Avocets

Hello

A little exotica in the county today with an Avocet found at Boddington Reservoir followed by five more being found at Summer Leys. There were other birds seen in counties to the south and east of us and apparently the movement was emulated as far away as Holland with large flocks turning up at a variety of sites. It seems that the Summer Leys birds didn't last very long but the Boddington bird was still there this evening.

Pitsford Reservoir today sadly didn't seem to have an Avocet, the best birds being a Great White Egret, three Little Egrets, a pair of Oystercatchers, a handful of Chiffchaffs and a couple of Grey Wagtails. Thrapston Pits supported three or four Great White Egrets, two Little Egrets, a Goosander and several Chiffchaffs. Another Goosander was at Abington Park today and nearby at Clifford Hill Pits Mark Williams saw the two drake Scaup, a Great White Egret, fourteen Goosanders, a pair of Oystercatchers, a Raven and three Stonechats.

Stanwick still hung on to three Great White Egrets today plus two Egyptian Geese and other birds for Summer Leys included a Great White Egret, two Yellow-legged Gulls, Snipe and Oystercatcher.

Two Barn Owls were hunting the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning and Harrington Airfield birders today saw a Stonechat, a Barn Owl, a few Snipe and a female Brambling.

Regards

Neil M

Robberfly sp with victim.

Wasp sp.

Spring is nearly here and it'll
be the return of the insects soon.
Both images courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Garden Rook nest!

Garden Sparrowhawk!

Both above images courtesy
of Jim Dunkley.