More wild goose chases

Hello

Clearly some parts of the country suffered at the hands of Storm Goretti but despite some amber weather warnings it seems that locally we were spared the worst of it.

Nick was on fire at Thrapston Pits today, finding a Tundra Bean Goose with fifteen European White-fronted Geese at Islip Meadows, two Greater Scaup and a Goosander on Town Lake and the drake American Wigeon on the north section of the Titchmarsh reserve where also a long-staying Marsh Harrier.

Adrian managed to find the Tundra Bean Goose at Stanwick Pits today with at least seven European White-fronted Geese. These birds were being disturbed but were generally in a field north of the black metal bridge and sometimes out of view.

The Slavonian Grebe wasn't reported at Pitsford Reservoir today (I looked too) but the Black-necked Grebe, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were in the general vicinity of Pintail Bay with an adult Yellow-legged Gull on buoys further south on the reservoir. In excess of a hundred Great Crested Grebes were between the Gorse Bushes and the dam and in excess of twenty Redpolls were in birches at the adjacent Brixworth Country Park car park.

An adult Caspian Gull was seen flying over Hollowell village this morning heading towards the reservoir and two Blackcaps were in a garden there. Later at the reservoir the female Ruddy Shelduck was present plus a pair of Goosanders, a Jack Snipe, two Common Snipe and a Stonechat.

At least sixty European White-fronted Geese and six Goosanders were at Stanford Reservoir today.

A Blackcap was in a Sywell garden today and two Ring-necked Parakeets returned to a garden off Billing Lane, Northampton to enjoy bird food offerings.

Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton included a Jack Snipe and two Common Snipe with two Ravens around the village.

Regards

Neil M

Ruddy Shelduck.

Video grab of the Tundra Bean Goose
at Thrapston Pits courtesy of Nick Parker.
 
The below video clip is of the same flock
of geese with Greylags, European White-fronted
Geese and the Tundra Bean Goose all depicted,
again courtesy of Nick.

Storm Goretti is here!

Hello

Stanwick Pits today was again the venue for the Tundra Bean Goose and ten European White-fronted Geese, this afternoon they were again adjacent to North Lake on the complex.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was again on Town Lake, Thrapston Pits where also two Greater Scaup.

A Bittern was a good find at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, in flight by the reed bed on the east bank.

At Pitsford Reservoir at least nine European White-fronted Geese were in a field behind Catwalk Bay and both singletons of Slavonian Grebe and a Black-necked Grebe were seen in the Pintail Bay but intriguingly not at the same time! Three Great White Egrets were in the Holcot Bay and the Common Sandpiper was also in the Pintail Bay. A drake Smew was found in the Scaldwell Bay this afternoon where there were still a pair of Stonechats. Nearby there was a Peregrine and four Tree Sparrows at Rectory Farm, Old.

A Siberian Chiffchaff was at the Sandy Lane attenuation pond, Duston, Northampton where also thirty Siskins. A Barn Owl was hunting at Upton Country Park this afternoon.

This afternoon between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton birds seen included the female Merlin again - this time hunting Skylarks, a Woodcock, two Common Snipe, two Barn Owls and eight Bramblings with three Crossbills and at least ten Siskins at Gamboro' Plantation.

Regards

Neil M

Male Stonechat.

Chiffchaff.

Rook.

Images courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Weather-driven birds

Hello

A short reprieve in the weather but we'll have to see what Storm Goretti delivers!

The drake Ring-necked Duck was found again today on Town Lake, Thrapston Pits, with a female Greater Scaup in close attendance.

At Pitsford Reservoir at least nine European White-fronted Geese were still present in fields behind Catwalk Bay, the sometimes elusive Slavonian Grebe was again in Pintail Bay where also a 'redhead' Smew, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper, with a Goosander north of the causeway and an adult Yellow-legged Gull north of the dam.

At Stanwick Pits the Tundra Bean Goose was still with ten European White-fronted Geese at North Lake where also a Merlin was seen.

