Ditchford WeBs count

Hello

I completed a rather belated WeBs count at Ditchford Pits today, initially in dull, dank conditions but then bright sunshine later. Hundreds of House Martins were feeding low down in the cool temperatures early on with rather less Swallows and a few Sand Martins. Cetti's Warblers were very vocal today, probably mostly this year's youngsters trying out their vocal chords and establishing winter territories. Good numbers of Chiffchaffs called and flitted around the complex and I'm sure that the single Blackcap I saw wasn't a true representation of the numbers present. At least six Grey Wagtails were good with a minimum of four Kingfishers whizzing about and when the sun came out plenty of Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers took to the wing.

West of Ditchford Lane and a Great White Egret was seen in flight and two Egyptian Geese were on the Watersport Pit. Flights of Wigeon were on the move, whistling over in flocks through the low cloud. A female Stonechat was on thistles and other plant stems and three Water Rails were heard squealing. East of Ditchford Lane and two Jack Snipe were found in a restricted area and a few each of Siskin and Redwing flew in and around.

Over at Thrapston Pits a Grey Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Stint and two Ruff were all passage migrants seen on the Titchmarsh reserve. A Dunlin, two Green Sandpipers and a Snipe were at the New Workings North at Earls Barton Pits.

Stanford Reservoir attracted three Pintail today plus twenty-one Golden Plovers, two Green Sandpipers, five Snipe, two Cetti's Warbler, a Reed Warbler and a few hundred hirundines. At least five Great White Egrets, a Ruff, a Whinchat and a Hobby were north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon.

The chats in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton were still represented by eight Stonechats and a Whinchat this morning and they were joined by a Wheatear late this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Jack Snipe.

Song Thrush.

Meadow Pipit with Crane Fly
courtesy of Robin Gossage.