Pitsford Reservoir WeBS count

Hello

Sun and showers today for the Pitsford Reservoir WeBS count, although there were so few waterbirds it could be a record low count! The brown, muddy water is never enjoyed by birds that dive and the very high water levels have flooded out the margins.

North of the causeway and there was a Great White Egret, about thirty-five Common Snipe, a Woodcock, a Common Sandpiper, three Ravens, two pairs of Stonechats and ten Siskins. It was extremely quiet south of the causeway with just two Ravens and several Siskins.

A wild goose chase along the Nene Valley proved productive with a Tundra Bean Goose, a Pink-footed Goose and twenty-five European White-fronted Geese being found near Denford, eight European White-fronted Geese on Elinor Lake at Thrapston Pits and the Islip Meadows section of the complex held a Pink-footed Goose and a Tundra Bean Goose.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was again at Ringstead Pits and this time on the fishing lake.

At Summer Leys LNR the Glossy Ibis was still present plus three Oystercatchers, ten Common Snipe, two Great White Egrets, a Marsh Harrier and two Kingfishers.

The drake Smew was again at Clifford Hill Pits plus a Great White Egret, twelve Golden Plovers and a Raven.

The Red-throated Diver decided to switch reservoirs and was off the eastern side of the dam at Hollowell Reservoir this morning plus two adult Caspian Gulls, two Jack Snipe, four Common Snipe and two Stonechats.

Four Great White Egrets were at Stanford Reservoir where also fifteen Goosanders and a leucistic Black-headed Gull.

Three Grey Partridges were at Harrington Airfield, a Crossbill was in Scotland Wood, at least four Crossbills were at Gamboro' Plantation where a Green Sandpiper flew over and two Grey Wagtails and a gathering of at least thirty Magpies were in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth.

Two Corn Buntings were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton with a large flock of finches and buntings which included six Bramblings, over a hundred Chaffinches, at least one hundred and fifty Goldfinches and smaller numbers of Greenfinches and Yellowhammers. Two Stonechats were also present plus a Barn Owl.

Regards

Neil M

Marsh Harrier.

Kingfisher.

Oystercatchers.

Song Thrush.

All above images from Summer Leys
LNR today courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Image and video of the Pink-footed Goose
 Islip Meadows today courtesy of Nick Parker.