Ditchford WeBS count

Hello

Another ringing session in the county today with a visit to Woodford Halse providing eighty-six captures with Blue Tits (thirty-nine) and Great Tits (twenty-eight) very much dominating! However amongst the eleven species encountered star birds were two Lesser Redpolls, a 'continental' Blackbird, a Moorhen and a Kingfisher.

At Pitsford Reservoir today the Spoonbill was still present north of the causeway as were three Dunlin and one hundred and twelve Golden Plovers. A Redpoll was in a Spratton garden today.

Hollowell Reservoir provided more views of the Pectoral Sandpiper and one or two Rock Pipit(s) were feeding along the shoreline. Other birds were a Common Snipe, six Stonechats and a Wheatear.

The Glossy Ibis was still on the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston (in front of the Peter Scott hide) and the three Glossy Ibis were still on the Summer Leys reserve at Earls Barton Pits.

A Great White Egret, a Peregrine, a Water Rail and four Redshanks were at Clifford Hill Pits and this afternoon there was a Marsh Harrier and six Stonechats in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, in the vicinity of shrike hedge.

The two Glossy Ibis appeared at Stanford Reservoir but weren't there at their more typical early morning slot. The Bittern was seen again and other birds noted were a Redshank, a Great White Egret, twenty Little Egrets, two Water Rails and two Kingfishers.

A WeBS count was completed at Ditchford Pits today and two adult Whooper Swans flew east at about 11.05am. Birds west of Ditchford Lane were four Great White Egrets, eight Egyptian Geese, a Pintail, a Goldeneye, a Green Sandpiper, five Water Rails, five Cetti's Warblers, four Grey Partridges, a Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher and two Stonechats. East of Ditchford Lane provided a Jack Snipe, a Great White Egret, a Kingfisher, a Water Rail, four Grey Wagtails and six Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Neil M

The Pitsford Spoonbill
courtesy of Neil Hasdell
and Tony Stanford.

Lesser Redpoll courtesy
of Nick Wood.

Lesser Redpoll courtesy
of Chris Payne.

Kingfisher courtesy
of Chris Payne.

First year Moorhen
courtesy of Chris Payne.

Honey Fungus.

Monitoring the autumn migration

Hello

Plenty of birds at Stanford Reservoir again this morning with the two Glossy Ibis, the long-staying Bittern, two Great White Egrets, two Kingfishers, three Swallows, sixty Fieldfares, a Water Rail, a Pintail, a second winter Mediterranean Gull, a Stonechat and a roost of about 1,000 Starlings.

Pitsford Reservoir continued to host the Spoonbill for much of the day and other birds north of the causeway included a Grey Plover, seventy-two Golden Plovers, four or five Green Sandpipers and two Kingfishers. An adult Caspian Gull, five Yellow-legged Gulls, three Great White Egrets and a Kingfisher were off the dam this evening.

Hollowell Reservoir continued to host the now very long-staying Pectoral Sandpiper and a female-type Common Scoter and two Crossbills were west of the dam early morning.  Naseby Reservoir continues to be the day-time venue for an adult Caspian Gull.

Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today included a brief Rock Pipit, a couple of Bramblings and Redpolls, at least five Stonechats and calling Grey Partridge and Little Owl. Stuart saw a/the Spoonbill fly through the valley this afternoon heading towards Cottesbrooke - presumably the bird from Pitsford and perhaps on it's way to Hollowell?

An adult male Hen Harrier at Harrington Airfield appeared to fly through and other birds there were a pair of Stonechats and two Bramblings.

Two Bramblings were again in our garden at Hanging Houghton today and Chris enjoyed one in his East Hunsbury garden and also had three Crossbills flying over. A Water Rail, a Common Snipe and two Great White Egrets were at Clifford Hill Pits this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Spoonbill at Pitsford
Reservoir courtesy of
Dave Jackson.

Jays courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Redwing courtesy of
Jane Neill.

Male 'continental' Chaffinch.

Female Brambling.

Stonechat courtesy of
David Smith.

All 'in hand' images were of birds
ringed in the county today by members
of the Northants Ringing Group.