Approximately sixty European White-fronted Geese remain at Stanford Reservoir plus six Goosanders, three hundred Fieldfares, three Great White Egrets, a Peregrine, two Kingfishers, a Common Snipe and a Chiffchaff. A German colour-ringed Common Gull was also seen there and another individual similarly-marked seems to be wintering at Pitsford Reservoir.

At Gamboro' Plantation this morning (between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton), finches included four Crossbills, two Bramblings, two or three Redpolls and fifteen Siskins. Hundreds of winter thrushes arrived in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon - birds being pushed around by hard winter weather elsewhere.

Eighteen Ring-necked Parakeets have been recorded in recent days, feeding on bird food in a garden in Weston Favell, Northampton!

Regards

Neil M

Ring-necked Parakeet.

Wren.

Drake Shoveler.

All images courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Wild geese still dominate proceedings

Hello

Still cold today but tonight should be the first night for a while where the temperatures don't dip below zero, a relief for birds that use a high proportion of their body fat to keep warm at night.

A Tundra Bean Goose and the ten European White-fronted Geese at Stanwick Pits were the choice finds of the day courtesy of Steve, particularly as they gave themselves up later in the day when feeding near North Lake after earlier flying off from the Main Lake. Two Goosanders were noted there too.

Pitsford Reservoir south of the causeway provided eleven European White-fronted Geese in fields behind Catwalk Bay, a 'redhead' Smew, a Slavonian Grebe in the Pintail Bay, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper and one hundred and fifty Cormorants at the south end of the reservoir.

The two Glossy Ibis briefly visited the wet fields at the Embankment at Wellingborough again today.

The female Ruddy Shelduck appeared at Hollowell Reservoir today and sightings at Stanford Reservoir amounted to about sixty European White-fronted Geese, two Caspian Gulls in the roost and six Goosanders.

Nine Corn Buntings were visible from a footpath between Deanshanger and Wicken this morning, a male Blackcap was still in a Corby garden with another in a Duston garden. A Stonechat was at Upton Country Park.

An ice-bound Summer Leys LNR provided a brief visit from a Black-tailed Godwit, thirty Siskins, a male Blackcap and a Common Snipe.

Two Ravens were trying to dine on a road casualty Pheasant near Lamport this afternoon and there were a few Siskins at both Scotland Wood and Kelmarsh Hall. A Barn Owl was hunting at Lamport Hall yesterday afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

The Tundra Bean Goose
and European White-fronted
Geese at Stanwick Pits today
courtesy of Steve Fisher.

The cold snap continues

Hello

The deep winter cold continues with more snow and four wild bird feeding stations were replenished today with more to do tomorrow.

At Pitsford Reservoir fifteen European White-fronted Geese and a single Pink-footed Goose were in fields behind Catwalk Bay and other birds south of the causeway included a 'redhead' Smew in Pintail Bay, two pairs of Stonechats, four Grey Wagtails, a Green Sandpiper, a Yellow-legged Gull, six Common Snipe, twenty-five Siskins, six to eight Redpolls and two Ravens. North of the causeway there was a Great White Egret, a pair of Stonechats, a Common Snipe and a Siskin. Four Tree Sparrows were at Rectory Farm, Old village.

Clifford Hill Pits hosted two Goosanders, thirty plus Great Black-backed Gulls, three Great White Egrets, the drake Smew again and four European White-fronted Geese.

At Thrapston Pits today there was a female Greater Scaup on Town Lake, a Jack Snipe was flushed from Harper's Brook plus three Goosanders and a Pintail.

A Crossbill was at Harlestone Heath by the main entrance, two Blackcaps were still in a garden at Woodford Halse and a Woodcock was seen in flight over the A43 at Sywell Range.

Summer Leys LNR proved attractive to a range of birds including nine Great White Egrets, a Marsh Harrier, a Cattle Egret, a Green Sandpiper, a Water Rail and a male Merlin.

At Stanford Reservoir there were a minimum of sixty European White-fronted Geese, nineteen Goosanders, a female Greater Scaup, a Peregrine and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Two Ring-necked Parakeets were feeding in a garden off Billing Lane, Northampton today and yesterday two Peregrines were on St Dionysius church, Market Harborough.

