Meandering around Ditchford Pits.

Hello

I'm just back from two weeks of pretty wild and wet weather in the west highlands of Scotland with visits to the fabulous islands of Islay, Jura and Mull.

During that time the Lesser Scaup had appeared at Ditchford Pits and I was pleased to visit there today and eventually see it! This dapper drake has been consistently on Big Lake between Ditchford Lane and the Rushden Lakes shopping complex and it was still there today but not initially with the Tufted Ducks.

Whilst I was watching this duck a passerine called from the undergrowth on the north shore of the pit but remained hidden with just occasional movements and silhouettes in the tangle and I never did obtain a clear view. It was quite mobile and calling every now again but eventually, after about an hour, it stopped calling and effectively disappeared. I will probably never know what it was and it may have been a common bird giving a variant call but the call reminded me of Dusky Warbler.

Other birds more visible on-site were a Water Rail, two Great White Egrets, two Jack Snipe, three Common Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail, several Siskins, four Cetti's Warblers, a Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs.

Elsewhere and the three Glossy Ibis were still entertaining at Summer Leys LNR and other birds were a Dunlin and sixty-six Golden Plovers.

Clifford Hill continues to attract birds of interest with a Great White Egret, a Water Rail, a Common Snipe, a Dunlin, four Golden Plovers, a Yellow-legged Gull, two Ravens, three Cetti's Warblers and the late and long-staying Wheatear.

The bright moon and night sky permitted a great deal of thrush movement over the county last night and large numbers of Redwings were moving at dawn this morning, with Fieldfares joining in after day-break.

Birds at Stanford Reservoir today included four Great White Egrets, a Pintail, two Water Rails, two Ravens and two Bramblings over.

Not far away and the long-staying juvenile American Golden Plover remains at Eyebrook Reservoir and a 'redhead' Smew was also seen.

Regards

Neil  M

Little Egret.

Glossy Ibis.

Stonechat.

Images from Summer Leys LNR
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

A New Month

We are a few days into a new month but there is very little change in the birds. The drake Lesser Scaup remains at Ditchford GP, the 3 Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys,the Northern Wheatear at Clifford Hill GP and 2 drake Red Crested Pochards at Stanford Reservoir. 

Other birds around over the last few days include Caspian Gull at Stanford and Daventry Reservoirs, Marsh Harrier,  Goldeneye,  Golden Plovers,  Green Sandpiper and Jack Snipe at Summer Leys,  a Crossbill over Weekley Wood Avenue Kettering , Black Tailed Godwit at Daventry Reservoir and 4 Whooper Swans briefly at Clifford Hill GP .

Even though the birding seems to have "stalled " the abnormally mild weather has meant that quite a few butterflies are still about.  Red Admirals,  Brimstone,  Small Whites and Holly Blues have all been recorded.                        Whilst out and about I have noticed the amount and variety of plants which are out in full bloom adding blue, pink, purple and yellow colour to the russet shades of Autumn.  The forecast is for a mild week which will certainly encourage more butterflies, flying insects and flowers to show themselves,  but I'm not too sure whether the birds will do the same?!

Regards Eleanor 

Marsh Tit and Blue Tit.

Common Gull.

Woodcock.

Male Blackbird courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

A Quiet Weekend

I think it's fair to say that it has been a quiet weekend in the county.  The drake Lesser Scaup continues to delight both birders and photographers at Ditchford GP,  the Northern Wheatear remains at Clifford Hill GP and at Summer Leys the 3 Glossy Ibis have been showing well.                                   A Marsh Harrier was at Summer Leys and a further two birds at Titchmarsh LNR.  At Stanford Reservoir 4 Red Crested Pochards and a Caspian Gull were reported and at Salcey Forest 10 Crossbills flew over the main car park. 

I've had a very quiet weekend. Two visits to Harrington Airfield only produced a pair of Stonechats and 50 Golden Plovers,  although today it was back to being a birdless zone.  I haven't faired much better at shrike hedge/blueberry  area despite several visits. 

The Northamptonshire Bird Club have their monthly meeting on Wednesday 5th  November at 19.30hrs at the Lodge, Pitsford Water.   Henry Stanier from the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire will be giving a presentation on The Great Fen Project.  An area just to the east of Northants and one which many of us have visited. 

Regards Eleanor 

Gadwall.

Grey Heron and Little Egret.

Moorhen.

Images courtesy of
John Tilly.

Nene Valley Photography Exhibition.

