The day after the storm

Hello

A dreary grey day but still fairly mild and much better than yesterday but with lots of flooding and brown water!

Clifford Hill had some interesting birds first thing this morning with two Grey Plovers, a Sanderling (not common at this time of the year), nine Dunlin, six Golden Plovers and later a Caspian Gull and a Mediterranean Gull.

Summer Leys held on to two Glossy Ibis, a Green Sandpiper, a Pintail and a Bittern was well-photographed. About fifty Golden Plovers were seen in flight over Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows LNR.

Further down the valley this afternoon and the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits attracted another Bittern, two hunting Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk after the reed-roosting Starlings, eight Great White Egrets, two Kingfishers and three Cetti's Warblers.

Golden Plovers were flocking in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir and the juvenile Whooper Swan was still south of the causeway. Hollowell Reservoir hosted a Dunlin, a Common Snipe and six Stonechats and a Raven was at Kelmarsh.

Regionally the 'redhead' Smew was still at Eyebrook Reservoir, Grafham Water again attracted transient Little Gulls and Brent Geese (plus four Great Northern Divers) and the Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough. Despite floodwater the Aylestone Dusky Warbler was still present and a Siberian Chiffchaff was there too. Kittiwakes were in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Regards

Neil M

Bittern photographed at
Summer Leys LNR today
courtesy of Stuart Munday.

Goldcrest courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Stonechat courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Storm Claudia

Hello

Well it's not often it rains all day but today was one of those days! Much of the day was unbirdable unless you could find a hide or somewhere similar to shelter from the constant rain and wind.

Nevertheless people tried and Neil H saw the three Glossy Ibis and a Bittern for his troubles at Summer Leys LNR this morning, with a Little Gull showing briefly there too. Interestingly in excess of ninety Little Gulls were at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire this afternoon.

The 'redhead' Smew was reported at Eyebrook Reservoir again today and a Brambling was with Chaffinches in our wet and windswept garden at Hanging Houghton this morning.

Back to sunnier weather I thought I'd post some unpublished images from my birding exploits on the Isles of Scilly earlier this autumn...

Regards

Neil M

Stonechat.

White Wagtail.

Curlew Sandpiper with Sanderlings.

Painted Lady.

Great Shearwater.

House Sparrow.

Pleasant before the deluge!

Hello

A pleasant, sunny and mild day in the county today but the rain begins tonight and is seemingly with us for most of tomorrow and with a shift in the wind direction to the north too!

The three Glossy Ibis were again at Summer Leys LNR today and other reported birds were a Water Rail, a Green Sandpiper and a Blackcap.

Clifford Hill Pits hosted six Golden Plovers this morning plus two Great White Egrets and a Goosander.

One or two pair(s) of Stonechat were in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon and six Golden Plovers were on the mud. Two Tree Sparrows were at Rectory Farm near Old village.

The 'redhead' smew was still at Eyebrook Reservoir and bird highlights at Stanford Reservoir were the two Glossy Ibis again, an amazing twenty Great White Egrets, a late Common Sandpiper, the female Ruddy Shelduck after an absence, a Pintail, two Kingfishers and a Brambling.

A juvenile Peregrine was over Hanging Houghton at 12.45pm and a Redpoll and a Grey Wagtail were in the village. Two Stonechats and six Bramblings were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Glossy Ibis courtesy
of Dave Jackson.

Brambling courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Greenfinch courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Great White Egrets courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

A quiet day in November

Hello

A very wet morning but a dry afternoon and the temperature remains mild.

There was a negative report from Ditchford Pits with the drake Lesser Scaup not being seen.

At Summer Leys LNR the three Glossy Ibis were still present and Stuart saw a Firecrest with a Long-tailed Tit flock in the ditch between the two hides. Other birds were over three hundred Golden Plovers and a Green Sandpiper.

At Pitsford Reservoir the juvenile Whooper Swan was relocated and other birds were a Peregrine, two Pintail, five Golden Plovers, two Stonechats, Grey Partridges and a Redpoll. A possible first year Caspian Gull was also seen.

Two Glossy Ibis were at Stanford Reservoir again and other birds were an adult Caspian Gull, as many as fifteen Great White Egrets, two Kingfishers and a Stonechat.

A Woodcock and a couple of Crossbills were at the Gamboro' Plantation this afternoon (between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton) and the nearby shrike hedge area attracted three Stonechats and two or three mobile Bramblings.

Regards

Neil M

Great Crested Grebes courtesy
of Dave Jackson.

