Pitsford WeBs Count

Hello

A waterbird census at Pitsford Reservoir was completed, initially in showery conditions. Eight or nine Great White Egrets and about seventeen Little Egrets were present and the waders comprised of two Greenshanks, two Ruff, five Dunlin and twelve Common Snipe. Ducks included the Garganey still, twenty-nine Pintail scattered between three bays and a slumbering aythya duck that was either a female Ferruginous Duck or a hybrid. Good numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon reflected the season and the low water levels which is providing shallow water and ideal foraging habitat.

Other birds included three Grey Wagtails, three Yellow-legged Gulls, three Stonechats and a Whinchat.

Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton near to 'shrike hedge' included eight Stonechats and a Whinchat and birds at Hollowell Reservoir were four Dunlin, four Common Snipe and a Ringed Plover (with another one dead there).

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included three Green Sandpipers, three Common Snipe, three Pintail and six Ravens.

Mandarin Ducks were present at Blatherwycke Lake today and an Otter was seen too.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Common Nighthawk
courtesy of Jim Dunkley.

Queen of Spain Fritillary
courtesy of Jim Dunkley.

Silver-washed Fritillary
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

WeBs counter (Jane Neill)
 ready for action!