Yet more Bramblings

Hello

A ringing session took place at Harrington Airfield this morning, the third in a week. We added more thrushes to the total including the first Fieldfare capture of the autumn, another Brambling, another Blackcap and small numbers of typical species of this habitat. I am used to seeing flocks of birds on migration at this high plateau but didn't expect to see what appeared to be a pure flock of about fifty Bramblings flying in from the north at 7.20am. Calling noisily they circled the complex and clearly had their eyes on the sunflower crop down by the concrete track. During the course of the morning, small flocks of Brambling continually flew around us, presumably splinters from the original flock. However at about 10am I counted about sixty Bramblings flying together, probably one of the biggest flocks I have seen in Northants. A Peregrine flew over at low level and other birds passing over and/or landing included a Grey Wagtail, a Raven, a Redpoll and small numbers of Siskins with a flock of about thirty-five Golden Plovers spending much of the day there.

Bramblings were scattered in hedgerows in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. A few were coming down with Chaffinches to scattered seed by the big barn in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

At Pitsford Reservoir the Otter again put in an appearance in the Scaldwell Bay and lingering birds included the Wood Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Water Rail, fifteen Red-crested Pochard, two drake Goosanders, at least nine Pintail, seven Great White Egrets and fifteen Little Egrets.

A Green Sandpiper and Grey Wagtails were at the small sewer treatment works at Ashton today and the impressive egret roost count at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits this afternoon again included fourteen Cattle Egrets and six Great White Egrets.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included a Pink-footed Goose, an Egyptian Goose, three Red-crested Pochard, a Pintail, five Ravens, two Water Rails, two Kingfishers, four Cetti's Warblers, six Lesser Redpolls and twelve Siskins.

Regards

Neil M

Redwing courtesy of
Lewis Aaron.

First year male Brambling
courtesy of Lewis Aaron.