Over the last couple of days there have been plenty of "Harrier and Hawfinch" sightings in the county, with both species being fairly easy to see. The area around Whiston Lock ( East of footpath from Whiston Road to Whiston Lock) continues to attract a Ringtail Hen Harrier. Today there was a male Hen Harrier south of Bozenham Mill near Grafton Regis, a male Hen Harrier near Ashton and a Ringtail Hen Harrier at Harrington Airfield. A Marsh Harrier was at Summer Leys. The Hawfinches seem to be in groups of three !! With 3 birds being present in Cottesbrooke Village, Blatherwycke Churchyard and St Peters Churchyard Deene.
Plenty of other birds around too. Bearded Tits(2), 8 Cattle Egrets and 2 Red Crested Pochards at Stanwick GP, Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys, 6 Red Crested Pochards at Stanford Reservoir , 5 Red Crested Pochards at Stortons GP and a single bird at Boddington Reservoir. A Knot was at Clifford Hill GP yesterday and today one was reported from Dragonfly Lake at Ditchford GP which may be the same bird moving around. The Black Redstart was again reported from a private site at Braunston. The gull roost at Boddington Reservoir is regularly attracting Mediterranean, Caspian and Yellow Legged Gulls. I'm sure that it's only a matter of time before it attracts something special. An interesting record of a late Barn Swallow perched in a treetop near Station Cottages just outside Brixworth. It's getting to that time of year when the Starling murmurations begin as they gather pre roost giving wonderful and dramatic aerial displays. It was estimated that up to 20,000 birds gathered this evening at Summer Leys.
I have been out and about but my birding coincided with dog walking. Yesterday morning whilst out running I heard a few Siskins and Brambling. Then a detour to Cottesbrooke where I saw at least one Hawfinch, possibly two. In the afternoon I decided to visit Harrington Airfield where I came across a Short Eared Owl and Woodcock as I meandered slowly around the rough area. However peace was soon shattered with loud gunshot coming from behind the conifer belt which runs parallel with the rough area. Then it was all a bit surreal as it was literally " raining Pheasants " as these birds flew through and over the conifers in their panic and landed all around me. My hound Tor thought that all his birthdays and Christmases had come at once as Pheasants landed at his feet!! This afternoon I took the dogs on a long walk around Blueberry but the only bird of note was a Green Sandpiper. I was going to call it a day but after a cup of tea I made a spur of the moment decision to go back out and visit Harrington Airfield. I'm so glad that I did as a Ringtail Hen Harrier and Short Eared Owl were flying around in the gloom on the rough area. A good end to the day.
Regards Eleanor
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