Quiet Times !

 I'm scratching my head about what to write as it really has been another quiet week.  Harrington Airfield has been a birdless zone, the big side of Pitsford Reservoir a vast expanse of empty water and even the valley below Hanging Houghton has been silent.  A wander around Sywell Reservoir earlier in the week didn't produce anything remarkable but just nice views of 2 Cettis Warbler,  Chiffchaff,  Water Rail,  Stonechats,  Siskins and Redpolls plus a Peacock and Brimstone butterfly. The most interesting observation at Sywell was that of two foxes sitting literally a few feet away from a feeding flock of Canada Geese. The foxes looked absolutely stunning in the winter sunshine. The geese were not really bothered by the close proximity of these foxes until they changed their position from sitting to lying down.  But once the foxes settled down again the geese carried on feeding. 

It has been quiet throughout the county with very few new birds being reported.  At Ravensthorpe Reservoir both Scaup and Ring Necked Duck have been present on the small side.  A new Scaup (drake) was found today at Blatherwycke Lake.  Red Crested Pochard remain at Summer Leys and Stanford Reservoir,  at least one Siberian Chiffchaff still at Ecton and Caspian Gull and Jack Snipe at Hollowell Reservoir.  Other birds reported include a Ruddy Shelduck at Winwick Pools, 7 Goosanders at Kinewell Lake Ringstead and 2 Oystercatchers at Stanwick GP 

Have a good weekend 

Regards Eleanor