A day out!

Hi

Today an excursion south to Berkshire was a change of scenery and a search for a wintering Pallas's Warbler, a rare occurrence in the UK.  Moor Green Lakes was the venue, a well managed reserve associated with a chain of gravel pits south of Wokingham divided by the River Blackwater (www.mglg.org.uk).  The warbler gave us the run around and we didn't see it until in to the afternoon.  Sadly it remained high in the tree tops and close views and good images were not possible.

Whilst looking up, the air traffic from Heathrow was ever present but I don't think we were guilty of constant plane-spotting!

While we were there, the day list included Kingfisher, Egyptian and Barnacle Geese, Mandarin Duck, Goosander, Grey Wagtail, Red Kite and Green Sandpiper.  Four Barn Owls showed well in the winter sunshine...

Regards

Neil M

Ringing Pitsford Feed Station

Hi

This morning a ringing session was undertaken at the feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir, on the Old Scaldwell Road site.  Although cool first thing the spring-like weather continued for the remainder of the day, the calm conditions being ideal for using mist nets.

Some 70 birds were caught coming to the food which involved many new birds including 22 Tree Sparrows, 17 Yellowhammers and 18 Reed Buntings.  A Willow Tit was a retrap; this individual which is a couple of years old now regularly comes up from the back of the Scaldwell Bay, following the field hedge parallel to the reservoir boundary fence.

Although the ringing has been very infrequent during this calendar year (due to the weather), we can already account for 90 different Yellowhammers and 27 different Reed Buntings visiting the broadcast seed during January and February, and the true figure for both species will obviously be higher than this.

Birds of note were few and far between today, with at least a single each of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford, and a Raven and a couple of Lesser Redpolls at Kelmarsh Hall.  The turn in the weather the last few days has enticed local Little Owls to vocalise, and the Tawny Owls (which should already have established territories by now) have become more persistent with their calling too.  The Grey Herons are currently very noisy around the heronry at Pitsford as they sort out their early nesting arrangements, and about six pairs of Cormorants have already patched up their nests and could even have early eggs.

Regards

Neil M

Spring on it's way?

Hi

At least 5 Bramblings came down on to the food at Harrington Airfield first thing this morning.  At Kelmarsh Hall there were 2 Ravens, at least 3 Bramblings, 8 Siskins and at least 3 Lesser Redpolls.  Another visit to Pitsford village early this afternoon failed in an effort to find the Firecrest from a week ago.

In the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon, two Yellow-legged Gulls (adult and second winter) materialized and the Redshank was still present.

Definitely an early Spring feel today...!

Regards

Neil M

Flood birds

Hi

This morning there were 6 Waxwings in the village at Hanging Houghton and at Kelmarsh Hall the birds around the feeders included 4 Siskins and 2-3 each of Brambling and Lesser Redpoll.

Birds visible from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res at lunchtime today included 2 Bramblings and a pair of Goosander.  The Great White Egret was on flood-water at the back of the Holcot Bay as visible from the Hannington Road.

Finally there was a hunting Barn Owl alongside the B576 at Harrington Airfield this afternoon.

Regards

Eleanor

Garden Yellowhammers

Hi

Too busy for birding again today but the cold conditions has done something to the local Yellowhammers as at least a dozen found their way in to the garden today!

Eleanor

February menagerie

Hi

At Pitsford Reservoir this morning there were 3 Siskins on the feeders in Christies Copse and a pair of Grey Partridge in fields to the west of the Walgrave Bay.  This afternoon a Barn Owl was hunting the Scaldwell Meadow and successfully caught a large vole.

At least one Brambling was at Harrington Airfield this morning and several were at Kelmarsh Hall together with a few Siskins and Lesser Redpolls.  Several Lesser Redpolls were in the village at Hanging Houghton this morning and the Nordic-type Jackdaw was present again, with a pair of Grey Partridge in fields below the village

A flock of at least 8 Waxwings were in bushes by Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke at about 10.30am and an adult female Peregrine was at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Pitsford WeBS

Hi

The arrival of the snow brought a flurry of birds to the garden today, particularly finches.  A single Brambling, a couple of Lesser Redpoll and a Yellowhammer were among them.

As usual a few Bramblings were present at Harrington Airfield and Kelmarsh Hall.

