Finally...the Wheatears have arrived!

Hello

A period of ringing was undertaken at Kelmarsh Hall today which resulted in 153 birds of fifteen species being caught and processed, the majority being common tits. In addition there were two Siskins caught and ringed plus Goldfinches, Chaffinches, two Redwings and a couple of Nuthatches. Up to three Ravens and a pair of Grey Wagtails were noted on-site.

Birds at Harrington Airfield today included the Short-eared Owl, the female Merlin and several Bramblings and there was one or two Brambling(s) in our garden at Hanging Houghton with two Ravens overhead.

There seemed to be a movement of Wheatears this afternoon with birds making landfall near Wigsthorpe, on top of Blueberry Hill and the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, the first I have heard of in the county this spring.

At Pitsford Reservoir the drake Scaup and hybrid female were again off the dam and north of the causeway there was at least one Great White Egret (third hand report of four individuals), a Snipe and two Oystercatchers with a Barn Owl between Old village and the reserve perimeter.

Summer Leys LNR was the venue for a Mediterranean Gull, a Black-tailed Godwit, twenty plus Snipe, four Dunlin, two Redshanks, two Oystercatchers and two Great White Egrets. The Glossy Ibis was again in the horse field next to Tharpston Pits near to the A605 layby.

Birds sound recorded over Scaldwell last night included two Little Grebes, a Moorhen, a Coot, two Black-headed Gulls, twenty-three Common Gulls and nine Redwings.

Regards

Neil M

Siskin courtesy of Lewis Aaron

Nuthatch courtesy of
Lewis Aaron.

Cock Pheasant.

Otter in Abington Park,
Northampton courtesy of
Dave Jackson. This animal
is showing regularly in the lakes
at the park with most observations
being early in the morning and again
late in the afternoon.