Birds before the rain...

Hello

A walk around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell this morning provided views of Barn Owl and Hobby, and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing from an oil seed rape field between Brixworth and Hanging Houghton.

A ringing session at Stortons GP this morning was busy with 95 birds caught and processed, 79 of which were new birds.  Highlights were 4 juvenile Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 36 Reed Warblers, Linnet and 4 Reed Buntings.

A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning was much quieter with only about 40 birds being caught.  However it did include three juvenile Kingfishers and a few each of Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.  Two Mallard, a Coal Tit and a Marsh Tit added a bit of variety.

A Hobby was seen and two parties of Crossbills flew south-west over the reservoir during the morning, the first flock was only heard and probably numbered 4-5 birds and the second flock contained at least 5 birds.

A walk around Harrington Airfield this afternoon before the change in the weather failed to locate anything specifically of interest.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil