - hopefully not evidence of a resurgence of bird flu again? Many of the larger dragonflies were not on the wing today but an inquisitive Southern Hawker was my first of the season and is probably my favourite dragonfly. A couple of Beautiful Demoiselles were also present. All the usual butterflies were there and included a freshly-emerged Peacock butterfly.

In the Nene Valley the small Cattle Egret colony is showing signs of post-breeding dispersal with just a few juveniles now in attendance.

A 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler was again at Stanford Reservoir today and the three Pochard and a Kingfisher were also present.

With the buddleia bushes now beginning to flower there will no doubt be some interesting butterflies turning up in gardens and evidence of that today was a Silver-washed Fritillary in a Blisworth garden.

A Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth was an excellent record from Bucknell Wood today - they can be overlooked as Hummingbird Hawk-moths.

I have updated the Norway tab/page with some extra images from the tour.

This coming Wednesday evening sees Chris Hubbard providing a presentation at the Northants Bird Club. Chris is the main patch birder for Stanford Reservoir straddling the Northants/Leicestershire border and works closely with the Stanford Ringing Group. Chris keeps a close eye on the migratory birds passing through the reservoir and in addition records the breeding and wintering birds too and maintains an on-line record of interesting sightings for the site. As usual the meeting commences at 7.30pm with biscuits and a hot beverage beforehand, and the venue is the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir - all welcome!

Regards

Neil M

Osprey 3AY is a locally-breeding male
currently feeding three nestlings - this 
just-caught Perch won't be enough to
feed them all!

Migration never ceases (to amaze)!

Hello

A Golden Oriole heard singing in Bucknell Wood today reminds us that many birds never really stop moving about. Sadly this bird wasn't seen but is a reminder that there is always something out there to surprise us!

Spotted Flycatchers can be difficult to pin down at this time of the year but vocal birds were at Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke, in the Holcot Bay at Pitsford Reservoir and still in Hanging Houghton village.

Barn Owls were noted on the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir and between Naseby and Cottesbrooke.

A pair of Grey Partridge were on the outskirts of Hanging Houghton village this evening and this morning a Quail was calling in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, about half a km from the large barn in the direction of Brixworth (and again this evening). Up to two calling Quail were also heard at Weston today from Banbury Lane at about 52. 124500, -1. 152300.

Two Little Terns were at Clifford Hill Pits first thing but disappeared and it seems they ended up at Rutland Water.

Stanford Reservoir hosted a Little Ringed Plover, three Common Sandpipers, four Oystercatchers, a Kingfisher, four Pochard and a Hobby.

Butterflies were again in profusion with Marbled Whites spilling over into new areas. Bucknell Wood recorded Purple Emperor and Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperors were also active at Harry's Park Wood and one was seen in Moulton village. Fermyn Wood was the location for a Purple Emperor landing on people and taking salt from sweat! Also there was a Wood White and a dozen Silver-washed Fritillaries.

Regards

Neil M

Lapwing.

Red Kite.

Meadow Brown.

Barn Owl.

Emperors, fritillaries and hawkers

Hello

No let up in the heat as yet, but a shower of rain this morning was pleasant!

A Siskin flew south over Hanging Houghton village early this morning.

The two Garganey were again on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR where also two Cuckoos, and over at Daventry Country Park a Common Scoter and two Green Sandpipers were present this morning.

Two Pochard, ninety Tufted Ducks and two Grey Wagtails were seemingly the only birds of note at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today but interesting insects included one or two Silver-washed Fritillary in light woodland close to the spillway, five different Lesser Emperors (four on the small side), a Hairy Hawker and a Brown Hawker in addition to the profusion of damselflies and common dragonflies.

Purple Hairstreak butterflies were seen at Glapthorn Cow Pasture and Fermyn Woods today and a Purple Emperor was by The Pheasantry at Harlestone. A Clouded Yellow butterfly was in seta-side next to Brampton Wood.

Three Purple Emperors were seen at Bucknell Wood plus seven or eight Silver-washed Fritillaries.

Regards

Neil M

Meadow Pipit.

Green-eyed (Norfolk) Hawker.

Four-spotted Chaser.

Darter sp.

All above images courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Reed Bunting courtesy of John Tilly.

Heat seeking Quail

Hello

The oppressive heat continues as we progress towards the end of June with potentially cooler temperatures towards the end of the weekend.

Quail records persist with one calling in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and near to shrike hedge early this morning at 3.45am and again briefly at 5am. Another was subsequently audible from the summit of Blueberry Hill near to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

The two Garganey were again on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR as seen from the Pioneer Hide.

A pensive Spotted Flycatcher has been calling in Hanging Houghton village for much for the day. 

