Hi
Some of the county ringers were active over the week-end. John Woollett and team processed 77 birds at Stortons GP today which included a Water Rail, a Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers and a Siskin.
Some ringers are reporting particularly large numbers of Greenfinches and Goldfinches coming to garden feeders where ringing provides some idea of the true numbers involved. After a couple of difficult years for the Greenfinch which has been suffering from avian diseases, this upturn in numbers is very welcome. A ringer operating in South Northants has ringed over 300 Greenfinches in his garden this year including some 177 during this month alone! The same ringer has caught and ringed over 300 Goldfinches this year in the garden too. I hate to think how much he is spending on sunflower hearts and niger seed!
But are these birds simply the adults and offspring of local breeding stock or from further afield? Hopefully some of these birds will be recorded again and provide the answer.
Birds noted today included 2 Ravens in Lamport village, 3 Crossbills in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res late morning (in trees between Christies Copse and West Hide) and a drake Red-crested Pochard and a drake Mandarin Duck at Ravensthorpe Res.
Regards
Neil M
Iceland - 4th - 8th March 2022
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Sunday 30 September 2012
Saturday 29 September 2012
Blueberry
Hi
At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning there was a male Stonechat partnered with a Whinchat in the northern-most field along the central ditch.
Other birds included 2 Red Kites, 2 Barn Owls and 3 Ravens. South-bound passerines included Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail, Skylarks and Swallows and House Martins.
Neil M
At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this morning there was a male Stonechat partnered with a Whinchat in the northern-most field along the central ditch.
Other birds included 2 Red Kites, 2 Barn Owls and 3 Ravens. South-bound passerines included Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail, Skylarks and Swallows and House Martins.
Neil M
Pitsford waterfowl
Hi
It is not the best time of the year to photograph local waterfowl. Most of the adults are still in eclipse plumage, a term of 'out of plumage' is sometimes used by birders, and the young birds of the year have yet to acquire their first adult plumage finery. Nevertheless I had a go this morning at photographing some of the common birds at Pitsford in rather poor light conditions. All the below images were taken from the Walgrave West Hide...
Gadwall female
Gadwall male
Pochard female
Pochard female
Pochard male
Pochard male
Shoveler male
Great Crested Grebe adult
Gadwall pair
It is not the best time of the year to photograph local waterfowl. Most of the adults are still in eclipse plumage, a term of 'out of plumage' is sometimes used by birders, and the young birds of the year have yet to acquire their first adult plumage finery. Nevertheless I had a go this morning at photographing some of the common birds at Pitsford in rather poor light conditions. All the below images were taken from the Walgrave West Hide...
Gadwall female
Gadwall male
Pochard female
Pochard female
Pochard male
Pochard male
Shoveler male
Great Crested Grebe adult
Gadwall pair
Friday 28 September 2012
Harrington and Pitsford
Hi
Birds noted at Harrington Airfield this morning included a Short-eared Owl, a female Stonechat, 5 Redwings over south and singles of Yellow and Grey Wagtail also over south.
At Pitsford Res this evening the Black-necked Grebe was still present off the yacht club as was the Caspian Gull.
Some images from Pitsford below, courtesy of Robin Gossage...
E & N
Black-necked and Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Meadow Pipit
Birds noted at Harrington Airfield this morning included a Short-eared Owl, a female Stonechat, 5 Redwings over south and singles of Yellow and Grey Wagtail also over south.
At Pitsford Res this evening the Black-necked Grebe was still present off the yacht club as was the Caspian Gull.
Some images from Pitsford below, courtesy of Robin Gossage...
E & N
Black-necked and Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Meadow Pipit
Thursday 27 September 2012
Sywell CP
Hi
Birds at Sywell Country Park this afternoon amounted to 2 drake Red-crested Pochard (the Pitsford birds?), 2 Grey Wagtails, a Kingfisher, a Common Sandpiper and 12 Siskins.
Regards
Eleanor
Birds at Sywell Country Park this afternoon amounted to 2 drake Red-crested Pochard (the Pitsford birds?), 2 Grey Wagtails, a Kingfisher, a Common Sandpiper and 12 Siskins.
Regards
Eleanor
Pitsford
Hi
Some ringing in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res was accomplished this morning with 56 birds caught and released. Birds processed included 6 Chiffchaffs, a couple of Goldcrests and a Blackcap.
There were plenty more Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs and several Blackcaps in the bushes, together with at least 3 Marsh Tits and a Willow Tit. Moving migrants included a Grey Wagtail, a couple of Yellow Wagtails, c10 Siskins, 2 redpoll sp and relatively small numbers of Meadow Pipits and 'alba' wagtails. Two Kingfishers were careering around the margins.
Plenty of dragonflies were still on the wing, mostly Ruddy Darters and Migrant Hawkers but also a late Brown Hawker.
A Rock Pipit flew high south over Hanging Houghton at about 3.15pm (calling well).
Neil M
Some ringing in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res was accomplished this morning with 56 birds caught and released. Birds processed included 6 Chiffchaffs, a couple of Goldcrests and a Blackcap.
There were plenty more Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs and several Blackcaps in the bushes, together with at least 3 Marsh Tits and a Willow Tit. Moving migrants included a Grey Wagtail, a couple of Yellow Wagtails, c10 Siskins, 2 redpoll sp and relatively small numbers of Meadow Pipits and 'alba' wagtails. Two Kingfishers were careering around the margins.
Plenty of dragonflies were still on the wing, mostly Ruddy Darters and Migrant Hawkers but also a late Brown Hawker.
A Rock Pipit flew high south over Hanging Houghton at about 3.15pm (calling well).
Neil M
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Blueberry and Pitsford
Hi
At Blueberry Farm this evening there were 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls, a Hobby, a pair of Stonechat plus a redpoll sp and 2 Crossbills over.
At Pitsford Res this evening it was much the same with the Caspian Gull still present off the yacht club, the 1st winter Little Gull was still present as also was the Black-necked Grebe (in yacht bay).
Regards
E & N
At Blueberry Farm this evening there were 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls, a Hobby, a pair of Stonechat plus a redpoll sp and 2 Crossbills over.
At Pitsford Res this evening it was much the same with the Caspian Gull still present off the yacht club, the 1st winter Little Gull was still present as also was the Black-necked Grebe (in yacht bay).
Regards
E & N
Harrington a.m.
Hi
A walk around Harrington Airfield this morning was a little disappointing as the weather conditions looked good for finding something a little different. As it was the best birds were a female Stonechat, 18 Golden Plovers, 3 Blackcaps and southbound singles of Siskin, Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail.
Regards
E & N
A walk around Harrington Airfield this morning was a little disappointing as the weather conditions looked good for finding something a little different. As it was the best birds were a female Stonechat, 18 Golden Plovers, 3 Blackcaps and southbound singles of Siskin, Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail.
Regards
E & N
Tuesday 25 September 2012
Birds of a grey day...
Hi
A trundle out to Welford Reservoir between the showers this afternoon provided a Grey Wagtail, a Snipe and a Kingfisher. The water level and that of adjacent Sulby Reservoir are at their maximum level. Naseby Reservoir was quiet and also full of water. Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were in good numbers and all decent hedges and bushes seemed to hold them. House Martins were in good numbers at the local reservoirs today and the dominant migrating hirindine.
A return to Pitsford Reservoir this evening confirmed the continued presence of the Caspian Gull, the Little Gull and the Arctic Tern and the Common Tern. Also visible was the Black-necked Grebe again and a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull.
E & N
Grey Wagtail
Little Grebe
House Martins
Black-necked Grebe
A trundle out to Welford Reservoir between the showers this afternoon provided a Grey Wagtail, a Snipe and a Kingfisher. The water level and that of adjacent Sulby Reservoir are at their maximum level. Naseby Reservoir was quiet and also full of water. Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were in good numbers and all decent hedges and bushes seemed to hold them. House Martins were in good numbers at the local reservoirs today and the dominant migrating hirindine.
A return to Pitsford Reservoir this evening confirmed the continued presence of the Caspian Gull, the Little Gull and the Arctic Tern and the Common Tern. Also visible was the Black-necked Grebe again and a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull.
E & N
Grey Wagtail
Little Grebe
House Martins
Black-necked Grebe
A breezy morning at Pitsford and Harrington!
Hi
Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a juvenile Marsh Harrier, a male Peregrine, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Ravens, a Wheatear, a pair of Stonechat, a Blackcap and still 2 Whitethroats. Finches moving over included a Brambling, a redpoll sp and 8 Siskins.
Birds visible from the yacht club at Pitsford Res this morning involved the Caspian Gull still, a 1st winter Little Gull, an Arctic Tern, a Common Tern and a male Peregrine.
Regards
E & N
Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a juvenile Marsh Harrier, a male Peregrine, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Ravens, a Wheatear, a pair of Stonechat, a Blackcap and still 2 Whitethroats. Finches moving over included a Brambling, a redpoll sp and 8 Siskins.
Birds visible from the yacht club at Pitsford Res this morning involved the Caspian Gull still, a 1st winter Little Gull, an Arctic Tern, a Common Tern and a male Peregrine.
Regards
E & N
Monday 24 September 2012
Pitsford today
Hi
The highlight of a very wet morning at Pitsford Reservoir was a glimpse of an Otter in the Walgrave Bay.
This afternoon the 4th winter Caspian Gull was again present off the yacht club and the moulting adult Black-necked Grebe was at the mouth of the yacht bay near to the pontoons. Also present were two 1st year Arctic Terns and two 1st year Common Terns and several lateish Sand Martins amongst the hirundines.
Regards
Neil M
The highlight of a very wet morning at Pitsford Reservoir was a glimpse of an Otter in the Walgrave Bay.
This afternoon the 4th winter Caspian Gull was again present off the yacht club and the moulting adult Black-necked Grebe was at the mouth of the yacht bay near to the pontoons. Also present were two 1st year Arctic Terns and two 1st year Common Terns and several lateish Sand Martins amongst the hirundines.
Regards
Neil M
Further images from Titchwell
Hi
Robin Gossage has kindly forwarded some additional images from the NBC trip to Titchwell (RSPB reserve on the Norfolk coast) yesterday. The majority of the images on this blog are low resolution but prints from Robin are available at a higher resolution. If you would like a print from a blog picture, please contact me or the photographer credited with the image.
It really was a day of birds from all seasons with quite a number of summer migrants about but also plenty of birds normally associated with winter. There were already thousands of Pink-footed Geese in the stubble fields adjacent to the coast road, Brent Geese passing by over the sea and Bramblings and Redwing dropping in.
Regards
Neil M
Robin Gossage has kindly forwarded some additional images from the NBC trip to Titchwell (RSPB reserve on the Norfolk coast) yesterday. The majority of the images on this blog are low resolution but prints from Robin are available at a higher resolution. If you would like a print from a blog picture, please contact me or the photographer credited with the image.
It really was a day of birds from all seasons with quite a number of summer migrants about but also plenty of birds normally associated with winter. There were already thousands of Pink-footed Geese in the stubble fields adjacent to the coast road, Brent Geese passing by over the sea and Bramblings and Redwing dropping in.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 23 September 2012
Norfolk birding
Hi
A short day out today with other members of the Northants Bird Club to Norfolk was a pleasant change of scenery, even if the rain brought things to an early conclusion.
Birds of note included at least 3 Lapland Buntings, a Yellow-browed Warbler (with another heard) and a Red-breasted Flycatcher, with a supporting cast of Pied Flycatcher, skuas, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill etc.
A few images from Titchwell are below...
Neil M
Bearded Tits
Distant image of Chinese Water Deer (note tusks)
Black-tailed Godwit
Redshank
Little Egret
A short day out today with other members of the Northants Bird Club to Norfolk was a pleasant change of scenery, even if the rain brought things to an early conclusion.
Birds of note included at least 3 Lapland Buntings, a Yellow-browed Warbler (with another heard) and a Red-breasted Flycatcher, with a supporting cast of Pied Flycatcher, skuas, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill etc.
A few images from Titchwell are below...
Neil M
Bearded Tits
Distant image of Chinese Water Deer (note tusks)
Black-tailed Godwit
Redshank
Little Egret
Saturday 22 September 2012
Saturday birds
Hi
A Short-eared Owl was sunning itself in one of the field hedges adjacent to the southern-most field at Blueberry Farm this morning.
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning was responsible for the capture and release of 55 birds, with Goldcrest being the most numerous species captured. Warblers included Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Migrants noted passing over included several Siskins, a Grey Wagtail and plenty of Meadow Pipits. Migrants on the deck included a Yellow Wagtail and a Dunlin.
Regards
E & N
Kingfisher
Goldcrest
Ruddy Darter
A Short-eared Owl was sunning itself in one of the field hedges adjacent to the southern-most field at Blueberry Farm this morning.
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning was responsible for the capture and release of 55 birds, with Goldcrest being the most numerous species captured. Warblers included Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Migrants noted passing over included several Siskins, a Grey Wagtail and plenty of Meadow Pipits. Migrants on the deck included a Yellow Wagtail and a Dunlin.
Regards
E & N
Kingfisher
Goldcrest
Ruddy Darter
Friday 21 September 2012
Pitsford Gull Roost
Hi
Despite interesting weather conditions this evening the gull roost at Pitsford Res didn't provide any surprises. The Caspian Gull was again present plus just a single adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Common Tern.
Regards
Neil M
Despite interesting weather conditions this evening the gull roost at Pitsford Res didn't provide any surprises. The Caspian Gull was again present plus just a single adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Common Tern.
Regards
Neil M
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