Migrants on the move

Hello

A much quieter ringing session at Harrington Airfield this morning provided fifty-three captures of ten species which included four Fieldfares, twenty-seven Yellowhammers, a Meadow Pipit and a number of finches including Linnets, Goldfinches and Chaffinches. The northerly airstream activated significant passerine migration with over three hundred Meadow Pipits moving over north plus 'alba' wagtails which included two Whites and winter thrushes. Up to a dozen Bramblings were a combination of birds moving overhead or singing in the bushes. Other birds present included about two hundred Golden Plovers and a Brimstone butterfly was on the wing when it was sunny.

An Osprey flew high north over Spratton village at 2pm (there are already three now back at Rutland Water) and birds at Pitsford Reservoir included the two Oystercatchers, two Barnacle Geese, a Great White Egret and a Chiffchaff.

An assessment of the nocmig recordings over Scaldwell village last night included a Water Rail, two Moorhens, a Coot, three Common Gulls, a Little Grebe, two Wigeon, a Grey Heron and thirty-one Redwings.

This morning and a drake Ring-necked Duck was found on the Main Lake at Stanwick Pits and a Rock Pipit was there briefly before moving off east. The Glossy Ibis again spent some time in the horse field alongside Thrapston Pits near to the A605 layby and a Mediterranean Gulls and a small selection of common waders were on the Summer Leys LNR. A Jack Snipe was located at Clifford Hill Pits and three Peregrines were visible near to the church at Higham Ferrers. Five Crossbills maintained a presence at Hollowell Reservoir again today and a House Martin was seen at Raunds.

Regards

Neil M

Fieldfare courtesy
of Beth Clyne.

Brambling courtesy of
Lynne Barnett.

Meadow Pipit courtesy
of Beth Clyne.