Hi
At Harrington Airfield this morning there were at least 10 Bramblings on the seed just inside the concrete track entrance.
At Pitsford Res there were at least 2 Bramblings and a couple of Lesser Redpolls at the feeding station plus lots of thrushes in the hedges. South of the causeway the Dark-bellied Brent Goose, the Black-necked Grebe and a drake Smew were all situated between the dam and Yacht Bay.
Regards
Eleanor
Monday 12 November 2012
Sunday 11 November 2012
Pitsford Ringing
Hi
Ringing in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res during yesterday afternoon and again this morning produced a total of some 90 captures. Some of the species and numbers involved included 20 Long-tailed Tits, 25 Goldcrests, 2 Willow Tits, 3 Bullfinches, a Song Thrush, a Fieldfare, 8 Blackbirds, 5 Redwings, 7 Robins and 2 Kingfishers.
There were a couple each of Lesser Redpoll in the Scaldwell Bay and at the feeding station, plus a few mobile Siskins moving around.
Regards
Neil M
Ringing in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res during yesterday afternoon and again this morning produced a total of some 90 captures. Some of the species and numbers involved included 20 Long-tailed Tits, 25 Goldcrests, 2 Willow Tits, 3 Bullfinches, a Song Thrush, a Fieldfare, 8 Blackbirds, 5 Redwings, 7 Robins and 2 Kingfishers.
There were a couple each of Lesser Redpoll in the Scaldwell Bay and at the feeding station, plus a few mobile Siskins moving around.
Regards
Neil M
Great White Egret
Hi
The Great White Egret at Pitsford Res has been showing well for much of the morning north of the causeway apparently (albeit that it has been quite mobile too). I saw it at 1pm near to The Point and it was viewable from the feeding station and I guess the causeway too...
Neil M
The Great White Egret at Pitsford Res has been showing well for much of the morning north of the causeway apparently (albeit that it has been quite mobile too). I saw it at 1pm near to The Point and it was viewable from the feeding station and I guess the causeway too...
Neil M
Saturday 10 November 2012
November status quo
Hi
A walk around part of Harrington Airfield this morning was pleasant but for the first day for a long time no visible migration was apparent. At least one Brambling was still present as was a Willow Tit. Common birds included plenty of Chaffinches and Woodpigeons and the Linnet flock remains.
Small numbers of Siskins were present at Sunderland Wood and Kelmarsh Hall (Kelmarsh Estate) this morning and there were 2 Bramblings and 2 redpoll sp at Hanging Houghton sewer works.
A ringing session took place in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this afternoon (and will continue tomorrow morning) and new birds included 2 Kingfishers, 18 Goldcrests and 4 Redwings. A couple of Willow Tits were in the back of the bay and the high water levels have attracted two vocal Water Rails. Up to 4 Pintail were also present. The creature of the day was possibly the superb queen Hornet disturbed in the Ringing Hut at Pitsford!
Regards
E & N
A walk around part of Harrington Airfield this morning was pleasant but for the first day for a long time no visible migration was apparent. At least one Brambling was still present as was a Willow Tit. Common birds included plenty of Chaffinches and Woodpigeons and the Linnet flock remains.
Small numbers of Siskins were present at Sunderland Wood and Kelmarsh Hall (Kelmarsh Estate) this morning and there were 2 Bramblings and 2 redpoll sp at Hanging Houghton sewer works.
A ringing session took place in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this afternoon (and will continue tomorrow morning) and new birds included 2 Kingfishers, 18 Goldcrests and 4 Redwings. A couple of Willow Tits were in the back of the bay and the high water levels have attracted two vocal Water Rails. Up to 4 Pintail were also present. The creature of the day was possibly the superb queen Hornet disturbed in the Ringing Hut at Pitsford!
Regards
E & N
Friday 9 November 2012
Local patches
Hi
There were still about six Bramblings on the feedstuff at Harrington Airfield this morning but otherwise it seemed quiet at this site.
At Pitsford Res today the Black-necked Grebe was again off the yacht club. Other birds included a male Peregrine, and 2 Crossbills and a Brambling in the Christies Copse area (Walgrave Bay).
