American Golden Plover

Great excitement yesterday when a juvenile American Golden Plover was located at Clifford Hill GP.  The bird showed well and despite taking flight on several occasions it returned to the shoreline . However this morning during one of it's period of flight it continued flying south and was not relocated.  Unfortunately due to commitments I never managed to see the bird. I had earmarked this afternoon for a visit but that was not to be.  It has been a few years since I have seen this species in the county.                                My birding has been confined to a couple of visits to Harrington Airfield which was quiet.  The only birds of note being 2 Stonechats,  Northern Wheatear,  Marsh Harrier and a female Peregrine.  Today I was literally tripping over released Pheasants/Red Legged Partridges in preparation for the start of the shooting season.    I managed a few visits to shrike hedge area and at least 6 Stonechats and a Whinchat remain with a further 2 Stonechats at Blueberry.   

Yesterday at Pitsford Reservoir there was a Tree Pipit and Osprey, at Hollowell,  Ruff,Ringed Plover,  Yellow Wagtail and Redpoll, at Summer Leys, Glossy Ibis,  Marsh Harrier and Sedge Warbler, at Daventry Reservoir 2 drake Red Crested Pochards and 2 Glossy Ibis at Stanford Reservoir.      Today at Hollowell Reservoir there was a Caspian Gull ( German ringed) which also frequents Naseby Reservoir.  The juvenile Glossy Ibis remains at Titchmarsh LNR for its 8th day along with Ruff, Greenshank,  Green Sandpiper and a Bittern.   The other long standing Glossy Ibis were also reported from Summer Leys and Stanford Reservoir.       A male Merlin was seen heading south at New Sandy Lane Attenuation pond Duston. 

A ringing session yesterday at Linford by Kenny Cramer and his team produced 177 birds of 20 species,  of which 144 were new. Warblers included 20 Blackcaps,  19 Chiffchaffs,  3 Reed Warblers and 2 Cettis Warblers.  Other birds of note,12 Reed Buntings,  6 Meadow Pipits,  4 Song Thrushes,  2 Kingfishers and 2 male Bullfinches.

Looking at the weather forecast I think that we need to make the most of tomorrow before the wet and windy weather hits

Regards Eleanor 

Meadow Pipit courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Painted Lady butterfly
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Chiffchaff courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Bullfinch courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Weekend Recap

 Saturday was another lovely Autumn day and I was lucky to be able to be out and about enjoying myself as I ambled about with my four legged companions.  Plenty of birds around "shrike hedge area " and surrounding fields including 4 Stonechats and 2 Whinchats.   Early afternoon I decided to visit Harrington Airfield and as it was such lovely weather I spent over 2 hours meandering around,  stopping and starting,  listening and looking. My tactics paid off. Whilst sitting at bunker 3 I thought I heard a distant harsh chacking call. Despite listening intently I didn't hear it again but then I noticed a movement on a pile of stones which turned out to be a fem/imm Ring Ouzel which hopped about before dropping off the stones and I never saw it again.     I had literally just started walking again when a Short Eared Owl got up in front of me. The bird looked amazing in the afternoon sunlight and I never tire of watching these. Other birds around the bunkers included a pair of Stonechat,  2 Blackcaps and a few Chiffchaffs.      At the time I was sitting there plenty of birds were going over including a single Redwing,  2 Redpolls,  6 Siskins,  2 Golden Plovers and a female Peregrine.  I think that Harrington Airfield is one of the best places to experience visible migration if you time it right.                       Other birds reported on Saturday include Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys, Stanford Reservoir and Titchmarsh LNR,  a  Bittern at Stanwick GP and Titchmarsh LNR and Little Stint with assorted waders at Pitsford Reservoir. 

Sunday morning at 05.00 as I was out walking the dogs I heard Redwings going over the house !!! That was all my birding done for the day as I spent the day at Malvern competing with Jaeger as he had qualified for a special agility final with the top 70 dogs from the nationwide qualifyers taking part.  Although we didn't come away with any placings Jaeger gave it his best shot and he thoroughly enjoyed himself.                                                                               Yesterday seemed quiet in the county,  Osprey at Pitsford Reservoir, Northern Wheatear, Dunlin,  Ringed Plovers and 8 Stonechats at Hollowell Reservoir,  Northern Wheatear,  Green Sandpiper,  Yellow Wagtail and Grey Partridge at Clifford Hill GP and Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys. 