A WeBS count was completed at Pitsford Res today, but the numbers of wildfowl present on the over-full reservoir were low.  Highlights included a flock of 17 Waxwings flying over the Scaldwell Bay at 2.30pm, a Kingfisher in the Walgrave Bay, 2 Ravens and 9 Smew were present south of the causeway as were 4-5 Lesser Redpolls and another 2 Kingfishers.

Late news was received today of a calling Firecrest in Pitsford village last Friday.  A brief visit there this afternoon in cold and wet conditions failed to locate it, but a male Blackcap showed briefly.  The Firecrest had been heard calling in evergreens in the garden of a large house off High Street opposite the turning for Pitsford School and the Village Hall.  This garden and trees border High Street but this is a busy village road and any would-be attendant birders need to be aware of moving and noisy traffic and behave appropriately in this residential area.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

What a horrible day!

Hi

With rain all day turning to snow this evening and a cold northerly wind, today was probably the most miserable weather of the winter to date.  The birds seemed under the weather too with little in the way of sightings today.

A Woodcock was flushed at Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) this morning and at least 2 Bramblings were at Harrington Airfield.  Calling finches at Kelmarsh Hall included a singing Siskin, redpoll sp and Brambling.  Three Lesser Redpolls remained at Hanging Houghton.

Regards

Neil M

Birds of mud and winter showers

Hi

Birds in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this morning included singles of Brambling, Siskin, redpoll sp and Red Kite.  Four Woodcock were flushed from Christies Copse and the Great White Egret was on view on the west side of the Walgrave Bay for most of the late morning.

This afternoon a Barn Owl was hunting at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and 2 Woodcock were flushed, but despite a good stomp around nothing else of note could be found.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Static finches

Hi

Apologies for the lack of information the last couple of days.  We have both been committed with a variety of tasks during the last two days which has curtailed much of our birding.  The few bits we have noticed are simply repeats of birds during the last week with still daily sightings of Raven here at Hanging Houghton and still regular Bramblings at Harrington Airfield, here at Hanging Houghton and Kelmarsh Hall.  Ringing recoveries seem to suggest that at least some of the current Lesser Redpolls and Bramblings are the same birds that were here locally in November and they have remained reliant on the food placed out for them during that time.  However that is soon to change I think and these finches will soon begin to move more freely again as Spring beckons around the corner (but with snow to come first yet methinks)!

Regards

Neil M

Cold and windy again!

Hi

The weather conditions today were similar to yesterday with strong cold winds, some wintery showers and a very dull afternoon.  Not particularly inspiring stuff and the birds locally remain the same.

The finch entourage at Kelmarsh Hall included at least 4 Bramblings and a minimum of 5 Lesser Redpolls and 5 Siskins.  A Raven was heard croaking somewhere in the village.

Two Ravens remain here at Hanging Houghton and a small buzz of Lesser Redpolls circulated in the village gardens.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Cold and windswept

Hi

We didn't bump in to any birds of note today in rather wild and cold conditions.  A couple of Ravens remain around the village here as well as a small flock of Lesser Redpolls and a Brambling.  A similar story at Kelmarsh Hall this morning which continues to host a Brambling, at least 5 Siskins and 5 Lesser Redpolls.  A Raven was by the side of the A508 between Lamport and Maidwell.

Scrutiny of the gulls in the roost at Pitsford Res provided two adult Yellow-legged Gulls and the Redshank showed up again.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Chiffchaffs

Hi

About 10 Bramblings came down on to the seed at Harrington Airfield this morning amongst a mob of Chaffinches, Yellowhammers and others.  Small numbers of Brambling and Lesser Redpoll were present at both Hanging Houghton and Kelmarsh Hall.

A visit to Ecton Sewage Farm/Billing Gravel Pits provided views of at least 8 Chiffchaffs at the western end of Clover Lake at its junction with the stream.  The strong wind has evidently pushed these birds and a large flock of Long-tailed Tits the other side of the hedging - none of these birds were visible from the small stone bridge.  Most of these birds were 'collybita' types and were calling and singing accordingly.  One Siberian-type was seen briefly, a washed-out bird with a broad supercillia and a slight wing-bar.  Another sepia-coloured bird was seen briefly but the mantle was green/olive and the overall plumage tones and lack of clean ear-coverts would not have been typical of this race.  At no point did I ever hear the distinctive 'peep' or 'pee-ip' calls of Siberian, the grey birds seemingly keeping quiet.  All these Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits were joined by Goldcrests and other birds fly-catching over the stream - some images below...