Pitsford Spoonbill

Hello

Another mostly still and grey day but without the drizzle.

At Earls Barton Pits the three Glossy Ibis were on the Summer Leys reserve and a pre-roost gathering of gulls on Mary's Lake provided a Caspian Gull and three Yellow-legged Gulls. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Titchmarsh LNR at Thrapston Pits.

At Stanford Reservoir the two Glossy Ibis showed up again early morning and other birds were two Great White Egrets, fifteen Little Egrets, at least five hundred and fifty Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the roost, two Water Rails, a Kingfisher, a Siskin, ten Redpolls, approximately seven hundred and fifty Redwings and thirty Fieldfares.

A Rock Pipit was on the reservoir bank at Boddington Reservoir where there was also a Kingfisher and a Tree Sparrow. Two Ravens were at Clifford Hill Pits and a Corn Bunting lingered in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton in the vicinity of shrike hedge where there were also three Stonechats, twenty Golden Plovers, a Grey Partridge and a couple of Redpolls and Bramblings. Six or more Bramblings and eighty Chaffinches were near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and a flock of four hundred Chaffinches at Courteenhall also held at least four Bramblings.

At Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon a first year Spoonbill lingered north of the causeway and was feeding in the mouth of the Walgrave Bay. There were also at least six Great White Egrets, fourteen Pintail, sixty-seven Golden Plovers and a Ruff on the reserve with morning observations of a Stonechat and in the Holcot Bay two Kingfishers and two Green Sandpipers.

Regards

Neil M

Skylark.

Redwing.

Stonechat.

Ringing birds on the move
in the open countryside today.

Birds of the low cloud and drizzle

Hello

Still birds on the move today in grey, drizzly conditions but less in the way of scarce birds.

The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton provided a hunting Marsh Harrier, up to five Stonechats, two Grey Wagtails and six Bramblings and plenty of thrushes. At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell there were another pair of Stonechats and a Brambling.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today were two Glossy Ibis, a Bittern, two Great White Egrets, sixteen Little Egrets, a late Sand Martin, a Swallow, a Reed Warbler ringed, at least five hundred Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the roost, two Kingfishers, two Water Rails and about thirty Fieldfares.

Three Glossy Ibis were again at Summer Leys LNR today and Hollowell Reservoir hung on to the Pectoral Sandpiper plus also a female-type Common Scoter, a first year Mediterranean Gull, three Common Snipe and four Stonechats.  A female Scaup was at Eyebrook Reservoir.

At Pitsford Reservoir birds between the dam and causeway were three Great White Egrets, two Yellow-legged Gulls, a Greenshank, a Kingfisher, three Stonechats and a Swallow.

A female Red-crested Pochard was at Ravensthorpe Reservoir plus a hybrid Red-crested Pochard x Mallard.

Regards

Neil M

Mute Swan.

Robin.

Cormorant.

Grey Heron.

Monday's migrants

Hello

A busy day in the county with heavy migration and oddities mixed in too! Redwings, Skylarks and Siskins and many others were moving all day as the conditions permitted south-bound migration with some flurries of Fieldfares too.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was discovered at Daventry Country Park but this elusive bird apparently wasn't seen after the initial sighting.

Stanford Reservoir had a busy day with two Glossy Ibis, a Bittern, five Red-crested Pochards (almost certainly the same birds from yesterday at Hollowell Reservoir), an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Kingfisher and a Brambling.

An adult Caspian Gull was off the dam at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and a Pintail was north of the causeway; the Pectoral Sandpiper was again at Hollowell Reservoir. Two adult Caspian Gulls were at Naseby Reservoir plus an adult Yellow-legged Gull and with thirty Golden Plovers flying over.

Another adult Caspian Gull was off the dam at Pitsford Reservoir where there were also two adult Yellow-legged Gulls, three Great White Egrets, fifteen Little Egrets, seventy Cormorants and two Grey Wagtails.

Two Grey Wagtails and a pair of Stonechats were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and two Bramblings were in our Hanging Houghton garden this afternoon.

