Wild and Windy

 It was certainly a "bad hair" day or one for "blowing the cobwebs " away today. I started off by running around Pitsford Reservoir where I saw 2 Common Sandpipers and a Great White Egret. Initially it was quite pleasant running until I ran across the causeway and headed towards Brixworth when it was like running through treacle as I  battled against the wind.    I wasn't the only one battling with the wind as all through the day I have noticed a steady trickle of hirundines low over the fields flying directly into the wind.   Other birds were definitely trying to find shelter from the wind with 2 Common Redstarts,  Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs in a sheltered hedge at Blueberry and a Whinchat and Northern Wheatear finding shelter around the stables.                   Harrington Airfield was pretty bleak and uninviting this afternoon and all I managed to find was a Common Redstart and Northern Wheatear around bunker 1 and a Peregrine heading over at speed.                      Yesterday I made an early morning visit to Harrington Airfield and initially there was a steady movement over of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, plus 6+ Siskins and 2 Grey Wagtails. There was also a noticeable influx of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes.  There was a Marsh Harrier loafing around with the Red Kites and Lesser Black Backed Gulls feeding on the recently scuffled fields.                          From Harrington I decided to check Blueberry area and there was still a Common Redstart,  Whinchat and Northern Wheatear around the stables and on the fields near to shrike hedge good numbers of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. 

It is definitely my favourite time of year, it is quite exciting to witness the movement of birds on my doorstep,  even if they are common.  I  suspect that some of the Blackbirds now at Harrington are " continental".           

Around the county it appears that we have 2 Pectoral Sandpipers , one at Summer Leys and a new bird at Stanwick GP.  The  Bittern has been showing well at Summer Leys especially early evening.  Other birds at Summer Leys include Swift, Ruff, and  Marsh Harrier.  Yesterday at Hollowell Reservoir there was Pink Footed Goose,  Northern Wheatear,  Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and Hobby.               Today at Daventry CP there was RedCrested Pochard,  Common and Green Sandpipers. 

Regards    Eleanor