A good start to the week

It has certainly been a good start to the week if you managed to catch up with the birds at Clifford Hill GP. The star birds being a dark bellied Brent Goose,  a Knot and 5 Avocets. Not bad for a dreary November day in the county. 

Whilst at Summer Leys the long staying Glossy Ibis remains and continues to show well.  Nearby at Earls Barton GP the Ringtail Hen Harrier was again present before heading off towards Whiston.   2 Bitterns and 6 Red Crested Pochards were reported from Stanwick GP and a Woodcock from Stortons GP. 

Away from the Nene Valley there was Mediterranean Gull,  Caspian Gull,  4 Stonechats and a Cettis Warbler at Hollowell Reservoir.  A Black Redstart was present at a private area near Braunston.   Plenty of Gulls in the roost at Boddington Reservoir including an adult and two 2nd winter Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Caspian Gulls and 12+ Yellow Legged Gulls.  Earlier in the day 9 Hawfinches flew through heading south. 

I made an early morning visit to Harrington Airfield and there was obviously a heavy movement of birds over. Lots of Skylarks and large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares.  But the  largest numbers on the move were Wood Pigeons. For a while there were hundreds of Wood Pigeons going over, heading south. I've no idea where they had all come from or where they were heading,  but this is something that I have witnessed many times.    Other birds seen were a male Merlin hurtling over the fields,  Woodcock , 2 Bramblings,  60 Golden Plovers and the usual Ravens. 

The Northamptonshire Bird Club will be meeting on Wednesday evening 7.30pm at the Lodge, Pitsford Water.  Everyone welcome. 

Regards Eleanor  

Kestrel courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Greylag Geese
courtesy of John Tilly.

Brown Hare.