Almost status quo

Hello

Another pleasant wintry day with a bright afternoon perhaps better than the morning.

At Kelmarsh today there were a pair of Ravens and singles of Redpoll and Grey Wagtail. Pitsford Reservoir continued to host the Great Northern Diver (this afternoon in Stone Barn Bay), an adult Yellow-legged Gull, eight Common Snipe, a pair of Stonechats and a Redpoll.

A Mealy Redpoll was reported in Market Harborough today with a garden there attracting seven Blackcaps at a time to suet. A couple of Blackcaps have been seen in a East Hunsbury garden recently too.

Thirty Redpolls were located at Lings Wood, Northampton today, a female Merlin was seen north east of Braunston and the regular bird was again at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell today.

Birds at Hollowell Reservoir today included a Great White Egret, the long-staying female Ruddy Shelduck and one or two Chiffchaff(s). Two Crossbills were seen in flight over the north east corner of Salcey Forest this afternoon, close to Piddington Lodge.

The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton remained home to a Barn Owl, two pairs of Stonechats and hundreds of Starlings and winter thrushes. A pair of Ravens again visited the village. The flocks of Lapwings and Golden Plovers remain on the top fields at Harrington Airfield.

Regards

Neil M

Redwing.

Catkins.

Robin.

Cormorant.

Dandelion.

All images taken yesterday 
at Sywell courtesy of Jim Dunkley.