The Weekend Approaches

Well that's another week drawing to a close. Plenty of spring passage bringing further Warblers,  Wagtails,  Hirundines,  Wheatears and Waders and there will be more to come.

Today there were 2 singing Nightingales at Old Sulehay Wood in the north of the county.  This is a fabulous area of woodland and well worth a visit,  as is Bucknell Wood in the south of the county where a stunning male Hen Harrier was seen flying over this morning.                                               Other birds around in the county today include Channel Wagtail on a flooded area near Aynho, female Ring Necked Duck at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows, Marsh Harrier at Stanford Reservoir,  Ospreys at Hollowell Reservoir, Whimbrel and Nightingale at Summer Leys,  Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper Pitsford Reservoir, and Whinchat at Borough Hill .

This afternoon I had a wander around Harrington Airfield.  If I'm honest when I arrived and saw the number of vehicles parked I nearly turned around and went home, but the birds needed feeding.  I headed down to the main track as it was the quietest option and came across a male Common Redstart in the bushes near the hay stacks.  I sauntered back via the bunkers and was surprised to hear the characteristic harsh chacking of a Ring Ouzel and found either the same or a new female in the bushes between bunkers 2 and 3.  The Short Eared Owl appeared out of nowhere and started hunting.  There were 2 Northern Wheatears beyond bunker 3.                                     This evening below Hanging Houghton there was both Short Eared and Barn Owl out hunting.   I  had seen the Short Eared Owl yesterday evening at a similar time when I walked the dogs and also had 2 Fieldfares over.

Have a good weekend 

Regards Eleanor 

Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

The Clifford Hill
Ring Ouzel.

And the Clifford Hill
Ring-necked Parakeets!

All images courtesy of
Jim Dunkley.