Early signs of spring

Hello

Seemingly a rather quiet day in the county for birds today but Neil Hasdell found a drake Smew at Pitsford Reservoir, just south of the causeway plus a Barnacle Goose, a Redshank and a Great White Egret.

At Duston Mill the wintering Dartford Warbler and pair of Stonechats continued to delight and at Ravensthorpe Reservoir there was a Pink-footed Goose and two Great White Egrets.

A Peregrine was seen at Kettering and at Summer Leys LNR a Peregrine there was hunting Starlings. Three Oystercatchers had arrived back on the reserve by this afternoon.

At least thirty Bramblings were at Harrington Airfield this afternoon - a ringing session is planned for tomorrow when the area around the bunkers and old airstrip will have restricted access. Over twenty Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall this morning.

Three White-fronted Geese were on the roadside pit at Stanwick Pits this afternoon and a Caspian Gull was identified at Clifford Hill Pits also early this afternoon.

Over at Stanford Reservoir an adult Mediterranean Gull was in the roost and there was an Oystercatcher here too plus six Goosanders. 

I watched a pair of Ravens nest-building today and the lengthening days, relatively mild conditions and irregular sunshine is stimulating plenty of bird song locally.

Regards

Neil M

Drake Smew.

Oystercatcher.

Adult Mediterranean Gull.