Most common raptors in Northants

Hello

A pleasant winter's day with broken sunshine, a little breezier and cooler this afternoon.

The two Bearded Tits were confirmed as still being present at Stortons Pits this morning and there seems to be a strong likelihood they will remain there all winter. Nearby there was a female Red-crested Pochard and a Goosander at Sixfields Lake and seven Goosanders and a pair of Stonechats were at the Nene Barrage section of Clifford Hill Pits. 

Two pairs of Stonechats were also at Thrapston Pits and a male Blackcap was seen in a Brixworth garden today. The female Merlin remains in the NN6 area this morning, this time seen at Blueberry Farm where there were plenty of small birds for her to chase. Two pairs of Stonechats in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton have been present for a few months now and there are clearly good numbers wintering in the county.

A male Brambling was in Hanging Houghton village this morning, there was at least one Raven and a Redpoll at Kelmarsh and Harrington Airfield supported two more Ravens, a Woodcock and Golden Plovers were heard calling.

The female Ruddy Shelduck was reported at Hollowell Reservoir today, two Golden Plovers were seen in flight over Scaldwell village and the White-fronted Goose flock at Stanwick Pits was still at least nineteen strong this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Kestrel courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Red Kite courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Common Buzzard.

Female Sparrowhawk
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

The above four species are now
easily the most common birds of
prey in Northamptonshire. The Kestrel
was traditionally the most common raptor
but now trails Common Buzzard and
 possibly Sparrowhawk too.