Northamptonshire Birding: Wet wader-fest

Hello

A day of rain, strong south-westerly winds but much warmer temperatures provided a wader-fest in Northamptonshire.

Flocks of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers arrived in the county today, some of the flocks touching down for a short time, others staying for longer. Smaller numbers of Sanderling and Turnstones were with them and other waders included a couple of Grey Plovers (A5 pools near Lilbourne), two Wood Sandpipers (Stanwick Pits and Summer Leys LNR), Common Sandpipers and Little Ringed Plovers. A Ruff and a Spotted Redshank remained at Summer Leys LNR, seven Whimbrel were again at Clifford Hill Pits and two Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank were at Summer Leys.

A Black Tern at Pitsford Reservoir, a Little Gull at Daventry Country Park and two Arctic Terns at Stanford Reservoir were also the results of these weather conditions plus big numbers of hirundines and increasing numbers of Swifts.

The Cattle Egret remained at Pitsford Reservoir where there was also a Redshank on the dam for a while, a drake Garganey was at Summer Leys where at least six Hobbies put on a super performance and a Peregrine showed up.

Passerines were more difficult to appreciate but a possible Common Redstart was at Cliffird Hill Pits as was thirty Yellow Wagtails and three Greenland Wheatear types. A Great White Egret was seen there too.

I saw my first fledged Starlings today and the Otter at Abington Park, Northampton has been showing well in the week including yesterday.

Regards

Neil M