Hi
I recommend a look at the above Kingfisher at Work tab, courtesy of John Boland...
Our thanks to John's skill and patience!
Regards
Neil M
Monday 19 November 2012
Waxwings and friends!
Hi
A visit to Sywell Country Park this morning provided a flock of six Waxwings briefly by the main car park at about 10.30am. There were also at least 12 Lesser Redpolls present and I had a poor view of a larger and paler 'redpoll' with them but the light was awful and the whole flock was typically flighty. Siskins seem to be everywhere at the minute and there were a good 100+ present. A couple of Grey Wagtails were also there.
John Woollett and his ringing team enjoyed a good session at Stortons Gravel Pits yesterday, catching 80 birds of which 45 were new. Highlights included a new Water Rail, a Brambling and 6 Lesser Redpolls. No Waxwing though!
Regards
Eleanor
A visit to Sywell Country Park this morning provided a flock of six Waxwings briefly by the main car park at about 10.30am. There were also at least 12 Lesser Redpolls present and I had a poor view of a larger and paler 'redpoll' with them but the light was awful and the whole flock was typically flighty. Siskins seem to be everywhere at the minute and there were a good 100+ present. A couple of Grey Wagtails were also there.
John Woollett and his ringing team enjoyed a good session at Stortons Gravel Pits yesterday, catching 80 birds of which 45 were new. Highlights included a new Water Rail, a Brambling and 6 Lesser Redpolls. No Waxwing though!
Regards
Eleanor
Sunday 18 November 2012
Classic November birds
Hi
Birding at Harrington Airfield this morning provided the female Merlin again, a Peregrine, a Short-eared Owl and 6 Bramblings and at least 12 Grey Partridges.
Also this morning the Black-necked Grebe was still present at Pitsford Res just off the dam and at 1pm the Great White Egret was on show between the Holcot and Walgrave Bays. A flock of 50+ Siskins were present at Brixworth Country Park.
A ringing session at Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) produced 62 captures which included a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Nuthatches but with the majority of bird being tits. Interestingly of 23 Great Tits caught only 3 were birds born this year, another indicator of the very poor breeding season for this and allied species. Another interesting capture was of an adult Blue Tit which was ringed in our garden at Hanging Houghton in September. Clearly it has decided that our many garden feeders were not to it's satisfaction and moved on up to Kelmarsh!
Regards
N & E
Birding at Harrington Airfield this morning provided the female Merlin again, a Peregrine, a Short-eared Owl and 6 Bramblings and at least 12 Grey Partridges.
Also this morning the Black-necked Grebe was still present at Pitsford Res just off the dam and at 1pm the Great White Egret was on show between the Holcot and Walgrave Bays. A flock of 50+ Siskins were present at Brixworth Country Park.
A ringing session at Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) produced 62 captures which included a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Nuthatches but with the majority of bird being tits. Interestingly of 23 Great Tits caught only 3 were birds born this year, another indicator of the very poor breeding season for this and allied species. Another interesting capture was of an adult Blue Tit which was ringed in our garden at Hanging Houghton in September. Clearly it has decided that our many garden feeders were not to it's satisfaction and moved on up to Kelmarsh!
Regards
N & E
Saturday 17 November 2012
Just a few sightings today...
Hi
This morning a single Brambling was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, and at 11.25am a Crossbill flew east over Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate).
This afternoon there were 2 Barn Owls hunting in the northern-most field at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.
Regards
Neil M
This morning a single Brambling was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, and at 11.25am a Crossbill flew east over Sunderland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate).
This afternoon there were 2 Barn Owls hunting in the northern-most field at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.
Regards
Neil M
Friday 16 November 2012
Owls about!
Hi
Despite standing around for over an hour at lunchtime today, I failed to see the Waxwings at the Homebase depot, on the Weedon Road, Northampton. Others on site reported that they hadn't shown since 9am. Some Starlings were consuming the rather sparse Rowan berries in the car park so I'm not sure there will be many left for the Waxwings!
The Black-necked Grebe was present off the yacht club at Pitsford Res this afternoon.
A hike around Blueberry Farm this afternoon was sufficient to locate a Short-eared Owl, 2 Barn Owls and a Woodcock.
Other Barn Owls noticed during the last few evenings have been by the dam at Pitsford Res and at the roadside between the villages of Old and Lamport.
Regards
Neil M
Despite standing around for over an hour at lunchtime today, I failed to see the Waxwings at the Homebase depot, on the Weedon Road, Northampton. Others on site reported that they hadn't shown since 9am. Some Starlings were consuming the rather sparse Rowan berries in the car park so I'm not sure there will be many left for the Waxwings!
The Black-necked Grebe was present off the yacht club at Pitsford Res this afternoon.
A hike around Blueberry Farm this afternoon was sufficient to locate a Short-eared Owl, 2 Barn Owls and a Woodcock.
Other Barn Owls noticed during the last few evenings have been by the dam at Pitsford Res and at the roadside between the villages of Old and Lamport.
Regards
Neil M
Harrington
Hi
A wander around Harrington Airfield in very grey conditions this morning was worth it with plenty of birds around the bushes. Thrushes and finches dominated. The best birds included a brief view of a/the female Merlin, 1-2 Woodcock, 40-50 Golden Plovers, 4 Bramblings and 9 Siskins.
Regards
N & E
A wander around Harrington Airfield in very grey conditions this morning was worth it with plenty of birds around the bushes. Thrushes and finches dominated. The best birds included a brief view of a/the female Merlin, 1-2 Woodcock, 40-50 Golden Plovers, 4 Bramblings and 9 Siskins.
