Wheatears, godwits and long-stayers

Hello

Despite some brisk southerly winds there seemed to be fairly minimal migration or new birds for the county today.

However a much awaited Wheatear was at Clifford Hill Pits all day, this species is much scarcer in early spring these days.

At the well-watched Summer Leys LNR, a flock of about sixteen Black-tailed Godwits arrived and the three Dunlin were still there. Two Marsh Harriers were also present and the now very long-staying Glossy Ibis was still present on the reserve. Other birds included a Little Ringed Plover and a Common Snipe.

Two more Wheatears were found at Heathencote this afternoon and the Slavonian Grebe was still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. The Red-throated Diver was again reported at Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon.

A Redpoll and a Siskin were on garden feeders at Mears Ashby and two Ravens and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were at the dam end of Pitsford Reservoir.

A hundred and twenty Golden Plovers were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and two Grey Wagtails and a Water Rail were in the valley below Brixworth.

Regards

Neil M

Coot.

Gadwall.

Great White Egret.

Above images courtesy
of John Tilly.

Pied Wagtail courtesy
of Jim Dunkley.

Week-end ringing.

Hello

Bird ringing at the week-end locally included another session at Linford Lakes near Milton Keynes which provided sixty-four captures which included a re-trap Cetti's Warbler and re-trap Kingfisher. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was a new bird and other birds were two new Song Thrushes, a Redwing, seven Greenfinches, four Redpolls and four Goldfinches. Two Chiffchaffs and a Reed Bunting also hit the nets. On-site other birds noted included a wintering flock of White-fronted Geese, a Great White Egret, an Oystercatcher and a Marsh Harrier.

Some garden ringing on the north-eastern edge of Northampton on Saturday provided a Ring-necked Parakeet (of four birds present), six Goldfinches, two Siskins, a Redpoll, four Blue Tits, two Great Tits and a Long-tailed Tit. Finches noted on the feeders there on Sunday at the same time were thirteen Goldfinches, three Siskins and two Redpolls.

Today and a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was at Harrington Airfield where also twenty Golden Plovers. One hundred and twenty Golden Plovers were in the Brampton Valley fields below Hanging Houghton with Ravens in the village. A Redpoll, a Siskin and two Ravens were at Kelmarsh Hall.

Six Kittiwakes (an adult, four second years and a first year) were just north of the dam at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon where also an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a singing Chiffchaff with a Peregrine nearby.

The Red-throated Diver remained at Hollowell Reservoir where also a Jack Snipe and the Slavonian Grebe was still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir.

A first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Stanford Reservoir where also five Great White Egrets, five Oystercatchers, three Goosanders, two Water Rails, two Kingfishers and a Cetti's Warbler.

Summer Leys LNR provided for the Glossy Ibis still, three Dunlin, a Little Ringed Plover, a Marsh Harrier and two Redpolls.

I have just returned from a couple of weeks in Iceland and three pages/tabs have been created to provide an opportunity of seeing images from these Naturetrek 'Northern Lights and Winter Wildlife' tours.

Regards

Neil M

Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Kingfisher.

Song Thrush.

Redpoll.

Images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Birding versus Agility!!

It certainly feels as if we have experienced all the four seasons over the weekend.  Yesterday was quite warm with blue skies and sunshine but then I got caught in a heavy hail shower and myself and the dogs were white and cold. Today I was out early and the vegetation was covered in frost and later there was more sunshine before turning wet and windy.     The wind direction remains northerly which has definitely put a hold on migration.  Just a few Sand Martins reported and a generally quiet weekend.                    Yesterday my only birds of note were a Crossbill flying around at Gamboro' plantation and a flock of 80 Golden Plovers nearby.    Other birds seen in the county included Red-throated Diver at Hollowell Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe at Ravensthorpe Reservoir,  1st winter Mediterranean Gull at Stanford Reservoir, Cattle Egret in a field west of Kislingbury GP and a Bittern, a pair of Goosander and Black-tailed Godwit at Summer Leys. 

Today was Jaeger's first agility competition following his winter break. He forgot to take his ears !!! Needless to say that we picked up a full set of eliminations.  On my way home I stopped off at Ravensthorpe Reservoir for the Slavonian Grebe and Hollowell Reservoir for the Red-throated Diver. Both long staying birds but well worth having another look at. I always like to view a bird several times as often I pick up on a different detail/behaviour that I didn't notice before and of course with the breeding season approaching there are sometimes subtle plumage changes. My next stop was the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir to catch up with an Avocet which had been found earlier by Tyler.  I thought how comical it looked bobbing about on the water between the tern rafts and James Fisher hide.                                                                                                     Well from my point of view Birding definitely beat Agility today, no contest, ha ha. Maybe Jaeger will find his ears before we compete again!!

Regards Eleanor 

Muntjac.

Blue Tit courtesy of
John Tilly.

Canada Goose courtesy
of John Tilly.

Jaeger...with ears!

Three Quiet Days

The last three days have been very quiet, probably due to the northerly wind direction. Certainly I haven't managed to see very much despite being out and about. Harrington Airfield continues to be very bleak and birdless. Likewise the areas around shrike hedge/Blueberry are also birdless. The only birds of note being a flock of Golden Plovers which seem settled on one of the bean fields. Again there were 80 birds present this afternoon. 

The Slavonian Grebe remains at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and the Red-throated Diver seems to be favouring nearby Hollowell Reservoir. The long staying Glossy Ibis is at Summer Leys and at Stanford on Avon the flock of White-fronted Geese remain in the field with the Percy Pilcher monument. Two different Mediterranean Gulls were seen, a first winter at Hollowell Reservoir and an adult at Daventry Reservoir. A single Cattle Egret was on the flooded field A605 at Oundle with a few Sand Martins at Summer Leys and Clifford Hill GP. 

On Wednesday, Kenny Cramer and his team held a ringing session near Milton Keynes at Linford Lakes. A total of 99 birds were processed of 15 species. As expected about 60% of the birds were re-traps with the most interesting one being a Great Tit ringed in June 2021. Other birds processed included 4 Redwings, 5 Chiffchaffs, a Redpoll, 37 Blue Tits, 5 Goldfinches and 4 Greenfinches.

Further recent ringing at Greens Norton provided an excellent total of seventeen Greenfinches, a Siskin, six Redpolls, twenty-six Goldfinches and a Starling, and near Overstone another garden ringing session netted eighteen Goldfinches, a Siskin and a Reed Bunting amongst more regular fare.

It looks like a mixed bag of weather for the weekend with tomorrow being the better day. So if you can get out and about and save any jobs for Sunday. Looking ahead to next week and from midweek the temperatures rise and the wind changes to a southerly direction. Hopefully this will kick-start the spring migration, fingers crossed. 

Regards Eleanor

 

Male Siskin.

Redpoll.

Goldfinch.

Starling.

Images courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Town Centre Birding!!

Due to various appointments/commitments I found myself wandering around two of our local town centres.  Quite an alien environment for me as I'm far happier traipsing around the fields with my collies in tow. I did take the pup Tystie with me yesterday and we wandered around Market Harborough which is quite a pleasant town centre. Tystie had a lovely time and I came away with Peregrine, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Little Egret and several singing Chiffchaffs.  But the highlight was a view of an Otter as it swam in the river.      Today I had a couple of hours to kill whilst waiting for my car so found myself wandering around Kettering town centre and I managed to notch up Peregrine,  Little Egret, Chiffchaffs and quite a few Red Kites plus several Brimstones and Peacock butterflies enjoying the sunshine.                                                                     Of course I have also visited shrike hedge/Gamboro/Blueberry area and Harrington Airfield, but all quiet.  The only birds of note being a flock of Golden Plovers which have settled in one of the bean fields. I have been keeping a close eye on this field and flock.  Initially there were 8 birds and this afternoon there were 80 birds.  

