Quackers, Ibis & Slav Grebes.

Hello

A milder start to the morning and with some misty conditions in places, but later some super autumnal sunshine and cooling north-easterly breeze.

At Stanford Reservoir the drake Lesser Scaup was seen briefly by the original finder this morning but couldn't be found thereafter despite numerous visiting would-be observers. Chris had already pointed out the fact that the 'aythya hybrid' was still present, a probable Pochard x Tufted Duck which can resemble Lesser Scaup and it was this bird that was seen well this afternoon. Both birds were present yesterday, continually moving around the reservoir but not together - a potential trap for the unwary!

The long-staying Bittern was seen there this evening and other birds included the usual brief three Glossy Ibis in the morning with two returning to roost there this evening. Also noted was a drake Pintail, a Common Snipe, a Water Rail, a Cetti's Warbler, half a dozen Siskins and up to three Redpolls.

The usual Glossy Ibis was at Summer Leys LNR and two more were discovered on the Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits. A Greenshank, a Yellow Wagtail and four Grey Partridges were at Clifford Hill Pits this morning.

A Slavonian Grebe was found at Daventry Country Park this morning where also two Red-crested Pochard and at Hollowell Reservoir another Slavonian Grebe was located where also two Ringed Plovers and a Wheatear.

At Pitsford Reservoir there was at least one Yellow-legged Gull off the dam and the north-easterlies have brought rather more Common Gulls through today. North of the causeway and remaining birds were the Glossy Ibis, five Great White Egrets, a Little Stint, a Dunlin, two Ruff, a Greenshank, eight Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, an Osprey, a Raven and a Kingfisher.

Naseby Reservoir hosted an adult Caspian Gull, a Common Snipe and two Green Sandpipers.

Early morning in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton provided a female Peregrine, a Golden Plover, four Stonechats, two Whinchats, a Grey Wagtail, calling Grey Partridges and singles of Siskin and Redpoll and an unusual bird for this spot - a House Sparrow! Two hundred Linnets were flocking there and this evening a flock of fifty Chaffinches had arrived. A Whinchat and a Wheatear were at nearby Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Harrington Airfield was the venue for fifteen Ravens flying over in a north-easterly direction and with a strong vis-mig of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Swallows pushing through. Other birds on the move were a Yellow Wagtail, two Grey Wagtails, at least ten Siskins and two Redpolls, all overseen by a hunting female Peregrine and a patrolling Marsh Harrier.

A Raven was over London Road cemetery in Wellingborough this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Brown Hare.

Stonechat.

Reed Bunting.

Above images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Sunrise yesterday morning
in the Brampton Valley below
Hanging Houghton.