I wore a T shirt today .......so what you might ask ? I cannot recall the last time that I went out walking across the fields during the middle of November without my fleece.
I was not alone in enjoying the unexpected warmth as there were numerous Red Admiral butterflies flitting about along the hedgerows looking splendid in the sunshine . There were many other winged insects about providing a welcome food source for the birds.
The hedgerows laden with their fruit are a magnet for huge numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings as they are busy gorging themselves. This afternoon I felt as if I was caught in a blizzard of birds as these Fieldfares decided to fly out of the hedgerows and onto the soggy fields to feed on the worms etc. At times I could have reached out and touched these birds and their chattering was quite deafening.
Birds seen below Hanging Houghton today included a pair of Stonechat, Barn Owl and a Short Eared Owl following the ditch along.
Now that the Vulcan has come to the end of her flying life and the Blades put away in their hangar for the winter the skies are pretty empty and quiet. However today I heard the very distinctive low thumping noise of the Chinook helicopter and infact they came right over my head on three occassions . Firstly they literally came over the garden then twice over the valley below Hanging Houghton. They were low and I felt compelled to wave at them whilst the dogs just looked, one of them would have liked to have given chase !!!. Goodness only knows what the crew thought to me and my woofs .
Regards Eleanor
Tuesday 10 November 2015
Grafham Water Guided Boat Trips
 |
| Opticron will also be demonstrating various optics at this event and there is an opportunity of trying them out in the field... However, if you fancy a boat trip be warned because I'm one of the boat guides! Neil M |
Monday 9 November 2015
Blueberry Farm
Hello
Eleanor spent two periods in the Blueberry Farm area today, the morning session concentrating on the southern-end providing a male Peregrine, a Barn Owl, 6 Stonechats and 25+ overflying Golden Plovers.
The afternoon period was spent in Hill Field and the most northerly fields and birds noted included a female Merlin, two pairs of Stonechat (total of ten for the day), 2 redpoll sp, 10 Siskins and a Barn Owl.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor spent two periods in the Blueberry Farm area today, the morning session concentrating on the southern-end providing a male Peregrine, a Barn Owl, 6 Stonechats and 25+ overflying Golden Plovers.
The afternoon period was spent in Hill Field and the most northerly fields and birds noted included a female Merlin, two pairs of Stonechat (total of ten for the day), 2 redpoll sp, 10 Siskins and a Barn Owl.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 8 November 2015
November birding
Hello
A ringing session took place at Stortons GP this morning under John Woollett's leadership and birds caught included a juvenile male Sparrowhawk (please see below).
Some ringing at a garden in Scaldwell village this morning provided 34 captures of common birds which included a Lesser Redpoll and three Goldcrests. A significant passage of winter thrushes and a variety of finches over the village included a Crossbill at 10.10am, a Brambling, six Siskins and about another 15 redpoll sp.
A pair of Stonechat remain in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and another three were still present in the southern-most field of the Blueberry Farm complex.
A regular flock of Red Kites has been consistently present around the fields west of this seta-side area for the last couple of weeks, taking advantage of the winds and air currents lifting them above the escarpment and allowing them to pick of invertebrates in the fields below. This afternoon the flock was at an all-time high of thirty birds, far and beyond anything I have seen in this part of Northamptonshire.
Regards
Neil M
A ringing session took place at Stortons GP this morning under John Woollett's leadership and birds caught included a juvenile male Sparrowhawk (please see below).
Some ringing at a garden in Scaldwell village this morning provided 34 captures of common birds which included a Lesser Redpoll and three Goldcrests. A significant passage of winter thrushes and a variety of finches over the village included a Crossbill at 10.10am, a Brambling, six Siskins and about another 15 redpoll sp.
A pair of Stonechat remain in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and another three were still present in the southern-most field of the Blueberry Farm complex.
A regular flock of Red Kites has been consistently present around the fields west of this seta-side area for the last couple of weeks, taking advantage of the winds and air currents lifting them above the escarpment and allowing them to pick of invertebrates in the fields below. This afternoon the flock was at an all-time high of thirty birds, far and beyond anything I have seen in this part of Northamptonshire.
Regards
Neil M
 |
| Juvenile male Sparrowhawk. Images courtesy of John Boland. |
Saturday 7 November 2015
Quiet Day!
Hello
Eleanor was over at Staverton again today and saw two of the local Ravens. A visit to Daventry Country Park yielded two Green Sandpipers and the feeders there attracted a couple of Nuthatch and half a dozen Siskins. Half a dozen Lesser Redpolls were in nearby trees. Two Green Sandpipers were also on show at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, visible from the causeway.
