Skokholm

Hello

Yesterday Neil H and I managed to travel by boat to the picturesque island of Skokholm off the Pembrokeshire coast.  Despite a keen north-westerly breeze the crossing was pleasant with birds en-route including close Gannet and Kittiwake.

Prior to our boat trip we trotted around the single track lanes near Marloes.  Birds included Common Buzzard, Raven, Wheatear and small numbers of warblers, and there were plenty of butterflies on the wing including plenty of Red Admirals, a few Painted Ladies and several Wall Browns.

On Skokholm we were greeted by a small 'herd' of Grey Seals and the clamour of hundreds of pairs of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 

After a welcome cup of tea and briefing, we set about exploring the island and sorting out our ringing regime.  Mummified Manx Shearwater corpses littered the paths, once victims of gull predation as they endeavoured to find their nesting burrows.  Over 40,000 pairs of Manx Shearwaters are estimated to breed on the island, each night running the gauntlet of the gulls as they come ashore.

A wander around the island in warm sunny weather provided views of Puffin (just a few left), Raven, Chough, Fulmar, Rock Pipit, Wheatear and Peregrine and there were hundreds and hundreds of Rabbits!

Overnight we wandered a transect route across the island seeking Manx Shearwaters.  As it became darker and the meteor shower overhead became even more vibrant and regular, Manx Shearwaters began emitting their bizarre song of gurgles and banshee hollering.  We began catching and ringing these fabulous tubenoses and over the process of about three and half hours Neil H and I managed to catch 42.  Like all sea-birds, they are strong with sharp claws and surprisingly sharp hooked beaks.  Our night-time adventure ceased at about 4am when it was time for a couple of hours kip and then up to do some passerine ringing.

This morning we caught a few small birds and then set a trap for large gulls.  This resulted in the capture of 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 3 Herring Gulls and their far-reaching and sharp rendering beaks!

New migrants seemed minimal but did include a couple of Green Sandpipers flying around, and a smart Slow Worm was greatly admired.  Warm conditions have resulted in large numbers of immigrant insects including droves of Red Admirals and supporting cast.

Regards

Neil M

 

Red Admiral

 

Wall Brown

 

 

Grey Seal

 

Small Copper

 

Black and ginger rabbit!

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Monday Musings

Despite a day of running errands and walking the dogs I managed to enjoy some good birding.
My first visit to Blueberry area produced 2 Whinchat and a Grasshopper Warbler, whereas this evening, along with a dramatic sunset it produced at least 6 Whinchats, Hobby, Barn Owl and I presume the same Osprey at 20.00hrs.
A visit to Pitsford Reservoir late morning provided some entertainment in the form of a family party of Common Buzzards who were very noisy and very funny to watch as they balanced precariously on the hay bales below the dam. They were clearly enjoying themselves whilst learning valuable life skills.
On the causeway there were 2 Common Sandpipers and sitting amongst the wildfowl in the Scaldwell arm was a Goldeneye and 2 female Red Crested Pochard.
On a brief visit to Sywell Reservoir there was a Common Sandpiper, Red Kite and Grey Wagtail.  I did note that the Great Crested Grebes appear to have done very well there, with several broods of at least 4 well grown young.
Of course I couldn't keep away from Harrington Airfield and late this afternoon I took the dogs for a long walk, covering as much of the area as I could. It was quite breezy and the sky grey and threatening, but this didn't deter the two "cream crown" Marsh Harriers who again frequented the area between the pond and the Brampton Valley way. I first saw them at 17.30hrs and watched them from the footpath which leads from Draughton Village and runs parallel with the main track and eventually joins the main track.   There was a Redstart in the field hedge near the pond, and at least 2 young Little Grebe on the pond.

Regards   Eleanor

Birds of the West Country

Hello

With Eleanor firmly ensconced in Northants, Neil H and I drove west, initially to the Symonds Yat viewpoint in Gloucestershire.  Here we were treated to seven species of raptor in less than three hours scanning.  Best of the bunch was an adult Honey Buzzard with an adult female Goshawk a close second!  Other raptors included Red Kite, Peregrine and Hobby.  Plenty of Ravens here too and small numbers of Crossbills were moving around all the time we were there.

