First the wind...and shortly the rain!

Hello

A very blustery if mild day but we now hold our breath for something of a deluge tomorrow it seems!

At least four Ravens were swirling around in the wind this morning at Hanging Houghton but it didn't stop the Marsh Tits and Nuthatches coming for their morning treats below the village at the Brampton Valley Way!

An adult Yellow-legged Gull was again off the Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon and a drake Smew was reported in the Scaldwell Bay. At least two Siskins were in Scotland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate and two Lesser Redpolls were noted at Stanford Reservoir.

The Pink-footed Goose was spotted again at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and an adult Caspian Gull and a Great White Egret were at Hollowell Reservoir.

An Otter was showing well from the Rotary Hide at Summer Leys LNR this lunchtime after not being reported for a while, and a male Merlin put in an appearance there this morning. Birds at Eyebrook Reservoir included six Smew and a drake Scaup.

The Pintail was still on floods at Bozenham together with eighty Wigeon, several Gadwall, a Shoveler and a hundred Teal - at least there are some winners when our valleys flood!

Regards

Neil M

Winter waterfowl.

Raven.

Jackdaw.

Rook.

Mild and breezy birding

Hello

Yesterday was a wash-out locally for bird sightings but at least some birds of interest have been seen today!

Yesterday (Wednesday) the Pink-footed Goose and a Great White Egret were again seen at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and today (Thursday) started with a Barn Owl being seen at Blueberry Farm (last seen with a Common Buzzard in hot pursuit) plus a Woodcock, with a female Peregrine in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon.

A Grey Wagtail was in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth this morning and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was off the Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir.

A female Merlin between Harlestone Heath and Duston was a good record and at Harrington Airfield today there was a Brambling, a Chiffchaff and two Ravens.

Four Goosanders, two Great White Egrets and thirteen Little Egrets were at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits this afternoon and at Bozenham Mill floods attracted a Pintail, about sixty Wigeon, one hundred and twenty Lapwings and about thirty Common Snipe.

In the Nene Valley a Caspian Gull and a Yellow-legged Gull were on Chester House Lake east of Wellingborough and an adult Caspian Gull persisted at Hollowell Reservoir late morning.

Eyebrook Reservoir boasted fourteen Smew again including eleven drakes which must look spectacular and birds for Stanford Reservoir today included a first winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost, a Red-crested Pochard, a Pintail and a Great White Egret.

Regards

Neil M

Marsh Tit courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Goosanders.

Lapwing.

Winter thrushes

Hello

A wet and windy day but considerably milder...with perhaps not quite so much rain as forecast?

A flock of 'probable' Waxwings, some twenty in number as found by Michelle Sawbridge in Stony Stratford today were seen again and the identity confirmed. Just inside Buckinghamshire but very close to the Northants border, these birds were presumably the flock seen near Cosgrave a couple of days ago. They were last seen flying towards the High Street just before 1pm.

A covey of nine Grey Partridges were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning, a Brambling was at Harrington Airfield and small numbers of Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall.

A Caspian Gull and two Shelduck were at Stanford Reservoir today and a Little Egret and several Ring-necked Parakeets were in Abington Park, Northampton. A Great White Egret was still visiting gardens in Barton Seagrave today and a female Blackcap was taking berries in a Mawsley village garden.

Regards

Neil M

Fieldfares and Redwings 
courtesy of Jim Dunkley.

Winter may not be the
favourite season of the year
but here in Northants we are
blessed with great numbers of
both species of winter thrush.

Ditchford WeBS count.

