Pitsford WeBS Count.

Hello

A cold night last night and much the same tonight set the scene for a lovely winter's day - hard and crunchy underfoot, light winds, bright skies, warm sunshine and a pleasant sunset - so much better then wind and rain!

The change in the weather brought lots of birds to the garden including seven Pied Wagtails and a first year male Sparrowhawk is currently making daily visits.

The WeBS count was completed at Pitsford Reservoir today, the numbers of birds has reduced a great deal lately as has the diversity of species. A drake Smew was initially in the Walgrave Bay but then not seen again, three or four Little Egrets were south of the causeway, at least seven Pintail were mostly in the Scaldwell Bay as was a male Stonechat. At least forty Common Snipe were on-site and a Barn Owl was found dead in Scaldwell Meadows.

A Jack Snipe, two Water Rails and two Grey Wagtails were in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth and a Barn Owl and two Woodcock were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell with another Barn Owl in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

At Summer Leys LNR there was a Jack Snipe visible from the Paul Britten Hide and a roadside Barn Owl was seen between there and Wollaston (a regular spot apparently).

At Stanford Reservoir today there was a Red-crested Pochard, a Great White Egret, a Green Sandpiper and two Kingfishers. Three Long-tailed Tits captured at Kelmarsh Hall yesterday were all ringed together at Stanford Reservoir on 12th October 2021 - further proof that these flocks stick together no matter where they go!

The female Scaup was still at Hollowell Reservoir today near the eastern shore and a Black Swan was there too.

Regards

Neil M

Common Buzzards.

Drake Teal.

Pied Wagtail.

Moorhen.

All images courtesy
of Robin Gossage.