Quality birds on the loose

Hello

A bright, cool and sunny morning saw me at Pitsford Reservoir at the dam end and the Great Northern Diver was finally swimming in calm water! The Common Sandpiper was on the dam, the adult and fourth year Yellow-legged Gulls were present and a couple of Redpolls and Siskins were mobile.

At Lings Wood, Northampton this morning a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was again on show and drumming.

The Glossy Ibis was eventually re-located at Stanwick Pits, still at the north end of the complex. Also present were five Cattle Egrets this morning.

Another excellent sighting were two Common Cranes that flew over Ravensthorpe Reservoir, coming from the north and departing south-east at about 9.45am. The Pink-footed Goose was in a field just west of the causeway and the reservoir also hosted a Great White Egret and five Siskins. A pair of Goosanders were on the River Nene at Lilford plus about thirty Siskins.

Eleanor's trek around the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits this afternoon was also productive with a female Ring-necked Duck being located on the Heronry Pit at about 5pm (visible from the hide there but a fallen tree makes access difficult). Other birds included three Great White Egrets, a pair of Goosanders, a pair of Egyptian Geese, two Oystercatchers, two Kingfishers, a Water Rail, at least three Cetti's Warblers and a Chiffchaff. The highlight was an Otter showing well and audible in Harper's Brook (the stream that runs through the reserve).

The three White-fronted Geese were still in the parkland area of Stanford Hall this afternoon and Stanford Reservoir was the venue for five Goosanders and a Brambling.

Regards

Neil M

Female Ring-necked Duck.

Common Crane.

Otter courtesy of
Robin Gossage.