After the Storm

It was certainly a very wild weekend with trees uprooted,  more flooding, road closures, gales and torrential rain. Infact I decided not to travel on Saturday and so my birding was limited to the garden which was extremely quiet due to all the birds keeping their heads down.  I didn't really venture very far on Sunday and only went out to top up a couple of feeding stations. The birds were very pleased to see me. One cheeky Robin met me at the gate and almost sat on my shoulder as I walked to the feeding station and as soon as I put the bucket of food down it flew and sat on top of the seed. I literally had to pick it up and move it out of the way so that I could get to the seed!!!. Not to be left out the Blue Tits were very vocal and scalding me and even the Nuthatches were joining in.                                                         As I drove to the next feeding station I was aware of several birds of prey sitting on the grass verge. They didn't offer to move as I approached and drove slowly past. It was a group of 2 Common Buzzards and 3 Red Kites who were clearly interested in something on the grass verge. I  just had to stop and find out what they were doing.  Reluctantly the birds took flight but only went over the hedge and into a field. When I checked the grass verge I found the remains of a Pheasant which they had been eating.  I threw the remains over into the field and watched from a distance as the 2 Common Buzzards returned and continued their feast whilst the Red Kites remained watching from the air.    Nothings rare but that was the highlight of my weekend's birding, just close encounters with some of our amazing common birds.

A few hardy folk braved the elements and reported  4 Hawfinches at Blatherwycke Churchyard and on the lake an immature female Greater Scaup,  Great Northern Diver at Pitsford Reservoir,  Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys,  Cattle Egret at Stanwick GP and a Red Crested Pochard at Earls Barton GP. 

Today there have been a few Whooper Swans in the county. 4 were seen flying NE over Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows at 08.50hrs, a single bird was at Stanford Reservoir for most of the day and 3 adults spent the afternoon at Titchmarsh LNR.  Three Hawfinches were present at Blatherwycke Churchyard which is a favourite site for them, the Great Northern Diver remains at Pitsford and a Red Crested Pochard was found at Daventry CP.            I fully intended to visit Harrington Airfield this afternoon but changed my plans when I remembered that Monday is "Pheasant " shooting day so I ended up walking below Hanging Houghton.  I'm so glad that I had to change my plans as both Short Eared Owl and Barn Owl appeared infront of me and started hunting,  totally oblivious to myself and the dogs.

Regards Eleanor