It's been one of those days of juggling dog walking, errands, workmen and family commitments so my birding was severely limited. However I was able to enjoy a steady meander around Blueberry area with my 4 legged companions. It was just nice to be able to stand still and enjoy the evening and in the stillness I could hear lots of squeaking noises coming from the recently sprayed fields indicating the presence of small mammals. My young collie Rouzel was also listening intently and also fixated on the field in front of me. Just like the other evening I grabbed her and took a few steps forward and in doing so flushed 3 Short Eared Owls which then perched up on the nearby hedgerows. I suspect that there is plenty of food in the fields at the moment but I'm not sure how long this will last as the fields have been sprayed prior to being ploughed and sown. The two long standing Green Sandpipers and pair of Stonechat remain below Hanging Houghton.
Yesterday afternoon I flushed a Short Eared Owl at Harrington Airfield along with 2 Woodcock, 8 Grey Partridge and a single Golden Plover. A female Merlin had been seen there earlier but not by myself.
Other birds reported over the last couple of days include drake Greater Scaups at Grendon Lake and Hollowell Reservoir, Pink Footed Goose at Stanford Reservoir, 7 Jacksnipe, 108 Common Snipe and 5 Caspian Gulls at Daventry Country Park, 3 Oystercatchers at Summer Leys and Crossbills at Fineshade Wood from the wildlife hide.
Kenny Cramer and his team undertook a ringing session at Linford Reserve where 121 birds were processed, 71 of which were new birds and there was a mixture of 17 species. The day started with 6 Reed Buntings, which although not an uncommon species at Linford, usually only the odd one or two are caught per session. It is likely that the supplementary feeding has contributed to the increase. The buntings were then replaced by the finches with 10 Greenfinches, 9 Goldfinches, 1 Chaffinch, 7 Siskins and 3 Lesser Redpolls being processed. Elsewhere on the reserve there were at least 11 Great White Egrets and a very vocal Water Rail.
On Wednesday evening the Northants Bird Club will be meeting at the Lodge Pitsford Reservoir. It is the annual photographic competition where the members showcase their wildlife photography skills. It is always a good evening and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the stunning images and friendly banter. I'm not a photographer but always enjoy looking at everyone else's handiwork.
Regards Eleanor
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| Goldfinch. |
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| Lesser Redpoll. |
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| Siskin. |
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| Reed Buntings. All images courtesy of Kenny Cramer. |
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