Willow Warblers and Common Redstarts

Hello

Still plenty of warblers and other small birds on the move today through the county, particularly noticeable are the many Willow Warblers passing through from much further north.

At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell today there were still three Common Redstarts on show plus a Whinchat and four Spotted Flycatchers in a nearby weedy field. Nearby there was also a Whinchat and a Wheatear near Shrike Hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. A Common Redstart was at Harrington Airfield, between the Chippings Compound and Bunker One. Please note that much of this area tomorrow will have access restrictions due to ringing activity but this doesn't affect public footpaths.

At Lamport Hall there was a Common Redstart and five Spotted Flycatchers in trees and hedgerow next to the footpath on the south side of the hall grounds and four young Grey Partridges nearby. Another Common Redstart and a Whinchat were in the wild flower strip between Lamport and Scaldwell.

It seemed quiet at Pitsford Reservoir north of the causeway this afternoon with two Great White Egrets, a Kingfisher, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Common Snipe and at least four Wigeon being about the best on show.

In the Nene Valley Stanwick Pits attracted an adult Caspian Gull, at least ten Yellow-legged Gulls, two adult Mediterranean Gulls, three Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Snipe. A Common Redstart was found in hedging adjacent to Wollaston Weir. Two Barnacle Geese were at south fields on the Clifford Hill Pits complex this morning

At Wicksteed Park a Yellow-legged Gull was seen this afternoon and at Geddington a male Common Redstart was in a hedgerow off Grange Road.

Hollowell Reservoir today supported a Pink-footed Goose, a Great White Egret, a Little Ringed Plover, a Redshank, six Green Sandpipers and two Common Sandpipers. A Common Scoter was noted at Eyebrook Reservoir. Birds recorded at Stanford Reservoir included three Shelduck, a Common Sandpiper, a Cetti's Warbler and four Lesser Whitethroats.

Regards

Neil M

Adult Yellow-legged Gull at
Pitsford Reservoir today. It
appears not to want to bear
weight on it's right foot
 suggesting an injury.

Gadwall at Pitsford
Reservoir today.

A juvenile Cuckoo at
Spurn, East Yorkshire - 
still being fed by parent
Meadow Pipits.

This image courtesy of Jacob Spinks.