Shelducks and Redstarts on the move.

Hello

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the Black-necked Grebe in the Scaldwell Bay, a Goldeneye and five Shelducks and with a Kingfisher, a Common Sandpiper and two Yellow-legged Gulls also present. An adult male Common Redstart was in a field hedge off the Old Scaldwell Road this evening, paralleling the footpath on the left hand side coming down the hill.

At Hollowell Reservoir the female Ruddy Shelduck was still present as were two Redshanks, four Green Sandpipers and three Common Sandpipers, and a female Common Redstart was in the feeder stream car park.

Stanford Reservoir hosted two Whinchats, two Hobbies, eight Shelduck and four Common Sandpipers and a female Common Redstart was at Summer Leys LNR off the footpath between the car park and Pioneer Hide.

A Wheatear was noted at Clifford Hill Pits and the juvenile Common Redstart was still at Woodford Halse nature reserve. Thrapston Pits hosted an Osprey, a Hobby and a site record of seventeen Shelduck.

Two Hobbies were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening and at least two Common Redstarts remained at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

An apparent second batch of Marbled Whites were on the wing at Lamport Hall yesterday and at Harrington Airfield today.

Tomorrow evening it is hoped to run a ringing session at Lamport Hall again targeting Swifts and House Martins as part of an on-going project. Should you wish to come along to watch please let me know!

Regards

Neil M

Male Common Redstart.

Shelduck courtesy
of Robin Gossage.