Clifford Hill Pits hosted four Common Scoters this morning plus a Great White Egret, a Common Sandpiper, fifty plus Meadow Pipits and over a hundred Linnets.

A Black Redstart was a seasonal but scarce visitor to Rectory Farm near Old village today.

Summer Leys LNR provided for three Glossy Ibis, a Jack Snipe, six Pintail, several Redpoll and up to fifty Golden Plovers with a Yellow-legged Gull, a Mediterranean Gull and one hundred and sixty-four Gadwall at nearby Mary's Lake.

Thrapston Pits was in on the action too with a Glossy Ibis, two Common Scoters, a Ruff, a Yellow-legged Gull and a juvenile Hobby.

A wander at Harrington Airfield yielded a male Ring Ouzel, over a hundred Fieldfares, a constant Redwing passage, three or four Bramblings, two Redpolls, a pair of Stonechats, sixty plus Golden Plovers and a female Merlin.

Regards

Neil M

Red Kite.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Common Gull.

Great Black-backed Gull.

Hedgehog.

Ringing success

Hello

The current weather conditions are good for the use of mist nets during bird ringing sessions and members of the Northants Ringing Group were active on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

On Thursday just two nets were deployed at Woodford Halse as an experimental session and resulted in sixty-two captures of ten species which included a juvenile Sparrowhawk, a Grey Wagtail and eleven Goldcrests.

On Friday Stortons Pits was the venue with one hundred and twenty-three birds of fifteen species which included the first Redwing of the autumn, another young Sparrowhawk, eighteen Chiffchaffs, eight Goldcrests, a staggering forty Long-tailed Tits, nine Blackcaps, a Cetti's Warbler, a Treecreeper and four Goldfinches.

On Saturday ringers operating at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes netted one hundred and fifty-one birds of seventeen species which included two re-trap Kingfishers, forty Chiffchaffs, thirteen Blackcaps, five Goldcrests, twelve Long-tailed Tits, a Treecreeper, nine Greenfinches, a Siskin, three Redpolls and two Meadow Pipits. Birds on-site included a Whooper Swan, a Great White Egret, a Common Snipe and a Raven.

Today in the county a Rock Pipit was discovered at Boddington Reservoir and fog patches disrupted early birding efforts but a Common Snipe and ten Redwings were at Lilbourne Water Meadows and Summer Leys LNR hosted the Glossy Ibis still plus a Ruff, two Pintails, fifty Golden Plovers and two Swallows.

Clifford Hill Pits attracted four Common Snipe and a Great Egret and Harrington Airfield was good for a female Merlin, five Bramblings (four males), a pair of Stonechats and eighteen Golden Plovers in flight. A Short-eared Owl, a pair of Stonechat and two Bramblings were in the Blueberry Farm area (Maidwell).

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included two Glossy Ibis, a Cackling Goose of unknown origin, two Great White Egrets, two Kingfishers, a Reed Warbler ringed, a Golden Plover, a Water Rail, a Common Snipe, an adult Caspian Gull and eight Siskins.

After journeying up from Cornwall today I dropped into the feeder stream section of Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon where there were several birders present. The Pectoral Sandpiper was still there but generally elusive in vegetation and a little birding 'purple patch' provided views of two Mediterranean Gulls (adult and first year), five Red-crested Pochard (four drakes), seven Egyptian Geese, no less than three Rock Pipits feeding on the exposed mud, a Siskin, three Stonechats, two Common Snipe, over a hundred Linnets and a Great White Egret.

Regards

Neil M

Redwing courtesy of
Chris Payne.

Sparrowhawk courtesy
of Chris Payne.

Blue Tit courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Chiffchaff courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Meadow Pipit courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Lesser Redpolls courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Male Siskin courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Quiet end to the week

It has been a quiet end to the week.  Very few birds reported and certainly from my own visits to Harrington Airfield and shrike hedge a noticeable decrease in the numbers of birds. I've only managed to find one pair of Stonechat around shrike hedge.  However I  was training today at Newton Bromswold near Rushden and got distracted when I could hear Stonechats calling and found 4 birds in a weedy ditch at the bottom of the field. 

