Rare ducks, raptors and Short-eared Owls

Hello

Topsy turvy temperatures currently with apparently a cooler day again tomorrow.

A Red-breasted Merganser popped into both Daventry Country Park and Boddington Reservoir yesterday (28th Nov) before moving on from both. Also yesterday a second Greater Scaup was located on the Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits courtesy of Nick.

Today and the rain of this morning gave way to much more pleasant weather this afternoon. The Black-necked Grebe was again reported at Pitsford Reservoir in the vicinity of Yacht Bay and a Woodcock was in Christies Copse in the Walgrave Bay.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was reported on the Aldwincle Lake at Titchmarsh this afternoon.

Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and in fields towards Blueberry Farm, Maidwell today included a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier, a female Merlin, a Corn Bunting, two Stonechats, a Woodcock and twelve plus Bramblings. A Grey Wagtail was in the village.

A Grey Wagtail and twenty Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall and a few Siskins and a Redpoll were at Scotland Wood. A Raven was in a tree in Dallington cemetry, Northampton with a female Blackcap eating apple in a garden there.

A Short-eared Owl was hunting the Nene Valley three hundred yards down-river from Wollaston Lock this afternoon and at Harrington Airfield two Short-eared Owls were discovered where also a female Peregrine and a Woodcock. A large Starling murmuration was visible this afternoon at Stortons Pits which attracted two Sparrowhawks and a Peregrine.

A Glossy Ibis was again at Stanford Reservoir today.

Regards

Neil M

Peregrine.

Stonechat.

House Sparrow.