Birds of Good Friday

Hello

Debbie and Eric enjoyed their time on the Titchmarsh Reserve today seeing seven Sand Martins, a singing Blackcap, plenty of  Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers, a male Brambling and a pair of Oystercatchers.

Phil Horsnail had some good finds this morning, locating a pair of Garganey on floodwater (there will be plenty of that about this week-end!) between Oundle and Ashton, close to the Olive Tree nursery and three Hawfinches (including a singing bird) in scrub and ash trees on the grown up section of the disused Polebrook Airfield.

I'm afraid that our birding opportunities were minimal today with a Barn Owl in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, the Jay again in our garden and six or so Sand Martins over Station Road, Earls Barton this morning whilst I was passing the western end of Earls Barton GP.

Regards

Neil M

Sand Martin.
Image courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Drake Garganey.

Shag.
Image courtesy of
Cathy Ryden.

Great Crested Grebe.
Image courtesy of Cathy
Ryden. The fish is a Ruffe
or Pope, which is related to
 the Perch. It tends to stiffen it's
 body when threatened in the hope
that the rigidity might prevent
it from being consumed - not
successful on this occasion!