First day of the New Year

Today was the first day of a brand new year, a new beginning and a fresh start.  At least it is if you are " year listing" and many would have been out and about today trying to tick off the few good remnants from last year.          It seemed as if the whole world was out and about too today with the car parks at Summer Leys and Pitsford Reservoir being totally full and it was very busy below Hanging Houghton and Harrington Airfield. 

I started off my day with an early morning run and ticked off Tawny Owl,  Raven and Siskin,  then it all went downhill from there. A visit to Harrington Airfield to feed the birds was quiet, although someone else saw a female Merlin,  and a walk around the Lamport Hall area was also quiet. 

However a few birds were reported today. There were 3 Short-eared Owls  at Nevilles Lodge, Finedon,  5 Cattle Egrets and 7 Redshanks at Stanwick GP,  Marsh Harrier and Cattle Egret at Summer Leys,  Egyptian Goose at the embankment Wellingborough,  2 Caspian Gulls and Chiffchaff at Hollowell Reservoir.        Goosanders were present at Stortons GP and Harlestone Lake and there were 4 Stonechats at Hollowell Reservoir and 5 at Sywell CP. 

There were more Waxwings found today. 4 birds at Priors Hall Park,  Corby. These birds were again feeding on Rowan berries.   There is a Facebook group called Waxwing sightings UK and I have been checking it regularly and this is where I saw some lovely pictures of these birds and also noted that 2 Waxwings had been discovered in a garden near Byfield yesterday and again some great pictures.  I think that we probably have quite a few Waxwings in the county but they are not necessarily being found by birders. It reminds me of a scenario from many years ago when one of my work colleagues mentioned that she had a funny orange bird visiting her garden.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I went round after work and a Waxwing was feeding happily in her garden!! These birds will just turn up where the food is and currently this seems to be Rowan berries, so well worth checking out any Rowan trees. We have one in our garden,  but sadly all the berries have already been devoured by the starlings and Thrushes. I have been putting out apples in an attempt to attract a  passing Waxwing,  but sadly to no avail. 

On a completely different note the first butterfly of the year was recorded, a Red Admiral flying around a garden in Great Oakley near Corby.!!!!.  David James has just completed the review of the 2023 butterfly season which I'm sure is going to be an interesting read.  https://www.northantsbutterflies.com/the-butterflies-in-northamptonshire-in-2023

Regards Eleanor