Spring at Kelmarsh

Hello

For me and a small posse of volunteers it was a busy day on the Kelmarsh Estate today as we prepared the Swift nesting tower for another season, put up a new Barn Owl box and prepared another to go up soon. The flowers alongside the main drive look stunning and the gardens and grounds open up for the new season on Sunday 17th April.

Birdwise there wasn't anything unusual seen on the estate today although we did find a Mistle Thrush nest containing one egg and songsters included Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

Fairly quiet in the county today but Summer Leys LNR attracted three Garganey, a Little Ringed Plover, two Ruff, a Common Tern, seven Swallows and a Blackcap and the Wood Sandpiper was again at Upton Country Park with a Green Sandpiper (plus a Willow Warbler at Upton Mill). Three or four Swallows were at Barnwell Country Park this evening.

Birds at Stanwick Pits today included the Glossy Ibis on the Main Lake this evening and two Cattle Egrets on the Roadside Pit early this morning.

Five Bramblings were seen at Harrington Airfield this afternoon and there were winter thrushes evident in some numbers at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby this afternoon but no sign of the recent Ring Ouzel.

Regards

Neil M

Flowers galore at Kelmarsh Hall
including Snakes Head Fritillaries,
Primroses, Wood Anemones,
Daffodils and more...

The class of 2022! New arrivals
in the Kelmarsh British White
Cattle herd.

Mistle Thrush nest containing
one egg courtesy of Chris
Payne.

New Barn Owl box
courtesy of Lynne Barnett.

Exciting spring birds

Hello

It may not have been much of a day for many new arrivals in the county today but we are successfully hanging on to many scarce and classy birds!

Summer Leys LNR is a magnet for birds and birders alike at this time of the year and the next two months should see plenty of migrants stopping over and hopefully showing well. Birds there today included at least four Garganey, a Little Ringed Plover, two Ruff and a Willow Warbler with two Little Ringed Plovers, a Great White Egret and a Sand Martin of note on the adjacent Hardwater Lake.

The female Ring-necked Duck was again on the south side of Kinewell Lake at Ringstead Pits, showing well from fishing peg 29. Blackcaps were in song there too.

The Wood Sandpiper materialised at Upton Country Park again this afternoon, on a pool along the cycle path from farm buildings and the now long-staying Glossy Ibis was again on the Main Lake this evening at Stanwick Pits. Clifford Hill Pits attracted twenty-four Golden Plovers and four Oystercatchers this morning.

Pitsford Reservoir seems much quieter than the Nene Valley but the Common Sandpiper was again on the dam today and small numbers of Bramblings were at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding station and also in plantations in the Scaldwell Bay. Up to ten Bramblings persist at Harrington Airfield around the ringing rides.

Regards

Neil M

Dueling Common Snipe
 courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Nene Valley birding

Hello

A wet start to the day and windy but milder and dryer this afternoon.

Birds at Earls Barton Pits today included a pair of Garganey and a Yellow Wagtail at Hardwater Lake with birds on the Summer Leys LNR including five Garganey (three drakes), a drake Pintail, over twenty Common Snipe and a Jack Snipe, a Great White Egret and a Yellow Wagtail that flew in this afternoon.

At Ringstead Pits the female Ring-necked Duck and a Common Tern were on Kinewell Lake and nearby the nine Cattle Egrets were in fields visible from Woodford Church.

The Glossy Ibis was reported as being present on the Main Lake at Stanwick Pits this morning and a Wood Sandpiper was reported at Upton Country Park on a small pool by a farm early this afternoon.

At Pitsford Reservoir today there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull on a buoy off the Sailing Club with at least two singing male Bramblings in the trees there (a regular spring stop-off location) and a Blackcap was heard singing from the adjacent Brixworth Country Park. Two or three Bramblings were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton in trees by the large barn.

Bright yellow Yellowhammers and handsome black-headed male Reed Buntings were the best of our garden birds today.

Regards

Neil M

Yellowhammer.

Blue Tit courtesy of
John Tilly.

Bramblings courtesy of
John Gamble.