 

'You are invited the Beautiful Birds of the SPA photography exhibition, to be held at Grendon Lakes on the 27th November 2-5pm, to raise awareness of the beautiful birds that give the Nene Valley Special Protection Area it's internationally protected status, and keep these sites well managed for everyone to enjoy.  

 

This exhibition brings together stunning images from local photographers who have captured the diverse species that depend on the Upper Nene Gravel Pits SPA. From soaring raptors to delicate songbirds, wading birds to woodland residents, these photographs reveal the incredible natural heritage that makes this area truly special.

 

This exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to see first hand what makes the Upper Nene Gravel Pits SPA so important. The photographs showcase not just the beauty of these birds, but the irreplaceable habitat they depend on—and what's at stake as our area continues to develop.

 

There will be talks about the landscape, and history of the Nene Valley, and plenty of time for networking with like-minded colleagues, learning more about these fabulous birds, and all things SPA. 

 

Teas and cake will be provided, and there is a bar available. 

 

Please RSVP lara.jones@wildlifebcn.org by email at the Wildlife Trust by 15th November if you can make it.' 

 

Regards

Neil M

 

Gannet fly past!!

Quite often with birding it is all about being in the right place at the right time and looking in the right direction!! This was certainly the case today for Ricky Sinfield when just after eleven o clock an immature Gannet flew past him at Summer Leys.  As far as I'm aware the bird just kept on flying,  but what an amazing experience. 

I suppose that the same could be said for me today too. I was out early this morning as I was on a bit of a tight timetable so didn't really have time to meander about. I literally only spent 15 minutes at shrike hedge but that was enough to produce the Corn Bunting,  female Merlin and a pair of Stonechat, plus a  few Bramblings,  Redpolls and Siskins going over.  I reluctantly dragged myself away and headed off to Peterborough for an agility training session with all 3 collies !!! Even though we have finished competing for the season and technically they are having a rest they still love to train and learn new skills.                        On my way home I stopped off at Titchmarsh LNR.  I hadn't walked very far when I got caught in a heavy rain shower and nearly abandoned my visit but then I thought "I'm already wet so I might as well keep walking ". I'm so glad that I kept walking as I had lovely views of a Bittern and Marsh Harrier. There seemed to be Great White and Little Egrets everywhere and I counted 16 Great Whites quite easily.  Other birds on my walk included a pair of Goosander,  pair of Stonechat,  Water Rail,  2 Kingfishers, Grey Wagtail,  4 Egyptian Geese and several Cettis Warblers. 

The Lesser Scaup remains at Ditchford GP and at Daventry Reservoir 2 drake Red Crested Pochards and a Black Tailed Godwit.  A Grey Plover flew through Hollowell Reservoir at 08.05hrs.

Have a good weekend. 

Regards Eleanor 

The rather late Wheatear
at Clifford Hill Pits
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Lesser Scaup and Corn Bunting

The drake Lesser Scaup remains on the big lake at Ditchford GP and continues to show well much to the delight of birders and photographers.  At the moment it appears very settled. I intend to go over and see it again as I find that when you go back for a second look you often see things that you missed the first time. 

A Corn Bunting remains at shrike hedge area (between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke), although it isn't as rare as the Lesser Scaup it is certainly an extremely scare bird in the county and as such has attracted many birders/photographers.  However it can be hard to find amongst the many Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers present.   

Yesterday I visited Harrington Airfield and thankfully there were plenty of birds around.  As I walked very slowly through the bushes I noticed a dark bird fly out a bush which I thought looked suspiciously like a Ring Ouzel. After a couple of minutes spent loitering I heard the very distinct harsh chacking call of a Ring Ouzel and saw the bird again before it flew off through the bushes.  I continued my slow walk and when I reached bunker 3 I saw and heard the Ring Ouzel (male) again before it disappeared low into the bushes.  This bird was certainly hard work. 

The Pectoral Sandpiper remains at Hollowell Reservoir and Northern Wheatear at Clifford Hill GP.  At Summer Leys the 3 Glossy Ibis seem to have reduced to a single bird. Also present Pintail, Water Rails, Stonechats,  Golden Plovers,  Common and Jack Snipe.  A  Caspian Gull,  Black Tailed Godwit and 2 drake Red Crested Pochards were reported from Daventry Reservoir and a Mediterranean and Yellow Legged Gull at Stanford Reservoir. 

Regards Eleanor 

The Hanging Houghton
Corn Bunting courtesy
of Stuart Munday.

Drake Lesser Scaup Ditchford Pits

Hello

Please find images of the drake Lesser Scaup at Ditchford Pits with kind contributions from local photographers. With not many in the UK currently there has to be a strong possibility that this is the same bird previously seen at Draycote and Stanford Reservoirs earlier in the month. The first of this species to be recorded in Northamptonshire - we have waited a long time!