Regards

Neil M

Red Kite.

Grey Plover courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Drake Eurasian Wigeon.

SP54 Short Day Count

Hello

More sub-zero temperatures pre-dawn extended into the morning and another challenging weather day for our wintering birds.

Thrapston Pits continued to host the drake American Wigeon at Alwincle Lake and the drake Ring-necked Duck and two Greater Scaup on Town Lake with a Marsh Harrier on the Titchmarsh reserve.

Two Glossy Ibis flew through Summer Leys LNR this morning and at least sixty-four European White-fronted Geese and four Greater Scaup were at Stanford Reservoir where there were also fifteen Goosanders and one hundred and seventy-two Pochard.

Four European White-fronted Geese were at Clifford Hill Pits today together with five Goosanders, two Common Snipe and a Water Rail, and six European White-fronted Geese were mobile at Blatherwycke Lake.

Four Crossbills were near the main car park at Wakerley Wood and at least six more were at Salcey Forest. Blackcaps were seen in gardens at Mears Ashby and Duston and with one at Summer Leys LNR.

Further birds in the Nene Valley included two Stonechats at Whiston Lock and birds at Ecton SF at the outfall channel near bridge K121 included at least ten Chiffchaffs, Grey Wagtails, a Cetti's Warbler, two Ring-necked Parakeets, a Water Rail and two Green Sandpipers.

The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton provided the female Merlin again, a female Peregrine which today took a Fieldfare, a pair of Stonechats and at least ten Bramblings. Winter thrushes were in good numbers at Harrington Airfield plus a male Peregrine, twenty Golden Plovers and classic cold weather movements with small flocks of Lapwings on the move.

Roosting birds close to Delta Lake, Ditchford Pits were a thousand Starlings, five hundred Jackdaws,  and sixty-six Cormorants and other birds included a Peregrine, two Water Rails and a Cetti's Warbler.

I completed the Banbury Ornithological Society Short Day Count in SP54 (South Northants) today finding sixty species and missing a couple of common birds. Thenford provided a few Siskins, seven Lesser Redpolls and a Black Swan with two Ravens and a few Siskins at nearby Marston St Lawrence. Four Golden Plovers and a Siskin were near Middleton Cheney. Edgcote provided a dozen Siskins, a Kingfisher, two Grey Wagtails and at least one Raven and up to thirty Siskins were at Trafford. Large numbers of corvids, Woodpigeons and particularly winter thrushes were present in high numbers in the 10km square with up to four hundred Redwings around Edgcote/Trafford alone. Mobile flocks of morose-looking Lapwings were seen at several spots.

Regards

Neil M

The drake Smew seen at
Pitsford Reservoir yesterday
courtesy of Jonathan Cook.

Drake Red-breasted Merganser
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Winter weather birding

Hello

Another cold day with sub zero temperatures at night and still some laying snow in the west and the east of the county.

Thrapston Pits was still the place to be with the drake Ring-necked Duck and the two Greater Scaup on Town Lake and the fine drake American Wigeon on Aldwincle Lake. A Marsh Harrier and a Pintail were also logged. Nearby four European White-fronted Geese were in a field near Warmington Lock this morning.

Ten European White-fronted Geese flew from Stanwick's main pit this morning with one returning and subsequently nine were in flight at Ringstead Pits, confirming these are the same birds moving between sites in the Nene Valley.

Clifford Hill Pits hosted a Whooper Swan and eight Pink-footed Geese early on and four European White-fronted Geese. The drake Smew wasn't seen there today but a drake Smew was in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir so maybe it was enjoying a day out!

A Marsh Harrier was at Summer Leys LNR/Earls Barton Pits as were three Stonechats, a Great White Egret and a Common Snipe.

A Short-eared Owl was at Neville's Lodge, Finedon this afternoon.

Two Blackcaps and a Brambling were in a Woodford Halse garden today and a Blackcap visited a Corby garden yesterday. A Ring-necked Parakeet visited a garden off Billing Lane, Northampton today and decided it liked sunflower hearts!

A Redpoll was at Scotland Wood late this morning and eight Crossbills were in the Gamboro' Plantation between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton. The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton held over a hundred each of Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Linnet near shrike hedge with a couple of Bramblings and a pair of Stonechats also present.

At least sixty European White-fronted Geese and three Greater Scaup remain at Stanford Reservoir.

The Banbury Ornithological Society Short Day Count was completed in SP55 (West Northants) by Helen Franklin today and the freezing temperatures and bitter wind made for challenging birding conditions. The birds remained deep in the bushes and difficult to see and the still waters in the ten km square had a good percentage of ice covering them. By far the most amazing sight was a flock of mixed corvids spread over three fields near Hellidon numbering six hundred birds or more. Ravens were noted at Lower Catesby and Fawsley.

Regards

Neil M

Robin.

Marsh Tit.

Grey Partridges courtesy
of Jacob Spinks.

First year Black-headed Gull.

Cold weather movement

Hello

A cold night and day across Europe and the UK has undoubtedly caused some cold weather movement with fresh birds arriving in the county as a result. Over a hundred Fieldfares and small numbers of other thrushes at Harrington Airfield were probably all new arrivals as there are still a reasonable amount of berries on the bushes there.

The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton was relatively quiet this morning with just a Barn Owl of note but this afternoon there were forty-five Golden Plovers, three hundred Lapwings, an increase in Meadow Pipits and Skylarks and large numbers of Fieldfares, Redwings and Starlings. Regulars included the female Merlin, at least six Bramblings and a pair of Stonechats.

A Tundra Bean Goose was a new bird in at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits and later the ten European White-fronted Geese and a Marsh Harrier put in appearances too.

Thrapston Pits provided sightings of the mobile drake Ring-necked Duck, drake American Wigeon (generally Aldwincle Lake) and two Greater Scaup (Town Lake today). Two European White-fronted Geese again flew north-east at Stanwick Pits this morning. Two Marsh Harriers were seen at Summer Leys LNR today.

Clifford Hill Pits was again the venue for a drake Smew and four European White-fronted Geese.

At least sixty European White-fronted Geese were still at Stanford Reservoir today plus three Greater Scaup and with two thousand Common Gulls and a first winter Mediterranean Gull in the afternoon roost there.

A Whooper Swan arrived at Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon and a Jack Snipe was still present. A dead Water Rail was a road casualty just outside Holcot on the road to Walgrave (next to Pitsford Reservoir) and a Redpoll was at Brixworth Country Park.

Yesterday there were two Peregrines on St Dionysius church in Market Harborough and four Tree Sparrows were noted at Rectory Farm, Old.

Regards

Neil M

First year Mediterranean Gull.

Otter.

Tundra Bean Goose at
Ringstead Pits today
courtesy of Nick Parker.

Birding on New Year's Day

Hello

With further cold weather ahead of us, many birds from 2025 were found again today plus a couple of newbies too!

A Firecrest found by Nigel at the New Sandy Lane Attenuation Pool on the outskirts of Duston was a great New Year find. Another excellent passerine find by Olivia was a Black Redstart at a farm between Scaldwell and Lamport, last being seen at about 2pm. Presumably it is cold weather from the continent that is pushing these insectivorous birds around.

Thrapston Pits remains the best place for rare ducks with the drake Ring-necked Duck, the drake American Wigeon and up to three Greater Scaup plus a Marsh Harrier. Beware that a birder's car was broken into whilst parked in the Wildlife Trust Aldwincle car park today. The Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck and one of the Scaup were at the south end of Aldwincle Lake on the Titchmarsh reserve.

A Caspian Gull, a Goosander and a wing-tagged Marsh Harrier were at Summer Leys LNR and ten European White-fronted Geese were at Ringstead Pits on Kinewell Lake. A Goosander flew over Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and Stanwick Pits recorded two European White-fronted Geese and a Marsh Harrier. A flock of Siskins and a Kingfisher were at Swanhaven Pond near Lings and a Siskin was at Little Billing, Northampton.

