Ringing at Brixworth

Hello

A cool start and end of the day but some nice autumnal sunshine and an increase in breeze strength during the day.

Just over seventy birds were processed during a bird ringing session at Brixworth this morning with Blue Tit, Blackcap and Chiffchaff the most numerous species encountered. A Bullfinch, two Lesser Whitethroats and a small number of Meadow Pipits also appeared in the mist nets. Clouded Yellow butterflies (including a pale one) and a Grass Snake were nice too and three Grey Wagtails were on-site with a Raven passing overhead on a couple of occasions.

A Raven was at Hanging Houghton and three Spotted Flycatchers were at Lamport Hall this afternoon, visible from the third wooden gate along the footpath from the A508.

Two Ringed Plovers were at Stanford Reservoir today plus a Great White Egret, a Common Sandpiper, a Water Rail and three Cetti's Warblers.

A Whinchat was at Hollowell Reservoir where also four Dunlin and six Ringed Plovers early in the morning and with a Marsh Harrier and a fly-thorough Caspian Gull this afternoon. A Hobby was the only bird reported from Pitsford Reservoir.

Daventry Country Park was the venue for three Black-tailed Godwits, a Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper.

At least thirty Crossbills and two Siskins were at Wakerley Wood this afternoon, in larches just beyond the main car park. Nearby and Black Swans were with cygnets at Deene Lake, and Blatherwycke Lake provided views of a Marsh Harrier and four Egyptian Geese.

In the Nene valley there was a juvenile Black Tern on Elinor Lake, Thrapston Pits and a Greenshank, three Common Sandpipers and an adult Yellow-legged Gull on the Titchmarsh reserve.

The Earls Barton Pits complex yielded a Black-necked Grebe and a Caspian Gull on Mary's Lake, a Hobby and White Wagtail at Summer Leys LNR with the new workings at the west end producing a juvenile Osprey again, an adult Caspian Gull and a Cattle Egret. A Raven was over Higham Ferrers.

Regards

Neil M

Adult Lesser Whitethroat courtesy
of Jane Neill.

The intricate plumage and warm tones
of a first year Meadow Pipit, courtesy of
 Sean Gower.