Other birds nearby included a Green Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail.

This afternoon there was an adult female Peregrine at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and there were 60 Golden Plovers and 2 Ravens in the Brampton Valley between HH and Cottesbrooke this morning.  Possibly a different pair of Raven were in Hanging Houghton village late morning and in to the afternoon.

Late this afternoon a second winter (or third calendar year if you like) Yellow-legged Gull was the only bird of note seen in the Pitsford Res gull roost (apologies for the ropey image - it was a bit gloomy).

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Canada Goose

Chiffchaff

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Long-tailed Tit

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Goldcrest

Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Local patch birding

Hi

Well while Neil was gossiping, slurping coffee and testing optics at Pitsford, someone had to carry on birding our local patch!

Harrington Airfield played host to about 20 Bramblings again today, together with a Red Kite and 2 Ravens.

Birds in the garden here at Hanging Houghton included 6 Lesser Redpolls and a Brambling with 10 Golden Plovers and 2 Ravens in the Brampton Valley below the village.

Blueberry Farm near Maidwell provided 2 Barn Owls and a Short-eared Owl this afternoon.

Regards

Eleanor

Pitsford Opticron event

Hi

A big thank-you for all the people that turned up at the optics demonstration event at Pitsford today.  Among the attendees there was some familiar faces from the present and the past and it was great to meet some of the followers of this blog and put faces to the names!  Thank-you all for making the event successful in support of the Wildlife Trust, particularly as it was a touch cold and a little grey on the shoreline below the Lodge!

For those that missed it a similar event will be held at Pitsford in June when again the full range of Opticron binoculars and telescopes and accessories will be available to test under field conditions.

Thank-you

Neil M

Opticron optics demonstration

Hi

Just a little reminder...

The Pitsford Opticron event is on tomorrow between 10am and 4pm (see post of 28th Jan).  We look forward to seeing you there!

Neil M

Bird feeding again...

Hi

In between and including plenty of dog walking and other chores, it was a case of visiting and replenishing all the local wild bird feeding stations again today.  Despite mud everywhere, it was nice to be out and about with cool temperatures, plenty of sunshine and exceptional visibility.  It's hard to beat a really nice winter's day!

A single Brambling was present at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res this morning and the birds at the feeding station in Christies Copse were pretty much standard fare.  At nearly all my feeding areas I now have tame cock Pheasants that almost run to greet me, and now the shooting season is over I guess they are going to be nice and fat and resplendent for the breeding season!

Sunderland Wood was particularly muddy, but I didn't mind as the slog to the feeders was worth it with a flock of Long-tailed Tits almost landing on me as I added some more fat to the feeder.  The local Robins seem to have survived the cold snap and hop up to meet me, and thankfully there are still reasonable numbers of Goldcrests and Wrens in the woods, but some must have perished in the severe conditions last month.

Two noisy Ravens were at Kelmarsh Hall, and the impressive finch flock utilizing the feed station here remains with 4 Bramblings, 3 Lesser Redpolls and a Siskin mixing in with the Chaffinches and Goldfinches.  Greenfinches seem very scarce though.  Scotland Wood was uneventful but the cheeky Marsh Tits were both scolding and singing at me as I refilled the feeders!

A brief visit to Harrington Airfield to broadcast more food was enough to spot two female Bramblings this morning, but I assume there would have been plenty more later.

A Raven was noted on the northern outskirts of Brixworth village just off the A508 today (possibly attracted to no less than three road kill Badgers in the last 48 hours).  

The food at the eighth feeding station was almost completely exhausted today (one of three feeding stations at Pitsford), but the birds soon came to see me as I filled the feeders here too.  Which just about left time to check the gull roost at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon and it yielded a first winter Kittiwake, distant views of the Slavonian Grebe near the Holly Tree and a Redshank.

Regards

Neil M

Bramblings only

Hi

Nothing much to report today, but a fabulous twenty Bramblings were still at the feeding station at Harrington Airfield this morning...

Regards

Eleanor

Windblast birds

Hi

At lunch-time today there were about a dozen Bramblings among the feeding birds on the concrete track at Harrington Airfield, just off the Draughton Road.  An adult female Peregrine was feeding on prey on the top fields, itself being mobbed by a Kestrel.

A walk around Pitsford Res south of the causeway provided views of 2 'redhead' Smew, 8 Lesser Redpolls, about 30 Siskins and 2 Ravens.

