Birds of the season

Hi

This morning there was a female Merlin and a Woodcock at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

At about 10.45am this morning the Great White Egret was with 3 Little Egrets on the floodwater at the back of the Holcot Bay at Pitsford Res, as viewed from the Hannington Road.

At 11.45am a Waxwing flew over the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res, this high-flying but vocal bird was heading east.  There was a Woodcock flushed from Christies Copse.

Just after 12 noon today there were at least 10 Bramblings on the seed at Harrington Airfield, later joined by a large covey of 15 Grey Partridges.

A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was present in the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon.

Regards

E & N

Bramblings with other birds
at Harrington Airfield

Adult Common Gull

Flock of Lapwings

 

Lapwing at the water's edge
Pitsford Reservoir

Bright and beautiful (the birds that is)!

Hi

An early morning run in the gloom of a late dawn brightened up when I came across 2 Little Egrets along the brook in the Brampton Valley just north of Merry Tom Lane.

This morning there were 10 Bramblings on the seed at Harrington Airfield, most of which were stunning males.

This afternoon, at about 2pm, there were 2 mobile Waxwings at Pitsford Res which flew from Brixworth CP over the dam and disappeared towards Pitsford village.  The Black-necked Grebe was in yacht bay and other birds in the near vicinity included 2 Grey Wagtails, a Kingfisher and c15 Siskins.

Regards

Eleanor

Winter movers

Hi

This morning what was either a Snow or Lapland Bunting was heard calling in/over drilled stubble fields adjacent to the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res.  The distinctive 'tiu' call, which both of these species emit, was heard several times during a 10 minute period from 9am but despite a search the bird was never seen and presumably moved on.  The call was most similar to Snow.

Birds visible in the Walgrave Bay today included the Great White Egret, a couple of Siskins, 1-2 redpoll sp, a Chiffchaff and with both Marsh and Willow Tits coming to the feeders in Christies Copse.

A ringing session at Stortons GP this morning captured 65 birds, the more interesting being another Lesser Redpoll and a Chiffchaff.

This afternoon there was a male Peregrine and a Woodcock in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell a small flock of 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew west over Haselbech Hill at 2.40pm.  Other birds at Blueberry included a Woodcock and 2 Ravens.

Regards

E & N

Bramblings and Waxwings

Hi

Two Waxwings were in Hanging Houghton village for a short time early this morning, moving around over The Croft and in to the grounds of Lamport Grange.  However there was no sign of them later in the morning.  A Brambling again popped in to our garden during the morning but there was no sign of it this afternoon.

Also this morning a Brambling and a Kingfisher were noted at Kelmarsh Hall with just a single Siskin at nearby Sunderland Wood.  At Harrington Airfield this morning there were at least 8 Bramblings on the seed on the concrete track at the Draughton Road entrance.

Regards

E & N

Winter is around the corner!

Hi

A cold but pleasant day today but with encroaching freezing fog this evening.  Hello the winter!

Today there were a couple of Bramblings in the garden here at Hanging Houghton with several Siskins and 2 Nuthatches close by.  An adult male Peregrine was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning and a Barn Owl was hunting at Blueberry Farm this afternoon.

Dave Francis was ringing at Pitsford Res at the old Scaldwell Road feeding station and caught 36 new birds which included 10 Goldfinches, 4 Chaffinches, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Tree Sparrows, 3 Yellowhammers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Moorhen.

Regards

Eleanor

WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) Counts

Hi

During most months of the year, volunteer birdwatchers visit key wetland sites around the country in an effort to count and record the numbers of waterbirds present.  Northamptonshire is no different with its wealth of flooded gravel pits, significant inland river systems, lakes and reservoirs attracting plenty of birds, sometimes in nationally important numbers.  The county is well-represented with counters, many stalwarts enduring a variety of conditions for many years to visit their sites and count the swans, geese, ducks, gulls, waders and Kingfisher.

Most counts are submitted on-line and there are opportunities to complete further supplementary counts in addition to core counts.  Examples might be dusk/dawn counts of Cormorant or gulls which tend to roost communally.

The WeBS process is managed by a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Joint Nature Conservancy Committee (JNCC) and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).

An annual report is published which provides indices of some of the more significant species counts and endeavours to summarise the year and plot the health of the relevant counted species.  Because this is a consistent process which has been in being for more than thirty years, the data and and species assessments are credible and impossible to ignore.  The latest report, which includes the data for the 2010/11 season has recently been released. 

