Mid Week Already!!

 It has been quite a busy few days with plenty of typical "spring " birds around,  not that I have managed to see many of them,  but I did catch up with the rather obliging Ring Ouzel at Harrington Airfield this afternoon.    There has also been a Ring Ouzel present for a couple of days at Borough Hill. Like Harrington this is a regular site for these birds in the spring. 

A Wood Sandpiper was located this afternoon at Summer Leys before being disturbed and as yet not relocated.  The  Tree Pipit was showing well again in the car park and other birds at this site include Marsh Harrier,  Hobby and Whimbrel.   At nearby Clifford Hill GP several Black Tailed Godwits remain plus a Whimbrel. Plenty of passerines too, 22 Northern Wheatear,  Whinchat and Common Redstart.       Not to be left out at Stanwick GP a drake Garganey, Whimbrel,  Jack Snipe, Pink Footed Goose,  Greenshank, Black Tailed Godwits, Marsh Harrier,  Green and Common Sandpiper. 

There does seem to be quite a movement of both Northern and the larger Greenland Wheatear throughout the county.  Clifford Hill,  Borough Hill,  Harrington Airfield,  Willowbrook Industrial Estate Corby,Honey Hill and Hemington ( 5 Greenland Wheatear) to name but a few sightings.                                                                                                                  On Monday there was a significant passage of Arctic Terns  with over 50 dropping into Pitsford Reservoir and 80  at Boddington Reservoir.                                                                       Plenty of Swallows about and it was lovely to hear their chattering from the  overhead wires today. Swifts are beginning to trickle through and more Cuckoo's are being heard. Today a Wood Warbler was reported singing in a private garden in Northampton whilst from a garden in Braunston a male Brambling.   So you never know what might turn up in your garden.  Still plenty of Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers visiting our garden. 

Lots of colour everywhere due to the myriad of the spring flowers and also plenty of butterflies on the wing including Holly Blue, Orange Tip,Small Copper,  Green Veined White, Speckled Wood,  Brimstone,  Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.   

Regards Eleanor 

Ring Ouzel at
Harrington Airfield
courtesy of David Arden.

Blackcap courtesy of
Tony Stanford.