Regards

Neil M

Images courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Image courtesy of
Stuart Munday.

Images courtesy of
Bob Bullock.

Lesser Scaup on my "county list " at last!!

Having missed the first county record of Lesser Scaup at Stanford Reservoir last month I was very relieved when one was found at Ditchford GP yesterday.  However I just couldn't get over there yesterday so had to endure a nail biting wait to see whether the bird stayed overnight.  Thankfully it did and I was able to get over to Ditchford GP this morning and join with the many other birders who also missed the Stanford bird. In fact it turned out to be quite a social occasion as lots of birders came out of the woodwork and I caught up with many folk whom I hadn't seen for years.     The bird itself was showing very well and appeared to like the company of Gadwall.  It preened, loafed around, dived and stretched his wings giving everyone some amazing views and hopefully there should be a lot of photographs.                                                                    It was definitely one of the easiest "twitches " I have been on.  The bird is on the Big Lake at Ditchford GP and is accessed via the Rushden Lakes Complex.  Park between the cinema and restaurants and it is literally a 5 minute walk on a good track on the east side of this lake.  It was visible from an obvious angling spot behind a padlocked gate.  This track is well used by folk out for a walk and was quite busy today as it is half term and nice weather.  Afterwards there is the opportunity to go and look for the Beavers or indulge in some retail therapy!!

Just a few birds of note in the county today.  A few of the long staying birds remain, Pectoral Sandpiper at Hollowell Reservoir,  2 Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys and Northern Wheatear at Clifford Hill GP.   There was a Marsh Harrier at Titchmarsh LNR and over at Stanford Reservoir a Mediterranean, Caspian and Yellow Legged Gull.                     I visited Harrington Airfield yesterday and today and it was a birdless zone. I couldn't find anything.  This is so typical of Harrington,  it is either all or nothing.  Despite sitting around and waiting for the birds/wildlife to show, nothing happened.                This tactic certainly worked well for Stuart this afternoon at shrike hedge where he was rewarded with a Corn Bunting,  Merlin and Stonechat . I walked around the general area and saw nothing of note. Maybe I should have sat around but somehow I don't think that the dogs would have been too impressed!!

Regards Eleanor 

Jack Snipe.

Stonechat.

Pintail.

Images from Summer Leys LNR
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

It has certainly been a few degrees cooler this weekend and even a ground frost.  A slight change in wind direction may have influenced the movement of Whooper Swans with 3 at Clifford Hill GP, 5 over Stanford Reservoir and 6 at Pitsford Reservoir.  It is also that time of year when the "wild" geese are also on the move and this morning 6 Pink Footed Geese flew over Hanging Houghton calling. I just love their call.      The Pectoral Sandpiper remains at Hollowell Reservoir and the 3 Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys.  Three sightings of Merlin,  Stanford Reservoir,  Gayton and a male at Harrington Airfield. Crossbills were reported from Salcey Forest and a group of 4 flying over Allen Road in Northampton. A late Northern Wheatear remains at Clifford Hill GP.  Other birds around this weekend include a Woodcock at Harrington Airfield,  Marsh Harrier at Summer Leys, Caspian and Yellow Legged Gull at Earls Barton GP. 

Kenny Cramer and his team held a ringing session at Milton Keynes today where 69 birds were processed, 51 of which were new birds.  There were 17 species of bird present including 4 Redwings, 2 Chiffchaffs,  9 Goldfinches,  1 Siskin,  3 Lesser Redpolls,  4 Goldcrests and a Kingfisher. 

Regards Eleanor 

Goldcrest.

Kingfisher.

Lesser Redpoll.

Images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Odds and Ends to finish the week

A mixture of typical Autumn weather over the last few days has seen warm sunshine and blue skies,  showery rain,  blustery winds and even a frost this morning.  The temperature has certainly dropped a few degrees and I even had to dig out my warm coat and gloves today.   Hopefully I have managed to give the lawns their last cut of the year and have put the lawn mower to bed.    The farmers have certainly been very busy around us and most of the fields have been newly ploughed.  I  love the smell of freshly ploughed earth. The ploughing activity has certainly attracted the birds. This afternoon there were a "kettle " of Red Kites over the fields along with numerous Common Buzzards standing around, a mixture of Corvids, Gulls and Pied Wagtails.  A couple of days ago there was even a Northern Wheatear on the fields.                                                  Due to various reasons my birding has been limited.  A couple of days ago the area around shrike hedge/blueberry was really busy with birds including 4 Stonechats,  2 Bramblings and large numbers of Skylarks and other passerines but today it was really quiet.   Harrington Airfield seems to mirror this too with 2 pairs Stonechats and 3 Bramblings a couple of days ago but today I could only find one pair of Stonechat and a Crossbill and 25 Golden Plovers flew over.