I spent some time in the Kelmarsh Estate woodlands today but only noted a few Siskins. And I'm afraid the Pitsford Reservoir gull roost was unspectacular with no gulls of note seen...
Oh well there is always tomorrow!
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor was over at Staverton again today and saw two of the local Ravens. A visit to Daventry Country Park yielded two Green Sandpipers and the feeders there attracted a couple of Nuthatch and half a dozen Siskins. Half a dozen Lesser Redpolls were in nearby trees. Two Green Sandpipers were also on show at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, visible from the causeway.
I spent some time in the Kelmarsh Estate woodlands today but only noted a few Siskins. And I'm afraid the Pitsford Reservoir gull roost was unspectacular with no gulls of note seen...
Oh well there is always tomorrow!
Regards
Neil M
Friday 6 November 2015
Soggy Sywell
Another day of wet dog walking !!
A pair of Stonechat remain below Hanging Houghton but the surrounding fields and hedgerows appeared very quiet.
I walked around Sywell Reservoir this afternoon. It was such a pity that it was raining as it detracted from the beautiful Autumn colours and the fallen leaves were simply a soggy mess. However the dull day was brightened up by the sight and sound of at least 80+ Siskins. Such gorgeous little birds and always so happy.
Other birds in the wooded areas were several noisy Jay's, 6+ Lesser Redpoll, 2+ Brambling and plenty of Goldfinches.
Two Water Rails were making all sorts of high pitched squeals as they chatted to each other and at times popped out from the cover of the reeds.
I nearly over looked a pair of Red Crested Pochard which were sitting among the Wigeon and blended in very well.
My surprise find was a Jack Snipe, found accidently as I went to retrieve the ball which the dog had lost !!
Other birds present included Tawny Owl, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail and a flock of 50+ Skylark on the nearby fields.
Regards Eleanor
A pair of Stonechat remain below Hanging Houghton but the surrounding fields and hedgerows appeared very quiet.
I walked around Sywell Reservoir this afternoon. It was such a pity that it was raining as it detracted from the beautiful Autumn colours and the fallen leaves were simply a soggy mess. However the dull day was brightened up by the sight and sound of at least 80+ Siskins. Such gorgeous little birds and always so happy.
Other birds in the wooded areas were several noisy Jay's, 6+ Lesser Redpoll, 2+ Brambling and plenty of Goldfinches.
Two Water Rails were making all sorts of high pitched squeals as they chatted to each other and at times popped out from the cover of the reeds.
I nearly over looked a pair of Red Crested Pochard which were sitting among the Wigeon and blended in very well.
My surprise find was a Jack Snipe, found accidently as I went to retrieve the ball which the dog had lost !!
Other birds present included Tawny Owl, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail and a flock of 50+ Skylark on the nearby fields.
Regards Eleanor
Wednesday 4 November 2015
Harrington in the rain
Hello
This morning's rain ensured that no ringing took place at Harrington Airfield. Birds present included a vocal Water Pipit over there heading south at 8.05am and a mobile Short-eared Owl. Only small numbers of Golden Plover were present and the thrush numbers were unspectacular, both perhaps because of the mild weather. A few Siskins and redpoll sp joined the Linnet and Goldfinch flocks briefly.
Eleanor espied two Ravens near Walgrave this afternoon.
Regards
Neil M
This morning's rain ensured that no ringing took place at Harrington Airfield. Birds present included a vocal Water Pipit over there heading south at 8.05am and a mobile Short-eared Owl. Only small numbers of Golden Plover were present and the thrush numbers were unspectacular, both perhaps because of the mild weather. A few Siskins and redpoll sp joined the Linnet and Goldfinch flocks briefly.
Eleanor espied two Ravens near Walgrave this afternoon.
Regards
Neil M
Tuesday 3 November 2015
Less fog, more birds...
Hello
A second morning ringing at Harrington Airfield today was more productive than yesterday with 45 birds caught and assessed. Eight thrushes were made up of four Redwings, two Song Thrushes, a Blackbird and a handsome Fieldfare. Smaller birds included two more diminutive Goldcrests, four Reed Buntings and eight Yellowhammers plus a couple of Chaffinches and eight Goldfinches. Three re-trap (birds ringed previously at this location) Green Woodpeckers provided more colour, this area being a focal site for local birds.
Other birds noted at Harrington Airfield today included a Raven, a Chiffchaff, six Bramblings and a couple each of Siskin and redpoll sp plus a flock of up to seventy Linnets.