Pitsford Reservoir attracts nationally important numbers of Little and Great Crested Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Shoveler.  Clifford Hill GP is nationally important for Mallard, which may include the numbers which are released for shooting at or near the site.  Up until recent years, Clifford Hill attracted nationally important numbers of Golden Plovers which reflected this species dependence on the Nene Valley and adjacent farmland.  Excessive disturbance has clearly affected this site's ability to now provide the effective loafing and gathering of this charismatic species and positive action is required.

Scarcer species in nationally important numbers within the county places Blatherwycke Lake on the map for Mandarin Duck and Ravensthorpe Res, Pitsford Res, Thrapston GP and Stanwick GP for Smew which now seem to enjoy the East Midlands and Cambridgeshire as their favoured wintering region within the UK.  Thrapston GP also featured for Red-crested Pochard, with a high count of 14 on one date affecting the mean average.  Ditchford GP is consistently in the top three in the country for Kingfisher, the combination of different flooded pits, the River Nene and a variety of streams providing the necessary variety for this species. 

Moorhens have seemingly suffered significant mortality during the last two cold winters and their numbers locally and nationally are depleted.  Despite this, Pitsford remains nationally important for this species (and Stanwick GP features too) and is the 10th most important for Coot.  Gadwall numbers in the county are generally high with most sites attracting this species in significant numbers.  Due in part to a very high count of 1044 in October 2010, Pitsford is currently recognised as a site of international importance for this species.  Sadly the counts have been much lower since.

The winter of 2010/2011 was the coldest for 35 years, which nationally resulted in increased numbers of Eurasian White-fronted Geese, some waders and Smew.  It also ensured that Golden Plover and Shoveler left the UK for warmer climes.  More long-term trends are worrying for some species with an international reduction in Long-tailed Ducks by at least 20% and Velvet Scoter, Pochard and Goldeneye suffering continual declines. The reasons are not proven but climate change, eutrophication and human activity pressures are the most likely.  Ringed Plover numbers continue to tumble and even Common and Lesser Black-backed Gull numbers are showing a consistent decline.  On the plus side, the Little Egret population is at least stable and may still be increasing.

Getting out there and committing to WeBS counting has its rewards!  Occasionally we find something rare or interesting and it ensures that you tend to look in every nook and cranny; it certainly improves on your local knowledge and its birds.  The bigger sites attract multiple counters so it is a great way to improve mentored identification and as strange as it sounds, bird counting skills!  If you fancy a go let us know and we can facilitate your WeBS involvement with the local coordinator.

E & N

Merlin and Barn Owl

Hi

At about 7.40am this morning a Merlin was observed in flight towards Brixworth village from the direction of the causeway at Pitsford Res.

News has come through of the origins of the hunting colour-ringed Barn Owl seen at Pitsford Res last week.  It was a juvenile from a nest at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell, one of a late brood on site this year.

Regards

Neil M

Finches and things

Hi

At Pitsford Res this morning there were 4 redpoll sps, a few Siskins and a Brambling present south of the causeway.

At Blueberry Farm this afternoon there were 2 Woodcock and a hunting Barn Owl.

A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall today was productive with 118 birds caught, 68 of which were new.  Birds caught included a Brambling (with small numbers of others present), 11 Siskins, 8 Lesser Redpolls, 23 Goldfinches, 2 Nuthatches and 2 Marsh Tits.  A selection of images are below.  A vocal Raven was present for much of the afternoon.

E & N

Siskin

A selection of Lesser Redpolls

Goldfinch

Brambling

Great Tit

Blue Tit

                                Nuthatch

Siskins, but not much else!

Hi

A visit to Sywell CP today provided about 30 Siskins and at least a dozen 'redpolls'.  The strong wind meant these birds were being tossed around in the small trees and observations were difficult.

About half a dozen Siskins were at both Sunderland Wood and Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon, with small numbers of Lesser Redpolls at the latter.

At Pitsford Res this evening the only different bird on view off the yacht club was a single Redshank, a species which has been very scarce this autumn/winter.

Regards

E & N

Harlestone Heath

Hi

I took a walk around Harlestone Heath this afternoon but didn't find much that was any different.  Finches included 40 Siskins, 2-3 Bramblings (by the saw mills) and half a dozen unidentified redpolls.  No sign of any Crossbills or Waxwings but a few Nuthatches are currently in residence.

Regards

Eleanor

Pitsford birds (what few there are)!

Hi

This morning the Black-necked Grebe and Kingfisher were again off the yacht club at Pitsford Res.  At the old Scaldwell Road feeding station, birds included a Lesser Redpoll and a Water Rail.

