Storm Isha is here!

Hello

Higher temperatures and strengthening winds quickly caused most of the ice at Pitsford Reservoir to disappear today but the only birds of note north of the causeway were a Dunlin and a Grey Wagtail.

At least three Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail were in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth this morning and a female Blackcap was in our Hanging Houghton garden helping herself to skewered half apples. Three Ravens were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon.

Six Grey Partridges and two Woodcocks were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning and Summer Leys LNR attracted two Cattle Egrets and two different Marsh Harriers today. Possibly a different Marsh Harrier was near Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows LNR this afternoon.

Local Waxwings included the two showing much more intermittently at Lambrook Drive, East Hunsbury, Northampton and the four currently very reliable birds at Priors Hall, Corby.

A curious looking duck at Sywell Country Park was identified as a drake Pochard x Red-crested Pochard hybrid and a Stonechat was seen there too.

Just two Smew were reported at Eyebrook Reservoir today and a first winter Caspian Gull was there too. A colour-ringed Caspian Gull was seen at Naseby Reservoir this morning.

Birds at Hollowell Reservoir included a Pink-footed Goose, an adult Caspian Gull, a Great White Egret, five Common Snipe and a Stonechat. Stanford Reservoir attracted two Great White Egrets, three Little Egrets, twenty Goosanders, four hundred and forty-five Herring Gulls, one thousand four hundred and ten Black-headed Gulls, six hundred and ninety-five Common Gulls, sixty-five Lesser Black-backed Gulls and twenty-one Great Black-backed Gulls.

Regards

Neil M

Common Buzzard
with prey.

Grey Wagtail.

Blue Tit.

Dunnock.

All images courtesy
of Robin Gossage.