A few interesting birds around yesterday.  2 Common Scoters at Daventry Reservoir,  5 Corn Buntings between Deanshanger and Wicken, Red Throated Diver and Jack Snipe at Hollowell Reservoir,  Slavonian Grebe at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Ruddy Shelduck at Lilbourne Meadows and Smew, Caspian Gull, Dunlin and Little Ringed Plovers at Clifford Hill GP.                                                               Today the Red-necked Grebe was found on the Big Lake at Ditchford GP,  looks like it's hopped over from the Delta Pit and seems to be having a tour of the complex!!   There was a Mediterranean Gull at Daventry Reservoir,  Glossy Ibis and Marsh Harrier at Summer Leys and approx 30 White-fronted Geese at Stanford on Avon in the field with the Percy Pilcher monument.   I was intrigued about this monument as I'm not familiar with it's origins and it is very local.  A quick search on the Internet provided the answer. He was a pioneering British aviator who died in 1899 following a glider crash at Stanford Hall.  The monument stands in the field where he fell.      So if this question comes up in a quiz you will all know the answer !!

Regards Eleanor 

Otter.

Great Tit courtesy
of John Tilly.

Grey Wagtail.

Treecreeper.

Weekend Roundup

Well the blog today could be as dull as the weekend weather and very short due to the lack of birds!!                      White-fronted Geese remain at Stanwick GP, Stanford on Avon and Kinewell Lake Ringstead.  The Tundra Bean Goose also remains at Kinewell Lake.  The Red-throated Diver has spent the weekend at Hollowell Reservoir and the Slavonian Grebe at nearby Ravensthorpe Reservoir.  The long staying drake Smew is still at Clifford Hill GP.                   Just a few new birds,  Whimbrel and Curlew at Clifford Hill GP, Crossbills at Harlestone Heath,  Pink-footed Goose at West Farndon and a Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Dunlin on floodwater near Harringworth.                                                   My only bird of interest was a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier below Hanging Houghton heading towards Brixworth late this afternoon.  I'm sure that this is the same bird that has been seen several times over the winter and covers a large area. It really is a case of being in the right place at the right time to see it. 

A new week stretches out , I wonder what it will bring? Certainly the weather looks a real mixed bag, a bit of everything thrown in including some cold northerly winds which might put migration on hold.

Regards Eleanor 

Hen Pheasant.

Shovelers.

Female Blackbird.

Hot and Cold !!

A balmy 18 degrees celsius yesterday and barely 8 degrees today. T shirts exchanged for fleeces and gloves, no wonder we don't know whether we are coming or going !!! The poor birds and wildlife must be feeling the same.  Yesterday with blue skies and sunshine the bird song was incredible and their thoughts had turned to breeding and big numbers of butterflies,  Brimstones,  Peacocks, Commas and Small Tortoiseshell, were on the wing.  But such a contrast in activity today where it was dull, dreary and raw.

Yesterday morning was spent topping up our feeding stations and I came across a Crossbill and Woodcock in Scotland Wood and 2 Sand Martins at Pitsford Reservoir.       Today I was at Peterborough training my 3 collies.  On my way home I stopped off at the flooded fields on the A605 Oundle and caught up with the amazing numbers of Pintail (about 50) and then spent a couple of hours at Titchmarsh LNR where the circular path remains very muddy and waterlogged in places. Birds seen included 8+ Great White Egrets, 3+ Cettis Warbler,  2 Chiffchaffs and a small number of Sand Martins.  I came across 2 very vocal Water Rails which initially frightened my young collie Tystie.  He was so funny as he really couldn't work out what or where the strange noises were coming from. You could see the cogs turning as he was trying to make sense of it.

Despite the southerly winds there have been very few migrants found yet in the county but hopefully that will soon change.  There have been several sightings of Ospreys in the country with a pair already back in their breeding area in Scotland.  Perhaps these birds flew over Northants so it's always worth keeping an eye on the skies.

If you are planning to get out and about at the weekend there are still some "good " birds to see. Even if you have already ticked off these birds it is always worth going back for a second or even third look as often we pick up on different plumage/behaviour details.  The Slavonian Grebe is still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and at nearby Hollowell Reservoir the Red-throated Diver.  Lesser Scaup and Smew remain at Clifford Hill GP,  Ring-necked Duck, Tundra Bean Goose and White-fronted Geese at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead, Siberian Chiffchaff at Daventry Reservoir and White-fronted Geese at Stanwick GP.  The Red-necked Grebe can be elusive at the Delta lake/pit Rushden Lakes. This is also the pit where the Beavers were introduced and I believe are doing well, so always a chance of bumping into these. Recently on one of the trail cameras in this pit a Bittern was filmed standing directly in front of the camera looking directly into the lens and almost posing.  Neil and I count the wildfowl here each month and we are always saying " there should be a Bittern here", well obviously there is, but we couldn't find it. We must try harder on our next count, ha ha.

Have a good weekend.                                                                    Regards Eleanor 

Tufted Duck.

Pochard.

Sparrowhawk images taken today
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Signs of migration

Yesterday I decided to visit Ravensthorpe Reservoir.  I started at the dam and spent a while there with my telescope simply panning around.  I quickly picked up the Slavonian Grebe and then the Red-throated Diver. Both birds were hugging the bank and could have easily been overlooked.  I abandoned my scope and walked all the way round and I never saw these two birds on my walk round.  It was as if they had never been there !!                   A small flock of Goldeneye were vocal and displaying and they were very showy.  Other birds on my walk included a Crossbill calling and flying around the carpark,  3-4 Grey Wagtails, a singing Chiffchaff and a flock of Siskins.                Other birds in the county yesterday included a  Sand Martin at Priors Hall Corby,  2 Avocets moving through the Nene Valley (Earls Barton GP), Glossy Ibis,  Redshanks,  Oystercatchers,  Marsh Harrier,  Caspian Gull and singing Chiffchaff at Summer Leys and the 7 White Fronted Geese at Stanwick GP. 

A quiet day of birds for me today with a singing Chiffchaff in our garden,  2 Bramblings at shrike hedge and 100+ Golden Plovers at Harrington Airfield.                                                       It would appear that the Kinewell Lake Red-necked Grebe has turned up on the Delta Pit/Lake at Rushden Lakes so hasn't moved far but I understand could be quite difficult to see.       At Clifford Hill GP the Lesser Scaup was again on the river and the drake Smew still present.  But two Little Ringed Plovers found there today are the first record for this year and probably the earliest ever spring record for the county.  Redshank and Goosander were also present.       At Summer Leys the Glossy Ibis remains and a pair of Mediterranean Gulls were displaying.                                         The Slavonian Grebe was again at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and also a Cettis Warbler. 

Five Redpolls, a Chiffchaff and a Redwing were caught and ringed at Stortons Pits today.

Things are definitely on the move and spring is always an exciting time in the county as absolutely anything can turn up........we just have to find it. !!

Regards Eleanor 

Redshank.

Oystercatcher.

Above images courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

Drake Teal courtesy
of John Tilly.

Drake Lesser Scaup at
Clifford Hill Pits courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Lovely spring weather

Hello

Spring weather in the county today with high temperatures for the time of the year and plenty of sunshine has brought forth quite a number of butterfly sightings of various species with Brimstones dominating.

At Clifford Hill Pits the drake Lesser Scaup and drake Smew were still present today and at Summer Leys LNR the Glossy Ibis remained faithful with other birds being a Black-tailed Godwit, a Dunlin, a pair of Grey Partridge and at least nine Common Snipe.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Kinewell Lake at Ringstead Pits plus a Goosander, but there was no sign of the Red-necked Grebe or Tundra Bean Goose and European White-fronted Geese there or nearby. Three Sand Martins were reported from Thrapston Pits yesterday.

The Red-throated Diver wasn't located at either Hollowell Reservoir or Ravensthorpe Reservoir but the Slavonian Grebe was still at the latter site. Birds for Hollowell Reservoir were an adult Caspian Gull flying through, two Jack Snipe and five Common Snipe.

