Still all the egrets!

Hello

Another blustery day didn't provide anything new but despite the strong south-westerly headwind, plenty of Woodpigeon flocks ploughed on over Harrington Airfield in flocks up to fifty strong. Other visible migration included small flocks of Redwings and finches which included Chaffinches, Greenfinches and six Siskins. Five Grey Partridges were seen, there were just five Golden Plovers on the exposed top field and with two Bramblings, more Redwings and common finches in the bushes.

At Thrapston Pits today there were a couple of drake Goldeneye on show plus three Great White Egrets, six Little Egrets and a Cattle Egret (in the sailing club grounds) and a Chiffchaff, all courtesy of Eric Graham.

Other reports included five Cattle Egrets on the main lake at Stanwick Pits this morning with a Scaup at Daventry Country Park this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Cattle Egrets.

Little Egret.

Great White Egret
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Geese, egrets and Bramblings.

Hello

Very autumnal again today with plenty of birds on the move in the swirl and breeze with a flock of nine Pink-footed Geese flying over the Brampton Valley Way below Hanging Houghton heading towards Brixworth this morning and a flock of six Bramblings in the valley by the large barn below the village. Two Ravens were again in the village, a Peregrine was with prey in the valley this afternoon and a pair of Stonechats were at Blueberry Farm late this afternoon. A few more Bramblings and Siskins were on the move in the Brampton Valley as well and small numbers of Siskins were at Scotland Wood too.

Two or three Yellow-legged Gulls were at the south end of Pitsford Reservoir today and a Barnacle Goose was with one of the Canada Goose flocks.

At Thrapston Pits today there was a pair of Red-crested Pochard, a Cattle Egret, three Great White Egrets, six Little Egrets, a Ring-necked Parakeet, a Kingfisher, two Pintail, a Raven and two pairs of Stonechats. Nearby there was eight Cattle Egrets at roost at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits this evening.

Elsewhere and the young Osprey was still in the Earls Barton Pits area this morning with at least ten Golden Plovers on the Summer Leys LNR. The single Pink-footed Goose remained at Hollowell Reservoir today and there were two Pintail too with a Brambling and at least twenty-five Golden Plovers reported at Harrington Airfield this lunchtime.

Regards

Neil M

Adult Yellow-legged Gull
at Pitsford Reservoir today.

House Sparrow.

Harrington visible migration

Hello

A visit to Harrington Airfield, the first time in over four weeks, provided a steady flow of over-flying migrants with plenty of Woodpigeons, Starlings and Redwings streaming south west with others in the bushes. Chaffinches were passing over in good numbers with some arcing down into the scrubby areas and Skylarks were both visual and vocal. About two hundred Golden Plovers were on the top fields, fifteen Bramblings were lingering and a Short-eared Owl flew from the straw bales on the concrete track. Two or three more Bramblings were down near the museum and there were six Grey Partridges in the valley below Hanging Houghton.

Subsequent birds included two Ravens over the garden here at Hanging Houghton, a Chiffchaff in the garden and a Grey Wagtail on the house roof!

Elsewhere and a Pink-footed Goose was at Hollowell Reservoir as were four Great White Egrets, five Stonechats and a fly-over Brambling. An Osprey flew west over Moulton this afternoon and Adrian's evening roost check at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits revealed an excellent nine Cattle Egrets and a Great White Egret.

Regards

Neil M

Common Buzzard.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Meadow Pipit.

Rook.

Linford Lakes ringing

Hello

A team of four ringers, led by Kenny Cramer conducted another interesting ringing session at Linford Lakes on the outskirts of Milton Keynes yesterday resulting in fifty captures of sixteen species of which thirty-six individuals were newly-ringed. A Barn Owl is the second bird caught in recent times but four Jackdaws were something of a surprise as was a young male Sparrowhawk. Other birds included five Blackbirds, four Redwings, two Song Thrushes, five Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and two Lesser Redpolls.

Regards

Neil M

Goldcrest.

Barn Owl.

Jackdaws.

Sparrowhawk.

Lesser Redpoll.
All images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

The Isles of Scilly

Hello

Just back from four weeks on the wonderful Isles of Scilly! We enjoyed a mixture of weather and although it is already recognised as being a quiet year in many respects there was still plenty to look at! As well as general birding, Eleanor was running around the island coastal paths most days with her collies, I did a little ringing and conducted a Naturetrek tour and managed to complete a couple of pelagic trips too. And of course these islands are fabulous walking terrain with every island subtly different to each other and yes I took plenty of photos.

Anyway a few images from the islands, no doubt there will be more over the next few days...

Regards

Neil M

Gannet.

Snow Bunting.

Hottentot-Fig flower.

Small Copper.

Bathing Song Thrush.