Saturday's sightings

Hello

Kenny and team were down at Linford Lakes near Milton Keynes running a ringing session today and processed some fifty-eight birds of twelve species, the majority newly-ringed. At this time of the year of course thrushes dominate and nineteen Redwings found the nets as did five Blackbirds and three Song Thrushes. Warblers stay much later in the autumn these days and four Chiffchaffs were encountered as were three Cetti's Warblers and a single Blackcap. Other notable birds included a Treecreeper and two Lesser Redpolls which included a bright adult male.

At Hanging Houghton this morning, seven Ravens flew over the village and the garden attracted Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail and Brambling. Harrington Airfield provided sightings of c100 Golden Plovers, a Woodcock, a few Bramblings and a Stonechat. Pitsford Reservoir continued to host the late Wood Sandpiper in the Scaldwell Bay and this venue attracted a significant arrival of seventeen Red-crested Pochard overnight, the majority also in the Scaldwell Bay. The low water levels are attracting quite a mix of birds and nine Great White Egrets might even be a site record. Other birds included a Green Sandpiper, double-figure Little Egrets and twenty-five Golden Plovers in fields between there and Scaldwell village. 

Elsewhere and two Pink-footed Geese flew over Nether Heyford this morning, a Peregrine was at Hollowell Reservoir and birds at Summer Leys LNR included over two hundred Golden Plovers, a Ruff and a Great White Egret. A Woodcock and two Snipe were noted at New Sandy Lane, New Duston. A Kingfisher and Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall.

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Redpoll courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Black-headed Gull courtesy
of John Tilly.

Carrion Crow courtesy
of John Tilly.

Grey Heron courtesy
of John Tilly.