First Day of Spring

Hello

More fine weather officially heralds in spring as the migrants fly over us and just keep going! Siskins and Meadow Pipits were audible but often not visible as they went over throughout the morning. Some calls last night over Hanging Houghton sounded like Common Scoters but I'm afraid the traffic noise from the busy A508 partly drowned out the sounds so I couldn't be sure.

The trouble with nice weather is that migrants push on to their destination without necessarily stopping over if there is no inclement weather and blocking winds to prevent progress. Often some of the best birds found inland are on days when you would rather not go out yourself!

The long-staying Glossy Ibis remained at Summer Leys LNR today and a drake Pintail was also present. Nearby the Earls Barton New Workings/Whiston Wetlands provided for a Marsh Harrier, two Green Sandpipers, two Ruff, two Oystercatchers, a Little Ringed Plover, a Common Snipe, four Redshanks, a Raven and a Shelduck.

The Red-throated Diver was still at Hollowell Reservoir, a Redpoll was at Hanging Houghton, a Woodcock was at New Covert, Kelmarsh and a Raven in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir. A Willow Warbler was singing at Harrington Airfield.

An email report was received today of three Black Kites at Evenly Wood near Brackley at 11.30am. The observer is familiar with Red Kite. This would be an unprecedented record in the county if verification was possible.

Regards

Neil M

Cetti's Warbler.

Treecreeper.

Above two images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Large Tortoiseshell not taken locally
courtesy of Jim Dunkley.

Chiffchaff.