This afternoon there was a scaley immature Ring Ouzel in a hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton at about SP735740.
Despite a good yomp around much of the complex, I failed to find a single owl of any species at Blueberry Farm near Maidwell. A Roe Deer was the only creature of note.
Regards
Eleanor
There were still about six Bramblings on the feedstuff at Harrington Airfield this morning but otherwise it seemed quiet at this site.
At Pitsford Res today the Black-necked Grebe was again off the yacht club. Other birds included a male Peregrine, and 2 Crossbills and a Brambling in the Christies Copse area (Walgrave Bay).
This afternoon there was a scaley immature Ring Ouzel in a hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton at about SP735740.
Despite a good yomp around much of the complex, I failed to find a single owl of any species at Blueberry Farm near Maidwell. A Roe Deer was the only creature of note.
Regards
Eleanor
Thursday 8 November 2012
Waxwings and others
Hi
At 2.30pm this afternoon five Waxwings flew fast and very low at Hanging Houghton, heading in a westerly direction and below the height of the houses. Thankfully their trilling call provided us with the opportunity of seeing these birds before they disappeared at a remarkable speed.
On then to Pitsford Res but we failed to connect with the Great White Egret. There were 4 Little Egrets on the Holcot Bay flood extension plus a Kingfisher and a Raven nearby and a Barn Owl was hunting the Scaldwell Meadow next to the Bird Club hide.
A hike along the Brixworth bank between the causeway and the dam was productive. A flock of 4 Waxwings flew rapidly west (towards Brixworth) near to The Pigs at about 3.45pm. Again their trilling call aided the observation. Also present was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a 'redhead' Goosander and 2 drake Red-crested Pochards. The Black-necked Grebe was still present just off the yacht club.
Sarah Gibbs (Pitsford Senior Reserves Officer) kindly sent through some images of a couple of interesting moths found in the moth trap at Pitsford Res this morning (see below).
Regards
E & N
At 2.30pm this afternoon five Waxwings flew fast and very low at Hanging Houghton, heading in a westerly direction and below the height of the houses. Thankfully their trilling call provided us with the opportunity of seeing these birds before they disappeared at a remarkable speed.
On then to Pitsford Res but we failed to connect with the Great White Egret. There were 4 Little Egrets on the Holcot Bay flood extension plus a Kingfisher and a Raven nearby and a Barn Owl was hunting the Scaldwell Meadow next to the Bird Club hide.
A hike along the Brixworth bank between the causeway and the dam was productive. A flock of 4 Waxwings flew rapidly west (towards Brixworth) near to The Pigs at about 3.45pm. Again their trilling call aided the observation. Also present was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a 'redhead' Goosander and 2 drake Red-crested Pochards. The Black-necked Grebe was still present just off the yacht club.
Sarah Gibbs (Pitsford Senior Reserves Officer) kindly sent through some images of a couple of interesting moths found in the moth trap at Pitsford Res this morning (see below).
Regards
E & N
Sprawler
Feathered Thorn
Bramblings!
Hi
A foray at Harrington Airfield this morning was interesting with about 15 Bramblings present and others seemingly arriving whilst I was walking around. About eight were on the seed just inside the road entrance to the concrete track and others were on the track about another 400m further along. The female Merlin was again present at the north-western end of the complex - she seemed interested in the good numbers of Skylarks that are slowly amassing on the top fields. A Corn Bunting was in the rough strip/game cover off the concrete track that leads to the old airstrip. Six Grey Partridges were also present.
Two Ravens and a Red Kite were between Beck Dairy and Gamboro' Plantation (Cottesbrooke) this morning and a female Red-crested Pochard was still at Ravensthorpe Res viewable from the causeway (12.50pm).
Eleanor
A foray at Harrington Airfield this morning was interesting with about 15 Bramblings present and others seemingly arriving whilst I was walking around. About eight were on the seed just inside the road entrance to the concrete track and others were on the track about another 400m further along. The female Merlin was again present at the north-western end of the complex - she seemed interested in the good numbers of Skylarks that are slowly amassing on the top fields. A Corn Bunting was in the rough strip/game cover off the concrete track that leads to the old airstrip. Six Grey Partridges were also present.
