Pitsford CBC

Hello

Although it was grey and drizzly to begin with, I committed to another Common Bird Census on the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir today. Already there was evidence of autumn passage with at least four Common Sandpipers (possibly seven), a Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit - these are already returning post-breeding waders from the north. There were few other birds of note but the nestful of young Spotted Flycatchers are progressing nicely.

It was also a bioblitz day on the reserve with the area around the covert being selected for today's attention. Pheremone lures brought in Hornet Clearwing and Orange-tailed Clearwing moths and dancing butterflies in the sun when it did come out included a few Marbled Whites. Odonata included Black-tailed Skimmer, Southern Hawker, Common Darter, Emerald Damselfly and Beautiful Demoiselle.

The first brood of Great Crested Grebes were out and Coots seem to have had a good year with quite a number of half-grown youngsters around the reservoir. The water level is currently being artificially kept high with water being pumped in from elsewhere - not great news if you wanted to witness significant wader passage at Pitsford this autumn!

Eric's visit to the Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits didn't reveal much out of the ordinary but several female Tufted Ducks have broods of ducklings there and the Black-headed Gulls seem to have produced plenty of young there too. A Painted Lady butterfly was on-site.

An evening visit to Kelmarsh Hall provided an adult Spotted Flycatcher feeding fledged young, a Kingfisher and a Common Newt on the path back to the car park.

Regards

Neil M

Cob Mute Swan
at Kelmarsh Hall.

Azure Damselfly.

Mating pair of Scarlet
Tiger moths.