Caspian Gulls, more Black-necked Grebes and the Black Red still!

Hello

Yesterday's birds (11th) included the Black Redstart still off Sandringham Road, Northampton and a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was seen again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. Birds around Spring Pond off the Brampton Valley Way below Brixworth included a Water Rail, a Cetti's Warbler and at least one Chiffchaff with a couple of Bramblings nearby.

Three Black-necked Grebes stopped off for a brief stay at Daventry Country Park yesterday and a Caspian Gull was present too. A Caspian Gull was seen at Hollowell Reservoir and birds at Stanford Reservoir included the Glossy Ibis still plus six Great White Egrets and two Goosanders.

Also yesterday the Black-necked Grebe was in Pintail Bay at Pitsford Reservoir with the juvenile Whooper Swan in the Narrows and two Goosanders were at Town Lake, Thrapston Pits.

A Merlin was a good record for Hinton Airfield in the afternoon and Clifford Hill Pits attracted a Raven and two Great White Egrets in the morning.

Today (12th Dec) and the Black Redstart was still showing nicely in Northampton in the same place, clearly enjoying it's urban setting. A different Caspian Gull was at Hollowell Reservoir today where there was also a Water Rail, three Stonechats and two Common Snipe.

Thrapston Pits was the venue again for the drake Ring-necked Duck at the north end of Town Lake and two Greater Scaup and two Goosanders were at the south end by the sailing club (early afternoon).

Two Glossy Ibis were on flood pools by the bend in the road at Wellingborough Embankment and an adult Caspian Gull was identified at Summer Leys LNR.

A Siskin was at Lamport Hall and good numbers of Starlings and Fieldfares were at Harrington Airfield and Stonechats were heard calling in the gloom in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

Stanford Reservoir's birds today included the Glossy Ibis, four Great White Egrets, three Goosanders and ninety Pochard. Two Caspian Gulls were at Daventry Country Park today.

Variable numbers of Scaup have been reported at Eyebrook Reservoir recently with four today and where also five Smew including three drakes.

Regards

Neil M

Cetti's Warbler.

Chiffchaff.

Water Rail.