Two Ravens and a Red Kite were between Beck Dairy and Gamboro' Plantation (Cottesbrooke) this morning and a female Red-crested Pochard was still at Ravensthorpe Res viewable from the causeway (12.50pm).
Eleanor
Wednesday 7 November 2012
A quiet day in the county...
Hi
A short three hour ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall this morning was sufficient to catch 40 birds which included a Nuthatch, a Treecreeper, 12 Long-tailed Tits and 4 Goldcrests. Other birds noted included a Kingfisher, 8 Siskins, 2 redpoll sp and 2 Bramblings.
A good yomp around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell failed to find very much with just a Barn Owl being the only bird of note.
And yes we again travelled west to Boddington Res this afternoon but again failed to pick out the Bonaparte's Gull in the roost! Eight Crossbills flew west at 3.30pm and other birds included a Goldeneye, 2-3 Kingfishers, 2-3 Grey Wagtails and 3 redpoll sp.
Regards
E & N
A short three hour ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall this morning was sufficient to catch 40 birds which included a Nuthatch, a Treecreeper, 12 Long-tailed Tits and 4 Goldcrests. Other birds noted included a Kingfisher, 8 Siskins, 2 redpoll sp and 2 Bramblings.
A good yomp around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell failed to find very much with just a Barn Owl being the only bird of note.
And yes we again travelled west to Boddington Res this afternoon but again failed to pick out the Bonaparte's Gull in the roost! Eight Crossbills flew west at 3.30pm and other birds included a Goldeneye, 2-3 Kingfishers, 2-3 Grey Wagtails and 3 redpoll sp.
Regards
E & N
Tuesday 6 November 2012
Ringing at Pitsford etc
Hi
Dave Francis managed a ringing session at Pitsford Res yesterday afternoon and this morning, using the old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station. Seventy new birds were ringed which included 4 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 26 Tree Sparrows, 6 Chaffinches, 7 Greenfinches, 10 Goldfinches, 5 Yellowhammers and a Moorhen. This brings the annual total of new Tree Sparrows ringed at this site to 170.
A walk at Harrington Airfield this morning failed to locate any particular birds of note in rather raw conditions. There were still 4 mobile redpoll sp, winter thrushes and the usual flock of Linnets. The Brampton Valley below Brixworth and Hanging Houghton also seemed unremarkable with just a few redpoll sp, the odd Siskin and winter thrushes.
And yet again this afternoon we made our way to Boddington Res in another effort to pin down the Bonaparte's Gull. The gull roost was proportionately large and although the light was initially okay it soon became just too grey and dismal to properly check the furthest birds. Despite the best efforts of the 7 birders present we didn't locate it. Other birds present included a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtails.
E & N
Dave Francis managed a ringing session at Pitsford Res yesterday afternoon and this morning, using the old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station. Seventy new birds were ringed which included 4 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 26 Tree Sparrows, 6 Chaffinches, 7 Greenfinches, 10 Goldfinches, 5 Yellowhammers and a Moorhen. This brings the annual total of new Tree Sparrows ringed at this site to 170.
A walk at Harrington Airfield this morning failed to locate any particular birds of note in rather raw conditions. There were still 4 mobile redpoll sp, winter thrushes and the usual flock of Linnets. The Brampton Valley below Brixworth and Hanging Houghton also seemed unremarkable with just a few redpoll sp, the odd Siskin and winter thrushes.
And yet again this afternoon we made our way to Boddington Res in another effort to pin down the Bonaparte's Gull. The gull roost was proportionately large and although the light was initially okay it soon became just too grey and dismal to properly check the furthest birds. Despite the best efforts of the 7 birders present we didn't locate it. Other birds present included a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtails.
E & N
Monday 5 November 2012
On the roam...
Hi
First thing this morning I took a walk at Harrington Airfield. Loads of passerines present in the bushes and flying over which included 2 Bramblings and a couple of Tree Sparrows amongst the birds coming down for the seed on the concrete track just inside the entrance barrier. A female Merlin showed well at the opposite end of the concrete track. Other birds included 2 Ravens and 4 mobile redpoll sp.
Birds near to Kelmarsh Hall included several Siskins and a couple of Lesser Redpolls plus the usual Nuthatches.