Birds reported over the last couple of days include the long staying Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys,  Stanford Reservoir and Titchmarsh LNR.  The Pectoral Sandpiper is still present at Hollowell Reservoir and the drake Red Crested Pochard at Daventry Reservoir.  Yesterday there was a Merlin at shrike hedge, Caspian Gull at Wicksteed Park Lakes and a Rock Pipit briefly on the dam at Daventry Reservoir.   Today there was a drake Goldeneye at Titchmarsh LNR and 5 Whooper Swans at Clifford Hill GP. 

The weather is looking good for the weekend with a shift in the wind direction from the east on Sunday which may bring a few different birds our way.  Let's get out there and enjoy the weather and beautiful Autumn colours and find those birds !!

Regards Eleanor 

Little Egret courtesy
of Dave Jackson.

Reed Bunting courtesy
of Chris Payne.

Stonechat courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Goldfinch.

Much the Same

Two more lovely Autumn days, blue skies, warm sunshine and a gentle breeze.  It's nice not having to wear wellies and fleeces and the rustic colours of the hedgerows are stunning.  What more could you wish for??  Probably a few new birds as the birds around seem to be the same. The Glossy Ibis remain at Stanford Reservoir,  Summer Leys and Titchmarsh LNR.  Over at Daventry Reservoir there is a drake Red Crested Pochard and the Pectoral Sandpiper at Hollowell Reservoir.   Whooper Swans have been seen at Stanford Reservoir (3birds) and Titchmarsh LNR (1 bird).     

This morning there was a bit of a movement of Redwings.  I heard several calling as they went over the garden before dawn and when I arrived at shrike hedge a few small parties went over. Redwings were also heard from Great Oxendon and Kettering.  I actually didn't hear anymore during the rest of the day.   Infact I've had a couple of very quiet days.  There are definitely a lot less birds around shrike hedge/Blueberry area.  Today I could only find one pair of Stonechat instead of the double figures which have been there. Skylark and Meadow Pipit numbers have also decreased. Yesterday there were 3 Bramblings in the area but today just a single bird. A Golden Plover flew over this afternoon.                        Harrington Airfield seems to have turned into a "birdless zone" with hardly any passerines.  I did have a lovely encounter with a female Merlin yesterday.  I suspect that it's the same bird that I have seen twice at shrike hedge.  I was standing at the end of bunker 3 looking north and saw her coming low across the fields.  She perched up for a while on a concrete post and she was constantly on the look out. She actually allowed me to get quite close before she dropped off the post and chased a Meadow Pipit.     I  thought that I would do an evening visit today incase there are any Owls about. But I saw absolutely nothing of note bird-wise but just a stunning sunset and then the bright Harvest or Hunters Moon appear which is at its peak this week. 

Regards Eleanor 

Reeve (Ruff).

Male House Sparrow
courtesy of Chris Payne.

Sparrowhawk with Starling
courtesy of John Tilly.

After the Storm

We are very lucky in Northamptonshire and tend to miss the worst of the weather and this was the case over the weekend with Storm Amy. It was quite windy on Saturday which made birding challenging at times and most birds kept their heads down.  I visited Harrington Airfield early afternoon and found a rather tired looking Short Eared Owl and a pair of Stonechat sheltering at bunker three. Unsurprisingly there was very little else.                                    In the evening I checked out the area below Hanging Houghton and shrike hedge.  10 Stonechats were sheltering in the ditches. The large flock of Skylarks were still on the fields and they weren't bothered by the wind but by the female Merlin who put in an appearance. On this occasion she didn't catch anything but she was fab to watch.                 Birds reported on Saturday include the juvenile American Golden Plover and Osprey at Pitsford Reservoir,  Pectoral Sandpiper at Hollowell Reservoir,  Cattle Egret at Kinewell Lake Ringstead, 2 Glossy Ibis at Stanford Reservoir,  a Glossy Ibis at Titchmarsh LNR and Glossy Ibis,  Jack Snipe,  Cattle Egret,  Caspian and Yellow Legged Gull at Summer Leys. 