Eleanor saw a Barn Owl and a pair of Stonechat in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon.
Regards
Neil M
A second morning ringing at Harrington Airfield today was more productive than yesterday with 45 birds caught and assessed. Eight thrushes were made up of four Redwings, two Song Thrushes, a Blackbird and a handsome Fieldfare. Smaller birds included two more diminutive Goldcrests, four Reed Buntings and eight Yellowhammers plus a couple of Chaffinches and eight Goldfinches. Three re-trap (birds ringed previously at this location) Green Woodpeckers provided more colour, this area being a focal site for local birds.
Other birds noted at Harrington Airfield today included a Raven, a Chiffchaff, six Bramblings and a couple each of Siskin and redpoll sp plus a flock of up to seventy Linnets.
Eleanor saw a Barn Owl and a pair of Stonechat in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon.
Regards
Neil M
Monday 2 November 2015
Fog!
Hello
Foggy all day today which prevented much in the way of birding, but local ringers were active in the murk...
Chris Payne ringed birds in his garden at Greens Norton and caught an impressive 84 birds which included a superb total of 46 Goldfinches. Other birds included 3 Coal Tits, 9 Long-tailed Tits, a Goldcrest and 2 Collared Doves.
In the meantime Neil Hasdell and I checked nets at Harrington Airfield which were surprisingly quiet with just 30 birds caught and processed. These included migrants in the shapes of 4 Redwings, a Song Thrush and a likely continental Blackbird. Other birds included a Magpie, 6 Chaffinches, 3 Yellowhammers, a Reed Bunting and 2 Goldcrests.
Birds noted consisted of a single Brambling and a couple of Siskins cruising about.
Eleanor located a pair of Stonechat in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.
Regards
Neil M
Foggy all day today which prevented much in the way of birding, but local ringers were active in the murk...
Chris Payne ringed birds in his garden at Greens Norton and caught an impressive 84 birds which included a superb total of 46 Goldfinches. Other birds included 3 Coal Tits, 9 Long-tailed Tits, a Goldcrest and 2 Collared Doves.
In the meantime Neil Hasdell and I checked nets at Harrington Airfield which were surprisingly quiet with just 30 birds caught and processed. These included migrants in the shapes of 4 Redwings, a Song Thrush and a likely continental Blackbird. Other birds included a Magpie, 6 Chaffinches, 3 Yellowhammers, a Reed Bunting and 2 Goldcrests.
Birds noted consisted of a single Brambling and a couple of Siskins cruising about.
Eleanor located a pair of Stonechat in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 1 November 2015
Is it really November?
Hello
Several members of the Northants Ringing Group provided a bird ringing demonstration at the Wildlife Trust Pocket Park at Woodford Halse this morning. Ian Dobson the reserve warden organised a wildlife day for residents of Woodford Halse and was keen to provide an opportunity to showcase a variety of fauna and flora.
The ringing provided a modest catch of birds but of a significant variety which included all the common tits, Goldcrest, Wren, Robin and several species of finch including a single Lesser Redpoll. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird and Treecreeper provided more variety.
Other birds noted on-site included a couple of Bramblings, c6 Siskins and another 4+ redpoll sp plus a couple of Ravens. The incredibly warm weather brought forth insects such as Brimstone and Red Admiral butterflies, wasps, bees and a Hornet.
A brief stop on the causeway at Ravensthorpe Reservoir early this afternoon provided views of three Green Sandpipers, three Goldeneye, a Snipe and a couple of Kingfishers. Significant disturbance caused the ducks to fly and we couldn't see the long-staying Garganey (and reported today).
Simon Hales took a photo of a Comma butterfly near Oundle today (please see below) and reports that a small murmuration of Starlings took place at Titchmarsh Local Nature Reserve this afternoon, possibly a modest start to greater numbers later this month as happened last year...
Regards
Neil M
Several members of the Northants Ringing Group provided a bird ringing demonstration at the Wildlife Trust Pocket Park at Woodford Halse this morning. Ian Dobson the reserve warden organised a wildlife day for residents of Woodford Halse and was keen to provide an opportunity to showcase a variety of fauna and flora.
The ringing provided a modest catch of birds but of a significant variety which included all the common tits, Goldcrest, Wren, Robin and several species of finch including a single Lesser Redpoll. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird and Treecreeper provided more variety.
Other birds noted on-site included a couple of Bramblings, c6 Siskins and another 4+ redpoll sp plus a couple of Ravens. The incredibly warm weather brought forth insects such as Brimstone and Red Admiral butterflies, wasps, bees and a Hornet.
A brief stop on the causeway at Ravensthorpe Reservoir early this afternoon provided views of three Green Sandpipers, three Goldeneye, a Snipe and a couple of Kingfishers. Significant disturbance caused the ducks to fly and we couldn't see the long-staying Garganey (and reported today).
Simon Hales took a photo of a Comma butterfly near Oundle today (please see below) and reports that a small murmuration of Starlings took place at Titchmarsh Local Nature Reserve this afternoon, possibly a modest start to greater numbers later this month as happened last year...
Regards
Neil M
 |
| Comma butterfly on bramble/blackberries Courtesy of Simon Hales |
Saturday 31 October 2015
Pitsford Ringing and Birding!
Hello
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir concluded at about lunch-time today resulting in the capture of 91 birds of 20 species. These birds included 2 Moorhens, 16 Goldcrests, 12 Redwings, 4 Treecreepers, 4 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Coal Tits, a Marsh Tit, a Willow Tit, a Blackcap, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Kingfisher.
Other birds seen on-site included 5 Great White Egrets still, the juvenile Slavonian Grebe (diving continuously in shallow water near to the remnants of the Bird Club hide), 6 Pintail, 7 Red-crested Pochard, the Ferruginous Duck x Red-crested Pochard hybrid still, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Raven, a Stonechat, a Grey Wagtail and at least 2 Green Sandpipers. Small numbers of Siskins and redpoll sp trickled over all day.
Birds noted between Staverton and Catesby today (just west of Daventry) included at least 6 Ravens, 4 Bramblings, 30 Siskins and 6 redpoll sp. Nearby at Borough Hill Country Park, birds of note on view amounted to 2 Ravens, an adult male Peregrine, 2 Bramblings, 20+ Siskins and a few redpoll sp.
Please note that further ringing is anticipated at Harrington Airfield this coming Monday and Tuesday. This occurs on the old airstrip near to the old Thor missile bunkers and access is restricted as requested by the landowner's agent during this period. Anyone wishing to enter on to this private site with a view to watching ringing activities on Monday and Tuesday is asked to contact me beforehand. Access to the main concrete track and the footpaths is unaffected.
Regards
Neil M
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir concluded at about lunch-time today resulting in the capture of 91 birds of 20 species. These birds included 2 Moorhens, 16 Goldcrests, 12 Redwings, 4 Treecreepers, 4 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Coal Tits, a Marsh Tit, a Willow Tit, a Blackcap, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Kingfisher.
Other birds seen on-site included 5 Great White Egrets still, the juvenile Slavonian Grebe (diving continuously in shallow water near to the remnants of the Bird Club hide), 6 Pintail, 7 Red-crested Pochard, the Ferruginous Duck x Red-crested Pochard hybrid still, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Raven, a Stonechat, a Grey Wagtail and at least 2 Green Sandpipers. Small numbers of Siskins and redpoll sp trickled over all day.
Birds noted between Staverton and Catesby today (just west of Daventry) included at least 6 Ravens, 4 Bramblings, 30 Siskins and 6 redpoll sp. Nearby at Borough Hill Country Park, birds of note on view amounted to 2 Ravens, an adult male Peregrine, 2 Bramblings, 20+ Siskins and a few redpoll sp.
Please note that further ringing is anticipated at Harrington Airfield this coming Monday and Tuesday. This occurs on the old airstrip near to the old Thor missile bunkers and access is restricted as requested by the landowner's agent during this period. Anyone wishing to enter on to this private site with a view to watching ringing activities on Monday and Tuesday is asked to contact me beforehand. Access to the main concrete track and the footpaths is unaffected.
Regards
Neil M
Friday 30 October 2015
Additional brightness required!
Hello
A bit of a dull and dreary day today with rain on and off. The shortened days of daylight make it difficult to squeeze in sufficient birding at this time of the year. I thought I would add a little colour to the blog this evening with some excellent butterfly images from earlier in 2015 courtesy of Simon Hales...
Regards
Neil M
A bit of a dull and dreary day today with rain on and off. The shortened days of daylight make it difficult to squeeze in sufficient birding at this time of the year. I thought I would add a little colour to the blog this evening with some excellent butterfly images from earlier in 2015 courtesy of Simon Hales...
Regards
Neil M
 |
Thursday 29 October 2015
Next Bird Club meeting...
