Finches on the move

Hello

Another grimy and wet day does little to inspire!

However some birders are out in all weathers and birds at Summer Leys LNR include the Glossy Ibis, a Marsh Harrier, two Great White Egrets and two Common Snipe.

Two Crossbills were at Gamboro' Plantation this morning with the pair of Stonechats and in excess of four Bramblings nearby in the Brampton Valley near shrike hedge.

A singing Grey Wagtail was in Northampton town centre.

A few recoveries associated with Northants Ringing Group activity as follows:-

1. A male Lesser Redpoll was ringed at Morar in the Highlands of Scotland on 19th April 2024 and was caught again at Linford Lakes LNR on 29th December 2025, 619 days later and with a distance of 632 km between the two sites;

2. A first year male Chaffinch was ringed at Austerlands, Greater Manchester on 28th September 2025 and caught again at Hanging Houghton on 21st December 2025 having traveled 153 km in a SSE direction within 84 days;

3. A first year Goldfinch was ringed at Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire on 24th October 2024 and caught again close to Overstone Park, Northampton on 29th December 2025, this bird having traveled 69 km south during the 431 day interval;

4. A Blue Tit ringed as a nestling at Rabbithill Spinney, Kelmarsh on 30th May 2023 was caught in a Corby garden and processed by a ringer on 8th January 2026, this bird having moved 16 km ENE from it's natal area over a period of 954 days;

5. An adult male Goldfinch was ringed at Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway on 12th January 2024 and caught again in a Greens Norton garden on 18th January 2026 having traveled 365 km in a SSE direction over a period of 737 days. It would seem that this bird was attempting to winter in Scotland in 2024 but thought better of it this winter and came south!

Regards

Neil M

Nuthatch at Cottesbrooke
yesterday courtesy of
Phil West.

Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys
LNR today courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Map depicting the movement
of a ringed Lesser Redpoll as at
1. above courtesy of Nick Wood.

Map depicting the movement
of a ringed Goldfinch as at
5. above courtesy of Nick Wood.