Hello
Dave Francis and Neil Hasdell were busy today checking the owl boxes at Pitsford Reservoir. Some Tawnies were in residence and an adult was caught in one box and subsequently ringed (please see an image below). A Stock Dove nest with eggs was a pleasant surprise in another box but the majority of boxes had again been taken over by Grey Squirrels and were subsequently evicted. There can be little doubt that the squirrels adversely affect nesting opportunities for the resident Tawny Owls.
Eleanor was out and about today and her daily excursion in to the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning provided views of a Wheatear, a pair of Grey Partridge, a pair of Raven and about 50 Golden Plovers. This afternoon she spent some time at Harrington Airfield which produced another Wheatear, about a 100 Golden Plovers and a 'ringtail' (probably a female) Hen Harrier hunting the rough borders adjacent to the main concrete track.
John Finlayson spends much of his time monitoring the local wildlife at Titchmarsh Local Nature Reserve near Thrapston. Always armed with a camera, below are some images of a confiding Water Rail taken on the reserve...
Regards
Neil M
Dave Francis and Neil Hasdell were busy today checking the owl boxes at Pitsford Reservoir. Some Tawnies were in residence and an adult was caught in one box and subsequently ringed (please see an image below). A Stock Dove nest with eggs was a pleasant surprise in another box but the majority of boxes had again been taken over by Grey Squirrels and were subsequently evicted. There can be little doubt that the squirrels adversely affect nesting opportunities for the resident Tawny Owls.
Eleanor was out and about today and her daily excursion in to the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning provided views of a Wheatear, a pair of Grey Partridge, a pair of Raven and about 50 Golden Plovers. This afternoon she spent some time at Harrington Airfield which produced another Wheatear, about a 100 Golden Plovers and a 'ringtail' (probably a female) Hen Harrier hunting the rough borders adjacent to the main concrete track.
John Finlayson spends much of his time monitoring the local wildlife at Titchmarsh Local Nature Reserve near Thrapston. Always armed with a camera, below are some images of a confiding Water Rail taken on the reserve...
Regards
Neil M
Tawny Owl Pitsford Reservoir Courtesy of Neil Hasdell |
Water Rail Titchmarsh LNR Courtesy of John Finlayson |