More Redstarts!

Hello

One of the spring bird celebrities moved site today - the Glossy Ibis was at Stanwick Pits showing well on and off on the Main Lake. Other birds there included the drake Smew first thing, a Marsh Harrier, three Black-tailed Godwits in flight this evening and two Cattle Egrets.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was seen again at Clifford Hill Pits today with a supporting cast of three Ringed Plovers, three Little Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin. The Ditchford Pits complex held the Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve still plus hundreds of Sand Martins and a Yellow Wagtail.

Earls Barton Pits including Summer Leys attracted three Black-tailed Godwits, a Redshank, a Dunlin, a Curlew and a Yellow Wagtail. Two Great White Egrets were on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits this morning.

Belated news was received today of a Black Redstart at Broadholme Treatment Works on Thursday and today another was found in a Wellingborough garden. Two male Common Redstarts were found alongside the River Tove between Alderton and Shutlanger this morning, and later a Black Redstart was there too! It's already been a good spring for both species and no doubt there will be more to come.

Borough Hill Country Park was quiet for birds today but Jon found one or two Water Pipit(s) on the dam at Hollowell Reservoir but sadly it/they flew off south - none of them are lingering long it seems! A Yellow Wagtail was there later. The drake Scaup and hybrid female were in the Moulton Grange Bay at Pitsford Reservoir this morning. An Osprey flew east over Stanford Reservoir this afternoon.

Birds at Harrington Airfield today included a female Peregrine, a hundred Yellowhammers, two Bramblings, a Wheatear, two Ravens, a Grey Partridge and a Willow Warbler. Fifty Redwings and a Raven were near Lamport and several Redwings were at Kelmarsh Hall. Our garden at Hanging Houghton was visited by ten Reed Buntings, three Yellowhammers and a male Brambling today.

A Mealy Redpoll was reported at Wakerley Woods yesterday but seemingly not seen today, the feeders still attracting at least one Brambling, a Redpoll, a Siskin and with a Crossbill heard.

An Osprey was at Thorpe Malsor Reservoir this afternoon plus a Grey Wagtail and at least four Lesser Redpolls.

This evening a Barn Owl was visible in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and one hundred and forty Fieldfares flew to roost.

A ringing session at Linford Lakes this morning provided captures of a Common Snipe, a Sedge Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler and a Blackcap.

Wicksteed Park has been added to the Birdwatching Site Maps tab courtesy of Neil Hasdell.

Regards

Neil M

Common Snipe courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Sedge Warbler courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Drake Smew courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Male Common Redstart.

Black Redstart.