Pitsford CBC

Hello 

A Common Bird Census was completed on the Wildlife Trust reserve at Pitsford Reservoir today with the majority of the summer migrants in now and joining the resident birds to produce the next generation. A Cuckoo was calling intermittently, a single Oystercatcher was present and a drake Red-crested Pochard was an unseasonal addition. Raven was confirmed as breeding on the reserve for the first time, a nest containing at least two youngsters was discovered in the Walgrave Bay.

The usual clamour of Black-headed Gulls around the rafts was much quieter than usual and it looks as if bird flu has struck the colony, as with other colonies in the county, and a number of dead birds were strewn about. A Kingfisher and a Redpoll were also noted and butterflies included Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Orange-tip.

A Barn Owl was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon and birds at Earls Barton Pits included three Hobbies, four Common Sandpipers (Hardwater Lake) and Lapwing chicks on the Summer Leys LNR.

A Pink-footed Goose remains with Greylag Geese at Wicksteed Park and birds at Stanford Reservoir included five Hobbies, a Cuckoo and a Yellow Wagtail.

Regards

Neil M

Raven nestling.

Muntjac.

This male has a damaged
antler and ragged ear and has probably
engaged in fighting with another male.
A dead male was found with an injury to
hindquarters which may also have been 
caused in a fight with a rival. At
least fifteen live Muntjacs were seen
 around the reserve this morning

Great Crested Grebe.

Adult and young Coot.

All images taken at Pitsford
Reservoir today.