Friday 26 February 2021

Finches, buntings and Barn Owls

Hello

A ringing session at Harrington Airfield this morning provided 101 captures of fourteen species of birds with finches and Yellowhammers dominating.  Linnets were the most common capture with thirty-four birds and two female Bramblings were a bonus. Other birds on-site included at least one more Brambling, calling Grey Partridges and about two hundred and forty Golden Plovers still. Another ringing session will take place tomorrow morning and general access to the bunkers and old airstrip area will be restricted.

At Sywell Country Park birds seen during a circular walk (with lots of people) included a Cetti's Warbler, 1-2 Water Rail(s), two Chiffchaffs, a pair of Stonechats, six Redpolls, thirty Siskins, a pair of Grey Wagtails and a Green Sandpiper.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was reported again on Big Lake at Ditchford Pits today (and yesterday) and birds at Thrapston Pits today included the Glossy Ibis, the 'redhead' Smew and six Great White Egrets.

The juvenile Iceland Gull continues to be attracted to Rushton Landfill and was seen on the roof of the main building there during the early afternoon. Mark found an adult Mediterranean Gull off the dam at Hollowell Reservoir late in the afternoon.

A drake Goosander was on the golf course lake at Collingtree, a female Blackcap was in a garden at Wollaston and a Siskin was in a garden at Scaldwell.

Two Barn Owls were again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and a pair of Stonechats remain. Due to a recent incident it is worth reminding photographers to keep their distance from the roosting/nesting sites of Barn Owls and that any attempts at photographs should be at long range or preferably in areas where they hunt and with no close proximity to where they reside.

Regards

Neil M



Adult male Siskins
coming to feeders at
Wakerley Wood yesterday.

Linnet courtesy of
John Tilly.


Yellowhammer courtesy
of John Tilly.

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