Starlings, Avocets and the long-stayers

Hello

Another cool day with a breezy easterly but some fabulous sunshine too.

Birds at Lilbourne Water Meadows today included at least one Little Ringed Plover, a Golden Plover, a pair of Redshanks, ten Common Snipe, a Shelduck, three hundred and forty-five Wigeon, a Raven and two hundred Starlings plus a scattering of winter thrushes.

There were four hundred Starlings at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby and Harrington Airfield this afternoon hosted a male Brambling and a pair of Grey Partridge. 

The two White-fronted Geese were still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today and two Jack Snipe were seen at Hollowell Reservoir.

In the Nene Valley four Avocets stayed for a short time at Summer Leys LNR where there were also a Ruff, a Dunlin, four Common Snipe, four Oystercatchers, a drake Scaup and a Great White Egret. The Glossy Ibis was in a flooded field just east of Hardwater Crossing.

Clifford Hill Pits again caused the drake Smew and the Cattle Egret to stay longer plus two Dunlin were seen. The Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston  provided sightings of three Great White Egrets, two Oystercatchers, two Cetti's Warblers and several Chiffchaffs.

Eight White-fronted Geese were in the Nene Valley east of Cogenhoe Mill with the flock of Canada and Greylag Geese at lunchtime.

Regards

Neil M

Animals of Lilbourne
Water Meadows - the
black sheep and Roe Deer.

Red Fox.

Starling courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Great Spotted Woodpecker
courtesy of Robin Gossage.