We then drove further west in to Wales, eventually arriving at Marloes on the Pembrokeshire coast.  Patient waiting at Marloes Mere finally provided views of the long-staying Glossy Ibis plus 4 Green Sandpipers and a couple of juvenile Peregrines.

All being well, we hope to cross to Skokholm tomorrow and commit to some ringing and birding on an island which is new for the both of us.

Regards

Neil M

 

Honey Buzzard with

Common Buzzard

 

Honey Buzzard by

Neil Hasdell

 

 

 

Holly Blue

 

 

 

Glossy Ibis

This afternoon found me wandering around Blueberry area and as I sat on one of the seats at the top of the big field admiring one of the best views in Northamptonshire an Osprey, Hobby and Barn Owl flew through my field of view and I could hear a Grasshopper Warbler close by.

I walked the dogs late this evening in the area between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke. Against the backdrop of a stunning red sky and the combine harvesters working the fields I heard another Grasshopper Warbler and saw at least 4 Whinchats.

As I came back to the village I could hear the family of Little Owls hissing and generally making lots of noises. So I couldn't resist walking over to them and playing "peek a boo" as they looked out from behind the tree branches, they are just so comical.

Regards Eleanor

And then there were two !!!

What a better way to start Sunday morning than with a wander at Harrington Airfield with my 3 collie dogs in tow ! There were plenty of common birds to look at, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Reed Buntings, Whitethroats and Hirundines to name but a few. 

At 08.30hrs a "cream crown Marsh Harrier" flew over the track in front of me and disappeared from view. Then a Hobby came hurtling through the hirundines and disappeared in the same direction.

Two Whinchat were perched on some dead looking weed stems by the side of the track and a Redstart and Turtle Dove in the bushes at the end of the main track.

I decided to walk down to the pond and as I did so an adult Grey Partridge with 4 well grown young broke cover.  I noticed a raptor quartering the wheat and it was "the" Marsh Harrier, but as I watched I was aware that it had been joined by another raptor........another cream crown Marsh Harrier.!!  This was at 09.00. I watched them for about 10 mins and they were clearly enjoying the sun and breeze as they interacted with one another , before heading off across the fields towards the Brampton Valley Way. 

Regards Eleanor

Blueberry p.m.

Hello

This afternoon a walk around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell was pleasant but generally quiet.  This warm weather is probably assisting passerine migrants to move through the country without the need to necessarily refuel, hence why many of the autumnal movements of warblers, chats etc has been very light so far.

A single Grey Partridge and an adult Osprey which flew towards Haselbech at 6.30pm were the only birds of note seen.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Osprey
Blueberry Farm



Harrington a.m.

Hello

A walk around the Harrington Airfield complex this morning was relatively quiet, albeit that there were reasonable numbers of Whitethroats and Willow Warblers present.  A single Crossbill flew SW at 8.40am and presumably a different bird did likewise at 10.15am.  Two Turtle Doves were present, one on wires by the chippings compound and another at the very end of the concrete track.

A single Red Kite flew over Hanging Houghton early this afternoon.

Regards

E & N

Evening at Pitsford

Hello

A Red Kite was sauntering over Lamport Hall this evening and birds north of the causeway at Pitsford Res later on included an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Hobby, 2 Little Egrets and a Common Sandpiper.

Regards

Neil M

Neighbourhood Birding

Hello

A breezy but pleasant morning provided 3 Whinchats at the southern end of the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell plus two Hobbies (one of which appeared to be carrying a Swift).  Not too far away, there were two Grey Wagtails at Brixworth Sewer Works.

At about 11am this morning a Turnstone was flying around Pitsford Res in the vicinity of the yacht club, and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was present.

Regards

Neil M

Warm weather birds

This morning there were 2 Whinchats and a Grasshopper Warbler in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Barn Owl and a Hobby at Blueberry Farm.

At Harrington Airfield this afternoon a juvenile Marsh Harrier was present at 4.30pm - other birds included a Redstart, 2 Whinchats, a Hobby and a Turtle Dove.