Long-tailed Tits courtesy
of John Gamble.

Back from East Europe.

Hello 

I'm just back in from two tours in the Bieszczady Mountains and Park which is part of an area of continuous habitat in Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia. Mammals of this upland, partly forested area are pretty special and represent the animals that once used to roam commonly over the greater part of Europe. Whilst seeking these animals of course we came across a host of birds typical of the region and I will create a page or tab for images specific to these tours.

My first birding venue this morning was Harrington Airfield where I fed the dwindling number of Bramblings (about six) and other birds. A flock of about thirty-five Golden Plovers were in a field north of Bunker Three. A Redpoll was in our Hanging Houghton garden briefly this morning.

Yesterday (Saturday) and a garden ringing session on the outskirts of Northampton yielded six Lesser Redpolls, four Goldfinches, a Brambling and a Reed Bunting.

Earls Barton Pits today provided two Jack Snipe and a pair of Garganey on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR with two Ruff on the bund. Nine Cattle Egrets remain in the meadows at Woodford village, best viewed from the church area. Other birds in the Nene Valley included three Little Ringed Plovers at Upton Country Park with a Barnacle Goose at Kislingbury Pits.

The female Ring-necked Duck was still on Kinewell Lake at Ringstead Pits early this afternoon where there was also a Common Tern, a Willow Warbler and Blackcaps. A Common Tern was also on Town Lake, Thrapston Pits today and two Oystercatchers remain in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir.

An Osprey was seen at Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon and a female Ring Ouzel was found by Jon at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby also this afternoon, on the western slope of the summit plateau at SP636767 before flying into a hedgerow ash field (just before 3pm). A small flock of Bramblings were seen at Sywell Country Park today and a Barn Owl was hunting around Scaldwell village this evening.

Regards

Neil M

Brambling courtesy of
John Tilly.

Barn Owl courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Jackdaw courtesy
of John Tilly.

Female Sparrowhawk
with Starling courtesy
of John Tilly.

The migrants are coming .......slowly!!

 There seems to be a slow trickle of migrants coming through.  I'm sure that the northerly winds and snow flurries are not helping matters.  Yesterday Common Tern,  Swallows and Sand Martins were seen at Titchmarsh Reserve , Kinewell Lake and Summer Leys.  Today there was Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler at Kinewell Lake.  They must be wondering what has happened to the weather!! I hope that they will be able to find enough food to restore their bodies after their long journeys.   I  visited Harrington Airfield this afternoon and found a Northern Wheatear taking shelter behind a large stone as the snow started to fall. It didn't look very happy and totally out of place with the snow blowing around.    The remaining Bramblings were very happy to see me and I had barely sprinkled the food before they were down and tucking in. These birds didn't seem to mind the snow and I wish that I could have taken a picture as the males looked absolutely gorgeous in the snow.   There were a couple of hundred Fieldfares and Redwings in the bushes which were chattering away and no doubt they will soon be thinking of heading off to their breeding ground. 

Other birds around include a Marsh Harrier,  Garganeys and Spotted Redshank at Summer Leys yesterday.  A female Ring Necked Duck and Mediterranean Gull were at Kinewell Lake today with Glossy Ibis and Mediterranean Gull not far away at Stanwick GP.                              Also nearby at Woodford in fields between the church and the river were an incredible total of 9 Cattle Egrets!! I didn't see them myself but I am familiar with the area as Neil and I used to visit this area regularly and we often saw some interesting birds. However we haven't been here for a while,  simply a case of not enough hours in the day to do what we want to do. 

Have a good weekend and please continue to feed the birds in your gardens as the cold weather is going to continue for a few more days. We want to give the birds who bring us so much pleasure the best start possible as they head towards their breeding season. 

Regards Eleanor 

Brrh, it's cold !!

