Round Up

I haven't been out and about as much as I would have liked and my birding has been confined to Blueberry area, Harrington Airfield and Pitsford Reservoir.  The latter site looks as if it should be dripping with "rare" birds, but sadly this is not the case. However there is a good selection of birds to be found including Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Garganey, Great White Egret and Whinchat. All these birds have been viewed from the feeding station looking into the Scaldwell and Walgrave arms.
The fields below Hanging Houghton have been scuffled and are ready to plough. The stubble and freshly turned soil has been attractive to large numbers of gulls and corvids, as well as a steady stream of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and the odd Northern Wheatear.
The hedgerows have been fairly quiet with a couple of Common Redstart and a Whinchat.
On Saturday 9th I stopped at Ravensthorpe Reservoir briefly on my way to Staverton and saw a Wood Sandpiper and 2 Green Sandpiper.   The resident Ravens at Staverton were up to their usual playful games and making all kinds of weird and wonderful noises which always make us laugh.
Harrington has been a bit hit and miss for birds. On some visits I have seen absolutely nothing and on others have connected with Common Redstart, Whinchat, and Wheatear.  This afternoon there was at least one Common Redstart, Whinchat, Siskin, 2 Turtle Doves , Marsh Harrier and a constant stream of Swallows and Martins heading south.

Regards  Eleanor