Blue-winged Teal

Hello

Yesterday (31st March), and it seemed that singing Blackcaps were just about everywhere I was - they are obviously hot on the heels of the now widespread singing Chiffchaffs!

Also late yesterday morning, Eleanor witnessed an impressive 'kettle' of 18 Common Buzzards circling over the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.  It wasn't clear if this was an indication of migration or whether it was simply local birds gathered together enjoying the warm air and light breeze.

This morning Stanwick Gravel Pits stalwart Steve Fisher found yet another rare bird on his local patch, this time a very smart drake Blue-winged Teal.  The bird was associating with a pair of Shoveler on the A45 layby pit but reportedly flew off some time after 10.30am.

A pair of Shelduck were noted at Pineham today in the Nene Valley and Pitsford Res continued to host the Great Northern Diver and Red-necked Grebe north of the dam this evening.  Andrew Tyrrell saw and heard the female Wood Duck on the River Nene at Carlsberg today.

Regards

Neil M