At 12.30pm today there were 3 Bramblings visible amongst other birds on the seed at Harrington Airfield, on the concrete track just inside the metal barrier off the Draughton Road.

Regards

Neil M

Mediterranean Gull

Hi

Despite being out for much of the day in flooded Northamptonshire, we collectively saw very little today.

There was probably about half a dozen each of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin at Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon.

The Pitsford Res gull roost provided the opportunity of seeing an adult Mediterranean Gull again, in all probability the same individual that has wintered in this immediate area for quite a number of years now.  There was a Kingfisher near to the Yacht Club and a Barn Owl was again hunting near the dam at dusk.

Regards

Neil M

Ringing at Pitsford

Hi

Dave Francis and John Kempster were ringing at Pitsford Res this morning and yesterday afternoon, concentrating on the old Scaldwell Road feeding station.  A colour-ringed Barn Owl was hunting the Scaldwell Meadow yesterday evening.

Birds caught included 13 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Chaffinches, 5 Tree Sparrows (which included a bird still in juvenile plumge), 5 Blackbirds, a Fieldfare, 4 Yellowhammers and a Lesser Redpoll.

N & E

Ringing Kelmarsh Hall

Hi

A short ringing session took place at Kelmarsh Hall this morning which provided 78 captures, mostly of tits and common finches.  Scarcer birds included a fine Grey Wagtail, 2 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Goldcrests.

Other birds noted included a single Waxwing which flew north at 9.44am, several Siskins and other Lesser Redpolls and the usual routine woodland birds.

Rergards

Neil M

 

Grey Wagtail

 

Lesser Redpoll (or 'Goldpoll'!)

Not much to report...

Hi

A couple of Ravens were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and at Harrington Airfield this afternoon there were 4 Bramblings on the seed, a single Raven and a Short-eared Owl.

Regards

Eleanor

Pitsford & Harrington

Hi

A WeBS census was completed at Pitsford Res today in increasingly windy conditions, but at least the rain held off!

It seemed quiet with only modest numbers of waterbirds and little that was out of the ordinary.  The Black-necked Grebe was sheltering in the yacht bay at dusk, a few Crossbills and a Nuthatch were heard calling in the Walgrave Bay early this morning and a Little Egret flew over the causeway.  Other birds included eleven unidentified and flighty redpolls, forty Snipe and there were three drake Pintail in the Scaldwell Bay.

At Harrington Airfield this morning the female Merlin was present with prey and up to seven Bramblings were feeding on the seed by the concrete track entrance.

Regards

E & N

What weather!

Hi

With the somewhat challenging weather conditions today it wasn't a day that was easy to go birdwatching!  So a day of chores and restocking the wild bird feeding stations which meant we both managed to become drenched a couple of times!

At the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon, there were two Mediterranean Gulls on show - an adult and a 1st Winter.

Regards

N & E

Mediterranean Gull

Hi

The only bird of note today was a Mediterranean Gull in the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon.  It was either a second winter or adult bird.

Regards

Neil M

Kingfisher tab

Hi

I recommend a look at the above Kingfisher at Work tab, courtesy of John Boland...

Our thanks to John's skill and patience!

Regards

Neil M

Waxwings and friends!

Hi

A visit to Sywell Country Park this morning provided a flock of six Waxwings briefly by the main car park at about 10.30am.  There were also at least 12 Lesser Redpolls present and I had a poor view of a larger and paler 'redpoll' with them but the light was awful and the whole flock was typically flighty.  Siskins seem to be everywhere at the minute and there were a good 100+ present.  A couple of Grey Wagtails were also there.

John Woollett and his ringing team enjoyed a good session at Stortons Gravel Pits yesterday, catching 80 birds of which 45 were new.  Highlights included a new Water Rail, a Brambling and 6 Lesser Redpolls.  No Waxwing though!

Regards

Eleanor

Classic November birds

Hi

Birding at Harrington Airfield this morning provided the female Merlin again, a Peregrine, a Short-eared Owl and 6 Bramblings and at least 12 Grey Partridges.

Also this morning the Black-necked Grebe was still present at Pitsford Res just off the dam and at 1pm the Great White Egret was on show between the Holcot and Walgrave Bays.  A flock of 50+ Siskins were present at Brixworth Country Park.

A ringing session at Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) produced 62 captures which included a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Nuthatches but with the majority of bird being tits.  Interestingly of 23 Great Tits caught only 3 were birds born this year, another indicator of the very poor breeding season for this and allied species.  Another interesting capture was of an adult Blue Tit which was ringed in our garden at Hanging Houghton in September. Clearly it has decided that our many garden feeders were not to it's satisfaction and moved on up to Kelmarsh!

