American Golden Plover

Great excitement yesterday when a juvenile American Golden Plover was located at Clifford Hill GP.  The bird showed well and despite taking flight on several occasions it returned to the shoreline . However this morning during one of it's period of flight it continued flying south and was not relocated.  Unfortunately due to commitments I never managed to see the bird. I had earmarked this afternoon for a visit but that was not to be.  It has been a few years since I have seen this species in the county.                                My birding has been confined to a couple of visits to Harrington Airfield which was quiet.  The only birds of note being 2 Stonechats,  Northern Wheatear,  Marsh Harrier and a female Peregrine.  Today I was literally tripping over released Pheasants/Red Legged Partridges in preparation for the start of the shooting season.    I managed a few visits to shrike hedge area and at least 6 Stonechats and a Whinchat remain with a further 2 Stonechats at Blueberry.   

Yesterday at Pitsford Reservoir there was a Tree Pipit and Osprey, at Hollowell,  Ruff,Ringed Plover,  Yellow Wagtail and Redpoll, at Summer Leys, Glossy Ibis,  Marsh Harrier and Sedge Warbler, at Daventry Reservoir 2 drake Red Crested Pochards and 2 Glossy Ibis at Stanford Reservoir.      Today at Hollowell Reservoir there was a Caspian Gull ( German ringed) which also frequents Naseby Reservoir.  The juvenile Glossy Ibis remains at Titchmarsh LNR for its 8th day along with Ruff, Greenshank,  Green Sandpiper and a Bittern.   The other long standing Glossy Ibis were also reported from Summer Leys and Stanford Reservoir.       A male Merlin was seen heading south at New Sandy Lane Attenuation pond Duston. 

A ringing session yesterday at Linford by Kenny Cramer and his team produced 177 birds of 20 species,  of which 144 were new. Warblers included 20 Blackcaps,  19 Chiffchaffs,  3 Reed Warblers and 2 Cettis Warblers.  Other birds of note,12 Reed Buntings,  6 Meadow Pipits,  4 Song Thrushes,  2 Kingfishers and 2 male Bullfinches.

Looking at the weather forecast I think that we need to make the most of tomorrow before the wet and windy weather hits

Regards Eleanor 

Meadow Pipit courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Painted Lady butterfly
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Chiffchaff courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Bullfinch courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.