Ringing, another Pied Fly and lots of migrants!

Hello

On Saturday 30th July a small team of ringers led by Kenny Cramer worked mist nets at Linford Lakes in Milton Keynes where they anticipated plenty of new birds of the season and of course warblers. They were not to be disappointed with an excellent array of twenty-two species amounting to one hundred and sixty-one birds. Only nine of this total were birds previously ringed and as Kenny commented, warblers led the charge with thirty Blackcaps, sixteen Reed Warblers, twenty-one Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, two Sedge Warblers, fourteen Garden Warblers, three Lesser Whitethroats and seven Common Whitethroats. Other notable captures included two Goldfinches, a Treecreeper, a Goldcrest, a Green Woodpecker and a Kingfisher and among the tits a re-trap Long-tailed Tit was first ringed as a juvenile in 2018.

Today (Monday) and a modest ringing session at Pitsford Reservoir accounted for just over forty common birds which included some quite aged Blue Tits! Birds noted in the Walgrave Bay included a vocal Curlew flying over at about 8.40am, two Great White Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, a Hobby and six Ravens. Birds in the Scaldwell Bay included the still present and vocal male Common Redstart opposite the Paul Britten seat in the field hedge, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, two Common Snipe, a reported Garganey and a Yellow-legged Gull. As the name suggests the Kingfisher Screen has been paying dividends recently with up to two Kingfishers at a time showing nicely in front of the screen.

Hollowell Reservoir hosted two Whinchats and a Black-tailed Godwit today and although difficult to find the Ferruginous Duck was still to be found lurking at Daventry Country Park, hiding under willows at the south end. A Black-tailed Godwit and four Green Sandpipers were also present.

A quieter day at Stanford Reservoir still provided a Water Rail, a Hobby and five Lesser Whitethroats and at Summer Leys LNR there was a Wood Sandpiper. Eleanor's 'purple patch' continued with another Pied Flycatcher being found this afternoon, this time at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell with a flock of tits and warblers and two Common Redstarts. Nearby a Common Buzzard was flushed from prey which proved to be a freshly-killed Tawny Owl and a pair of Grey Partridges were escorting four young.

Interestingly a 'camera trap' video in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton recorded at 3.15am this morning shows an 'asio' owl, possibly an unseasonable Short-eared Owl drinking from a water source!

A Great White Egret was on Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows this morning and at least one Common Redstart remains at Harrington Airfield. Clouded Yellow butterflies were seen in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton (up to seven), Blueberry Farm and a single at Borough Hill Country Park.

Regards

Neil M

Common Whitethroat.

Willow Warbler.

Reed Bunting.

Goldcrest.

Kingfisher.

Images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Busy last day of July

Hello

The last day of July and the back end of the month has been a particularly lively and interesting one for passage birds through the county. In more historic times July was a poor birding month when most local birdwatchers turned to insects and other disciplines to keep themselves entertained. In recent years the latter days of July have provided lots of interest with plenty of waders and passerines more associated with August and September.

Pitsford Reservoir provided quality avian interest today with a significant haul of scarce birds and migrants, mostly to be found in the Scaldwell Bay. A flock of six Common Scoters was a great if not unprecedented find as we know these ducks migrate up and down the spine and coasts of the UK during the summer and first one and then a second Cattle Egret are rare visitors to Pitsford. The male Common Redstart was still in field hedging opposite the Paul Britten hide, a flock of twenty-eight Black-tailed Godwits this afternoon must have been a splendid sight and other waders included a Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers and latterly a very vocal Whimbrel by the dam this evening. The two drake Red-crested Pochard were still present and Yellow-legged Gulls at both ends of the reservoir probably amounted to at least seven birds.

Summer Leys LNR received plenty of observer coverage today with sightings amounting to a Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers, 4-7 Black-tailed Godwits, a Great White Egret, a Hobby and a Marsh Harrier.

Stanford Reservoir's birds included a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, an Oystercatcher, a Common Sandpiper, a Hobby, nine Ravens and two Cetti's Warblers with two Ospreys again at Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon.

A Ferruginous Duck was located at Daventry Country Park this afternoon by Gary Pullan, the bird skulking and elusive in a bay on the eastern side of the old reservoir.

Eleanor's run of Common Redstarts continues with one at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and two elusive birds at Harrington Airfield with a Crossbill and a Siskin flying over at the latter site.

Regards

Neil M

One of the two Pied
Flycatchers at Harrington
Airfield yesterday, this one
a bird hatched this year.
Images courtesy of Nick Parker.

Harrington Airfield, love it or hate it !!

 I always think that Harrington Airfield is a bit like "marmite" in that you either love it or hate it.   For me it is definitely the former, especially after the amazing week I have had there. This week has been quite exceptional for the time of year. 

Last week I was struggling to find any birds of note as is often the case with Harrington.  Then a couple of days ago I took the dogs for a walk around the rough area/bunkers mainly looking at butterflies.  I had literally bumped into a Common Redstart in the bushes between the chipping compound and bunker 1 but very little else.  By the time I reached bunker 3 one of the dogs was lagging behind so I was just standing still waiting for him when a Black Redstart started hopping about infront of me !!! It then just melted away as quickly as it came.  Earlier that morning I had bumped into a Northern Wheatear and had noticed that there seemed to be birds moving about.  Harrington is one of the best places I know to witness and feel visible migration. 

Yesterday afternoon I went back to Harrington with the dogs and spent over 2 hours simply meandering slowly through the bushes and sitting around the bunkers.  It is amazing how many birds will pop out when you are sitting still.  I had some close encounters with young Willow Warblers,  Whitethroats and Grey Partridge plus a couple of Clouded Yellow butterflies.  The Common Redstarts proved more of a challenge.  Despite calling well I had to work really hard to see them but finally managed to see 3 individual birds.

Today I was up early and arrived at Harrington Airfield just after 6am. I  took my 2 young collies as they love to mooch around and will sit patiently whilst I'm looking at the birds etc. The plan was to enjoy a nice peaceful walk before starting on the long list of jobs I had. I decided to park at the main entrance and walk a large circle so I headed off up the road towards the chipping compound checking the roadside bushes as I went.  Plenty of activity in the bushes,  Blackcaps,  Whitethroats and Linnets dominating.  I managed to locate 2 Common Redstart between the chipping compound and bunker 2.      In order to complete my circle I walked down to the main track where a short walk to the end of the track produced nothing of note I back tracked and walked towards the shooting wall where there was plenty of activity,  more Blackcap and Whitethroat and at least 4 Spotted Flycatchers which were actively flitting about.   It was evident that there were more birds about today. 

I  was on the final leg and thinking about my breakfast when I noticed quite a few birds hopping about on the track infront of me and  could hear the plink plink of Chaffinch.  There was quite a mixed flock of Chaffinch,  Greenfinch,  Goldfinch and Linnets.  I was just about to take a step forward when I noticed a movement low down on the vegetation at the side of the track. I  could not believe my eyes when I saw that it was a Pied Flycatcher!! My heart skipped a beat and I was just gobsmacked.  I  watched it for a  couple of minutes as I wanted to be 110% sure before putting the news out.   By this time it was after 8am and I knew that the track would be getting busy with dog walkers and bang on cue the first dog walker arrived closely followed by a  tractor.  My heart sank as the birds disappeared.  Once it went quiet again I  just walked very slowly up and down the track much to the amusement of my collies who decided that they would simply sit and wait rather than join me. Thankfully the birds started to come back onto the track and nearby bushes and I saw the Pied Fly again, phew.   Then a pesky Robin chased the Pied Fly around the bushes but another Pied Flycatcher popped out which was brighter than the original bird. I was astounded by this,  especially when they both perched momentarily together.   There was no one else around to watch these amazing birds.      I had now been at Harrington for 3 hours and was starting to feel light headed as I hadn't had my breakfast and the other 2 dogs at home needed walking so I had to drag myself away.   As I left more dog walkers were arriving  so the birds would get disturbed.  I'm not sure how long the birds stayed around for but Nick Parker and John +Lynn Hunt managed to catch up with them shortly after I left. 

After some welcome breakfast it was the turn of the other two dogs. I didn't really expect quite an exciting time with them,  but I did find at least 8 Spotted Flycatchers and a Common Redstart in an old hedgerow near Lamport hall.                        Late afternoon I took a walk to Blueberry and there were 2 or 3 Common Redstart in their favourite hedge just beyond Blueberry Farm heading towards the highest point and Haselbeech. 

I thought that I had had my fill of Flycatchers today but we had one in the garden this afternoon showing my youngsters how to do agility!!!!. I have a few pieces of agility equipment set up in the garden for the youngsters to practice on. When I looked out of the window I  saw a  Spotted Flycatcher sitting on the "contact " area of the seesaw and then it flew over to the weaves and flitted along the top of the weave poles !!! Perhaps I should be competing with this bird rather than my two collies,  might get a clear round then , ha ha.

Other birds around today include Pink Footed Goose at Ravensthorpe Reservoir,  Osprey at Hollowell Reservoir and  Wood Sandpiper,  Bittern and Marsh Harrier at Summer Leys.

I wonder what Harrington Airfield has in store tomorrow and the coming weeks?.......watch this space. 

Regards Eleanor 

Birds and butterflies of late July

Hello 

Eleanor's visit to Pitsford Reservoir provided sightings of a Great White Egret, a Greenshank and three Common Sandpipers south of the causeway and two Great White Egrets, two drake Red-crested Pochards, a Pink-footed Goose and a Green Sandpiper in the Scaldwell Bay. David Arden subsequently saw the male Common Redstart and a Hobby also in the Scaldwell Bay.

Three Common Redstarts were present at Harrington Airfield plus a Hobby and a family party of very young Grey Partridges plus a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Another male Common Redstart was seen at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and two Green Sandpipers were on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR.

A number of Clouded Yellows in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton delighted a succession of observers today and Brimstone and Painted Lady butterflies and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth were all attracted to the nectar strips too. A Purple Hairstreak was a garden first for Fiona at Hanging Houghton today.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included the Garganey again, a juvenile Marsh Harrier, two Common Sandpipers, a Hobby and nine Ravens.

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Swallow Prominent.

Rosy Footman.

Emerald Damselfly.

Blue-tailed Damselfly.

A rather tatty White Admiral!

Ruddy Darter in cop.

Speckled Wood.

Hollowell's Ospreys and lots of chats!

Hello

Yesterday's two Ospreys at Hollowell Reservoir were well photographed by Jon Cooke to the point that part ring numbers and other salient features confirms these birds as originating from the Rutland Osprey project. Both are seemingly males, one bird being a three year old and the other a five year old bird. The latter bird is mature enough to breed now but these two birds have been meandering around with the five year old bird spending plenty of time in Hampshire as well as our region. An Osprey appeared back at Hollowell Reservoir at about 7.15pm this evening.

Eleanor had a good day for chats today with two Common Redstarts at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell first thing and followed by a Wheatear and a Common Redstart in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. A subsequent visit to Harrington Airfield followed in a similar vein with a Black Redstart at Bunker Three (with the bird hopping up to her on the concrete apron) and a Common Redstart between the Chippings Compound and Bunker One. Paul saw a Common Redstart later at Bunker Two which flew to Bunker One.

This afternoon what is presumed to be the same lingering Marsh Harrier was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton flying towards Cottesbrooke and a Clouded Yellow butterfly still attracted to the nectar strips.

A Pink-footed Goose was seen on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits today and a Bittern was reported from Summer Leys LNR (with a belated report from the week-end).

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today include a morning Osprey and an evening Marsh Harrier, a Yellow-legged Gull, two Common Sandpipers, two Ravens and two Kingfishers.

Regards

Neil M

Ospreys at Hollowell Reservoir
yesterday courtesy of Jon Cook.

Migration momentum

Hello

Yesterday evening (Tuesday) saw two Hobbies hawking insects over a small weedy field on the outskirts of Hanging Houghton - possibly taking chafers. In the same field there were a pair of Kestrels and at least one very vocal Little Owl.

Also yesterday evening a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper and a Great White Egret were seen on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston but there was no sign of the previous day's Cattle Egrets. Another Great White Egret was on the Summer Leys LNR plus three Redshanks, a Ruff, a Dunlin and two Little Ringed Plovers.

Today (Wednesday) and there was a ringing session at Woodford Halse which yielded some seventy-seven captures of common birds made up of fourteen species with Blue and Great Tits dominating. Other birds processed included a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, a Nuthatch, a Blackcap and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Birds noted on-site included a Hobby chasing a Swift, a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail. Migrant and Brown Hawkers were whizzing around as the temperatures increased during the morning.

A subsequent walk this afternoon around Borough Hill Country Park, Daventry didn't provide many migrants with the best birds being four Spotted Flycatchers, a Lesser Whitethroat and breeding Meadow Pipits. Butterflies included Painted Lady and Common Blue and Blue Emperor dragonflies were on the prowl.

Two Ospreys were seen at Hollowell Reservoir today and a Ruddy Shelduck was at Ravensthorpe Reservoir with two Great White Egrets still in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir.

Stanford Reservoir still boasted it's Garganey today plus a juvenile Marsh Harrier, a Common Sandpiper, two Kingfishers, a Hobby, two Cetti's Warblers and three Ravens.

Three Common Redstarts were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell early this morning and two more were viewable in hedging from the footpath leading from Bridle Road, Old past Cherry Hill and between Walgrave village and Pitsford Reservoir (plus a fly-by Clouded Yellow).

This afternoon there was a juvenile Marsh Harrier near Lamport heading over cereal fields towards the village of Scaldwell.

A Silver-washed Fritillary made it to Finedon Pocket Park today and a Purple Hairstreak was found on oaks at Upton Country Park west of the mill.

Regards

Neil M

The very big, bold and beautiful
Privet Hawk-moth courtesy of
Michelle Spinks.

Borough Hill Country Park
at Daventry is the best place 
I know locally for stunning
clumps of Harebells.

Common Blue butterfly at
Borough Hill Country Park.

Comma butterfly at
Pitsford Reservoir.

Pitsford Reservoir birds

Hello

Some more bird ringing took place at Pitsford Reservoir today utlising mist nets in the Walgrave Bay with a reasonable number of captures without anything spectacular. A young male Kingfisher was a highlight plus small numbers of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler, a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a juvenile Marsh Tit.

Other birds on-site included a Ruddy Shelduck, two Great White Egrets, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, two drake Red-crested Pochard, a Yellow-legged Gull and the male Common Redstart still in the hedgerow opposite the Paul Britten bench. Small numbers of Yellow Wagtails and hirundines were trickling south overhead in quite dull conditions and a Marbled White butterfly was noted too.

At Stanford Reservoir the Garganey was still present with three Water Rails noted on the Leicestershire bank and a Common Sandpiper was on the canal at Blisworth. Eleanor saw a Marsh Harrier in the Brampton Valley heading towards Blueberry Farm at about 2.20pm with at least two Clouded Yellow butterflies active in the nectar strips there. Three or four Spotted Flycatchers were at the southern edge of the Lamport Hall complex this evening.

Regards

Neil M

Kingfisher.

Common Swift courtesy
of Steve Wilson.

Marsh Harrier courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Swifts and House Martins at Lamport Hall.

Hello

Sorry it's a rather late blog but we haven't long finished a bird ringing session at Lamport Hall targeting and monitoring the Swifts and House Martins. With plenty of support we caught fifty-two birds made up of eight Swifts, forty House Martins and four Swallows. The great news is that some of the Swifts are believed to be using at least one and possibly a second nest box first erected in 2020, these boxes were designed and affixed with the intention of permitting this small colony to grow bigger. It often takes a good number of years for Swifts to adapt to such boxes so to have them using them after only two years is great news.

Three Hobbies and a couple of Sparrowhawks were present, the Hobbies in particular relentlessly pursuing the martins. A couple of Ravens and a Grey Wagtail provided further interest.

A Common Redstart was nearby along the footpath that runs between Hanging Houghton and Scaldwell with ten Spotted Flycatchers along the usual hedge/trees along the southern edge of Lamport Hall.

Two Cattle Egrets were found at Thrapston Pits today and birds at Earls Barton Pits (including Summer Leys LNR) included a Marsh Harrier, a Black-tailed Godwit, three Redshanks, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper and a Great White Egret.

Ravensthorpe Reservoir hosted a Yellow-legged Gull and at nearby Hollowell Reservoir there was an Osprey, two Ruddy Shelducks, a Redshank and a Common Sandpiper. Two Yellow-legged Gulls and a Great White Egret were at Pitsford Reservoir.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included the Garganey still, six Black-tailed Godwits first thing, two Ravens, a Hobby and a Kingfisher.

Clouded Yellow butterflies were at Harrington Airfield with two 100m from the Chippings Compound and at least two more around flower strips at Lamport Hall.

Regards

Neil M

Common Swift - a small bill
but a huge gape! Image courtesy
of Chris Payne.

