More spring action

Hello

A few waders on the move today with twenty-three Golden Plovers, a Dunlin and a Shelduck at Clifford Hill Pits, a Redshank on Dragonfly Lake at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and eleven Redshanks, a Little Ringed Plover, a Great White Egret and a Brambling at Summer Leys LNR. 

An Osprey was seen flying north over Wicksteed Park, Kettering this morning and although the Kingfishers were busy on West Pit at Stortons this morning it seems that the Garganey flock had moved on.

A female Garganey was found in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir today and wader action there included the Common Sandpiper still on the dam, a Woodcock in a woodland compartment between the Bird Club and James Fisher hides and about twenty-five Common Snipe. Singles of Siskin and Redpoll were at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station.

A locally-released Golden Pheasant was again seen at the Northampton Golf Course at Harlestone and visible from the footpath that crosses the 15th hole. At least two Bramblings were at Hinton Airfield this morning and early this morning the three White-fronted Geese plus four Great White Egrets were on the Main Lake at Stanwick Pits. Two Oystercatchers and three Goosanders were at Stanford Reservoir.

Under the cover of all that
rain yesterday evening our
frogs finally returned to our
garden ponds!

Common Redshank.

Common Snipe.

Recent ringing recoveries:-

1.  A juvenile Wren was ringed at Astcote near Towcester on 30th June 2021 but was unfortunately taken by a cat in the same village on or about 28th February this year, 243 days later and without having a chance to provide for the next generation;

2.  A Reed Bunting was caught and ringed at Pitsford Reservoir on 31st December 2019 and was taken by a cat in Brixworth village on or about the 3rd March this year. This bird may have travelled much further during the interim 793 days but ultimately probably paid the price for venturing into a garden not far from where it was originally ringed;

3.  A first year Blue Tit was ringed at Overstone Park, Northampton on 19th December 2021 and was caught again by a ringer at Chase Park Farm, Yardley Chase 78 days later on 7th March this year and thirteen km SSE from the original ringing site;

Screenshot courtesy of Nick Wood.

4.  A first year Blue Tit was ringed at Chippenham Fen, Cambridgeshire on 25th October 2019 and was found dead at Astcote on 7th March this year, possibly as a result of a collision with a vehicle. This bird had moved 99km to the west during the intervening 864 days. Most tits perhaps don't move far from their natal areas but there is a percentage that definitely have wander-lust genes!

Regards

Neil M

Screenshot courtesy of Nick Wood.