Birding in winter sunshine

Hello

A day of super winter sunshine and a light breeze was a rare treat indeed today.

Down at Linford Lakes an intrepid group of ringers braved the early morning temperatures to embark on a winter ringing session which was profitable with a total of eighty-nine birds being processed of eighteen species, forty-five of which were newly-ringed. Thrushes dominated the start of the session with ten Redwings, three Fieldfares, two Song Thrushes and two Blackbirds. Biggish birds included a new Green Woodpecker and a re-trap Great Spotted Woodpecker and the smallest birds were three Goldcrests and five Chiffchaffs plus four indomitable Wrens. A Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll added further quality and the rest of the birds were made up of Great Tits, Blue Tits, a Long-tailed Tit, a Cetti's Warbler, a Chaffinch, three Robins and a Reed Bunting.

Five drake Smew were still at Eyebrook Reservoir today and the four Waxwings remained at Priors Hall, Corby where they showed amazingly well in superb light. Two Stonechats and a Chiffchaff were there too.

The Great Northern Diver was seen by a string of observers north of the dam at Pitsford Reservoir today and was still present at dusk in the Pintail Bay. Other birds included a Grey Wagtail and an adult Yellow-legged Gull in the afternoon gull roost and an Otter swam by the Bird Club hide in the Scaldwell Bay late this afternoon.

Two Short-eared Owls were south of Finedon near Neville's Lodge today and birds at nearby Stanwick Pits included the wintering male Marsh Harrier, six Redshanks, two Ruff, two Common Snipe and a Great White Egret.

The first winter Scaup was still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today and an adult Caspian Gull was at Naseby Reservoir.; eight Shelduck and two Black Swans were at Deene Lake and eight Crossbills were again at Fineshade Wood near to the pond and wildlife hide.

The gull roost at Boddington Reservoir included a first winter Caspian Gull and two Mediterranean Gulls (adult and second winter). A Barn Owl, a pair of Stonechats and two Green Sandpipers were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a male Blackcap visited our Hanging Houghton garden today.

A Barn Owl was a roadside sighting near Hellidon this morning, a Siskin was at Kelmarsh Hall and a Woodcock was flushed at New Covert, Kelmarsh.

Both Peacock and Brimstone butterflies were seen on the wing in the county today.

Regards

Neil M

Redwing, Fieldfare, Blackbird and Song Thrush.

Chaffinch.

Green Woodpecker.

Siskin.

Cetti's Warbler.

Images courtesy 
of Kenny Cramer.