At Pitsford Res this morning, Dave Francis completed another CES ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay, catching some 57 birds.  Typical birds included 8 Reed Warblers, 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Garden Warblers and 2 Whitethroats.  A very untypical catch in a mist net was a juvenile Grey Heron, and thankfully both bird and Dave remain unscathed!

This afternoon birds of note visible from the causeway at Pitsford were restricted to at least one Yellow-legged Gull and a female Pochard wearing a bill shield.

Regards

E & N

NN6 Birding

Hello

Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a Hobby and 2 Crossbills flying over in a northerly-westerly direction.

Scanning from the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning provided views of an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Little Egret, a Kingfisher and a Wigeon.  A very late brood of Great Tits was discovered in a nest box by The Lodge.  Six Yellow-legged Gulls were in the gull roost off the dam this evening.

Birds near to Hanging Houghton this afternoon included the Little Owl family still plus an adult Grey Partridge with two young.

Blueberry Farm produced a Hobby, a Red Kite, a Barn Owl, a Grasshopper Warbler and at least four Whinchats.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Blueberry

Hello

A beautiful evening at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell with still conditions and golden autumnal sunshine was reward enough, but two hunting Barn Owls, a Grasshopper Warbler and a small 'fall' of Willow Warblers made it rather special this evening.

A few images below from the last few days locally...

Regards

Neil M




RAF Hercules over
Harrington Airfield

Redshank with yellow/orange
legs Pitsford Res causeway







Female Pochard at
Pitsford Res with bill
'shield'

Juvenile Lapwing
Pitsford Res

Hobby
Draughton

Ringing at Pitsford

Hello

Dave Francis completed a ringing session this morning at Pitsford Res, utilising the area around the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station.  He had a productive time with 65 birds caught which included 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler, 15 juvenile Tree Sparrows, 11 Chaffinches, 4 Greenfinches and 3 Goldfinches.

Two Little Egrets and a Green Sandpiper were north of the causeway at Pitsford this afternoon, and this morning there were two Crossbills around the garden centre by the A428 entrance of Harlestone Heath.

Regards

E & N

Red Sky at night...

Hello

This evening there was an amazing red/orange sky to the west which hopefully means that tomorrow will be a day of stunning weather after today's deluge.

The star bird today was a juvenile Marsh Harrier at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell at 5.15pm.  It was rigorously escorted out of the area by a pair of Hobby and left towards Haselbech.  A Red Kite also put in an appearance.

Regards

Eleanor

Ringing at Stortons GP

Hello

Ringing sessions at Stortons Gravel Pits this year have been consistently good for both numbers and variety of birds in this aquatic and marginal habitat.  This morning the ringers on-site managed to catch 107 birds prior to the late morning downpour which halted proceedings.  Perhaps one of the more interesting birds was a Sedge Warbler bearing a French ring -  hopefully we will receive news soon of its recorded movements (although there is frequently a delay in obtaining the information from foreign databases).

Subtle but positive habitat changes at Stortons GP over the years now ensure there is plenty of phragmites reed growing both in banks and scattered about, and scrub is regenerating around the edges.  Certainly there is now a very healthy Reed Warbler population both breeding and moving through these old gravel pits, with smaller numbers of Sedge Warbler and several pairs of Cetti's Warblers present too.  This small reed-bed habitat mirrors similar large projects around the country, providing stepping stones for avian wildlife.

Regards

Neil M                                                                                                                                                  

Pitsford

Hello

Birds north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning included a Yellow-legged Gull, 1-2 Little Egret, a Kingfisher and a family party of Spotted Flycatcher.  The Bar-headed Goose was just to the south of the causeway by the main car park. 

Two female Pochard sporting green bill shields which are a result of being trapped, ringed and marked abroad were also north of the causeway.  A previously-marked female had been seen in France and Spain as well as Pitsford and other sites in the UK.  These shields are fixed to provide an opportunity for such birds to be recognised and reported whilst on their travels.

Regards

Neil M

Rustic birding in the sunshine

Hello

A walk around the dam area at Pitsford Res this morning didn't provide much in the way of different birds.  An adult Yellow-legged Gull was still present and there was at least one Spotted Flycatcher by the entrance to the car park reached from Pitsford village.  Swifts remain in evidence, this species presumably also breeding later than in most years (often the majority of the birds have departed by the end of July).