A visit to Stanford Res was next but birders on-site informed me that the Black-throated Diver from the last few days was nowhere to be seen, so on I went to Borough Hill CP which provided a fine male Peregrine perched on the mast, 2 Ravens, 2-3 Crossbills, c6 Siskins and c6 flying repoll sp.
A short walk in to Badby Wood from the small car park next to Badby village produced a surprise in the shape of a Corn Bunting with c30 Yellowhammers in a stubble field. In the wood itself there were c4 Crossbills, 20+ Siskins, a couple of redpoll sp and large numbers of very vocal Nuthatches. There were two Ravens 'cronking' well here too. I would strongly recommend a visit to the wood now, the autumn colours are just sensational!
And of course my final destination was Boddington Res where despite Gary Pullan's best efforts we failed again to find the Bonaparte's Gull - confounded thing! Birds noted included a Goosander that flew in, plus a couple of Kingfishers
Regards
Eleanor
First thing this morning I took a walk at Harrington Airfield. Loads of passerines present in the bushes and flying over which included 2 Bramblings and a couple of Tree Sparrows amongst the birds coming down for the seed on the concrete track just inside the entrance barrier. A female Merlin showed well at the opposite end of the concrete track. Other birds included 2 Ravens and 4 mobile redpoll sp.
Birds near to Kelmarsh Hall included several Siskins and a couple of Lesser Redpolls plus the usual Nuthatches.
A visit to Stanford Res was next but birders on-site informed me that the Black-throated Diver from the last few days was nowhere to be seen, so on I went to Borough Hill CP which provided a fine male Peregrine perched on the mast, 2 Ravens, 2-3 Crossbills, c6 Siskins and c6 flying repoll sp.
A short walk in to Badby Wood from the small car park next to Badby village produced a surprise in the shape of a Corn Bunting with c30 Yellowhammers in a stubble field. In the wood itself there were c4 Crossbills, 20+ Siskins, a couple of redpoll sp and large numbers of very vocal Nuthatches. There were two Ravens 'cronking' well here too. I would strongly recommend a visit to the wood now, the autumn colours are just sensational!
And of course my final destination was Boddington Res where despite Gary Pullan's best efforts we failed again to find the Bonaparte's Gull - confounded thing! Birds noted included a Goosander that flew in, plus a couple of Kingfishers
Regards
Eleanor
Sunday 4 November 2012
Rain and some!
Hi
Clearly the interesting weather conditions locally made birding somewhat difficult so this morning was spent filling up feeders at wild bird feed stations in very wet conditions.
This afternoon we again went west to Boddington Res but were unable to pick out the Bonaparte's Gull amongst the throng of other gulls in poor lighting conditions. Such was the behaviour of the birds and their late arrival, it could easily have been there.
Other birds included a first winter Mediterranean Gull, a drake Red-crested Pochard, a Little Egret, up to 3 Kingfishers and a Water Rail.
E & N
Clearly the interesting weather conditions locally made birding somewhat difficult so this morning was spent filling up feeders at wild bird feed stations in very wet conditions.
This afternoon we again went west to Boddington Res but were unable to pick out the Bonaparte's Gull amongst the throng of other gulls in poor lighting conditions. Such was the behaviour of the birds and their late arrival, it could easily have been there.
Other birds included a first winter Mediterranean Gull, a drake Red-crested Pochard, a Little Egret, up to 3 Kingfishers and a Water Rail.
E & N
Saturday 3 November 2012
Ringing & Bonaparte's
Hi
A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall this morning resulted in 60+ captures of woodland birds which included a male Blackcap, a Nuthatch and both Marsh and Willow Tits. Some images from Neil H below. Other birds seen included Raven, a Kingfisher, several Siskins and a couple of redpoll sp.
At Blueberry Farm this morning there were 4 Bramblings, a few Siskins and 2 Lesser Redpolls.
At Boddington Res this afternoon the maestro Gary Pullan skilfully located the adult Bonaparte's Gull in the gull roost. The bird was present until dusk and showed well if distantly. Some images below...
