Signs of migration

Yesterday I decided to visit Ravensthorpe Reservoir.  I started at the dam and spent a while there with my telescope simply panning around.  I quickly picked up the Slavonian Grebe and then the Red-throated Diver. Both birds were hugging the bank and could have easily been overlooked.  I abandoned my scope and walked all the way round and I never saw these two birds on my walk round.  It was as if they had never been there !!                   A small flock of Goldeneye were vocal and displaying and they were very showy.  Other birds on my walk included a Crossbill calling and flying around the carpark,  3-4 Grey Wagtails, a singing Chiffchaff and a flock of Siskins.                Other birds in the county yesterday included a  Sand Martin at Priors Hall Corby,  2 Avocets moving through the Nene Valley (Earls Barton GP), Glossy Ibis,  Redshanks,  Oystercatchers,  Marsh Harrier,  Caspian Gull and singing Chiffchaff at Summer Leys and the 7 White Fronted Geese at Stanwick GP. 

A quiet day of birds for me today with a singing Chiffchaff in our garden,  2 Bramblings at shrike hedge and 100+ Golden Plovers at Harrington Airfield.                                                       It would appear that the Kinewell Lake Red-necked Grebe has turned up on the Delta Pit/Lake at Rushden Lakes so hasn't moved far but I understand could be quite difficult to see.       At Clifford Hill GP the Lesser Scaup was again on the river and the drake Smew still present.  But two Little Ringed Plovers found there today are the first record for this year and probably the earliest ever spring record for the county.  Redshank and Goosander were also present.       At Summer Leys the Glossy Ibis remains and a pair of Mediterranean Gulls were displaying.                                         The Slavonian Grebe was again at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and also a Cettis Warbler. 

Five Redpolls, a Chiffchaff and a Redwing were caught and ringed at Stortons Pits today.

Things are definitely on the move and spring is always an exciting time in the county as absolutely anything can turn up........we just have to find it. !!

Regards Eleanor 

Redshank.

Oystercatcher.

Above images courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

Drake Teal courtesy
of John Tilly.

Drake Lesser Scaup at
Clifford Hill Pits courtesy
of Tony Stanford.