Merry Christmas!

Hello

A ringing session planned for Kelmarsh Hall was called forward to today due to the uncertainty of future pandemic restrictions post Christmas. The significant flooding of yesterday at Kelmarsh had subsided but it was still a sticky, muddy affair trudging to the nets and back. One hundred and twenty birds were processed, the highlights being four Fieldfares, three Redwings, four Blackbirds, a Nuthatch, twelve Goldfinches, a smart adult male Siskin and a Grey Wagtail. Two Ravens were vocal and displaying.

Hundreds of thrushes and Starlings were gleaning the saturated fields in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today where there was also a pair of Stonechats. A Barn Owl was between Upper Catesby and Hellidon this morning and a Woodcock was seen flying into Scotland Wood pre-dawn.

Stanford Reservoir today hosted at least one Black-necked Grebe, a female Scaup and one of the Bearded Tits was heard calling. Five Jack Snipe were located at Daventry Country Park this morning.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas wherever you happen to be and your circumstances. The year has been a tough one for many people and fortitude, patience and goodwill will also be required for a chunk of 2021 too. Thank-you for the support of readers, photographers and all nature lovers who have helped in supporting this blog and providing information, images, videos, maps and more!

Best Wishes

Neil and Eleanor

Robin.

A Northamptonshire sunset
taken this afternoon by Helen Franklin.