Grey Heron courtesy
of Dave Jackson.

Common Buzzard and Carrion Crow
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Green Sandpiper courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Autumn long-stayers

Hello

A day of mixed weather today ahead of some cooler northerlies predicted at the end of the week.

At Ditchford Pits the adult drake Lesser Scaup was again on show on Big Lake, access from either Rushden Lakes Shopping Complex or Ditchford Lane.

At Summer Leys the three Glossy Ibis showed up after initially only two birds being visible and other birds settled there included a Great White Egret, three hundred Golden Plovers, a Water Rail and two Cetti's Warblers and a Green Sandpiper.

Clifford Hill Pits was adversely affected by bird shooting but birds visible before it started included a female Goosander, two Great White Egrets, a Kingfisher and three Stonechats. Ring-necked Parakeets were at Weston Mill (numbers not specified).

A Merlin was seen from the track between Brington and Brockhall this morning, two Stonechats were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Raven was at St Andrews Hospital, Northampton.

Stanford Reservoir again attracted two Glossy Ibis, a first year Mediterranean Gull in the roost and an Egyptian Goose. The American Golden Plover and 'redhead' Smew continue to find Eyebrook Reservoir to their liking. Long-staying rare warblers in neighbouring counties include a Dusky Warbler at Aylestone, Leicestershire (where also a Siberian Chiffchaff) and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough.

Regards

Neil M

Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys LNR.

Goldfinch.

Two Tree Sparrows with Greenfinches
at Pitsford Reservoir last Friday.

All images again courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

A wet Pitsford WeBS count

Hello

The Pitsford Reservoir WeBS count was completed today, in wet conditions at times. Two Greater Scaup were with the much-reduced Tufted Duck flock in the Scaldwell Bay this morning. Ten Great White Egrets were south of the causeway (none north of the causeway during the count) as were four Yellow-legged Gulls. Waders included a single Golden Plover, thirty-five Common Snipe and five Green Sandpipers. Other birds north of the causeway were a Kingfisher, eight Pintail and three Redpolls. Other passerines included about twenty-two Siskins, four Grey Wagtails, two Chiffchaffs, eleven Stonechats and three Ravens.

Elsewhere and the drake Lesser Scaup was again reported at Ditchford Pits and two Stonechats and a dozen Siskins were at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve with the three Glossy Ibis still at Summer Leys LNR plus a Green Sandpiper.

Clifford Hill Pits hosted a Dunlin, a Common Snipe, five Golden Plovers, a Goosander and a Yellow-legged Gull.

At least three Chiffchaffs were at Ravensthorpe Reservoir this afternoon and two Blackcaps were in a Hollowell village garden. 

A Siskin, a Raven and a Grey Wagtail were in Hanging Houghton village and a pair of Stonechats and four Bramblings were in the Brampton Valley below the village.

The American Golden Plover and a 'redhead' Smew remain at Eyebrook Reservoir and Stanford Reservoir was good for two Glossy Ibis plus two first year Mediterranean Gulls in the gull roost and four Water Rails and three Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Whooper Swan.

Brambling courtesy
of John Tilly.

Lesser Redpoll courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Late autumn migrants

Hello

Another mild November day although it was only 5 degrees Centigrade before dawn. It was then murky for much of the morning until the breeze kicked in and then broken sunshine in the afternoon with rain after dark.

A modest ringing session at Pitsford Reservoir processed eight Reed Buntings, three Song Thrushes and four Stonechats amongst more common fare. An adult Caspian Gull was north of the causeway and other birds noted included three Great White Egrets, a Raven, twenty Common Snipe, a Grey Wagtail and a Brambling.

Two local observers saw a possible Dusky Warbler this morning from one of the hides at Summer Leys but seemingly it wasn't seen subsequently. The three Glossy Ibis were still there and other birds noted included a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher and about forty Golden Plovers. A Marsh Harrier was also seen at Quarry Walk Pit, Earls Barton Pits.

At Ditchford Pits the drake Lesser Scaup was still on Big Lake but there was no sign of yesterday's Smew.

Early morning birding at Clifford Hill Pits provided a Dunlin, five Golden Plovers, a Common Snipe, a Peregrine, a Yellow-legged Gull, two Great White Egrets and two Stonechats.

The bird information services reported five Twite for Sywell Country Park this afternoon, a rare visitor to the county these days.

In the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today there were two Stonechats, several Bramblings and at least two Redpolls with several Crossbills at Gamboro' Plantation. Two Green Sandpipers were on a pool in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth. A vocal Grey Plover was over Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning and Bramblings were at Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke.

