Spotshank and Owls !

After the excitement of the morning I was expecting a quiet afternoon as a friend and I took our dogs to Sywell Reservoir.  For the size of the water there were plenty of common waterfowl including 2 stunning drake Goldeneye.  But the best bird was a Spotted Redshank which flew round and round giving good views and it was calling continually as it looked for somewhere to land before flying off over the dam. 

In the carpark area were Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Nuthatch, Tawny Owl and a few Siskins.

I spent early evening [6pm] at the southern end of Blueberry Farm area. There were quite a few Redwings and Jays on the move. 
The light went very quickly and I had given up any hope of seeing anything else when I realised that one of the dogs was gazing intently at something.  I followed his gaze and saw a Short-eared Owl hunting very low a few metres in front of me[ 18.40hrs]. Not a good view as poor light.

As I turned the car round to drive home I picked out a Barn Owl in the headlights and then when I was nearly back to the village , again through the headlights I saw another Barn Owl perched on a bench.

Regards Eleanor

Gannet at Pitsford Reservoir !!

Morning
Just thought I'd pop to Pitsford to look for any lingering Kittiwakes but all seemed quiet as I scanned round, so I moved onto my next task........walking the dogs !.  
I walked around the country park and inbetween  playing ball with the dogs I scanned the reservoir.  I had such a shock when I saw an immature Gannet cruising low over the water.
Games were abandoned as I watched in awe as the bird slowly circled around the Pintail Bay and headed off towards the causeway before reappearing and proceeded to dive into the water in front of me. 
It was with shaking hands that I tried to contact folk but getting the news out was also hampered by the fact I've got a new phone which I cannot use and I haven't managed to put any contact numbers in yet, sorry.
When I left at 10.30 it was sitting on the water between the Pintail Bay and gorse bushes.

Regards   Eleanor

Kittiwakes!

Hello

A day of heavy rain and strong northerly winds made it a difficult day for birding away from immediate cover.

In the swirling wet weather this morning a flock of about sixty Fieldfares were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, the first ones we have noted this autumn.

This afternoon  a flock of 15 Kittiwakes were near the dam at Pitsford Res. One of these birds quickly flew off leaving the 14 birds with other gulls on the water. At about 5pm more birds arrived and the total went up to 17, followed by a succession of others. The most I was able to count at any one time was 20 birds, but with the difficult weather conditions and the commencement of the gull roost, it is likely there were more birds than this. When I left at about 5.55pm there were still at least 10 birds present. Examples of all three age groups were represented within this inland gathering.

Regards

Neil M

County Bird Ringing

Hello

A busy ringing session at Stortons GP this morning provided an opportunity of examining and ringing 97 new birds and processing 27 birds ringed there before. The highlights for the team led by John Woollett was probably two Jays, a Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, 37 Greenfinches, 12 Goldfinches, 9 Chaffinches, 6 Long-tailed Tits and 6 Reed Buntings.

Also today a period of ringing took place at Pitsford Reservoir, working at two sub-sites in the Scaldwell Bay and at the main feeding station. The feed station provided sixty birds, the main birds of interest being 27 Tree Sparrows (19 new), 3 Reed Buntings and singles of Pied Wagtail, Blackcap, Meadow Pipit and Goldcrest. The Scaldwell Bay produced sixty-five birds but with rather a high proportion of re-traps as opposed to new birds. The highlights were a new Kingfisher, two previously ringed Willow Tits, 3 Goldcrests, a new Chiffchaff, a total of 17 Long-tailed Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Treecreeper and a Yellowhammer.

A third Willow Tit was present near the nets but remained un-trapped and other birds noted included 2-3 fly-over Grey Wagtails and a Green Sandpiper.

Eleanor visited the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton on a couple of occasions, straying up to the Blueberry Farm complex. Two Short-eared Owls were present today, spending most of their time in the southern-most field. A pair of Stonechat were present in the same field. A juvenile Ring Ouzel was seen in hedging at lunch-time and other birds included a pair of Grey Partridge and ten fly-over Golden Plovers.

Regards

Neil M

Jays at Stortons GP
Courtesy of Chris Payne

Saturday pm

Hello

Preparatory work for the winter wild bird feed stations on the Kelmarsh Estate continued today, although I was caught out in one particularly heavy shower!

