Migrants of the sunshine

Hello 

Stunning sunshine all day, a weak breeze and pleasant temperatures ensured today was a day to be out there! Plenty of butterflies of eight species seen on the wing in the county today and the weather forecast suggests we will have plenty of sunshine for at least another week.

A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near the dam at Stanford Reservoir was a good record and other birds included a Kingfisher, a Barn Owl, a Water Rail, two Ravens, three Oystercatchers, a Great White Egret, three Willow Warblers and five Blackcaps.

Birds of interest at Harrington Airfield this morning included a Yellow Wagtail, a Wheatear and three Willow Warblers. A male Common Redstart and two Wheatears were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell also this morning. A singing Willow Warbler was at Hardingstone Lake, Northampton.

An Osprey was seen at Hollowell Reservoir both this morning and this afternoon and a White Wagtail was on the dam. This afternoon a fourth calendar year Caspian Gull was briefly off the dam at Pitsford Reservoir and two Yellow-legged Gulls were also present.

In the Nene Valley the possible Northern Treecreeper was seen again at Summer Leys LNR and other birds on the reserve included four Black-tailed Godwits, three Little Ringed Plovers, the Glossy Ibis and a fly-over Marsh Harrier. An Otter was photographed on the reserve today. At Thrapston Pits two Little Gulls were on Town Lake this afternoon.

The Whiston Wetlands provided two Avocets, three Green Sandpipers, four Shelduck, four Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover, five Golden Plovers, a Willow Warbler and a Raven. A Wheatear was at Clifford Hill Pits this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Red Fox.

Cattle Egret courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Black-tailed Godwit
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Chiffchaffs have increased
in numbers markedly during
the last week and now the
Willow Warblers are hot on
their heels! Image courtesy
of Jonathan Pitt.