Redstarts and others

Hello 

A day of mixed weather but seemingly some new migrants on the ground.

A Wood Sandpiper was at Eyebrook Reservoir today and the Ruddy Shelduck was again at Ravensthorpe Reservoir.

At Hollowell Reservoir there was an Osprey and a Greenshank and this afternoon a small flock of Crossbills were noted at Bucknell Wood.

Three Common Redstarts were at Firetail Covert, Cold Ashby, two were vocal in hedgerows off the footpath running south east from Bridle Road, Old village (fourth field along from beginning of the footpath) this afternoon, a first year bird was at Woodford Halse LNR, another was at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell, two more were at shrike hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton plus another single was by the brook in the valley.

Other birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton included two Whinchats and a juvenile Marsh Harrier near shrike hedge with the family of Spotted Flycatchers still by the brook.

A field full of flowers including Alfalfa off the footpath south east of Cherry Hill attracted huge numbers of butterflies including whites, Red Admirals, Small Coppers, Small Heaths, hundreds of Common Blues and at least six Clouded Yellows. Two more Clouded Yellows were seen near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Over at Stanford Reservoir 292 birds were ringed yesterday as the warblers continue to flow through.

Regards

Neil M

Small Copper.

Grey Partridge.

Greenfinch courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Blue Tit courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Bullfinch courtesy
of Tony Stanford.