On Wednesday there was a late Swallow at Boddington Reservoir,  a Water Pipit and 3 Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys,  Caspian Gull at Naseby Reservoir,  2 drake Red Crested Pochards at Daventry Reservoir and a female at Ravensthorpe Reservoir.  A juvenile Whooper Swan was at Pitsford Reservoir and 2 other Whoopers at Stanford Reservoir.                                                                                            Yesterday a Firecrest was found at Boddington Reservoir, but not seen subsequently.  A Norwegian ringed Greenshank was at Summer Leys along with the 3 Glossy Ibis whilst over at Pitsford Reservoir Caspian and Yellow Legged Gull,  Ruff,Dunlin,  Green Sandpipers,  2 Stonechats and 15 Pintail.                                                                                    Today there was a Ring Ouzel on a private site at Long Buckby, 2 Bitterns at Stanford Reservoir,  Merlin at Boddington Reservoir and the Pectoral Sandpiper at Hollowell Reservoir which can be elusive at times as it hides in the vegetation. 

Have a good weekend and don't forget to put your clocks back an hour !!

Regards Eleanor 

Birds of late October

Hello

A pleasant day of weather and still plenty of visible migration out there but not many reports locally.

Birds logged at Stanford Reservoir today included two Glossy Ibis in flight, the Bittern again, twenty-three Little Egrets, four Great White Egrets, two Water Rails, two Cetti's Warblers and a late Swallow.

The Pectoral Sandpiper continued it's extraordinary long stay at Hollowell Reservoir and other birds were a Rock Pipit near the Sailing Club, a Caspian Gull, a Dunlin and four Stonechats.

A late Wheatear was at Clifford Hill Pits this morning and a Jack Snipe and a Water Rail were also present.

Birds on view for much of the day at Summer Leys LNR from the Pioneer Hide were three Glossy Ibis, a Jack Snipe, a Bittern, two Water Rails and two Stonechats. The Jack Snipe had a narrow escape when either a Weasel or Stoat rushed through the dank vegetation where it was sleeping. A leg-flagged Greenshank was in Wader Bay.

A Swallow was seen flying south at Brackley and at least two Stonechats, a Golden Plover and four Siskins were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Great Crested Grebe
with Perch.

Grey Wagtail.

Pheasant.

Blue Tit.

All images courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Pitsford Reservoir WeBS count

Hello

More rain today but the day was still birdable with mild temperatures and glimpses of sunshine.

Today was the turn of Pitsford Reservoir to be WeBS-counted! North of the causeway there were eleven Pintail, a Goldeneye, a Great White Egret, just three Little Egrets, no Coots or swans, a Ruff, a Dunlin, seven Common Snipe, about seventy-five Golden Plovers, three Green Sandpipers (Holcot Bay), two Kingfishers (using tern rafts as a perch in the Holcot Bay), an adult Yellow-legged Gull, five Stonechats, a Grey Wagtail and several fly-over Siskins.

South of the causeway there were eight Great White Egrets, just three Little Egrets, two Green Sandpipers in the Catwalk Bay, two Goldeneye, a Rock Pipit in the mouth of Moulton Grange Bay, four Stonechats, two Grey Wagtails, small numbers of Siskins and Redpolls moving south and two Ravens.

A Grass Snake was active which seemed rather late and butterflies included Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma reflecting the warmth of the day despite the rain showers.

Up to five thousand Starlings were gathering to roost at Summer Leys LNR this evening and birds on view for much of the day were the three Glossy Ibis, thirteen Common Snipe, a Jack Snipe, a Water Rail, two Great White Egrets, two drake Pintail and a Stonechat.

A Great White Egret and a Water Rail were at Clifford Hill Pits and fifteen Crossbills flew over Salcey Forest mid-morning.

Two pairs of Stonechats were at Harrington Airfield this morning and good numbers of Redwing were moving over with far smaller numbers of Siskins and Redpolls similarly moving south. A Corn Bunting, six Stonechats and four Bramblings were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon.

Eyebrook Reservoir still hosted the American Golden Plover plus a Knot, a Scaup and a Rock Pipit and an adult Whooper Swan remained at Linford Lakes this morning.

