Peregrines, Woodcock and Bramblings.

Hello

Early morning birding at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning provided the usual Barn Owl, two Woodcock and half a dozen Bramblings.

A pair of Peregrine were showing very well in winter sunshine on the church in the centre of Market Harborough this morning. Remnants of discarded prey items included a Woodcock, a Starling and what may have been a Snipe. A Grey Wagtail was present too (but very much alive and kicking)!

The Water Pipit showed on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR again this morning and about twenty or so Bramblings were still present at Harrington Airfield in the hawthorn bushes near the bunkers.

Birds on show in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon included five or more Great White Egrets, at least ten Pintail, the usual drake Mandarin Duck, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, and a Brambling. Finishing touches are still required to finish off the new viewing area and screen in the Scaldwell Bay which has been designed for watching and photographing Kingfishers and other water birds. As if to seal the approval and construction, a Kingfisher was seen to come in and try and land on one of the added perches! Bramblings were also present in a finch flock on the track running down to the Walgrave Bay from the Holcot to Walgrave road.

Late this afternoon a small flock of Pink-footed Geese flew south during the cover of darkness along the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton towards Brixworth. There was a Barn Owl and a Little Owl and a Woodcock in a different place at Blueberry Farm this afternoon and about half a dozen Bramblings were near the large barn in the Brampton Valley below HH.

Long-staying birds just north of the border at Eyebrook Reservoir include a Ring-necked Duck, a Scaup and a Smew.

Regards

Neil M

Remnants of a Woodcock
at Market Harborough
courtesy of Fiona Barclay.

Brambling at Harrington Airfield
today. There are still plenty about
in the county.