Short December Days

It's the time of year when the days seem to be so short. Because I usually have lots of things to get done I'm chomping at the bit waiting for the day to get light. This morning I went out early and used the brightness of the moon to light my way.  It was lovely being out at that time and I was treated to a spectacular daybreak with the sky turning various shades of blue and pink. It was crispy underfoot due to the hard frost and this had the added advantage of coming back with clean dogs instead of the wet and muddy ones of late. 

It seems pretty quiet everywhere in the county. Glossy Ibis were seen at Stanford Reservoir,  Summer Leys and a flooded field near Irchester. The regular Marsh Harriers were at Summer Leys and Titchmarsh LNR.  A Caspian Gull was at Hollowell and Ravensthorpe Reservoir,  Black-necked Grebe in the Pintail Bay at Pitsford Reservoir,  Bittern at Summer Leys, Cettis Warbler and 5 Stonechats at Hollowell Reservoir and on the Town Lake at Thrapston the drake Ring Necked Duck and both male and female Greater Scaup. Two Stonechats were at Upton Country Park today.

I have had very quiet visits to Harrington Airfield and shrike hedge/Blueberry.

 

Of interest a Common Gull seen and photographed (Stuart Mundy) at Pitsford Reservoir had been ringed at a site 500 miles away at Heligoland Island north of Germany. 

Have a good weekend

 

Regards Eleanor 

Stonechat.

Robin.

Common Gull.

Blackcap.

Goldfinch.

All images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.