Another good day

Whilst it has been a rather dull and dreary November day there have certainly been plenty of good birds around. So far November is shaping up to be a busy month. It is just a shame that the days are so short.                                                This morning it was a toss up between Blueberry and Harrington Airfield.  I chose Blueberry but it was extremely quiet. It was the wrong choice as a Short Eared Owl was flying around the bunkers at Harrington Airfield.                  When I got home I sat in the field with my breakfast,  binoculars and Rouzel.  She is recovering from surgery and can't walk, so to relieve the boredom of her crate I took her into field so that she could watch the world go by.  It was whilst I was in the field that I heard a Hawfinch calling.  After the initial moment of panic  I managed to get my binoculars onto it as it came from the direction of Lamport and headed south.  I'd no sooner sat down again to finish my breakfast when two more Hawfinches came over on the same flight path. 

I didn't see any other birds of note during the day.  I visited Harlestone Firs and walked my usual circuit, but it was really quiet.  Infact the silence in the woods was deafening. The only noise was that of the heavy machinery working to clear the area for a new road and housing.  So sad to witness the devastation and loss of habitat.              

There have been lots of birds reported today.  Obviously a bit of a movement of Short Eared Owls with birds seen at Harrington,  Clifford Hill GP and Stanford Reservoir.       Two Bearded Tits were located at Stanwick GP and showing well in a small pool at the eastern end of the car park.     2 Hawfinches were again in Cottesbrooke village and at Blatherwycke Church Yard.   Both male and Ringtail Hen Harrier was seen at Earls Barton GP new workings and Whiston Lock area.   Red Crested Pochards were seen  at Blatherwycke Lake, Clifford Hill GP, Pitsford and Stanford Reservoirs.                                                                                       It has been a good autumn for Yellow Browed Warblers and today one was reported from Broadway in Kettering, which just goes to show that they can turn up absolutely anywhere.  So it's worth keeping your eyes and ears open wherever you happen to be. 

I wonder what the rest of the week will bring?

Regards Eleanor 

Whooper Swan.

Goldeneye.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.