 Brhh what's happened to the lovely warm weather? A couple of days ago I was out and about in a T Shirt and slapping on the suncream but today it was back to wearing numerous layers,  gloves and my big thick coat!!!! For me not the most inspiring weather to go out birding but plenty of birds have been seen so obviously a few hardy folk have been out and about.   A pair of Common Scotors were discovered on Hardingstone Lake and a female Ring Necked Duck on Kinewell Lake Ringstead GP.  It is always worth checking these smaller bodies of water and not just the larger and more well watched reservoirs and gravel pits. 

Summer Leys seems to be the place to be if you want to catch up with waders.  Spotted Redshank,  Oystercatcher,  Ruff, Golden Plovers,  Little Ringed Plovers,  Dunlin and Black Tailed Godwit all present at the moment.                                                                                     Garganey and Jack Snipe were also still present at Summer Leys and further along the valley the Glossy Ibis at Stanwick. 

I visited Harrington Airfield early evening and it was very bleak. Just a handful of Brambling,  2 Grey Partridge and 100 Fieldfares. 

John Woollett managed a ringing session at Stortons Gravel Pits yesterday.  Of 60 birds processed 46 were retraps and only 14 new birds.  Highlights being a returning Chiffchaff, 2 Water Rail and a Sparrowhawk. 

The change in the weather has brought the birds back into the garden.  8 Reed Buntings,  4 Yellowhammers and a female Brambling.  I was watching a  male Blackbird busy collecting food and taking it into the ivy when there was absolute chaos and flurry of feathers as a Sparrowhawk whizzed through.  He did take a Blackbird but not the one that I had been watching which was a relief but I still felt sorry for the one he snatched. 

Regards Eleanor 

Common Scoters at 
Hardingstone Lake/Pit
courtesy of Jim Dunkley.

Weekend Summary

 It was a bit of a shock to wake up to quite dense fog this morning which scuppered my plans.  So I ended up walking an area that I haven't visited for a while and it proved to be very successful.  Firstly I could hear a group of Brambling calling from the treetops in a small copse. Then to my surprise a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker started calling and drumming from the same copse.  In the end I  managed some good views of a male.  I haven't seen Lesser Spot in this area before although as a bird flies it is not far from where I have seen them in the past.                                                                                                 Then to top off my walk I found a fresh Otter spraint and my young collie decided to roll in it and looked very pleased with herself wearing her new perfume!!

Once the fog lifted I popped down to Pitsford Reservoir and the long staying Great Northern Diver was in it's favourite area between the Pintail Bay and the narrows. Below the dam area are some new workings and on the heaps of soil were quite a few Meadow Pipits,  Pied Wagtails and a single Northern Wheatear.  Two Sand Martins flipped over the dam and carried on their way and reminded me that migration is happening.                The small side appeared rather quiet. The only birds of note being a pair of Oystercatcher.  However there were a group of young men illegally fishing at the back of the Scaldwell Bay . This does happen here from time to time usually due to cultural differences.  Once it was explained to them by David that they couldn't continue to fish they left the reserve. 

Harrington Airfield was extremely quiet and I struggled to find any birds. The best I could manage was 10 Brambling. 

Looking at the bird news from the weekend it seems to be quiet everywhere and the records are dominated by Jack Snipe and Garganey at Summer Leys.  There was a Black Redstart briefly in a garden at Long Bucky and this evening reports of a large raptor over Brixworth ?? White Tailed Eagle.

Kenny Cramer was busy ringing at Linford and battling with the wind and mist, neither of which were forecast.  18 birds ringed of 7 species and 11 new birds.   The most numerous bird processed was Reed Bunting with a retrap of a bird ringed elsewhere in the UK.  A single Chiffchaff was the only bird to represent arriving migrants and Redwings were still on the move with 3 birds trapped.  But star bird went to a Common Snipe.                                               

Regards Eleanor 

Common Snipe.

Water Rail.

Images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Garganeys and Gulls!!

