Iceland and back

Hello

I have been away for the last nine days to Iceland, leading two short tours for Naturetrek in an effort to see the Northern Lights and Winter Wildlife. I have created a page which includes some images from the first period and will create a second tab in due course for the last five days too - please click on the appropriate tab under the Homepage picture should you wish to have a look.

After the daytime temperatures and winter weather of Iceland is seems remarkably mild here and spring-like in comparison!

The Great Northern Diver was reported from Pitsford Reservoir again today with the Common Sandpiper on the dam still. The Glossy Ibis was seen at the north section of Stanwick Pits again today too. Birds at Summer Leys LNR included a Ruff, a Great White Egret, nine Redshanks, fifteen to twenty Common Snipe and a Brambling. Yesterday there were three Ravens to the south of Easton Maudit with recent sightings of three Grey Partridges in the Nene Valley between Whiston Lock and north of the active gravel works.

At this time of the year north-bound migrants will be visiting gardens to fuel up before moving on and it is likely that many gardens will briefly host Siskins, Redpolls and Bramblings which will eat as much as they can and then move on before the day's end. It is also when Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings will be visiting gardens for seed on the ground (Reed Buntings will also visit suspended feeders with the right food).

A Grey Wagtail was at Hanging Houghton today and there was a singing Chiffchaff and two Grey Wagtails near Brixworth.

Regards

Neil M

Male and female Wigeon
courtesy of John Tilly.

Pied Wagtail courtesy
of John Tilly.

Great Crested Grebes
courtesy of John Tilly.