Late April birding

Hello

A wander up to Harrington Airfield first thing didn't provide much in the way of migrants although the summer warblers have arrived in force now. A pair of Grey Partridge, a Raven and a Redpoll were the only other birds of interest. This afternoon and a flock of three hundred Stock Doves had descended on the dry, top fields close to the minor road connecting Draughton with the B576. I assume these were migrants as I only saw two there this morning!

Tomorrow (Sunday) and there will be some bird ringing on-site, mostly around the bunkers. Access to this area and the section between the Chippings Compound and the concrete track will be restricted during these operations. The public footpath along the concrete track is unaffected.

Birds in the Hanging Houghton area included a trilling Whimbrel flying over towards Pitsford Reservoir, and a hunting Barn Owl and two Whinchats were in the Brampton Valley below the village. A male Common Redstart was very vocal and showy at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Three Cuckoos at Stanford Reservoir was a good number where also a Common Sandpiper and an Oystercatcher. Hollowell Reservoir provided an Osprey sighting plus a Common Sandpiper, and two more Common Sandpipers were seen at Ravensthorpe Reservoir.

Early mornings at Clifford Hill Pits continue to pay off and today's list included three Caspian Gulls, a Cuckoo, a Wood Sandpiper, three Whimbrel, three Common Sandpipers, a Common Snipe and four Little Ringed Plovers.

A Stanwick Pits purple patch this morning provided a Garganey, an Osprey, eleven Cattle Egrets and two Greenshanks.

The Glossy Ibis was noted at Summer Leys LNR again plus two Whimbrel and a Ruff. The New Workings/Whiston Wetlands area provided a Green Sandpiper, a Cattle Egret, two Ruff, a Ringed Plover and a Grasshopper Warbler. A female Ring Ouzel was seen in fields between Ecton and Earls Barton before being chased off by a Blackbird. Two Ravens were south of Earls Barton this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Drake Garganey courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Willow Warbler.

Male Common Redstart
courtesy of the late David Arden.