A Redstart was present in a hedge between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, close to the southern outskirts of the Blueberry Farm complex.  Other birds within the associated loose flock included many Whitethroats and Spotted Flycatcher.  We couldn't see the Whinchat from yesterday evening.

Regards

Eleanor & Neil

Whinchat

Hi

This evening was spent wandering the fields and tracks between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton in pleasant conditions.  A moulting adult Whinchat was the pick of the birds, spending its time in a wheat field adjacent to the most southerly field of the Blueberry Farm complex (and track that leads from Beck Dairy at Cottesbrooke to Hanging Houghton).  A distant Red Kite and the way it was behaving adds to the speculation that a pair may be breeding nearby this year.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Bird Free Zone!

Hello

Well it's been hard graft finding any birds of note locally the last couple of days!

On Wednesday 31st July there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull off the dam at Pitsford Res and a Red Kite was noted at Sedgebrook Hall.  A lengthy walk around Harlestone Heath in the evening failed to locate any birds of note.

Yesterday (1st August) there was a Grey Wagtail in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Little Egret was noted in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res.

This morning (2nd August) and a walk around Harrington Airfield produced little more than the usual birds which included a pair of Grey Partridge.  An early afternoon scan from the causeway at Pitsford Res was enough to locate a Redshank and 2 Little Egrets.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Birding pm

Hello

The pleasant weather of this afternoon incited a few raptors over the garden, the best being a couple of Hobbies.  A couple of Nuthatches were the only other birds of note in the village.

A quick walk around Welford Res this evening was pleasant but quiet, although there was a family party of Spotted Flycatchers nearby.

Scanning from the dam at Pitsford Res this evening provided views of 4 Yellow-legged Gulls and 3 Common Sandpipers.

Regards

Neil M

Great Crested Grebe
Pitsford Res

Peering through the heat haze

Hello

A visit to the Summer Leys reserve at Earls Barton GP this morning provided views of a Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Snipe and a Little Egret.

A scan from the Old Scaldwell Road at Pitsford Res early afternoon was difficult with a strong heat haze. Birds noted included an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Goldeneye and a Common Sandpiper.

Regards

Neil M

Summer in to Autumn

Hello

This morning an Osprey appeared again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and one or two Hobby were about too.

This afternoon a visit to the west end of the Nene Barrage/Clifford Hill GP provided good views of the Great White Egret (present for its third day), and was still present at 5pm.  Other birds included a Little Egret, a Wigeon and 2 Common Sandpipers.

This evening a Hobby and 2 Grey Partridges were noted at Harrington Airfield.  An evening visit to Hollowell Res provided little that was new due to an increase in the water level.  Birds seen included a Kingfisher, a Wigeon, a Snipe and a Common Sandpiper and now four broods of Tufted Ducks. Ravensthorpe Res attracted a Kingfisher and the Mandarin Duck was still present.  A single brood of Tufted Duck was present here too.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Adult and juvenile
Great Crested Grebe
Ravensthorpe Reservoir

Visible migration

Hello

Although autumn migration has been going on for some weeks now, today was noteworthy inasmuch that quite a few species were visually easy to see on migration.  Gulls were drifting south over the county all day, in the main Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed, with smaller numbers of other species.  Other birds on the move today included Swift, hirundines with Sand Martins in particular, and small numbers of wagtails.  At Pitsford Res this morning, birds south of the causeway included the Bar-headed Goose, a Little Egret and a Dunlin.  The first returning adult Great Black-backed Gull was by the dam this evening, and there were two Grey Wagtails at Hanging Houghton.

Many adult birds, particularly the larger birds, will now be in the process or just starting to moult their flight feathers.  Many of the gulls overhead are clearly moulting primaries and secondaries, the stark gaps in the trailing edges of the wings often denote this.  This process often leaves ducks and geese temporarily flightless as they often tend to drop their major flight feathers all in one go. However, most birds sequentially moult these larger feathers so that they can continue flying and even migrate whilst undergoing the process, and frequently both wings mirror each other to stay on an even keel! Just a few birds actually undergo primary and secondary wing moult whilst still feeding young (Sparrowhawk is probably the best local example).  Many juvenile birds at this time of the year undergo a body moult, where they begin to replace their first 'nest' feathers with more substantial attire.  In the main though, most juveniles will retain their flight feathers.  It is these processes that sometimes helps us to age the birds we are looking at.

