Sunday's sightings

Hello

The birds at Pitsford Reservoir were elusive again today but sightings included the Great Northern Diver seen off the dam this morning and just north of the Pintail Bay early this afternoon. Two Great White Egrets appeared in the Scaldwell Bay and at least one pair of Stonechats remained.

Four Woodcock were flushed from underneath a hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning and a pair of Stonechat were present too.

The birds at Harrington Airfield first thing this morning included a lingering first year Peregrine and about a hundred Golden Plovers, with the female Merlin being seen again this afternoon.

At least two Black-necked Grebes and the two Bearded Tits were at Stanford Reservoir today and two Bewick's Swans were discovered in the Welland Valley (presumably flooded) between Rockingham and Gretton - this was once a traditional stop-over site.

The flooded Nene Valley continues to attract White-fronted Geese with an impressive flock of twenty six at Earls Barton Pits, visible from the old railway line in flooded fields opposite the Summer Leys LNR. Six Great White Egrets were also present. At least seven White-fronted Geese were still present at the north-east end of Stanwick Pits and other birds in the complex included seven Cattle Egrets and a Great White Egret. A Bittern was seen in flight over the Earls Barton Pits Quarry Walk reedbed.

Regards

Neil M

Female Merlin.

First year Peregrine.

Bittern.