Regards

Eleanor

Five white nuns

Hi

Birds at Hanging Houghton today included 2 Lesser Redpolls and up to 4 Ravens.  Two Bramblings and 6 Lesser Redpolls were along the Brampton Valley Way below Brixworth.

At Ravensthorpe Res this afternoon, a total of 13 Smew (5 adult drakes) were on view from the road causeway (please see some images below).

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Siskin splendour

Hi

Birds in the garden today at Hanging Houghton included 5 Lesser Redpolls and a nice bright adult male Siskin (please see below). A Raven flew over north at 12.30pm.

At Pitsford Res this afternoon there was a Lesser Redpoll and a Willow Tit in Christies Copse in the Walgrave Bay and a 'redhead' Smew was just off the causeway car park (not quite coming to bread!).

In the gull roost later, an adult Mediterranean Gull again showed up as did a second winter Yellow-legged Gull.  Two Ravens flew over.

Regards

Neil M

Siskin

I preferred the snow to this...!

Hi

This morning there were two vocal Bramblings at Pitsford Res on the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station.  Neil Hasdell went on to locate a drake and a 'redhead' Smew south of the causeway, both in the vicinity of the gorse bushes but the drake was quite mobile.

At about 1.30pm this afternoon the flock of feeding birds at Harrington Airfield included about 15 Bramblings.  A walk in the wind and rain added a Red Kite but little else!

Regards

Neil M

Optics Demonstration Pitsford Res 3rd Feb

Hi

This coming Sunday (3rd February 2013), there is an optics demonstration at Pitsford Reservoir between 10am and 4pm.  This is an event organised by the local Wildlife Trust utilizing Opticron equipment in field conditions.  Attendees will be provided the opportunity of trying a range of Opticron binoculars and telescopes with an Opticron expert on hand.  Neil Hasdell and I will be present with the task of finding some subject matter for attendees to look at!

This event is taking place at The Lodge which is situated just off the road causeway on the Holcot Road.  We hope to use the nearby Goosander Hide in the Holcot Bay and will be able to wander further afield if weather conditions permit.  There is no obligation to make purchases, but this will provide an excellent opportunity for anyone with even a passive interest in observing our British wildlife in an enhanced manner to try out optical equipment from a well-known and established manufacturer.  We look forward to seeing you there!

The official flyer is as follows:-

Sunday 3^rd February, 10am - 4pm

Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire NN6 9TF

An optics expert will be on hand to offer you the opportunity to test and compare Opticron binoculars and telescopes under field conditions. A great opportunity to purchase optics and support the local Wildlife Trust – drop in to try before you buy – no booking required. For more details: contact Amanda on 01954 713500 /amanda.spivack@wildlifebcn.org or visit http://www.wildlifebcn.org/events.

Abandoned!

Hi

With the disappearance of the snow and comparative soaring temperatures, the birds that have been regular in the garden for the last ten days were mostly absent today.  We've been abandoned!

A few birds did show up which included a pair of Brambling briefly, 3 Lesser Redpolls and the Nordic-like Jackdaw in the sheep field behind the garden.

A visit to Ravensthorpe Res this afternoon was a treat with a posse of eight Smew (two drakes), a first winter drake Scaup and four Pintail.

Regards

Neil M

A couple of nice surprises!

Hi

Driving through Wilby village this morning, Eleanor saw two Waxwings in roadside bushes.

At Pitsford Res this morning at 10.15am, a Bittern was disturbed from the water's edge in the Scaldwell Meadow and it flew to The Point where it landed out of view in the waterside willow trees.  The first record at Pitsford for quite some number of years I think.  Other birds in the immediate area included two Ravens over and a Brambling at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station.

At Harrington Airfield, a calling Snow Bunting flew over the concrete track just past the straw bale stacks at 1.45pm, flying low north.  It gave the impression of having flown up off the ground with a Skylark and was only about a metre off the ground when it went out of view so could still be in the area.

A quick wander around the thawing and waterlogged fields at the south end of Blueberry Farm this afternoon failed to locate any Short-eared Owls.

Regards

Neil M

Short-eared Owls arriving or going?

Hi

In the garden today I saw 4 Lesser Redpolls, 2 male Bramblings and the Common Buzzard on our roof and in nearby trees for much of the day!

