Chilly again!

Hello

With stronger winds from the east and the north today, and cloud in the morning, the forecast was for a chilly day. I visited Pitsford Reservoir thinking that these conditions would provide some visible tern and gull migration with maybe a few waders too. It proved to be a little disappointing with just one (albeit lovely) adult Little Gull and an increase in the number of Common Terns. A small flock of distant terns that flew through looked to be Arctics but they were over a mile away! Bigger gulls were very much on the move and I suppose seven species of gull for an inland site isn't that bad with a Yellow-legged Gull being the second best gull on-site. A Green Sandpiper and a handful of Yellow Wagtails were added and a fisherman informed me he was watching the Great Northern Diver fishing in the shallows yesterday.

This afternoon's foray to Harrington Airfield was mostly a fairly quiet affair but a smart male Wheatear, about forty Golden Plovers and at least one lingering Brambling made it worthwhile. Stunning Yellowhammers and pristine male Reed Buntings have kept me entertained in the garden and the dry soil conditions has ensured that Starlings and Blackbirds are continually seeking out the dried mealworms.

Birds of note at Thrapston Pits today included at least five Arctic Terns, a Great White Egret and a Cuckoo and just down the road Stanwick Pits received a visitation from seventeen Arctic Terns. A Little Ringed Plover was at Summer Leys LNR this morning and Clifford Hill Pits was still the place to see three lingering Bar-tailed Godwits, two Dunlin and fifteen Yellow Wagtails. A Wheatear was seen at Borough Hill Country Park with a Shag just down the road at Daventry Country Park.

Regards

Neil M

Great White Egret versus Lapwing!

House Martin.

Common Snipe.

All images courtesy of
Robin Gossage.