Nene Valley Birds

Today you could be forgiven for thinking that it was Autumn rather than Spring.  Not the most inspiring starts to the day, dull, grey, misty and mirky with heavy drizzle.  One of those days when you wonder whether it is worth going out. However this is exactly the sort of weather which brings us interesting birds during migration,  it is just a matter of finding them !!!                                                     The Nene Valley came into it's own today with a significant movement of Terns and Waders.  At Clifford Hill GP there were Sanderling, Dunlin,  adult Little Gull and Arctic Terns.  The female Ring Necked Duck seems to have moved here from Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows.                                Summer Leys also had plenty of birds, Little,  Arctic, Black and Common Terns ,Turnstones,  Dunlin, Common Sandpiper,  Little Ringed Plovers and Bar Tailed Godwit.       Further along the valley at Ditchford GP there were 2 Little Terns and at Thrapston GP 12 Arctic Terns.                               Other birds seen in the county today include Arctic Terns and 3 Whimbrel at Stanford Reservoir,  3 Arctic Terns at Hollowell Reservoir and Osprey at both Ravensthorpe and Hollowell Reservoir. 

Somehow I have managed to miss out on all these birds. When I realised that there was a movement of Terns etc along the Nene Valley I went to  Pitsford Reservoir to see what was happening there. Absolutely nothing,  no sign of anything.  Just a vast expanse of empty water.  I was so convinced that something was going to turn up that I visited Pitsford three times, but to no avail.    Harrington Airfield was equally as quiet and has been all week, as has Blueberry. 

The weather is looking mixed for the weekend but there should be more sunshine and hopefully more birds.  Have a good weekend. 

Regards Eleanor 

The recent Ring Ouzel
at Millers Meadow, Clifford
Hill Pits courtesy of
Dave Jackson.