Harrington Airfield provided sightings of a male Merlin, a high-flying Short-eared Owl being pursued by corvids and a heavy passage of winter thrushes and smaller numbers of Siskins, Redpolls and Bramblings passing over.

The American Golden Plover was at Eyebrook Reservoir and the two Glossy Ibis flew over Stanford Reservoir where there was also a Peregrine, a Pochard exhibiting a bill saddle, two Water Rails, four Cetti's Warblers and a Brambling.

Regards

Neil M

Stonechats at Pitsford
Reservoir today, male above
and female below.

Migration on-going

Hello

Quality Nene valley birding continues with the drake Lesser Scaup again on Big Lake, Ditchford Pits and a 'redhead' Smew on the adjacent Skew Bridge (old water ski) Pit.

Three Glossy Ibis and a Marsh Harrier were still at Summer Leys LNR and the nearby Mary's Lake hosted two Caspian and a Yellow-legged Gull. An Otter was showing on the main pit of the reserve.

A drake Mandarin Duck was at Barnwell Country Park today and thirty Golden Plovers were near Finedon with a Peregrine at Higham Ferrers church.

At Clifford Hill Pits a Jack Snipe was recorded plus a Common Snipe, five Golden Plovers, a Water Rail and a Great White Egret.

Two Glossy Ibis re-appeared at Stanford Reservoir briefly today and other birds were six Goosanders and four Goldeneye.

At Pitsford Reservoir a Whooper Swan and two Green Sandpipers were just south-west of the causeway and north of the causeway there were three Great White Egrets, thirteen Pintail, thirty-five Golden Plovers, a Ruff, a Woodcock, sixty Common Snipe, at least two Crossbills and three Stonechats.

A Woodcock and a pair of Stonechats were at Harrington Airfield. Birds this afternoon in the Brampton Valley between the Brampton Valley Way and Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) included eighty Chaffinches, at least one Tree Sparrow. at least six Bramblings including some super males and a Merlin. A Marsh Harrier flew east over Blueberry Hill with a female Peregrine following shortly afterwards.

Eyebrook Reservoir again hosted the juvenile American Golden Plover, a female Scaup and a 'redhead' Smew.

Ringing at Linford Lakes on the edge of Milton Keynes today provided eighty-six captures of eighteen species, fifty-one birds being newly-ringed. Thrushes included ten Redwings, five Blackbirds, two Song Thrushes and a Fieldfare. Finches were made up of seven Redpolls, four Goldfinches, two Chaffinches and a Greenfinch. Four Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and a Cetti's Warbler were also processed.

A Goldcrest was caught bearing a Brussels ring, so this tiny bundle of feathers has come from Belgium, initial ringing details are awaited.

Other birds noted on-site were three Great White Egrets, a Raven, two Woodcock, a male Marsh Harrier and a flock of Siskins.

Thirty-six Goldfinches and a Sparrowhawk were ringed in a Greens Norton garden today.

Regards

Neil M

Fieldfare courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Goldcrest from Belgium
courtesy of Kenny Cramer.

 Sparrowhawk courtesy
of Chris Payne.

Quality November birds.

Hello

Fifteen Great White Egrets at Stanford Reservoir today is a site record but was possibly eclipsed with the sighting of a ringed male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on-site. Thirty Little Egrets was also a very high number and other birds were two Water Rails, three Goldeneye, two Ravens and two Cetti's Warblers.

The American Golden Plover was still at Eyebrook Reservoir today plus the 'redhead' Smew, a Scaup and a drake Common Scoter.

The three Glossy Ibis were at Summer Leys LNR again today, an Otter was on the main lake this afternoon and other birds today included a Marsh Harrier, three hundred Golden Plovers and two Stonechats. A second winter Mediterranean Gull was on nearby Mary's Lake this afternoon.

A Brambling was along the Brampton Valley Way between Brixworth and Hanging Houghton and three Yellow-legged Gulls were off the dam at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon.

The drake Lesser Scaup was still on Big Lake, Ditchford Pits today and birds west of Ditchford Lane amounted to seven Egyptian Geese, a pair of Pintail, a Golden Plover, a Water Rail, six Great White Egrets, a pair of Stonechat, four Cetti's Warblers and two Chiffchaffs. Sadly there were dead Mute Swans and Canada Geese - it seems that Bird Flu is prevalent throughout the Nene Valley.

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Raven.

Common Buzzard courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

C

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.