Sunday's migrants

Hello

Another cold, breezy day but with some super sunshine too!

Two Ring Ouzels and over a hundred Fieldfares were found foraging in horse paddocks at Dale Farm, Maidwell this morning - which is a hillside equestrian concern to the north of Blueberry Farm. All the thrushes had moved off from there by 1.30pm. A Redpoll was at Hanging Houghton first thing this morning.

At Pitsford Reservoir this morning an Osprey spent time cruising around the Scaldwell Bay and the pair of Garganey were again next to the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station. A Great White Egret and the pair of Oystercatchers were also present.

The Nene Valley provided two Bar-tailed Godwits at Stanwick Pits (and later two more flew over), a Whimbrel there briefly and at Summer Leys LNR the list of migrants included the Spotted Redshank, a Wood Sandpiper, up to sixteen Greenshanks, three Black-tailed Godwits, four Bar-tailed Godwits flying over (and another on the deck), a Little Gull, a Common Sandpiper and Swifts. A Grasshopper Warbler and other common warblers including Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler were present along the old railway line and two Mediterranean Gulls were over Mary's Lake.

Thrapston Pits and in particular the Titchmarsh Reserve again provided the Grey Plover, three Bar-tailed Godwits, five Arctic Terns, two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, a Hobby and a Great White Egret.

The Bar-tailed Godwit and three Whimbrel remained at Hollowell Reservoir today and they were all busy feeding in the meadow. A Great White Egret was also present.

Three Little Gulls were at Daventry Country Park this afternoon and a male Merlin carrying prey on the Clopton/Bythorn track was a great record. A Greenshank and a Little Ringed Plover were at Lower Barnwell floods off the A605.

Regards

Neil M

Drake Garganey.

Whimbrel.

Lapwing.

All images taken locally
by Robin Gossage.