Mid Week

 It is mid week already and I feel that I haven't really accomplished very much apart from catching up with the housework and gardening due to being grounded !!. I have been joined in the garden by Brambling,  Siskins and Redpolls with Ravens overhead. I walked to Blueberry and came across 2 different pairs of Stonechat but very little else.   Another walk took me near to Lamport Hall.  Birdwise it was very quiet but I found Red Admiral,  Comma and Clouded Yellow enjoying the warm sunshine. 

Other folk have been out and about.  A Bearded Tit was seen briefly on Monday morning at Stanwick GP but not since, however these birds can be elusive.  Not too far away at Titchmarsh NR a late Swallow,  fem/imm Goosander,  32 Little Egrets and 4 Great White Egrets.  Further along the Nene Valley a lingering Marsh Harrier.                                              Looking at the reservoirs,  Ravensthorpe had a Rock Pipit, Red Crested Pochard,  Black Tailed Godwit,  Green Sandpiper,  Pink Footed Goose and 3 Great White Egrets.  At nearby Hollowell Reservoir a Caspian and Yellow Legged Gull.  Over at Daventry Reservoir a Caspian and Yellow Legged Gull and at Stanford Reservoir 6 Red Crested Pochards remain. There have been 11 Red Crested Pochards at Pitsford Reservoir north of the causeway.                                                                                                                                                 Yesterday at Borough Hill there was a Short-eared Owl, fingers crossed that we get a few of these lovely birds wintering in the county.                                                                                  I understand that the spectacular Starling murmuration is starting to build up in numbers over at Summer Leys.  It is certainly worth a visit just before dusk to witness this amazing spectacle. 

An extra page/tab has been created for images from the Naturetrek tour that has just concluded on Islay and Jura...😊

Regards Eleanor 

Male Bullfinch courtesy
of John Tilly.