Ditchford WeBS count

Hello

Despite being out for much of the day there wasn't much to show for it! A WeBS count at Ditchford Pits today was generally quiet although there was a male Common Redstart in bushes just south-east of Big Lake. Only about five Cetti's Warblers were vocalising, sounding very much like juveniles trying a little bit of song whilst the adults are quietly moulting. Four Kingfishers were on-site and a vicious shower late morning caught us out! The Ditchford Lane area for many years has been home to a variety of strange-plumaged Carrion Crows and today the nearly all white bird was still present as was a silvery-sheened individual.

The Lesser Yellowlegs was showing better at Lilbourne Meadows reserve today and other birds included a Green Sandpiper and a Common Redstart.

Stanford Reservoir continues to host an Osprey and the Ruddy Shelduck and a Kingfisher was present too. Three Grasshopper Warblers were caught and ringed.

Two Ospreys were north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir this morning plus a Marsh Harrier, a pair of Red-crested Pochard, two Whinchats, two Ravens and a Yellow-legged Gull.

In the Nene Valley a Marsh Harrier was seen at Thrapston Pits on the Titchmarsh Reserve, a Wood Sandpiper was on the Layby Pit at Stanwick Pits and the Wood Sandpiper was still present at Summer Leys LNR.

Two Ravens were at Cogenhoe and another was in Sywell village. Four Whinchats were keeping a low profile in the wind near shrike hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and two Hobbies were over the village this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Muntjac courtesy of
John Tilly.

Chicken-of-The-Woods 
at Ditchford Pits today.

Ring-necked Parakeets today
at Abington Park, Northampton
 courtesy of Tony Stanford.