We have been very spoilt with the weather this week, blue skies, sunshine and balmy temperatures. With the wind coming from a southerly direction one might have expected a few more migrants although I think that if the weather is "too good " then the birds simply carry on their journey without visiting Northamptonshire.                                          However what we have enjoyed, apart from the weather are Gulls and Garganeys.  I don't remember so many Little Gulls being present in the county at this time of year.  Certainly one of my favourite gulls as they seem so dainty and bouyant  against Black headed Gulls and show a beautiful dark grey underwing.  Throughout the week Little Gulls have been at Pitsford Reservoir, Summer Leys and Boddington Reservoir.                   Other gulls seen in the county this week were Yellow-legged Gull at Pitsford Reservoir and Mediterranean Gull at Summer Leys and Boddington Reservoir.                                     Garganey are regular spring visitors although they can sometimes be difficult to see. But during the week there have been some splendid drakes seen at Pitsford Reservoir,  Summer Leys, Stanwick and Thrapston Gravel Pits.              

The Nene Valley seems to  come into its own at this time year and attracts a good variety of birds and is usually a better place than the reservoirs for attracting the migrants. Plenty of variety of birds in this area during the week including Marsh Harrier,  Dunlin, Ruff, Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers,  Oystercatchers, Shelduck and Barnacle Goose.                                                                                                                                                     There are still some long staying birds around although I'm sure that they will soon be on the move so you need to catch them while you can!! The Great Northern Diver is at Pitsford Reservoir,  Glossy Ibis at Stanwick and Black Redstart at Borough Hill.  Meanwhile there are still some Bramblings hanging on at Harrington Airfield including some absolutely stunning males.  Today in the sunshine the orange contrasting with the black was mind blowing. 

The raptors and corvids love this weather and have been very active in the air with their antics and very vocal.  My young collie sat transfixed watching a couple of Red Kites grappling with each other whilst being extremely vocal with their evocative call. She sat watching them for ages.  However this evening she nearly jumped out of her skin when a Barn Owl came up behind us and started hissing.  She wasn't the only one to jump out of her skin!!

Plenty of butterflies about, the first records of Orange Tip and Holly Blue plus more Brimstone,  Peacock,  sm Whites and sm Tortoiseshell.  Lots more frog action in our garden.  It has just been an amazing week for things springing into life and quite amazing how the gardens, hedgerows and crops have altered.   I did feel quite sad as I ran through Maidwell village early one morning and saw at least 6 toads squashed on the road.  Such a shame.  When I was growing up we always used to say "if you see a toad help it across the road ".  Hopefully many of the toads do make it across the road safely. 

It looks as if this lovely weather is going to continue over the weekend and into the middle of next week before the temperatures drop by 10 degrees and the wind changes to the north, brrh.  Don't pack the fleeces and gloves away just yet.                                                Enjoy the weekend and take time to appreciate the beauty of nature and don't forget to alter your clocks as we spring forward and British summertime begins. 

Regards Eleanor 

Spring is here !!

 It certainly feels as if Spring has finally arrived with sunshine, blue skies and warmer temperatures.  I even exchanged my fleece today for a t shirt and it is predicted to reach a positively balmy 20 degrees during the coming week!!!!  We still have our winter visitors with us although in much smaller numbers.  The flocks of Brambling have reduced to a few small groups of birds here and there.  There is probably no more than 15 birds at Harrington Airfield now, a few along the BVW,  a group of 6 at Moulton college, a few at the feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir and a single female in our garden.  The huge flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings are now flocks of 50-100 birds on the fields around Blueberry. 

It is now an exciting time as we await the Spring migration where anything could turn up.  Already some birds are on the move with Garganey at Stanwick and Pitsford,  Little Gulls at Pitsford,  Avocet at Clifford Hill and Northern Wheatear at Harrington Airfield.     It is at this time of year that it is worth getting a  crick in the neck by looking skywards to watch for anything trying to sneak over Northamptonshire.  Today some lucky observers were rewarded with a White Stork, initially at Stanwick and then further south along the Nene Valley at Clifford Hill.                                                                                                                Ospreys are arriving back from their wintering grounds and heading northwards. One was seen flying over Yevertoft on Saturday and I saw one heading north over Moulton.  I heard a Blue Tit give an alarm call and saw that it was looking up. I followed it's gaze and even before I raised my binoculars I knew that it was an Osprey.    Several birds have already returned to Rutland Water including their famous pair Maya and male33 who are the stars of the live webcam.  Well worth a watch and  read all about their antics on the Rutland Osprey Project page and blog.

Kenny Cramer has been ringing at Linford Reserve near Milton Keynes.  It was the first ringing session for a few months and yielded 50 birds of 17 species with 27 new birds being ringed. Chiffchaff topped the list with 7 birds processed including 5 new and notable retrap of a bird originally ringed as a juvenile in July 2020. Other birds included Blackcap,  Redwing,Kingfisher, Reed Buntings and Cettis Warbler.  But the award of star bird went to a Water Rail which was the 3rd new bird of the season.  However its biometrics were bang in the middle of the overlap between male and female so it was left unsexed.                                                                                                                                                  Other birds of note seen were 3 Great White Egrets,  displaying Red Kites, Oystercatcher and 2 Egyptian Geese. Non birds included Great Crested Newt, sm Tortoiseshell,  Peacock and Comma.

It is surprising what a difference a bit of warmth and sunshine makes . The hedgerows are showing signs of new growth, there are splashes of colour from violets, celandines, coltsfoot,  cowslips and blossom.  Already the crops are looking healthy and growing rapidly and things are beginning to stir with the emergence of Grass Snakes, Lizards and frogs.  The frogs in our garden have been very vocal and active which has resulted in a good amount of frog spawn.   Lots of butterflies have been seen, particularly Brimstone,  sm Tortoiseshell,  Peacock,  Comma, Red Admiral and sm White.

Exciting times ahead and hopefully we can all get out and about and just simply enjoy this colourful and wonderful period.

Regards Eleanor 

Great Crested Grebe
courtesy of David Arden.

Grass Snake courtesy 
of David Arden.

More spring action

Hello

A few waders on the move today with twenty-three Golden Plovers, a Dunlin and a Shelduck at Clifford Hill Pits, a Redshank on Dragonfly Lake at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and eleven Redshanks, a Little Ringed Plover, a Great White Egret and a Brambling at Summer Leys LNR. 

An Osprey was seen flying north over Wicksteed Park, Kettering this morning and although the Kingfishers were busy on West Pit at Stortons this morning it seems that the Garganey flock had moved on.

A female Garganey was found in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir today and wader action there included the Common Sandpiper still on the dam, a Woodcock in a woodland compartment between the Bird Club and James Fisher hides and about twenty-five Common Snipe. Singles of Siskin and Redpoll were at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station.

A locally-released Golden Pheasant was again seen at the Northampton Golf Course at Harlestone and visible from the footpath that crosses the 15th hole. At least two Bramblings were at Hinton Airfield this morning and early this morning the three White-fronted Geese plus four Great White Egrets were on the Main Lake at Stanwick Pits. Two Oystercatchers and three Goosanders were at Stanford Reservoir.

Under the cover of all that
rain yesterday evening our
frogs finally returned to our
garden ponds!

Common Redshank.

Common Snipe.

Recent ringing recoveries:-

1.  A juvenile Wren was ringed at Astcote near Towcester on 30th June 2021 but was unfortunately taken by a cat in the same village on or about 28th February this year, 243 days later and without having a chance to provide for the next generation;

2.  A Reed Bunting was caught and ringed at Pitsford Reservoir on 31st December 2019 and was taken by a cat in Brixworth village on or about the 3rd March this year. This bird may have travelled much further during the interim 793 days but ultimately probably paid the price for venturing into a garden not far from where it was originally ringed;

3.  A first year Blue Tit was ringed at Overstone Park, Northampton on 19th December 2021 and was caught again by a ringer at Chase Park Farm, Yardley Chase 78 days later on 7th March this year and thirteen km SSE from the original ringing site;

Screenshot courtesy of Nick Wood.

4.  A first year Blue Tit was ringed at Chippenham Fen, Cambridgeshire on 25th October 2019 and was found dead at Astcote on 7th March this year, possibly as a result of a collision with a vehicle. This bird had moved 99km to the west during the intervening 864 days. Most tits perhaps don't move far from their natal areas but there is a percentage that definitely have wander-lust genes!

