The three "G's", Geese, Gulls and Grebe !!

The three "G's", Geese, Gulls and Grebe sums up the main birds of the past two days.  Today there were 3 White Fronted Geese at Summer Leys and a further 2 in the Cherwell Valley between Aynho and Clifton.   The first winter Sabines Gull continues to come into the gull roost at Stanford Reservoir just before 17.00hrs and departs around 06.45hrs. Best viewed from the dam (permit required).          There are several Mediterranean Gulls around at the moment, an adult in the roost at Stanford Reservoir, a 2nd winter at Daventry CP and an adult on the main lake at Wicksteed Park, Kettering. Not to be left out, a Yellow-legged Gull at Titchmarsh LNR and a Caspian Gull at Hollowell Reservoir.                                                                        The Slavonian Grebe which has been at Pitsford Reservoir for a while appears to have moved from the Holcot Bay into the Scaldwell bay where it has been trying to hide amongst a large flock of Tufted Ducks. 

Birds around apart from the 3 "G's" include 6 Whooper Swans at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, a female type Black Redstart briefly at Greens Norton, Ruddy Shelduck at Winwick Pools, Short-eared Owl over A1599/A14 junction, a female type Greater Scaup on the town Lake at Thrapston GP, Marsh Harrier at Summer Leys, Titchmarsh LNR and Harrington Airfield. However the best bird got away, a Woodlark flew over poplars field at Stanford Reservoir this morning. 

Have a good weekend 

Regards Eleanor 

Red Kite.

Meadow Pipit.

Mute Swan.

All images from Clifford Hill Pits
courtesy of Tony Stanford.