A few more from the Ardnamurchan...

 Hello

A few more images from the Naturetrek tour to the Ardnamurchan Peninsular, West Highlands which concluded at the week-end...

Regards

Neil M

Bottle-nosed Dolphin.

Kittiwake.

Juvenile Meadow Pipit sunbathing.

Red Deer.

Juvenile Robin.

Scotch Argus.

The wonderful Ardnamurchan Otters!

Wildlife of the Ardnamurchan

Hello

I have just returned from an eight day Naturetrek tour of the Ardnamurchan Peninsular in the West Highlands of Scotland. The weather was ridiculously warm and sunny but despite the Covid-19 restrictions the small group were successful in their quest to locate the wildlife highlights in this very special area. A few images from this trip are as follows...

Regards

Neil M

Common Porpoise.

Common Seals.

Dark Green Fritillary.

Goosanders.

Grayling.

Manx Shearwater.

Razorbill and chick.

Guillemot and chick.

Pine Marten.

Peacock.

Weekend Roundup

It has been a bit of a strange weekend weather wise. A mix of a small amount of sunshine, plenty of low cloud, drizzle, thunder, lightening and the much needed heavy rain.  Already our lawn looks so much healthier following the rain and the birds have returned in large numbers to feed in the garden.  It has been a full time job topping up the feeders especially the sunflower hearts, mealworms and suet balls. The birds don't even move out of the way but practically sit on my shoulder whilst I'm feeding them.  The increase in the number of birds has attracted a large female Sparrowhawk and I know that she has taken at least 3 birds during the weekend.

Yesterday I started my day with an early morning run and noted that the family of Spotted Flycatcher were still present at Beck Dairy Cottesbrooke.  Other birds included a Grey Wagtail, 2 Ravens and a covey of 6 Grey Partridge. They all appeared to be the same size so I'm not sure if they were adults, youngsters or a mixture. As I drove back into the village a Little Owl was sitting on a fence post.  

Late morning found me at Harrington Airfield.  I have given up actively looking for any Common Redstarts and have adopted the approach of "letting them find me", which so far seems to be working. As I walked slowly through the bushes a super male Common Redstart flew up into the bush in front of me and another bird started calling incessantly nearby but that one remained elusive. As I loitered around the bunkers I saw a Northern Wheatear and then as I scanned the skies looking back towards Lamport I picked up the distinctive shape of the Lancaster Bomber as she headed to London for a flypast to commemorate 75 years since VJ day. On my walk back to the car I saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Today I decided to have an early morning run at Pitsford. So with my two young collies in tow I walked across the dam to get us all warmed up as well as checking for any birds.  There was a Sanderling and 4 Common Sandpiper.  The run was quiet and uneventful so when I completed my circuit I popped the dogs in the car and decided to check the dam again, This time I located a Turnstone near the tower which meant that I needed to walk across the dam again.  It was worth it because as I watched the Turnstone another one ran past it and they were both very confiding. A quick look at the small side in the gloomy weather only produced 3 Great White Egret but I noticed that the number of wildfowl is increasing so it is well worth taking the time to scan through the rafts of birds. 

When I got home it was time to take my old crocs out for a walk. So we had a slow steady wander around the area in front of the old cattle shed below Hanging Houghton.  There is a large manure heap here and 2 Northern Wheatears were perched on the top and a Clouded Yellow butterfly was on the wing.  A juv Marsh Harrier appeared and headed low across the fields towards Brixworth.                      So all in all not a bad weekend !!

Regards Eleanor

Turnstone at Pitsford today

 

It was a dull and murky start to the day but as far as I was concerned perfect conditions for some bird movement.    I was chomping at the bit to get out and about but long standing commitments and errands meant that it was late morning before I managed to get out.    First stop was the dam at Pitsford. I very nearly didn't bother as the dam was busy with people walking/running/cycling over and the water busy with sailing activity. However I thought "now I'm here I 'll just have a quick look ".  I couldn't see anything of note on the water but I could see a small group of waders at the far end of the dam and as I started to walk towards them they flew towards me calling, 4 Sanderling.  I was really pleased with this as not a common bird at Pitsford. As I stood enjoying watching them running like clockwork toys a further 2 Sanderling joined them.  I believe that later observers saw 12 birds.       Time to look at the small side, but not before a quick walk across the causeway produced a Turnstone and 4 Common Sandpiper.   On my walk into the Scaldwell arm there was a fem/imm Common Redstart in the field hedge which runs parallel to the reserve. Over the years this has been a regular site for these birds as they move through on passage.   Plenty of wildfowl to look through which can be challenging at times as they most are in their "eclipse" plumage so all look the same, just different shapes !! There were 4 Red Crested Pochards which have been there a while plus a Goldeneye.  Two Great White Egrets suddenly appeared and they were extremely vocal and it looked as if they were simply chasing each other around as they flew around both the Scaldwell and Walgrave bays.

Early afternoon I took the dogs for a walk around the fields below Hanging Houghton / Cottesbrooke area.  A juvenile Marsh Harrier was quartering the ripening crops.  It may be the same bird which I have seen on a few occasions before.  A Whinchat and a Northern Wheatear were flitting about near to one of the nectar strips and there were also several Clouded Yellow butterflies were on the wing.

If it was waders that you were after then the Nene Valley between Stanwick , Summer Leys and Clifford Hill was the place to be.  A good selection of waders were seen by several observers today including Wood, Green and Common Sandpiper, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Ruff, Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Snipe and Black Tailed Godwit.

Regards Eleanor

Bright and Beautiful

There has been a lack of birding opportunities due to mundane things like shopping, running errands, training, vet visits and of course the weather.  Despite visits to Harrington Airfield, Pitsford Reservoir. Blueberry and the area below Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke I have seen very little with Grey Partridge, Little Owl and Hobby being the highlights.

The garden has been very busy with birds.  We have been inundated with juvenile Starlings who have reached "adolescence" and look quite bizarre with their mixture of juvenile and adult feathers. As ever they have been entertaining to watch as about 20 try to hang on the same feeder in order to gorge themselves on the mealworms.  Others just simply sit and chatter away incessantly whilst others take great delight in bathing in the bowls of water that are scattered around for the dogs to use.      Today I counted 18 Chaffinches on the lawn !!  I did a double take as we haven't had such a high number since the winter.    The Goldfinches have returned and I have had to refill their feeders twice today.  Nuthatch , Great Spotted Woodpecker and Dunnock have been absent for a few weeks but have put in an appearance today whilst the Jackdaws, Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves have become very scarce.

There is a field of Sunflowers between Arthingworth and Desborough which looks amazing and has attracted a steady stream of visitors, myself included. It was quite dull whilst I was there but this didn't detract from these bright and beautiful flowers

Regards Eleanor

Images from Scotland

 Hello

A few images from the West Highlands of Scotland!

Regards

Neil M

Common Seal.

Dark Green Fritillary.

Red Deer.

White-tailed Eagle.

The Heat drags on !

It has been a hot couple of days which has influenced the amount of birding I have been able to do.  Yesterday a slow steady walk through the bushes on the rough area produced a superb male Common Redstart and an immature Common Redstart, plus a couple of Clouded Yellow butterflies.

As I was up early this morning I decided to run around the big side at Pitsford reservoir.  It was a beautiful morning and everywhere looked so tranquil and serene. As I ran along the dam at 06.30hrs a Spoonbill flew low infront of me and headed southwards. I assume that this is the same individual that has been doing the rounds of the local gravel pits and reservoirs.  The only other birds of note were 4 Common Sandpipers.

A walk around Blueberry produced 2 Whinchats, a Common Redstart and several Clouded Yellows.  These butterflies seem to be attracted to several "nectar" strips between Hanging Houghton, Blueberry and Cottesbrooke.   Also seen on my walk were 2 stunning Roe Deer who were trying their best to melt into the background as they stood like a couple of statues and I could imagine them saying "don't move and she wont see us "...... how wrong they were !!  As usual I had some of the dogs with me and suddenly Tor the hound tried to run off in fright which was quite difficult as he was attached to me whilst my young collie Rouzel literally jumped 3 ft in the air and all her hair stood on end.  They had found a Grass Snake sunbathing.  Eventually it slipped slowly away. Never a dull moment!!

Regards Eleanor 

Weekend Wildlife

Yesterday [Saturday] I walked the same route as the previous day and saw a few of the same species but in a different place.  Blueberry was very quiet and I didn't see anything of note until I was in the area between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke. Here there was a Northern Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, Common Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Cuckoo. There is a hedge which crosses the main track and it seems to act as a magnet for migrating birds at this time of year. Although today I couldn't find a single bird in this hedge, but that's birding, no two days are alike !
Today I managed very little birding. However this evening I found myself on a footpath leading from Beck Dairy Cottesbrooke. I actually didn't get very far across the first field before a large herd of cattle appeared from the corner of the field so I beat a hasty retreat with the dogs in tow. As I neared the car I could hear Spotted Flycatcher calling. With one eye on the advancing cattle I watched a family party of Spotted Flycatchers flitting about in the hedge and bushes. A Common Redstart flew through my field of view.
I ended up walking the dogs by the stream below Hanging Houghton and just as my spaniel was about to launch himself into his favourite swimming area I just caught a movement out of the corner of my eye.....an otter, which then slowly melted away.  I'd no sooner recovered from this when a couple of Kingfishers flew past and a Barn Owl started hunting in front of me.  Amazing end to the day and to the weekend.

Kenny and his team were busy ringing yesterday on the bund at Linford near Milton Keynes.
72 birds caught of which 62 were new and 12 species represented. 
Warblers dominated with 26 Reed Warbler, 10 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 6 Sedge Warbler , 6 Garden Warbler and 5 Chiffchaffs.
Star bird was a control Garden Warbler wearing a Spanish ring with the inscription Madrid Icona.
Non avian sightings included 5 Great Crested Newts, a Common Newt, 2 Toads and a Frog.

Regards Eleanor

" Autumn" Feeling

Today certainly had that " Autumn" feeling. I was up early and out by 06.30hrs to take the dogs out before the predicted hot weather arrived.  Mind you it was already feeling quite warm at this time.
As I headed down to the valley area below Hanging Houghton I really thought that I had fast forwarded into Autumn as the mist hung over the valley . It looked stunning and I even stopped to take some pictures.
Even the birds joined in the "Autumn" feeling as there was a Northern Wheatear and Juvenile Marsh Harrier in the area infront of the old cattle shed.
By the time I reached the highest point at Blueberry the mist had completely disappeared enabling me to sit and enjoy the magnificent views over the rolling Northamptonshire countryside towards Cottesbrooke and beyond Northampton.  Another photographic opportunity.  Joining me at this high point was a Whinchat and Grasshopper Warbler.  
Continuing my walk along the hedgerows I saw a fem/imm Common Redstart and plenty of common warblers.
Then it was back home to pick up my two old crocs and take them for a slow sedate walk.  By now it was beginning to warm up nicely and the butterflies had woken up.  There were at least 2+ Clouded Yellow butterflies on the planted nectar strip opposite the old cattle shed.
I can never resist a visit to Harrington at this time of year so breakfast had to wait whilst I headed up there.  A slow steady walk through the bushes on the rough strip produced another Common Redstart and Grasshopper Warbler plus 8 Crossbills flying over.  There were also several Clouded Yellow butterflies.  
The farmers are beginning to start on the harvest and already one of the fields had been cut and cleared and was being ploughed.  This field attracted a flock of approx 100 Lesser Black Backed Gulls whilst I was attracted to the lovely earthy smell.
Back home for a late breakfast and no further birding until this evening when a short walk across the fields below Hanging Houghton produced Little Owl, Barn Owl and Hobby.
The only other bird of note today was a Turtle Dove.

Regards Eleanor

Pitsford Day Tour and Greens Norton ringing

Hello

A cloudy but humid day at Pitsford Reservoir as we completed another Naturetrek day tour of the reserve. Specimens of moths on show following overnight trapping included Tree Lichen Beauty, The Drinker and three species of Hawk-moth. Large dragonflies on the wing included Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Blue Emperor and Migrant Hawker with the smaller ones being mostly Ruddy and Common Darters.

Sixteen species of Butterfly were on show including at least one Purple Hairstreak. The best of the birds in the Scaldwell Bay were two Red-crested Pochard, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper.

Eleanor saw a Common Redstart at Blueberry Farm today (in hedgerow at the bottom of Hill Field) and a Hobby and several groups of Clouded Yellows between there and the Brampton Valley Way.

Interesting insects at the MOD section of Yardley Chase included a Clouded Yellow, 13 Wood Whites and a Purple Hairstreak.

Chris Payne completed some ringing near Greens Norton and among more common fare caught a Sparrowhawk, a Kingfisher, two Lesser Whitethroats, a Reed Warbler, four Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs and three Blackcaps.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Swallow.

Juvenile Blackcap.

Lesser Whitethroat.

Lesser Whitethroat.

Sparrowhawk.

All images courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Marsh Harrier, Common Redstart and Clouded Yellows

Hello

An admin day for me but I started with a walk up at Harrington Airfield in blustery conditions - not surprisingly the birds were keeping their heads down and a Raven was the only bird of note. Back at Hanging Houghton there have been a couple of Ravens about but otherwise it has been 'confined to barracks' for me!

Eleanor's morning run route picked up on a Common Redstart in trackside hedging between the Harrington Airfield Museum and the Brampton Valley Way (close to the BVW) and a Wheatear on the other side of the BVW along a footpath that leads to Maidwell village.

This afternoon's check of the Brampton Valley and the fields at Blueberry Farm provided views of a Marsh Harrier flying towards Cottesbrooke and a couple of concentrations of Clouded Yellow butterflies associating with nectar crop strips. These fast flying and robust butterflies seem to cope very well with the windy conditions of this summer, and in all probability it is this very element that has brought them here! The same area was good for Hobby and Little Owl today.

The Earls Barton Pits complex has today hosted a couple of Great White Egrets, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, three Common Sandpipers and a fly-through Curlew.

The continued large movement of Lesser Black-backed Gulls through the county continues apace!

Regards

Neil M

Hoverfly chrysotoxum festivum
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Greenfinch courtesy of
John Tilly.

Goldfinches courtesy
of John Tilly.

Grey Heron.

Phasia hemiptera

Wheatear at Pitsford
Reservoir yesterday
courtesy of David Arden.