Regards

Neil M

Screenshot courtesy of Nick Wood.

Dull and then very wet!

Hello

A rather dull morning gave way to heavy rain this afternoon and evening - all quite different to the forecast proffered only yesterday!

The initial conditions were perfect for ringing today and the team at Stortons Pits did well to catch and process sixty birds which included a new Water Rail, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, eighteen Reed Buntings, two Greenfinches, a Chaffinch and a Goldfinch. A flock of eight Garganey (seven drakes) were also there, on the west pit near to the island at lunchtime. This may be the largest number recorded in Northants and reflects the large influx of this species in the UK both today and yesterday with flocks seen at a variety of locations and with up to fourteen at Dungeness in Kent.

A Peregrine passed low over Hanging Houghton early this morning and there were about six Bramblings and a Grey Partridge at Harrington Airfield.

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the Great Northern Diver and the Common Sandpiper still plus about a dozen Snipe and a Brambling in the Scaldwell Bay.

A Little Ringed Plover was seen on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR today and the Glossy Ibis maintained it's presence around the North Lake area of Stanwick Pits this morning. Birds at Stanford Reservoir included a Great White Egret, two Goosanders, an Oystercatcher and a Kingfisher.

The map for Pitsford Reservoir has been updated to include the recent features such as the viewing screens at Christies Copse and the Kingfisher screens in the Scaldwell Bay (courtesy of Neil Hasdell). Please see the Birdwatching Site Maps tab or page. An additional page has also been created for photographs taken during the second five day Naturetrek tour of Iceland (8th - 12th March 2022).

Regards

Neil M

Drake Garganey.

Little Ringed Plover
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Male Reed Bunting. March through to May
probably provides the best opportunity to
witness Reed Buntings coming to food in gardens.

Birds of spring

Hello

Two Avocets were a great spring find at Clifford Hill Pits this morning and they seemed to have lasted most of the day. A Little Ringed Plover was also present and a Dunlin was there first thing. A Black-tailed Godwit was briefly on Dragonfly Lake at the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve this morning.

Chiffchaffs seem to be fairly widespread now with further singles at Hanging Houghton and three north of the Lamport Station along the Brampton Valley Way today by way of example.

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the Great Northern Diver again in it's usual bit of water between the Pintail Bay and the Narrows this afternoon with a Little Egret and an adult Yellow-legged Gull in the same area. North of the causeway a drake Garganey was located in the Scaldwell Bay at about 4pm this afternoon and a Brambling was present too. Another Brambling was nearby in a Scaldwell village garden this afternoon. Four more Bramblings were at Station Cottages, Brixworth this morning (where there was also a roadkill Polecat).

Three White-fronted Geese were on the main lake at Stanwick Pits first thing this morning and just across the border there were at least two Ospreys at Eyebrook Reservoir plus the female Ring-necked Duck again, a Slavonian Grebe and two Scaup.

A little ringing in a garden on the outskirts of Northampton yesterday provided singles of Siskin, Reed Bunting, Robin and twos of Goldfinch and Lesser Redpoll.

Regards

Neil M

Avocet.

Firecrest. An under-recorded
species in Northants - now is a 
great time to find one!

Curlew. Many waders are
in the process of moving back
to potential breeding sites.

Pitsford WeBs Count

Hello

Today was the waterbird count at Pitsford Reservoir and the spring-like conditions were just wonderful. Plenty of bumblebees and smaller flying insects were on the wing and butterflies included Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and Brimstone.

There was no sign of the Great Northern Diver today but these big birds can be elusive so we are not sure if it has actually gone. Birds seen between the causeway and dam included the Common Sandpiper on the dam, ten singing Chiffchaffs, two Sand Martins, in excess of fifty Siskins, eight Bramblings, two Grey Wagtails, two Ravens and a Kingfisher.

