Here and There !!

   Today I have been out and about mixing birding with errands, beginning with a short walk at Blueberry Farm area and finishing at Harrington Airfield.
The Short Eared Owl and pair of Stonechat were present in their usual southern most field of Blueberry. There was a noticeable movement of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Redwing at this time.
A run along the Brampton Valley Way only produced 2 Grey Wagtails and good numbers of Redwings.
A brief visit to Pitsford Reservoir which was a very busy with people walking + cycling as well as numerous fishing boats and sailing craft . Infact it seemed as if "the whole world" was out enjoying the lovely Autumn warmth and the wildfowl themselves looked stunning in the sunshine.  From the causeway I could see 2 Great White Egret, 2 Ruddy Shelduck and 10+ Red Crested Pochard and from the dam a Green Sandpiper and the Grey Phalarope which was very mobile.
This afternoon I visited the garden centre at Harlestone and whilst browsing there were at least 4 Common Crossbill flying around. A walk around Harlestone Firs produced at least 20+ Siskins, mainly near the railway line and plenty of common woodland birds.  The rich reds, orange and yellow of the leaves were beautiful and my canine companions enjoyed a roll in the leaves followed by a bath in the muddy puddles !!!  it is very muddy away from the main track.
I decided to do a late afternoon visit to Harrington Airfield . I only walked out along the rough strip and it was quite productive with a Short Eared Owl, 6 Grey Partridge, approx. 50 Golden Plover and a pair of Stonechat, topped off with a lovely sunset.

Regards Eleanor