Juvenile House Martin
courtesy of Chris Payne.

Common Swift and one of
the huge flatflies that they carry!
Image courtesy of Michelle Sawbridge.

Hobby courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Tigers and more Clouded Yellows

Hello

Butterflies continue to provide local interest with a Clouded Yellow and a Chalkhill Blue seen at Twywell Hills and Dales today and good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillaries included a 'valezina' form at Old Sulehay yesterday. Two more Clouded Yellows were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton again this afternoon.

Birds today included two Common Redstarts at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell with the male still in the Scaldwell Bay field hedge this morning at Pitsford Reservoir where there were also two Red-crested Pochard.

A Yellow-legged Gull was noted at Wicksteed Park at the main lake and a Pink-footed Goose at Ravensthorpe Reservoir is probably the returning summering bird of the past few years.

As well as the Garganey at Stanford Reservoir today there was also a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, four Ravens, two Hobbies and three broods of Tufted Ducks and a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Regards

Neil M

Clouded Yellow.

Garden Tiger.

Jersey Tiger.

Hornet devouring a longhorn
beetle courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Wildlife at Dungeness.

Hello 

A Marsh Harrier was in the vicinity of Lamport Hall this morning before moving off towards Pitsford Reservoir and the Spotted Flycatcher flock amounted to eight birds.

At Pitsford Reservoir today the male Common Redstart was in the field hedge again next to the Scaldwell Bay in the vicinity of the Paul Britten bench and other birds included the two drake Red-crested Pochard and a Green Sandpiper.

Birds at Earls Barton Pits were made up of a Dunlin and a Great White Egret at Summer Leys and a Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover at New Workings North.

A Sanderling was still on the Guilsborough Bay Point at Hollowell Reservoir this morning and a Crossbill was calling in flight over Denton Wood, Yardley Hastings.

Stanford Reservoir continues to host a Garganey and there was also an Osprey and a Common Sandpiper.

I am currently down at Dungeness where Jacob is completing a stint as Assistant Warden at the Bird Observatory and we are enjoying some of the local wildlife too!

Regards

Neil M

Painted Lady.

King Diving Beetle
dytiscus dimidiatus.

Jersey Tiger.

Red Fox.

Garden Tiger.

Starry Pearl.

Treecreeper.

Juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls.

July waders

Hello

A few birds of interest in the county today with two Black-tailed Godwits noted at Pitsford Reservoir in the Scaldwell Bay this morning and another located at Thrapston Pits. A Great White Egret and thirteen Little Egrets were also on the reserve at Pitsford. Four more Black-tailed Godwits were seen in flight at Summer Leys LNR (with one on the deck earlier) where at least one Marsh Harrier presented itself plus two Great White Egrets and a Common Snipe.

Hollowell Reservoir came good with two passage Sanderlings on the Guilsborough Point and an Osprey flew through. Stanford Reservoir hosted the Garganey, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, two Common Sandpipers, a Kingfisher and a Hobby.

Regards

Neil M

Lapwing courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Whimbrel courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

With the recent hot weather, wildlife
has looked for refuge in gardens as
Jim Dunkley's images portray!

Marsh Harriers, Grey Partridges and Clouded Yellows.

Hello

Some bird ringing took place at Pitsford Reservoir this morning with just over sixty birds being processed in the Walgrave Bay. There was nothing exceptional caught with Blue Tits and Great Tits making up the majority but the total did include Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and a juvenile Lesser Whitethroat. Other birds noted on the reserve included two Great White Egrets, one or two Yellow-legged Gull(s), a Redshank, a Green Sandpiper and two Ravens - a Marbled White was on the wing too.

Two Juvenile Marsh Harriers interacting with each other this afternoon was the bird highlight at Summer Leys LNR where there was also a Great White Egret and a Green Sandpiper and Jon found a first year male Common Redstart at Honey Hill. Cold Ashby.

Birds at Hollowell Reservoir included the female Ruddy Shelduck, four Dunlin and four Little Ringed Plovers and Stanford Reservoir's birds included the Garganey, a Redshank, two Common Sandpipers, a Kingfisher and a Hobby.

Two Families of Grey Partridges were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and two Clouded Yellow butterflies were on nectar strips there too.

Regards

Neil M

Brown Hawker dragonfly.

Lesser Whitethroat.