A quieter day at Stanford Reservoir still resulted in sightings of four Great White Egrets, twelve Little Egrets, one hundred and fifteen Cormorants, a Kingfisher, two Water Rails and two Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Neil M

Jack Snipe.

Water Rail and Jack Snipe.

Glossy Ibis.

Two drake Pintail.

All images from Summer Leys LNR
today courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Finally some rain!

Hello

The first substantial rain for some time hit us today but the morning was mild and dry with the rain coming later.

The American Golden Plover was still with Golden Plovers at Eyebrook Reservoir today (plus a Scaup) and Stanford Reservoir hosted the Bittern still, five Great White Egrets of which one was colour-ringed, about twenty-five Little Egrets, an adult Caspian Gull, a Common Snipe, two Water Rails, two Cetti's Warblers and a fly-over Crossbill.

At Summer Leys LNR the three Glossy Ibis were again reported and other birds included an adult Caspian Gull, a Jack Snipe, a Dunlin and two Pintail.

At Pitsford Reservoir there were six Pintail north of the causeway plus a Ruff and two Stonechats. Singles of Brambling and Siskin were in the vicinity of Christies Copse and this evening there was an adult Caspian Gull at roost off the dam (where also three Great White Egrets). Four Tree Sparrows were at Rectory Farm, Old.

The Pectoral Sandpiper was again reported at Hollowell Reservoir, a small party of Crossbills were heard calling in New Covert, Kelmarsh this morning and at least one Raven was in Hanging Houghton village. Two Stonechats and two Golden Plovers were visible in the rain in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon with a Barn Owl showing in much better weather this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Common Toadflax and Field
Scabious still in full bloom at
Kelmarsh this morning.

Great Spotted Woodpecker
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Kingfisher courtesy
of Dave Jackson.

Robin courtesy
of John Tilly.

Static Glossy Ibis and Golden Plovers on the move

Hello

Garden bird ringing at Greens Norton resulted in a catch of sixty-one Goldfinches for Chris Payne this morning plus a few Greenfinches, Blue Tits and a Great Tit.

A ringing session at Linford Lakes on the edge of Milton Keynes also pulled in the birds with one hundred and sixty-four captures of eighteen species. Highlights were thirteen Redwings, two Song Thrushes, twelve Goldcrests and a re-trap Water Rail first ringed there last year. Warblers were still about with fourteen Chiffchaffs caught and ringed, eight Blackcaps and a Cetti's Warbler.

A large flock of Siskins were on-site but didn't hit the nets but twelve Goldfinches, four Chaffinches and two Greenfinches did. At this time of the year the tits can very much get in the way when you are trying to target other species and fifty-four Blue Tits and twenty Great Tits did just that!

An American Golden Plover was located at Eyebrook Reservoir today (plus a Grey Plover and a Knot) and birds at Stanford Reservoir were two Glossy Ibis, a late Osprey, four Great White Egrets, sixteen Little Egrets, about three hundred Golden Plovers, two Pintail, a Stonechat, thirty-one Siskins (one caught and ringed) and an 'acredula' Willow Warbler caught and ringed. A belated report was received of a Black Redstart being by the spillway yesterday morning.

In the Nene Valley four Cattle Egret left their roost site at Stanwick Pits and at Summer Leys quality birding was in the shape of three Glossy Ibis, a Bittern, two Jack Snipe, two Water Rails and a covey of Grey Partridges. A Glossy Ibis remained at Titchmarsh, Thrapston Pits this afternoon and thirty-nine Golden Plovers flew east.

Harrington Airfield provided two pairs of Stonechats, six Bramblings and twenty-five Golden Plovers with a Crossbill and four Great White Egrets flying over. A Short-eared Owl and five Swallows were near Wootton this evening and garden birds at Hanging Houghton were a Grey Wagtail, four Redpolls and a nearby Raven. A Brambling and two Stonechats were near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. Another Brambling was recorded on a trail camera in a garden at Brampton Ash.

At Pitsford Reservoir today the Spoonbill wasn't reported after seemingly going absent yesterday afternoon but other birds in the Scaldwell Bay today were a Ruff, about ninety Golden Plovers, at least three Common Snipe, three Dunlin and one or two Stonechat(s).

The Pectoral Sandpiper, Common Scoter and two Rock Pipits were reported as being present at Hollowell Reservoir today.

Regards

Neil M

Blackbird courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Redwing courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Stonechat near Blueberry Farm
courtesy of Phil West.

Grey Partridges at Summer Leys
courtesy of David Smith.

Black-headed Gull.

Mute Swans.