Rare geese again

Hello

Another grey and mild day with just weak showers and another arrival of wild geese in the county.

At least ten Crossbills and about twenty Siskins were at Gamboro' Plantation this morning, although the dull light didn't really do them justice. A pair of Stonechats and a Golden Plover were in the Brampton Valley fields.

Yesterday there were still four Tree Sparrows at Rectory Farm, Old and a Blackcap was singing in short bursts in Brixworth village. Today saw three Grey Wagtails in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth.

A goose fest at Stanford Reservoir today provided quality sightings of thirty-three European White-fronted Geese, three Pink-footed Geese and four Tundra Bean Geese. Other birds were six Great White Egrets, five Goosanders and a Chiffchaff.

A drake Smew, two Oystercatchers, a drake hybrid Pochard x Tufted Duck and six Pintail were at Clifford Hill Pits.

A/the Nene Valley drake Ring-necked Duck was located at Ringstead Pits by Adrian on the Kinewell Lake but it flew off in a westerly direction (late morning). Six Goosanders and at least fifty-five Pochard were present too.

Nick located a single Tundra Bean Goose at Islip Meadows, Thrapston Pits this afternoon, in company with twenty-three European White-fronted Geese.

An Oystercatcher was at Earls Barton New Workings, a Redpoll was at Little Billing and the Black-necked Grebe popped up at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon, just off the east shore between the dam and Moulton Grange Bay (but last seen swimming rapidly north).

Regards

Neil M

Woodcock at Glapthorn Cow Pastures
courtesy of John Hunt.

Garden Goldfinches courtesy
of Jim Dunkley.

Drake Shoveler at Summer Leys LNR
courtesy of Neil Hasdell.