Hello
This is a reminder to members of the Northants Bird Club and an invitation to non-members that we hold our next indoor meeting next Wednesday (on 4th November 2015). Our guest speaker will be Mark Thomas who works as an investigator for the RSPB and his presentation is entitled 'The Wildlife Detective'.
The meeting starts at 7.30pm at our usual venue of The Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir, Brixworth Road, Holcot NN6 9SJ. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening. Parking is available next to the Lodge with overflow opportunities on the road causeway and off the track that leads down to the moored boats.
I hope to see you there!
Neil M
This is a reminder to members of the Northants Bird Club and an invitation to non-members that we hold our next indoor meeting next Wednesday (on 4th November 2015). Our guest speaker will be Mark Thomas who works as an investigator for the RSPB and his presentation is entitled 'The Wildlife Detective'.
The meeting starts at 7.30pm at our usual venue of The Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir, Brixworth Road, Holcot NN6 9SJ. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening. Parking is available next to the Lodge with overflow opportunities on the road causeway and off the track that leads down to the moored boats.
I hope to see you there!
Neil M
Wednesday 28 October 2015
Ringing in South Northants
Hello
Yesterday (Tuesday) saw Chris Payne commit to some bird ringing at Bradden and Greens Norton, catching 116 birds in total. Common tits predominated but other birds included 17 Goldfinches, 2 Coal Tits, 4 Chaffinches, 2 Nuthatch a Treecreeper and a Goldcrest.
Birds in our garden here at Hanging Houghton are pretty modest currently, but the sunflower hearts feeder is busy with common tits, a couple of Nuthatch and small numbers of Goldfinch coming regularly.
Please note an additional Tab on this blog entitled 'Brazil Revisited'. This is devoted to images taken by Robin Gossage on our trip to Brazil in 2012. Most of these images have not been shown before and the insects in particular are quite amazing. More images will be added in due course...
Regards
Neil M
Yesterday (Tuesday) saw Chris Payne commit to some bird ringing at Bradden and Greens Norton, catching 116 birds in total. Common tits predominated but other birds included 17 Goldfinches, 2 Coal Tits, 4 Chaffinches, 2 Nuthatch a Treecreeper and a Goldcrest.
Birds in our garden here at Hanging Houghton are pretty modest currently, but the sunflower hearts feeder is busy with common tits, a couple of Nuthatch and small numbers of Goldfinch coming regularly.
Please note an additional Tab on this blog entitled 'Brazil Revisited'. This is devoted to images taken by Robin Gossage on our trip to Brazil in 2012. Most of these images have not been shown before and the insects in particular are quite amazing. More images will be added in due course...
Regards
Neil M
Tuesday 27 October 2015
Bird Feeding Stations
Hello
Little opportunity of any birding today, although a stop on the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir late this afternoon was sufficient to note that all five Great White Egrets were still present on the reserve.
Some additional images have been added to Robin's Wildlife Images Tab, mostly from the NBC car trip to Titchwell last Sunday...
We took delivery today of the first big order of bird food for the autumn and winter as I prepare to again maintain a number of wild bird feeding stations in the centre of the county. As in previous years, three will be on the Kelmarsh Estate with others at Brixworth, Harrington and Pitsford.
The main feeding station at Pitsford is situated on the Old Scaldwell Road and is managed primarily by Dave Francis, myself and Neil Hasdell. Another is managed by myself and John Warner the groundsman at the Sailing Club and the third, a more seasonal one, is managed by myself and Diane Freeman in Christies Copse in the Walgrave Bay. Eleanor presides with the feeding of the birds at Harrington. My thanks to everyone who helps out on this initiative.
Regards
Neil M
Little opportunity of any birding today, although a stop on the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir late this afternoon was sufficient to note that all five Great White Egrets were still present on the reserve.
Some additional images have been added to Robin's Wildlife Images Tab, mostly from the NBC car trip to Titchwell last Sunday...
We took delivery today of the first big order of bird food for the autumn and winter as I prepare to again maintain a number of wild bird feeding stations in the centre of the county. As in previous years, three will be on the Kelmarsh Estate with others at Brixworth, Harrington and Pitsford.
The main feeding station at Pitsford is situated on the Old Scaldwell Road and is managed primarily by Dave Francis, myself and Neil Hasdell. Another is managed by myself and John Warner the groundsman at the Sailing Club and the third, a more seasonal one, is managed by myself and Diane Freeman in Christies Copse in the Walgrave Bay. Eleanor presides with the feeding of the birds at Harrington. My thanks to everyone who helps out on this initiative.
Regards
Neil M
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)