Birds to the north of the causeway included two Goosanders in the Walgrave Bay, about ten Siskins, a Redpoll, four Kingfishers, another ten singing Chiffchaffs, two more Ravens and twenty-nine Common Snipe. Redwing flocks were feeding on the ground in the woodland compartments and a couple of nomadic Fieldfare flocks flew in to do much the same thing. A grand total of seventy-two Goldeneye were counted at the reservoir today and the most obvious visible migration was associated with gulls, finches and Meadow Pipits. A pair of Long-tailed Tits were busy making their nest in the Scaldwell Bay.

With the first Osprey back at Rutland Water on Saturday, another was seen over Market Harborough this morning heading towards Eyebrook Reservoir and lo and behold an Osprey was watched fishing there this afternoon.

A daytime roosting Tawny Owl and a Chiffchaff were seen at Chase Park Farm, Yardley Chase today and a Green Sandpiper was at Earls Barton Spinney Quarry. About a dozen Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon and a Curlew and two Redshanks were at Lower Barnwell Lock floods this morning.

A Black Redstart was a good find at Harrington Airfield this afternoon, initially on the main track by the straw bales and then it subsequently relocated to Bunker Two. However it wasn't seen later so may already have moved on. In recent years we don't seem to be able to attract the early Wheatears at this site. A good thirty-five Bramblings were there this afternoon, mostly mobile between the ringing rides and there was also over twenty Golden Plovers and two Grey Partridges.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included a Great White Egret, a Kingfisher, an Oystercatcher, two Goosanders, a Cetti's Warbler and four Chiffchaffs.

Just outside the county and a family of Otters have been showing well at Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough recently and two Otters have been showing regularly on the River Welland just outside Market Harborough (precise location not known) and were photographed again today.

Regards

Neil M

Chiffchaff.

Coot.

Goldeneye.

All images from Pitsford
Reservoir today.

Iceland and back

Hello

I have been away for the last nine days to Iceland, leading two short tours for Naturetrek in an effort to see the Northern Lights and Winter Wildlife. I have created a page which includes some images from the first period and will create a second tab in due course for the last five days too - please click on the appropriate tab under the Homepage picture should you wish to have a look.

After the daytime temperatures and winter weather of Iceland is seems remarkably mild here and spring-like in comparison!

The Great Northern Diver was reported from Pitsford Reservoir again today with the Common Sandpiper on the dam still. The Glossy Ibis was seen at the north section of Stanwick Pits again today too. Birds at Summer Leys LNR included a Ruff, a Great White Egret, nine Redshanks, fifteen to twenty Common Snipe and a Brambling. Yesterday there were three Ravens to the south of Easton Maudit with recent sightings of three Grey Partridges in the Nene Valley between Whiston Lock and north of the active gravel works.

At this time of the year north-bound migrants will be visiting gardens to fuel up before moving on and it is likely that many gardens will briefly host Siskins, Redpolls and Bramblings which will eat as much as they can and then move on before the day's end. It is also when Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings will be visiting gardens for seed on the ground (Reed Buntings will also visit suspended feeders with the right food).

A Grey Wagtail was at Hanging Houghton today and there was a singing Chiffchaff and two Grey Wagtails near Brixworth.

Regards

Neil M

Male and female Wigeon
courtesy of John Tilly.

Pied Wagtail courtesy
of John Tilly.

Great Crested Grebes
courtesy of John Tilly.

Weekend Roundup

 Apologies for lack of blogs but I'v had lots of internet issues and for anyone who knows me will understand that "technology" is not my strong point !!

Quite a few good birds around over the weekend. A juv Glaucous Gull was found at DIRFT3 on the A5 pools and  the female Ring Necked Duck was still at Titchmarsh although it could be elusive . Over at Stanwick GP the Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egrets and White Fronted Geese remain whilst at the other side of the county at Stanford Reservoir a Mediterranean Gull, Goosanders and more White Fronted Geese.

Crossbills have been extremely scarce this winter with literally a hand full of birds and this weekend was no exception with only a single bird at Wakerley Wood.