Hello

Today I spent much of the day at Ditchford Pits completing the WeBS count on my allocated section of this very large complex. It remained cold and breezy but dry with some sunshine and there were reasonable numbers of wildfowl present. West of Ditchford Lane and birds located included two Great White Egrets, two Egyptian Geese, two Water Rails, six Cetti's Warblers, a Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff. East of Ditchford Lane and the best of the rest was a Great White Egret, two Little Egrets, at least one Water Rail, 7-9 Goosanders, three Cetti's Warblers, a Siskin, eight Common Snipe and two Jack Snipe. Sadly I failed to record a Kingfisher anywhere - particularly concerning as the last two Short Day Counts over the week-end also failed to find any; muddy, coloured water is their enemy and periods of heavy rain make their efforts at finding food particularly difficult.

Sadly there were no sightings of Yellow-browed Warbler(s) at Earls Barton Pits today despite some determined looking. Other birds noted there included a small flock of Siskins and a Jack Snipe feeding with Common Snipe on the Summer Leys LNR (the Jack Snipe on the main lake margin as seen from the PB hide).

The Pink-footed Goose was again at Ravensthorpe Reservoir early this afternoon and birds at Stanford Reservoir included a first winter Kittiwake and a Caspian Gull in the roost and a Red-crested Pochard. Birding at Hollowell Reservoir yielded an adult Caspian Gull, a Golden Plover, five Common Snipe and a female Stonechat.

Two Twite near Yardley Gobion next to the Grand Union canal this morning is an unprecedented mid-winter sighting and a male Merlin was seen there too. Two Caspian Gulls (a first winter and a third winter) were on pools behind Royal Mail buildings near Lilbourne on the DIRFT 3 complex today.

Six Smew and two Scaup remained at Eyebrook Reservoir late this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Kingfisher.

Meadow Pipit.

Only room for two more!
Black-headed and Common
Gulls on a tern raft at
Pitsford Reservoir.

All images courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

SP54 Short Day Count.

Hello

It was the turn of the tetrad SP54 for the short day count today and we began the day at Edgcote and Trafford Bridge with plenty of Red Kites, a couple of Ravens, a Siskin and a Grey Wagtail. Throughout the day there were plenty of winter thrushes with good numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings in all the parishes. Another Siskin was noted at Thenford, a Raven and six Grey Partridges were near Greatworth and Roe Deer were seen at two spots near Middleton Cheney. 

The Yellow-browed Warbler was seen again at Earls Barton Pits at the entrance of Mary's Lake and two drake Smew and a Redshank were north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir. A drake Goosander, a Grey Wagtail and Ring-necked Parakeets were at Abington Park, Northampton, a female Red-crested Pochard was at Delapre Lake/Hardingstone Pits with a Jack Snipe nearby at Barnes Meadow LNR.

Seven Smew and up to three Scaup were at Eyebrook Reservoir today and birds at Stanford Reservoir included a Red-crested Pochard, a Green Sandpiper, a Golden Plover, a Goosander, a Kingfisher and ten Ravens.

Another white Stoat, this one in complete ermine dress was by the Brampton Valley Way at Hanging Houghton this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Plenty of colour on a raw, grey day
 - Ring-necked Parakeets
 courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Wet bird feeding

Hello

A rather wet day in the county today which I spent much of the time visiting wild bird feeding stations topping up feeders and completing broadcast feeds.

A Grey Wagtail was in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth where the recently landscaped pools and wetland areas are taking shape and attracting birds including a sizeable flock of Lapwings. This area which is viewable from the Brampton Valley Way track should provide some interesting sightings to the future.

A Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits and birds at Stanford Reservoir included two Caspian Gulls, a Red-crested Pochard, two Goosanders and a good count of fifteen Ravens.

Another Caspian Gull was located at Hollowell Reservoir, a flock of about twelve small unidentified geese were seen flying south along the Brampton Valley below Lamport this afternoon and a Pink-footed Goose was in fields between Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Ravensthorpe village this morning. Ten Smew remained at Eyebrook Reservoir.

This afternoon a Brambling and a Woodcock were at Harrington Airfield and two Ravens were in Hanging Houghton village. The Great White Egret touring gardens around Barton Seagrave is apparently making itself very unpopular with those that like to preserve goldfish in their garden ponds! The female Red-crested Pochard and a Yellow-legged Gull were at Delapre Lake/Hardingstone Pits.

Regards

Neil M

Caspian Gull.

Red Kite.

Great White Egret.

SP55 Short Day Count

Hello

Today was the Banbury Ornithological Society Short Day Count in SP55, an opportunity to try and see as many species as possible in a 10km square tetrad. The first few hours are traditionally spent in and around Fawsley Park where the varied habitat produces a relatively high number of species. Very few waterfowl were present and some of the traditional species such as Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were not located but we saw about thirty Siskins and two Cetti's Warblers and at least one Water Rail were vocal. At least six Ravens remained high profile.

Catesby is one of my favourite areas in the tetrad and normally produces good numbers of common birds and today a female Stonechat and four Ravens were the highlight. A large flock of Linnets were attracted to some cover crops near West Farndon and five species of raptor were there which included the best bird of the day - a male Merlin chasing the Linnets. A Chiffchaff was heard calling at Boddington Reservoir.

At least one Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits today and the female Red-crested Pochard was still at Delapre Lake/Hardingstone Pits. At Sywell Country Park this afternoon there were thirty Siskins, a pair of Stonechats, a single Cetti's Warbler, a Water Rail and a Grey Wagtail. At Pitsford Reservoir the drake Smew was seen in the Scaldwell Bay.

This afternoon twenty-five Mandarin Ducks were visible at Blatherwycke Lake and at Eyebrook Reservoir there were ten Smew on-site plus at least five Great White Egrets.

Regards

Neil M

Merlin.

Raven.

Siskin courtesy of
 Robin Gossage.

Mild January birds

Hello

Birds visible at Pitsford Reservoir today included a drake Smew still in the Holcot Bay and two adult Caspian Gulls briefly this afternoon, a male Goosander and a Grey Wagtail. At least one Siskin was present at Kelmarsh Hall and about thirty were at Harlestone Heath near to the railway line.

About twenty Waxwings were seen flying near Cosgrove in South Northants this morning but sadly were not relocated. The female Red-crested Pochard remained on Delapre Lake/Hardingstone Pits and the two Yellow-browed Warblers were still present at Mary's Lake at Earls Barton Pits - one showing well on occasions when the assembled photographers gave it space - and the other much more elusive and calling in adjacent hedgerows. A Cetti's Warbler also showed well in the same place and a Raven was seen flying over.

An adult Kittiwake was seen on the dam at Daventry Country Park this morning but couldn't be found in a brief search later. Two Green Sandpipers, a Stonechat and at least five Chiffchaffs was good birding in the Nene Valley at Ecton SF. Three Blackcaps are currently regular visitors to David Arden's garden at Spratton.

Eight Smew and two Scaup were reported from Eyebrook Reservoir today and birds at Stanford Reservoir amounted to an adult Caspian Gull, a Great White Egret, a Red-crested Pochard, three Goosanders and thirty-five Goldeneye.

Regards

Neil M

Goldeneye.

Kestrel.

Redshank.

Tufted Duck.

All images courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Quiet day in the county

Nuthatch courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Hello

Seemingly a quiet birding day in the county today and despite multiple observers at Pitsford Reservoir little of note was seen.

One of the Yellow-browed Warblers was still present at Earls Barton Pits near to the entrance of Mary's Lake and at times showing well. Three Great White Egrets were on the complex too. A Scaup was reported on Summer Leys LNR near Rotary Island. A Grey Wagtail was in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth.

An incredible fourteen Smew were seen at Eyebrook Reservoir this afternoon.

A Stoat seen near to the A508 at Hanging Houghton today was in almost complete white ermine winter dress!

Regards

Neil M

Common Gulls courtesy
of John Tilly.

Robin courtesy of
John Tilly.

Male Chaffinch.

Wet birding in early January.

Hello

Rather unpleasant, wet and dreary weather in the county today which is perhaps why there has been a lack of reports.

At least one Yellow-browed Warbler was still present at the entrance of Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits today, and still showing and calling there at 4pm.

At Pitsford Reservoir this morning there was a drake Smew in the Holcot Bay and a Redshank and at least eight Pintail were in the Scaldwell Bay.

A Great White Egret remains in the Barton Seagrave area and a male and a female Blackcap were in an Oundle garden with still a female in a Sywell garden.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir included a Caspian Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull and about 315 Great Black-backed Gulls. Five Smew remain at Eyebrook Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Male Bullfinch.

Female Blackcap.

Black-headed Gulls.

Winter images courtesy of
Jim Dunkley.

Second day of 2023.

Hello

A cold but pleasant winter day provided a nice array of birds in the county and with the two Yellow-browed Warblers still in the vicinity of Mary's Lake at Earls Barton Pits.

Two Ravens, a Siskin and a Redpoll were on the Kelmarsh Estate this morning with another two Ravens in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

Helen Franklin conducted a little garden ringing just across the border at Priors Marston and caught and processed forty-three birds which included a male Sparrowhawk, a male Blackcap, a Dunnock that was at least six years old and an amazing eleven Robins.

Birds at Harrington Airfield this afternoon included a Woodcock, a Brambling, two Redpolls and two Ravens. A Green Sandpiper and a Barnacle Goose were at Upton Country Park this morning and the female Red-crested Pochard was still at Hardingstone Pits/Delapre Lake.

A male Blackcap was seen in a Kettering garden and a female was in a Sywell garden and at Hollowell Reservoir the Ruddy Shelduck was still present as was an adult Caspian Gull, four Common Snipe and a female Stonechat.

At Pitsford Reservoir today there were two drake Smew in the Holcot Bay with a Scaup reported too and two Pintail remained in the Scaldwell Bay. Two adult Caspian Gulls were off the dam this afternoon.

At least four Goosanders were at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits this afternoon and at least ten Smew were at Eyebrook Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Sparrowhawk courtesy
of Helen Franklin.

Eurasian Wigeon courtesy
of John Tilly.

Pochard courtesy
of John Tilly.

New Year's Day

Hello

New Year's Day generally provides the incentive for starting the year off bird-filled and so it proved to be.

A Brambling and two Ravens were in the village at Hanging Houghton today and birds at Hollowell Reservoir included a female Ruddy Shelduck, a Peregrine and two Common Snipe.

The two Yellow-browed Warblers were still at Mary's Lake, Earls Barton today, one showing significantly better than the other. A couple of Great White Egrets and a Pintail were on the adjacent Summer Leys LNR. Three drake Goosanders were at Stortons Pits, two Green Sandpipers and a Common Snipe were nearby at Upton Country Park and a female Red-crested Pochard was on Delapre Lake/Hardingstone Pits.

At Pitsford Reservoir today an adult Yellow-legged Gull was by the dam and birds north of the causeway included three drake Smew, two drake Pintail, a Great White Egret, a Redshank and a male Stonechat.

Stanford Reservoir birds on the first day of the year included a Caspian Gull, a Red-crested Pochard and nine Goosanders and eight drake Smew were at Eyebrook Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Yellow-browed Warbler
courtesy of David Arden.

Yellow-browed Warbler
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Happy New Year!

Hello

And yet another year comes to an end! I'd only just acclimatized to the year 2022 and tomorrow it's 2023!

For me it's been a busy year with the number of tours now back at the pre-pandemic stage and with plenty in the diary for 2023 too. The downside is that I spend relatively little time in the county these days and combined with ringing activities and other allied interests my county-related birding is somewhat lean. However being a WeBS counter, conducting other surveys and an avid bird feeder it means I'm still immersed in my birds and other wildlife but it is very rare day indeed when I go out simply to go birding!

Today I returned back from an eight day Naturetrek tour to southern Portugal entitled 'The Algarve at Christmas'. This was my first ever tour back in 2013 and I look back with fondness at the nine Christmas periods I have spent out there generally in very good weather and seeing quality birds and in good numbers. Just like here things have changed and some birds are more difficult to see and some have become easier. Trends seem to accelerate with our influence and it's generally tough to find Little Bustards these days but this Christmas we found four species of eagle wintering in the area as well as Little Bitterns and increasing numbers of hirundines and warblers and Ring Ouzels. I've formatted a few images from this month's tour and they are on the Tab or Page entitled 'The Algarve at Christmas 2022'.

Eleanor tells me the only birds she managed to see of note today were one hundred and eighty Golden Plovers at Harrington Airfield and I note that Jon was able to confirm that at least one of the Yellow-browed Warblers was still present at Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits this afternoon. Two Caspian Gulls were in the roost at Stanford Reservoir this afternoon plus a Green Sandpiper was present and an excellent nine Smew (seven drakes) were at Eyebrook Reservoir just across the border.

A very big thank-you to the regular contributors to this blog - reporting details of birds and their activities, interesting sightings and of course plenty of images and some video too. Your support is very-much valued.

We wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Neil and Eleanor

Grey Heron courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Stunning Yellow Browed Warblers

 I had to pop over to Wellingborough this morning and on my way home made a detour to Mary's Lake at Summer Leys for another look at the Yellow Browed Warbler(s). When I got there I was very surprised to find that there were no other birders, mind you the weather wasn't very inviting as dull and raining.  After standing around for 40 minutes getting rather wet I was beginning to think that I had made a huge mistake.  Then just as I was about to go I heard a Yellow Browed calling incessantly from the hedgerow.  I soon located a movement but the light was awful as I looked through my binoculars into the gloom. Thankfully the bird came out and onto the outside of the hedge before dropping down into the brambles infront of me before disappearing back into the hedge. It did this twice which was very frustrating.  However I decided that as I was already wet then I might just as well stay a bit longer.  The weather did actually break and brighten up a bit and it wasn't long before a Yellow Browed appeared in the hedge again and dropped into the brambles, but this time it showed extremely well and was joined briefly by another Yellow Browed Warbler!!  This is quite unprecedented and amazing to see. The second bird soon disappeared into the hedge leaving the original bird to feed and flit about in close open view.  I have seen numerous Yellow Browed Warblers whilst holidaying on the Isles of Scilly but the views I have had of this bird have far surpassed any of those encounters.  I know that there are a lot of very happy birders and photographers  out there at the moment thanks to these stunning birds. But I think that we all owe a huge thanks to the original finder of the bird who I believe is Adrian Borley. 

After dragging myself away from Summer Leys I took my young collies for a brisk walk around Sywell CP where I managed 2 Cettis Warbler,  4 Stonechat, Water Rail,  2 Grey Wagtail,  6 Lesser Redpolls approx 20 Siskins.        As it was on my way home I made stop at Pitsford Reservoir.  It seemed very quiet.  Just a Redshank,  Green Sandpiper and pr Stonechat in the Scaldwell bay.  My final outing of the day was Blueberry area where there was a Barn Owl and 2 Little Owls. 

Unfortunately the weather looks quite wet for the weekend but don't let that put you off from visiting Summer Leys and catching up with these fabulous stunning Warblers.  It will be worth getting wet for and I know that you will not be disappointed.  I suspect that Sunday may be quite busy as the "year listers" will be out in force attempting to get these Warblers on their birding list on the first day of the New Year. 

