Happy New Year!

Hello

It was the day of the Raven today with a single at Kelmarsh village, four in flight near Sywell Country Park and another at Staverton. John Woollett placed the last of his turkey remnants in his garden today hoping to attract a passing Red Kite but instead was visited by two Ravens which enjoyed the festive treat and a new bird for John's garden at Astcote!

Mike Pollard's birding in the south of the county today yielded two Corn Buntings between Sulgrave and Thorpe Mandeville, the birds being viewable at SP545443.

Neil Hasdell visited Pitsford Reservoir today and topped up the bird feeders and also saw three Pintail and a Redshank. The recent precipitation has very quickly increased the water level here!

Eric Graham was active in the east and north of the county, seeing a Kingfisher and an Egyptian Goose at Barnwell Country Park and a Hawfinch and 13 Mandarin Ducks at Blatherwycke Lake.

Happy New Year and enjoy your birding in 2018!

Eleanor and Neil

Water Rail captured at
Stortons Pits on 23rd
December. This bird
was first captured there
in 2012 when it was
deemed to be an adult
female. The aberrant grey
feathering appears to have
been acquired during the
last five years.
Image courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Water Rail captured at
Linford Lakes also on
23rd December.
Image courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Male Tawny Owl caught
and ringed at Linford Lakes
on 23rd December.
Image courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

The Raven, the biggest
passerine in the world
and now very much with
us here in Northamptonshire!