New Year's Eve

Hello

The last birding in 2025 was on a cold, frosty day with winterer lingerers and little that was new.

Eyebrook Reservoir boasted nine Smew and eight Greater Scaup, excellent numbers by modern standards. Other regional news included at least eight Great Northern Divers still at Grafham Water plus a Red-breasted Merganser, a Common Scoter and three Bewick's Swans and in the other direction there were two Great Northern Divers and an adult Glaucous Gull at Draycote Water. Waifs lingering in Warwickshire include a Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Stanford Reservoir today fielded four Greater Scaup and over twenty-five European White-fronted Geese. A Grey Wagtail, two Siskins and a Little Egret were along the River Welland at Market Harborough.

A drake Smew and four European White-fronted Geese were at Clifford Hill Pits and Thrapston Pits continued to host a drake American Wigeon and two Greater Scaup on the Titchmarsh reserve. Four European White-fronted Geese were to the east of Woodford in the Nene Valley.

At least ten Chiffchaffs were at the Ecton SF outfall stream where also two Green Sandpipers and a Ring-necked Parakeet. Six Crossbills were at Harlestone Heath this morning and Blackcaps were feeding in gardens at Abington, Northampton and Woodford Halse. Eight Redpolls were in birches at Woodford Halse churchyard.

Two Whooper Swans (adult and a juvenile) flew over the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning and other birds were a female Peregrine consuming a Woodpigeon, eight Bramblings, a Golden Plover and a Woodcock. Several Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall.

I have recently returned from eight days birding in Portugal and a tab/page has been created with a few images from that trip - 'The Algarve at Christmas 2025.'

We would like to thank everyone for their observations and information during 2025 and for all the images received which help enliven the blog. We wish you a Happy New Year and hope that 2026 provides respite for our birds and wildlife with an opportunity to flourish and for us to enjoy it's presence.

Regards

Neil & Eleanor

Grey Heron courtesy
of John Tilly.

Great White Egret courtesy
of John Tilly.

Common Gull.

Female Blackbird.