Harrington between the rain

 I timed my walk at Harrington perfectly this morning and managed to avoid a soaking.

 

Getting out of the car by the chippings compound the first thing I heard was a calling Golden Plover, my first locally this autumn. I couldn't locate the bird(s) and didn't hear it again.

3 Kestrels were hunting together over the field making me wonder if they were a family group. 

Further on a Hare popped out in front of me before disappearing back into the undergrowth, the first of 3 sightings, all equally brief.

A flock of Linnets and Goldfinches, roughly 40 strong were on the wing and vocal for most of the walk.

 

A Common Blue butterfly was taking advantage of the weather window to get some nectar.

A Peacock, Red Admiral and unidentified White were also on the wing along with a pair of mating Common Darter dragonflies.

2 separate, very vocal Ravens were both heading elsewhere at speed, whilst the improved conditions saw multiple Buzzards and a lone Kite taking advantage of the thermals to gain height. One of the Buzzards, although extremely distant stood out as being a noticeably paler bird.

Reports from elsewhere in the county have been somewhat limited with sites in the Nene Valley suffering severe flooding.

Boddington Res has had Red-crested Pochard, Common Sandpiper, Stonechat and Yellow-legged Gull today.

The 4 Black Terns were again on the Main Barrage Lake at Clifford Hill. Also present 2 Northern Wheatears, 2 Common Sands and a Hobby.

The Stanford Reservoir Bittern was seen again in reed on the south side of the Res along with 7 Red-crested Pochard.

    Regards,

              Neil H.