Rosy Starling

Hello

A very hot day so I started with a gentle walk at Harrington Airfield this morning. A Marsh Tit wasn't anticipated but otherwise the birds were as expected. It was a little early in the day for butterflies but a Small Heath was on the wing as was a Cinnabar moth. As in other recent years the Common Spotted Orchids seem to be doing well there but the Bee Orchids are very few in number.

Yesterday's Rosy Starling was again at Clifford Hill Pits today, spending much of its time in a bush adjacent to the River Nene by the northern-most sluice gates (opposite a green metal container). Super plumage on what appears to be an adult male re-growing some of it's tail feathers, the bird was pretty lethargic and when feeding in the grass was normally in company with Eurasian Starlings. This bird was found and quickly reported by Dave Smith yesterday evening and not suprisingly has been a draw to birders from further afield. Well done Dave!

Another gaudy bird reported today was a male Golden Oriole at Glapthorn Cow Pastures seen by would-be hairstreak observers. It was seen a couple of times but there have been no subsequent reports.

At Stortons Pits today ringers processed 54 birds of thirteen species which included a Sedge Warbler ringed in early May this year at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes. Other warblers included two more Sedge Warblers, twelve Reed Warblers, three Blackcaps and five Chiffchaffs. Other species included Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Blue and Great Tits, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting.

Regards

Neil M

Common Spotted Orchid.

Viper's-Bugloss.

Cinnabar Moth.

Quail courtesy of
Nathan Jones.

Rosy or Rose-coloured Starling
at Clifford Hill Pits - images taken
by the original finder Dave Smith.