Last birds of August.

Hello

A jaunt at Harrington Airfield this morning in promising migrant conditions didn't produce much different but included four Common Redstarts, two Whinchats, a Wheatear, a Grey Wagtail and two Grey Partridges.

The Ferruginous Duck was again seen at Daventry Country Park and nearby Borough Hill Country Park surrendered at least ten Spotted Flycatchers and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Two Common Redstarts were at Blueberry Farm this afternoon and three Whinchats were still in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. Walking the fields between these two points provided plenty of raptors in the blustery autumn conditions and included a female Peregrine, a family of Hobbies, a Marsh Harrier and of course plenty of Common Buzzards and Red Kites.

A Common Redstart was seen at Woodford Halse near to the reserve and waders at Clifford Hill Pits this morning amounted to a Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, two Common Snipe and a Common Sandpiper.

A Little Stint was found at Thrapston Pits this afternoon and the injured wader with it was initially thought to be the much sought-after White-rumped Sandpiper. However as the light improved it was re-identified as a juvenile Dunlin, the unusual gait and long-winged appearance and displaced feathers causing the initial confusion.

Naseby Reservoir attracted two Ruff and two Black-tailed Godwits this evening, a Marsh Harrier was over the A45 between Raunds and Thrapston and birds at Summer Leys LNR included two Greenshanks, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Great White Egret and a Swift.

Birds noted in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir today included two Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, four or five Green Sandpipers, eight Common Snipe, a female Red-crested Pochard and five or six Great White Egrets.

The amazing birding exploits at Stanford Reservoir continue with five Common Redstarts ringed there yesterday morning (in addition to the Wryneck) and today birds noted there included a Ruff, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Snipe.

A/the Ruddy Shelduck was at Hollowell Reservoir this morning and Eyebrook Reservoir's Pectoral Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank were still there today.

Regards

Neil M

Robin courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Shoveler courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
courtesy of Robin Gossage.