Redstarts, ducks and erm a Shag

Hello

This morning I took a walk along the footpath that runs between Walgrave village and Pitsford Reservoir, commencing at Bridle Road Old village and walking east. I was hoping to encounter Common Redstarts at this traditional stop-over site and in due course found four. I spent some time trying to obtain photographic views of two adult males but they were particularly skulking and no photos obtained! A first year male by a small horse paddock and a flighty female were a little easier but didn't permit a close approach.

Next was Pitsford Reservoir which initially seemed quiet but a period of time in the Bird Club Hide overlooking the Scaldwell Bay provided a surprise in the shape of a juvenile Shag which swam past the hide and then out into open water. Two Great White Egrets were present as was an adult Green Sandpiper, two Hobbies and later a Garganey was on show. Other birds of interest included a colour ringed Black-headed Gull and a female Pochard with a nasal saddle - hopefully details of their origin will become known soon! The best of the butterflies were Small Heath and Small Copper.

In the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton there was another Common Redstart, two Whinchats and a Wheatear and another Common Redstart was found at Twywell Hills and Dales in a hedgerow towards Twywell village.

A first year Mediterranean Gull was within a gull flock near Denton this morning and the Summer Leys LNR hosted a juvenile Black Tern, three Great White Egrets, three Greenshanks, a Ruff, two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper and a Hobby. A Wheatear was at Chelveston Airfield.

This evening the juvenile Shag reappeared at Pitsford Reservoir but this time off the dam before disappearing again. Other birds included between four and six Yellow-legged Gulls, a juvenile Arctic Tern and a Peregrine.

Regards

Neil M

First year male Common Redstart 
Walgrave/Old footpath.

Great Crested Grebes
Pitsford Reservoir.

Female Pochard
Pitsford Reservoir.

Black-headed Gulls in field
adjacent to Pitsford Reservoir
where juvenile Red Kites were
also attracted to the topsoil being
turned by agricultural machinery.

Red Kite.

Juvenile Shag
Pitsford Reservoir.