Pitsford WeBS count

Hello

A bit misty and murky first thing but the weather improved and the sun came out again!

Much of the day was spent at Pitsford Reservoir completing the last WeBS count of the season. There was little of interest south of the causeway but a dozen Siskins were on the move and two Grey Wagtails were present. North of the causeway a vocal Water Pipit flew east, there were about fifty Common Snipe and a Jack Snipe in the margins and a pair of Ravens were robustly tussling with Common Buzzards in the Walgrave Bay. A Crossbill was singing in the Walgrave Bay and other birds were heard calling nearby but not seen. Small numbers of Siskins were calling and flying around all morning and a single Redpoll was noted. At least one Kingfisher was present and two Sand Martins lingered for a while before moving on.

A Redpoll was in our garden at Hanging Houghton briefly this afternoon and some more ringing today in a garden on the outskirts of Northampton provided twelve Goldfinches, six Redpolls and two Siskins plus more routine fare.

Nene Valley birds today included eleven White-fronted Geese at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits, five Ruff at Townholme Meadows on the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve and a White Wagtail at Ecton Fields. At Earls Barton Pits there were eleven Common Snipe, a Pintail and the Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys LNR and a Marsh Harrier at the New Workings section. Clifford Hill Pits hosted four Little Ringed Plovers and four Oystercatchers this afternoon. Two pairs of Mandarin Ducks were on the north lake at Barnwell Country Park.

Hollowell Reservoir was still the venue for the Red-throated Diver today and other sightings included an Osprey and a Jack Snipe.

Regards

Neil M

Goldfinch.

Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Above two images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Drake Goldeneye.

Common Buzzard.