Scarce county birds in March

Hello

Eric's visit to the car park at Wakerley Wood this morning provided an opportunity to watch a pair of Crossbills and with the feeders there attracting several Bramblings, ten Redpolls and four Siskins. Nearby an Osprey flew over the road near Bulwick and Deene Lake hosted two Green Sandpipers, lots of Teal and three pairs of Shelduck.

A Black Redstart was a good local find at Ashton Water Treatment Works but unfortunately it wasn't seen after the initial sighting. This record fits in with quite a number being found nationally today with groups of up to seven.

Another good find was a Common Crane seen flying north over the Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston - hopefully the first of several this spring as their numbers continue to increase in the UK. The Glossy Ibis was still in the horse field off the A605 layby today.

The Ring-necked Duck was reported at Stanwick Pits today and the long-staying drake at Ditchford Pits was reportedly still present too (presumably on Big Lake), seemingly confirming two different drakes in the Nene Valley. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose remained next to Otter Lake on the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve, sticking close to two Canada Geese.

At Summer Leys LNR today a Great White Egret was seen plus two Little Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit, nineteen Snipe, a Pintail and a Mediterranean Gull.

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the drake Scaup and hybrid female, a fly-over Curlew, a Shelduck, two Oystercatchers, a Snipe and a Great White Egret with a Redpoll in a nearby Scaldwell garden.

Harrington Airfield continued to hold common buntings and finches including about a dozen Bramblings with Ravens there, at Lamport and Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

An immature White-fronted Goose was at Stanford Reservoir after being found there initially yesterday evening and a flock of fifty Sand Martins at Ravensthorpe Reservoir this afternoon was the first large number seen so far this spring.

Bucknell Wood and the Hazelborough Forest area has been added to the Birdwatching Site maps tab courtesy of Neil Hasdell.

Regards

Neil M

The beginnings of a tit nest
at Scotland Wood today, courtesy
of Lynne Barnett.

A nest of Wood Mice at Scotland Wood
today, courtesy of Lynne Barnett.

Male House Sparrow courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

A Common Buzzard attempting
to hunt very quick Rabbits!
Image courtesy of Robin Gossage.