Creatures of Christie's Copse

Hello

The three White-fronted Geese were seen on two occasions at Stanford Reservoir this afternoon and other birds included a Peregrine, a Green Sandpiper, two Goosanders, two Ravens and a Cetti's Warbler. The Black Redstart was reported at Borough Hill Country Park again this afternoon, on the east side of the summit compound.

The Wood Sandpiper was seen north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir today and a male Brambling was at Christies Copse in the Walgrave Bay. The long-staying Dark-bellied Brent Goose was seen at Clifford Hill Pits early this afternoon and a walk around Sywell Country Park this afternoon produced two Great White Egrets, a Water Rail, c200 Golden Plovers, a pair of Stonechats, two Cetti's Warblers and fifty Siskins.

At least one Corn Bunting was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton at lunchtime today and Harrington Airfield produced up to sixty Bramblings, over thirty Linnets, c150 Golden Plovers and c70 Fieldfares. Jon found a Jack Snipe and a Stonechat at farm ponds near Ravensthorpe Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Brambling.

Long-tailed Tit.

Muntjac.

Chaffinch.

Muntjac.

Robin.

Coal Tit.

Blue Tit.

Grey Squirrel.

All images were taken from Christie's
Copse in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford
Reservoir today. A wooden blind permits
close views of the birds and animals coming
for the food on offer at the seasonal feeding
station.

Winter birds of Middle England

Hello

Cold and frosty nights with daytime winter sunshine makes winter very enjoyable!

Birds at Harrington Airfield included up to about twenty Bramblings and fifty Golden Plovers this morning, there was a Grey Wagtail and a Siskin at Hanging Houghton and the Brampton Valley below the village continued to host two Corn Buntings by the 'shrike hedge' wild bird crop.

Despite Nick's best efforts there was no sign of the Ring-necked Duck at Thrapston Pits today but a Hawfinch was on show around Blatherwycke Church up until about 2.30pm with a Raven over and about ten Mandarin Ducks on nearby Blatherwycke Lake.

Pitsford Reservoir still continues to hang on to the Wood Sandpiper and the Redshank along the shoreline between the causeway and the Maytrees Hide with a Kingfisher and a few Bramblings and a few Siskins in the Walgrave Bay.

A Short-eared Owl was a good find this afternoon between Hemington and Barnwell villages on the edge of the Polebrook Airfield complex at Ellands Farm (TL083847) where there was also a Barn Owl.

A female Wood Duck was located on the River Nene at The Embankment, Wellingborough at 1pm today and a gathering of one hundred Red Kites at Laxton this afternoon was no doubt an impressive sight and sound!

Four Stonechats graced Upton Country Park today and finches included two Lesser Redpolls at Stortons Pits and four Lesser Redpolls and four Siskins in alders at New Sandy Lane, Duston, Northampton by the attenuation pond. Stanford Reservoir hosted four Goosanders, eight Ravens, two Chiffchaffs and a Cetti's Warbler.

The streak of good birds at Eyebrook Reservoir continues today with a staggering eighteen Smew, a drake Scaup and still the three Avocets, with the Ring-necked Duck showing distantly in recent days (but not reported today).

Details of recent ringing recoveries:-

1. A Marsh Tit was ringed on the outskirts of Woodford Halse on 24th September 2021 but unfortunately it's excursion into the village ended badly when it killed itself by flying into a window on 11th November, forty-eight days later;

2, A first year male Blackbird was ringed in Astcote on 6th February 2018 and found dead as a road casualty in the same village on 18th November 2021, 1381 days later whilst in it's fifth calendar year;

3. A Chiffchaff was ringed as a first year bird at Linford Lakes on 23rd November 2020 and caught again by ringers operating at Swindon Sewer Works, Wiltshire on 20th November 2021, 362 days later (and 93km to the south west).

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Redpoll.

Starlings courtesy of
Jim Dunkley.

Konik Pony the Floodplain
Forest Reserve, Milton Keynes
courtesy of John Tilly.

Birds of frost and winter sunshine

Hello

A ringing session took place in pleasant weather at Stortons Pits today which provided one hundred and fifteen captures which included a Chiffchaff, nine Reed Buntings, three Chaffinches, a Bullfinch, two Blackbirds, two Robins with the remainder made up of Blue and Great Tits.

At Pitsford Reservoir today there were at least two drake Smew north of the causeway (seen in Scaldwell and Walgrave Bays), the Wood Sandpiper and the Redshank were on the shoreline just north of the causeway and other birds included about six Great White Egrets, several Pintail, ten plus Snipe, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, several Bramblings and a couple of Siskins.

Waterfowl shooting again took place at Clifford Hill Pits, an unbelievable situation considering the importance of this site in association with the remainder of the overall Nene Valley which is designated as a Special Protection Area. The long-staying Dark-bellied Goose is believed to have escaped unscathed but many of the ducks there probably did not.

At Stanwick Pits two Cattle Egrets and fifteen Great White Egrets flew from their overnight roost this morning.

Upton Country Park was the venue for three Stonechats and a Green Sandpiper this morning and at Ravensthorpe Reservoir the Pink-footed Goose was south of the causeway plus three Pintail and twelve Siskins. Nearby a Jack Snipe and three Stonechats remained at Hollowell Reservoir.

A male Hawfinch was seen on and off near Blatherwycke churchyard again this afternoon and there was a Birdguides report of the female Ring-necked Duck being seen on Elinor Lake, Thrapston Pits before flying off.

Two Corn Buntings were again around the wild bird crop at 'shrike hedge' in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton together with a good number of other passerines which included Bramblings and Tree Sparrows. A decent flock of about sixty Yellowhammers were near Foxholes Farm near the village of Titchmarsh.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included an impressive two hundred and two Great Black-backed Gulls in the roost, a Green Sandpiper, a Water Rail, two Goosanders and six Lesser Redpolls.

Regards

Neil M

Yellowhammer.

Greylag Goose courtesy
of John Tilly.

Coot courtesy of
John Tilly.

Garden Blackbird courtesy
of Jim Dunkley.

Early January birds

Hello

A rather damp, grey start today but the day remained relatively mild.

Single Barn Owls were hunting today at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and an adult female Peregrine was cavorting around in the general area.

At Pitsford Reservoir today there were still a number of Great White Egrets north of the causeway and the two drake Smew were still to be found in the Holcot Bay.

At Summer Leys LNR today there were two Great White Egrets and thirty-four Golden Plovers early this morning and the two first year Shags were seen at Daventry Country Park.

Near Ravensthorpe Reservoir the long-staying Pink-footed Goose was again with Greylag Geese in fields between the causeway and the village and birds at nearby Hollowell Reservoir amounted to two Great White Egrets, three Stonechats and a Chiffchaff. This afternoon there were about ten Bramblings in the ringing ride by Bunker One.

Regards

Neil M

Barn Owl courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Pink-footed Goose.

Black-headed Gull.

Shag.

SP55 Short Day Count

Hello

Today it was the turn of SP55 to be subject of a BOS Short Day Count, this time in duller and slightly milder and cloudy conditions. We spent half of the time at and close to Fawsley Park which traditionally provides a good range of species. We enjoyed views of a Barn Owl as our first bird and subsequent encounters included two Little Owls, a Great White Egret, 187 Siskins (digitally photographed and counted!), a male Brambling, a couple of Ravens, three Water Rails and a Grey Wagtail. Elsewhere and Catesby hosted a pair of Stonechats and a couple of Ravens. A Little Egret was seen in flight near Byfield Pool and an adult male Peregrine was seen near Preston Capes. Mammals noted included Muntjac, Roe and Fallow Deer.

Nearby two first year Shags and three Jack Snipes were at Daventry Country Park, one Corn Bunting was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton again, four Lesser Redpolls were at Stortons Pits, two male Blackcaps were in a Wellingborough garden and the Pink-footed Goose was still in fields between Ravensthorpe Reservoir causeway and Ravensthorpe village. Fourteen Ring-necked Parakeets were counted in Abington Park, Northampton squabbling over potential nest-holes.

A Great White Egret was at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve with four Cattle Egrets nearby in the Nene Valley below Irthlingborough church. A Glossy Ibis was seen at Summer Leys LNR just after 9am this morning but seemingly had flown by 9.45am and wasn't subsequently reported. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still at Clifford Hill Pits today and the three White-fronted Geese were again seen at Stanford Reservoir as was a roost of one hundred and forty-eight Great Black-backed Gulls, three Goosanders, a Water Rail and a Chiffchaff. A Barn Owl was out hunting this afternoon along Mill Lane, Scaldwell village and a female Merlin and at least twenty Bramblings were at Harrington Airfield also this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

A Raven at sunrise Fawsley Park
courtesy of Bethan Clyne.

Common Buzzard Farthinghoe
LNR courtesy of Bethan Clyne.

Red Kite Edgcote
courtesy of Bethan Clyne.

Short Day Count SP54

Hello

Today was the Banbury Ornithological Society Short Day Count in South Northants at SP54. For half the count we were walking around Edgcote and Trafford Bridge which regularly supports an excellent array of species. We were fortunate to find a Kingfisher, a Snipe, a drake Mandarin Duck, a drake Shoveler, a pair of Ravens, displaying Sparrowhawks, two Grey Wagtails, a Chiffchaff, up to thirty Bramblings, a few Siskins and hundreds of Redwings and Fieldfares. A male Brambling was on feeders adjacent to Farthinghoe LNR and several Siskins were flying around the reserve. A flock of over a hundred Golden Plovers were in a grass field near to Thorpe Mandeville. Mammals for the day included sightings of Red Fox, Brown Hare, Muntjac and Fallow Deer.

Not far away and John saw a Merlin at Hinton Airfield plus at least one Brambling and sixteen Golden Plovers.

Elsewhere and the Black Redstart remained at Borough Hill Country Park, Daventry and the Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags in fields between Ravensthorpe village and Ravensthorpe Reservoir causeway for much of the day and still present at 4.15pm. A Jack Snipe was at Hollowell Reservoir.

In the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton there were two Corn Buntings and eight Grey Partridges again by 'shrike hedge' plus plenty of winter thrushes, Skylarks, finches and other buntings. This afternoon there were about twenty Bramblings and a Barn Owl at Harrington Airfield.

At Thrapston Pits today there were six Great White Egrets, a Peregrine and over two hundred Lapwings and Pitsford Reservoir hosted the Wood Sandpiper still, two drake Smew in the Holcot Bay, seven Pintail, a Redshank and four Great White Egrets. A Cattle Egret was in the Nene Valley below Irthlingborough and the roost at Stanwick Pits provided eight Cattle Egrets, ten Great White Egrets and seven Little Egrets. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still at Clifford Hill Pits today.

At Stanford Reservoir there were two Egyptian Geese, a roost of ninety-four Great Black-backed Gulls, nine Goosanders, ten Siskins and a Cetti's Warbler.

Regards

Neil M

Brambling courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Common Buzzard courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Common Gull.

Turn on the lights!

Hello

The incredibly dull conditions of the last couple of days makes taking photographs of wildlife subjects very difficult so my apologies for my efforts below!

After making a start on bird feeding stations this morning I popped in to Market Harborough and spent about an hour walking along the River Welland hoping for an Otter. I had no joy but a successfully-fishing Kingfisher showed nicely in the rain and I saw a Grey Wagtail and a Mistle Thrush perched next to some mistletoe! I didn't see any Peregrines either so no doubt they were away hunting.

The two Corn Buntings were again with other birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, spending their time perched on a hedge and visiting bird food cover by 'shrike hedge'. Seven Grey Partridges were there too. Two or three Bramblings were in a Scaldwell garden and birds at Pitsford Reservoir included a drake Smew and six Great White Egrets in the back of the Holcot Bay.

The hardy Black Redstart was again at Borough Hill Country Park today on the eastern-side of the compound and Stewart's visit to Harrington Airfield yielded a female Merlin, twenty-one Golden Plovers and about fifty Bramblings. A Woodcock and a Goosander were seen at Stanford Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Record shot of one of
the Corn Buntings in the 
Brampton Valley.

Common Buzzard.

Kingfisher.

Brambling.

Corn Buntings, Otter and other winter wildlife

Hello

Another cold day so I felt it necessary to pop back up to Harrington Airfield this morning to feed the hungry birds! About thirty or so Bramblings were there to meet me and soon came down to feed. Twenty Golden Plovers were present first thing and birds on the fields included about forty Skylarks.

Eleanor popped into Market Harborough this morning and saw one of the Otters on the River Welland near to Welland Park. A female Peregrine was on the church and other birds included a Grey Wagtail, a Chiffchaff and a Kingfisher.

This afternoon two Corn Buntings (one singing a little) were found amongst a flock of buntings and finches in the Brampton Valley all attracted to some bird feed cover at 'shrike hedge' below Hanging Houghton. Other birds there included a Brambling and three Grey Partridges with a Little Owl nearby and a Barn Owl was at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Elsewhere and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still at Clifford Hill Pits today and Ravensthorpe Reservoir hosted a Pink-footed Goose and a first year Caspian Gull. Nearby at Hollowell Reservoir there was a Jack Snipe and three Stonechats.

Thrapston Pits attracted a female Scaup on Town Lake and a 'redhead' Smew was reported there too. Other birds on the complex included two Great White Egrets, a Stonechat and a Raven. Seven Cattle Egrets and two Great White Egrets flew to roost at Kinewell Lakes, Ringstead Pits this afternoon (plus a Goosander) and birds on the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve included three Cattle Egrets, a Great White Egret and a Kingfisher. The White-fronted Goose was again reported at Stanwick Pits today.

Thirty Siskins were located at Harlestone Heath today near the railway line and birds coming to the Summer Leys Feeding Station included about a dozen Bullfinches and a Brambling.

At Pitsford Reservoir today Tony located the two drake Smew in the Holcot Bay and the Wood Sandpiper and a Redshank were north of the causeway.

Two adult Caspian Gulls were reported at Rushton Landfill this afternoon and the Black Redstart was also reported again from the Borough Hill Country Park concrete blocks. Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included three Egyptian Geese, three Goosanders, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, two Cetti's Warblers and three Chiffchaffs.

Regards

Neil M

Corn Bunting courtesy
of Cathy Ryden.

Caspian Gull courtesy
of Jacob Spinks.

Otter.

A mixture of winter weather

Hello

Very wintry weather today with a frost, minus four temperatures at dawn then sleet, snow and rain! Perhaps as a result our garden had visits from singles of Brambling, Redwing and Fieldfare today, no doubt attracted to common birds feeding in the garden.

However first thing this morning the weather was beautiful with a couple of hours of lovely sunshine following a pinkish sunrise.

At Harrington Airfield this morning I only managed to encounter about twenty or so Bramblings which were attracted to the mixed seed in the ringing rides. Nearby a drake Mandarin Duck at Draughton Pool was probably the Pitsford individual.

At Pitsford Reservoir today sightings included at least six Great White Egrets, nine Pintail and a Green Sandpiper, with eight Great White Egrets counted in the Walgrave/Holcot Bays yesterday. Up to thirty Tree Sparrows are visiting the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station still.

There was a Birdguides report of two adult Caspian Gulls at Naseby Reservoir this morning and at Borough Hill Country Park the Black Redstart and a Stonechat are hanging on!

Birds at Stanwick Pits today included two Cattle Egrets, two Great White Egrets and a White-fronted Goose with Greylags, mostly around North Lake.

At Summer Leys LNR there were two Great White Egrets today, ten Snipe, two Bramblings and three Lesser Redpolls and nearby a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were at Earls Barton New Workings. Thrapston Pits attracted a leucistic Wigeon, three Great White Egrets, a Peregrine and a Stonechat.

A Barn Owl was at Blueberry Farm this morning with fifteen Bramblings near the top of Blueberry Hill. This afternoon there was a Barn Owl and eight Grey Partridges in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

Regards

Neil M

Lapwing.

Stonechat.

Greylag Geese.

Hen Harrier, Hawfinches and more

A lovely crisp frosty morning,  more in keeping with the time of year.  Whilst I sat drinking my coffee I pondered about the day ahead and realised that I had a free day without any commitments.  I have been promising myself a day in the " north" of the county so decided that today would be the day.     

 As I  didn't want to get caught up with the work/school traffic I went out for a run and it was a nice change to run around the crispy white fields rather than plough through the mud.  I bumped into a Barn Owl and Woodcock at Blueberry plus several Brambling below Hanging Houghton and at Draughton crossing. 

Time to head north and my first stop was Deene Lake which for its size attracts good numbers of common wildfowl. It is not always easy to see all of the lake but I managed to locate 4 Shelduck, a male Pintail and a pair of Stonechat.                                                          

My next planned stop was Blatherwycke Church but as I was driving near Bulwick en-route I noticed at least 30 Red Kites literally at eye level dropping into the field next to the road.  I slowed down and virtually came to a halt so that I could see what they were feeding on. I couldn't see anything obvious but assume that it was the wet soggy field making it easy to find food. Whilst I was having a nosey at the kites I picked up another raptor coming in from my left and soon realised that it was different,  it was in fact a superb male Hen Harrier who carried on his way and disappeared in the direction of Southwick/Oundle.  I  didn't really have time to pursue him and I know that there is some interesting habitats in the direction that he was heading.                                                            

When I eventually reached Blatherwycke Church there were quite a few birders around who had been watching one of the Hawfinches flitting about in a yew tree in the open area to the right of the church. This bird then moved into the church yard and eventually both Hawfinches were located in a yew tree and then a bare tree between the church and the lake. They looked stunning in the winter sunshine.  I'm always amazed by the number of birds which frequent this churchyard and today there were Redwings, Mistle Thrushes, tits, Green and Chaffinch to name but a few. Blatherwycke Lake also tends to attract a good variety and numbers of wildfowl. I counted 20 Mandarin Duck but no doubt missed quite a few hidden ones. Also present were 3 Egyptian Geese, a Black Swan, 3 Little Egrets, Water Rail and 30 Siskins.

Lunchtime was spent in the car park area of nearly Wakerley Wood. Previously the car park has been alive with birds but today it was eerily silent.  I spent over 2 hours walking around the wood and it was extremely quiet. Bizarrely the squirrels and deer were more vocal than the birds!!.  I bumped into Fallow Deer, Roe Deer and Muntjac and the bird total was an amazing 1 Crossbill, 2 Brambling,  20 Siskins and 3 Woodcock. 

I came home via the Welland Valley.  There was quite a flooded area near Harringworth which had attracted large numbers of  waders, Lapwings, 200 Golden Plovers, Redshank,2+ Dunlin and Common Gulls. The wet grassy fields near Gretton were covered with hundreds of Redwings and Fieldfares foraging and chatting away and a male Peregrine flew through causing a panic.      

A short visit to East Carlton CP proved to be extremely quiet which meant that I had time to stop off at Harrington Airfield at dusk.  It was a very productive stop and a good end to my day. As I walked along the rough area there were at least 50 Brambling in the bushes, I believe that 100 birds had been seen earlier.  I  stood around at the second bunker scanning and within 5minutes had viewed a Barn Owl hunting along the main track and a sight of a female Merlin hunting the Skylarks and Redwings feeding on the fields. 

Elsewhere and two Otters were watched on the River Welland in Market Harborough town centre today and the two Peregrines have been seen on the church there recently.

A ringing session took place at Kelmarsh Hall today resulting in 79 captures mostly of tits. Three were re-trapped Marsh Tits which show a very faithful site fidelity and two of them were first ringed there in autumn 2019. Other birds present included a pair of Ravens, a couple of Bramblings and a flock of about ten Siskins.

Other birds seen today include two drake Smew in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon, the Black Redstart remained at Borough Hill Country Park, and Stanwick Pits hosted five Cattle Egrets and three Great White Egrets.

Regards

Eleanor

Hawfinch.

Marsh Tit.

Red Kite.

Wagtails on parade

Hello

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the Wood Sandpiper and the Redshank still north of the causeway in the Scaldwell Bay despite the rising water levels and other birds included three Great White Egrets and at least one Pintail. A Reed Bunting at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station showed aberrant features with excessive amounts of white around the collar and head.

There was a Birdguides report of the two Hawfinches at Blatherwycke Church again today and the Black Redstart must be coping with cold temperatures at Borough Hill Country Park as it was seen there again today. A male Blackcap was in a garden at Spratton today and there were three Stonechats at Upton Country Park.

It was pretty quiet at Harrington Airfield this afternoon but there were perhaps thirty Bramblings scattered about the complex and about fifteen Golden Plovers briefly. Small numbers of Bramblings were at 'shrike hedge' in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and there were still about ten on the top of Blueberry Hill with a Barn Owl showing well nearer Blueberry Lodge.

Regards

Neil M

Grey Wagtail.

Pied Wagtail.

White Wagtail.

Yellow Wagtail.

Images courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Egrets at roost and plenty of Bramblings and Siskins.

Hello

The more typical winter temperatures seemed to come in to play this afternoon as we say good-bye to the unseasonably mild conditions.

A couple of Bramblings were still at Harrington Airfield this morning, the Black Redstart and a Stonechat were seen at Borough Hill Country Park, Daventry and birds in Hanging Houghton village included three Bramblings and two Ravens.

News from Pitsford Reservoir today indicates that the Wood Sandpiper and at least five Pintail remain in the Scaldwell Bay and the birds at Eyebrook Reservoir still includes up to thirteen Smew, at least two Scaup, the Ring-necked Duck and three Avocets.

In the Nene Valley the Cattle Egret roost at Stanwick Pits amounted to five birds plus twelve Great White Egrets and at Ringstead Pits the roost there was seven Cattle Egrets and two Great White Egrets! Seven Goosanders were seen at Stortons Pits.

The three White-fronted Geese were seen in the grounds of Stanford Hall early this afternoon and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still at Clifford Hill Pits. At Stanford Reservoir the best of the birds today included a Peregrine, two Ravens, two Cetti's Warblers, a Goosander, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, a Siskin and two Chiffchaffs.

At least sixty Siskins inundated Cottesbrooke village this morning with the main concentration centred around Beck Dairy. Six Bramblings were in the village too. Small numbers of Siskins and Bramblings were at Haselbech Grange and ten more Bramblings were on the summit of Blueberry Hill. A Barn Owl was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon and a covey of eight Grey Partridges were near to 'shrike hedge'. A Woodcock was flushed at Rabbit Hill Spinney on the Kelmarsh Estate today and a female Blackcap was in a Maidwell village garden yesterday.

Regards

Neil M

Cattle Egret.

Great White Egret.

The influx of Bramblings
is still with us!

Black Redstart, Wood Sandpiper, Smew and a Merlin.

Hello

Residue birds from last year continue to dominate the local birding scene with the Black Redstart being tracked down at Borough Hill Country Park today and Pitsford Reservoir continuing to play host to three drake Smew north of the causeway, the Wood Sandpiper still and a Shag (seen near the causeway and off the Sailing Club later). Other birds included at least four Great White Egrets north of the causeway and the long-staying Barnacle Goose with other geese near the dam.

Stanwick Pits hosted six Cattle Egrets at North Lake and Stortons Pits attracted six Goosanders and seven Redpolls with three Goosanders at Hardingstone Pits. A Stonechat and fifty Pied Wagtails were at Upton Country Park and Blatherwycke Lake held thirty-five Mandarin Ducks and two Egyptian Geese.

Over thirty Bramblings were by the sunflower strip at Harrington Airfield and birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton included a Merlin, a Barn Owl and several Bramblings. Blueberry Farm was good for another Barn Owl, a Woodcock and ten Bramblings and two Ravens and a Siskin remain in Hanging Houghton village. A small flock of Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall.

Three White-fronted Geese were reported at Stanford Reservoir again this morning and another was reported at Ditchford Pits on the north-east side of Dragonfly Lake.

Just outside the county Eyebrook Reservoir continues to provide plenty of interesting birds including a Ring-necked Duck, numerous Smew, several Scaup, three Avocets and Whooper Swans all today.

Regards

Neil M

The Pitsford Mandarin
Duck courtesy of Robin
Gossage.

New Years Day Birding

Hello

The mild conditions continued into the New Year with showers and sunshine in equal amounts. Many of the long-staying birds from 2021 were still in situ for the start of 2022 and anyone interested in compiling a county year list would have had the potential of a great start!

The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still at Clifford Hill Pits today and other geese out there included the three White-fronted Geese which for a time were at Stanford Reservoir. Other birds noted at this latter site were two Egyptian Geese, two Water Rails, six Goosanders, four Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, four Ravens and a Chiffchaff.

Pitsford Reservoir was a popular venue today and Michael the on-site warden was busy checking permits! The three drake Smew had split up today with two of them spending much of the day in the Scaldwell Bay and the third bird mobile south of the causeway. The first ever wintering Wood Sandpiper for the county was seen in the Scaldwell Bay and also near the causeway with a Redshank - it appears this is the only Wood Sandpiper in the country currently with few records anywhere since early autumn. About half a dozen Great White Egrets were still present as were three Dunlin and at least one of the juvenile Shag(s) was seen at the water's edge by the causeway car park and later on the Sailing Club pontoon. The drake Mandarin Duck was also about and there were several Pintail too.

Elsewhere and two Hawfinches were at the occasional venue of Blatherwycke churchyard, there were about fifteen Bramblings at Harrington Airfield near Bunkers One and Two plus two Woodcock, a Barn Owl and three Ravens, and two Grey Wagtails and a Water Rail were near Brixworth. Two Ravens, a Siskin and a Brambling were in Hanging Houghton village.

An impressive thirteen Cattle Egrets were together at Stanwick Pits near to North Lake this morning and two Ruff  and a Red-crested Pochard were at Summer Leys LNR with a wintering Common Sandpiper at Earls Barton Pits new workings.

This morning there were c50 Bramblings along the road near Draughton on the Maidwell Road with a few along the Brampton Valley Way between Lamport and Draughton; eight Grey Partridges were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

A Peregrine on Higham Ferrers church had seemingly deposited a dead Lapwing on the ground underneath, presumably half-eaten.

Regards

Neil M

Drake Smew from
Pitsford Reservoir
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Great Crested Grebe courtesy
of Robin Gossage.