Sunday Snippets

Following our return from a cold, wet and windy Iceland it has been rather nice to feel the warmth of the sun and wear a t shirt rather than layers of thermals, mind you the birds haven't been quite as exciting.
I have visited my usual haunts of Harrington, Blueberry and the valley below Hanging Houghton and have caught up with Turtle Dove, Barn Owl, Hobby and Grey Partridge.  Pitsford seemed very quiet when I ran round the big side and checked the small side from the causeway.   There is quite a nice show of Common Spotted Orchid and a handful of Bee Orchids at Harrington.
Eric Graham has visited his regular haunt of Titchmarsh Reserve where there are plenty of singing and visible warblers including Willow, Sedge, Garden, Reed and Cettis. Also Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat.  Other birds of note, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Little Egret and an Osprey over Aldwincle Lake.   It is not only birds which are on the wing as there were Brown Hawkers, Scarce Chasers, Emperor Dragonfly, Darters and Black Tailed Skimmers.
A visit to Fermyn Wood/Country park produced 16 White Admiral butterfly and White Letter Hairstreak but no Purple Emperor yet.

John Woollett and his team of ringers have been at Stortons Gravel Pit today :
Another grand day with 70 birds caught 40 new and 29 retraps and one control Reed warbler. Chris was eagerly spotting Reed Buntings feeding young and located the nest they were ready for ringing. Then later on did the same and found a reed Warblers nest which were duly ringed. The young Great Tits were nearly all from the same nest.
Details are as follows
Wren    4
Chiff    1
Dunno    3         (2)
Greti    1        (6)
Robin    2        (1)
Reewa    11      (11)
Sedwa    1        (4)
Goldfi       1
Bullf        1        (1)
Bluti        5        (1)
Garwa    1
Blaca        5
White        1        (1)
Leswh        1

Cetwa                    (2)

Blabi        2            (1)


Regards Eleanor