The drake Smew and four European White-fronted Geese were at Clifford Hill Pits, a Jack Snipe was found at Hollowell Reservoir, and Ravens were at Grange Park, Northampton and Mawsley.

A Brambling and a Blackcap were at Woodford Halse today and birds noted north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir were ten European White-fronted Geese, a Great White Egret, a Brambling and a pair of Stonechats.

An intriguing report from East Farndon was of a Wild Boar sighting, a mammal that is not known to be residing in rural Northants.

The 'ringtail' Hen Harrier showed up again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon plus a Golden Plover, a pair of Stonechats, about twenty Siskins (Gamboro' Plantation) and several Bramblings.

Quality birding continued at Stanford Reservoir with two Glossy Ibis, an adult Caspian Gull in the roost, an amazing seventy European White-fronted Geese, four Greater Scaup, a Shelduck, two Peregrines, three Common Snipe, six Goosanders and a Chiffchaff.

Eyebrook Reservoir provided sightings of fourteen European White-fronted Geese, nine Smew and eight Greater Scaup.

Regards

Neil M

Black-headed Gulls courtesy
of John Tilly.

Carrion Crow courtesy
of John Tilly.

Black Redstart today near
Lamport courtesy of Olivia Neilson.

New Year's Eve

Hello

The last birding in 2025 was on a cold, frosty day with winterer lingerers and little that was new.

Eyebrook Reservoir boasted nine Smew and eight Greater Scaup, excellent numbers by modern standards. Other regional news included at least eight Great Northern Divers still at Grafham Water plus a Red-breasted Merganser, a Common Scoter and three Bewick's Swans and in the other direction there were two Great Northern Divers and an adult Glaucous Gull at Draycote Water. Waifs lingering in Warwickshire include a Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Stanford Reservoir today fielded four Greater Scaup and over twenty-five European White-fronted Geese. A Grey Wagtail, two Siskins and a Little Egret were along the River Welland at Market Harborough.

A drake Smew and four European White-fronted Geese were at Clifford Hill Pits and Thrapston Pits continued to host a drake American Wigeon and two Greater Scaup on the Titchmarsh reserve. Four European White-fronted Geese were to the east of Woodford in the Nene Valley.

At least ten Chiffchaffs were at the Ecton SF outfall stream where also two Green Sandpipers and a Ring-necked Parakeet. Six Crossbills were at Harlestone Heath this morning and Blackcaps were feeding in gardens at Abington, Northampton and Woodford Halse. Eight Redpolls were in birches at Woodford Halse churchyard.

Two Whooper Swans (adult and a juvenile) flew over the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning and other birds were a female Peregrine consuming a Woodpigeon, eight Bramblings, a Golden Plover and a Woodcock. Several Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall.

I have recently returned from eight days birding in Portugal and a tab/page has been created with a few images from that trip - 'The Algarve at Christmas 2025.'

We would like to thank everyone for their observations and information during 2025 and for all the images received which help enliven the blog. We wish you a Happy New Year and hope that 2026 provides respite for our birds and wildlife with an opportunity to flourish and for us to enjoy it's presence.

Regards

Neil & Eleanor

Grey Heron courtesy
of John Tilly.

Great White Egret courtesy
of John Tilly.

Common Gull.

Female Blackbird.

Last few days of the year.

Hello

A cool day and bird-wise still some lingerers from the last couple of weeks.

Two Glossy Ibis were at Stanford Reservoir and at least forty European White-fronted Geese were still present at dusk. Four Greater Scaup were still present too and other birds were fifteen Goosanders, four Water Rails, a Kingfisher and a first winter Mediterranean Gull.`     

Eight more European White-fronted Geese were still at Blatherwycke Lake, nine were at Eyebrook Reservoir (plus four Greater Scaup and eight Smew), ten were at Pitsford Reservoir around the Walgrave Bay and ten more flew from the main lake at Stanwick Pits early this morning.