A dead Tawny Owl alongside the A508 was the second such death locally within the last ten days.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir for yesterday included a female Shoveler with ducklings, possibly the first time this species has successfully bred there. Also three Pochard and a 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler remain.

Regards

Neil M

Common Sandpiper.

Common Lizard.

Spotted Flycatcher.

Images courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Pitsford Reservoir CBC

Hello

A Common Bird Census was completed at Pitsford Reservoir this morning, as usual it's an early start and even more so today because of the heatwave!

A distantly calling Quail was north of the very back of the Scaldwell Bay, probably in fields closer to Scaldwell village itself. Other birds of note were rather minimal but the best were a Raven, a Siskin, a Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, four drake Pochard and a Spotted Flycatcher. A couple of Marsh Tits and at least three Kingfishers were also on the reserve.

Odonata included a Lesser Emperor in the Holcot Bay as seen from Goosander Hide, Beautiful Demoiselle and a late Hairy Hawker at Christies Copse Ponds. Fourteen species of butterfly included a very strong contingent of Marbled Whites and a single Purple Hairstreak.

A Barn Owl was hunting in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning and two Garganey were on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR this afternoon.

An overnight ringing session at Linford Lakes just outside the county at Milton Keynes secured four Quail with a fifth bouncing out of the net! A Little Owl was heard calling near Mawsley in the early hours, a bird that no longer can be called common.

Regards

Neil M

Quail!

Image courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Tufted Duck.

Great Crested Grebe.

Insects of the heat

Hello

Up to 35C degrees locally which makes it a little uncomfortable to be out for much of the day.

In this heat the insects are in their element and a hundred Marbled Whites and a Purple Emperor at Lamport Hall is evidence of this.

A visit to Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon provided a fishing Osprey north of the causeway plus a Marsh Harrier, an Oystercatcher, a Redshank, a Green Sandpiper and a Great White Egret, one of a couple which are summering at this site for the first time. Marbled Whites were everywhere in the Scaldwell Meadow plus Small Heath, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell and Meadow Brown.

Three Little Ringed Plovers were at Stanford Reservoir today where also a Common Sandpiper and three Pochard.

Further butterflies were a Clouded Yellow at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and at least two more near shrike hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. Marbled Whites were numerous in these areas too and a Barn Owl was hunting here early this morning.

A Purple Emperor was also on view at the more traditional site of Fermyn Wood today.

A Green-eyed (Norfolk) Hawker was again at Stortons Pits today on the west side.

Regards

Neil M

Green-eyed Hawker at Stortons Pits today.

Southern Marsh Orchid.

Large Red-eyed Damselflies.

Above images courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Juvenile Common Whitethroat
courtesy of Tyler Atkinson.

Aphideater sp courtesy of
John Tilly.

More heat to come

Hello

Some warm weather with rain this evening seemingly precedes a couple of days of intense heat with a weather system pushing up from France. It may displace continental birds but will more likely make a difference to immigrant moths, butterflies and odonata in the county.

A calling Quail was audible from the summit of Blueberry Hill near Maidwell this morning and two Garganey were on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR this evening.

Four Ring-necked Parakeets were at Billing Leys, Northampton this morning - an area between Little and Great Billing.

Plenty of butterflies reported today with two Clouded Yellows in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and Purple Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary and Purple Hairstreak amongst others at Fermyn Woods. Marbled Whites seem to be extending their range yet again and White Admirals are out at Salcey Forest. Twenty Green-eyed (Norfolk) Hawkers at Wicksteed Park, Kettering is impressive for a recent colonist dragonfly.

I'm just back from my last Naturetrek tour of the spring which was to Norway with visits to the Lofoten and Vesteralen Islands - a page/tab has been opened for images entitled 'Norway - Lofoten and Vesteralen Islands June 2026.'

Regards

Neil M

Garganey courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Grass Snake.

Bee Orchid.

Common Whitethroats.

Above three images courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

The Longest Day

Today is the longest day, the Summer Solstice and the start of the astronomical summer across the northern hemisphere.  It has certainly been a rather warm day. I was up and about rather early this morning but not as early as the Skylarks who were already in full song and no doubt they will still be singing for a few more hours yet.                   It has been another quiet weekend.  A Quail was heard flying over Kettering on 'noc mig' at 01.10hrs and another was heard singing from a field west of Little Houghton.  A Mediterranean and Little Gull visited Summer Leys, an adult and 6 juvenile Cattle Egrets were at their breeding site, a Grasshopper Warbler at Stanford Reservoir and 2 Spotted Flycatchers were at Maidwell Churchyard .

