Wood Warblers, Pied Flycatcher and terns

Hello

In a spring perhaps dominated by waders, terns and Little Gulls, it was great to turn our attention to two quality passerines in the shape of a Wood Warbler and a Pied Flycatcher which were both found in Abington Park, Northampton today. The Wood Warbler showed well this morning and then seemed to melt away and the Pied Flycatcher continued to show well following it's discovery at about 1.50pm. At least three noisy Ring-necked Parakeets were present too.

A Nightingale was discovered singing at Old Sulehay today and a Grasshopper Warbler was 'reeling' at Nassington. The east end of the county proved profitable with Thrapston Pits being the location for a pair of Common Scoters on Town Lake and an arrival of migrating terns in the shape of three Blacks and at least forty plus Arctics. A male Ring Ouzel was seen near the River Nene in a field also near Thrapston, and the Titchmarsh Reserve also attracted a Great White Egret, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, at least one Whimbrel and a Blue-headed Wagtail.

Summer Leys also experienced a passage of Common and Arctic Terns and hirundines and the Blue-headed Wagtail was still present too. Waders included two Ruff, the Spotted Redshank, three Common Sandpipers, two Ringed Plovers and four Dunlin. A Grasshopper Warbler in the car park remained elusive. A Wood Warbler was heard singing at the back of Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits this morning but soon went quiet. Eleven Arctic Terns flew through Stanwick Pits just before 7am this morning.

Clifford Hill Pits attracted about twelve Arctic Terns, nine Dunlin, a Greenshank and a Hobby this afternoon and an evening birdwatch at Boddington Reservoir produced a Black Tern and about one hundred and thirty terns arrived from the south comprising about two thirds Common and one third Arctic. A 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler was there too.

The three Whimbrel remained at Hollowell Reservoir - it is very unusual for spring birds to linger for so long. An Osprey showed well there today and two Hobbies were at Cold Ashby Golf Course early this afternoon.

A Brambling was still singing at Harrington Airfield this evening and there were three pairs of Grey Partridge on territory and a good number of Brown Hares cavorting about. A ringing session is planned for this venue on Saturday when access to the bunkers and old airstrips will be restricted.

Regards

Neil M

The Abington Park
Wood Warbler courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

The same Wood Warbler
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

The Abington Park Pied
Flycatcher courtesy of
Neil Hasdell.

The same Pied Flycatcher
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Bar-tailed Godwits at Pitsford 
Reservoir two days ago courtesy
of Dave Jackson.