A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall this morning resulted in 60+ captures of woodland birds which included a male Blackcap, a Nuthatch and both Marsh and Willow Tits. Some images from Neil H below. Other birds seen included Raven, a Kingfisher, several Siskins and a couple of redpoll sp.
At Blueberry Farm this morning there were 4 Bramblings, a few Siskins and 2 Lesser Redpolls.
At Boddington Res this afternoon the maestro Gary Pullan skilfully located the adult Bonaparte's Gull in the gull roost. The bird was present until dusk and showed well if distantly. Some images below...
Willow Tit
Willow Tit (left) and Marsh Tit (right)
The Willow Tit is an adult and the Marsh
Tit was considered a young bird of the year.
Visual features of the Willow Tit include pale-edged
secondaries, creamy and prominent cheeks, mostly
dark bill, diffuse and extended chin spot and variation
in the individual tail lengths. At this time of
the year the crown is often quite glossy.
The Marsh Tit has a more uniform upperside, whiter and
less prominent cheeks, a smaller and more
intense chin spot, a small silver 'triangle'
at the base of the upper mandible and more evenly
lengthened tail feathers. The crown is glossy.
Nuthatch
Coal Tit with abnormal growth
Bonaparte's Gull (smaller bird below
centre of image)
Friday 2 November 2012
New birds in...
Hi
Birds at Blueberry Farm this morning included 2 Short-eared Owls and a fine female Merlin all in the southern-most field.
At Harrington Airfield later there were plenty of common birds present plus an adult female Peregrine and 2 Ravens.
At Pitsford Res there was a Water Pipit in the vicinity of the Maytrees Hide at about 11.15am. At the same time three adult Whooper Swans were espied in the Scaldwell Bay. The swans later moved in to the Walgrave Bay where they were still present at 2.15pm.
Unfortunately the Bonaparte's Gull wasn't picked out amongst the Black-headed Gulls at Boddington Res this afternoon. A couple of Kingfishers, 2 Grey Wagtails and singles of Brambling and redpoll sp were rather poor compensation.
Regards
E & N
Birds at Blueberry Farm this morning included 2 Short-eared Owls and a fine female Merlin all in the southern-most field.
At Harrington Airfield later there were plenty of common birds present plus an adult female Peregrine and 2 Ravens.
At Pitsford Res there was a Water Pipit in the vicinity of the Maytrees Hide at about 11.15am. At the same time three adult Whooper Swans were espied in the Scaldwell Bay. The swans later moved in to the Walgrave Bay where they were still present at 2.15pm.
Unfortunately the Bonaparte's Gull wasn't picked out amongst the Black-headed Gulls at Boddington Res this afternoon. A couple of Kingfishers, 2 Grey Wagtails and singles of Brambling and redpoll sp were rather poor compensation.
Regards
E & N
Thursday 1 November 2012
Bonaparte's Gull
Hi
Gary Pullan found an adult Bonaparte's Gull in the gull roost at Boddington Res this afternoon, first located at about 4.15pm and still present at 5pm. This is believed to be the first reported instance of this species in Northants. Access to this location is free and there are car parking facilities. No doubt there will be quite a number of birders present tomorrow afternoon to see if it returns!
This afternoon an adult female Peregrine tore through a flock of gulls in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon and successfully caught, killed and consumed a Black-headed Gull.
Eleanor
Gary Pullan found an adult Bonaparte's Gull in the gull roost at Boddington Res this afternoon, first located at about 4.15pm and still present at 5pm. This is believed to be the first reported instance of this species in Northants. Access to this location is free and there are car parking facilities. No doubt there will be quite a number of birders present tomorrow afternoon to see if it returns!
This afternoon an adult female Peregrine tore through a flock of gulls in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon and successfully caught, killed and consumed a Black-headed Gull.
Eleanor
Ring Ouzel
Hi
This morning, at about 7.45am, there was a male Ring Ouzel with Fieldfares in field hedging just east of the Blueberry Farm complex at SP735748. Also 2 Bramblings mobile in the immediate area.
Regards
Eleanor
This morning, at about 7.45am, there was a male Ring Ouzel with Fieldfares in field hedging just east of the Blueberry Farm complex at SP735748. Also 2 Bramblings mobile in the immediate area.
Regards
Eleanor
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