Regards

Eleanor & Neil

Lesser Black-backed Gull
Pitsford Reservoir

If I hide behind this board
at Pitsford you won't be able
to see me!

Greylag Goose in flight
Pitsford Reservoir

Garden butterflies

Hello

Sometimes there is no need to go any further than the garden for a stunning splash of summer colour...!

Neil M

Small Tortoiseshell butterfly

Peacock butterfly

Comma butterfly

Birds before the rain...

Hello

A walk around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell this morning provided views of Barn Owl and Hobby, and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing from an oil seed rape field between Brixworth and Hanging Houghton.

A ringing session at Stortons GP this morning was busy with 95 birds caught and processed, 79 of which were new birds.  Highlights were 4 juvenile Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 36 Reed Warblers, Linnet and 4 Reed Buntings.

A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning was much quieter with only about 40 birds being caught.  However it did include three juvenile Kingfishers and a few each of Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.  Two Mallard, a Coal Tit and a Marsh Tit added a bit of variety.

A Hobby was seen and two parties of Crossbills flew south-west over the reservoir during the morning, the first flock was only heard and probably numbered 4-5 birds and the second flock contained at least 5 birds.

A walk around Harrington Airfield this afternoon before the change in the weather failed to locate anything specifically of interest.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Pitsford gull roost

Male Brimstone butterfly

Hello

A visit to Pitsford Res this evening confirmed the presence of a very small gull roost off the yacht club containing five species. This included three Yellow-legged Gulls and three summering Great Black-backed Gulls.  There were six Common Sandpipers flying around and two Green Sandpipers were heard calling but not seen as they flew over.  A Bar-headed Goose with the Canadas is probably the same individual that has been an occasional visitor for a few years now.

A Hobby was the only bird of note at Harrington Airfield this evening.

Regards

E & N

Juvenile Whitethroat

Bar-headed Goose

Frustrating observations!

Hello

Some computer problems are affecting our ability to post blogs currently but hopefully we will fix this soon.

Yesterday (Wednesday) and a Barn Owl was hunting at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell in the morning.

A visit to Harrington Airfield in the afternoon was eventful with a Red Fox vixen out in the open with her two well-grown cubs.  And I didn't have my camera!  A further frustration was witnessing an unidentified and interesting dark raptor moving north over the airfield.  Another one to add to the list of ones that got away!

This evening, and there were one or two Barn Owl(s) again hunting at Blueberry Farm.

Regards

Eleanor

Summer Leys N.R.

Hello

A short scanning session from the The Pioneer Hide at the Summer Leys Nature Reserve (Earls Barton) this evening provided views of 5 Little Ringed Plovers (2 adults), 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, a juvenile Shelduck and five broods of Tufted Duck with one brood of 14 ducklings!

Regards

E & N

Humid Highs

Hello

This morning a family of Spotted Flycatchers was visible at Lamport Hall, and Harrington Airfield provided views of a pair of Grey Partridge with three young, a Hobby and a Red Kite.

Hollowell Res this afternoon hosted 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Wigeon, 20 Common Terns, three broods of Tufted Duck and a Grasshopper Warbler.  Dragonflies included Emperor, Brown Hawker, Black-tailed Skimmer and both Ruddy and Common Darter.  An eclipse drake Mandarin Duck was again at Ravensthorpe Res and a Hobby was successfully hunting dragonflies around the causeway.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Sultry birds

Hello

Yesterday evening (Sunday) provided a Kingfisher at Welford Res and a Little Egret at adjacent Sulby Res, with families of Great Crested Grebes on both waters.

A walk around Harlestone Heath this morning (Monday) produced small numbers of very mobile Crossbills.  They were only ever seen in flight and there may have been just up to half-a-dozen birds involved.  A family of Spotted Flycatchers were also present near the A428 entrance.

A Hobby and the family of Little Owls were again present on the outskirts of Hanging Houghton this evening and four Crossbills flew south west over the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res at 8.10pm.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil