SP55 Short Day Count

Hello

Today was the Banbury Ornithological Society Short Day Count in SP55, an opportunity to try and see as many species as possible in a 10km square tetrad. The first few hours are traditionally spent in and around Fawsley Park where the varied habitat produces a relatively high number of species. Very few waterfowl were present and some of the traditional species such as Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were not located but we saw about thirty Siskins and two Cetti's Warblers and at least one Water Rail were vocal. At least six Ravens remained high profile.

Catesby is one of my favourite areas in the tetrad and normally produces good numbers of common birds and today a female Stonechat and four Ravens were the highlight. A large flock of Linnets were attracted to some cover crops near West Farndon and five species of raptor were there which included the best bird of the day - a male Merlin chasing the Linnets. A Chiffchaff was heard calling at Boddington Reservoir.

At least one Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits today and the female Red-crested Pochard was still at Delapre Lake/Hardingstone Pits. At Sywell Country Park this afternoon there were thirty Siskins, a pair of Stonechats, a single Cetti's Warbler, a Water Rail and a Grey Wagtail. At Pitsford Reservoir the drake Smew was seen in the Scaldwell Bay.

This afternoon twenty-five Mandarin Ducks were visible at Blatherwycke Lake and at Eyebrook Reservoir there were ten Smew on-site plus at least five Great White Egrets.

Regards

Neil M

Merlin.

Raven.

Siskin courtesy of
 Robin Gossage.