Two Caspian Gulls were noted at Summer Leys LNR this morning and other birds were a Yellow-legged Gull, a Marsh Harrier, a pair of Goosanders and at least one hundred and fifty Golden Plovers. At least four Pintails were at the New Workings South section of Earls Barton Pits and other birds were two Great White Egrets, a Green Sandpiper and a few Chiffchaffs.

Thrapston Pits has been good lately and birds today were still the drake American Wigeon, a first year drake Greater Scaup and a Sanderling all on the Titchmarsh reserve from the hides.

Two or three Ravens were at Mawsley, a male Blackcap was feeding in a Wellingborough garden, a possible Siberian Chiffchaff was at Stortons Pits and the drake Smew was at Clifford Hill Pits.   

Regards

Neil M

Drake Pintail.

                    

Possible Siberian Chiffchaff
at Stortons Pits courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Stonechat courtesy of
Jonathan Pitt

In Between Time

It's now that strange period following Christmas and the wait for New Year. No one seems to know what day of the week it is and its impossible to get things done as half the world are still on holiday!!  The weather has gone very grey and raw which may make birding less attractive.  However I have to go out and about as my dogs do not understand the concept of rest.  All I could find yesterday was a pair of Stonechat on the big side of Pitsford Reservoir and I've drawn a complete blank today with shrike hedge,  Blueberry and Harrington being birdless.

Over the last couple of days there have been White-fronted Geese reported from Summer Leys, Clifford Hill GP, Stanford Reservoir,  Blatherwycke Lake,  Stanwick GP,  Aynho (Cherwell Valley) and from a field near to the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir. 

The long staying Glossy Ibis remain at the embankment at Wellingborough and at Stanford Reservoir on the settling ponds. The drake American Wigeon remains at Titchmarsh LNR favouring North hide with the drake Ring Necked Duck and 2 Greater Scaup in the same area.

Yesterday the Black-necked Grebe was at Blatherwycke Lake , 8 Corn Buntings on the Deanshanger/Wicken footpath, drake Smew at Clifford Hill GP,  adult Mediterranean Gull at Pitsford Reservoir and a Mediterranean Gull and 4 Greater Scaup at Stanford Reservoir. 

Regards Eleanor 

The drake American Wigeon
at Titchmarsh courtesy of 
Nick Parker (the finder).

The "Goose fest" continues!!

Thankfully the arrival of some interesting geese on Christmas eve was not a one day wonder and the influx of geese, mainly White Fronted has continued with sightings dotted around the county.   This event certainly seems to have encouraged folk to get out and about today or maybe it was the two days of festivities and withdrawal from birding which spurred folk on too.    For myself it was definitely the latter. Over Christmas/Boxing day I managed two brief visits to Pitsford but saw nothing and a few brief visits to shrike hedge/blueberry area with the dogs and saw my usual Stonechats,  Bramblings and female Merlin.                                                                                                                I earmarked today as "my day" and loaded the dogs into the car and headed north,  destination Wakerley Wood as its one of my favourite places.  As I was driving on the A43 approaching the turning for Blatherwycke I nearly turned off to go and look for the geese etc there first, but I didn't as I wanted to walk around Wakerley before it got busy with people.  I was very pleased to find a small party of Crossbills in the carpark as I set off for a 3 hour meander in the Wood.  All was well with the world until I looked at my messages and saw that Stuart was at Blatherwycke Lake watching a Common Crane flying over!!! Birding is often all about being in the right place at the right time,  I was nearly there, I was so close and in the area, if only I had gone to Blatherwycke first, I might have seen the Crane.  Anyway I enjoyed my walk around Wakerley Wood where there were small parties of Crossbills,  Siskins,  Redpolls and Bramblings dispersed throughout the wood.  A Ringtail Hen Harrier was a surprise find as I was looking from the wood towards Laxton and the A43.    I never bumped into anyone else until I was virtually back at the carpark where I found that the  whole world had woken up!!                                                                                              Blatherwycke Lake was my next stop and unsurprisingly there were plenty of birders looking for the Tundra Bean Goose which was quite tricky to find and the very smart White Fronted Geese which were a lot easier to find. I visited the Churchyard in search of Hawfinch,  but none seen, so I continued along the footpath which gives a good view of the northern end of the lake and the Black Necked Grebe was showing well.                                                                                       Next was Deene Churchyard,  again no Hawfinch,  but a scan of the lake produced 6 Shelduck,  a Grey Wagtail and a Stonechat.                                               News had broken of a drake American Wigeon in front of the Peter Scott hide at Titchmarsh LNR,  found by Nick. As I haven't seen one of these in the county for a while I took the longer route home to see this bird. I'm glad that I did as it was very obliging and showing well.         So a good day out birding in the county for me.

