Here they come!

Hi

Finally the last of the local snow had disappeared by this morning, the overnight rain helping no doubt.

A warmer but wet day ensured several soakings, but it was worth it with a 'buzz' of migrants about!

Two visits to Harrington Airfield today didn't yield a great deal, but it was raining both times!  The best live birds were a Red Kite, a Chiffchaff, two Wheatears, c100 Fieldfares and a pair of Grey Partridge.  Some Ring Ouzel feathers were found near to the second bunker this evening, indicating that it had been predated.  However the feathers didn't look fresh so it was unlikely to have been yesterday's bird.

Birds in the garden at Hanging Houghton first thing included Blackcap, Redwing, Tree Sparrow and several each of Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer.

Three visits to Pitsford Res today provided views of a Great White Egret (Walgrave Bay), 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatchers, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Swallows, 1+ Sand Martins, a Yellow Wagtail, a Brambling, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Willow Tit.

Two visits to Earls Barton GP on the Summer Leys Reserve notched up a Great White Egret, 2 superb summer plumage Black-necked Grebes, a Pintail, 2 Shelduck, a couple of Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, 8 Swallows, a few Sand Martins, 2 Common Terns and lots of noisy Black-headed Gulls intent on breeding.

A walk at Sywell CP produced an Osprey in flight towards Earls Barton, a Raven, 4 Common Terns, a Yellow Wagtail, 4+ Swallows and Sand Martins and a couple of Siskins.  Nearby, a Woodcock was flushed from hedging near Wellingborough Grange.  A quick visit to Welford Res provided only a Kingfisher and 2 Sand Martins.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil