Water Rails, Barn Owls and all things nice!

Hello

Yesterday evening Eleanor spent several hours scouring the fields and hedges of the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and right up to the Blueberry Farm complex, seeing three different hunting Barn Owls and two Hobbies for her effort.

The singing Spotted Flycatcher remains at Hanging Houghton today and at least four Ravens made up a family party early this morning on the outskirts of the village. An Osprey was at Hollowell Reservoir early this morning too.

At Pitsford Reservoir a pair of Spotted Flycatchers are nesting just off the reserve and the Common Terns are nesting on a new raft in the Walgrave Bay after being ousted by the Black-headed Gulls on the floating rafts in the Scaldwell Bay. Over a hundred Swifts were feeding over the reserve late this morning with quite a number of Sand Martins doing much the same thing off the Sailing Club. Three Yellow-legged Gulls were loafing not far off the dam.

Successfully-breeding Water Rails were confirmed at Stortons Pits earlier this year with the use of camera traps and today ringers operating there caught four previously ringed adults and two unringed very young birds.

A Barn Owl was hunting at Lamport Hall this evening.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Water Rails
courtesy of Chris Payne.

Common Snipe.

Golden Plover.

The Chequered Skipper

Hello

As many will know the Chequered Skipper butterfly was re-introduced into the Rockingham Forest complex a couple of years ago and the project appears successful. The Chequered Skipper was extinct in England although there is a distinct and separate population in north west Scotland. This was the first year that details of where to find this introduced butterfly were released and people have been visiting Fineshade Wood to see it. It appears that it was quite an early flight season and there haven't been any sightings the last few days and guided tours have now been suspended until next year (the best way to see one of these distinct skippers). Congratulations go to the project organisers and many people involved, I hope to see one locally next year!

I'm still very much catching up on admin associated with the last few tours but managed to spend some time this afternoon checking nest boxes on the Kelmarsh Estate where there was evidence of Stock Doves and Tawny Owls using some of the bigger boxes. The tit box season is almost over with just some late broods still active. Lynne Barnett has worked hard at managing the small nest boxes on the Kelmarsh Estate again this year and although there have been mixed results, the productivity for Great Tits and Blue Tits appears to be up on last year. A nest box at Rabbithill Spinney successfully fledged nine juvenile Marsh Tits!

A visit to Harrington Airfield yielded just a pair of Grey Partridge as the only birds of note; Common Spotted Orchids are numerous this year but we are still looking for Bee Orchids which seem to be scarcer every year.

Three Avocets were reported at Lilbourne on the A5 pools this evening (present at 7pm) and the singing Spotted Flycatcher remains at Hanging Houghton.

Regards

Neil M

Chequered Skipper.

Dingy Skipper courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Green Tiger Beetle courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Nomada sp courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Insects to the fore

Hello

As the birds quieten down to breed and the chances of more migrants diminishes, this is the time for insects! The warmer conditions today provided an opportunity for some butterflies to show themselves and a Dark Green Fritillary was noted at Fineshade. Wood Whites and Black Hairstreaks have already been seen in the usual Northamptonshire woodlands and we seem to be experiencing a mini invasion of Painted Ladies.

Moth traps have been busy around the county and a few more unusual migrants have been recorded and the odonata are now on the hatch with the scarce and localised Variable Blue Damselflies being seen at Wicksteed Park, Kettering and both Banded and Beautiful Demoiselles are on the wing.

Here at Hanging Houghton today a singing Spotted Flycatcher was in the grounds of Lamport Grange and a couple of noisy Ravens were present this afternoon. A drake Garganey remains at Summer Leys LNR but the White Stork wasn't reportedly seen at Barnwell today.

Regards

Neil M

Grizzled Skipper
butterfly courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Median Queen Wasp
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Undertaker Sexton Beetle
 courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy
of Bethan Clyne.

Spring came and went!

Hello

Well it is good to be back after over a month away but it seems I have missed spring in the county! I have been assisting on Naturetrek tours on the fabulous island of Mull, followed by eight days centred in Speyside and then eighteen days completing two different tours in Iceland. The washing machine has been busy since my return as I take stock of being away for so long.

I am very grateful to those volunteers who have continued to service the wild bird feeding station initiatives in my absence at Pitsford Reservoir, Brixworth, on the Kelmarsh estate and at Harrington Airfield.

I was fortunate to work with four other leaders in Mull running a festival event based in Tobermory where we ventured out to explore Iona, Mull, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles which resulted in sightings of both species of eagles, Otter, lots of Hen Harriers, sea-birds, Harbour Porpoise, Irish Hare, seals, deer, Glaucous Gull and Corncrake.

The second festival was a smaller affair and I was working with Matt Eade based at Nethybridge, Speyside. We ventured to the north Aberdeenshire coast and encountered Bottle-nosed Dolphin and Orca as well as good numbers of breeding sea-birds. Inland we scanned over an entertaining Black Grouse lek, watched Mountain and Brown Hares, Badgers and Ospreys. We found Woodcock, Common Crossbill, Goshawks, Pied Flycatchers, Common Redstarts and of course Crested Tits. A mountain foray yielded close views of endearing Ptarmigan and tame Dotterel. Breeding plumage Slavonian Grebes, Red-throated and Black-throated Divers provided more wow factor and we found both species of eagle here too.

The following day saw me flying to Iceland where I helped Dave Jackson to deliver two tours - Undiscovered Iceland and Iceland in Spring. The first tour took me to places previously unvisited and the landscape was the wow factor here with black sand beaches, glaciers, waterfalls, geotherm activity, an iceberg lagoon and brooding volcanoes. The best mammals were Humpback Whale, Blue Whale, Reindeer and Arctic Fox and the birds in their summer attire included approachable Slavonian Grebes, Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, Red-necked Phalaropes, Long-tailed Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye and Harlequin Ducks.

The second tour started with three glorious days of sunshine and the colours on the birds came in to their own. Our cetacean list included Humpback Whale, Orca, Minke Whale and White-beaked Dolphin and additional birds species included a Grey Phalarope in breeding plumage, White-tailed Eagle, Merlin, Tundra Bean Goose and another three Arctic Foxes including a lingering animal at a sea-bird cliff.

In the meantime it seems that Northamptonshire has enjoyed another migrant-busy spring with some fantastic sightings and finds.

Today the lingering White Stork was again at the Barnwell Lock floods near Oundle (plus a Green Sandpiper) and birds at Summer Leys LNR included Little Ringed Plovers and another Green Sandpiper. An Osprey was fishing at Hollowell Reservoir this evening, a Spotted Flycatcher was at Hanging Houghton and two pairs of Grey Partridge remain at Harrington Airfield.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile male
Blackbird.

Goldfinch.

Pied Wagtail.
All images courtesy of
John Tilly.

Return from Iceland

Hello

I'm just in from completing two Naturetrek tours in Iceland supporting Dave Jackson as we circumnavigated around a fair amount of this amazing island and it's wildlife...a few images for starters!

Regards

Neil M

Glacier landscape.

Puffin.

Fulmar.

Pink-footed Goose.

Slavonian Grebe.

Ptarmigan.

Red-necked Phalarope

Cathedral at Reykjavik.

A very quiet week

 It has been an extremely quiet week for birds in the county,  although this is only to be expected as the bulk of the spring migration is over and our birds are busy breeding. My best bird of the week was a male Common Redstart found on one of my numerous visits to Harrington Airfield in my quest for a particular species which I failed to find.                   Our garden has been full of young Starlings,  which are both entertaining and noisy.  I  don't think that we are popular with the neighbours as the Starlings arrive in the garden at first light and always wake me up. I certainly do not need an alarm clock but it would be nice to have a lie in !!       Whilst watching the antics of the young Starlings as they were running around from adult to adult begging for food I saw one being fed by a male Blackbird which was trying to find food for his own young. I suspect that the Blackbird either fed the Starling by mistake or just got fed up with it pestering it for food and he just rammed it in the open beak to keep it quiet. 

At this time of year many birders turn their attention to butterflies and there are plenty species around at the moment.  Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue,  Orange Tip , Brown Argus and Small Copper have all been recorded this week.  One lucky person managed 5 species of Skipper, Small, dingy,grizzled, large and chequered at Westhay Wood which is part of the Fineshade complex.  There are guided walks each day to view the Chequered Skipper.  The walks leave the visitor centre at Fineshade 11am and this is the recommended way to view these rather smart butterflies. 

Regards Eleanor 

Ringing at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes

Hello

Kenny Cramer and team have completed a couple of ringing sessions at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes this month, netting a variety of interesting birds for conservation and scientific purposes.

On the 14th May fifty-four birds included seven Blackcaps, five Garden Warblers, twelve Reed Warblers, four Sedge Warblers and singles of Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. A Cuckoo was also caught and ringed as was a Carrion Crow which are rarely caught during such sessions.

On the 22nd May some forty-five birds were processed which included sixteen Reed Warblers, three Garden Warblers, two Blackcaps and two more Cuckoos!

Regards

Neil M

Garden Warbler.