Plenty of White Fronted Geese today. 10 at Stanwick GP, 9 at Clifford Hill GP, 60 at Stanford Reservoir and 6 at Aynho in the Cherwell Valley.  Other birds seen today include Caspian Gull at Summer Leys, Sanderling at Titchmarsh LNR,  drake Smew at Clifford Hill GP and Greater Scaup at Thrapston on the town lake and 3 birds at Stanford Reservoir.        But one of the most interesting and remarkable records today ( Tyler) was that of a staggering 22 Corn Buntings in crop fields from the footpath between Deanshanger and Wicken. Not an area that I'm familiar with but definitely worth a "twitch" !!

Regards Eleanor 

GEESE GALORE!!

 Today has seen a significant drop in temperature, a change in the wind direction and a scattering of wild geese throughout the county. European White Fronted Geese were seen at Pitsford Reservoir (7+), Stanford Reservoir (56),Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows (31) and at Blatherwycke Lake (12). Pink Footed Geese were at Pitsford Reservoir (3) and Summer Leys (1). But the scarcest of the geese were 6 Tundra Bean Geese at Pitsford Reservoir.           I was lucky enough to be able to get to Pitsford Reservoir and enjoy this Goose feast.  I'd had a pretty quiet morning for birds. Just a couple of Grey Wagtails,  Siskins and Bramblings whilst out running,  about 15 Siskins at Kelmarsh Hall and birdless visit to Harrington Airfield. I was taking a break in-between errands when the news broke of the birds at Pitsford so the remaining errands were put on hold, and infact they got done!!.                             As I walked down the old road to view the birds my heart sank as a lot of the geese started to fly around.  There seemed to be an awful lot of Canada's and Greylags present.  After searching I picked up several White Fronted Geese near to the point where the Cormorants sit. As I watched them they swam away from me and disappeared into the Walgrave Bay and out of sight. In order to get a better view of these birds I walked towards the causeway and looked back into the Walgrave Bay where they had tucked themselves.  Then I turned my attention to the area between the Walgrave and Holcot Bays as this is where the majority of geese seemed to be.  As I scanned the geese I found at least 3 Pink Footed Geese, 7 White Fronted Geese and 4 Tundra Bean Geese which were joined by a further 2. This was just amazing to see and I can't remember seeing all these different species of geese present together in the same place in Northamptonshire.                                                 I had to drag myself away,  not to finish my errands but to walk the dogs. However it was a quiet walk with just a few Bramblings and female Peregrine near shrike hedge,  2 Woodcock nearby and 15 Golden Plovers with 160 Lapwings feeding on a crop field. 

Other birds around today include 2 Greater Scaup,  2 Goosanders at Thrapston on Town Lake, Black Necked Grebe at Blatherwycke Lake,  Glossy Ibis at Stanford Reservoir and Wellingborough embankment and 3 female Greater Scaup at Stanford Reservoir. 

Yesterday saw another scarce winter visitor,  a drake Red Breasted Merganser briefly at Ravensthorpe Reservoir, plus 2 Red Crested Pochards at Kislingbury on the main lake.        There seems to be a bit of competition between the gull roosts at Pitsford and Stanford Reservoirs, both had Mediterranean Gulls ( adult at Pitsford and 2 x 1st winters at Stanford) and Yellow Legged Gull.  But Stanford also produced a Caspian Gull. 

We would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas 🎄 and hope that you enjoy the day however and wherever you spend it.

