Iceland - 4th - 8th March 2022

Monday, 4 February 2013

Chiffchaffs

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



Canada Goose

Chiffchaff

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Long-tailed Tit

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Goldcrest

Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

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