Regards

N & E

Just a few sightings today...

Hi

This morning a single Brambling was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, and at 11.25am a Crossbill flew east over Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate).

This afternoon there were 2 Barn Owls hunting in the northern-most field at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Regards

Neil M

Owls about!

Hi

Despite standing around for over an hour at lunchtime today, I failed to see the Waxwings at the Homebase depot, on the Weedon Road, Northampton.  Others on site reported that they hadn't shown since 9am.  Some Starlings were consuming the rather sparse Rowan berries in the car park so I'm not sure there will be many left for the Waxwings!

The Black-necked Grebe was present off the yacht club at Pitsford Res this afternoon.

A hike around Blueberry Farm this afternoon was sufficient to locate a Short-eared Owl, 2 Barn Owls and a Woodcock.

Other Barn Owls noticed during the last few evenings have been by the dam at Pitsford Res and at the roadside between the villages of Old and Lamport.

Regards

Neil M

Harrington

Hi

A wander around Harrington Airfield in very grey conditions this morning was worth it with plenty of birds around the bushes.  Thrushes and finches dominated.  The best birds included a brief view of a/the female Merlin, 1-2 Woodcock, 40-50 Golden Plovers, 4 Bramblings and 9 Siskins.

Regards

N & E

Foggy Pitsford!

Hi

Yesterday afternoon and this morning Dave Francis completed another ringing session at the Pitsford Res feeding station on the old Scaldwell Road.  Amongst 58 captures there were 45 new birds.  Species totals included 12 Greenfinches, 11 Goldfinches, 4 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 6 Tree Sparrows, 6 Yellowhammers, a Jay, a Redwing and a Fieldfare.

This morning Eleanor ran around the reservoir to the south of the causeway.  Visibility was virtually nil in the fog but she did hear Crossbills, Brambling, Siskins, redpolls, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail!

Neil M

Feed Stations

Hi

I spent most of the day today visiting and replenishing the eight wild bird feed stations that we manage with the support of colleagues.  These stations include suspended feeders as well as broadcast seed in an effort to try and support the species associated with the habitat.  Like yesterday it was remarkably mild out for the time of the year with large numbers of insects active in the sunshine!

At Harrington Airfield (one of the feeding stations) I met 'Dave' and 'Robin' who had been watching 3 Bramblings and 15 Grey Partridges enjoying the feast!  Robin had seen 2 Waxwings briefly in the top of a tree earlier today at Orlingbury Hall.

Regards

Neil M

Pitsford and Blueberry

Hi

This morning the Great White Egret was visible at Pitsford Res from the causeway from about 9.20am to 10am at least.  It was perched in waterside bushes with Grey Herons between the Holcot and Walgrave Bays.

A good circuit of the Blueberry Farm area near Maidwell this morning was mostly uneventful with just a Red Kite, 2 Ravens and small numbers of Siskins and redpoll sp to show for a couple of hours of wandering.

Sad news was received today of an Otter that was killed on the road causeway at Pitsford Res last week.  An examination of the corpse today suggested it was an adult female animal.

Regards

E & N

Finches and things

Hi

A visit to Hollowell Reservoir today failed to find any particular birds of note.  Ravensthorpe Reservoir provided a female Red-crested Pochard and 3 Mandarin Ducks (2 drakes) which were visible from the causeway.

At Harlestone Heath this afternoon there were 100+ Siskins roaming around the trees with small numbers of unidentified redpolls.  Two Ring-necked Parakeets flew from the Lodge Farm area and overflew the rough area between Harlestone Heath and Kings Heath.

Three Bramblings were present at Harrington Airfield this morning.

Ringing at Kelmarsh Hall produced over 60 captures which included 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Treecreepers, a Marsh Tit, a Willow Tit, a Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpolls and 11 Siskins.

Regards

E & N

Great White Egret

Hi

At about 9am this morning the Great White Egret was seen again at Pitsford Res in the Holcot Bay (Neil Hasdell and Sarah Gibbs were the observers), about 100 yards in to the bay from the Goosander Hide...

E & N

Pitsford birds

Hi

At Harrington Airfield this morning there were at least 10 Bramblings on the seed just inside the concrete track entrance.

At Pitsford Res there were at least 2 Bramblings and a couple of Lesser Redpolls at the feeding station plus lots of thrushes in the hedges.  South of the causeway the Dark-bellied Brent Goose, the Black-necked Grebe and a drake Smew were all situated between the dam and Yacht Bay.

Regards

Eleanor