Warbler ringing

Hello

Ringing sessions were managed by Northants Ringing Group members today at Linford Lakes in Milton Keynes and a more modest affair at Harrington Airfield. At Linford Lakes Kenny Cramer steered his team to produce one hundred and forty-seven captures of twenty-two species with warblers dominating including twenty-seven Blackcaps, sixteen Garden Warblers, three Sedge Warblers, ten Reed Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats, two Common Whitethroats, nine Chiffchaffs and eight Willow Warblers. A few finches included Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch and three juvenile Reed Buntings were pleasing. Seven new Robins and six new Wrens confirms these species have enjoyed a productive breeding season.

Two Grass Snakes and plenty of Brown Hawkers were other wildlife encountered.

At Harrington Airfield much lower numbers included more Willow Warblers and Common Whitethroats as the dominating species but little else that was notable. Ravens and Grey Partridges remained vocal for much of the morning.

At Pitsford Reservoir today a Marsh Harrier flew over in a westerly direction, an eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard was in the Scaldwell Bay which also hosted three families of Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe family plus three Great White Egrets and two Common Sandpipers.

Two male Common Redstarts were still at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon and two Whinchats and a Marsh Harrier were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. The two male Common Redstarts were still at Woodford Halse LNR today. Two Wheatears at the west end of Hinton Airfield were probably the first of the autumn.

At Summer Leys LNR a Marsh Harrier caught prey and other birds included five Goosanders, two Common Sandpipers and a Green Sandpiper and birds noted at Stanford Reservoir were the regulars of Ruddy Shelduck, Mandarin Duck and a Common Sandpiper.

Regards

Neil M

Sunrise at Linford Lakes

Lesser Whitethroat.

Reed Bunting.

Common Whitethroat.

Juvenile Willow Warbler.

All images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Ospreys, warblers and shorter days

Hello

It was decidedly grey and even a little chilly at Harrington Airfield this morning and a ringing session netted a modest number of birds which in the main were probably mostly post-breeding adults and juveniles from local stock. A few exceptions included a couple of Sedge Warblers and a Reed Warbler and it's likely that some of the Willow Warblers would be breeders and offspring from much further north. A Whinchat was seen in a wheat field there, a couple of Ravens were never far away and a Barn Owl was present pre-dawn. A couple of Grey Partridges were calling but kept a low profile.

At Lamport Hall the Spotted Flycatchers flock had grown to over eight birds, possibly two family parties joining together, and a Common Redstart was still there too.

Ian again found two male Common Redstarts at Woodford Halse LNR.

At Pitsford Reservoir the blue colour-ringed Osprey 3AY was again perched up in dead trees near the Bird Club hide this afternoon, the same bird was there on Thursday. This bird originates from the Rutland release scheme and apparently is a five year old (currently non-breeding) male which has been seen at Stanford Reservoir recently. A week on Friday ago Dave Jackson saw it at Pitsford perch on a perch with a Perch (fish)! 😀

Other birds for Pitsford today included a Red-crested Pochard, three Great White Egrets, a Common Sandpiper and a hundred and fifty House Martins.

Birds of interest at Summer Leys LNR this afternoon were made up of a Marsh Harrier, a Great White Egret, a Green Sandpiper and a brood of eleven Tufted Duck ducklings. Even by modern-day standards, twelve Cattle Egrets at Stanwick Pits this morning was an excellent total, seemingly made up of adults still in breeding plumage, duller birds and also juveniles.

The Ruddy Shelduck was still at Stanford Reservoir today where there was also one hundred and sixty Tufted Ducks, a Raven, a Hobby and two Common Sandpipers. Two Ospreys were fishing there at 3.30pm.

Two Barn Owls were hunting in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening.

Regards

Neil M

Evening flying ant hatch
at Harrington Airfield.

Reed Warbler courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Long-tailed Tit courtesy
of Jane Neill.

Juvenile Sedge Warbler courtesy
of Jane Neill.

Osprey 3AY in action at
Pitsford Reservoir last
Thursday courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Birds, insects and warm weather

Hello

A Cattle Egret was at Lilbourne Meadows reserve yesterday evening and again this evening and there was a Birdguides report of a Red-backed Shrike there today but not reported subsequently.

At Stanford Reservoir there was an Osprey and a Hobby yesterday evening and today again an Osprey was present plus a Mandarin Duck, a Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher and a Grasshopper Warbler was caught and ringed.

A juvenile Marsh Harrier was at Harrington Airfield this evening, a Common Sandpiper was at Daventry Country Park and an Osprey was by the Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir.

In the Nene Valley there was a Marsh Harrier and a Green Sandpiper again at Summer Leys LNR and Elinor Lake at Thrapston Pits hosted an Osprey and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

The two male Common Redstarts were still at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning.

Lesser Emperor dragonflies were today discovered at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Billing Pits.

