Birds of the valleys

Hello

A milder and much more pleasant day in the county.

Initially this morning only two Crossbills were showing poorly in the Gamboro' Plantation between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, but the usual number of fifteen or more were flying around there this afternoon. A male Siskin was singing there and a Woodcock flew out.

The nearby Brampton Valley fields yielded a Jack Snipe and four Common Snipe again, a Great White Egret flying over, the pair of Stonechats, a Brambling, a Redpoll, a Golden Plover, a Barn Owl and a pair of Grey Partridges.

Two Bramblings were at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station at Pitsford Reservoir today and a Green Sandpiper was in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth.

At Daventry Country Park, two Siberian Chiffchaffs were at the viewpoint near to the grit trap (southern end of the complex).

In the Nene Valley the drake Smew was again on the Nene Barrage at Clifford Hill Pits and a Glossy Ibis was again at Summer Leys LNR. Two White-fronted Geese were in a field north of the main lake at Stanwick Pits at lunchtime. and seven drake Pintail were on gravel pits near Warmington.

A Stonechat was at Upton Country Park and six Goosanders were at Harlestone Lake.

Regards

Neil M

Barn Owl.

Goosander.

Drake Smew courtesy
of Dave Jackson.