Migrants coming and going

Hello

With some Reed and Sedge Warbler having not long arrived on their 'spring' migration and taken up territories waiting for reeds and glyceria to grow back, at the other end of the spectrum autumn migration began a couple of weeks ago with departing hirundines, Swifts, Cuckoos and waders!

Today a juvenile Common Redstart was found at Clifford Hill Pits and it's very likely that this bird was raised much further north and is already on it's first migration 'hop' south to Africa. The very first 'autumn' Common Redstarts in Northants normally turn up at the end of June, either as juveniles or adults looking to find somewhere suitable to safely feed and moult before they venture south.

Early morning birds at Clifford Hill Pits were four Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper.

Birds visible north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir this morning included a Barn Owl (seemingly breeding just off the reserve this year), a near-adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Mandarin Duck, at least five Pochard, a Great White Egret and a Common Sandpiper. Marbled White butterflies number a couple of hundred in the Scaldwell Meadows and lots of other butterflies include Meadow Browns, Ringlets and some very fresh Gatekeepers. Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock and Essex Skippers were noted there too. Black-tailed Skimmers and a female Broad-bodied Chaser were also on the brambles alongside the meadow.

The pair of Spotted Flycatchers at Hanging Houghton were feeding fledged young today.

It was quiet for birds at Harrington Airfield today but butterflies included fresh Painted Ladies, one or two Clouded Yellow(s) and still droves of Marbled Whites.

The Horsebox Car Park walk at Salcey Forest provided for fourteen species of butterfly today including seven Silver-washed Fritillaries and two Purple Hairstreaks and odonata included many Blue Emperors, a Common Darter and a Beautiful Demoiselle (which seem to be getting everywhere these days).

Regards

Neil M

Kestrel.

Marbled White.

Essex Skipper.

Above three images courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Peacock butterfly.