A successful ringing session (Kenny Cramer) at Linford Reserve in better weather produced 135 birds of 25 species and 97 were newly ringed.  Plenty of warblers including 7 Blackcaps, 6 Garden Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, 3 Whitethroats and 2 Cetti's.  Finches were out in force with 19 Goldfinches and 9 Greenfinches.  The more uncommon birds processed included 2 Magpies, a Ring-necked Parakeet, a Woodpigeon and a recently fledged Grey Wagtail which was only the 5th to be ringed at this site. Another relative rarity to hit the net was a young Carrion Crow . Star bird was awarded to a drake Mallard which was moulting into his eclipse plumage. This was the first Mallard to be ringed at Linford since 2015 !!!

The coming week is predicted to be extremely hot. Please remember to put some fresh water out for the birds and wildlife which may struggle, and of course please take care of yourselves too.

Regards Eleanor 

Grey Wagtail, drake Mallard,  Reed Bunting and Carrion Crow.    Kenny Cramer 

Another week draws to a close.

It's Friday already, where did that week go to ? !!! The weekend and the longest day are just around the corner and a potential heatwave is on the horizon.                               Apart from an explosion of more young birds it has been a very quiet week in the county. Ospreys were seen at Stanford,  Pitsford and Hollowell Reservoirs,  Bittern at Titchmarsh LNR and Summer Leys,  Curlew at Clifford Hill GP,  drake Red Crested Pochard at Ecton SF and Whimbrel and Green Sandpiper at Daventry CP. 

I have been out and about during the week and my highlights were a female Roe Deer with her two fawns/kids who were mooching about with not a care in the world.  It really was a beautiful sight. I have been lucky to come across fox cubs playing and badger cubs out foraging.             I have enjoyed watching the many variety of butterflies which are now out on the wing. The Marbled White is one of my favourites and it is lovely to see how much their range has expanded over the years.  I  can remember the time when they were confined to a few specific areas in the county and I used to visit a railway cutting near the Bringtons to see them,  but now they really are everywhere including Wellingborough Town centre.  There were quite a few out at Harrington Airfield this afternoon along with a large number of Painted Ladies and a single Clouded Yellow.                                                                                                 I have been watching a couple of Barn Owls hunting. This morning I was surprised to see one of them out hunting at 08.00hrs. I watched it for nearly an hour but during this time it failed to catch anything.  On a couple of occasions it was harassed by a Lesser Black Backed Gull so took shelter in a tree until the gull disappeared.  It was quite noticeable just how far the owl was now flying in it's quest for food.  A couple of weeks ago both these Owls were finding food very easily and only travelling a short distance.  I had already noticed that their hunting pattern has changed which may indicate that their plentiful food supply has dried up which is not good news for their growing youngsters. 

A ringing session at Linford Reserve (Kenny Cramer) in challenging weather conditions produced 137 birds of 19 species, 111 of which were newly ringed and mostly newly fledged juveniles. The most numerous species was Greenfinch, 26 birds processed and then 24 Goldfinches. Other numerous species included 21 Blackcaps, 18 Blue Tits,  13 Robins and 6 Great Tits and Chiffchaffs.   An amazing 4 Cuckoo's were processed,  3 of which were new which brings this year's total to a record equalling 12.

Have a good weekend wherever and whatever you do. 

Regards Eleanor 

                                                      Pictures from Kenny Cramer 

                                              Rouzel pretending that I can't see her  !!

Weekend Round Up

Another quiet weekend in the county which isn't surprising as we are right in the middle of the breeding season. On Saturday there was a Quail calling from a crop field just west of Wadenhoe Road at Aldwincle and two Ospreys at Pitsford Reservoir.  Yesterday there was a Siskin at Wicksteed Park,  Bittern at Titchmarsh LNR, three Cuckoos at Stortons GP and a Grasshopper Warbler and Black Tern at Stanford Reservoir. 

I have seen very little myself as out of county at an agility competition. My birding was limited to early morning and late evening where I bumped into a Barn Owl out hunting. Today I had a vet visit at Market Harborough and afterwards took Tystie for a walk through the town.  As we walked alongside the river he suddenly stopped and stared intently at the bank. I couldn't see anything but then an Otter made a brief appearance.  A bit further on was a Little Egret fishing in full view and totally unphased by the people walking past. When we reached the town centre itself I remembered to check for the Peregrines.       Later this afternoon I went to Harrington Airfield,  no birds of note, but large numbers of Painted Ladies and at least six Marbled White butterflies. 

A ringing session at Stortons GP over the weekend produced 53 birds of 14 species. There were 37 new birds and 16 re-traps. Birds processed included Chiffchaff,  Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common and Lesser Whitethroat. 

Regards Eleanor 

Otter.

Speckled Wood butterfly.

Magpie courtesy of
John Tilly.

Marbled White Butterfly.