Weekend Roundup

 Apologies for lack of blogs but I'v had lots of internet issues and for anyone who knows me will understand that "technology" is not my strong point !!

Quite a few good birds around over the weekend. A juv Glaucous Gull was found at DIRFT3 on the A5 pools and  the female Ring Necked Duck was still at Titchmarsh although it could be elusive . Over at Stanwick GP the Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egrets and White Fronted Geese remain whilst at the other side of the county at Stanford Reservoir a Mediterranean Gull, Goosanders and more White Fronted Geese.

Crossbills have been extremely scarce this winter with literally a hand full of birds and this weekend was no exception with only a single bird at Wakerley Wood.

I have visited Harrington Airfield a few times to feed the birds and at least 20+ Bramblings remain with some absolutely stunning males. A small flock [70 birds] of Golden Plovers are also present.  Yesterday whilst walking back to the car I heard a corvid make a funny little raspy call which usually means that it has found something of interest.  In my experience you never trust a group of corvids as they are always up to mischief, they simply cannot help themselves.  This particular group of corvids were taking great delight in annoying a Short Eared Owl which was flying over quite high.

I have still be finding Woodcock at Blueberry but little else.

A visit to Pitsford Reservoir yesterday produced 2 drake Mandarin duck, Red Crested Pochard, Oystercatcher and Stonechat in the Scaldwell arm and Great Northern Diver and 2 Goosander from the dam.

A very muddy walk around Ravensthorpe Reservoir was well worth it to see the Black Redstart and Red Crested Pochard at the treatment works. The Red Crested Pochard looked very much at home on his very own personal filter bed pool.  Other birds seen were Great White Egret, Ravens and Grey Wagtails.

Then a visit to Sixfields, an area that I don't tend to visit, to catch up with a rather good looking male Common Scotor.

Hopefully as we head towards longer days and better weather the spring migration will soon be in full swing and who knows what might turn up.  Some migrants have already been seen and heard in various places around the country.  Yesterday whilst out running I came across a Chiffchaff in full song at 7am. I know that many birds over winter but I did wonder whether this bird was a migrant by the way in which it was acting. It was very active, was literally singing it's heart out and seemed genuinely pleased to be here.

Regards Eleanor

Common Scoter
courtesy of Robin
Gossage.