The stormy season continues

Hello

From one storm to another there is no let up for our feathery and furry friends out there with the current high winds and rain destined to stay with us for much of the forthcoming week.

Brave souls nevertheless ventured out to see what was on offer and the birds at Pitsford Reservoir again included the Great Northern Diver, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Barnacle Goose and two Yellow-legged Gulls (adult and a fourth year together), all visible from the dam or other areas at the southern end of the reservoir.

Grey Partridges visiting and feeding in a garden at Old were a treat and birds noted at Summer Leys LNR this morning included a Great White Egret, at least three Lesser Redpolls and several Siskins.

The two Hawfinches showed again at Cottesbrooke, again in the poplars looking north from the bus shelter in Station Road. Six to eight Redpolls were at Wicksteed Park, Kettering as were about twenty Siskins.

The three White-fronted Geese were again seen at Stanford Hall today and birds seen at Stanford Reservoir included six Goosanders, fifty-five Golden Plovers, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher and a Chiffchaff.

Regards

Neil M

Adult male Chaffinch
demonstrating the all-too-familiar
affliction with diseased feet.

Image courtesy of
John Tilly.

Great Tit also burdened,
this time with at least one
tick embedded just below
the left eye. Ticks were
never seen on birds during
the winter but these days
they are a common sight
with Great Tits regularly
being targeted.

Image again courtesy
of John Tilly.

Shelduck courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Song Thrush courtesy
of Robin Gossage.