Thirty-five European White-fronted Geese were in fields at Stanford Hall close to the Percy Pilcher monument.

At Pitsford Reservoir today there were four Pintail, two Ravens and a Siskin in the Walgrave Bay and an adult Yellow-legged Gull, an Oystercatcher and a singing Chiffchaff at the dam-end of the reservoir. Singing singles of Blackcap and Chiffchaff were on the outskirts of Scaldwell village and three singing Chiffchaffs were in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth. A few Siskins were at both Scotland Wood and Kelmarsh Hall with a Raven at the latter.

I've just arrived back from a short tour to south France concentrating on the limestone hills known as Les Apilles and some birding in the Camargue. Some images from this tour are on the Wallcreepers & the Camargue Feb 2026 page on this blog.

Regards

Neil M

Common Gull.

Tufted Ducks courtesy
of John Tilly.

Female Wigeon courtesy
of John Tilly.

Drake Mallard.

Back to dull grey days

After the amazing warm day on Wednesday we are back to the all familiar dull grey days and rain, and for me wet muddy dogs !! Bird wise I have seen very little due to long standing commitments and unexpected events.  Only one pair of Stonechats remain near shrike hedge after the big movement of a couple of days ago and the number of finches has noticeably declined.

The drake Ring-necked Duck and Red-necked Grebe remain at Kinewell Lake Ringstead,  7 White-fronted Geese at Stanwick GP,  30+ White-fronted Geese at Stanford on Avon in fields near the Percy Pilcher monument, the Lesser Scaup and Smew at Clifford Hill GP, Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys and Slavonian Grebe at Ravensthorpe Reservoir.  The Red Throated Diver appears to divide its time between Ravensthorpe and nearby Hollowell Reservoir.                                                                         Other birds seen in the county over the last couple of days include Siberian Chiffchaff at Daventry Reservoir, a Bittern on the MOD land at Yardley Chase, Caspian Gulls at Hollowell Reservoir and Summer Leys and Shelduck,  Egyptian Geese and Oystercatchers at Earls Barton GP. 

As birders we are used to looking skyward. If you are out just after sunset over the weekend and the skies are clear, fingers crossed,  you are in for a treat. There will be a " Planetary Parade" when Mercury,  Venus, Neptune,  Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter align. Remember to use your ears too as you never know what might fly over.

Have a good weekend.                                                                     Regards Eleanor 

Lesser Scaup with Tufted Ducks
at Clifford Hill Pits.

Grey Heron with Pike prey.

Images courtesy of Jim Dunkley.

Midweek Movement

It's amazing what a bit of sunshine and a change of wind direction can do !!. Me and my gang have certainly made the most of sunshine and have spent most of the day out enjoying the warmth and topping up the Vitamin D levels.  I didn't even need a fleece on today but I  wasn't able to ditch the wellies as the ground is still very saturated.   I didn't really see much on my first walk of the day with shrike hedge, Blueberry and Gamboro plantation all quiet. It would appear that Crossbills have moved out of Gamboro as despite numerous recent visits I have drawn a blank.       This afternoon I started my walk in the valley below Hanging Houghton and after playing with the dogs I headed off towards shrike hedge.  However I didn't get very far before I noticed a pair of Stonechats near the stream.  As I walked towards them I realised that there were several Stonechats perched up on the grass/weed stems and I watched as they flitted about and gradually moved towards Brixworth following the stream.  I  wandered that way with them and was astounded to count 12 birds.  I left them and headed off along the hedgerows and came across a Tawny Owl sitting low down in a tree close to a weedy area which was full of Goldfinches and Linnets.  We just simply looked at each other and it was quite surreal staring into the hidden depths of its black eyes.  Then I heard Golden Plovers and a flock of 50 birds went over looking fantastic against the blue skies.     When I eventually reached shrike hedge area I was amazed to find another 6 Stonechats!!! None of these birds had been here this morning and I'd love to know where they had come from and indeed where they were going.  A few small flocks of Golden Plovers went over.  There were big numbers of Red Kites and Common uzzards airborne clearly enjoying the sunshine too.              After dropping the old hound off at home I headed to Harrington Airfield with the collies.  It has been disappointingly quiet here over the last few months.  Again today there were very few passerines and despite us regularly feeding there the birds just have not shown up.   I always spend time sitting around the bunkers and simply scanning and it was whilst I was sitting at bunkr 3 looking north that I picked up a lovely male Merlin as he zipped across the fields.  I was nearly back to the car when something made me turn round and in doing so I caught sight of a raptor coming up from the main track towards the rough area, it was a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier.  I suspect that it is the same bird which has been around for a while and that it covers a big area. 