It seems that small numbers of Chiffchaffs are still dotted about in our hedges and copses, and frequently mixed in with tit flocks. No other noteworthy birds were seen on the estate and I spent the last hour of daylight in to dusk at Blueberry Farm which provided views of a Barn Owl, a different pair of Stonechat to that seen this morning (two pairs on-site today) and hearing vocal Tawny and Little Owls.

Eleanor saw a different hunting Barn Owl in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening and earlier in the afternoon paid a visit to Harrington Airfield which produced 3 Grey Partridges, c200 Golden Plovers, the regular Little Owl and a Wheatear.

Regards

Neil M

Pitsford a.m.

Hello

A visit to Brixworth Sewer Works this morning confirmed the continued presence of at least one Grey Wagtail.

At Pitsford Res a Green Sandpiper was in the vicinity of Yacht Bay in the morning mist. In clearer conditions north of the causeway, at least two Great White Egrets were present with two singles on view at the same time in both the Scaldwell and Walgrave Bays. Six or more Little Egrets were present and the Scaldwell Bay retained 18 Red-crested Pochard (two leucistic birds) and 15 Pintail.
Passerines included a Grey Wagtail and several Chiffchaffs.

Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) hosted a pair of Stonechat and 2-3 Bramblings this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Sunny Northants!

Hello

A little county birding commenced with a visit to Harrington Airfield this morning. Light visible migration mostly amounting to Linnet and Meadow Pipit flocks heading south. Reed Bunting, Dunnock and Yellowhammer were probably the most obvious passerines on the scrubby areas, other passerine migrants included small numbers of Blackbirds plus singles of Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Golden Plovers amounted to little more than twenty birds present and five Red Kites were late risers.

At Pitsford Res this afternoon the two Great White Egrets and about six Little Egrets were visible north of the causeway and there were thirteen Red-crested Pochard, two Black Swans and at least two Willow Tits in the Scaldwell Bay. The GWEs were visible from the Bird Club Hide - the viewing from this hide, and to a certain extent the habitat has now been completely transformed with the removal of very large Crack Willow trees.

This afternoon a wander around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell yielded three Stonechats and a Short-eared Owl.

Regards

Neil M

Fair Isle Day 10 (Thursday)

Hello

A short period of ringing and birding this morning and then we left Fair Isle for the long journey home to sunny Northants!

Not surprisingly the trap round results were made up of incoming Robins and thrushes plus a Brambling or two. Birding opportunities were minimal but before we made our way to the airstrip, an Olive-backed Pipit showed itself near to the Bird Observatory, finally giving itself up to us and others departing the island at literally the eleventh hour!

The Siberian Rubythroat, which had been present at Levenwick on the Shetland mainland for about a week, seemingly left overnight during clear conditions and disappointed many birders up here who had travelled especially to see it.

Regards

Neil M

Fair Isle Day 9

Hello

This morning on Fair Isle started with the morning trap round which amongst other things succeeded in catching a splendid female Sparrowhawk.

In excellent weather conditions today, the island was absolutely dripping in birds. Species of the day was again the Song Thrush, the daily census coming up with a figure of about 1,900 individuals - not bad for a three mile by one and half mile island! Over 800 Redwings, over a hundred Blackbirds and increases in many other species meant it was difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff. Patches of feathers indicated that the island raptors were preying on the Song Thrushes amongst others and a few casualties included yesterday's Barn Owl picked up dead. The rigours of migration are simply too much for some individuals.

On our walk up towards the North Lighthouse from the observatory we counted between 17 and 20 Ring Ouzels including nine together. Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Rock Pipits and Snipe were seemingly everywhere as we worked the cliffs and geos. Small numbers of wagtails, Robins, Wheatears and common warblers added variety. Four Snow Buntings and a Lapland Bunting were by North Light and a splendid drake Long-tailed Duck was a nice find. With small flocks of thrushes flying up in front of us wherever we walked, we ascended Ward Hill and found a Dotterel waiting for us.  More thrushes, a Hen Harrier, the usual Peregrine and a couple of  Merlins hurtled around us, and we flushed several Jack Snipe and a couple of Woodcock.

A quick look round for an earlier reported Olive-backed Pipit failed to locate the bird, but we were rewarded with a confiding Little Bunting.

We then began to work the south of the island, every field alive with common thrushes and many with flocks of geese which apparently included some Bean Geese, but we failed to connect with these. A Great Grey Shrike was seen by a few observers as it roamed the island and two Dotterel flew over us heading north. The pleasant conditions meant that birds like Stonechat, Whinchat, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, lots of Blackcaps, a Yellow-browed Warbler and a North-West-type Redpoll gave themselves up readily. Finches included still plenty of Bramblings and Twite and with more Siskin today. A Common Buzzard and a Jackdaw were seen - these are barely annual visitors to Fair Isle - and a rarity in the shape of a Blue Tit was seen briefly by a couple of observers! Although skilfully avoided by us, quite a number of Short-eared Owls were located today.

The South Harbour area provided views of Purple Sandpiper and other waders plus plenty of Wheatears and a couple of White Wagtails. A Tree/Olive-backed Pipit flew over us calling as we began the slow dawdle back to the observatory and supper!

Regards

Neil M

Ring Ouzels

Song Thrush - the most
conspicuous migrant on
Fair Isle currently.

Drake Long-tailed Duck

Little Bunting

Fair Isle Days 7 & 8 (Monday and Tuesday)

Hello

The Northern Isles are renown for being windswept but the last two days have seen the Shetlands well and truly battered with very high winds and heavy rain. This has made birding very difficult, but interestingly much of this weather is generally coming from the east. This means that it should be bringing birds with it!

Yesterday (Monday) and the gales in the morning were without rain and mostly from the south-east. Early afternoon saw the direction change more to the east and the rain arrived. Storm-force winds and heavy rain continued over-night and this morning. The first band of rain petered out at lunch-time today and with the winds veering to the north-east and becoming slightly less strong, there is a sense of expectancy tomorrow (Wednesday) about what we may find on the island.

Yesterday was interesting as a fall of thrushes from early morning continued right through the day with more birds arriving all the time. By dusk there were well in excess of five hundred Song Thrushes on the island, supported by over three hundred Redwing and the first major fall of Robins of the autumn. Goldcrests fell from the skies like wind-driven leaves, one even landing on my head! We disturbed a Water Rail sheltering behind a building half way up Ward Hill and many of the thrushes were taking refuge behind any structure of significance including disused buildings, walls etc. With the heavy pulses of rain we frequently joined them! The raptors on the island picked off birds at their leisure.

Other birds present included at least five Snow Buntings, three Whooper Swans, hundreds of wild geese of the Pink-footed, Greylag and Barnacle variety and a strong influx of Common Gulls. Other birders located a couple of Little Buntings and a rather late Dotterel. We notched up several Jack Snipe and a Ring Ouzel and a drake Scaup was sheltering in the Havens. The boot room at the obs contained many pairs of soaking walking boots and dripping coats, thus creating an interesting aroma!

Today (Tuesday) and the morning was quite frankly unbirdable! A few stalwarts strayed out for a few brief excursions and reported an arrival of Woodpigeons plus a Purple Sandpiper in the sheep-pens! During the afternoon we scooted around the south-end of the island and encountered a very obliging Little Bunting near to South Harbour. Snipe and Jack Snipe were everywhere and a couple of Woodcock too. The thrush numbers had multiplied again, the Song Thrush being the most numerous. Up to five Ring Ouzels were present. Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Brambling, Siskin, Twite and Skylark flew around in mixed flocks and tired Meadow Pipits littered the fields. An Olive-backed Pipit was seen briefly by the warden before it was blown away along the cliffs. The geese remained and plenty of ducks were visible around the island. Waders were in all sorts of strange places trying to shelter from the gales and three Purple Sandpipers showed well. The rarest bird for Fair Isle was a Barn Owl flushed from a road-side ditch, last seen perched on the cliffs (only about the sixth ever record and the first since 1958)!

Regards

Neil M

The ever-present Fulmar

Fungi

Hello

On 19th September we posted a picture of a fungi that had been located near to Pitsford Reservoir by Diane Freeman. With the help of local naturalists Jeff Blincow and Lynne Barnett, this fungi has now been identified as a rare red data species 'Hericium corolloides'. A picture of this is reproduced below.

In addition, Robin Gossage has recently photographed an allied species 'Hericium cirrhatum', another rare coral fungi (please see below). The damp autumn conditions is traditionally a good time of the year for the fungi specialists do go foraging...

Regards

Neil M

Hericium corolloides

Hericium cirrhatum
Courtesy of Robin Gossage

Swallow on migration

Hello

We have just received some information with regard to a Swallow ringed by the Northants Ringing Group at Brixworth on 27th May 2014. This bird was re-caught by a ringer at a place called Dinnyes, Fejero in Hungary on 13th September 2014! When originally mist-netted locally this bird was aged and sexed as an adult male and it is likely that it was destined to be a breeding bird somewhere in the UK and possibly in the county.

In September it would be a reasonable assertion to think that this bird was very much on migration en-route to Africa. Swallows migrate the full length of the African continent from European breeding quarters but it is generally assumed that 'our' Swallows move through France and Iberia and through the Western Mediterranean area. This bird appears to be attempting to try a crossing further east, perhaps out over the Med via Greece or even potentially going all the way around via Israel and down the Red Sea route.

How many kilometers this bird has clocked up as it has winged it's way south is anyone's guess but it had traveled 1510 km in an east south-east direction to be in Hungary 109 days later. Even on migration, Swallows will attempt to feed on the wing, and the distances these birds travel on a 'normal' day is quite staggering.

Regards

Neil M

Swallow

Stortons ringing

Hello

John Woollett and team managed another ringing session at Stortons GP on Sunday where they successfully caught 98 birds. Twenty of these birds were re-traps from previous efforts on-site.

Birds caught included three Cetti's Warblers (one new bird), a late Reed Warbler which weighed in at a healthy weight of 13.7g, two Blackcaps and good numbers of Reed Buntings, Chaffinches, Greenfinches and Goldfinches.

Regards

Neil M

Fair Isle Day 6 (Sunday)

Hello

This blog refers to our adventures on Fair Isle on Sunday...

The morning trap round produced a few birds for ringing which included Goldcrest, Song Thrush and Brambling. After breakfast we decided to venture up to the north of the island, with a freshening southerly wind-stream on our backs. We quickly notched up the island's Merlins and Peregrines as we marched over the moorland and dodged the menacing Bonxies as they swooped down towards us.

A good look around indicated that the White's Thrush from the previous day had probably gone and we flushed up several Jack Snipe and many Snipe as we checked various depressions and damp patches. A bright and bouncy Yellow-browed Warbler flitting around on the peat and heather was a treat, this little warbler seemingly coping with the lack of foliage. A Ring Ouzel was next and a climb up to Ward Hill produced plenty of Song Thrushes and Redwings and other common migrants. An inspection of the old buildings by the Mast led to the discovery of a Black Redstart.

We then zig-zagged down the hill, locating plenty of Golden Plover, pipits and Wheatears as we did so.

After a splendid Fair Isle Sunday dinner, we yomped up to Pund and managed just brief views of the long-staying Bluethroat. The Hen Harrier argued with a Peregrine over the centre of the island and Lapland Buntings called from nearby wet bogs. A couple of flocks of Whooper Swans patrolled over-head and Pink-footed Geese and Greylags ensured there was plenty of noise too!

The south end of the island hosted plenty of waders but despite our best efforts we couldn't find anything unusual in the ever-increasing windy conditions and arrived back at the obs just before dusk at 7pm, just in time for Fair Isle High Tea. I could easily become used to this!

Regards

Neil M

Meadow Pipit

Starling

Pink-footed Geese

Reflections...

Hello

Some reflective images of waders from Robin Gossage...

Regards

Neil M

Ruff - a species that varies in
size, bare parts colouration
and plumage!

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper

Sunny Sunday morning

After yesterday's wet weather this morning was a very pleasant, if rather chilly, surprise.  I decided to make the most of it with a rather 'iffy' forecast for the rest of the week and headed up to Harrington Airfield for the first part of my outing. Harrington was unspectacular with a Stonechat near the second bunker being the highlight.  A number of Golden Plover were vocal in the autumn sunshine, various flocks numbering ~80 birds in total. Assorted finches and buntings were present in good numbers without anything unusual being noted.
The second part of the morning was spent in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir. The first bird observed was the Great-white Egret in flight between the Walgrave and Scaldwell Bays where it landed beside the Willows Hide. 5 of its smaller Little Egret cousins were dotted about the reserve.  I bumped into Dave Francis who said there was a Stonechat between the feed station and the Bird Club Hide, unfortunately I couldn't relocate it. 
A Green Sandpiper was on the mud next to the Bird Club hide and 10 Pintail were to the left of it just off the bund with a further 2 in front of the Willows Hide. 16 Red-crested Pochard were present, 9 of which were drakes including the leucistic bird. A pair of Black Swans were sailing serenely close to the Bird Club Hide.
The glorious weather had obviously not gone unnoticed by the raptors, 16 Buzzards were up at one point, 9 in the same thermal along with a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk.

          Regards,

                            Neil H.

Fair Isle Day 5

Hello

Still suffering from a very poor Internet connection up here on Fair Isle but here goes!

Today was mostly a day of rain but thankfully the strong winds of the last few days had stilled and there was barely a breath of breeze. These are quite rare conditions for up here so it was worth becoming somewhat waterlogged in order to find passerines.

However it was the geese that provided most of the avian spectacle (and sound) in the morning with over a thousand Pink-footed Geese arriving from the north and landing on various parts of the island, and other skeins passing down the sides of the island or circling over-head. Small numbers of Greylags and Barnacles added some variety and there was an increase in ducks too with mobile Wigeon, Teal and Red-breasted Merganser in good numbers.

We located a very wet Richard's-type Pipit that was so fed up at becoming wet in the grass it took to walking along the edge of roads and tracks! Other repeats included the male Bluethroat again, two smart and performing Yellow-browed Warblers, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting and plenty of Twite and Brambling. Two Merlins hunted the isle as did the male 'ringtail' Hen Harrier and the Bonxies continued to harry just about anything that passed over including the geese-flocks which looked impressive! Other birds included Arctic Tern, Red-throated Diver, Jack Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Whinchat, Wheatear, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

However bird of the day was a White's Thrush which was found in the afternoon at the north-end of the island during the daily bird census. This is a bird we have not managed to see anywhere in the world and it looked pretty much how I always expected to see one, sheltering under a peat and heather overhang on the north aspect of Ward Hill at a location known as West Lother. This big bird, the same size as a Mistle Thrush, flinched each time a flying Bonxie came too close for comfort. A fitting end to a fairly challenging but stimulating day in the great British outdoors!

Regards

Neil M

Fair Isle Day 4

Hello

Apologies for the delay in posting this blog. With Fair Isle being a little far-flung, Internet and mobile 'phone connections are sometimes problematic!

Powerful southerly winds yesterday (Friday 3rd) with rain ensured it wasn't ideal bird-watching conditions first thing, but being on the coast there is never an excuse that you can't go sea-watching! So after finding a reasonably dry piece of cliff I scanned a wild and spectacular sea for 90 minutes. Hundreds of Gannets and Fulmars careered around in all directions and there was a light passage south of auks (mostly Razorbills) and Kittiwakes. Bonxies continued to harry anything in reasonable proximity, particularly the Gannets. Other south-bound items of interest included a Great Northern Diver, five Red-breasted Mergansers and two Harbour Porpoise.

A wander around Buness and the Havens added observations of Arctic Tern and Snow Bunting amongst more regular fare, and Eleanor added Hen Harrier and Jack Snipe to the day-list.

After a splendid lunch (the food here is amazing) and an improvement in the weather, it was a wander to the north and Eleanor and I inspected the geos and creases around the cliffs in an effort to find avian items of interest. Plenty of migrant Redwings, Song Thrushes, two more Snow Buntings, a couple of Goldcrests and a fine male Ring Ouzel were about the best. Plenty of Snipe flushed up from the moors and the local Hoodies were joined by a wandering Carrion Crow. Two Peregrines in conflict with each other were both males, an adult and a juvenile.

After checking Ward Hill and the mast area, we headed down-hill to a group of birders huddled in a field about a mile away. Their quarry was a large pipit, the second to be found on the island during the day. The powers that be decided it was a Richard's Pipit but the bird seemed remarkably small to me. This and the first bird were fresh-in and probably tired and perhaps the reason that neither were heard to call (one of the best identification features of these large pipits). They were both classed as small Richard's Pipits. Perhaps we will obtain better views today.

A flying redpoll sp was seen better by other observers who identified it a a North West (Common) Redpoll.

Some late ringing provided me with an opportunity of ringing and examining a Yellow-browed Warbler in front of a throng of visitors and then we processed a small flock of drop-dead gorgeous Bramblings. A great day on Fair Isle and then it was a superb island curry and a very good presentation on the wildlife of New Zealand.

Regards

Neil M

Bonxie or Great Skua

Snow Bunting

Fair Isle Day 3

A stormy aspect of
South Light Fair Isle.
Eleanor McMahon

Kittiwake

Gannets

Fulmar experiencing and coping
well with strong wind gusts!

Hello

An increasingly blustery day here on Fair Isle with winds expected to be at gale force tonight. However plenty of sunshine, particularly in the morning made for a couple of pleasant excursions.

It seemed there were very few fresh birds in, the best of the lingerers for us being the Bluethroat, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling, a Lapland Bunting and more routine fare. Some ringing in the morning provided opportunities of colour-ringing Starlings as part of a 30 year study on the island, plus general ringing of species including Meadow Pipit, Blackcap and Twite.

Huge numbers of Fulmars were stalling and hanging in strong winds off the cliffs all day, joined by smaller numbers of big gulls, Bonxies and Gannets. Raptors included Kestrel, Peregrine and a male 'ringtail' Hen Harrier. A Grey Phalarope was seen by just a single observer before it flew south-west in very stormy conditions.

Twite and Brambling were again in good numbers with just a couple each of Grey Wagtail, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer. An interesting bunting seen in flight and emitting the traditional 'rare bunting tic call' flew over early morning but wasn't re-located. Waders included Jack Snipe, Sanderling and Grey Plover.

With heavy rain forecast, we may become a little wet tomorrow!

Regards

Neil M

Bluethroat
Eleanor McMahon

Fair Isle Day 2

Hello

A damp start today and a cool wind this morning which then changed to a breezy but sunny afternoon. Wildfowl were on the move first thing as we notched up Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose. As they over-flew the island, some of the patrolling Bonxies pursued them and a Pink-foot was forced down to the ground, seemingly unharmed but most indignant! Yesterday's estimate of a hundred Bonxies on the island was well short of the true number which must be nearer three hundred and far more than I remember from my last visits.

A patient wait at the derelict croft of Pund paid off with views of the elusive Bluethroat. A Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting also revealed themselves and there was a further influx of thrushes with particularly large numbers of Song Thrushes flushing up from vegetation and cliff-faces. A couple of Ring Ouzels showed during the morning and the Twite flocks included reasonable numbers of Bramblings. Small numbers of Blackcaps showed themselves today but warblers were generally few in number. A possible Pechora Pipit and a locustella warbler sp were seen briefly by other birders.

The sea around Fair Isle is a jumble of hundreds and hundreds of Fulmars and Gannets, still here in very large numbers. Eider, Black Guillemot, Shag and small numbers of common waders are normally visible from any cliff-top scan.

The Meadow Pipit is probably the most common passerine on Fair Isle currently, but Rock Pipits are common too and of course there are Fair Isle Wrens to look out for too!

Regards

Neil M

Skylarks

Twite

Bonxie

Wheatear

Fulmar

Fair Isle Day 1

Hello

Well after waiting around all morning, Eleanor and I finally managed the short flight to Fair Isle at about 1pm today.

This gave us the opportunity to wander around some of the south end of the island in a strong southerly breeze and quite warm sunshine. New-in migrants included good numbers of Redwings and Bramblings, with small flocks of both species at a variety of different locations. I was surprised at how many Bonxies were still left with perhaps still a hundred birds still in residence.

A juvenile male Peregrine hunted passerines over Malcolm's Head and we recorded singles of Yellowhammer (scarce up here) and a Lapland Bunting. Birds moving in to the headwind included both Greylag and Pink-footed Geese. Remnant crop strips hosted good numbers of Skylarks and Twite and common waders included a Common Sandpiper. Summer migrants included plenty of Wheatear and Whinchat and a couple of Swallows.

Scarce birds keeping low on the island and not seen by us included Common Rosefinch, Bluethroat, Yellow-browed Warbler and a Rose-coloured Starling. With rarities on mainland Shetland and North Ronaldsay we await to see what will appear here over the next few days!

Regards

Neil M

Hooded Crow

Rock Pipit

Black Guillemot

Twite

Pitsford ringing

A ringing session was conducted around the feed station at the end of the old Scaldwell road yesterday evening and this morning. A fairly modest couple of sessions produced a total of 60 birds trapped and released, 38 of which were new birds including:
15 Tree Sparrows
6 Blackcap
6 Long-tailed Tits
2 Reed Buntings
2 Blue Tits
1 Goldfinch
1 Robin
1 Great Tit
1 Wren
1 Chiff Chaff
1 Blackbird

In addition to the ringed birds 2 Ruff were in attendance on the draw down as well as a solitary Snipe.

    Regards,

                 Neil H.

Lerwick

Hello

Today was all about travelling as we meandered north for a short stay on Fair Isle, the birding island between the Shetland and Orkney Isles. We failed at the last hurdle as our last and third flight of the day was cancelled due to low cloud and we'll try again tomorrow. Birding opportunities were minimal today and birds seen from the bus on mainland Shetland amounted to little more than Raven, Hooded Crow, Rock Dove and the Shetland race of Starling.

Staying unexpectedly overnight at Lerwick meant we were able to spend the last hour or so of daylight around the harbour area. In excess of 50 Black Guillemots were a treat, as were several tame Grey Seals including a couple of big bulls. Other birds included Rock Pipit, Shag, Eider, Kittiwake and Gannet.

Regards

Neil M

Black Guillemot or
the Shetland name 'Tystie'

Shetland inter-island
ferry

Grey Seal

All images Eleanor McMahon

Sunday ringing...

Hello

The Stortons Gravel Pits ringing team were out and busy this morning, catching an excellent 102 birds. Highlights included an adult male Water Rail, 22 Greenfinches, plenty of Goldfinches, 8 Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and 8 Reed Buntings.

At Harrington Airfield it was day two of ringing which provided a more modest catch of 42 birds in our efforts of trying to better understand population dynamics and migration. Six Blackbirds caught and ringed appeared to have just arrived and were probably of continental origin judging from their plumage and other traits. Other birds included a juvenile Song Thrush, 3 Blackcaps, 3 new Robins, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Reed Buntings, 4 Yellowhammers and 4 Meadow Pipits.

Other birds noted on the disused airfield included 6+ Golden Plovers, up to five Ravens, 3-4 Redwings, a couple of Yellow Wagtails and common raptors.

Regards

Neil M

Next Northants Bird Club Indoor Meeting

Hello

This is a reminder to members and an invite to non-members to attend the Northants Bird Club indoor meeting at the Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir on Wednesday 1st October. Our guest speaker will be Josh Hellon who will present on the Great Fen Project to the east of Northamptonshire. Please try and attend as soon after 7.30pm as possible with a view to the meeting starting at about 7.45pm. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening.

Regards

Neil M

Ringing in the county today

Hello

Chris Payne was ringing down at Greens Norton today and he caught and processed fifty birds which included 21 Goldfinches, 10 Greenfinches and a Chiffchaff.

At the same time ringers were working nets at Harrington Airfield in the vicinity of the old airstrip and caught 73 birds which included 4 Green Woodpeckers, a Linnet, 14 Goldfinches, 8 Reed Buntings, 3 Yellowhammers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests and 18 Meadow Pipits. Other birds noted included a Grey Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtails, c50 Golden Plovers and large numbers of Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits. Diurnal migrants on the move included south-bound Starlings, Skylarks, Swallows, Song Thrushes, Tree Sparrows and Jays (at least nine). There will be further ringing there tomorrow and access to the airstrip and bunkers will be restricted.

Birds in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this afternoon included the Stonechat still plus a vocal Willow Tit. A pair of Stonechat remain in the large field on the hill at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Regards

Neil M

Adult male
Green Woodpecker

Juvenile female
Green Woodpecker

Pitsford update...

