Mist nets at dawn

Hello

With a reduction in the wind strength, today was an ideal ringing day and at Linford Lakes the best and brightest capture was an Oystercatcher! Three each of Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit were also good encounters. Other birds seen included four Snipe, a Green Sandpiper and a Chiffchaff with amphibeans in the shape of Great Crested Newt, Common Newt, Toad and Frog on-site too. Yesterday there was a vocal Lesser Spotted Woodpecker there.

Ringing at Harrington Airfield today netted about ninety-nine birds of sixteen species with the finches and buntings dominating the session which included twenty Linnets, a couple of Tree Sparrows, eight Goldfinches, a couple of Greenfinches, six Chaffinches, two Bramblings and forty Yellowhammers. Other birds noted during the morning included Grey Partridge, Raven and migrant Redwings, Fieldfares and Meadow Pipits. A further session is due to take place tomorrow and the bunkers and old airstrip will again experience restricted access.

Below the airfield and close to the south end of Kelmarsh Tunnel, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was drumming and calling and showed itself briefly in trees bordering the Brampton Valley Way. Three singing Chiffchaffs were along the Brampton Valley Way and are now becoming more widespread. Two Ravens and a good number of Meadow Pipits were at Blueberry Farm and there were four noisy Ravens at Hanging Houghton.

Over at Thrapston Pits birds on show included the Glossy Ibis in the horse field by the A605 layby, four Great White Egrets, a pair of Goosanders, a pair of Oystercatchers, two pairs of Kingfishers, twelve Sand Martins, a Swallow plus good numbers of Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers.

An Avocet was a good find late this morning at Lower Barnwell lock flooded field before it was disturbed and flew off.

Stanwick Pits birds included four Cattle Egrets, an adult Mediterranean Gull, nine Redshanks and two Dunlin and at Summer Leys LNR sightings included two Great White Egrets, an adult Mediterranean Gull, twenty-six Snipe, nine Redshank and six Dunlin.

The drake Scaup and hybrid female were off the dam at Pitsford Reservoir again today and Hollowell Reservoir attracted a Jack Snipe and seven Crossbills. Elsewhere and a Barn Owl was along the Charwelton to Hellidon road early this morning (eastern section) and garden Blackcaps included a female at Duston, Northampton and a male again at Woodford Halse, this time being treated to some grapes!

Regards

Neil M

Oystercatcher courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Meadow Pipit courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

First year male Brambling
courtesy of Beth Clyne (sorry
about the muddy hand)!

Blue Tit courtesy of
Beth Clyne.