Regards Eleanor 

All three 'sawbills' at Clifford Hill

Hello

Grey, dreary but essentially dry and mild today and periods when it was possible to see some birds at distance.

The two Wellingborough Glossy Ibis remained in wet fields adjacent to the carriageway of the Embankment, these must be the easiest Glossy Ibis ever to see in the county! A Great White Egret was in the same general area.

The juvenile Shag was seen again along the Grand Union Canal near the lock just north of junction 15A of the M1 motorway.

Stanford Reservoir today recorded the Glossy Ibis again plus a first winter Caspian Gull and two adult Yellow-legged Gulls roosting this afternoon. Other birds were six Great White Egrets, five Goosanders, two Water Rails and a Kingfisher.

Eyebrook Reservoir provided distant views of six Smew (four adult drakes) and three Greater Scaup.

A productive morning at Clifford Hill Pits provided a drake Red-breasted Merganser seen moving west along the River Nene, a mobile drake Smew, four Goosanders, two Great White Egrets, eight Golden Plovers and a Stonechat.

A Hawfinch was in Cottesbrooke village late this morning, mobile between the playing field and the church - this following a similar pattern in recent winters.

A Short-eared Owl was in the Brampton Valley/Blueberry Farm area this morning plus a pair of Stonechats, four Bramblings and this afternoon there was a Woodcock at Blueberry Farm and the big female Peregrine was still around - this time menacing the flock of Fieldfares and Starlings.

An adult Caspian Gull (a particularly stunning bird with a bright bill and perfect plumage) was at Naseby Reservoir where also a Grey Wagtail. Another Grey Wagtail was at Welford Reservoir and birds in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir this morning included singles of Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll.

A Siberian Chiffchaff was identified at Daventry Country Park in the company of a couple of Chiffchaffs around the Grit Trap.  Also an adult Caspian Gull was present and an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen briefly.

Regards

Neil M

Mediterranean Gull.

Short-eared Owls (these birds
photographed during the
'invasion year' of 2011).

Long-tailed Tit.

A Peregrine's varied diet

Hello

Another grey day and with some rain too, milder this afternoon.

At Stanford Reservoir the Glossy Ibis was still present today and other birds were two Great White Egrets, three Goosanders, four Water Rails and three Cetti's Warblers.

Five Scaup and six Smew were at Eyebrook Reservoir and a Black-necked Grebe, a Black Swan, a Great White Egret, two Ravens and a Brambling were at Blatherwycke Lake.

A Cattle Egret was espied in a field at London Road, Little Irchester this morning and seven Crossbills were mobile at Harlestone Heath this morning.

A misty Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton was again the hunting ground of a female Peregrine which today had killed a Grey Partridge. A large flock of Golden Plovers flew though the murk and the pair of Stonechats and several Bramblings were still present. A Siskin was in Hanging Houghton village.

A Woodcock and two Redpoll were noted at Scotland Wood, Kelmarsh Estate today.

Regards

Neil M

Cock Pheasant.

Red Kite.

Rook.

A murky day in December

Hello

A much murkier day than predicted and it certainly took a while for the sun to shine in some parts of the county.

A male Stonechat, a Great White Egret and a Grey Wagtail were somewhere in the mist north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir this morning.

The two Glossy Ibis were still off the Embankment at Wellingborough late this morning and the wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was again on view at Summer Leys LNR.

The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton in the fields leading up to Blueberry Farm within the parish of Maidwell provided a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, the female Peregrine again, this time taking a Teal in mid-flight, a pair of Stonechats, three Crossbills at Gamboro' Plantation, small numbers of Redpolls and Siskins on the move in the mist and only about four Bramblings.

A Woodcock was at Harrington Airfield today and there were reasonable numbers of winter thrushes present. A Grey Wagtail was in our garden at Hanging Houghton.

The two Greater Scaup were again on Town Lake, Thrapston Pits today.

At least four Smew were at Eyebrook Reservoir today and the nine Great Northern Divers were again visible from the Fishing Lodge at Grafham Water.

Regards

Neil M

Kestrel.

Nuthatch.

Drake Mandarin Duck.