Regards
N & E
Thursday 15 November 2012
Foggy Pitsford!
Hi
Yesterday afternoon and this morning Dave Francis completed another ringing session at the Pitsford Res feeding station on the old Scaldwell Road. Amongst 58 captures there were 45 new birds. Species totals included 12 Greenfinches, 11 Goldfinches, 4 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 6 Tree Sparrows, 6 Yellowhammers, a Jay, a Redwing and a Fieldfare.
This morning Eleanor ran around the reservoir to the south of the causeway. Visibility was virtually nil in the fog but she did hear Crossbills, Brambling, Siskins, redpolls, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail!
Neil M
Yesterday afternoon and this morning Dave Francis completed another ringing session at the Pitsford Res feeding station on the old Scaldwell Road. Amongst 58 captures there were 45 new birds. Species totals included 12 Greenfinches, 11 Goldfinches, 4 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 6 Tree Sparrows, 6 Yellowhammers, a Jay, a Redwing and a Fieldfare.
This morning Eleanor ran around the reservoir to the south of the causeway. Visibility was virtually nil in the fog but she did hear Crossbills, Brambling, Siskins, redpolls, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail!
Neil M
Wednesday 14 November 2012
Feed Stations
Hi
I spent most of the day today visiting and replenishing the eight wild bird feed stations that we manage with the support of colleagues. These stations include suspended feeders as well as broadcast seed in an effort to try and support the species associated with the habitat. Like yesterday it was remarkably mild out for the time of the year with large numbers of insects active in the sunshine!
At Harrington Airfield (one of the feeding stations) I met 'Dave' and 'Robin' who had been watching 3 Bramblings and 15 Grey Partridges enjoying the feast! Robin had seen 2 Waxwings briefly in the top of a tree earlier today at Orlingbury Hall.
Regards
Neil M
I spent most of the day today visiting and replenishing the eight wild bird feed stations that we manage with the support of colleagues. These stations include suspended feeders as well as broadcast seed in an effort to try and support the species associated with the habitat. Like yesterday it was remarkably mild out for the time of the year with large numbers of insects active in the sunshine!
At Harrington Airfield (one of the feeding stations) I met 'Dave' and 'Robin' who had been watching 3 Bramblings and 15 Grey Partridges enjoying the feast! Robin had seen 2 Waxwings briefly in the top of a tree earlier today at Orlingbury Hall.
Regards
Neil M
Pitsford and Blueberry
Hi
This morning the Great White Egret was visible at Pitsford Res from the causeway from about 9.20am to 10am at least. It was perched in waterside bushes with Grey Herons between the Holcot and Walgrave Bays.
A good circuit of the Blueberry Farm area near Maidwell this morning was mostly uneventful with just a Red Kite, 2 Ravens and small numbers of Siskins and redpoll sp to show for a couple of hours of wandering.
Sad news was received today of an Otter that was killed on the road causeway at Pitsford Res last week. An examination of the corpse today suggested it was an adult female animal.
Regards
E & N
This morning the Great White Egret was visible at Pitsford Res from the causeway from about 9.20am to 10am at least. It was perched in waterside bushes with Grey Herons between the Holcot and Walgrave Bays.
A good circuit of the Blueberry Farm area near Maidwell this morning was mostly uneventful with just a Red Kite, 2 Ravens and small numbers of Siskins and redpoll sp to show for a couple of hours of wandering.
Sad news was received today of an Otter that was killed on the road causeway at Pitsford Res last week. An examination of the corpse today suggested it was an adult female animal.
Regards
E & N
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Finches and things
Hi
A visit to Hollowell Reservoir today failed to find any particular birds of note. Ravensthorpe Reservoir provided a female Red-crested Pochard and 3 Mandarin Ducks (2 drakes) which were visible from the causeway.
At Harlestone Heath this afternoon there were 100+ Siskins roaming around the trees with small numbers of unidentified redpolls. Two Ring-necked Parakeets flew from the Lodge Farm area and overflew the rough area between Harlestone Heath and Kings Heath.
Three Bramblings were present at Harrington Airfield this morning.
Ringing at Kelmarsh Hall produced over 60 captures which included 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Treecreepers, a Marsh Tit, a Willow Tit, a Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpolls and 11 Siskins.
Regards
E & N
A visit to Hollowell Reservoir today failed to find any particular birds of note. Ravensthorpe Reservoir provided a female Red-crested Pochard and 3 Mandarin Ducks (2 drakes) which were visible from the causeway.
At Harlestone Heath this afternoon there were 100+ Siskins roaming around the trees with small numbers of unidentified redpolls. Two Ring-necked Parakeets flew from the Lodge Farm area and overflew the rough area between Harlestone Heath and Kings Heath.
Three Bramblings were present at Harrington Airfield this morning.
Ringing at Kelmarsh Hall produced over 60 captures which included 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Treecreepers, a Marsh Tit, a Willow Tit, a Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpolls and 11 Siskins.
Regards
E & N
Monday 12 November 2012
Great White Egret
Hi
At about 9am this morning the Great White Egret was seen again at Pitsford Res in the Holcot Bay (Neil Hasdell and Sarah Gibbs were the observers), about 100 yards in to the bay from the Goosander Hide...
E & N
At about 9am this morning the Great White Egret was seen again at Pitsford Res in the Holcot Bay (Neil Hasdell and Sarah Gibbs were the observers), about 100 yards in to the bay from the Goosander Hide...
E & N
Pitsford birds
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
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
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
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