A break in the cold spell

Hello

A cold night but temperatures soon rose and with it more wind and showers.

Fifteen Crossbills were again located at Gamboro' Plantation (between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton) this morning plus a flock of Siskins. Nearby a Peregrine and two Woodcock were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and the female Merlin was in the Brampton Valley near to shrike hedge with several Bramblings also present.

I spent much of the day checking nest boxes on the Kelmarsh Estate and in my wanderings encountered two Woodcock at Sunderland Wood, another Woodcock at Rabbithill Spinney and a Siskin at Scotland Wood.

The Black-necked Grebe was reported at Pitsford Reservoir today, again in Pintail Bay.

About sixty European White-fronted Geese were again at Stanford Reservoir today plus ten Goosanders, an adult Caspian Gull and two Kingfishers.

The female Ruddy Shelduck and a single European White-fronted Goose were at Hollowell Reservoir and another seven European White-fronted Geese were at Blatherwycke Lake together with a Great White Egret and three Pintail.

At Thrapston Pits today the excellent list of birds included the Tundra Bean Goose, fourteen European White-fronted Geese, a drake Ring-necked Duck, a pair of Red-crested Pochard and a drake American Wigeon. A Cattle Egret flew over Stanwick Pits and eight European White-fronted Geese were to the west of North Lake. A Marsh Harrier was seen at Summer Leys LNR.

A Glossy Ibis was still in a field at The Embankment at Wellingborough near to the Premier Inn. A Cattle Egret flew over Bants Lane, Duston at lunchtime and five Corn Buntings were again between Deanshanger and Wicken where also Grey Partridges. Four European White-fronted Geese were at Clifford Hill Pits this morning in the southern fields. A male and a female Blackcap were still in a garden at Woodford Halse today.

Regards

Neil M

Chiffchaff courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Yellowhammer.

A stooping Kestrel courtesy
of Robin Gossage.