Hebrides and back

Hello

Fresh birds in the county today included a Garganey at Daventry Country Park, a Quail heard calling near Stanford Reservoir and a summer plumage Black-necked Grebe in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir. A Marsh Harrier was also seen at Summer Leys LNR and other birds at Stanford Reservoir included seven Common Sandpipers, an Oystercatcher and a Yellow Wagtail caught and ringed.

Other birds on the reserve north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir included a drake Red-crested Pochard, a Great White Egret, up to six Little Egrets and two Oystercatchers. A Raven was at Hanging Houghton. Birds at Hollowell Reservoir this morning included a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper and three Green Sandpipers.

Yesterday evening a quick visit to the causeway at Ravensthorpe Reservoir yielded a brood of Tufted Ducks, a pair of Great Crested Grebes with a chick that was induced to consume a small Pike and there were several Purple Hairstreaks in small oaks actually on the causeway. A family of Little Owls (two adults and two juveniles) were located on the outskirts of Scaldwell village, feasting on chafers.

This evening there was a Barn Owl and a Hobby at Maidwell and a Barn Owl and two Hobbies at Hanging Houghton.

I'm just back from a Naturetrek cruise tour of the Hebrides where we encountered cetaceans, Otters, seals and plenty of sea-birds and some of the photos from the trip can be found on the Page or Tab entitled 'Hebridean Cruise July 2023'.

Regards

Neil M

Sand Martin courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

First year female Sparrowhawk in

our garden this afternoon.

Red Admiral.