Hi
A visit to Sywell CP today provided about 30 Siskins and at least a dozen 'redpolls'. The strong wind meant these birds were being tossed around in the small trees and observations were difficult.
About half a dozen Siskins were at both Sunderland Wood and Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon, with small numbers of Lesser Redpolls at the latter.
At Pitsford Res this evening the only different bird on view off the yacht club was a single Redshank, a species which has been very scarce this autumn/winter.
Regards
E & N
Tuesday 27 November 2012
Monday 26 November 2012
Harlestone Heath
Hi
I took a walk around Harlestone Heath this afternoon but didn't find much that was any different. Finches included 40 Siskins, 2-3 Bramblings (by the saw mills) and half a dozen unidentified redpolls. No sign of any Crossbills or Waxwings but a few Nuthatches are currently in residence.
Regards
Eleanor
I took a walk around Harlestone Heath this afternoon but didn't find much that was any different. Finches included 40 Siskins, 2-3 Bramblings (by the saw mills) and half a dozen unidentified redpolls. No sign of any Crossbills or Waxwings but a few Nuthatches are currently in residence.
Regards
Eleanor
Pitsford birds (what few there are)!
Hi
This morning the Black-necked Grebe and Kingfisher were again off the yacht club at Pitsford Res. At the old Scaldwell Road feeding station, birds included a Lesser Redpoll and a Water Rail.
At 12.30pm today there were 3 Bramblings visible amongst other birds on the seed at Harrington Airfield, on the concrete track just inside the metal barrier off the Draughton Road.
Regards
Neil M
This morning the Black-necked Grebe and Kingfisher were again off the yacht club at Pitsford Res. At the old Scaldwell Road feeding station, birds included a Lesser Redpoll and a Water Rail.
At 12.30pm today there were 3 Bramblings visible amongst other birds on the seed at Harrington Airfield, on the concrete track just inside the metal barrier off the Draughton Road.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 25 November 2012
Mediterranean Gull
Hi
Despite being out for much of the day in flooded Northamptonshire, we collectively saw very little today.
There was probably about half a dozen each of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin at Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon.
The Pitsford Res gull roost provided the opportunity of seeing an adult Mediterranean Gull again, in all probability the same individual that has wintered in this immediate area for quite a number of years now. There was a Kingfisher near to the Yacht Club and a Barn Owl was again hunting near the dam at dusk.
Regards
Neil M
Despite being out for much of the day in flooded Northamptonshire, we collectively saw very little today.
There was probably about half a dozen each of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin at Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon.
The Pitsford Res gull roost provided the opportunity of seeing an adult Mediterranean Gull again, in all probability the same individual that has wintered in this immediate area for quite a number of years now. There was a Kingfisher near to the Yacht Club and a Barn Owl was again hunting near the dam at dusk.
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 24 November 2012
Ringing at Pitsford
Hi
Dave Francis and John Kempster were ringing at Pitsford Res this morning and yesterday afternoon, concentrating on the old Scaldwell Road feeding station. A colour-ringed Barn Owl was hunting the Scaldwell Meadow yesterday evening.
Birds caught included 13 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Chaffinches, 5 Tree Sparrows (which included a bird still in juvenile plumge), 5 Blackbirds, a Fieldfare, 4 Yellowhammers and a Lesser Redpoll.
N & E
Dave Francis and John Kempster were ringing at Pitsford Res this morning and yesterday afternoon, concentrating on the old Scaldwell Road feeding station. A colour-ringed Barn Owl was hunting the Scaldwell Meadow yesterday evening.
Birds caught included 13 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Chaffinches, 5 Tree Sparrows (which included a bird still in juvenile plumge), 5 Blackbirds, a Fieldfare, 4 Yellowhammers and a Lesser Redpoll.
N & E
Ringing Kelmarsh Hall
Hi
A short ringing session took place at Kelmarsh Hall this morning which provided 78 captures, mostly of tits and common finches. Scarcer birds included a fine Grey Wagtail, 2 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Goldcrests.
Other birds noted included a single Waxwing which flew north at 9.44am, several Siskins and other Lesser Redpolls and the usual routine woodland birds.
Rergards
Neil M
A short ringing session took place at Kelmarsh Hall this morning which provided 78 captures, mostly of tits and common finches. Scarcer birds included a fine Grey Wagtail, 2 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Goldcrests.
Other birds noted included a single Waxwing which flew north at 9.44am, several Siskins and other Lesser Redpolls and the usual routine woodland birds.
Rergards
Neil M
Grey Wagtail
Lesser Redpoll (or 'Goldpoll'!)
Friday 23 November 2012
Not much to report...
Hi
A couple of Ravens were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and at Harrington Airfield this afternoon there were 4 Bramblings on the seed, a single Raven and a Short-eared Owl.
Regards
Eleanor
A couple of Ravens were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and at Harrington Airfield this afternoon there were 4 Bramblings on the seed, a single Raven and a Short-eared Owl.
Regards
Eleanor
Thursday 22 November 2012
Pitsford & Harrington
Hi
A WeBS census was completed at Pitsford Res today in increasingly windy conditions, but at least the rain held off!
It seemed quiet with only modest numbers of waterbirds and little that was out of the ordinary. The Black-necked Grebe was sheltering in the yacht bay at dusk, a few Crossbills and a Nuthatch were heard calling in the Walgrave Bay early this morning and a Little Egret flew over the causeway. Other birds included eleven unidentified and flighty redpolls, forty Snipe and there were three drake Pintail in the Scaldwell Bay.
At Harrington Airfield this morning the female Merlin was present with prey and up to seven Bramblings were feeding on the seed by the concrete track entrance.
Regards
E & N
A WeBS census was completed at Pitsford Res today in increasingly windy conditions, but at least the rain held off!
It seemed quiet with only modest numbers of waterbirds and little that was out of the ordinary. The Black-necked Grebe was sheltering in the yacht bay at dusk, a few Crossbills and a Nuthatch were heard calling in the Walgrave Bay early this morning and a Little Egret flew over the causeway. Other birds included eleven unidentified and flighty redpolls, forty Snipe and there were three drake Pintail in the Scaldwell Bay.
At Harrington Airfield this morning the female Merlin was present with prey and up to seven Bramblings were feeding on the seed by the concrete track entrance.
Regards
E & N
Wednesday 21 November 2012
What weather!
Hi
With the somewhat challenging weather conditions today it wasn't a day that was easy to go birdwatching! So a day of chores and restocking the wild bird feeding stations which meant we both managed to become drenched a couple of times!
At the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon, there were two Mediterranean Gulls on show - an adult and a 1st Winter.
Regards
N & E
With the somewhat challenging weather conditions today it wasn't a day that was easy to go birdwatching! So a day of chores and restocking the wild bird feeding stations which meant we both managed to become drenched a couple of times!
At the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon, there were two Mediterranean Gulls on show - an adult and a 1st Winter.
Regards
N & E
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Mediterranean Gull
Hi
The only bird of note today was a Mediterranean Gull in the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon. It was either a second winter or adult bird.
Regards
Neil M
The only bird of note today was a Mediterranean Gull in the gull roost at Pitsford Res this afternoon. It was either a second winter or adult bird.
Regards
Neil M
Monday 19 November 2012
Kingfisher tab
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
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
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
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