Carrion Crow.

Cuckoo.

All images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Blackbird apparently attempting to feed Great Tits

Whilst preparing lunch today my attention focused on the bird box in my garden hedge, there is a well-developed brood of Great Tits in it. I have been concerned about them as the local Jays have been showing a great deal of interest in them, so far to no avail. The arrival of a large bird had me reaching for my binoculars for a better view. To my surprise the intruder was a female Blackbird with a beak full of what appeared to be worms. She repeatedly pushed her head into the nest box, once whilst both parents were inside. This behaviour went on all afternoon without any sign of the nestlings taking any of the proffered food. The adult Great Tits showed no concern regarding the Blackbird’s behaviour and continued to feed the young as normal.

Blackbird with worms at nest box

The Great Tit parents

It’s fascinating to watch but impossible to divine what the Blackbird’s reasons are.

Has anybody else come across this sort of behaviour?

The video was all phonescoped from a bedroom window without disturbing the birds.

     Regards,

Neil H.

Black-necked Grebes

Yesterday (Saturday) had me heading over to Pitsford to look for the Black-necked Grebes. They had been seen this morning having been discovered on Friday evening.

After scanning from the Old Scaldwell Road feed station area and spotting the birds performing in front of the James Fisher hide I headed off in their direction for a better view. As frequently happens I got distracted on the way, initially by the small white flowers of Pignut in amongst the buttercups and clover.

Pignut equals Chimney Sweeper moths and so I started hunting around for them. After a few minutes I spotted one and attempted to photograph it to no avail. Despite several moths being present not one landed. After about 20 mins of this I returned to my original quest and headed off to the JF hide.

Distraction 2 was a singing Whitethroat in one of the bankside trees. I decided to try and phonescope it to see if it was possible to catch the song at relatively long range. It seems the answer is yes, although it’s not the clearest recording.

Finally arriving at the JF hide I watched the Black-necked Grebes diving and resting just off the bund for some time. It’s hard to beat one of these stunning summer plumaged birds for ‘showiness’.

Neil H

Right place at the right time !!

 It has been a strange sort of day where my birding was likely to have been non existent due to other commitments.  However when I opened the curtains this morning the first bird which I saw and heard was a Spotted Flycatcher sitting on a post next to the pond. I thought that I was dreaming but it stayed around the garden for most of the day and interestingly another Spotted Flycatcher visited another garden in the village.  I wonder if they knew of each others presence?.                                                                                               I managed a very brief visit to Pitsford Reservoir and caught up with the 2 Black Necked Grebes which are such super birds to see at this time of year.  Not much else of note, just lots of very noisy Black Headed Gulls which have successfully bred on the tern rafts. The poor Common Terns have no chance of getting onto these rafts this year. 

When I returned home late this afternoon I had a dilemma,  a desperately needed cup of tea or take my old crocs out for a walk? In the end my old crocs won me over and as they seemed quite lively for them I decided to take them across the fields, albeit slowly.  As we came back I picked Bobbie up to carry her the last bit as I desperately needed that cuppa.  I heard a very quiet alarm call from a Blue Tit and automatically looked up and saw a raptor coming over.  Poor Bobbie nearly got dropped as I knew by it's distinctive jizz of longer wings, longer broad tail  pinched in wing base giving a S shape and slim neck with a protruding head what the bird was, a Honey Buzzard . Luckily as I had taken the crocs across the fields I had also taken my binoculars and  I  had a  good look at the birds. It had a pale grey head, pale underbody and distinctive dark oval wrist patches which would suggest a male bird.  I couldn't believe it and was so glad that I hadn't sat down and had a cup of tea before taking the crocs out for a walk. 

After tea it was the turn of my young collies to go out so I went up to Harrington Airfield.  It was a lovely evening and we just took a very slow amble as I was looking for a specific species,  but no sign. It was whilst I sat around the bunkers enjoying the peace and tranquility, the only sound being the birdsong,  that I had a Marsh Harrier fly over and as far as I could tell it kept on flying towards the A14.                                                                         A good day for raptors in the county as I understand that a White Tailed Eagle was seen at junction 15a of the M1. So someone else was also in the right place at the right time. 

Regards Eleanor 

End of the week

 It seems to have been a much quieter week in the county with very few new birds. A couple of Black Necked Grebes turned up at Stanwick yesterday and I presume that the same two appeared at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon.  I caught up with them yesterday as I happened to be in that part of the county and they looked resplendent with their golden ear tufts.                                                                                                                                       I still haven't managed to visit DIRFT3 but others have as it is still attracting a good variety of waders including Grey Plover,  Dunlin and over 20 Ringed Plovers.                       There seem to be good numbers of Hobby,  Cuckoo and Swifts getting about now.  Of course there are plenty of fledglings making themselves known.  Our garden is alive with young Starlings who are extremely vocal and very comical to watch. Although I really enjoy watching them and laughing at their antics they have attracted some unwanted attention from the local Crows and Sparrowhawk and several have met a grisly end.     Surprisingly we still have good numbers of Yellowhammers visiting the garden daily. 

Have a good weekend.      Regards Eleanor 

Weekend Again!!

 Goodness knows where this week has gone to ?!. However for various reasons my birding has been limited and having no internet has been quite frustrating not being able to keep in touch. 

This morning I went for an early morning run before anyone else was up and about.  A beautiful Barn Owl sat on a post at Blueberry totally oblivious to my presence as it gazed intently into the grass.  As I ran through Cottesbrooke village there was at least one Spotted Flycatcher and a further one just outside the village at the old Beck Dairy.  Then this evening whilst walking my old crocs through the village there was another Spotted Flycatcher,  fingers crossed that it is going to be a good year for these lovely birds.               I  visited Harrington Airfield this afternoon coincide with the end of a shower of rain in the hope that some birds may have been grounded.  But no matter how hard I tried I simply couldn't find anything,  it was barren!!!! However yesterday an unexpected Short-eared Owl was flushed at bunker one.

Bird news over the weekend has been a bit sparse. For many the weekend starts on Friday and there were a few birds around on that day.  Two drake Red Crested Pochard at Stanford Reservoir,  Turnstone, Bar Tailed Godwits and Dunlin at Pitsford Reservoir,  Turnstone at Lilbourne meadows,  Sanderling,  Cattle Egret and Shelduck at Summer Leys and the Glossy Ibis at Stanwick.                                                                                            But undoubtedly bird of the weekend and indeed bird of the day was a Honey Buzzard at Byfield.  Although it wasn't seen again after the initial sighting it is possible that it could still be in the area or further afield in the county as it drifts around on it's migration journey.  So keep your eyes peeled.

Regards Eleanor 

Mid-week

 I cannot believe that it is mid week already,  I just feel as if the last few days have passed me by without stopping!!!!     I have been out and about but haven't seen many good birds. Harrington Airfield seems to be going through one of it's extremely quiet patches. Pitsford Reservoir too has been quiet with only 2 Bar tailed Godwits remaining in the Scaldwell bay.     Today I walked around Sywell CP and apart from a very vocal and showy Cetti's Warbler and several Sedge Warblers it was quiet.             It sounds like I should have ventured further down the road to Summer Leys as a Pectoral Sandpiper turned up there this afternoon and appeared to be keeping company with several other waders including Ruff, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and Common Sandpiper.   Nearby at Clifford Hill were Ringed Plovers and Dunlin and a Sanderling at Stanwick.      The long standing Glossy Ibis is still at Stanwick GP along with 4 Cattle Egrets and the wandering White Stork was again at Barnwell on the floodwater.                                                             But well away from the Nene Valley at DIRFT3 there were a staggering 46 Ringed Plovers,  5 Sanderlings and 5 Dunlin.  This is an area which I have personally never visited but I may have to seriously think about having a recce over there.  Watch this space!!....

Regards Eleanor 

Relaxing Sunday

 After a busy day yesterday it was a much more relaxed and quiet day for me and the dogs.  I started with an early morning wander around Blueberry and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise whilst being serenaded by Skylarks,  Blackcaps,  Chiffchaffs and Dunnocks to name but a few. There was no one else up and about so I felt as if I was their captive audience, not that I minded as the perfect way to start my day.  As I sat at the highest point of Blueberry enjoying the view and planning my day my thoughts were interrupted by the evocative call of a couple of Whimbrel which flew over and headed towards Pitsford Reservoir. 

I managed to fit in a visit to the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir.  Plenty of birds around especially Black Headed Gulls and Common Terns.  The noise from the gulls was quite deafening as they argued amongst each other for prime positions on the Tern rafts. They appear to have completely taken over the Tern rafts leaving nowhere for the Common Terns to nest. The Common Terns were sitting on the muddy shoreline as that was the only place available to them.  Also on the shoreline were 3 Bar Tailed Godwits,  a Sanderling,  Oystercatcher and 2 Common Sandpipers.  A nice surprise was a Black Tern at the mouth of the bay 

The only other birds of note today were a Hobby over the house this afternoon and I  came across a Spotted Flycatcher in the village whilst walking my old crocs. 

Kenny Cramer had an interesting ringing session at Linford Lake yesterday.  A modest 34 birds caught of 15 species and 15 new birds.   Reed Warblers were top of the list with 11 birds processed,  most of which were returning birds from the past couple of years.   Other warblers included 2 Sedge,  Cettis,  Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff,  one of which had been ringed as an adult back in 2018 making it at least 5 years old. Quite remarkable for a small delicate bird and I wonder how many miles it has flown during this time.                 Other birds of interest caught were a pair of Kingfishers,  a new Water Rail which was a surprise and the star bird , a smart male Cuckoo which was was the first for this year and the 23rd to be ringed at this site.

Regards Eleanor 

Successful Saturday

 A successful day for me involving the White Stork and agility!!     I headed towards Peterborough early this morning and my route took me along the A605 . Luckily I was able to pull off the road near Barnwell to check the small flooded meadow adjacent to the lock. The first bird I saw was the White Stork feeding ,pottering about and looking very much at home. I thought to myself that it didn't look out of place at all. I know that this bird has been giving folk run around,  myself included so I was delighted to finally catch up with it.                                                                                                             I  spent most of the day competing at an agility competition near Peterborough with my two young collies Jaeger and Rouzel.  They had both done fairly well but on his last run of the day Jaeger was awesome and a lovely clear round and second place,  beaten by 1 second by the winning dog.   So a successful time for me.                                                          On my way home I checked the fields around Hemington and Polebrook but all seemed quiet, my luck had run out!!

It would seem that all the action has been in the Nene Valley again with a couple of mobile Avocets being seen at Stanwick, Clifford Hill, Summer Leys and finally they appeared to have settled at Ditchford.                                    

Yesterday I walked around Sywell CP but it was very quiet. A few Common Terns are nesting on the Tern raft, a Cettis warbler was very vocal and several Sedge Warbler were very showy.   Harrington Airfield was extremely quiet,  in fact there were more birds in our garden than on the airfield.  I counted 6 Yellowhammers and 2 Reed Buntings plus young Song Thrush and Blackbirds in the garden. 

Regards Eleanor 

Waders and Terns

 It would seem that the Nene Valley has been the place to be over the past few days with a good variety of Waders and Terns lingering or flying through on passage. Traditionally this area far surpasses the woodlands and reservoirs and this year has been no exception. 

On Monday there were Turnstones, Dunlin Ruff and Bar Tailed Godwits at Clifford Hill,  Dunlin, Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper at Titchmarsh .                                                       Yesterday sounded like an amazing day in the Nene Valley with Bar Tailed Godwits,  Ruff, Dunlin and 3 rather splendid Spotted Redshank at Summer Leys/Hardwater crossing.  Ringed Plovers,  Dunlin and Common Sandpipers at Clifford Hill and 3 Turnstone at Stanwick.                                                                                                                                             But the Terns stole the show yesterday  with Little Tern at Ditchford, Sandwich Terns at Stanwick, Arctic Terns at Summer Leys,  Clifford Hill,  Ringstead and Stanwick. Outside the Nene Valley there were a few Black Terns at Boddington Reservoir.                         Today there has been Wood Sandpiper at Summer Leys and Lilbourne Meadows,  Sanderling at DIRFT3 and Black Tailed Godwits at Pitsford Reservoir,  Hardwater Crossing and Ditchford.

The long standing Glossy Ibis remains at Stanwick along with  Cattle and Great White Egrets,  Garganey at Summer Leys and Titchmarsh,  Mediterranean Gulls at Summer Leys and Female Ring Ouzel at Honey Hill.  Quite a few Northern Wheatear recorded around the county.  I bumped into 2 males at Harrington Airfield this morning but otherwise it was very quiet there.  A few Whinchat have been moving through at Hollowell,  Corby and Elkington,  always a very smart looking bird.

Tonight the Northamptonshire Bird Club will be meeting at the fishing lodge, Pitsford Reservoir.  This will be our first indoor meeting since 2020 !!!. We will be meeting at 7.30pm where club member Jeff Blincow will be presenting a talk on "The Wildlife of Finmark", the most northerly and easterly part of Norway. Jeff is an excellent speaker and photographer so I think that we will be in for a treat.  Tea/coffee/ biscuits available.  We look forward to welcoming back our members and any visitors.  Everyone is very welcome to come along. 

Regards Eleanor 

Ringing recoveries

Hello

We have details now of a series of ringing recoveries associated with the activities of Northants Ringing Group members as follows:-

1. A juvenile Robin ringed at Pitsford Reservoir on 8th September 2021 was found dead in Earls Barton on or about 27th April this year, this bird moving 13km in a south easterly direction post ringing. Two hundred and thirty-one days had elapsed between the two records;

2. A young Magpie was ringed at Brixworth on 3rd August last year and was destroyed near Lamport on or about 10th April this year 'for Nature Protection', this bird moving 3km from where first ringed and displacing in a north-easterly direction before it's demise two hundred and fifty days later;

3. A first year Redwing was caught and ringed at Harrington Airfield  on 12th December 2021 and was found dead as a suspected road casualty in Norway at Hjellestad, Bergen 129 days later and 952km from where first ringed on or about 20th April 2022. This bird had survived the winter and had headed back in a NNE direction;

Redwing movement.

4. A Coal Tit was ringed as a nestling in a nest box at Pitsford Reservoir on 27th June 2021 and found dead in Loddington village on 15th April 2022 - 292 days later and 8km from where first ringed having moved in a NNE direction;

5. A juvenile Reed Bunting was ringed at Stanford Reservoir on 7th August last year and re-captured at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes on 27th March this year, this female travelling 44km in a SSE direction from where first ringed with 232 days elapsing between the two captures;

6. A first year Lesser Redpoll was caught and ringed at Hollesley Heath, Suffolk on 12th April 2021 and ended up in a ringer's mist net at Greens Norton on 22nd March this year. Some three hundred and forty-four days had elapsed with the bird 168km further west of where first ringed.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Robin courtesy
of Chris Payne.

Magpie courtesy of
Lewis Aaron.

Redwing courtesy of
Lewis Aaron.

Juvenile Coal Tit.

Reed Bunting.

Lesser Redpoll courtesy
of Lewis Aaron.

Naturetrek Tours and Linford Lakes ringing

Hello

I have recently arrived home following an eight day Naturetrek tour in Provence, South France where we were treated to 280 species of plants and flowers, a selection of interesting insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and of course over 140 species of bird. I have created an additional Tab or Page on the blog entitled 'Provence in Spring' with an initial selection of images from the trip.

Yesterday (Friday) and it was a Naturetrek day trip to Rectory Farm, Great Easton and the neighbouring Eyebrook Reservoir courtesy of the Johnson family at Eyebrook Wild Bird Foods. In just a few hours we recorded over sixty species of bird, watched several cavorting Brown Hares and listened intently to the principles of successful hand in hand farming and conservation. Lots of raptors included a fishing Osprey and we also encountered Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, the long-staying summer plumage Slavonian Grebe and a cracking male Whinchat.

Today (Saturday) and Kenny Cramer and team completed some ringing at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes experiencing a hard frost first thing and lovely sunshine later! Fifty-nine birds of eighteen species were processed, twenty-eight of which were newly-ringed. However it was the re-trapped birds that provided the most interest amongst the captures.

Warblers made up the bulk of the birds with three Willows Warblers, three Reed Warblers, seven Sedge Warblers, three Garden Warblers, fifteen Blackcaps, three Cetti's Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Common Whitethroat. Other birds included a Green Woodpecker, three Greenfinches and five Reed Buntings. One of the Blackcaps was a returning bird first ringed in 2019 and captured every year since, a Cetti's Warbler that was first ringed there in 2020 and a control Sedge Warbler first ringed somewhere in the UK as a juvenile in 2016 making it an impressive six years old! One of the Reed Buntings was first ringed there in 2018 and the male Green Woodpecker was a ringed adult bird from way back in 2015 (and hadn't been encountered since) making it at least eight years old.

Other birds noted on-site included three Common Terns and singles of Hobby, Raven, Cuckoo and Barnacle Goose with other wildlife disciplines joining in with three Grass Snakes, two Great Crested Newts, a Common Toad and a probable Hairy Hawker dragonfly.

My brief wanderings today in the county yielded an Arctic Tern off the dam at Pitsford Reservoir this morning and a Wheatear in a small grassy field next to the Brampton Brook below Hanging Houghton this afternoon. The Stanwick Pits Glossy Ibis remains and an Osprey was seen flying high north over Duston, Northampton at lunchtime today. A pair of Ruff were at Summer Leys LNR today, the male displaying to the female, surely a rare sight in the county? A Cuckoo was at nearby Mary's Lake.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included a Cuckoo, a White Wagtail, two Curlews over east and a Cetti's Warbler.

Regards

Neil M

Sedge Warbler.

Male Green Woodpecker
depicting unusual and individually
different eye colouration (should
normally be a pale iris).

Lesser Whitethroat.

Common Whitethroat.