Regards

Neil M

Great Pied Hoverfly.

Robin.

Small Red-eyed Damselflies.

Poplar Hawk-moth.

Common Sandpiper courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Sunshine and morning and evening showers

Hello 

This morning Summer Leys LNR paid host to a single Cattle Egret on Gull Island and a Marsh Harrier hunting around the reserve.

Another Cattle Egret was at Eyebrook Reservoir this morning as they begin to disperse following breeding.

At Pitsford Reservoir today there were four Great White Egrets in the Scaldwell Bay, two Common Sandpipers on the causeway, a Yellow-legged Gull, a fly-through juvenile Peregrine, a Hobby and best of all an Osprey. The Osprey was perched in a dead willow between the Bird Club and James Fisher hides and made a couple of dives in the bay, on the second occasion successfully catching a small fish.

There were lots of odonata whizzing around Pitsford today with Brown Hawkers, Blue Emperors and Black-tailed Skimmers being the most obvious. A Four-spotted Chaser was seen and there were hordes of damselflies which appeared mostly to be Common Blue and Large Red-eyed. A single Lesser Emperor was holding territory off the causeway car park, skirmishing regularly with an ovipositing female Blue Emperor.

Other birds noted today included a male Common Redstart at Woodford Halse LNR and a Common Redstart and two Spotted Flycatchers at Harrington Airfield.

Harrington Airfield will be the venue for ringing this coming week-end with sessions on both the Saturday and Sunday. Access will be restricted during these times along the scrubby area between the chippings compound and the main track including the bunkers. Public footpath access along the concrete track is unaffected. Should anyone want to watch proceedings please email me beforehand.

Regards

Neil M

Chiffchaff courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Chiffchaff.

With both adults and juveniles
adopting different moult strategies
at this time of the year, not many
look at their best!

Willow Emerald damselfly.

Pine Hawk-moth.

Hoverfly - possibly
Helophilus pendulus.

Common Blue butterfly
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Ospreys

Hello

Three Ospreys together at Pitsford Reservoir this morning was a treat, one of the birds caught a fish in the Scaldwell Bay and the birds moved off west. A single bird in the Holcot Bay seen by a different observer may have been one of these three birds. Roosting egrets on the reserve there included five Great Whites and at least sixteen Littles. A Common Sandpiper was also present.

Three Ospreys also made it to Stanford Reservoir today and the Mandarin Duck was still there as was a Common Sandpiper.

In the Nene Valley there were two Black-tailed Godwits at Stanwick Pits on the main lake plus three Common Sandpipers and two Green Sandpipers. At least one Marsh Harrier and a Greenshank were noted at Summer Leys LNR.

A slim but unidentified 'ringtail' harrier was seen over fields between Brixworth and Scaldwell villages late morning but despite some searching wasn't found again. Every year these individuals are glimpsed by someone in the county but they rarely seem to linger or provide prolonged views with an opportunity of photographs and we are left speculating as to what species they might be!

Harrington Airfield hosted two Whinchats and two Common Redstarts today and the family of Spotted Flycatchers and the single Common Redstart were still at Lamport Hall.

Two male Common Redstarts were at Woodford Halse LNR today.

Regards

Neil M

Speckled Wood butterfly.

Marbled White courtesy
of David Arden.

Osprey at Pitsford Reservoir
today courtesy of Tony Stanford.

The Drinker moth.

Another warm one

Hello

More high temperatures today and in these conditions it's best to be out birding early before it really is too warm!

Four Cattle Egrets were again at Stanwick Pits this morning, no doubt this species is going to be a regular fixture there this autumn!

Stanford Reservoir was graced with two Ospreys this morning, the Mandarin Duck was still present as was a Common Sandpiper. Two Grasshopper Warblers were caught and ringed there this morning.

Birds at Summer Leys LNR included a Great White Egret, two Little Ringed Plovers, two Common Sandpipers, three Green Sandpipers and a Spotted Flycatcher. Butterflies on the wing there included Essex Skipper.

A Painted Lady on the buddleia in our Hanging Houghton garden today joined the Red Admirals, Peacocks, Comma, Meadow Browns and whites.

Two Spotted Flycatchers were recorded in Bucknell Wood today, the two Common Redstarts were still at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning and two Whinchats and at least two Spotted Flycatchers were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

Harrington Airfield continued to host a hunting juvenile Marsh Harrier this morning plus two or three Common Redstarts, a male Stonechat, two Whinchats and a Spotted Flycatcher plus a growing flock of post-breeding Linnets.

This evening an Osprey was at Hollowell Reservoir before drifting off.

Regards

Neil M

Male Stonechat courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Male Green Woodpecker
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Essex Skipper courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Large Emerald moth.

Garden Tiger moth.

Egyptian Goose.

Heatwave birding

Hello

Warm weather birding today with the Ruddy Shelduck still at Stanford Reservoir and a morning Osprey plus a female Mandarin Duck, two Common Sandpipers, two Hobbies and with a Kingfisher caught and ringed.

A Common Redstart was still in situ at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby this morning near to the Jurassic Way commemorative stone and the two male Common Redstarts were still working the hedgerows at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. Nearby at Shrike Hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton several migrants with a variety of warblers which included a confiding juvenile Grasshopper Warbler plus a Common Redstart. Two Whinchats and a Spotted Flycatcher were in the same valley nearer to the Brampton Valley Way.

At Lamport Hall the family party of Spotted Flycatchers were still visible from the footpath and the Common Redstart showed too.

A juvenile Marsh Harrier was quartering the top fields at Harrington Airfeld this evening with a Common Redstart again between the Chippings Compound and Bunker One and a couple of Grey Partridges were vocal.

An adult Yellow-legged Gull was north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon and two Ravens were in Hanging Houghton village.

Regards

Neil M

Small Skipper butterfly.

Common Buzzard courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Hobby courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Brown Hare courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Week-end summary

Hello

A very warm week-end and it looks like the beginning of the week may be the same.

No outstanding birds in the county during the last couple of days but with a Roseate Tern just over the county border at Eyebrook Reservoir today and a Paddyfield Warbler trapped and ringed in Staffordshire also today you never know what may be straying on to your local patch!

Yesterday (Saturday) saw the long-staying female Ruddy Shelduck and an Osprey at Stanford Reservoir plus a Mandarin Duck, three hawking Hobbies, two Common Sandpipers, a Kingfisher and a Cetti's Warbler. Reed Warblers were processed by the ringers on-site and three of the birds were bearing rings from elsewhere, one of them from Belgium. Over two hundred birds were newly-ringed during ringing operations during the day.

A Black-tailed Godwit was at Summer Leys LNR yesterday with a Greenshank and two Green Sandpipers on the nearby New Workings.

A family party of Spotted Flycatchers were at Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke yesterday morning and four Green Sandpipers were on pools in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth with two Ravens there later. Lamport Hall hosted another family of Spotted Flycatchers plus a Hobby and two Ravens, and a Whinchat remained at Hollowell Reservoir. The two male Common Redstarts remained at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Lilbourne Water Meadows provided a Great White Egret, two Ravens, two Common Snipe, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper and a Marsh Harrier was lingering at Harrington Airfield in the evening.

Today (Sunday) and Stanford Reservoir yielded the Ruddy Shelduck again plus an Osprey and a Marsh Harrier plus a Hobby, two Common Sandpipers and a Kingfisher.

An Osprey was perched up at Pitsford Reservoir this morning for about half an a hour in the Scaldwell Bay and a fresh brood of Tufted Ducks was made up of nine ducklings. A Spotted Flycatcher was also seen.

Two or three Common Redstarts were at Lilbourne Water Meadows today and a Marsh Harrier was seen flying west there this evening. Two Spotted Flycatchers were at Woodford Halse LNR this morning.

A Common Redstart and a family of Spotted Flycatchers were at Lamport Hall again this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

A Barn Owl nestling
out of the nest box and
roaming around in a barn.

Greenfinch courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Migrant Hawker courtesy of
Robin Gossage. These small hawkers
 are now on the wing.

Gatekeeper.

A 'wonky' Southern Hawker.
Insects that undertake metamorphosis
as a natural process run the risk of not
always being able to to make the perfect
transition. This hawker was still able to
fly but whether it was capable of producing
the next generation I really don't know.

A bit thin on the ground!!

Birds, insects and wildlife in general seems to be a bit "thin on the ground " with very few observations being reported. I was out early this morning and felt more optimistic as the hedgerows around Blueberry were alive with Warblers and other passerines including 2 Lesser Whitethroats,  Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats. Plus the 2 male Common Redstarts were in their usual hedge.   However this noticeable movement of Warblers etc was short lived and as I continued my circuit the hedgerows became progressively quiet.  A visit to Harrington Airfield and Lamport Hall produced nothing of note.

Birds reported yesterday included an Arctic Tern,  8 Green Sandpipers and Yellow Legged Gull at Daventry CP,  an Osprey at Stanford Reservoir and Common Redstart, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and both Green and Common Sandpipers at Lilbourne Meadows.                                             Today there were 6 Cattle Egrets at Stanwick GP, Whinchat at Hollowell,  Osprey and Spotted Flycatcher at Pitsford Reservoir,  Bittern and Ruddy Shelduck at Stanford Reservoir and at DIRFT3 a Caspian and 18 Yellow Legged Gulls. 

Have a good weekend, enjoy the warm weather and watching the wildlife wherever you are.

Regards Eleanor 

Scarlet Tiger.

Large White butterflies in cop.

Meadow Brown.

Above three images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Song Thrush.

Water Rail.

Common Whitethroat.

Above three images
courtesy of Robin Gossage.