Two more lovely Autumn days, blue skies, warm sunshine and a gentle breeze. It's nice not having to wear wellies and fleeces and the rustic colours of the hedgerows are stunning. What more could you wish for?? Probably a few new birds as the birds around seem to be the same. The Glossy Ibis remain at Stanford Reservoir, Summer Leys and Titchmarsh LNR. Over at Daventry Reservoir there is a drake Red Crested Pochard and the Pectoral Sandpiper at Hollowell Reservoir. Whooper Swans have been seen at Stanford Reservoir (3birds) and Titchmarsh LNR (1 bird).
This morning there was a bit of a movement of Redwings. I heard several calling as they went over the garden before dawn and when I arrived at shrike hedge a few small parties went over. Redwings were also heard from Great Oxendon and Kettering. I actually didn't hear anymore during the rest of the day. Infact I've had a couple of very quiet days. There are definitely a lot less birds around shrike hedge/Blueberry area. Today I could only find one pair of Stonechat instead of the double figures which have been there. Skylark and Meadow Pipit numbers have also decreased. Yesterday there were 3 Bramblings in the area but today just a single bird. A Golden Plover flew over this afternoon. Harrington Airfield seems to have turned into a "birdless zone" with hardly any passerines. I did have a lovely encounter with a female Merlin yesterday. I suspect that it's the same bird that I have seen twice at shrike hedge. I was standing at the end of bunker 3 looking north and saw her coming low across the fields. She perched up for a while on a concrete post and she was constantly on the look out. She actually allowed me to get quite close before she dropped off the post and chased a Meadow Pipit. I thought that I would do an evening visit today incase there are any Owls about. But I saw absolutely nothing of note bird-wise but just a stunning sunset and then the bright Harvest or Hunters Moon appear which is at its peak this week.
Regards Eleanor
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| Reeve (Ruff). |
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| Male House Sparrow courtesy of Chris Payne. |
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| Sparrowhawk with Starling courtesy of John Tilly. |
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