Wednesday 16 March 2022

Dull and then very wet!

Hello

A rather dull morning gave way to heavy rain this afternoon and evening - all quite different to the forecast proffered only yesterday!

The initial conditions were perfect for ringing today and the team at Stortons Pits did well to catch and process sixty birds which included a new Water Rail, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, eighteen Reed Buntings, two Greenfinches, a Chaffinch and a Goldfinch. A flock of eight Garganey (seven drakes) were also there, on the west pit near to the island at lunchtime. This may be the largest number recorded in Northants and reflects the large influx of this species in the UK both today and yesterday with flocks seen at a variety of locations and with up to fourteen at Dungeness in Kent.

A Peregrine passed low over Hanging Houghton early this morning and there were about six Bramblings and a Grey Partridge at Harrington Airfield.

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the Great Northern Diver and the Common Sandpiper still plus about a dozen Snipe and a Brambling in the Scaldwell Bay.

A Little Ringed Plover was seen on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR today and the Glossy Ibis maintained it's presence around the North Lake area of Stanwick Pits this morning. Birds at Stanford Reservoir included a Great White Egret, two Goosanders, an Oystercatcher and a Kingfisher.

The map for Pitsford Reservoir has been updated to include the recent features such as the viewing screens at Christies Copse and the Kingfisher screens in the Scaldwell Bay (courtesy of Neil Hasdell). Please see the Birdwatching Site Maps tab or page. An additional page has also been created for photographs taken during the second five day Naturetrek tour of Iceland (8th - 12th March 2022).

Regards

Neil M

Drake Garganey.

Little Ringed Plover
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Male Reed Bunting. March through to May
probably provides the best opportunity to
witness Reed Buntings coming to food in gardens.


No comments: