Hi
A wander around the fields in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening was pleasant but quiet for birds. However there were 3 Whinchats in vegetation alongside the brook to the south of the track.
Regards
E & N
Sunday 26 August 2012
Pied Fly
Hi
Nick and Michael Wood were ringing near to Chase Park Farm, Yardley Hastings this morning which is one of their regular ringing sites. They were both surprised and delighted when they found a Pied Flycatcher in the mist net (please find images below courtesy of Michael).
The bird was in the area near to the old railway line reached by Chase Park Road and then progressing past the farm (near to where the Great Grey Shrike was earlier in the year).
In the meantime I was down in Hertfordshire this morning ringing at Hillfield Reservoir where a Redstart graced the nets (please see below images). It was judged to be an adult female...
Nick and Michael Wood were ringing near to Chase Park Farm, Yardley Hastings this morning which is one of their regular ringing sites. They were both surprised and delighted when they found a Pied Flycatcher in the mist net (please find images below courtesy of Michael).
The bird was in the area near to the old railway line reached by Chase Park Road and then progressing past the farm (near to where the Great Grey Shrike was earlier in the year).
In the meantime I was down in Hertfordshire this morning ringing at Hillfield Reservoir where a Redstart graced the nets (please see below images). It was judged to be an adult female...
Friday 24 August 2012
Hi
At about 1pm this afternoon a juvenile Marsh Harrier was hunting in the back of the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res.
At Harrington Airfield this afternoon the first year male Redstart was again present along the old airstrip between the compound and the first bunker, plus a Wheatear and 9 Yellow Wagtails.
Monitoring the gull roost at Pitsford Res this evening was worthwhile with the arrival of at least 3 Caspian Gulls (a juvenile, the regular 4th year and an adult), and at least 5 Yellow-legged Gulls.
The last few weeks has seen a leucistic Collared Dove in our garden at Hanging Houghton (please see below courtesy of Neil H)
Regards
Neil M
At about 1pm this afternoon a juvenile Marsh Harrier was hunting in the back of the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res.
At Harrington Airfield this afternoon the first year male Redstart was again present along the old airstrip between the compound and the first bunker, plus a Wheatear and 9 Yellow Wagtails.
Monitoring the gull roost at Pitsford Res this evening was worthwhile with the arrival of at least 3 Caspian Gulls (a juvenile, the regular 4th year and an adult), and at least 5 Yellow-legged Gulls.
The last few weeks has seen a leucistic Collared Dove in our garden at Hanging Houghton (please see below courtesy of Neil H)
Regards
Neil M
Thursday 23 August 2012
More Swallows
Hi
A further ringing session took place this evening at Stortons GP, targeting the roosting Swallows. Probably 3-400 gathered to roost in the reeds accompanied by small numbers of Sand Martins. A late Swift joined the swarm for a short time whilst the hirundines were flying high. In time the birds swept down to roost in the reeds and in excess of 100 birds were caught, the majority being Swallows, but with about a dozen Sand Martins and a handful of warblers too. A few resident Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails were audible from the phragmites.
Regards
Neil M
A further ringing session took place this evening at Stortons GP, targeting the roosting Swallows. Probably 3-400 gathered to roost in the reeds accompanied by small numbers of Sand Martins. A late Swift joined the swarm for a short time whilst the hirundines were flying high. In time the birds swept down to roost in the reeds and in excess of 100 birds were caught, the majority being Swallows, but with about a dozen Sand Martins and a handful of warblers too. A few resident Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails were audible from the phragmites.
Regards
Neil M
Harrington
Hi
A two hour hike around the Blueberry Farm/Brampton Valley area yesterday evening in stunning light was incredibly quiet for birds and we failed to find the rather tatty male Marsh Harrier from the previous evening.
This morning (23rd) and a walk around the usual circuit at Harrington Airfield provided a migrant Tree Pipit which arrived at about 10.15am, flew around several times and then seemed to depart to the south. Also still present was the first year male Redstart in bushes along the old airstrip between the chippings compound and the first bunker. This is likely to be the elusive bird first seen at the end of July. Today it was much more showy and calling well.
Regards
Neil M
A two hour hike around the Blueberry Farm/Brampton Valley area yesterday evening in stunning light was incredibly quiet for birds and we failed to find the rather tatty male Marsh Harrier from the previous evening.
This morning (23rd) and a walk around the usual circuit at Harrington Airfield provided a migrant Tree Pipit which arrived at about 10.15am, flew around several times and then seemed to depart to the south. Also still present was the first year male Redstart in bushes along the old airstrip between the chippings compound and the first bunker. This is likely to be the elusive bird first seen at the end of July. Today it was much more showy and calling well.
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Pitsford
Hi
Yesterday afternoon (21st) and this morning (22nd) saw the first ringing session of the season at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res. The main target was Tree Sparrows and 28 juveniles were caught and ringed. The majority did not show post-juvenile moult which indicates that they were late brood birds from not far away. Previous ringing data on Tree Sparrows occurring at the feed station has recorded at least two movements of birds linked to the East Yorkshire coast. Some 61 birds were caught in total which did include some common warblers too.
Also this morning a WeBS count was completed at Pitsford. It was very quiet for both waterbirds and migrants. The most notable birds were the two drake Red-crested Pochard which today were back in the Scaldwell Bay, a Goldeneye (Walgrave Bay) and any number of mobile Common Sandpipers (somewhere between 5-12). Marsh and Willow Tits and Nuthatch remain on-site in small numbers on the reserve section.
Regards
E & N
Yesterday afternoon (21st) and this morning (22nd) saw the first ringing session of the season at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res. The main target was Tree Sparrows and 28 juveniles were caught and ringed. The majority did not show post-juvenile moult which indicates that they were late brood birds from not far away. Previous ringing data on Tree Sparrows occurring at the feed station has recorded at least two movements of birds linked to the East Yorkshire coast. Some 61 birds were caught in total which did include some common warblers too.
Also this morning a WeBS count was completed at Pitsford. It was very quiet for both waterbirds and migrants. The most notable birds were the two drake Red-crested Pochard which today were back in the Scaldwell Bay, a Goldeneye (Walgrave Bay) and any number of mobile Common Sandpipers (somewhere between 5-12). Marsh and Willow Tits and Nuthatch remain on-site in small numbers on the reserve section.
Regards
E & N
Tuesday 21 August 2012
Evening birds
Hi
This evening a worn adult male Marsh Harrier appeared in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and sauntered off towards Cottesbrooke (7pm).
At Pitsford Res this afternoon a 4th year Caspian Gull and a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull were visible north of the causeway, and both later re-appeared off the yacht club in the evening. A Common Sandpiper was using the artificial islands outside Maytrees Hide.
Regards
E & N
This evening a worn adult male Marsh Harrier appeared in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and sauntered off towards Cottesbrooke (7pm).
At Pitsford Res this afternoon a 4th year Caspian Gull and a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull were visible north of the causeway, and both later re-appeared off the yacht club in the evening. A Common Sandpiper was using the artificial islands outside Maytrees Hide.
Regards
E & N
Bits and pieces
Hi
Forgot to mention that yesterday afternoon (Monday 20th Aug), a brief stop on the causeway at Ravensthorpe Res was sufficient to confirm the continued presence of the female Red-crested Pochard, plus an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Green Sandpiper.
A short ringing session in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this morning produced a modest catch of both migrant and resident birds. Birds noted but not captured included several Yellow Wagtails and 3 Tree Pipits heading south overhead early morning, the two drake Red-crested Pochard, a Kingfisher and a Water Rail.
Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a juvenile Marsh Harrier (10am), between the end of the concrete track and the A14, and 2 Turtle Doves on the old (and now overgrown!) shooting wall on the LHS from the concrete track.
Regards
E & N
Forgot to mention that yesterday afternoon (Monday 20th Aug), a brief stop on the causeway at Ravensthorpe Res was sufficient to confirm the continued presence of the female Red-crested Pochard, plus an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Green Sandpiper.
A short ringing session in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this morning produced a modest catch of both migrant and resident birds. Birds noted but not captured included several Yellow Wagtails and 3 Tree Pipits heading south overhead early morning, the two drake Red-crested Pochard, a Kingfisher and a Water Rail.
Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a juvenile Marsh Harrier (10am), between the end of the concrete track and the A14, and 2 Turtle Doves on the old (and now overgrown!) shooting wall on the LHS from the concrete track.
Regards
E & N
Monday 20 August 2012
Swallows
Hi
A short ringing session took place at Stortons GP this evening. A couple of days ago John Woollett witnessed a roost of 4 - 500 Swallows in the reedbed so this evening was all about trying to catch and ring some of these birds. Some 50 birds were caught under John's stewardship, together with several reed-loving warblers which included a fine Cetti's.
Regards
Neil M
A short ringing session took place at Stortons GP this evening. A couple of days ago John Woollett witnessed a roost of 4 - 500 Swallows in the reedbed so this evening was all about trying to catch and ring some of these birds. Some 50 birds were caught under John's stewardship, together with several reed-loving warblers which included a fine Cetti's.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 19 August 2012
Pitsford Ringing
Hi
This morning a CES ringing session took place in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res. Sixty-four birds were captured, a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher perhaps being the scarcest bird caught and ringed. The improvement in numbers is presumably due to successful later broods of breeding birds and immigrant warblers.
Other birds noted included a single Crossbill and two Nuthatch.
Below is a couple of images of an adult male Great Spotted Woodpecker that was caught. The wing picture hopefully depicts the unusual moult strategy with the browner primary coverts and primaries and secondaries being replaced with blacker feathers. Although it is not easy to see, this birds was moulting its secondaries inwards from both the inner and outer secondaries at the same time. The adults of most smaller birds commence their moult strategy following the exodus of their young or at whatever stage their breeding cycle concludes for the year.
This morning a CES ringing session took place in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res. Sixty-four birds were captured, a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher perhaps being the scarcest bird caught and ringed. The improvement in numbers is presumably due to successful later broods of breeding birds and immigrant warblers.
Other birds noted included a single Crossbill and two Nuthatch.
Below is a couple of images of an adult male Great Spotted Woodpecker that was caught. The wing picture hopefully depicts the unusual moult strategy with the browner primary coverts and primaries and secondaries being replaced with blacker feathers. Although it is not easy to see, this birds was moulting its secondaries inwards from both the inner and outer secondaries at the same time. The adults of most smaller birds commence their moult strategy following the exodus of their young or at whatever stage their breeding cycle concludes for the year.
Saturday 18 August 2012
Ditchford
Hi
Not long in from completing a very warm WeBS count at Ditchford GP! Masses of insects on the wing in this very warm weather but not much in the way of birds. I guess the best was a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, 28 Snipe, just a single Kingfisher (most years we would expect double figures at this time), 4 Cetti's Warblers and three broods of Tufted Ducks.
Dragonflies were very conspicuous with large numbers of Brown Hawker, Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer, Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawker, with just a couple of Southern Hawker. Large numbers of Banded Demoiselle were on the wing with even more Common Blue and Red-eyed Damselflies and smaller numbers of Blue-tailed Damselfly. Plenty of butterflies too and even a Common Blue butterfly which are exceptionally scarce this year.
At Pitsford Res this afternoon, birds visible from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station included a Black Tern, two drake Red-crested Pochard and a Goldeneye.
Regards
E & N
Not long in from completing a very warm WeBS count at Ditchford GP! Masses of insects on the wing in this very warm weather but not much in the way of birds. I guess the best was a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, 28 Snipe, just a single Kingfisher (most years we would expect double figures at this time), 4 Cetti's Warblers and three broods of Tufted Ducks.
Dragonflies were very conspicuous with large numbers of Brown Hawker, Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer, Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawker, with just a couple of Southern Hawker. Large numbers of Banded Demoiselle were on the wing with even more Common Blue and Red-eyed Damselflies and smaller numbers of Blue-tailed Damselfly. Plenty of butterflies too and even a Common Blue butterfly which are exceptionally scarce this year.
At Pitsford Res this afternoon, birds visible from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station included a Black Tern, two drake Red-crested Pochard and a Goldeneye.
Regards
E & N
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Evening update
Hi
Further birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening involved a particularly dark juvenile Marsh Harrier, a male Peregrine and a Green Sandpiper.
Birds visible from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res during the early evening included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2 drake Red-crested Pochard (in the Scaldwell Bay for a change), a Goldeneye and a Common Sandpiper.
Regards
N & E
Further birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening involved a particularly dark juvenile Marsh Harrier, a male Peregrine and a Green Sandpiper.
Birds visible from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res during the early evening included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2 drake Red-crested Pochard (in the Scaldwell Bay for a change), a Goldeneye and a Common Sandpiper.
Regards
N & E
Harrington birds
Hi
This morning the Turtle Dove was again at Harrington Airfield in the sparse wild bird cover just off the concrete track (on the RHS and behind the bunker next to the concrete track). Also present in the same area was a Redstart and a Hobby.
This morning there were 2 Kingfishers along the brook in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and Linnets and Skylarks were flocking up on the harvested oil seed rape fields there.
Regards
E
This morning the Turtle Dove was again at Harrington Airfield in the sparse wild bird cover just off the concrete track (on the RHS and behind the bunker next to the concrete track). Also present in the same area was a Redstart and a Hobby.
This morning there were 2 Kingfishers along the brook in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and Linnets and Skylarks were flocking up on the harvested oil seed rape fields there.
Regards
E
Black Terns
Hi,
Thirteen Black Terns were visible from the feed station at Pitsford on Tuesday morning. The birds were very mobile feeding up and down the Scaldwell Bay, occasionally rising skyward in a group before returning to feeding.
On the butterfly front Small Coppers were evident as well as the first Common Blue I have seen on the reserve this year. Sadly it wouldn't settle for me to photograph, the Small Copper however posed nicely.
Regards,
Neil H.
Thirteen Black Terns were visible from the feed station at Pitsford on Tuesday morning. The birds were very mobile feeding up and down the Scaldwell Bay, occasionally rising skyward in a group before returning to feeding.
The moth traps were again quiet with a few of the catch illustrated below.
On the butterfly front Small Coppers were evident as well as the first Common Blue I have seen on the reserve this year. Sadly it wouldn't settle for me to photograph, the Small Copper however posed nicely.
Regards,
Neil H.
Tuesday 14 August 2012
Brampton Valley birds
Hi
Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today included a male Peregrine, a Barn Owl and 2 Golden Plovers but no passerines of note...
Regards
Eleanor
Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today included a male Peregrine, a Barn Owl and 2 Golden Plovers but no passerines of note...
Regards
Eleanor
Monday 13 August 2012
Difficult birding!
Hi
It has been hard work today to find much of note, despite covering quite a bit of ground.
At Pitsford Res this morning there were 5 Swifts and 3 Spotted Flycatchers visible from the yacht club, plus at least one Yellow-legged Gull.
Harrington Airfield seemed quiet with very few migrant passerines. The best was a single Lesser Whitethroat and a juvenile Turtle Dove on the scant cover crop between the concrete track and the old airstrip.
The Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton was pretty devoid of migrants this morning; all in all suggesting a considerable move-out last night of many birds in this area of the county.
At Pitsford Res this afternoon, a hint of change with a dapper juvenile Arctic Tern fraternising with the Common Terns north of the causeway (still present at 4pm), and both a Hobby and a male Peregrine hunting there.
Regards
E & N
It has been hard work today to find much of note, despite covering quite a bit of ground.
At Pitsford Res this morning there were 5 Swifts and 3 Spotted Flycatchers visible from the yacht club, plus at least one Yellow-legged Gull.
Harrington Airfield seemed quiet with very few migrant passerines. The best was a single Lesser Whitethroat and a juvenile Turtle Dove on the scant cover crop between the concrete track and the old airstrip.
The Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton was pretty devoid of migrants this morning; all in all suggesting a considerable move-out last night of many birds in this area of the county.
At Pitsford Res this afternoon, a hint of change with a dapper juvenile Arctic Tern fraternising with the Common Terns north of the causeway (still present at 4pm), and both a Hobby and a male Peregrine hunting there.
Regards
E & N
Sunday 12 August 2012
Blueberry Redstarts
Hi
This afternoon there were 2 Redstarts with a mobile group of Whitethroats at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell, in the northern-most field with the central ditch system. Also present at this site was a Barn Owl, 2 Hobby and a Wheatear.
Birds visible from the yacht club at Pitsford Res this evening included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls and at least one Spotted Flycatcher.
Regards
E & N
This afternoon there were 2 Redstarts with a mobile group of Whitethroats at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell, in the northern-most field with the central ditch system. Also present at this site was a Barn Owl, 2 Hobby and a Wheatear.
Birds visible from the yacht club at Pitsford Res this evening included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls and at least one Spotted Flycatcher.
Regards
E & N
Brampton Valley birds
Good morning!
Birding in the Brampton Valley between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke this morning in a rather stiff easterly breeze provided a Corn Bunting, a Tree Pipit, a Golden Plover and a Reed Warbler. The pipit was associating with Meadow Pipits in fields adjacent to the southern-most Blueberry Farm field and the bunting was in much the same place. A pair of Whitethroats were watched still busily feeding young in the nest there.
Regards
Neil M
Birding in the Brampton Valley between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke this morning in a rather stiff easterly breeze provided a Corn Bunting, a Tree Pipit, a Golden Plover and a Reed Warbler. The pipit was associating with Meadow Pipits in fields adjacent to the southern-most Blueberry Farm field and the bunting was in much the same place. A pair of Whitethroats were watched still busily feeding young in the nest there.
Regards
Neil M
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