The Nene Valley was again very busy with birds today with Kinewell Lake Ringstead the place to be with Red-necked Grebe,  Ring- necked Duck (drake), Bean Goose and 23 White-fronted Geese. At Stanwick GP there were 7 White-fronted Geese,  2 Curlew and a Marsh Harrier.  The Lesser Scaup and Smew remain at Clifford Hill GP and at nearby Summer Leys Glossy Ibis, Caspian Gull,  Marsh Harrier,  Dunlin,  Redshanks and Oystercatchers.   An amazing flock of 42 Pintail were on a flooded field at Oundle.                         Two Black-necked Grebes were at Daventry Reservoir and a pair of Crossbills in Harlestone Firs near the derelict saw mill. 

The lovely sunshine saw plenty of butterflies out on the wing today including Brimstones, Peacocks, Comma and Red Admiral plus plenty of bumble bees and other insects. 

Well it was nice while it lasted as it looks as if we are heading back to cloudy unsettled days with some rain although the wind remains southerly which could produce some early migrants.  Keep those ears and eyes peeled. 

Regards Eleanor 

Goldeneye and drake Smew
at Clifford Hill Pits courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Female Stonechat.

Drake Pintail courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

Birding the county valleys

Hello

A pleasant morning deteriorating into a drizzly, wet afternoon.

Kinewell Lake at Ringstead Pits was still the place to be today with the Red-necked Grebe and drake Ring-necked Duck still present, a Cattle Egret, two Goosanders and for a time the Tundra Bean Goose and twenty-three European White-fronted Geese before they moved down the Nene Valley just east of Denford for the remainder of the day.

Seven European White-fronted Geese were seen on the main lake at Stanwick Pits and Summer Leys LNR was good still for the Glossy Ibis and an adult Caspian Gull, with a Green Sandpiper, a Common Snipe and an Oystercatcher at Earls Barton New Workings (North). That man again Nick Parker watched a Common Crane fly north over Thrapston Pits (still a surprisingly rare sighting in the county despite many being in neighbouring Cambridgeshire), and the Pink-footed Goose was on Elinor Lake.

Crossbills were heard calling at Wakerley Wood car park this morning and one was still at Scotland Wood. Two Ravens were at Hanging Houghton, a Raven and at least two Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall and two Ravens were at the Brampton Valley Draughton Crossing.

At Pitsford Reservoir there were two Yellow-legged Gulls and a Grey Wagtail and in the Walgrave Bay two Ravens, a Brambling and a Siskin. At least five Tree Sparrows were at Rectory Farm, Old village.

Approximately seven Redpolls were visiting a Greens Norton garden today and quality birds at Hollowell Reservoir were the Red-throated Diver still, four Jack Snipe, six Common Snipe, two Caspian Gulls and a Stonechat. Two Grey Wagtails and several Siskins were at Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke this morning.

The Harringworth floods in the Welland Valley today attracted a Curlew, five Dunlin and eight Pintail and twenty-nine European White-fronted Geese were again in a field at Stanford Hall.

Regards

Neil M

Blue Tit.

Goldfinch.

Dunnock.

Song Thrush.

Above images taken at Summer Leys LNR
today courtesy of John Tilly.

Below is a video of a Red Fox
helping itself to some bird food
in our back garden during the early
hours of this morning!