GEESE GALORE!!

 Today has seen a significant drop in temperature, a change in the wind direction and a scattering of wild geese throughout the county. European White Fronted Geese were seen at Pitsford Reservoir (7+), Stanford Reservoir (56),Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows (31) and at Blatherwycke Lake (12). Pink Footed Geese were at Pitsford Reservoir (3) and Summer Leys (1). But the scarcest of the geese were 6 Tundra Bean Geese at Pitsford Reservoir.           I was lucky enough to be able to get to Pitsford Reservoir and enjoy this Goose feast.  I'd had a pretty quiet morning for birds. Just a couple of Grey Wagtails,  Siskins and Bramblings whilst out running,  about 15 Siskins at Kelmarsh Hall and birdless visit to Harrington Airfield. I was taking a break in-between errands when the news broke of the birds at Pitsford so the remaining errands were put on hold, and infact they got done!!.                             As I walked down the old road to view the birds my heart sank as a lot of the geese started to fly around.  There seemed to be an awful lot of Canada's and Greylags present.  After searching I picked up several White Fronted Geese near to the point where the Cormorants sit. As I watched them they swam away from me and disappeared into the Walgrave Bay and out of sight. In order to get a better view of these birds I walked towards the causeway and looked back into the Walgrave Bay where they had tucked themselves.  Then I turned my attention to the area between the Walgrave and Holcot Bays as this is where the majority of geese seemed to be.  As I scanned the geese I found at least 3 Pink Footed Geese, 7 White Fronted Geese and 4 Tundra Bean Geese which were joined by a further 2. This was just amazing to see and I can't remember seeing all these different species of geese present together in the same place in Northamptonshire.                                                 I had to drag myself away,  not to finish my errands but to walk the dogs. However it was a quiet walk with just a few Bramblings and female Peregrine near shrike hedge,  2 Woodcock nearby and 15 Golden Plovers with 160 Lapwings feeding on a crop field. 

Other birds around today include 2 Greater Scaup,  2 Goosanders at Thrapston on Town Lake, Black Necked Grebe at Blatherwycke Lake,  Glossy Ibis at Stanford Reservoir and Wellingborough embankment and 3 female Greater Scaup at Stanford Reservoir. 

Yesterday saw another scarce winter visitor,  a drake Red Breasted Merganser briefly at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, plus 2 Red Crested Pochards at Kislingbury on the main lake.        There seems to be a bit of competition between the gull roosts at Pitsford and Stanford Reservoirs, both had Mediterranean Gulls ( adult at Pitsford and 2 x 1st winters at Stanford) and Yellow Legged Gull.  But Stanford also produced a Caspian Gull. 

We would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas 🎄 and hope that you enjoy the day however and wherever you spend it.

Regards Eleanor