At Brixworth CP this morning there were 10 Lesser Redpolls, with 2 Kingfishers at the adjacent Pitsford Reservoir in Pintail Bay.  At the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at least one Brambling could be heard calling but were not seen.

At Harrington Airfield this afternoon there were at least a dozen Bramblings in the usual spot off the Draughton Road.

At 3.30pm, five Short-eared Owls were visible all together in the southern-most field at Blueberry Farm, their actions suggesting they had just arrived or were just going!

Regards

Eleanor

Little to report today

Hi

The birds were in short supply today but birds in the garden remained similar as in previous days with 4 Lesser Redpolls and lots of hungry Fieldfares.  Just two Bramblings were seen on the seed at Harrington Airfield this afternoon.  Unfortunately I didn't see anything else of note on my travels today!

Regards

Eleanor

Static birds

Hi

Birds in the garden here at Hanging Houghton today again included 4 Lesser Redpolls and 2-3 Bramblings with 2 Waxwings nearby in the village.

At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell birds seen included a Barn Owl, 2 Ravens, 2-3 Lesser Redpolls and a Woodcock.

At about 10.30am this morning there was a large flock of about 60 Waxwings in Brixworth village, which were in flight over the shops in the centre of the village.  A search afterwards failed to locate them.

At Pitsford Res today there were two Kingfishers and four Goosanders in the dam area.  The Slavonian Grebe was south of the causeway near the gorse bushes off the Brixworth bank, and other birds in this general area included 6 Smew (2 drakes), a female Peregrine, 4 Snipe and a Raven.  North of the causeway there were at least 2 Bramblings at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station, a Red Kite and the Great White Egret was seen to fly in to the Walgrave Bay.

Finally at Harrington Airfield this afternoon, the female Merlin was again present at 2pm as were 6 Golden Plover, at least 8 Bramblings and 100+ Skylarks.

Regards

Eleanor

Redwings

Hi

The wintery conditions continue with some very cold temperatures this morning, reduced to minus ten at Pitsford Res first thing.  Much of the water north of the causeway was frozen and the fog and mist ensured that a further attempt at the WeBS count was again cancelled!  A Brambling at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station and a Little Egret near the yacht club were the only birds of note.

This afternoon there was a Chiffchaff in the grounds of Moulton Agricultural College and two Waxwings appeared out of the mist there and landed on a hedge.  Others could be heard calling nearby but the appalling visibility prevented further sightings.

A Brambling and a Lesser Redpoll were at Kelmarsh Hall and at least 3 Bramblings and 3 Grey Partridges were present at Harrington Airfield this afternoon.

Birds in the garden remained in good numbers and included 2 Bramblings, 4-5 Lesser Redpolls and Fieldfares and Redwings.  These latter two species are suffering significant predation as evidenced by the various patches of feathers in the snow at numerous locations locally.  Feeding out in the open, foraging in leaf litter and even digging in to the snow means they are easier to catch than many avian prey, particularly as many of the individuals are hungry and lethargic as they struggle to find sufficient food.

A feeding group of Redwing at Hanging Houghton would have been photogenic had the light conditions been better, but as they are one of my favourite winter birds, I couldn't resist clicking away (and a Wren decided to join in too)...

Neil & Eleanor

Garden birds are the best!

Hi 

With more snow overnight but only minimal during the daytime today, it provided an opportunity to clear the ground at the various feed-stations and restock the feeders yet again.

This morning there was a Kingfisher in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and 2 Lesser Redpolls at Blueberry Farm plus a Barn Owl, the usual stunning mostly white Common Buzzard and a Red Kite.

Virgin snow up to a foot deep at Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) provided an opportunity for tracking the local mammals and Pheasants and feeding the Robins that opted to stay for the winter.  Harrington Airfield attracted at least two Bramblings this morning, but with eight present this afternoon.   Again this afternoon the female Merlin rallied some ca 200 Skylarks over the top fields.  Skylarks and thrushes are perhaps the most obvious hard weather movers locally, with Skylarks running around on various partly-thawed country roads and calling in flight after dark.

Birds at Pitsford Res today included a single Brambling at both Christies Copse and at the main Old Scaldwell Road feeding station plus 3 Ravens over the Walgrave Bay.

Birds in the garden here at Hanging Houghton included many Fieldfares, a Redwing, 4 Lesser Redpolls, a couple of Bramblings and a few Tree Sparrows.  However they were all eclipsed when a Waxwing showed up on the impaled apples this afternoon.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil