Ringing at Linford Lakes

Hello

The weather yesterday (Saturday) was good enough to unfurl the mist nets and Kenny and his team enjoyed another super session down at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes amassing a total of one hundred and thirteen birds caught and processed of seventeen species, the majority of which were fresh birds in. A male Grey Wagtail was perhaps star of the show but the high numbers of Lesser Redpolls amounted to twenty-six birds the majority of which were new birds. Twenty-three Blackcaps were a fresh arrival and there were six Chiffchaffs, three Willow Warblers and a Reed Warbler. Eleven Greenfinches was another good total and other birds processed included five Goldfinches and two Reed Buntings. A Cuckoo was seen and heard.

Dave did some ringing in his Northampton garden and birds processed included two Siskins, a Greenfinch, six Goldfinches, two Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff.

Today (Sunday) and an early visit to Harrington Airfield turned up the female Ring Ouzel plus a Short-eared Owl, a male Common Redstart, two Wheatears and four Grey Partridges.

In the Nene Valley three Cattle Egrets flew west at Summer Leys LNR this afternoon and other birds included a Peregrine, a Curlew and common warblers with Cuckoos at Mary's Lake and Quarry Walk and a Grasshopper Warbler at the latter site too. A drake Garganey was on the Main Lake at Stanwick Pits early this morning and the long-staying female Ring-necked Duck remained on Cotton Reel Lake, Ditchford Pits

An Osprey was briefly at Hollowell Reservoir late this morning and a Wheatear was at Borough Hill Country Park, Daventry.

Three Redshanks were at Stanford Reservoir and other birds included a Wheatear, a Common Sandpiper, two Cetti's Warblers, two Reed Warblers, a Fieldfare and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Black-tailed Godwit was in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir briefly this morning and a Common Sandpiper was on the dam.

A Ring Ouzel was on private farmland between Cottesbrooke and Naseby late this morning and other birds included a Raven, a Fieldfare and a Siskin. A female Common Redstart was in a hedgerow at Stoke Albany this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Male Grey Wagtail.

Willow Warbler.

Reed Warbler.

Long-tailed Tit.

All images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Butterflies, snakes and passerine migrants

Hello

Migrant passerines set the scene in the county today with large numbers of warblers, some chats and more waves of hirundines arriving even if the waders and terns are in short supply.

At Pitsford Reservoir David enjoyed his early morning birding with a smart male Whinchat below the dam and also two Common Sandpipers on the dam. At the other end he saw a female Common Redstart and a Lesser Whitethroat in the Scaldwell Bay hedge between Maytrees and the Bird Club hides and a couple of Common Snipe.

A Stanford Reservoir there were three Oystercatchers, two Shelducks, two Lesser Whitethroats and two Cetti's Wartblers. Harrington Airfield now has at least eight singing Willow Warblers back on territory plus a Wheatear, two Redpolls and a Raven but with no apparent sign of the female Ring Ouzel today.

A male Common Redstart was on view briefly at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon plus three Redwings and two Fieldfares, and two Short-eared Owls remain on private land west of Lamport.

Four Waxwings were still at Warth Park, Raunds this morning but weren't seen later, a male Common Redstart was at Stanwick Pits near to the A45 causeway and birds at Summer Leys LNR included a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, a Cuckoo, a Great White Egret, a Common Sandpiper, two Little Ringed Plovers, two Redpolls and a reported Sandwich Tern. A Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler were at the back of Mary's Lake and one or two Common Sandpiper(s) and two Green Sandpipers were on the Earls Barton New Workings.

Another male Common Redstart was found at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby this morning and a Grasshopper Warbler was at Oundle in a field between Prince William school and the River Nene. A Lesser Whitethroat was at Clifford Hill Pits this morning.

Regards

Neil M

One of two Grass Snakes
in the Brampton Valley
 below Lamport. Image
courtesy of Eleanor.

Lots of butterflies
on the wing today
including plenty of
Orange-tips.

Black-headed Gull courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Black-tailed Godwit (and Avocet)
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Birds of a warm spring day

Hello

Another day of pleasant temperatures and weather and the female Ring Ouzel at Harrington Airfield performed rather well to all-comers as she gleaned the areas around Bunkers Two and Three. A gentle, quiet approach and keeping still provides the best views.

A male Ring Ouzel was again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton near to Shrike Hedge at lunchtime with three Yellow Wagtails there too and later a Short-eared Owl flew through. Two Short-eared Owls and a Jack Snipe and six Common Snipe were west of Lamport but no Short-eared Owls were seen at Blueberry Farm today. A Curlew moved north along the Brampton Valley below Brixworth this morning.

An Avocet was a good find at Stanwick Pits where it remained on Layby Pit for much of the day. Other birds included a Shelduck, a Common Sandpiper and two Redshanks.

At Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits birds included a pair of Egyptian Geese, two pairs of Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher and a Great White Egret. The female Ring-necked Duck remained on Cotton Reel Lake at Ditchford Pits and other birds on the complex were a Cuckoo and a Cattle Egret.

A drake Red-crested Pochard again showed up at Earls Barton New Workings where there were also singles of Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper.

Yet again an Osprey was seen over the dam at Pitsford Reservoir, with almost consecutive day sightings usually in the afternoons. A male Wheatear was on unused land next to Morrisons Warehouse on the Willlowbrook Estate at Corby early this afternoon and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming at Yardley Chase early this morning. 

Two Cetti's Warblers were at Sywell Country Park this afternoon, a Siskin, four Ravens and a Grey Wagtail were at Cottesbrooke and Stanford Reservoir hosted a Great White Egret, two Common Sandpipers, two Shelduck, two Cetti's Warblers and four Ravens.

Regards

Neil M

Chiffchaff courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Female Sparrowhawk
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

More Tree Sparrow boxes
went up today as we fight
to keep this species in the
county!

A trotting Fox or a Foxtrot?
Either way he kept a watchful
eye on me as he trotted past!

A warm April day

Hello

As forecast a much warmer day and with some nice sunshine too brought forth a number of insects and the birds were in full voice.

There were no reported positive sightings of the Purple Heron at Stanford Reservoir today and in some  respects it was Harrington Airfield that stole the show with the remaining female Ring Ouzel around Bunker Three, a low profile male Common Redstart near Bunker One and a Short-eared Owl again this evening.

Two Cattle Egrets and a Great White Egret were at Summer Leys LNR, three Little Ringed Plovers were on Earls Barton New Workings and two Common Sandpipers and two Wheatears were at Clifford Hill Pits. A Nightingale was at Stanwick Pits this morning, along the old railway line between the A6 road bridge and the main car park and a Grasshopper Warbler was 'reeling' on the other side of the A6 near to the Greenway Bridge over the River Nene on the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve at Ditchford Pits.

An Arctic Tern remained at Eyebrook Reservoir, there was a pair of Mandarin Ducks in the Welland Valley below Middleton and at Hollowell Reservoir an Osprey flew south this afternoon and two Common Sandpipers were on the dam.

A Brambling was at Braunston and two Ravens and a Kingfisher were near Cottesbrooke village. Blueberry Farm near Maidwell continued to host a Short-eared Owl today where there were also two Wheatears, and two Short-eared Owls re-appeared west of Lamport after a day's absence. At least two Siskins were feeding in a garden on the eastern outskirts of Northampton.

Regards

Neil M

Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Brown Hare.

Muntjac.

All images courtesy
of Tony Stanford and
from Pitsford Reservoir
today.

April migrants

Hello

For those that were patient enough to wait the Purple Heron showed itself at Stanford Reservoir a couple of times today. Other birds on-site included two Shelduck and eleven Yellow Wagtails.

Pitsford Reservoir didn't really compare but there was an Osprey again around the dam today plus two Yellow-legged Gulls (adult and second calendar year) and an un-ringed but fairly tame female Wood Duck and a Grey Wagtail.

Another Grey Wagtail was at Kelmarsh Hall where there were two Siskins and a Raven. A single Short-eared Owl at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell appears to be the only bird left in the immediate area with none at Lamport today and none seen at Harrington Airfield either. A Grey Wagtail was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton with a Jack Snipe and four Common Snipe further along the valley below Lamport. A Siskin was mobile in Hanging Houghton village.

Harrington Airfield provided a male Common Redstart between the Chippings Compound and Bunker One and a Ring Ouzel moving around between Bunkers Two and Three. A Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail and about six Fieldfares were there too.

In the Nene Valley the Cattle Egret and two Little Ringed Plovers were at Summer Leys LNR and a Black-tailed Godwit was on the Titchmarsh LNR at Thrapston Pits with two Common Terns on the complex too. Three Common Sandpipers and two Wheatears were at Clifford Hill Pits and four Oystercatchers were at Upton Country Park.

Regards

Neil M

Kestrel.

Robin.

Chiffchaff.

Grey Heron.

All images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Purple Heron

Hello

Another day of strong weather with powerful south-west gusts, squally showers and periods of sunshine.

The best find of the day was undoubtedly a Purple Heron found at Stanford Reservoir, spending time in both counties, but it wasn't seen during the latter part of the day but could still be present in the reservoir reed beds. Other birds there included a Lesser Whitethroat, yet another early migrant in a spring with plenty of premature arrivals.

In the Nene Valley a small influx of terns at Thrapston Pits increased to a dozen birds and appeared to include both Common and Arctic Terns and like most waters there was a good concentration of hirundines of all three common species.

Clifford Hill Pits attracted an Arctic Tern, two Common Terns, two Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, three Common Sandpipers, three White Wagtails and two Yellow Wagtails. It seems the terns had departed by this evening.

Earls Barton Pits attracted an early Hobby, a Peregrine, a Little Gull, a Cattle Egret and common hirundines and warblers and the female Ring-necked Duck was again on Cotton Reel Lake at Ditchford Pits.

Pitsford Reservoir seemed to suffer a quiet day with plenty of Swallows and martins to enjoy but not much else! The adult Yellow-legged Gull was still present and was seen mating with a Lesser Black-backed Gull - creating another identification headache for the future perhaps! A Raven and a Little Egret was all I could find and no sign of any terns! A single Common Tern was at Hollowell Reservoir this evening and an Arctic Tern was seen at Eyebrook Reservoir.

A sheltered area along the concrete track at Harrington Airfield was the venue for a female Ring Ouzel this morning with four singing Willow Warblers hopefully being returning breeders and also two male Wheatears in the field beyond Bunker Three.

Regards

Neil M

Red-legged Partridges
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Mistle Thrush courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Incoming drake Mallard
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Bathing Robin courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Calm once again

Hello

A relatively calm day following the strong gusts of the week-end meant that ringers could once again utilise mist nets! Dave Francis completed some garden ringing with nine Siskins hitting the nets plus two Goldfinches and more typical garden birds. The migrant finches such as Siskin have been piling on the weight the last few weeks with some birds gaining over five grams in readiness for their next big flight north.

Over at Linford Lakes the targets were again the migrant finches and incoming warblers. Kenny and his small team catalogued ninety-six birds, the majority of them being newly-ringed. Finches included five Siskins, a spectacular twenty-eight Lesser Redpolls, five Goldfinches, a high total of fourteen Greenfinches and a Chaffinch. Thirteen Blackcaps was an excellent early season total plus two Willow Warblers and two Chiffchaffs and a Kingfisher added the glamour.

I opened our garden net at Hanging Houghton after what seemed an age and after a slow start managed to process fifteen Goldfinches which clearly included many birds similarly fattening up and providing high weights ahead of moving back to their natal areas.

Back to general birding and two flocks of Waxwings were found in the county today - nine were in a tree by the sluice between the main barrage lake at Clifford Hills Pits and the Holiday Inn early this morning (with no further reports) and six were found at Raunds at Warth Park behind the Howdens Warehouse - What3Words location position.poets.senior - and were still present this evening.

Other birds for Clifford Hill today included a Cattle Egret which flew west from there early morning, two Common Sandpipers, two Oystercatchers, a Black-tailed Godwit and a fly-over Ring-necked Parakeet. At Stanwick Pits a pair of Garganey were on the Main Lake, three 'Commic' Terns were noted and a Reed Warbler was logged and at Summer Leys LNR there was a Cattle Egret, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Curlew (which flew off west) and a Common Sandpiper. A Cattle Egret and eight Oystercatchers were at Upton Country Park today

Birds at Ditchford Pits included the female Ring-necked Duck still lingering on the Cotton Reel Lake, a Reed Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a fly-over Curlew.

Mark's sightings at Hollowell Reservoir amounted to a Jack Snipe, two Common Snipe and five Common Sandpipers. A Green Sandpiper was on pools in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth and a few Siskins and Redpolls and four Ravens were on the Cottesbrooke Estate. Stanford Reservoir hosted two Common Sandpipers, five Ravens, fourteen singing Willow Warblers, two Common Whitethroats, five Yellow Wagtails, three Sedge Warblers and four Cetti's Warblers.

A Ring Ouzel was seen at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby at about 7.30am this morning but was then lost to view; three female Wheatears were at Harrington Airfield plus a Yellow Wagtail and two Redpolls and four male Wheatears and two Yellow Wagtails were in fields between Walgrave and Old this afternoon. Two Short-eared Owls remain at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

A female Common Redstart was found near the summit of Newnham Hill, Daventry this afternoon and two or three Arctic Terns made it to Eyebrook Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Cattle and Little
Egrets at Upton 
Country Park today
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Male Blackcap courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Male Lesser Redpoll
courtesy of Kenny Cramer.

The spillover was still
very busy at the dam
at Pitsford Reservoir
yesterday evening - yet
another spring with exceptionally
high water levels!

Sunday's strong southerlies!

Hello

Two Short-eared Owls and two male Wheatears were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning and a female Wheatear and about fifty Fieldfares were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon. Four Siskins remained at Scotland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate and at least six were coming to a garden on the east side of Northampton.

A Cattle Egret was still at Summer Leys LNR today and summer migrants are now becoming more widespread in part helped by the southerly winds. A singing Common Whitethroat was reported from near Wellingborough Railway Station today

An Osprey was seen in flight between Loddington and Orton this morning and the best of the birds at Stanford Reservoir amounted to a Common Sandpiper, three Goosanders, four Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, a Cetti's Warbler, five Yellow Wagtails, fifteen Swallows, six House Martins and ten Sand Martins. A female Wheatear was at Borough Hill Country Park, Daventry this morning.

An Osprey flew south over the dam at Pitsford Reservoir this evening where there were also an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Raven, fifty Sand Martins, six Swallows, four House Martins and two Yellow Wagtails.

Regards

Neil M

Green Woodpecker
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Pied Wagtail at
 Pitsford Reservoir.

Raven at
 Pitsford Reservoir.

Strong Saturday southerlies

Hello

Some early morning birding around Cottesbrooke provided more spring migrants with a few of Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Two Ravens, one or two Kingfisher(s) and a Grey Wagtail were present but undoubtedly the best bird was a calling Hawfinch that flew over north-west just before 8am.

Harrington Airfield was the venue for a Short-eared Owl again around Bunker One plus a couple of Willow Warblers and a male Common Redstart was in a sheltered area in bushes along the concrete track near to the shooting wall. Two Ravens were north of Lamport, a Siskin was at Kelmarsh Hall and four were at Scotland Wood.

The female Ring-necked Duck was on Cotton Reel Lake, Ditchford Pits again today and at Stanwick Pits a Cattle Egret flew over early this morning. A Common Sandpiper was at Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits and a Greenshank was on floodwater at Lower Barnwell Lock, Oundle. A Little Ringed Plover and a Yellow Wagtail were at Clifford Hill Pits this morning. An Osprey was over the road at Summer Leys LNR heading towards Earls Barton at noon and birds at Earls Barton New Workings included a drake Red-crested Pochard, a Shelduck, two Little Ringed Plovers and two Green Sandpipers.

A Sandwich Tern flew east at Stanford Reservoir early this morning and other birds included two Common Sandpipers, two Oystercatchers, two Shelduck, a Sedge Warbler and two Swallows. Two more Common Sandpipers were at Hollowell Reservoir and a fishing Osprey there this evening caught a large Bream.

A male Ring Ouzel was located at Newnham Hill this afternoon in fields with sileage bundles between the summit and Daventry Wood Farm and another male Ring Ouzel flew from a bean field in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon, flying towards the Brampton Valley Way. Two hundred migrant Fieldfares were also in the valley this afternoon and four Short-eared Owls remain west of Lamport on private land with two more still at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Regards

Neil M

Yellow Wagtail.

Pied Wagtail.

Red Kite.

Chris Coe

Hello

A blustery day with strong southerlies began with rain but later also some pleasant sunshine and mild temperatures.

A male Common Redstart was a good find at Pitsford Reservoir this morning, the bird inhabiting the perimeter hedging in the Scaldwell Bay eighty metres north-west of Maytrees Hide. Later in the day there was a Grass Snake on the Bird Club hide entry ramp.

Martin found an Osprey flying along the Brampton Valley this afternoon and it headed up to Pitsford Reservoir and spent the afternoon and evening showing over the Walgrave Bay and fishing in the area of the Catwalk Bay. Martin also saw a couple of Swallows heading along the Brampton Valley.

New birds in at Pitsford Reservoir included a Common Sandpiper this morning and this afternoon there were two male Yellow Wagtails on the dam plus a Grey Wagtail and an increase in Pied Wagtails. Arriving hirundines included five Swallows and at least eight Sand Martins and the adult Yellow-legged Gull was still present.

At least seven Siskins visited a garden on the east side of Northampton today and at least one remained in our garden Silver Birch at Hanging Houghton.

Three Short-eared Owls returned to their drying out field near Lamport today and two were at nearby Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. Swallows popped up at Byfield and Summer Leys LNR, the latter site also producing a Peregrine, three Pintail, a Common Tern, a Little Ringed Plover and a Cattle Egret. Six Little Egrets and two Little Ringed Plovers were at Earls Barton New Workings.

The female Ring-necked Duck was again at the Cotton Reel Lake at Ditchford Pits today, a Wheatear was at Harrington Airfield, a Common Swift was reported over Kettering and an Osprey flew west at Stanford Reservoir this morning where there was also a Great White Egret, five Little Egrets, two Swallows and five Ravens.

Today we learnt of the passing of Chris Coe, a long term county bird recorder, pioneering local birder and Northants Bird Club member. Many of us began our birding careers in the county with steer and encouragement from Chris who was never quick to judge and provided tuition and leadership in the often confusing world of birds and nature. Chris without doubt influenced the birding scene in a positive way, often with humour and joviality as well as displaying a passion for recording and accuracy. His legacy will remain for generations, inspired by his honesty, integrity and genuine fellowship.

Regards

Neil M

Male House Sparrow.

Mute Swan courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Reed Bunting courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Rouzel and Jaeger were both
winners of their respective
 agility winter leagues with
additional placings during the 
weekend just gone. Now looking
forward to seeing what the new
agility season provides and
hopefully with more successes
 to the future.

Spring migrants trickling in

Hello

Yesterday (Wednesday) seemed a generally quiet day in the county but two Cattle Egrets overflew Stanwick Pits, a Short-eared Owl was seen at Harrington Airfield and a Greenshank was new in at Summer Leys LNR where a Cattle Egret remained. The female Ring-necked Duck was still on Cotton Reel Lake, Ditchford Pits and a few migrants in the county included just a few more of Swallow and Willow Warbler.

Two Oystercatchers were noted at Hollowell Reservoir, a Common Tern was at Eyebrook Reservoir and a House Martin was logged at Daventry Country Park. An adult Yellow-legged Gull and twenty Sand Martins were by the dam at Pitsford Reservoir and a Pink-footed Goose and eleven Little Egrets were at Stanford Reservoir.

Today (Thursday) and it seems that we are still waiting the rush of migrants and have to do with a trickle instead!

The Short-eared Owl was still at Harrington Airfield this afternoon and rarely for this site was in full hunting mode and quartering a large part of the complex including the edges of the concrete track and Bunkers One and Two and the areas between. Ravens were noted here and at Kelmarsh and a few Siskins were still present in Scotland Wood.

Two more Short-eared Owls were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell but the birds at Lamport were not at their usual location which was flooded out. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was vocal in a small copse in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and other birds in the wet areas included two Jack Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, two Willow Warblers and fifty Fieldfares heading north.

Stanford Reservoir hosted a Common Sandpiper today plus a Water Rail, a Great White Egret, five Little Egrets and a Cetti's Warbler. At Hollowell Reservoir a Curlew flew over south this evening and a male Common Redstart was a nice hedgerow find this morning at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby.

The Earls Barton complex hosted a drake Red-crested Pochard on the New Workings and at Summer Leys there was a Common Tern, two Great White Egrets, a Cattle Egret plus Willow and Sedge Warblers. Ian watched two Redpolls on his garden feeders at Woodford Halse and we saw at least four Siskins in our garden which seemed more interested in the Silver Birch than the feeders.

Regards

Neil M

Dark-edged Bee Fly
Kelmarsh Hall.

Short-eared Owl at
Harrington Airfield 
today.

 This bird with primary feather
 damage on it's left wing has been
present for several days it seems.

Ring Ouzel and Ringtail!!

This morning I decided to revisit the Blueberry area and it was whilst I was standing "watching the world wake up " that I heard the distinctive harsh call of a Ring Ouzel.  Eventually it showed itself to be a male,  before heading off north. A Yellow Wagtail was in one of the horse paddocks,  2 Bramblings around Blueberry Lodge and 2 Short Eared Owls in the area.

A brief visit to the dam area at Pitsford Reservoir yielded a White Wagtail,  Dunlin and 2 adult Little Gulls.  I couldn't resist a visit to Harrington Airfield and I caught it on one of it's "quiet" days. The only birds of note being a Short Eared Owl,  which was seen out hunting early evening,  and a newly arrived Willow Warbler singing.                               Finally I checked on the private land below Lamport and the 4 long staying Short Eared Owls remain but I'm sure that they will soon be on the move.

There were a few interesting birds reported today,  notably a Ringtail Hen Harrier over Stortons GP this morning before heading towards the town.  5 Cattle Egrets were in the Alpaca field just off Ditchford, female Ring Necked Duck on Cotton Reel Lake at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and an Osprey over Deene Lake. 

Whilst out and about today I noticed small flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings heading north. They were definitely on the move. One day they are here and the next they have gone and you suddenly realise that you haven't seen one around for a while.    Siskins are also very noticeable at the moment and I am hearing and seeing them all over the place whilst I'm out.  Several flew over the garden and Dave Francis trapped 13 in his garden on the outskirts of Northampton in a short ringing session. 

Regards Eleanor 

Rooks are busy
feeding youngsters
in the nest now.

A good time of the
year to listen and watch
for the diminutive but
vibrant Firecrest!

Sunshine and Showers

 It has certainly been a funny old day weatherwise. My heart sank when I awoke to heavy rain.  Thankfully this was short lived and I was able to get out and about.  I didn't have a set route planned but ended up at Blueberry where I decided to check the paddocks and hedgerows for migrants.  All appeared quiet but a pale looking area in a hedge caught my eye and when I looked with my binoculars I was very surprised to see a Short-eared Owl.  Infact there were 3 birds sitting in the hedge seemingly enjoying the sunshine.   I assumed that these were the same birds from the nearby area below Lamport (private land) so I made a detour and checked out the area ( I have permission) only to find the 4 birds still there.

The first day of April lived up to its name of "April Showers" and no doubt influenced the scattering of migrants around the county. There were Little Gulls at Stanwick GP and Pitsford Reservoir,  Common Tern at Thrapston on Town Lake, Sedge Warbler and Swallows on the Nene near Whiston Lock, Common Redstart at Stanford Reservoir,  White Wagtail at Summer Leys and Yellow Wagtail at Earls Barton quarry.                                                                                   I went to Harrington Airfield late afternoon and I could see a weather front bringing rain approaching but wasn't quick enough to beat it. I ended up taking shelter under a bush with the dogs and once it had passed over I found that a Yellow Wagtail and Northern Wheatear had dropped in.  Other birds included 2 Short-eared Owls, 6 Grey Partridge and 12 Golden Plovers. 

April is always an exciting month when we say goodbye to our winter visitors and welcome our summer migrants and whilst the birds are on the move keep your ears and eyes open as absolutely anything could turn up!!

The Northamptonshire Bird Club will be meeting on Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Lodge, Pitsford Water.  There will be a talk by birdclub member Neil McMahon on " Cambodia Revisited " .  Everyone is very welcome. 

Regards Eleanor 

Singing male Blackcap
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Adult male Woodpigeon.