Another very autumnal day to start the new week.  Initially when I went out this morning I couldn't see very much as the mist hung in the valley.  Shrike hedge area was alive with birds, most notably the presence of over 200 Skylarks.  The sight and sound of them flying low across the fields in waves was amazing.  The numbers of Meadow Pipits and Linnets had also increased.  The 4 Stonechats,  Whinchat and Northern were also present as well as small numbers of Siskins and Swallows going over.             A much shorter visit to Harrington Airfield was equally productive with the Short Eared Owl again,  2 Stonechats and a Common Redstart.                                                                                               Birds reported today include 2 Rock Pipits and 2 drake Red Crested Pochards at Daventry Reservoir,  a first winter Mediterranean Gull at Boddington Reservoir, Osprey at both Hollowell and Pitsford Reservoirs and Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys and Stanford Reservoir. 

The Northamptonshire Bird Club will be meeting at the Lodge,  Pitsford Water on Wednesday (1st October) at 19.30hrs where the speaker will be Peter Norrie who will be talking about the work of the Stanford Ringing Group. I'm sure that it will be a fascinating evening as they have had an incredible number of warblers caught there in recent weeks and no doubt many of us have been visiting Stanford Reservoir recently trying to catch up with some of the good birds which have turned up there.                               Everyone is very welcome to come along to the meeting. 

Regards Eleanor 

American Golden Plover
at Clifford Hill Pits courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

Ruff at Pitsford Reservoir.

Osprey at Pitsford Reservoir.

Great White Egret at Stortons Pits.

Above three images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Autumn bounty

Over the last couple of days the weather has been very "autumnal " with misty early mornings giving way to sunshine,  blue skies and a lovely fresh temperature.  Definitely my favourite time of year and if I could I would be outdoors from dawn until dusk. 

There are still plenty of good birds around in the county.  A Glossy Ibis remains at Summer Leys with another 2 seen at Stanford Reservoir and a further 2 at Titchmarsh LNR.  I don't think that the Pitsford bird has been reported for a few days.   Yesterday a fem/imm Common Scoter turned up at Hollowell Reservoir.  Other birds at Hollowell Reservoir include 10 Stonechats, 6 Egyptian Geese, Caspian Gull and Ringed Plovers. Nearby a Great White Egret at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and a Crossbill at Naseby Reservoir.   A Slavonian Grebe and Bittern were reported from Stanford Reservoir and 2 drake Red Crested Pochards at Daventry Reservoir whilst at Pitsford Reservoir an Osprey,  Marsh Harrier,  Little Stint,  Ruff, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers,  Red Crested Pochard and Stonechat. 

Regards Eleanor 

Ruff.

Muntjac.

Marsh Harrier.

Ruff and friends.

Small Copper.

Images courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Quackers, Ibis & Slav Grebes.

Hello

A milder start to the morning and with some misty conditions in places, but later some super autumnal sunshine and cooling north-easterly breeze.

At Stanford Reservoir the drake Lesser Scaup was seen briefly by the original finder this morning but couldn't be found thereafter despite numerous visiting would-be observers. Chris had already pointed out the fact that the 'aythya hybrid' was still present, a probable Pochard x Tufted Duck which can resemble Lesser Scaup and it was this bird that was seen well this afternoon. Both birds were present yesterday, continually moving around the reservoir but not together - a potential trap for the unwary!

The long-staying Bittern was seen there this evening and other birds included the usual brief three Glossy Ibis in the morning with two returning to roost there this evening. Also noted was a drake Pintail, a Common Snipe, a Water Rail, a Cetti's Warbler, half a dozen Siskins and up to three Redpolls.

The usual Glossy Ibis was at Summer Leys LNR and two more were discovered on the Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits. A Greenshank, a Yellow Wagtail and four Grey Partridges were at Clifford Hill Pits this morning.

A Slavonian Grebe was found at Daventry Country Park this morning where also two Red-crested Pochard and at Hollowell Reservoir another Slavonian Grebe was located where also two Ringed Plovers and a Wheatear.