Regards Eleanor 

Super Summer Leys

 Summer Leys was the place to be today. It began with a male Hen Harrier passing through.  This bird had originally been spotted by Martin Swanell sitting in a roadside tree between Mears Ashby and Earls Barton.  All I ever seem to find in roadside trees are Common Buzzards, not that I'm complaining as they always look so majestic whilst on look out duty.                                                                                                                                          A couple of hours later and a report of the Yellow Browed Warbler showing again at Mary's Lake. This bird has been around for a couple of weeks but has been elusive. Today it was showing well.  Then it was reported that 2 Yellow Browed Warblers were present. As is often the case when birders gather at a bird other birds are located and sure enough a juvenile Great Northern Diver was picked up on Mary's Lake.                                                I must admit that it was a bit of an effort for me to drive over to Summer Leys as I was recovering from a migraine,  but I'm so glad that I went.  A Yellow Browed Warbler was on show when I arrived.  It was simply stunning and extremely close. Infact I didn't really need my binoculars as at times it was too close.  The bird was constantly feeding and climbing about on the outside of bushes or vegetation.  There will be some amazing pictures of this bird circulating. As I watched it seemed to make some short circuits and then end up back infront of me.  At times it was joined by a Goldcrest and also a Chiffchaff. Two birds had been reported earlier but I only ever saw one Yellow Browed.  I did hear a Yellow Browed Warbler calling a short distance from where I was standing but have no way of knowing whether it was a second bird or the bird that I had been watching. 

Earlier today I visited Harrington Airfield. Whilst scanning the fields opposite the main entrance for Golden Plovers (20 birds) the Ring Tail Hen Harrier made an appearance and headed off towards Draughton Village. Harrington was otherwise quiet.                          Yesterday a visit to Pitsford Reservoir only yielded a pair of Stonechat in the Scaldwell bay and the previous day (Christmas day) I had a large female Peregrine successfully hunting the Fieldfares below Hanging Houghton .

A few birds reported around the county. A Redhead Smew on town lake Thrapston,  2 ad Caspian Gulls and 5 Goosander at Hollowell Reservoir,  Pink Footed Goose, drake Mandarin and Chiffchaff at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Red Crested Pochard at Hardingstone Lake and Stanford Reservoir.  

Regards Eleanor 

Yellow-browed Warbler at
Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits,
images courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Christmas Greetings

 I actually managed quite a bit of birding today as I had only left myself a few last minute errands to fit in.  I  was up early as usual and raring to get out as soon as it was dawn. As I set off along the Brampton Valley Way it was still dark and I hoped that I literally didn't bump into anyone!! As I stopped at the stream I disturbed a Grey Heron and I don't know who jumped the most, the Heron, me or my young collie who has a very vivid imagination.  It was quite funny. After the obligatory game with the collies in the stream I headed towards Blueberry.  After the rain of yesterday it was a beautiful morning and whilst standing around taking in the atmosphere I picked up a raptor heading towards me. It was the Ring Tail Hen Harrier again.  This bird has been around for a good few weeks but I still have absolutely no idea where it spends most of it's time. I walk this area daily but only randomly bump into this bird. I can only imagine that it hunts over a vast area.

After breakfast I went to Pitsford Reservoir.  I stopped off at the dam and picked up a couple of drake Red Crested Pochards.  A couple of weeks ago when we completed the Webs count there were hardly any birds on the big side and I remember only a handful of Coot. Well today there were over 200 Coot easily visible plus good numbers of Tufted Ducks and Great Crested Grebes. I know that this is not very remarkable but there has obviously been a bit of a movement of these birds.  I did wonder if they had simply come from the small side but judging from the amount of birds still present on the small side I think unlikely.    The 2 drake Smew were still in the Holcot Bay and Redshank,  Green Sandpiper, several Pintail and 6 Great White Egrets also on the small side.                              A very quiet visit to Harrington Airfield to feed the birds only produced 2 Grey Partridge and 70 Golden Plovers.                                                                                                                           It has been a very quiet day in the county and I suspect that bird news may be quiet for the next few days as other things take presedence. 

We would just like to wish everyone a Very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and we hope that you have a lovely day however you are spending it.

Regards Eleanor 

Robin.