All images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Catch-up

 I have been away for a few days indulging in my other passion, agility,  although after this weekend I sometimes wonder why I bother!!. But the dogs thoroughly enjoyed themselves.   Now I am playing catch up with the birds which have been seen over the last few days.  I was aware of the birds around due to the whats app messages and was keeping my fingers crossed that a mega didn't turn up which was quite possible at this time of year.      I did manage to miss the White Stork which turned up at Earls Barton on Thursday (21st). When the news broke I was in the middle of something and then when I could go the bird had flown off.  Not expecting it to be found again in Northants I went off topping up the feeding stations and didn't realise that it had landed at Stanwick until it was too late.  It was seen again at Stanwick the following day before it disappeared.  It was a female bird GB46 from the White Stork  Project Reintroduction Scheme.  If the bird is currently moving about then it might turn up again in the county,  so keep your eyes peeled.

It has been a good weekend for the Nene Valley with Little Gulls,  Sandwich Terns, Arctic Terns, Whimbrel,  Bar Tailed Godwits, Sanderling,  Dunlin,  Ruff, Grey Plover and Bittern all being recorded.  Plus the long standing Glossy Ibis,  Great White Egrets,  Cattle Egret and Garganey. 

Away from the Nene Valley  there were Arctic Tern and Little Gulls at Boddington Reservoir, Little Gulls at Daventry Country Park, Bar Tailed Godwits at Byfield and DIRFT3 and Little Gulls at Pitsford Reservoir.        But the place to be was Honey Hill, not just for the amazing views but for Ring Ouzel.  Several birds were present over the weekend viewed from the Jurassic way footpath looking towards the small undulating sheep field.  It is a very interesting looking area and is high up so I'm not at all surprised that it is attracting these gorgeous birds.   A single Ring Ouzel has been showing from a footpath near West Farndon.                                                                                                     Plenty of summer migrants have now arrived,  Cuckoo,  Sedge Warbler,  Yellow Wagtails,  Lesser Whitethroat,  Whitethroat,  Swallows and no doubt there will be more to come.  Definitely an exciting time of year as absolutely anything could turn up anywhere and may not necessarily be found by a birdwatcher.  I have learnt never to dismiss anything that a non birder might tell you about.  Many years ago a colleague at work said that she had a very pretty bird feeding in her garden.  I went to have a look and nearly choked on my tea when a Waxwing dropped in!!

On my return yesterday it was a case of feeding the birds in the garden and at Kelmarsh and Harrington Airfield.  Although the feeders were empty I had barely finished topping them up before the birds descended.  I was very surprised when a Brambling started calling near to our garden and infact has been feeding in the garden today along with several Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings.  Yesterday evening as I walked from the chipping compound towards the feeding areas at Harrington Airfield I came across a lovely male Common Redstart in the bushes and a Grasshopper Warbler at bunker 2.

Think that I have just about caught up now !! I wonder what this week will bring ?

Regards Eleanor 

Birds of the sunshine and breeze

Hello

Cooler air temperatures, a north-easterly airflow and still sunny conditions prevailed for most of the day.

An early morning walk at Harrington Airfield provided three Wheatears in bean fields, a singing Lesser Whitethroat and two pairs of Grey Partridge.

Later in the morning a male Marsh Harrier was flying slowly in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and it meandered off towards Maidwell. A singing Sedge Warbler was alongside the Brampton Brook.

Birds at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and the summit of Blueberry Hill included a Grasshopper Warbler, two Wheatears, four Yellow Wagtails, a Lesser Whitethroat and a calling Cuckoo.

An Osprey was at Hollowell Reservoir late morning where there was also a Jack Snipe and two Common Snipe. Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included a Cuckoo, a Grasshopper Warbler and an Oystercatcher

At Earls Barton Pits today there was a Cuckoo at Quarry Walk, a Little Ringed Plover and a Bar-tailed Godwit on Hardwater Lake and with a Ruff and a Pintail on Summer Leys LNR.

The female Ring-necked Duck and a pair of Mandarin Ducks were at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits this morning and birds at Thrapston Pits included the pair of Garganey still, a Common Sandpiper and two fly-through Curlew. Two Whimbrel were on the north shore of the main barrage lake at Clifford Hill Pits late this morning.

The Glossy Ibis was still on the main lake at Stanwick Pits this morning plus eight Cattle Egrets and four fly-through Arctic Terns.

Regards

Neil M

Male Marsh Harrier.

Swallow.

Lesser Whitethroat.

Post-Easter birding.

Hello

A subtle change in the weather from today onwards provides an opportunity for more migration action as the breeze swings north east and there is a mixture of weather systems around us. This should bring arrivals of terns, interesting gulls and waders and more interesting passerines too. The alarm bells are ringing for some anticipated summer arrivals already - what has happened to the Sand Martins this year? It seems that with year on year decreases, drought conditions in Africa and cold weather in the Mediterranean, the smallest of the hirundines is really struggling. Hopefully there will be a late arrival of these buzzy, busy little birds.

A drake Garganey was new in at Stanford Reservoir today and there was also a drake Mandarin Duck, a Green Sandpiper and three Oystercatchers. The Upton Country Park Wood Sandpiper was seen again today and at Earls Barton there was still a Bar-tailed Godwit on Hardwater Lake and at least three Arctic Terns on the Summer Leys reserve plus a Golden Plover and Little Ringed Plover. Nearby there was a Grasshopper Warbler and a Cuckoo singing at the back of Mary's Lake with two Egyptian Geese nearby at Wollaston Lock and a calling Cuckoo at Quarry Walk.

The female Ring-necked Duck was seen again at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits and three Great White Egrets were at Ditchford Pits on Higham Lake and the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve. A Marsh Harrier was on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits at about 12.50pm.

Congratulations go to Dave Jackson for winning this week's Birdguides Photograph of the Week award  with the Sparrowhawk and Snipe shot which is similar to Robin's image of the same incident which currently features on the header of this blog.

Regards

Neil M

A stunning close spring drake
Long-tailed Duck would be
a good and long-awaited
 county find!

Image courtesy of
Dave Jackson.

Arctic Tern.

Marsh Harrier courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Easter Monday wildlife

Hello

Another bright and sunny day with a pleasant breeze and some hazy cloud.

There were no reported significant findings today, the good weather providing an opportunity for good overhead movement and for many of the long stayers to move on too.

Birds at Summer Leys LNR today included a Great White Egret, Greenshank, two Ruff, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Snipe and a Lesser Whitethroat with two Bar-tailed Godwits and two Little Ringed Plovers on nearby Hardwater Lake. The Quarry Walk section held two Cuckoos, a Grasshopper Warbler and Grizzled Skipper butterfly. Other scarce butterflies included a Green Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper at Twywell Hills and Dales Country Park.

The Glossy Ibis was at Stanwick Pits today plus eight Cattle Egrets, three Great White Egrets and two Mediterranean Gulls and birds at Stanford Reservoir today included two Grasshopper Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats (both ringed), four Cetti's Warblers, a Reed Warbler, a Green Sandpiper and an Oystercatcher.

Clifford Hill Pits today provided a Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover and a Wheatear. Honey Hill at Cold Ashby was visited but no Ring Ouzels were seen today. Two Ravens were at Hanging Houghton.

At Pitsford Reservoir it all seemed pretty quiet with a few Yellow Wagtails at both the dam and north of the causeway, a Common Snipe and two Common Sandpipers and a Yellow-legged Gull off the Sailing Club. A Sedge Warbler and three Tree Sparrows were ringed on the reserve there today. A male Brambling was in a Pitsford village garden this evening.

Hollowell Reservoir hosted a Common Snipe, a Jack Snipe and a Common Sandpiper.

Regards

Neil M

Sedge Warbler.

Common Whitethroat.

Reed Warbler.

All images courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Easter Sunday Eagle

Hello

Another day of sunny conditions, even if a little hazy at times.

The White-tailed Eagle at Stanford Reservoir yesterday was still there this morning and strayed into Northamptonshire before departing to the south. This bird was confirmed as a second calendar year bird from the Isle of Wight scheme. Other birds there this morning included a Marsh Harrier briefly, three Grasshopper Warblers, a Reed Warbler and two Oystercatchers.

A Hobby was seen at Brigstock this afternoon, two Ring Ouzels were still at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby and Lesser Whitethroats were reported from Mary's Lake at Earls Barton Pits, the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits and Harrington Airfield.

Other birds reported from Earls Barton include a Garganey and a Bar-tailed Godwit on the Summer Leys scrape and two Bar-tailed Godwits on Hardwater Lake whilst a Great White Egret and Garden Warbler were noted at Stortons Pits. Other birds at Thrapston Pits included an Osprey this afternoon fishing on Elinor Trout Lake and a pair of Garganey and Garden Warbler on the Titchmarsh reserve.

At Ringstead Pits the female Ring-necked Duck was still on Kinewell Lake early this afternoon where there were also two Mediterranean Gulls (adult and second summer) and two Cattle Egrets from Woodford Church.

An Osprey caught a fish at Hollowell Reservoir early this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Brown Hare.

Spitfire.

Red Kite.