Hi About 10 Bramblings came down on to the seed at Harrington Airfield this morning amongst a mob of Chaffinches, Yellowhammers and others. Small numbers of Brambling and Lesser Redpoll were present at both Hanging Houghton and Kelmarsh Hall. A visit to Ecton Sewage Farm/Billing Gravel Pits provided views of at least 8 Chiffchaffs at the western end of Clover Lake at its junction with the stream. The strong wind has evidently pushed these birds and a large flock of Long-tailed Tits the other side of the hedging - none of these birds were visible from the small stone bridge. Most of these birds were 'collybita' types and were calling and singing accordingly. One Siberian-type was seen briefly, a washed-out bird with a broad supercillia and a slight wing-bar. Another sepia-coloured bird was seen briefly but the mantle was green/olive and the overall plumage tones and lack of clean ear-coverts would not have been typical of this race. At no point did I ever hear the distinctive 'peep' or 'pee-ip' calls of Siberian, the grey birds seemingly keeping quiet. All these Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits were joined by Goldcrests and other birds fly-catching over the stream - some images below... Other birds nearby included a Green Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. This afternoon there was an adult female Peregrine at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and there were 60 Golden Plovers and 2 Ravens in the Brampton Valley between HH and Cottesbrooke this morning. Possibly a different pair of Raven were in Hanging Houghton village late morning and in to the afternoon. Late this afternoon a second winter (or third calendar year if you like) Yellow-legged Gull was the only bird of note seen in the Pitsford Res gull roost (apologies for the ropey image - it was a bit gloomy). Regards Eleanor and Neil
No comments:
Post a Comment