At Pitsford Reservoir there was at least one Yellow-legged Gull off the dam and the north-easterlies have brought rather more Common Gulls through today. North of the causeway and remaining birds were the Glossy Ibis, five Great White Egrets, a Little Stint, a Dunlin, two Ruff, a Greenshank, eight Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, an Osprey, a Raven and a Kingfisher.

Naseby Reservoir hosted an adult Caspian Gull, a Common Snipe and two Green Sandpipers.

Early morning in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton provided a female Peregrine, a Golden Plover, four Stonechats, two Whinchats, a Grey Wagtail, calling Grey Partridges and singles of Siskin and Redpoll and an unusual bird for this spot - a House Sparrow! Two hundred Linnets were flocking there and this evening a flock of fifty Chaffinches had arrived. A Whinchat and a Wheatear were at nearby Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Harrington Airfield was the venue for fifteen Ravens flying over in a north-easterly direction and with a strong vis-mig of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Swallows pushing through. Other birds on the move were a Yellow Wagtail, two Grey Wagtails, at least ten Siskins and two Redpolls, all overseen by a hunting female Peregrine and a patrolling Marsh Harrier.

A Raven was over London Road cemetery in Wellingborough this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Brown Hare.

Stonechat.

Reed Bunting.

Above images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Sunrise yesterday morning
in the Brampton Valley below
Hanging Houghton.

Lesser Scaup.

Hello

Another cold but glorious start of the day with a spectacular pink sunrise and sunshine followed for the last of the butterflies and large insects.

Chris Hubbard's patchwork with almost daily visits to Stanford Reservoir paid off again today when he found Northamptonshire's first Lesser Scaup, an eclipse drake. Perhaps the most overdue bird not on the county list this species has been long-awaited. To see the bird it is essential to be in the reservoir grounds which is strictly permit only, there are no apparent viewing opportunities from adjacent land.

Other birds there were the three Glossy Ibis, a Bittern, a Marsh Harrier, two Pintail, a Common Sandpiper, a Common Tern, a Great White Egret and ten Little Egrets.

A Caspian Gull was at Naseby Reservoir and nearby at least three Yellow-legged Gulls were in fields at Naseby village opposite the entrance to the playing field. A Grey Wagtail and a Redpoll were at Welford Reservoir.

Hollowell Reservoir hosted eight Stonechats, a Whinchat and a Common Snipe and birds north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir were a Glossy Ibis, a Ringed Plover, two Ruff, a Dunlin and seven Common Snipe.

Two Greenshanks and a Raven were at Clifford Hill Pits, a Redpoll was at Scaldwell and three or four Tree Sparrows were at Rectory Farm, Old.

The Glossy Ibis was again at Summer Leys LNR with two Yellow-legged Gulls on nearby Mary's Lake.

Passerines in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton early this morning were a Corn Bunting, a Wheatear, a Whinchat, three Stonechats, a Yellow Wagtail, a Raven and two hundred Linnets but with the exception of the Linnets they soon dispersed.

A Purple Sandpiper at Draycote Water (Warks) continues an excellent run of good birds there recently.

Regards

Neil M

Common Sandpiper.

Blackcap.

Robin.

Little Egret.

Chiffchaff -  huge numbers
in the county at the moment.

All images courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Pitsford WeBS count

Hello

The WeBS count took place at Pitsford Reservoir today, one of the few days when there is a fairly good coverage of this odd-shaped reservoir.

Birds south of the causeway included an Osprey, three Little Egrets, two Green Sandpipers, two Ravens, a pair of Stonechats, two Crossbills, a Common Redstart, forty-five Siskins, eighteen Chiffchaffs and three Grey Wagtails.

North of the causeway was busy too with tree work in the Walgrave Bay ensuring many birds were crammed in the Scaldwell Bay making counting interesting! An Osprey appeared on this side too plus waders included three Green Sandpipers, three Common Sandpipers, two Ruff, a Dunlin, a juvenile Little Stint and four Ringed Plovers. Pintails had increased to eight, a couple of Redpolls flew over (the first of the autumn for me), about ten Siskins and a few Yellow Wagtails went over and the Glossy Ibis was busy feeding on the far shore of the Scaldwell Bay. Three Stonechats were noted plus at least six Great White Egrets which were very mobile plus an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Kingfisher.

Butterflies were impressive in the sunshine with two Clouded Yellows, a Painted Lady, plus rather more Red Admirals, Small Coppers, a Comma, Speckled Woods and whites. Muntjacs were as active as usual but there was no repetition of the Otters which were near the causeway early on Saturday morning.

Elsewhere and a mighty White-tailed Eagle powered over Byfield village this afternoon and satellite tracking confirms this as a released bird from the Isle of Wight scheme, thought to be heading back south after roaming the North York moors during the summer.

At Stanford Reservoir the three Glossy Ibis put in an appearance again early morning and other birds were a Marsh Harrier, an impressive seventeen Little Egrets, a Curlew through at dawn, a Common Sandpiper, a Hobby, three Spotted Flycatchers and nine Redpolls.

Hollowell Reservoir attracted a Ringed Plover, a Little Ringed Plover, a first winter Caspian Gull and two Stonechats with a Green Sandpiper and a Siskin at Naseby Reservoir.

The Glossy Ibis was still at Summer Leys LNR today and other birds included a Water Rail, a Great White Egret, three Egyptian Geese and one hundred and ten Gadwall. A Stonechat and a Barnacle Goose were at Clifford Hill Pits and two Stonechats were at Upton Country Park.

Three Stonechats were noted in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today with two more near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. A Raven was seen at Billing Road cemetry, Northampton.

A Manx Shearwater was picked up on an undefined date at Blisworth and was taken into care at Animals in Need at Irchester. The big push of westerlies from the last week has driven many young shearwaters into off-shore waters and with some stranded inland away from water. Many of these birds are likely to be from Pembrokeshire breeding colonies.

Regards

Neil M

Green Sandpiper.

Cormorant.

Moorhen.

Kingfisher.

Images courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

A wind from the north

Hello

A northerly air flow has cooled everything down and the birding appears to have slowed today.

The three Glossy Ibis were again at Stanford Reservoir briefly this morning before disappearing and other birds were twenty-five Little Grebes and two Common Sandpipers.

At Pitsford Reservoir the Glossy Ibis was mobile due to disturbance and other birds present were an Osprey, six Great White Egrets, twelve Little Egrets, three Ruff, a Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, three Pintail and a Yellow-legged Gull.

Hollowell Reservoir provided a Dunlin, two Common Sandpipers and two Stonechats.

The Glossy Ibis was again reported at Summer Leys LNR today.

Two Ravens and a Grey Wagtail were at Hanging Houghton and two Stonechats were in the Brampton Valley below the village with still two Whinchats at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Regards

Neil M

Yellow-legged Gull.

Great White Egret.

Great Black-backed Gull.

Holly Blue.

September birds on the move

Hello

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the Glossy Ibis still, at least one juvenile Osprey, at least six Great White Egrets, three Common Terns, two Ruff, two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Snipe, a Hobby, a Raven, a Grey Wagtail, twenty Siskins and one or two Stonechat(s). A short ringing session there provided over fifty captures which included eighteen Meadow Pipits, nineteen Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler and a Stonechat.

Birding at Stanford Reservoir today provided a Black-necked Grebe, the three Glossy Ibis again briefly, a Cattle Egret, a Great White Egret, twenty-eight Little Grebes, a Hobby, two Kingfishers, two Siskins and a Redpoll.

Chris Payne at Greens Norton ringed no less than sixty-three Goldfinches in his garden today (plus six Greenfinches and a Collared Dove).

In the Nene Valley a Sandwich Tern was at Stanwick Pits and Summer Leys LNR recorded the Glossy Ibis again plus a Marsh Harrier and a Common Sandpiper. A Common Redstart was at Clifford Hill Pits and two Greenshanks and a Green Sandpiper were at the New Workings, Earls Barton. A covey of twelve Grey Partridges were near Ecton as was a Grey Wagtail and a Siskin.

A Raven was in Hanging Houghton village and a Corn Bunting was a brief visitor in the Brampton Valley below the village where also a pair of Stonechat. Two Whinchats were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Harrington Airfield provided a Wheatear, a pair of Stonechat, a Marsh Harrier, ten Siskins, four Ravens, a Common Whitethroat and a big influx of Meadow Pipits moving over.

Regards

Neil M

Stonechat courtesy of
Sean Gower.

Stonechat courtesy of
Jane Neill.

Black-headed Gull 
courtesy of John Tilly.

Common Sandpiper
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

More Ibis, Grey Partridges and 26 degrees

Hello

Some strong diurnal passage witnessed early this morning at Harrington Airfield with large numbers of hirundines moving south at low level, mostly Swallows but a few House Martins and at least one Sand Martin. 'Alba' wagtails and Meadow Pipits were also moving into the southerly headwind and four Siskins flew over. The bushes were busy with routine species including quite a few Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps and two Ravens. If there was anything scarcer it managed to elude me! A few Grey Partridges were present together with large numbers of released Red-legged Partridges.

The habitat at Pitsford Reservoir with the superb 'draw-down' of water continues to attract the juvenile Glossy Ibis and a variety of waders which included three Greenshanks, five Ruff and at least three Common Sandpipers and two Green Sandpipers. At least three Great White Egrets prowl the shallows and other birds included two Marsh Harriers seen together, an Osprey, a Hobby, three Common Terns, nine Grey Partridges and a Pintail. A Clouded Yellow was also seen in the Scaldwell Bay.

Stanford Reservoir attracted it's first Glossy Ibis with three seen briefly this morning and one seen again briefly this afternoon. Other birds included a Cattle Egret, a Common Sandpiper and twenty Siskins over.

Sticking with reservoirs and there were two adult Caspian Gulls at Naseby Reservoir this morning plus a Green Sandpiper. Hollowell Reservoir was good for four Stonechats, three Common Sandpipers and a Hobby and Ravensthorpe Reservoir provided a Great White Egret, a Kingfisher, a Siskin, a Hobby, Grey Partridges in adjacent fields and a Grey Wagtail. Odonata were numerous in the warm sunshine and included Willow Emeralds in cop. A Water Rail and two Common Sandpipers were at Daventry Country Park.

The Earls Barton New Workings/Whiston Wetlands yielded a Marsh Harrier, two Grey Partridges, three Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Hobby and a Kingfisher. Nearby and the Glossy Ibis was again at Summer Leys LNR this morning.

A Wood Sandpiper was reported from Cransley Reservoir this evening and good birds in neighbouring counties include a Lesser Scaup, a Ferruginous Duck, six Black Terns and a Grey Phalarope at Draycote Water (Warks), a Lesser Yellowlegs in Cambridgeshire and a Caspian Gull and two Spotted Redshanks at Eyebrook Reservoir.

Regards

Neil M

Willow Emerald damselfly.

Buck Muntjac.

Chiffchaff.

Red Admiral.

All images today courtesy
of Tony Stanford at
Pitsford Reservoir.

Raptors, waders, a few chats and Siskins.

 Hello

Just back in from a short period on the fabulous Isles of Scilly with some challenging weather to make it interesting! Despite the fierce storms and daily showers we still managed to enjoy ourselves and visit all the inhabited islands as well as quality time on St Mary's. A separate page or tab is devoted to some of the images of the trip with more to be added - Isles of Scilly 8th - 16th Sept 2025.

The standard of birding at Pitsford Reservoir remains high and today the juvenile Glossy Ibis was still in the Scaldwell Bay plus a Marsh Harrier, a juvenile Peregrine, two Hobbies, an Osprey, at least three Great White Egrets, four Ruff, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, two Ringed Plovers and two Pintail. Four Yellow-legged Gulls and thirty-five Little Grebes were off the dam this evening.

Naseby Reservoir attracted an adult Caspian Gull, a Ruff, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper.

Singles of Hobby were at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Hollowell Pocket Park, a Stonechat was at Yardley Chase and a Wheatear at Clifford Hill Pits.

At Thrapston Pits there was a Whinchat at the south end of Elinor Lake and the Titchmarsh reserve was good for two Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper and a Dunlin with a Ringed Plover and two Common Sandpipers noted at Summer Leys LNR.

Two Spotted Redshanks and a Garganey were at Eyebrook Reservoir today and Daventry Country Park again hosted a Caspian Gull. Stanford Reservoir provided a drake aythya hybrid, three Common Sandpipers, about a hundred Sand Martins and about fifty Siskins. A flock of twenty Siskins were in Scaldwell village.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Kestrel.

Common Sandpiper courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Wild and Windy

It has certainly been very wild and windy over the last couple of days.  Yesterday when I stopped off at the dam at Pitsford Reservoir I could barely stand up and it was impossible to hold my optics steady. There could have been anything out there!!  Infact yesterday I didn't see much at all.                                                                                                         Today I managed to connect with a Common Redstart,  6 Whinchats,  Northern Wheatear and Marsh Harrier in the area between shrike hedge and Blueberry.  I couldn't find any of these birds this afternoon on my walk round. All I could manage was a single Clouded Yellow butterfly. 

Birds reported from the last 2 days include Little Stint, Sanderling and Sandwich Tern at Boddington Reservoir and at nearby Daventry Reservoir,  Caspian Gull, Green and Common Sandpipers.  At Pitsford Reservoir the Glossy Ibis remains as well as Osprey,  Marsh Harrier,  Pintails and Red Crested Pochards.  The other Glossy Ibis continues to show well at Summer Leys plus a Marsh Harrier.   The Wood Sandpiper remains at Naseby.  Arctic and Black Tern were reported at Hollowell Reservoir and a Curlew at Stanford Reservoir. 

This evening when I went out it was like a different world as the wind had dropped completely.  Let's hope that any birds keeping their heads down or those who have been blown off course will give themselves up before the wind returns. 

Regards Eleanor 

Great Spotted Woodpecker
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Pintails courtesy
of John Tilly.

Meadow Pipit courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Kingfisher courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Weekend Round Up

 Yesterday I was out competing again and my journey home took me to Daventry so I took the opportunity to walk the dogs and look for birds at Borough Hill.  I had visited the previous weekend but I couldn't find anything of interest.  However it was very different yesterday as there was obviously a fall/movement of warblers,  especially Chiffchaffs which were literally everywhere!! Every bush had a calling Chiffchaff and many of the birds were also hopping around in the short grass and clambering about on weed stems.  I wasn't surprised to find at least 3 Common Redstarts.  Other birds of note were 2 Spotted Flycatchers,  Blackcaps and Whitethroats.                                                          Today was technically a "rest day" for the collies but after a 5 hour meander they may beg to differ!!! They actually enjoy being out and about simply mooching around.  We were not walking continuously but stopping and starting, looking and listening and simply enjoying being out and about.  I started at Harrington Airfield and breathed a sigh of relief when I began walking - Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Swallows were flying over, a good indication that there was some movement.  The last few visits have been extremely quiet.  My 2 hour meander produced a Common Redstart,  Northern Wheatear,  2 Whinchats and a Marsh Harrier.  A Whimbrel and 2 Golden Plovers flew over calling and there was a steady trickle of Siskins flying over.   A quick coffee stop before a 3 hour meander around shrike hedge/Blueberry area.  It was hard work to find any birds but eventually a pair of Stonechats,  2 Whinchats,  Northern Wheatear and Common Redstart gave themselves up. The most surprising bird was the appearance of the female Hen Harrier again.  It suddenly appeared in front of me before following one of the hedgerows/field edge and disappeared from view. I've absolutely no idea where this bird is spending most of its time. 

Yesterday the Glossy Ibis and Bittern were showing at Summer Leys.  The other Glossy Ibis was at Pitsford Reservoir plus a Common Redstart, Osprey and Marsh Harrier.  There were Black Terns at Ravensthorpe and Hollowell Res and at nearby Naseby Reservoir,  Ringed Plovers,  Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit, Caspian Gull,  Green and Common Sandpiper.                                                                 Today there was a Wood Sandpiper at Naseby Reservoir, 12 Black Tailed Godwits at Clifford Hill GP,  2 Common Redstarts near Harpole and at Boddington Reservoir a Little Stint, Sanderling and Caspian Gull.                                    This evening whilst most people were at home in the dry Jon was at Hollowell Reservoir enjoying the sight of 50 Arctic Terns dropping in during a heavy rain shower before they headed off south. I was also out in the rain  but all I saw were 4 wet dogs !!!

Regards Eleanor 

Adult Glossy Ibis at
Summer Leys LNR
courtesy of John Tilly.

Juvenile Glossy Ibis at
Pitsford Reservoir courtesy
of David Smith.

More awards for the competing
duo of Jaeger and Rouzel.