Sunday was a much quieter day. My birding was limited to predawn and dusk as I was at my last outdoor agility competition of the season.  As I walked the dogs in the dark I nearly jumped out of my skin when a Barn Owl started hissing and screaming very close to me.  It certainly frightened Tystie the pup.  At dusk I heard both Little and Tawny Owl calling.                                                                           Very few birds reported.  No sign of the American Golden Plover but the Pectoral Sandpiper remained at Hollowell Reservoir.   At Lilbourne Meadows there were 2 Northern Wheatears and 3 Stonechats whilst at Pitsford Reservoir a flock of 8 Whooper Swans flew over at 08.00hrs.

This morning I  heard Redwings calling as they flew over the garden whilst it was still dark at 06.00hrs. This spurred me into action and after a quick breakfast I headed to Harrington Airfield.  I had literally just got out of the car when I could hear Siskins,  Grey and Pied Wagtails going over.  Even before I had reached bunker one it was clear that there was a significant movement of birds happening. I had to disregard the Skylarks and Mipits who were very vocal as they moved around and really concentrate on what else was about. I'm sure that I didn't catch everything but I did hear and see my first Brambling of the Autumn,  3 Crossbills,  2 Redpolls and at least 50 Siskins. There was a Northern Wheatear and pair of Stonechat at Bunker three and as I moved slowly through the bushes I was aware of the presence of Song Thrushes and Blackbirds.    Then I  had a quick look at shrike hedge/Blueberry area and there were at least 14 Stonechats in the area,  large numbers of Skylarks/Mipits/Linnets/Goldfinches and a Brambling and more Siskins over.                                                                           Birds seen elsewhere include a Crossbill flying over Weekly Wood Ave, Kettering at 07.10hrs, a single Whooper Swan,  drake Red Crested Pochard and Caspian Gull at Daventry Reservoir,  Pectoral Sandpiper at Hollowell Reservoir, female Goosander at new workings Earls Barton GP and Glossy Ibis at Titchmarsh LNR, Summer Leys and Stanford Reservoir .

The warm weather has certainly brought the butterflies out today. Brimstone, Speckled Wood,  Small Whites and Red Admiral all being reported.  I  bumped into a Clouded Yellow near shrike hedge and singles were seen at Pitsford Reservoir and Clifford Hill GP. 

Regards Eleanor 

Brambling courtesy
of Pete Gilbert.

Merlin courtesy
of Beth Clyne.

Barn Owl courtesy of
Nathan Jones.

Calm before the Storm!

I was very relieved when the juvenile American Golden Plover was relocated at Pitsford Reservoir yesterday. It showed really well at the back of the Scaldwell bay where it was feeding on the mud alongside Ruff and Ringed Plovers. The bird was still there today.                                                        Yesterday morning a Pectoral Sandpiper was found at Hollowell Reservoir feeding on the mud near the point. It was nice to be able to catch up with this bird too. I think that quite a few birders managed to see both these birds as it is only a 15 min drive between these two sites.  This bird was also showing well again today. 

Today there were 4 Glossy Ibis at Stanford Reservoir,  an Ibis at Summer Leys and another bird at Titchmarsh LNR where it favours the scrape infront of the Peter Scott hide. Two adult Caspian Gulls were seen at Naseby Reservoir. 

A very quiet visit to Harrington Airfield and it resembled a "birdless zone". Shrike hedge area was productive yesterday with 10 Stonechats,  2 Whinchats and large numbers of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits which attracted a female Merlin.  She was relentless in her pursuit of a Skylark.  I was willing the Skylark to get away but sadly it did not escape. 

The weekend may be challenging due to storm Amy which is due to hit although I think that we will escape the worst of it.  It will be interesting to see whether it brings new birds our way.                                                                                   Have a good weekend. 

Regards Eleanor 

Robin courtesy 
of Tony Stanford.

Stonechat and Reed Bunting
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Kingfisher courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Hobby in storm clouds
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Great White Egret flying
through a rainbow courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

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.