I have visited Harrington Airfield a few times to feed the birds and at least 20+ Bramblings remain with some absolutely stunning males. A small flock [70 birds] of Golden Plovers are also present.  Yesterday whilst walking back to the car I heard a corvid make a funny little raspy call which usually means that it has found something of interest.  In my experience you never trust a group of corvids as they are always up to mischief, they simply cannot help themselves.  This particular group of corvids were taking great delight in annoying a Short Eared Owl which was flying over quite high.

I have still be finding Woodcock at Blueberry but little else.

A visit to Pitsford Reservoir yesterday produced 2 drake Mandarin duck, Red Crested Pochard, Oystercatcher and Stonechat in the Scaldwell arm and Great Northern Diver and 2 Goosander from the dam.

A very muddy walk around Ravensthorpe Reservoir was well worth it to see the Black Redstart and Red Crested Pochard at the treatment works. The Red Crested Pochard looked very much at home on his very own personal filter bed pool.  Other birds seen were Great White Egret, Ravens and Grey Wagtails.

Then a visit to Sixfields, an area that I don't tend to visit, to catch up with a rather good looking male Common Scotor.

Hopefully as we head towards longer days and better weather the spring migration will soon be in full swing and who knows what might turn up.  Some migrants have already been seen and heard in various places around the country.  Yesterday whilst out running I came across a Chiffchaff in full song at 7am. I know that many birds over winter but I did wonder whether this bird was a migrant by the way in which it was acting. It was very active, was literally singing it's heart out and seemed genuinely pleased to be here.

Regards Eleanor

Common Scoter
courtesy of Robin
Gossage.

Spring birds

Hello

At last with the advent of some calm, dry conditions, county ringers were active today with a session at Stortons Pits providing 59 captures which included two Moorhens, two Water Rails, seven Long-tailed Tits, fourteen Blue Tits, seven Great Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Dunnocks, a Chaffinch, two Greenfinches, a Goldfinch and a good catch of nineteen Reed Buntings.

Tom enjoyed the surprise of flushing a Woodcock from his Finedon garden today and more evidence of spring movement included a female Stonechat near Hartwell and another at Harrington Airfield where there were at least twenty Bramblings.

Nick relocated the female Ring-necked Duck at Thrapston Pits, this time still on the Titchmarsh Reserve and viewable from Eileen's bench at the south end of the reserve. However she was being elusive underneath some overhanging vegetation (the duck not Eileen)!

Forty Golden Plovers were noted at Summer Leys LNR and a Whooper Swan was in the Tove Valley near Yardley Gobion where there were also four Egyptian Geese and a hundred and fifty Lapwings.

A Caspian Gull was at Hollowell Reservoir today and the birds at Stanwick Pits included the Glossy Ibis at North Lake, three White-fronted Geese and two Cattle Egrets. The other three White-fronted Geese popped up at Stanford Reservoir near the settling pool and there was also a Curlew, three Great White Egrets, two Goosanders, about fifty Golden Plovers, three Cetti's Warbler and a Chiffchaff.

Regards

Neil M

Moorhen.

Water Rail.

Images courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Birds of a dank day

Hello

A very dank and wet day but at least it wasn't cold!

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the Great Northern Diver still between the Pintail Bay and The Narrows, a Barnacle Goose on the grass below the dam and a male Peregrine over the Old Scaldwell Road.

There was just a couple of Bramblings at Harrington Airfield this afternoon and a Barn Owl was picked up dead there at the side of the B576.

A Black Redstart was an excellent find on the works below the dam at Ravensthorpe Reservoir where the drake Red-crested Pochard also remained.

A Great White Egret was present on Dragonfly Lake on the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadow reserve at Ditchford Pits and a male Blackcap is a lingering bird in Mark's garden at Higham Ferrers.

At Stanford Reservoir today there was a Mediterranean Gull and a thousand Common Gulls in the roost and a Great White Egret and three Goosanders were there too.

There were Birdguides reports of a Mealy Redpoll briefly in a Farthingstone garden and the Glossy Ibis was again reported at the north section of Stanwick Pits today.

Regards

Neil M

Egyptian Geese.

Bullfinch.

Cormorant.

Robin.

All images courtesy
of Robin Gossage.