Hello

This morning there were 13 Red-crested Pochard in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res including the leucistic bird (per Neil H). Also a Stonechat was present between the Maytrees and Bird Club hides.

Work on felling the big crack willows in the Scaldwell Bay has caused a significant amount of disturbance but the biggest trees are down now so hopefully observers will soon benefit from better viewing conditions from the hides.

A couple of Ravens and a Grey Wagtail were at Hanging Houghton this morning and another six Ravens were near Draughton Pool.

Regards

Neil M

Keep on scanning!

Hello

Early afternoon today found Eleanor standing on Blueberry Hill near Maidwell waiting for another fly-over of the Vulcan and scanning for raptors too! In addition to the Vulcan, seven species of raptor showed, the best being an adult male Merlin and an adult female Peregrine (both birds seemingly moving freely between Harrington Airfield and Blueberry Farm for some weeks now), and a Hobby.

This evening a visit to Pitsford Res in the dam area resulted in distant views of two Ruff and a Ringed Plover, a Grey Wagtail and three Yellow-legged Gulls in the gull roost.

Regards

Neil M

Fineshade Wood - another update from Barrie Galpin

Hello and Good News!

Last night the Development Control  Committee of East Northants Council unanimously REFUSED the planning application for Glamping pods at Top Lodge.  We have no doubt that their decision was influenced by the number and quality of objections that many of you submitted - a great team effort!  The applicant did not attend to speak at the meeting and it seems unlikely that there would be any grounds for appeal... though they could always resubmit.

So that simplifies things. For the moment we can concentrate wholly on the Forest Holidays application. If you haven't submitted an objection yet details are below. If you are objecting because of the damage to wildlife there will be major and detailed objections from RSPB and the Wildlife Trust and it will be good to say that you support their views and conclusions.  If you have already submitted an objection please can you get someone else to object too - before 8th October? Objections are already flowing in but we really need more objections to this new application than we had last time.

Thanks once again for your invaluable support - we can't do it without you.

Barrie 

15 Top Lodge, Fineshade, Corby. NN17 3BB

barrie.galpin@zen.co.uk

01780-444351

07717-446417

1)  How to object

The new reference number for the application is 14/01704/FUL and it can be found online at 

http://pawebsrv.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=NBMT4XGO0A000

Objections can be made online, or simply emailed to planning@east-northamptonshire.gov.uk. 

Or by letter to Planning comments, East Northamptonshire Council, Cedar Drive, Thrapston NN14 4LZ. 

All comments must include your name and address and the reference 14/01704/FUL. The consultation period ends on 8th October.

We suggest you also put very clearly at the top: Objection

2) Petition

Please also sign and share the petition "Forest Privatisation by the back door" . Over 600 signatures now.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/forest-privatisation-by-the-back-door

3) Achievements so far

a) The Glamping Application has been defeated!

b) With Woodland Trust help, we forced Forest Holidays to withdraw from their original plans to build in the bluebell area

c) Forest Holidays were forced to withdraw from their first planned mitigation area

d) National publicity is building up  e.g. articles in Private eye, social media (Twitter and Facebook), the petition

Harrington Airfield - restricted access at week-end

Hello

Birds in the garden here at Hanging Houghton this morning included a couple of Nuthatch still, two Grey Wagtails which have been commuting between this village and Lamport for several days now, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff. It seems that there are Chiffchaffs scattered about in most of our decent hedges and copses right now, their inflected calls ringing out wherever I go.

The Brampton Valley between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke this morning attracted a Wheatear and 15 Golden Plovers, in wetter conditions as of late. A single Grey Wagtail was noted at Brixworth Sewer Works and Harrington Airfield this afternoon hosted a 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier, a female Peregrine, two Ravens and 4 Grey Partridge.

A period of bird ringing is planned for Harrington Airfield for this coming week-end and as such access to the old airstrip and bunkers will be restricted on both Saturday and Sunday. The main concrete track and footpaths remain unaffected. Anyone who would like to see ringing operations on-site is asked to make contact beforehand and we will endeavor to show you the key aspects of catching and processing wild birds and explain what we hope to achieve.

Regards

Neil M