All things Red!

Hello

The still and comparatively mild conditions this morning yielded mist which quite quickly converted to blue skies and sunshine!

A morning ringing session took place at Stortons Pits which provided over forty captures including Redwings, two Song Thrushes, some four Chiffchaffs, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits and a Lesser Redpoll as the last bird ringed. Other birds on-site included a Blackcap, two Grey Wagtails and many vocal Water Rails and Cetti's Warblers. Recent management work has created a great mosaic of pools, lagoons and channels in and alongside the extensive phragmites reedbed.

Five Red-crested Pochards and a Great White Egret were at Stanford Reservoir today and both the Brent Goose and the Bearded Tit were still at Stanwick Pits. A drake Scaup was at Eyebrook Reservoir.

An Otter showed well at Market Harborough on the River Welland yesterday and today when there were also two Kingfishers.

At Summer Leys LNR both yesterday and today there have been superb sightings of Otters, with two together yesterday. On the reserve today there were also a pair of Stonechat and a photogenic Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail.

A drake Red-crested Pochard was on the fishing lake at Wicksteed Park today and yesterday David Arden enjoyed the privilege of watching no less than five male Blackcaps bathing in his garden pond at the same time in Spratton village!

There were no reported sightings of the Black Redstart at the DIRFT 3 complex today but Eleanor found one along the concrete track at Harrington Airfield this afternoon, next to the straw bales and bunker just over half-way along from the Draughton Road entrance. There was also a Barn Owl and four Redpolls present. Another Barn Owl was showing off the A45 at Harpole this morning and a Red Admiral at Titchmarsh LNR is definitely on the late side!

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Redpoll at Stortons today.

Red Admiral.

Redwing.

Drake Red-crested Pochard.

Black Redstart.